Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the live coverage of Monday Night RAW.
Also read: WWE Roadblock: Matches and Rumors
This week’s episode kicked off with Reigns coming down to the ring. Cole then told the fans that The Authority wasn’t in the building tonight and was on a vacation, as the fans cheered Reigns. Reigns talked about Triple H putting him in the main event of Battleground, and said he will stop Cena, as the fans started a “Cena sucks” chant. Reigns put himself over as Kane came out to loud jeers.
Reigns then mocked Kane, and called him Randy Orton’s bitch. Kane and Reigns then went at it on the floor as Reigns knocked him over the barricade. Both men fought to the back as Kane got the upper hand as both men returned to the ring. Officials tried to separate both men, but Reigns speared Finlay. Reigns then delivered the Superman punch to Kane. Reigns looked fired up as Kane made his way up the ramp.
Analysis: That was a great way to kick off the episode, which once again puts Reigns over as a legitimate contender for the WWE World Heavyweight championship. It’ll be interesting to see what happens in the main event of Battleground PPV.
Harper and Rowan vs. The Usos
This match was for Rowan and Harper to become the number 1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team championships. Jey and Luke started things off, as Jey got the upper hand in the early goings of the match. Harper turned things around and worked in tandem with Rowan, isolating Jey and working over him in his corner. Rowan came in and connected with a big splash for a nearfall as WWE went into commercial.
Back from the commercial, and Jey tried to make a comeback by dodging Rowan’s elbow, sending him outside. More back and forth action, as Harper was dropped with a Samoan drop and a corkscrew for a nearfall. Harper went for the suicide dive, but Jimmy stopped him and connected with a superkick for a 2 count! Harper then connected with a sitdown powerbomb for a 2 count. The Usos then went for the double plancha, but Rowan stopped both of them. Jey kicked Rowan with a baseball slide, but Harper took Jey down with a huge clothesline to pick up the victory.
Winners and #1 contenders for the WWE Tag Team championships: Harper and Rowan
Rating: *** ½
Analysis: These two teams have great chemistry, as the fans were on their feet and were chanting “This is awesome”, which is true. That was a fantastic opening match for the show. Harper and Rowan are now once again the number one contenders for the tag titles at Battleground.
Backstage, Kane and Orton talked about having each others’ backs. Seth Rollins then walked in and put himself over. Seth then told both Kane and Orton that if he had to cash in on either one of them at Battleground, he would think twice. Orton said he hated Seth, as Kane said he was beginning to hate Orton.
Nikki vs. Alicia Fox with their arm tied behind their back
Stephanie apparently made this match because of Brie’s defiance. The referee tied Nikki’s hand, but Alicia attacked her before the referee could tie her hand behind her back, as the fans chanted “boring”. Alicia attacked her and dragged her around ringside. Back in the ring, Nikki tried to fight back but Alicia dropped her. Back in the ring, Alicia brought some drinks and poured it on Nikki. And apparently that is it.
Analysis: I agree with the fans, as they chanted “boring”. The segment was nonsensical, as the fans weren’t even interested in the segment.
Lana came out with Rusev and ripped into Canada. Before she could say anything else, RVD came out to a huge pop.
Rusev (With Lana) vs. RVD
RVD unloaded on Rusev as the fans chanted for RVD. RVD connected with some kicks and planted Rusev with a spike DDT for a nearfall. Rusev stopped RVD while he was going for the frogsplash, and worked on his back. Rusev connected with a fall away slam as WWE showed a promo by Zeb Colter, who challenged Rusev for a match with Jack at Battleground. The fans started singing as Rusev connected with elbows and worked on RVD.
The fans chanted for RVD as Rusev kept RVD down with a front facelock. Rusev caught RVD, but RVD rolled him up for a nearfall. RVD connected with a big boot and a thrust kick, but Rusev moved out of the way of a rolling thunder as Rusev connected with a huge superkick. Rusev then locked RVD in the camel clutch as RVD tapped out.
