Last night was the post-Payback episode of Monday Night Raw and it was pretty interesting, to say the least.
Of course, most of this praise is directed toward the Triple Threat Main Event which determined the new Number One Contender to the Intercontinental Championship. That’s now the defacto top title. Judging by the quality of match from these contenders, it’s now a belt supported by a fantastic division.
However, even on a night like this when WWE gives us potentially the best TV match of the year, there were still several moments that were on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Those moments include the case of the mystery Superstar who gave Kurt Angle’s number away, the beach ball that interrupted Titus Brand’s screen time, and that dangerous collision between Seth Rollins and Finn Balor from the main event. If Finn actually got hurt on that move then the night would’ve been received differently.
As usual, 5 of the botchiest and most outrageous moments from this episode of Raw lie ahead. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the gifs...
#5 Calling Kurt Angle
Dean Ambrose has Kurt Angle’s phone number and it’s apparently shocking to everyone, especially Kurt. During the opening cellular pleasantries with the Olympic gold medalist, Dean said to Kurt: “Foley gave me your number, is that okay?” So Mick was the culprit.
Fast forward approximately one minute later when the segment was over and the announcers engaged in dialogue that contradicts Ambrose’s story. Michael Cole said: “Thank goodness Ambrose had his phone number, Booker!” Booker T then replied: “I gave it to him!” Wait, maybe Booker was actually the guy that did it?
Who gave Dean Ambrose Kurt Angle’s number? Was it Mick Foley, Booker T, or the person who attacked Hideo Itami in the NXT parking lot? There seem to be way too many issues needing resolution at the moment.
#4 Since when are the cameras weird?
It would be weird if there were cameras in the locker room and there wasn’t an interview going on? Since when? This potentially could change a lot.
This was a surprisingly meta moment in which Seth Rollins questioned the cameras invading the locker room conversation between him and Dean Ambrose. Seth assumed that there needed to be some sort of an explanation for their presence.
Think back to the countless times when a backstage conversation was broadcasted without an official interviewer with a microphone in hand. People would continue to have a sometimes secretive conversation while never once acknowledging the existence of the person pointing a camera directly at them.
#3 Beach ball mania pt. 2
For the record, I am totally on board with Titus Brand. Apollo Crews should go all-in as hard as he can into that partnership if he wants to get that rocketship strapped to the back of his career. Titus and Apollo are a duo that has already won me over, yes, but the same can’t be said for this Sacramento crowd.
While Crews was trying to wrestle against Titus’ former Slater Gator buddy, Heath Slater, a stray beach ball was seen bouncing throughout the crowd.
Look just to the right of the referee’s head to see it bouncing. The beach ball met its demise a few moments after this – popped or confiscated, perhaps – which we know because of the overwhelming jeers that were heard and had no relation to the action in the ring.
#2 Didn’t hook the blockbuster
During the final stretch of the fantastic Raw main event, Seth Rollins went for a double blockbuster off of the second rope to take out both of his opponents. Both The Miz and Finn Balor sold the move but it’s hard to not see that Seth sort of missed Finn.
When slowed down just slightly, Rollins can be seen fumbling around Balor’s head, trying to hook him. He never quite got it. Seth followed this move up with a top rope Frog Splash to Finn that was right on the money. He almost got the pinfall, too.
#1 Scary collision
Going back to the earlier moments of the main event Triple Threat Match, Seth Rollins hit a springboard attack that covered most of the distance of the ring against Finn Balor. Normally he attempts a knee strike with this kind of setup. Instead, he attempted more of a crossbody block this time around.
Finn might’ve been expecting the knee strike because he was not at all prepared to receive what Seth sent his way. Rollins’ hip somehow collided with the back of Balor’s head, causing even the announce team to become highly concerned about his well-being.
Thankfully, everyone was alright after this move but since it caused us all to legitimately worry for our beloved inaugural Universal Champion, it takes this edition’s top spot.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
