Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 8.21.17

Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 8.21.17

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– Street Fight: Enzo defeated Big Cass @ 8:55 via pin [*]
– Nia Jax defeated Emma @ 1:10 via pin [NR]
– Elias defeated R-Truth @ 1:21 via pin [NR]
– Mustafa Ali, Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander, and Mustafa Ali defeated Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, Noam Dar, and Ariya Daivari @ 8:10 via pin [**½]
– WWE Raw Tag Team Title Match: Champions Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose defeated The Hardys @ 16:56 via pin [***¼]
– Finn Balor defeated Jason Jordan @ 11:43 via pin [**½]
– Roman Reigns & John Cena defeated The Miz & Samoa Joe @ 13:04 via pin [**¾]

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– Follow all of my reviews at this link.

– I wrote a column looking at the possible candidates for Goldust’s newest masterpiece at this link; they didn’t reveal who it was at Summerslam.

– You can check out my WWE Summerslam review at this link.

Paul & Brock are Here to Gloat: Brock is very happy and looking pretty spry after the ass kicking he took last night. I get that he’s a beast, but a little selling after what Braun put him through would have been appreciated. Paul is thrilled to announce Brock as the reigning and defending champion. He told us all; he spoiled the main event weeks ago. Because when Summerslam was over, Brock was still the champion. It was a conspiracy to take the title from his client, but Brock came back from the stretcher job and kept his championship by pinning Roman Reigns. If there are beatings and conquering to do, Brock Lesnar is the man to do so. BUT WAIT, BRAUN IS NOT FINISHED WITH BROCK YET! Brock showed a great shift in attitude as soon as Braun’s music hit, which was a nice little touch. The crowd chants Strowman as they go face-to-face and they brawl. Braun his the big powerslam and then hits another! He then picks up the Universal title and stands tall. This was a very good opening segment, Heyman was on point, it didn’t go too long and Braun looks to be next up and I can’t wait for these two to try and destroy each other.

– Enzo cuts his usual promo, running down Cass, and telling him that his book smarts can’t beat his street smarts. Enzo then looks back on their friendship, which started 15-years ago. They used to have each other’s back, but Cass turned his on Enzo. Cass broke bread with Enzo’s family and tonight, where it started, it ends. Enzo now rolls out the ECW grocery cart of toys.

Street Fight: Enzo vs. Big Cass: Cass has repeatedly destroyed Enzo with ease. It will be interesting to see if the stipulation allows him to get anything in, or if Show simply gets involved to allow Enzo to win. Cass charges up the ramp, attacking and ramming the cart into Enzo. They work into the ring, and Cass grabs a chair and gives it to Enzo, and then hits the big boot as we head to a break. Post break, and Cass is in control and beating on Enzo. Enzo hits a desperation jawbreaker, but Cass cuts him off and hits a corner splash. Enzo tries to fire up again, but Cass just beats him down and then misses a big boot and spill to the floor. Enzo gets the chair, but Cass is back to stop that. Cass is limping, selling the leg and spill to the floor. Cass’ knee gave out as he looked for the empire elbow. The trainer checks on Cass and the match is called off. Enzo defeated Big Cass @ 8:55 via pin [*] The match wasn’t good before the injury, which is bad news for Cass. Hopefully the injury isn’t too bad, but reports are that it is legit, but undetermined as of this writing. He’s scheduled for an MRI tomorrow.

– Emma & Dana Brooke meet backstage, with Emma complaining about Banks. Emma says she will take out Nia Jax tonight and runs her down, and Jax appears behind her; Nia’s going to kill her tonight.

Nia Jax vs. Emma: Emma slaps Jax and fires up with strikes, but Jax quickly cuts her off and delivers elbow drops. She then tosses Emma around, hits the corner splash but misses the second. Emma hits a dropkick, but Jax hits the Samoan drop for the win. Nia Jax defeated Emma @ 1:10 via pin [NR] SQUASH.

– Dolph Ziggler is getting more TV time via Crickett Wireless commercials than he has the entire last month on Smackdown.

