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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 1.25.16

January 25, 2016 | Posted by Larry Csonka
6
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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 1.25.16  

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MONDAY NIGHT RAW 1.25.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Kevin Owens defeated Dolph Ziggler @ 8:45 via pin [**½]
– The Dudleyz defeated The Social Outcasts @ 4:40 via pin [*]
– AJ Styles defeated Chris Jericho @ 12:10 via pin [***]
– Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch went to a no contest @ 3:44 [*]
– Bray Wyatt defeated Kane @ 7:05 via pin [DUD]
– Natalya and Paige defeated Brie Bell and Alicia Fox @ 2:39 via pin [NR]
Non-Title Match: Champion Kalisto defeated The Miz @ 9:45 via pin [**]
– Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns defeated Rusev and Sheamus @ 15:25 via pin [**¾]


The Authority Talks: Vince and Stephanie dance don down to the ring to kick off the show this week. I’m just as shocked as you are. Vince is all excited because they broke Roman Reigns and took his title. He also admitted that he loves the misery of others, and that no one is more miserable than Reigns is right now. Stephanie is so happy that they tricked everyone, cackling like they pulled off the biggest swerve of all time. They mentioned AJ Styles in there as they talked about people possibly winning the Rumble; he got a strong reaction and chants after that. They then brought out Triple H, who put over Roman Reigns but said that while he could be a great star, he isn’t today because he lacks respect. Triple H was not pleased that Reigns disrespected Vince, and said that Vince may as well be God because he created all of this and this is his religion, his church and his law. He said that he doesn’t need to be WWE Champion; he wanted to be WWE Champion and Reigns did not deserve it. So until he says so, he will be the WWE Champion, until everyone learns respect, he will be WWE Champion and no one can do anything about it. They then said that they would evaluate the roster and name the main event for Fastlane; the winner at Fastlane will face Triple H for the title at Mania. The segment wasn’t bad in fact Triple H cut a hell of a promo and they set the stage for Fastlane and gave this show purpose. There was a lot of focus on Reigns, but he never appeared. That dude needs to be pissed off and fired up when he arrives. No speeches, just killing anyone and everyone that was involved in fucking him over.

– AJ Styles faces Chris Jericho tonight. Don’t get me wrong I am glad to see it, but isn’t that first time match something that (at the very least) should get a week’s build or I don’t know, be saved for PPV? Shit, at least hype it ALL DAY on social media and the website.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin Owens: Owens is still limping a bit and has his arm wrapped, selling last night’s match with Ambrose. Ziggler attacked right away and they battled to the floor, we then had some back and forth both in and out of the ring. They worked through the commercial break, when they came back Owens was in control but Ziggler made the comeback, Owens posted himself and Ziggler hit the fameasser for a near fall. More back and forth, (Owens missed a cannon ball and Ziggler missed the corner splash) Owens hit a German but then Ziggler hit a superkick for another near fall. They battled to the corner and up top, and Owens just shoved Ziggler off the ropes and to the mat. Ziggler ran back up the ropes, but Owens dropped down and Ziggler crashed and burned. Pop up powerbomb by Owens and that was that. That was a rock solid TV match, with both guys working hard and Owens looking great following his PPV loss.

– JoJo interviewed Roman Reigns, informing him about what Vince said about him. Roman took this very lightly, and said he wasn’t leaving until the announcement was made later on.

– The Social Outcasts are here. They addressed Flo Rida, who was in the crowd. We ended up with a rap battle between Flo Rida and “Bo Rida.” Bo was completely goofy in a fun way, as was the celebration by the Social Outcasts. It was a celebrity appearance with a few chuckles. The Dudleyz arrived, and we’re getting a tag match.

The Dudleyz vs. The Social Outcasts (Axel and Dallas): JIP with the Dudleyz in control for a short period, and then Axel and Dallas took control. Dallas is now wearing a singlet. The Outcasts did a victory lap and worked over Bubba for a bit. Bubba hit a belly to back suplex and got the tag to Devon, who worked over Axel. Bubba blind tagged in, double team neck breaker connects and then they took out Rose. Slater tied to get involved and Flo Rida tossed him in the ring. Slater got in his face and then ran into a slam by Bubba and the head butt from Devon. 3D on Axel and that was that. This was a nothing match with no heat, not even for the celebrity involvement. Moving on.

– Renee spoke with AJ Styles backstage. AJ said that he made headlines last night and turned the WWE Universe upside down. Jericho then arrived and said he knew who AJ was and has waited forever to have him in WWE, where he belongs. He says AJ now has the chance to make a mark against him tonight in a first time match. Jericho then said, “welcome to the big leagues kid.”

