Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 12.05.16

Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 12.05.16

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Seth Rollins defeated The Big Show @ 8:00 via DQ [**]
– Jack Gallagher defeated Ariya Daivari @ 2:55 via pin [NR]
– Non-Title Match: Champion Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn @ 11:55 via pin [***]
– Cruiserweight Title Match: Champion Rich Swann defeated TJ Perkins @ 5:55 via pin [**¾]
– For The Love of Cedric Alexander:Bayley defeated Alicia Fox @ 2:20 via pin [NR]
– Mark Henry vs. Titus O’Neil @ 0:26 via pin [NR]
– US Title Match: Champion Roman Reigns defeated Chris Jericho @ 15:30 via pin [***½]
– #1 Contender’s Match: Anderson & Gallows vs. Sheamus & Cesaro went to a double DQ@ 9:47 via DQ [**¾]

Seth Rollins Wants Triple H: he sent a message to Triple H when he pedigreed Jericho on a car last week. He knows he can’t just call out Triple H, because Triple H doesn’t work NFL season against Monday Night Football. He has to defeat Owens to win the title to get the attention of the almighty Hs, but that he has to get rid of Chris Jericho. Rollins then played mind games with Owens regarding his rocky relationship with Jericho. Rollins ranted and claimed to be fighting champion, and Rollins challenged him to a title match. Owens revealed that Jericho gets a tote match against Reigns tonight and that Jericho will face Rollins at Roadblock. Rollins has to face Zayn tonight, and Stephanie booked Rollins vs. Big Show. This was a perfectly solid opening segment setting the tags for the PPV, but it’s largely the same players discussing the same shit week in and out, and does nothing for me. Owens gets the former Authority favorite booked against Show as punishment.

– We get a video package on Swann winning the Cruiserweight title on the 205 live Debut. We also got a Jack Gallagher video.

Seth Rollins vs. The Big Show : Show is in great shape, down in weight and moving around well; Show controlled most of the match, Rollins attacked the knees and ran wild for a bit as Owens yelled at Show. Show fought off the pedigree, Owens yelled at Show one rime too many, chokeslammed him, slowing Rollins to pedigree Owens. Seth Rollins defeated The Big Show @ 8:00 via countout [**] Big Show managed to turn from heel to face in that short segment. What little bit of a match we go was ok, I get that Owens got laid out because he was talking shit to Show, but I feel that Owens is getting more devalued as the weeks go on.

Jack Gallagher vs. Ariya Daivari: They worked a solid back and forth, Daivari talked shit and ate a head butt an then the shotgun dropkick, allowing Gallagher to pick up the win. Jack Gallagher defeated Ariya Daivari @ 2:55 via pin [NR] Daivari is bland and boring, and is actually making Gallagher feel; get Gallagher away from the charisma void. I see that’s runs in the Daivari family. This was boring and had no energy. We have Metalik, Cedric & Tozawa around and I am still getting Ariya Daivari matches.

– Post match, Ariya Daivari was a dick and attacked Gallagher.

– Owens whined to Foley about Show attacking him. Foley said he still had to face Zayn tonight. Jericho arrived and Owens kissed his ass, telling him about the matches he had made for him. Jericho was not impressed and said that they weren’t good.

– Enzo and Cass see Lana and Rusev arguing, and Enzo as not a fan of how Rusev talked to her. Enzo then consoled/hit on Lana after Rusev had left. Lana spilled her feelings to Enzo and then set him up to come to her hotel room an die at Rusev’s hands, noting that Rusev needs to be taught a lesson and shown other men desire her.

Champion Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn: Both guys were fired up to begin, with both looking to take early control and hitting dives. They worked through a break, and post break, Owens grounded Zayn. This was a lower level Owens vs. Zayn match, good but staying in the lower gears. Thy played the hits, showed some good intensity, and then Owens hit the fisherman’s buster off the ropes for a nice near fall. Owens then hit a pair of cannonballs, and turn they worked s good series of counters. Zayn hit some great suplexes, Owens survived, but then ate an XPLODER into the barricade; Owens ended Zayn’s night with the pop up powerbomb. Champion Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn @ 11:55 via pin [***] Even at half speed, Zayn and Owens still can put on a good match with good heat and a fun vibe. I feel that Owens needed that win, match where he wins clean and that gets him away from Rollins & Reigns, he’s been too entangled with them for the last few months.

– We get highlights from Sasha Banks’ latest title victory.

-Interchangeable interview chick interviewed Banks about he tike win and celebrating with Ric Flair. She hates Charlotte as a person, but respects her because they made history and bring out the best in each other. Banks then challenged Charlotte to an iron woman match at Roadblock.

Champion Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins: Perkins defeated Swann in the quarterfinals of the Cruiserweight Classic. Commentary says Perkins is cashing in his rematch clause. They worked a fun, playful and fast paced opening stretch. Worked a good heat segment, keeping a good pace and looking for the heel hook. Swann cut off Perkins with a sweet spin kick as Perkins tried to springboard in. Champion Rich Swann defeated TJ C @ 5:55 via pin [**¾] This was pretty good, as they did the best they could with the limited time frame. I like that Perkins went after the title against Swann, who he previously beat in the CEC, that was a nice callback.