– The Drifter is here to sing us a song. He claims he looked directly into the eclipse and now everything is clear. He mocks his opponent, R-Truth, with his latest song. Truth interrupts and does his entrance routine.

Elias vs. R-Truth: They brawl to begin, with Truth controlling until Elias cut him off with a back elbow. Truth cuts him off with the leg lariat. Elias fights back, and hits drift away for the win. Elias defeated R-Truth @ 1:21 via pin [NR] Squash

#RAW General Manager @RealKurtAngle has a HUGE surprise for the @WWEUniverse NEXT! It's true. It's DAMN TRUE! pic.twitter.com/ZEnHWfeIJ2

— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2017

Monday Night #RAW, you CAN see him!!!! FREE AGENT @JohnCena has RETURNED to the red brand! pic.twitter.com/nPiDweFxqg

— WWE (@WWE) August 22, 2017

Kurt Angle’s Big Surprise: Angle is here and introduces free agent John Cena. Cena plays to the crowd as they give him the usual mixed reaction. He’s here after meeting with Angle after Summerslam and Angle invited him to Raw. He didn’t leave Smackdown because it was bad, he left because he wanted to be face to face with a certain superstar. This brings out Roman Reigns. Cena says Reigns is exactly who he was looking for. Reigns says Cena runs his mouth too much on Twitter, but now Cena is in his yard. We get Undertaker chants, and Cena says the fans hold a grudge. Cena says he isn’t here to talk. Miz, Mayrse, Axel, and Dallas interrupt. Miz makes a joke about seeing the building full, since he didn’t get to see it last night. Miz isn’t here for Cena’s jokes, and then complains about all of the moments that Cena & Reigns get. In life, you’re told if you work hard and do your job and your moment will come. He’s sick of seeing these two get moments week after week, and is here to ruin this moment. Angle may think that Raw needs an addition while he rides the pine at Summerslam. He asks the fans if Raw needs Cena, and the crowd says no and Cena says he’ll leave. Miz wasn’t done and stops him, and is pissed that Cena makes his moments look like a joke. He runs down Reigns and the fans, because he deserves the main events and respect. He’s been earning it for 12 damn years so where is his moment? Cena says he will give Miz a moment, and books Miz and his flunkies vs. he and Reigns. Miz calls bullshit on this because Cena wants it to be all about him. Samoa Joe arrives now and he’s had enough of this bullshit. Miz and crew bail, and says he will team with Miz tonight. Joe is sick and tired of hearing Reigns talk about his yard because one on one, he owns him. Joe then attacks Cena as Reigns fights off Miz & crew. Joe locks in the clutch on Cena, but Reigns makes the save. Cena & Reigns stare each other down as we get “you both suck” chants. This was a good segment, as they laid the early groundwork for Cena vs. Reigns and Cena vs. Joe (as well as tonight’s main event). Joe and Miz were great in their talking roles and really shined here.

Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, Noam Dar, and Ariya Daivari vs. Mustafa Ali, Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander, and Mustafa Ali: Everyone is already in the ring, no introductions. Metalik and Gulak worked the opening stretch, and then Daivari and Ali tagged in; Ali hit a high cross, covering for 2. Swann in, keeps the fast pace up and Daivari then backs off and wants a tag. Dar refuses, but Nese takes the tags and takes control over Swann, counting his abs as we take a commercial break. Post break, Gulak is working the heat to boring chants. Swann cuts him off with an enziguri and Alexander tags in and he runs wild, clearing the heels to the floor. The springboard lariat takes out Nese, but Gulak makes the save. Metalik tags in and hits a great looking moonsault to the floor. Alexander hits the lumbar check on Nese and picks up the win. Mustafa Ali, Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander, and Mustafa Ali defeated Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, Noam Dar, and Ariya Daivari @ 8:10 via pin [**½] This was a perfectly fine match, but also another missed opportunity by WWE. This is when you give the show a change of pace and allow the really exciting guys like Mustafa Ali, Rich Swann, Cedric Alexander, and Mustafa Ali work a fast paced match with no restrictions, and just let them cut loose and hit some spectacular stuff.