– Chris Jericho will be on SportsCenter tomorrow night.

AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho: Jericho has a serious, surly look on his face as he worked here. Styles was bumping big for him, working at a fast and crisp pace early. Honestly Jericho looked slow at times compared to Styles. I think part of that is the fact that Styles is so quick and crisp, while Jericho still tries to work like it’s 2000. He needs to adapt, he’s a smart dude and should realize that. Commentary was annoying here, last night they put him over big time, but tonight they were playing the “does he even belong here” bullshit. AJ hit the dropkick combo, but Jericho tripped him up on the apron as they went to a commercial. After the break, Jericho had things slowed with the chinlock. Styles fought back and they then hit the double cross body spot, and both men were down. Styles finally fired up and took control for a bit, Jericho tried the walls but Styles countered into a neck breaker for 2. Some odd moments here where Jericho was obviously calling things, causing the match to not be as smooth as it could have been. Styles then connected with the springboard forearm for a near fall. Jericho then countered a RANA into the walls, Styles eventually fought to the ropes and Jericho had to break. Styles then hit the PELE and went up top, but missed the frog splash. Jericho ate knees on the lionsault, and then Styles fought out of a cradle and got the sunset flip for the win. The good news is that Styles won, and I also like that they have teased, but not yet had him hit the Styles Clash. I am not sure that this was the right debut match for Styles on Raw. I really think it needed some build, as it is a match people had wanted to see. Also, while this wasn’t bad by any means, I don’t think that this was the best way to showcase what Styles can do the Raw audience. Maybe have a match with some one like Neville, who is quick an athletic, to show off what Styles can do a bit better. Then Jericho arrives and says “good, you beat this dude, but you’re nothing until you beat me” and then set that for next week to give us some build. Again, it’s not bad, but I think the Raw debt could have been done better. Overall I enjoyed the match, but feel that they can do way better as far as delivering a great match.

– Jericho reluctantly shook hands with Styles post match, and stared him down.

– They teased the returning star.

Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch: Banks talked smack at the bell, leading to Lynch attacking. Banks took control, even slapping Lynch around a bit before working the neck crank. Lynch escaped and hit some dropkicks, and the corner forearm. The XPLODER followed, and that got 2. We then had some back and forth, and Banks looked to have it won with the Banks statement, but Charlotte ran in for the DQ and worked over Lynch. Banks tried to get some, but Charlotte worked her over as well and stood tall. The match was short and solid for the time given, and the attack looks to set us up for a three-way at Fastlane.

– Goldust looks for Truth in the back and then listens to his music. Goldust is looking for a new partner. Truth informs Goldust that he is married, and that he doesn’t swing that way. GAY JOKES. Goldust also has tourett’s again, damn that electrocution.

– Jericho’s Highlight Reel returns on Smackdown, with guests Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. Boy, that sure feels like a possible Fastlane spoiler.

Kane vs. Bray Wyatt w/The Swamp Monsters: They did some clubbering and then went to a commercial about a minute in as the crowd chanted for Lesnar. We came back after three minutes of commercials, as bray took Kane to chinlock city. Kane made a comeback as the crowd chanted for the guy dressed like Randy Savage in the front row. Event staff made him sit down, which the crowd hated and chanted “YOU SUCK” at the event staffer. This was way more interesting than Kane vs. Bray Version 23. Kane eventually got distracted and Bray took over and hit Sister Abigail for the victory. Listen, he’s not my favorite, but if you’re going to book Bray vs. Lesnar, the fucking portray him as a legit threat and have him mow through Kan. The fact that he needed help and was booked so evenly was completely counter-productive. The match was bad, the crowd did NOT care and the booking was shit. That was, unfortunately for us, the first horrible thing on the show.

– According to the Twitter, the guys that were in the front row dressed up as wrestlers got booted. They have been moved to the hard camera side.

– Rich Brennan is outside at the limo, trying to get the scoop. It’s the Miz inside, nothing to see here. A black pick up truck then arrived and it’s the Rock. He told Miz to park his truck. Rick Ross is backstage with his crew and they hg it out. Rock then runs into Big Show, and reminds him of the Rumble match he won against Show. They argued, and Rock then said Show should have won and his life could have been different if he won. Rock made him cry as he explained he could have been the Scorpion King. Rock’s a dick. He then ran into Lana, and brought up the segment he had with her and Rusev. He claims Lana came to her hotel room that night, they got drunk and did “special exercises.” SEX JOKES. Rusev arrived, and Rock informed Rusev that Lana was flexible as all hell and moved on. And we move on from our Saturday Night Live monologue and into the in talking segment….