Winner: Rusev
Rating: **
Analysis: That was a decent match up, feeding RVD to Rusev. It’ll be interesting to see if WWE lets Swagger break Rusev’s streak, now that the fans have gotten behind Jack, and this can be the feud that pushes Jack back into the main event scene.
Orton came out for his match for no reaction at all. Ambrose came out with his shoulder taped up.
Dean Ambrose vs. Randy Orton
The crowd was firmly behind Dean with a “Let’s go Ambrose” chant, as Dean and Orton locked up. Orton rolled out of the ring as the fans booed. Ambrose worked on Orton’s shoulder, as both men worked on each other. Ambrose got the upper hand with shoulder thrusts in the corner and drilled Orton with a clothesline. Orton managed to pull Dean into the turnbuckles to turn things around as Orton drilled Dean with punches. Ambrose got the upper hand once again by working on Orton’s back, as we heard a fan mocking Vince by saying “What a maneuver!”
Orton drilled Dean with a clothesline to gain the upper hand, and drilled Dean with upper cuts. Orton taunted the fans as Dean took Orton down. Dean threw Orton over the top rope as WWE went into commercial.
Back from the commercial and Orton had the upper hand over Dean. Orton worked on the injured shoulder as Orton took him down with a dropkick for a nearfall. Orton went back to working on Dean’s shoulder, and was relentless, grounding Dean. Ambrose found a window by planting Orton with an underhook DDT. Both men traded punches as Dean dropped Orton with some clotheslines. Dean connected with a crossbody, and locked Orton in the figure four! Orton managed to break the hold, and connected with a dropkick for a nearfall.
Orton drilled Dean with an upper cut, but Ambrose came back with a clothesline. Dean tripped Orton to the outside, and sent him into the barricade. Dean threw some chairs inside the ring, but Orton managed to send Dean shoulder first into the ring post. Orton decked Dean over the barricade and connected with the underhook DDT from the barricade on the outside! The referee started the 10 count, and Dean managed to just beat the 10 count. Orton went for the underhook DDT, but Dean covered him for a nearfall. Orton finally hit the RKO on Dean to pick up the victory.
Winner: Randy Orton
Rating: *** ½
Analysis: That was a fantastic bout between the two, as Dean worked on Orton’s legs and Orton worked on Dean’s injured shoulder. Unlike other matches, there was good psychology, and the fans were interested in the bout.
WWE then hyped Bret’s appearance later on the show.
Renee interviewed John Cena, and asked him about his match with Seth Rollins. Cena talked about having a big target, and talked about being the WWE World Heavyweight champion. Cena went on as Reigns interrupted. Reigns wished Cena the best, as Cena said he didn’t need luck. Reigns told Cena that he would need a lot of luck during the fatal four way at Battleground.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler with Fandango on commentary
ADR made his way out first, followed by Dolph who got a big reception. The crowd started a “Let’s go Ziggler” chant as ADR dropped Dolph with a shoulder, and Dolph came back with a neckbreaker. ADR kicked Dolph in the head with an enziguri for a nearfall. Ziggler missed with a dropkick, but connected with a crossbody. ADR turned Ziggler inside out from the top rope for a nearfall! Ziggler countered a cross armbreaker attempt by ADR and planted him for a nearfall. Ziggler connected with a dropkick for yet another nearfall. ADR missed with an enziguri and as Ziggler dropped him with a fame – asser for a nearfall.
Fandango distracted Ziggler by dancing on the announcer’s table, which allowed ADR to connected with a kick to the head to pin Ziggler to pick up the victory.
Winner: ADR
Rating: ** ¼
Analysis: That was a solid match between the two, but WWE never concentrates on putting on good matches. The match was cut short thanks to Fandango, and ADR will now face Sheamus for the US title on Main Event.
Goldust and Stardust cut a promo backstage about being bizarre.
Backstage, Layla asked Fandango if he still cared for Summer, and Fandango played it down. They embraced, as Fandango continued looking at Summer.