– Charly interviews Neville. He runs down Tozawa, and Titus and Tozawa arrive to claim Tozawa’s rematch on tomorrow’s 205 live.

– Kurt angle meets with Jason Jordan and tells him he’s proud of him. Jordan wants to compete tonight, and wants Finn Balor. Angle agrees.

Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins Talk… BURN IT DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWN: They are thrilled to be champions, and Ambrose admits to wearing the belt everywhere and even sleeping with it. Rollins says it feels like old times, and are willing to take on anyone, anytime and anywhere. The Hardys arrive, and Jeff congratulates them, Matt says brothers fight, but when they fight together it’s beautiful. They want to make a challenge. Rollins says they grew up idolizing the Hardys, and Matt says they have revolutionized tag team wrestling for 25 years and want to do it again tonight. The champs agree.

WWE Raw Tag Team Title Match: Champions Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose vs. The Hardys: The Hardys controlled early, working quick tags and double teams. Sheamus and Cesaro are watching on from backstage. The champions fight back, it breaks down a bit and we get a stand off. The Hardys send the champs to the floor and we go to a break. Post break, we get tags to Matt and Ambrose. Ambrose takes control sand sends Matt to the floor. Matt fights back, tosses Rollins and Jeff then wipes him out with poetry in motion. Rollins saves Ambrose from a Jeff Hardy attack, and then hits a suplex on Jeff, covering for 2. Ambrose back in and he ground Jeff out grappling him. The champions work double teams as the pacing has drastically slowed along with the reactions from the crowd. Jeff fights back, hits whisper in the wind on both and finally gets the tag to Matt. He runs wild on Rollins, hits an elbow off the ropes but Ambrose tags in and the champs hit the sling blade Hart attack for 2 as Jeff makes the save. The Hardys are sent to the floor and we get stereo suicide dives by the champion. Matt stun guns Ambrose, hits a side effect on Rollins on the apron and then hits another on Ambrose in the ring for the near fall. Matt heads up top, but Ambrose crotches him and follows him up. Matt gets sent to the mat, but Jeff tags in and it breaks down, Jeff goes Swanton, but eats knees. They have worked hard and gotten the crowd back into things. Knee strike by Rollins and Ambrose hits dirty deeds on Jeff to retain. Champions Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose defeated The Hardys @ 16:56 via pin [***¼] I was all for making the match, and I am all for surprises, but also feel that they should have at least given it a one week build to add to its importance and maybe even help the ratings. Anyway, the match was good overall as they fought through the middle point where they lost the crowd for a bit. They stayed to the plan, got them back and Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose pick up a big win to keep their momentum as champions Rollins after last night’s big win. I’m not sure what the Hardys do now with the Revival out, right now they’re “just a team.”

– BRAUN vs. BROCK is official for No Mercy.

– Miz tries to kiss Joe’s ass and says he’s glad he wants in the Miztourage. Joe tells Miz to shut up, and tells Axel & Dallas to do their job on the floor, and for Miz to do whatever he does in the ring.

Sasha Banks Talks: Banks says she may be from Boston, but the last 3 years, she left her heart in Brooklyn; vs. Bayley, vs. Charlotte (and she wishes Flair well) and last night she won at Summerslam, She will be champion the right way. Alexa Bliss arrives, and calls the title hers and says the idea of Banks defending the title is amusing because she loses it every time she tries to defend it. Banks tells Bliss to use her rematch clause right here and now. Bliss declines, and says none of these Brooklyn fans deserve to see her win the title, but she will take it next week and Banks will be a legit loser. This was good, they set up a match for next week to give it a week’s build. I also loved that Bliss brought up that Banks has a horrible track record in defending the championship. It’s real. It’s there to use and puts it in the fan’s heads that Banks’ latest reign may be a one week wonder.

– Jason Jordan arrives to a depressing lack of reaction.

