wrestling / TV Reports

Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 12.19.16

December 19, 2016 | Posted by Larry Csonka
Chris Jericho Kevin Owens
6
The 411 Rating
Community Grade
12345678910
Your Grade
Loading...
Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 12.19.16  

 photo Kevin Owens Show_zpsqmvkrp5s.jpg

Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 12.19.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Rusev defeated Big Cass @ 1:00 via DQ [NR
– Cedric Alexander defeated Noam Dar @ 4:51 via pin [**¼]
– Champions Sheamus & Cesaro & The New Day (Kofi & Big E) defeated the Club & The Shining Stars @ 10:40 via submission [**¾]
– Braun Strowman killed Titus O’Neil & Sin Cara
Non-Title Match: Bayley defeated Champion Charlotte @ 14:50 via pin [**¾]
– Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins defeated Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens @ 17:20 via DQ [***¼]


Jericho & Owens Talks: It’s the Chris and Kevin how tonight, Owens explains that he would do anything to keep the title, even taking a code breaker from Jericho. Owens said he never should have doubted Jericho’s friendship, but tonight they stand together. Jericho said the code breaker hurt him more than it hurt Owens, but he had to make everyone believe. He then gives Owens the “hug of Jericho,” and they have payback planned for tonight. Jericho says Santa is a stupid idiot that makes lists, and adds that he stole Jericho’s gimmick. Jericho put Santa on the list. Leading to 70’s Dance Club Mick Foley arriving. Hilarity ensued, and Foley revealed that, well…

 photo TAG TEAM MATCH_zpsr2smx8gu.jpg

Owens says he always finds a way to retain. Foley says it stops at the Royal Rumble. We’re getting a bonus use out of Ellering’s shark cage, that’s cost effective; Owens will defend against Reigns at the Rumble with Jericho locked in the cage. If Jericho doesn’t get in the cage at the Rumble, he never gets to step foot in WWE again. Jericho argued with Foley, who tricked Jericho into the cage and locked him in it. Foley ran the Bugs Bunny gambit there. More comedy ensued regarding the contents of Foley’s fanny pack, he forgot the key. Jericho, still locked in the cage, got hoisted up as Owens was not pleased. This was an overall good segment with some funny moments to set up the Owens vs. Reigns rematch. It finally appears that Foley may get one up on the best friends after failing to keep then from using run ins to save Owens’ title. For me it’s still a bit too much comedy around the world title, which has been an ongoing issue, but I’d lie if I said I didn’t laugh a few times.

– Post break, Jericho was getting oxygen, because he was hyperventilating.

– Enzo and Cass arrived for their usual shtick.

Big Cass vs. Rusev: Cass attacked at the bell, hoss fight to begin. It was all Cass, beating down Rusev in the corner, where Cass got disqualified for kicking too much ass. Rusev defeated Big Cass @ 1:00 via DQ [NR] It was what it was, neither guy needs to lose at this point, this feud must continue.

Sasha Banks Discusses Her latest Rental Of The WWE Raw Women’s Championship: Three reigns, 74 days. Holy shit, Banks has a knee brace and is using a crutch. I love that; WWE all too often doesn’t do the little things like this to sell a match. Banks said she gave her blood sweat and tears; to have to tap out twice broke her heart She discussed her feud with Charlotte, noting that they made history but the better woman won last night. She asked Charlotte to come out so that she could congratulate her in person. Instead of Charlotte, Nia Jax arrived, SASHA GONNA DIE! Jax said Banks is a weak little girl, and would never be the real boss. Jax kicked away her crutch, and tossed her around, proclaiming that she was the boss. Jax then left as Banks sat on her ass in the ring. This started well enough, but really lost steam; Jax needed to completely destroy Banks to get some real heat on her. It felt like they did half of the segment and stopped.

– Sheamus and Cesaro met with Foley, who basically takes credit for their success. He reveals the new Raw tag titles, red with the silver, similar to the Smackdown tag titles.

– Strowman is destroying shit backstage, and he wants to kill Sami Zayn tonight. Foley said Zayn let already and offers the night off.

– Austin Aries is out for commentary.

Cedric Alexander vs. Noam Dar: Dar tried for a cheap shot, but Alexander cut him off and ran wild early. Pot break, Dar went up top but missed his attack, tweaked his knee, allowing Alexander to hit the lumbar check for the win. Cedric Alexander defeated Noam Dar @ 4:51 via pin [**¼] This was solid, and looked to be a nice little showcase for Alexander. I can do without the Noam Dar creeper angle; it just doesn’t interest me.