Jerry Lawler was in the ring, and talked about suffering a stroke the last time he was in Montreal. He then introduced Bret Hart, who got a huge pop. The fans started a “Thank you” Bret, as Bret thanked the fans. Bret said no matter what happened in the past, he always loved coming to Montreal. He said if he could have one more match, it would be at Montreal. He then said he was getting that rush once again, but was interrupted by his own music.
Sandow came out dressed as Bret, calling himself ‘Sand – hart’. Sandow then mocked Bret for the screwjob incident, and ripped on Canada. Sandow continued ripping on Bret, who decked him, sending Sandow out of the ring. Bret left the ring as Sheamus made his way down. They embraced, as Sheamus got ready to face Sandow.
Sheamus vs. Bret ‘The Hitman’ Sand – hart
Back from the break and Sandow pulled Sheamus down to the floor. Sand – hart planted Sheamus, and came down with an elbow. Sand – hart went for the sharpshooter, but Sheamus grabbed him by his beard, and drilled him with clubby blows. Sheamus decked Sand – hart with the Brogue kick to pick up the victory.
Winner: Sheamus
Rating: * ½
Analysis: That was a short match, and was more of a squash than anything else. It’s a shame that the WWE is making a mockery out of Sandow.
Renee interviewed Miz backstage, who stopped Renee and read a ‘letter’ by a fan and put himself over. He then threatened Chris Jericho.
Chris Jericho vs. The Miz
The crowd was firmly behind Jericho, as Miz went on the offensive. Jericho retaliated with chops and sent Miz out of the ring. Jericho came back with a running dropkick on the apron to send Miz on the floor. Jericho connected with a bulldog, but Miz threw Jericho out of the ring as Y2J went for the lionsault. The crowd started a “This is awesome” chant as Miz worked over Jericho. Miz put Jericho down with a big boot for a nearfall, as Miz continued to work on Jericho.
Jericho found a second wind, dropping Miz. He came down with a double axe handleand went for the Walls of Jericho, but Miz turned it around with a big boot for a nearfall. Miz missed with a clothesline as Jericho drilled him with an enziguri for a nearfall. Miz turned the tables by planting Jericho with a DDT for yet another nearfall. Miz locked in the figure four as Jericho reached the bottom rope. Jericho drilled Miz with a right and locked him in the Walls of Jericho as Miz tapped out.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Rating: ** ¼
Analysis: That was a decent match between the two returning superstars, but reports came in that their house show match recently was the show stealer. This was nowhere near as good as their previous bout.
Post match, the lights went out and Bray Wyatt appeared on the ramp, on his chair. Bray cut a promo about Jericho coming back to save us, and asked Chris how he could do that if he couldn’t save himself. Wyatt then talked about the fans being Jerichoholics before, and said now they sang a new song. Bray ripped into Jericho, but Jericho stopped him before he could finish. He then said he could take him down, but Rowan and Harper appeared beside Bray, as the segment ended with Jericho staring the three men down.
The Funkadactyles vs. Paige and AJ
Paige introduced AJ, as Naomi started things off with Paige as the crowd chanted for CM Punk. Naomi dropped Paige for a one fall, as Cameron refused to tag in. Paige rolled Naomi up and worked on her, and tagged in AJ. AJ dropped Naomi with a back elbow and a leg scissors take down for a nearfall. Naomi tried to tag in, but Cameron started putting on her makeup and looked disinterested. Cameron finally tagged in as Paige tagged herself in, as Paige dropped her with the Paige turner to pick up the victory.
Winners: Paige and AJ
Rating: *
Post match, Naomi and Cameron went at, beating each other down. The referee tried to intervene, but they went at each other’s throats. They were finally separated as Cameron made her way to the back.
Analysis: We knew this was coming, but I don’t know why WWE puts in divas who can’t wrestle for a dime. Cameron looks clueless in the ring, and if this happens to be the next big feud in the divas division, then that shows how ridiculous the division is.