– Swann and Kendrick rematch on 205 live tomorrow

Bayley vs. Alicia Fox: Bayley gave Cedric Alexandra a teddy bear; Fox got pissed because she’s smitten with Cedric. They worked a solid match with a horrible set up, and Bayley hit V to belly for the win. Bayley defeated Alicia Fox @ 2:20 via pin [NR] This was a perfectly solid enough match to give Bayley a nice and clean win.

– Cass tried to warn Enzo that Lana was nothing but trouble. Enzo kept singing about his body being ready, because he was hoping to fuck. Rusev arrived to set up a match with Cass, Mark Henry vs. Titus O’Neil : They are feuding O’Neil is upset Henry got a role in a WWE Studios project ahead of him. Henry hit the WSS in 26 seconds to put O’Neil away.

Mark Henry vs. Titus O’Neil @ 0:26 via pin [NR] Thankfully short

– Enzo’s uber driver can’t find him, Ric Flair arrives and gives Enzo hi limo so he can try to get his sexual pleasures on with Lana.

– Owens tried to make up with Jericho, but Jericho told him to fuck off because he will win the US Tike on his own…

Champion Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho: Jericho attacked at the bell, Reigns fired back with strikes and used his power game, but Jericho hit high cross to the floor. Post break, they really picked up the pace and worked into the big moves and near fall, with Jericho hitting the code breaker, Reigns hitting a sit out powerbomb and finally hitting the spear (after surviving the Owens interference, lionsault & walls) for the win. Jericho and Owens argued, Jericho claimed he didn’t need Owens and demanded he leave. Reigns finally hit the spear (after surviving the Owens interference, lionsault & walls) for the win.

Champion Roman Reigns defeated Chris Jericho @ 15:30 via pin [***½] Reigns & Jericho have developed a nice chemistry, Jericho lays out a good match to allow Reigns (who is about to challenge for the title) to shine and also set up some really nice near falls. I really enjoyed that. I felt that it was a bit too much about Jericho and Owens as opposed to Reigns racking up wins and being a threat to Owens’ title.

– Cass called Enzo to reveal that Rusev no showed their match. IT’S A TRAP!

– Enzo arrived at the hotel, and Rusev kicked his ass for trying to sleep with his wife. Looks like Enzo was SAWFT in the end, even though Lana had the room ready for the wonder sex and told him to take off his pants. Enzo realized this was a bad idea and Lana called for Rusev. It appears that Enzo doesn’t like it rough, but Lana liked watching.

Brutal. @WWEAaLLday21 @RusevBUL @LanaWWE #RAW pic.twitter.com/g2LJ9jeVs2

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 6, 2016

#1 Contender’s Match: Anderson & Gallows vs. Sheamus & Cesaro: Anderson is wearing long tights, it’s odd. The winners face New Day or the titles next week. Anderson and Gallows took control early, New Day distracted them, it broke down, leading to Cesaro and Cesaro working over Gallows. Post break, Anderson hit the spinebuster on Cesaro for a near fall. Good heat on Cesaro by Anderson and Gallows; Sheamus then helped Cesaro escape the Magic killer, leading to Sheamus firing up on Anderson and then hitting a pair of Finlay rolls. Cesaro then ran wild with a high cross and springboard uppercut. Thy all spilled to the floor, New Day got involved and we got a DQ finish. They didn’t announce a winner but we’ll go double DQ to set the triple threat for next week. Anderson & Gallows vs. Sheamus & Cesaro went to a double DQ@ 9:47 via DQ [**¾] Again, commentary Is really missing out not telling the story of regarding New Day’s change in attitude as they close in on the record; it’s been a great sub-plot that for some reason they really aren’t exploring enough. The match was pretty good, as they worked together well. I can see them having a great ass kicking, hoss style back and forth match.

It'll be #TheNewDay vs. @WWESheamus & @WWECesaro vs. #GallowsAndAnderson NEXT WEEK for the Tag Titles on #RAW! #TripleThreat pic.twitter.com/aK6enjCd3F

— WWE (@WWE) December 6, 2016

– Emmalina returns next week.

Family Therapy With The Flairs: Charlotte makes her way to the ring and has accepted the challenge for the iron woman match. She apologizes for being a cold-hearted bitch to her father, and we get the footage. Charlotte is working her Sandra Dee wardrobe. Losing her title was hard, but not as bad as her father celebrating with Banks. She just wanted her father’s approval; it broke her heart, and she asked Ric to come tonight for an apology. Charlotte said she was sorry and wanted a hug, slapped Ric, called him a son of a bitch and then Banks made the save. They brawled on the floor, with Charlotte slamming Banks to the barricade and then hitting a reverse toss powerbomb to the post. Charlotte then mocked Ric for crying and posed over Banks.

That segment came off very well; Charlotte was a supreme bitch, using good emotion to make you feel she may be sorry before executing her plan, further embarrassing her father for revenge and also softening up Banks prior to their rematch. There are times when I feel Charlotte is very hit or miss, but I felt she delivered big time tonight. The biggest thing tonight is that Charlotte didn’t let the crowd get to her like she has in the past.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

6.5

The final score: review Average

The 411

Tonight’s effort was a strong one, setting some stuff for 205 Live, next week and the PPV. I felt as if it took some time to really get going, and was flat early, but it was a largely efficient show; catch Jericho vs. Reigns and the closing segment.