– Post match, Dar said he wanted Alicia Fox, because she’s the real prize.

– New Day is here. They speak about losing the titles, and say they will win them back.

– Sheamus takes time to mock New Day, calling himself the new tag team champions. Kofi says is insulted that Sheamus & Cesaro got new titles, but is happy for Cesaro, but not Sheamus. New Day puts over Cesaro’s skills. Sheamus takes all the credit for winning the titles, and calls New Day a disgrace, noting that he can break their record. Woods puts over their merchandise and being positive. The Club then arrives. They run everyone down and call them nerds and geeks. And now, the Shining Stars arrive. They shill their resort, and we get a brawl.

Champions Sheamus & Cesaro & The New Day (Kofi & Big E) vs. the Club & The Shining Stars: The heels took the early heat on Kofi, beating him down in their corner. Gallows and Anderson grounded Kofi, Kofi tried to fight back, but Gallows hit a chokeslam. We took a commercial break, and post break, Anderson kept the heat on Kofi. Kofi looked for a tag, got cut off but managed to hit a tornado DDT. Dives by the Stars followed; The Club hit the boot of doom on Kofi for the near fall. It breaks down, Big E in and he cleans house with suplexes. After dancing, Sheamus tags himself in and beats on one of the Stars. Finlay roll follows, sets for a brogue kick, but gets distracted and Cesaro tags in and works double-teams with Sheamus. We get the big move buffet, uppercut by Cesaro and then the swing on Epico. The sharp shooter follows and Epico taps out. Champions Sheamus & Cesaro & The New Day (Kofi & Big E) defeated the Club & The Shining Stars @ 10:40 via submission [**¾] That developed into a fun match, although it feels as if they don’t have a solid plan moving forward as far as challengers go.

– Enzo talks with Cass, and says he feels he’s costing Cass wins. They make plans for tonight. They receive an envelope; Enzo gets a letter from HR to attend sensitivity training for exposing himself backstage a few weeks ago.

– Neville arrives, and says he destroyed the cruiserweight champion and his friend while the fans cheered him. It’s been a long time since they cheered him, he doesn’t need their pity or sympathy so take your cheers and stick them. This is a warning, if your favorite is on 205 live, he plans to obliterate the division. Rich Swann arrives and wants to know what happened to the man he looked up to. Neville says he took Swann under his wing in Japan, but Swann has no respect or gratitude for the king of the cruiserweights. Swann says as long as he is the champion, he is the best and Neville can’t handle it. Kendrick arrived and ran down Swann for not respecting Neville. Kendrick says he and Neville are pioneers and they are the reason we have “all of this,” Neville wants o put Swann in his place. Kendrick and Neville attack Swann, but Perkins arrives to make the save, but got cut off right away. Neville & Kendrick stand tall. This was far from a great promo from Neville, but played off of his return and heel turn well. Neville & Kendrick vs. Swann & Perkins makes sense for tomorrow’s 205 Live.

– Time for sensitivity training. Mahal, Young, Dallas, Backland and Enzo are all there. Enzo blames his partner for him showing off his Italian sausage. We get some bad comedy, Enzo keeps delivering lines and upsetting the lady in charge. They could have at least brought back Dr. Shelby.

Titus O’Neil vs. Sin Cara: the match begins, but Braun Strowman arrives and kills them both. Strowman hits a powerslam on O’Neil on the floor and then abuses Cara as refs arrive to try and break it up. Strowman carries Cars u the ramp, Foley arrives and tells Strowman to stop, so Strowman tosses Cara off the stage onto a pile of Christmas Trees and presents. Merry Christmas you filthy animals – Braun Strowman I liked that, no one wanted to see that match, and Strowman should be pissed about Zayn surviving at the PPV and looking to end guys.

 photo QI4KQ_zpsfm6kylfi.gif

– Chris Jericho is still upset about the cage incident from earlier in the show. Jericho is afraid of heights, noting that he was hanging like a sexy piñata. Owens gave him a pep talk and promised to beat Reigns quickly at the Rumble.