The Rock is Here: Rock said he was hyped for Mania, and the crowd chanted for the dude dressed like Randy Savage. Rock said he was going off script and went over to the dudes dressed up like Taker, Hogan, Rock and Savage. Well he just gave them a cool moment while Vince went insane at gorilla. But before Rock could get into it too much, THE NEW DAY arrived! New Day explained how they beat the Usos, Dragons and Dudleyz. They mocked Rock for not watching the product, and that he didn’t have any gold, despite being known as the People’s Champion. New Day did their shenanigans, telling Rock he took the money and ran, doing it for the money instead of the people. Rock stood there, looking almost confused at this. Rock of course said that they were wearing llama penises on their head, and said they resembled “chocolate corn holes.” He claimed Big E looked like the Incredible Hulk banged Urkel. He also scored with “turning the trombone sideways and sticking it up their asses.” New Day decided that Miami didn’t deserve to see a fight and tried to bail. Rock then introduced plan B, and the Usos arrived and we had the big brawl. Rock bottom for Big E, an Uso took out Kofi and then Woods apologized to Rock, but ate superkicks. Rock then hit the spinebuster and peoples elbow. Rock promised to see us at Mania and hugged it out with the Usos. I don’t think it as great, but it was a fun segment. The goal was to make sure people know Rock will be at Mania, and to try and give the Usos some cred because the crowd ha snot been that into them since their return and love New Day. Whether or not that works will remain to be seen, but it was fun and I was happy to see New Day get a segment with Rock. It just sucks that I now want to see a six-man tag that we’ll likely never see. Rock is also on another level than most charisma wise, but he also has carte blanche to say whatever the hell he wants when others have limitations.

Paige and Natalya vs. Brie Bella and Alicia Fox: And this is your weekly reminder that Total Divas is on tomorrow night. We got some back and forth, Brie did the Daniel Bryan kicks, but Paige then got tagged in as the crowd chanted for Bryan. So Fox saved Brie from the scorpion cross lock; Natalya sent her to the floor, and then Paige hit Ram-Paige and that was that. That was a big old pile of blah.

US Champion Kalisto vs. The Miz: Kalisto controlled early, doing a dive and some fun stuff. Miz ran to the floor and we headed to a commercial break. Post break Miz had control, pulling Kalisto from the corner and causing him to crash hard to the mat. Miz’s heat segment was rather uneventful. Kalisto then made the fast paced comeback, and scored a near fall off of the corkscrew forearm. Miz came back with the a DDT, and that got a near fall. Miz went for the skull-crushing finale, but Kalisto countered into the salida del sol for the win. This was rather average, with the middle coming off a bit dead for me, but hey Kalisto won and is still champion, so that’s good for him!

Rusev and Sheamus vs. Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns w/Del Rio and Barrett: Ambrose and Reigns controlled the opening minute, sending Rusev and Sheamus to the floor. Ambrose hit his wacky elbow off the top and to the floor, and we took a commercial break. After the FOUR AND A HALF MINUTE commercial break, Ambrose ran wild on Sheamus, tossing him to the floor and hitting a dive. But the numbers got to him as Rusev tossed him off the ropes and to the floor, where Barrett and Del Rio tossed Ambrose over the barricade. Sheamus and Rusev then worked a long heat on the already weakened Ambrose. Ambrose hit a desperation clothesline and finally got the hot tag to Reigns. Ambrose was all fired up, working over Rusev and sending he and Sheamus to the floor. He followed and the beatings continued. Barrett and Del Rio distracted Reigns, allowing Rusev to work him over and then Sheamus hit the brogue kick for a near fall when Ambrose made the save. Ambrose and Rusev to the floor, spear by Reigns on Sheamus and that was that.

– Post match, Ambrose and Reigns dismantled the commentary position and then set p to powerbomb Rusev through the table. Poor Rusev was destroyed as they hit the double team powerbomb.

– Stephanie then came out and announced that the main event of Fastlane was going to be Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar. I have to ask, if they hate Reigns so much, why even give him a sniff at the Mania main event?

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

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“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

6.0
The final score: review Average
The 411
This was an overall solid, but unspectacular edition of Raw. There wasn’t a lot of great wrestling, but they did start to set the stage for Fastlane, announcing the main event and setting groundwork for the women’s title feud. AJ Styles had a solid Raw debut, Kalisto picked up a win, the Rock returned for a fun segment and outside of the Kane vs. Wyatt match, I didn’t really hate anything.
legend

article topics :

RAW, Tremendous Tirades, WWE, Larry Csonka