Back from commercial, and Cesaro was in the ring with Paul Heyman. Heyman cut a promo about Lesnar, as Cesaro stopped him and said they’re French Canadians. Cesaro ripped the fans in French, as Kingston made his way down to the ring.
Cesaro (With Heyman) vs. Kofi Kingston
Kofi started things off by dropkicking Cesaro the floor, and started off with a head of steam. Cesaro stopped him in his tracks and worked on Kofi’s injured back. Back and forth counters ended with Cesaro military pressing Kofi and dropped Kofi on his knee, working on his gut. Kofi rolled him up out of nowhere to pick up the victory.
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Rating: *
Post match, Cesaro attacked Kofi once again, but Big E came to Kofi’s aid, sending Cesaro to the back.
Analysis: I fail to understand the logic behind WWE’s booking. Cesaro’s momentum has been halted thanks to nonsensical booking.
Backstage, Seth confronted Cena and told him that he will beat him tonight and prove himself as the best performer in the company. He talked about the possibility of Orton or Kane walking out as the new WWE World Heavyweight champion. Cena then ripped into Seth, and said he was full of crap. Cena then talked about Seth betraying Roman and Dean, and said that he was in the fight of his life.
Bo Dallas vs. El Torito (With Diego)
Bo said he took on all comers, as he Bo – lieved. El Torito ran circles around Bo, as Bo got down on his knees, as Torito slapped Bo and decked him with a right. Bo went after Torito on the outside, and sent Diego into the steel steps. Bo dropped Torito, and hit the running Bo – dog to pick up the victory.
Winner: Bo Dallas
Rating: Dud
Post match, Bo did a victory lap and ran over El Torito
Analysis: If this is the best that the WWE can come up with, then I’m absolutely gobsmacked.
John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
Cena came out first to loud boos, followed by Seth Rollins. The crowd started the dueling “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks” chants as Seth and Cena locked up, with Seth going down after a hip toss. Cena missed with a bulldog as Seth took advantage of it, dropping Cena with kicks for a one count as WWE went into commercial.
Back from commercial, and Cena dropped Rollins over his shoulders. Seth dropped Cena for a nearfall, and continued to work on Cena. The crowd started a “You can’t wrestle” chant, as Cena connected with a sidewalk slam. Rollins planted Cena face first for another nearfall, as the crowd was against the champion. Seth missed with an enziguri, as Cena connected with a sit down powerbomb for a nearfall. Cena went to the top rope, but Rollins decked Cena with an enziguri for yet another nearfall.
Seth missed with a knee as Cena took Seth down with his usual moves. Cena had the upper hand with Rollins in the STF before Kane and Orton came out to cause the DQ. Kane and Orton double teamed Cena as Reigns’ music played.
Reigns made the save with a Superman punch to Kane and Orton. Seth decked Reigns and Cena with the briefcase and motioned to the referee to cash in his contract. Before he could cash in, Ambrose attacked Seth and sent him over the top rope. Both men fought to the back as Orton slithered in, and Cena drilled Orton with the AA. Kane came in and went for a chokeslam on Cena, but Reings decked him with a spear. Cena and Reigns stood in the ring to close the show.
Winner by DQ: John Cena
Rating: * ¾
Analysis: WWE apparently goes with the main event with 5 minutes remaining before the over – run, and we wonder why they’re bleeding money! All of these main events have become so predictable, with Dusty finishes and WCW – esque endings. Cena and Roman stood in the ring as Roman teased decking Cena, with the crowd chanting “spear”. Anyway, that’s a good build up going into the Battleground PPV.
Over – all rating of the show: *** ½ (Out of 5 stars)
The quality of the show was good, but like usual, the filler segments killed any kind of momentum that the show had built upto that point. WWE needs to look at going back to 2 hours, but with the sponsorships and the commercial deals, that will not happen, which is sad. Anyway, that does it for this week’s review. Hope you’ve enjoyed the show.