Finn Balor vs. Jason Jordan: Jordan goes to his amateur wrestling game early, looking to dominate on the ground. He scores with takedowns, and Balor gets the ropes for a break. Balor then hits the dropkick, and follows with strikes and kicks, covering for 2. Jordan counters back, hitting a slam for 2; Balor sends him to the floor but Jordan rolls back in. Post break, Balor is laying in leg kicks and attacking the legs of Jordan. Jordan fights back, hitting some amateur slams and follows with a suplex for 2. He follows with a butterfly lock, someone’s been watching his YOSHI-HASHI tapes. Balor escapes and rolls into a basement dropkick. Balor picks up the pace, lays in chops and tosses Jordan to the floor. The apron PK follows as the fans play with beach balls according to live reports. The fans are chanting for the beach ball, Jordan fires up and drops the straps, but Balor counters the neck breaker and hits a PELE for the double down. Balor gets slammed to the corner, and then again. Jordan runs into a knee strike, Balor hits sling blade and the shotgun dropkick. The coup de grâce finishes it. Finn Balor defeated Jason Jordan @ 11:43 via pin [**½] The work was perfectly solid and Jordan was given a lot against Balor, but they just couldn’t keep the crowd’s interest. There is no shame losing to Balor, but adding in the kickoff show loss last night and general lack of interest from the live crowds, Jordan’s push feels DOA.

The Miz & Samoa Joe vs. Roman Reigns & John Cena: Cena works over Miz to begin and immediately tags out to Joe. The beach ball is back, they showed it on camera, which was a bad idea. But as Cena plays to the crowd, Joe attack and beats him down in the corner. Miz tags in and lays in the bots to Cena. We get the wave now as Cena gets to his feet, plays to the crowd and Miz cuts him off and hits the DDT. Joe tags back in and continues to work the heat on Cena. He works quick tags with Miz, and Miz hits the double sledge off the ropes. Cena finally gets the tag, and Reigns attacks Joe and runs wild. He sends Miz to the floor, hits corner clotheslines on Joe. The big boot follows, but Joe cuts off the superman punch with the uranage for 2. Miz works over Reigns, tosses him to the floor allowing Dallas to attack. Reigns rolls back in and Miz lays in the Bryan kicks, but Reigns cuts off the last one and hits the single armed powerbomb and looks for the tag. Joe tags in and cuts off Reigns, and lays in the Tenzan like Mongolian chops to keep Reigns grounded. Reigns struggles to his feet, but Joe slams him to the corner and hits the enziguri for 2. Miz is back in and continues the heat on Reigns, tossing him to the floor but Reigns takes out Axel and Dallas. He sends Miz to the floor, and Reigns tags in Cena. Cena rolls through the hits, but Joe is in and locks in the clutch. Reigns in to make the save, but accidentally superman punches Cena. Joe and Reigns end up on the floor, leaving Miz alone with Cena. Cena counters out of the skull crushing finale, AA, pin, done. Roman Reigns & John Cena defeated The Miz & Samoa Joe @ 13:04 via pin [**¾] This was pretty good overall, with the guys playing well off of the rowdy crowd and their beach ball antics and even using it to allow Joe and Miz take control on Cena. I did hate that the Miz once again played bitch here, I still say and have since the move, that taking him off Smackdown was a bad move.

– Post match, Cena and Reigns talk and aren’t besties here, since Reigns punched Cena. Reigns told Cena that it was “his bad.”

– End scene.

– Thanks for reading.

~GLORIOUS~

6.2

The final score: review Average

The 411

Tonight’s Raw was a solid post PPV effort that set the wheels in motion on the road to No Mercy. I appreciated that they set up Braun vs. Brock for No Mercy (their segment was great and I can't wait for their one on one hoss fight), Neville vs. Tozawa for tomorrow’s 205 Live and Banks vs. Bliss for next week. Some undercard acts got wins, Rollins and Ambrose are off to a good start as tag champions and they also laid the groundwork for Cena vs. Reigns and Cena vs. Joe.