WWE Monday Night RAW: Review and results - September 8, 2014

The Authority once again came out on top against Roman Reigns

As we get closer to the Night of Champions PPV, excitement builds among the WWE Universe. The new WWE World Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar defends his title for the first time against the 15 time World champion, John Cena, but before that, we had to go through one more hurdle on Monday Night RAW.

Tonight’s episode kicked off with the steel cage match between Bray Wyatt and Chris Jericho.

Bray Wyatt vs. Chris Jericho in a steel cage match

The Wyatt Family watched from ringside as both the superstars went at each other’s throats. A great back and forth action ensued as Jericho tried to put Wyatt away but Bray kept coming back. Bray worked on Jericho’s knee, as both men tried to escape from the cage. Jericho climbed to the top of the cage and came down with a huge crossbody on Wyatt, and sold a knee injury, as the crowd started a “Holy sh*t” chant. Wyatt tried to take advantage, working on Jericho’s injured knee, and in the end was successful in making it out of the cage.

Winner: Bray Wyatt

Rating: *** ¾

Post match, Bray ran Jericho into the steel steps and worked on his injured knee. He then locked Jericho inside the cage and hit Sister Abigail to a mixed reaction from the crowd.

Analysis: It’s been ages since we had seen such a great opening match on RAW to kick things off. That was a solid match between two great workers, and the crowd ate it up. The huge crossbody from the top rope was phenomenal, and the crowd loved all the spots. Giving Wyatt the win in their rubber match was the right thing to do, and we now have to wait and see if it materializes going forward.

Backstage segment with Randy Orton and Triple H

Rollins and Kane were backstage when Triple H walked in. He congratulated Kane for booking the opening match, and said they needed to do something big for the season premier episode of RAW. Orton then walked in as there was tension brewing between Triple H and himself. Orton asked Hunter if he could do something to Reigns that would make what Rollins did to Ambrose seem like Sunday School. Orton told Triple H he wouldn’t regret it.

In – ring segment with Dolph Ziggler and The Miz

The WWE Intercontinental champion, Dolph Ziggler made his way out to the ring to a pop. He talked about the recent celebrity leaks, and said it was a detestable thing to do. He brought up how no celebrity deserved it, unless his name was Miz. He then showed some pictures of Miz with a facial, and then Sandow applying tan to Miz’s bare bottom. This brought out Miz and Mizdow, as Miz was irate about the pictures. Miz hit the ring, but Ziggler dropped him with a dropkick, and then the Zig Zag and taunted Miz and Sandow. The segment ended with the duo heading to the back.

Analysis: That was yet another attempt by the WWE to take advantage of something that has become a sensation, instead of trying to come up with some intelligent way to book a feud. That honestly made me cringe.

AJ Lee and Paige vs. Rosa Mendes and Natalya

Paige and AJ failed to work as a team, and Natalya started off the bout working over Paige. Rosa then made her way into the ring, and refused to tag in Natalya. Paige got the upper hand and taunted AJ, but AJ grabbed Paige’s hair and tagged herself in. Paige then made her way back and locked Rosa in the Black Widow submission hold to pick up the victory.

Winners: Paige and AJ

Rating: *

Post match, AJ grabbed the Divas title and kissed it, as Paige looked on. Paige then took the title and kissed it, as AJ skipped her way to the back.

Analysis: Why was Natalya teaming up with a heel? WWE’s booking has been underwhelming to say the least, but they should’ve booked something that at least made some sense.

Backstage, Jericho was being tended to because of his knee injury, but Orton came in and attacked Jericho. Jericho clutched his knee in pain as Orton mocked Jericho, saying it was the season premier.

In – ring segment with John Cena and Paul Heyman

Heyman made his way out first and started talking about John Cena, but the former champ made his way out to a big ovation, and asked Heyman to say it to his face. Heyman praised Cena, and called him the greatest champion before Lesnar. Heyman said he wanted to give Cena an inside information as to how to beat Lesnar. Cena said he already knows how. Heyman tried to provoke Cena, and knocked on the local team. Heyman asked Cena to give up his ‘Hustle, Loyalty and Respect’ gimmick, and asked him to embrace the hate. Heyman said that is how he can beat Lesnar. Cena talked about Lesnar beating The Undertaker and we haven’t heard from him since, but he beat Cena at SummerSlam and he came back next week. Cena went on about how he fights for the people, and told Heyman to bring Lesnar to RAW next week, or that he would fight Heyman himself.

Analysis: That was a great promo by both men. Heyman is the best talker in the business for a reason. He put over Cena to put over Lesnar, which is how WWE should book every great feud. Cena took a shot at The Undertaker, and we have to wait and see how this entire ordeal unfolds.

Sheamus vs. Seth Rollins

Sheamus made his way out followed by Rollins. Both men traded holds and started aggressively, and Cesaro made his way down to the ring during the match, allowing Rollins to take control of the bout. Near the end, Cesaro distracted Sheamus by taking the US title, as Sheamus knocked Cesaro down. Rollins took advantage of the situation and nailed the Curb Stomp on Sheamus to pick up the victory.