Charlotte Is Here To Celebrate: She jokes about calling out Banks, but fears she wouldn’t make it, due to the fact that she beat the boss out of Banks. She claims to be the best, noting that she’d beat Stratus and Moolah. She’s the queen of PPV, a guaranteed winner. Bayley arrives to dispute these claims, but first congratulates her and says Charlotte vs. Banks will be the best women’s rivalry in history. Charlotte says Bayley should be in the crowd, paying to watch her. Bayley says the Charlotte vs. Bayley rivalry needs to begin. Bayley reminds Charlotte that she’s 2-0 against her, and wants revenge for Survivor Series. Charlotte says she’s always been #1, and Bayley has always been #4, which is why she didn’t come in with Charlotte, Sasha and Becky. Bayley is willing to prove herself right now, but Charlotte plays the “I wrestled an iron man match” last night card. Charlotte is willing to take her to school. Charlotte continues to play the role of condescending bitch extremely well. Bayley is lovable, but the verbiage they give her is very poor.

Bayley vs. Champion Charlotte: they locked up and did some basic back and forth, with Bayley taking control early. Bayley stayed a step ahead of Charlotte. Charlotte finally took control, working a headlock, but Bayley fought back with arm drags and a high cross, before strutting to mock Charlotte.

Bayley then worked a bunch of pinning combos, and we took a commercial break. Post break, Charlotte was working the heat, grounding Bayley and hitting the skull fucker. Bayley fought back, hitting snap mares and then blocking attacks from Charlotte. Bayley fired up with rights and clotheslines, and then hit a cutter as Charlotte came through the ropes. Corner elbows by Bayley followed, she heads up top, but Charlotte pulled her off and looked for the moonsault, it connected, but Bayley kicked out. Bayley then got a cradle for 2. Charlotte fired away with chops, backlside by Bayley and she gets the pin. The Flair family has issues with the backslide. Bayley defeated Champion Charlotte @ 14:50 via pin [**¾] Charlotte’s shoulder cam up before three, and commentary made too big a deal of it considering It was a babyface win. They also harped on Bayley “taking advantage” of Charlotte too much, I felt it took away from Bayley’s win. The match was pretty good overall, the work was clean as they are very familiar with each other, and it had some un moments. It lacked some heat, and I kept waiting for the energy level to pick up down the stretch; it was a little flat.

– Back to sensitivity training. They did role reversals, and they get certificates for passing the class. Enzo promises to be more sensitive in all aspects of his life, and hits on the teacher. Rusev arrives, he and Jinder kick the shit out of Enzo. Lana arrives and slaps him, Rusev then puts him through a table. Looks like the only thing Enzo is certified as is being a bitch.

– Emmalina refuses to debut, because she’s too good or us.

– Neville & Kendrick vs. Swann & Perkins is set for tomorrow’s 205 Live.

– Dean Ambrose faces Luke Harper on Smackdown.

Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins: Jericho attacks Rollins right away, leading to he and Owens double teaming him in the corner. Rollins managed to fight back, toss Owens to the floor and then he laid the boots to Jericho. Reigns tagged in, Owens stalled and wanted no part of his challenger. Jericho and Owens tried to take a walk, but got cut off and we took a break. Post break, Reigns ran wild on Owens, they brawled to the floor, but back in the ring Jericho took control, grounding Reigns with a chinlock. He and Owens worked the heat, looking to get revenge from the PPV and the shield bombs they took. Reigns fired up, but was cut off immediately by Owens. Reigns finally hit the Samoan drop, got the tag to Rollins who ran wild on a great hot tag. Jericho fought of the pedigree, but Rollins hit a suicide dive onto both Jericho and Owens. Superman punch to Owens, flying knee to Jericho, but Rollins countered the high fly flow with the knees. He locked in the walls, Reigns cut off Jericho with the superman punch but Braun Strowman arrived and attacked reigns for the DQ. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins defeated Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens @ 17:20 via DQ [***¼]

I have no issue with Strowman’s involvement, he promised to destroy shit due to Foley not giving him Zayn, and what better way to get attention and some heat on him before the rumble than to get involved in the main event. As far as the wresrling goes, this was the best match on the show.

– Braun Strowman stood tall to close the show.

 photo komania_zpsxq6ddmd9.gif

“Mama says these my magic shoes. Mama said they would take me anywhere…”

6.0
The final score: review Average
The 411
Tonight’s Raw was a solid and easy to watch show; a solid follow up to the Roadblock PPV. It felt as if it was an appetizer style event, as they set the stage and got things rolling for the Royal Rumble build. They even set the stage for some 205 Live stuff.
legend

article topics :

RAW, Tremendous Tirades, WWE, Larry Csonka