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Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the live review of this week’s episode of Monday Night RAW! We’re live from the All State Arena in Chicago, Illinois and tonight, we witness the return of the hometown hero, CM Punk!
We kicked things off with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon coming down to the ring, while all the 10 superstars who saved Daniel Bryan last week stood on the ramp. Triple H and Stephanie said social media was abuzz with why they had called out the superstars, and said they won’t fire them. Instead, they thanked them for finally stepping up and being men. The Shield was standing guard as always, and Triple H and Stephanie named all the superstars, and thanked them for finally having the guts to step up against them. RVD spoke out and said they backed Bryan because he had justice on his side. Triple H and Stephanie said their frustrations were targeted towards The Shield, and made yet another handicap elimination match in the main event. Daniel Bryan will join the 10 superstars and take on The Shield! The Shield looked on confused, as Triple H and Stephanie made their way to the back.
Analysis: That was a good way to kick off the show, as Triple H and Stephanie played coy once again. With Triple H and Stephanie doing “what’s best for business”, we have to wait and see how things unfold later in the night. The crowd was hot for the segment, and a loud CM Punk chant erupted. We will also witness the return of the Second City Saint tonight!
The fans have a chance to choose the opponent for Randy Orton through the WWE app.
Kofi Kingston vs Alberto Del Rio
Kofi made his way out first, and Del Rio followed. They traded holds to kick off the bout, and Kofi got the upper hand on Del Rio. A huge top rope plancha by Kofi who landed on Del Rio on the outside! Del Rio came back with a stiff kick to the back of Kofi’s head! Kofi got the upper hand once again with a perfect dropkick to send Del Rio to the outside as WWE went to commercial.
Back from the break, and Del Rio worked on Kofi’s arm. Kofi came back with a couple of shoulder thrusts as the crowd started a “Randy Savage” chant! Del Rio followed up with a clothesline and signaled for the cross arm breaker. A nice “Cross arm breaker” chant broke out next, which was funny. Kofi tried to make a comeback while the WWE Universe started an “Ole ole” chant. Kofi delivered a drop kick, but Del Rio kicked his injured arm. Kofi then hit the SOS for a near fall! Kofi went for the Boom Drop, but missed with the Trouble in Paradise and Del Rio countered into a German suplex with a bridge for a 2 count! Del Rio went for the cross arm breaker, but Kofi countered it into a Tilt – a – whirl DDT for a 2 count! Del Rio worked on the injured arm and locked in the cross arm breaker to pick up the victory after 13 minutes.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Rating: ** 2/3
Analysis: That was a good match that got the crowd involved. Del Rio and Kofi are two of the better workers in the company, and the Chicago fans tried to go the “Bizarro world” way; at least that’s how the WWE describes it. Del Rio faces Rob Van Dam for the World Heavyweight championship at Battleground, and he picked up yet another good victory this week.
Renee Young interviewed The Miz backstage, as WWE replayed Orton’s vicious attack last week. Miz is alright already? Way to plug in the seriousness of the attack, WWE! Triple H interrupted the interview, and said Miz couldn’t be around Orton until he’s cleared to wrestle. Triple H then made the Miz TV segment for later in the night, and his guest would be The Big Show!
WWE replayed the recent McMahon – Rhodes drama, focusing on the McMahons’ bullying the members of the Rhodes family.
The Wyatt Family made their way out next as WWE went to commercial.
The Wyatt Family (With Bray Wyatt) vs The Prime Time Players
Luke and Erick isolated Darren Young and worked on him, as O’Neil tried to cheer his partner on from the other side of the apron. Darren pushed Erick into Luke Harper, and this brought Luke in. Darren kicked him off and made the hot tag to Titus! Titus completely destroyed his opponents, and Darren Young took Rowan over the top rope. Luke came back with a huge meat hook clothesline to pick up the victory for his team after 5 minutes.
Winner (s): Luke and Erick
Rating: * ½
Post match, Bray Wyatt came into the ring and attacked the Prime Time Players and delivered Sister Abigail, and kneeled in front of the fallen duo.
Analysis: That was a decent match, and Titus is absolutely on fire! The WWE Universe loves the big man, and one feels it’s just a matter of time before Titus pursues his singles career in the WWE. The Wyatt Family is still one of the most interesting factions in the company, and we have to see what WWE does with the stable going forward.