Winner: Seth Rollins

Rating: ** ½

Analysis: If you have to book someone as the top heel, it won’t hurt giving them some clean wins. Rollins has been one of the best performers on the show, but he barely gets any clean victories, which doesn’t speak too well about the booking.

Post match, Cesaro laid Sheamus out with the Neutralizer.

Segment with Lana and Rusev

Lana and Rusev made their way out to the entrance area, as Lana talked about the national anthem of the United States. She sang her own version of the song, and then played the Russian national anthem to get some heat.

Tyson Kidd and Tyler Breeze vs. Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville

Great tag team action ensued as the four superstars who will fight for the NXT championship at NXT Takeover battled on RAW. The fans started singing ‘Ole’ as Zayn kicked things off with Breeze. Good back and forth action resulted in the faces picking up the victory.

Winners: Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville

Rating: ** ½

Post match, Zayn and Neville had some words for each other.

Analysis: That was a solid short match to put the focus on the NXT Takeover. I absolutely love watching these superstars, and the RAW fans were firmly behind Zayn and Neville, which should push the management to call Zayn up to the main roster.

In – ring segment with Stephanie, the Bellas and Jerry Springer

Stephanie made her way down to the ring and talked about how she hated seeing families crumbling due to differences. She said she found someone who could help with the whole Bellas ordeal, and brought out Jerry Springer. Jerry came out with his bodyguard, and talked about the rivalry between the Bellas, and showed us a clip of what happened last week. He brought out Brie first, followed by Nikki. Nikki said she might forgive Brie for what she did last week, but she won’t forgive her for what she did in the past. Nikki said she was moving on as she has a lot going for her. She talked about being the main star of Total Divas, and about getting a match for the Divas title. Nikki blamed Brie for her father walking out on them. Jerry said they tracked down their father, and showed a clip of a man telling Jerry to fix their relationship. Bellas’ mother spoke next, and asked them to make it right for the family. Jerry brought down Bellas’ brother JJ, who told Brie not to act like a victim.

The whole thing broke down as Bellas started to fight, and Jerry was caught in the middle. Jerry was knocked down as Stephanie tried to stop the scuffle. Referees and Jerry’s men came down as he sold an injury as the others tried to separate the Bellas. Jerry said it was humiliating, and was then stretchered off. He gave the fans a thumbs up while being taken away as Stephanie kept apologizing to him.

Analysis: That was extremely brutal. As a fan, I couldn’t sit through the entire thing, forget about enjoying the segment.

Stardust and Goldust vs. Los Matadores

Solid back and forth action between the two teams as Los Matadores have once again started competing as a team, now that one of them is back from an injury. Stardust picked up the win for his team after he connected with the Dark Matter.

Winners: Stardust and Goldust

Rating: * ½

Post – match, The Usos laid them out on the top of the ramp.

Analysis: It was a good decision by the WWE to turn Stardust and Goldust heel, but it’ll be interesting to see if they put the tag titles on them, now that The Usos aren’t so fresh anymore, and a change is needed in the tag team division.

Adam Rose vs. Titus O’Neil

Re –match from last week as Rose took on Titus with Slater at ringside. During the bout, the bunny superkicked Slater once again, which led to Adam hitting the Party Foul on Titus to pick up the victory.

Winner: Adam Rose

Rating: ½ *

Post – match, the bunny hit a splash from the top rope on Titus.

Analysis: How to bury two superstars in one match? Guess WWE figured out the answer long ago.

Backstage, Renee interviewed Roman, who said he found the antidote to Orton’s venom.

Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns

Good back and forth action between the two until Reigns nailed Orton with a Superman punch. Rollins and Kane ran down to make the save, and beat down on Roman, as the cage was lowered down. Orton got stuck in the cage with Roman however, and Roman continued to beat Orton down, but he was taken out with a huge dive from the top of the cage by Rollins! The crowd started a “holy sh*t” chant as the trio beat Roman down. Orton called Kane and Rollins off, as he attacked Roman with a chair and talked trash. Rollins mocked Roman as a big “You sold out” chant broke out. Rollins nailed the Curb Stomp on the Roman on the chair, and the trio posed as RAW went off the air.

Winner by DQ: Roman Reigns

Rating: ***

Analysis: That was a good old – fashioned beat down on Roman, but once again, a main eventer was made to look weak, as Orton couldn’t even hang with Roman. Roman is slowly turning into another Cena, which doesn’t speak too well for him.

Over – all rating of the show: *** (Out of 5 stars)

There were some high points with some solid matches on the show, but there were segments which were brutal. Next week however, Lesnar will be returning to RAW, which will give a reason for the fans to tune in. Anyway, that does it for this week’s review, and we hope you’ve enjoyed the show.