Back from the commercial, and The Miz made his way out for the Miz TV segment. Miz said he was ticked off because of what Orton did to him last week in front of his parents and his friends. He said it wasn’t over between him and Orton, and turned his attention towards what happened last week to “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, and brought out his guest, the person who knocked Dusty out, The Big Show. Miz asked Show how he could do that to a legend and a father figure. Miz said he understands that the McMahons are trying to break him down, and asked him to step up to them. This brought out the “Billion dollar princess”, Stephanie McMahon!
Stephanie said The Miz was stirring the pot, and said he was only doing it because he wasn’t anyone important on the show. She called Miz a “utility option”. She said he peaked too early, and was the guy WWE sends for unimportant promotions. She said last week, Miz’s parents watched him being a disappointment. Stephanie then asked Show to knock Miz out, and Show KO’d him without a second thought. Stephanie then made her way back as Miz was tended to by the medics.
Analysis: That was a nice little segment which once again put over the ruthlessness of the McMahons. Stephanie laid into The Miz, and said things which were actually true. Anyway, this will eventually lead to The Miz going against The McMahons and join forces with the Rhodes family and the other 10 superstars.
Randy Orton made his way out to the ring to face the opponent of the fans’ choosing, and his opponent was none other than “Mr. Monday Night”, Rob Van Dam!
Rob Van Dam (With Ricardo) vs Randy Orton
Rob Van Dam
Massive RVD chant by the Chicago crowd as Orton took control in the early going. RVD came back with a huge side kick to the face of Orton. RVD then went for the Asai moonsault, but Orton tripped him over the apron as WWE went to commercial.
Back from the break and Orton took control of the match. RVD tried to make a comeback with kicks and a rolling thunder for a 2 count! RVD went for the split legged moonsault, but Orton moved out of the way. Orton then hit the double hook DDT from the second rope and signaled for the RKO! RVD countered Orton and rolled him up for a 2 count. RVD then hit the huge rolling cannon from the top rope! RVD went for the frogsplash, but Orton crotched him over the top turnbuckle! Orton knocked RVD off the top rope onto the floor. Orton then attacked RVD on the outside as the referee counted to 10 for a double count out.
Winner: N/A
Rating: ***
Post match, Orton dropped RVD back first on the exposed barricade, and shoved him into the steel steps. Orton chased the referee and Ricardo away, and put RVD through the steel steps once again. He then threw RVD over the announcer’s table and brought him back into the ring. Orton then placed RVD on the top turnbuckle and dropped him with the double hook DDT from the top rope!
Analysis: That was a solid TV match, and an even better post match beat down! Orton has finally snapped, thanks to Stephanie McMahon and is now focused on hurting Daniel Bryan. RVD was annihilated by Orton, and it will be interesting to see if this will lead to a future program between the two. With RVD set to take some time off soon, this might not mean much, but Orton’s beat down on RVD was fun to watch.
WWE aired a vignette for the return of Los Matadores, and they’re set to make their return next week!
WWE showed Del Rio attacking RVD after Orton left.
Backstage, Orton confronted Brie Bella, and told her he will destroy her boyfriend come Battleground.
Backstage, AJ confronted Stephanie McMahon. AJ said Stephanie needed to take her out of the tag team match, and said it was no way to treat the Divas champion. Stephanie told AJ that she won’t be the Divas champion for a long time. Is that a warning or a prediction? We’ll find out in a couple of weeks’ time.
Fandango made his way out next with Summer Rae as Chicago started Fandango – ing and WWE went to commercial.
Fandango (With Summer) vs Santino Marella
This was your comedy match of the week. Santino tried to go for a kip up, but fell down and hit his head. The Chicago crowd started a Summer Rae chant, which was awesome. Fandango dropped Santino with a clothesline for a 2 count. Fandango went for the abdominal stretch, but Santino countered it into a backdrop. Santino came back with a hip toss and went for the Cobra. Summer distracted Santino, and Fandango capitalized with a suplex and a huge leg drop from the top rope to pick up the victory after 4 minutes.
Winner: Fandango
Rating: *
Analysis: That was an okay bout, but the Summer Rae chant was awesome. Nothing else to say about the match.
Up next, CM Punk returns to the WWE in his hometown of Chicago!
CM Punk came out to possibly the biggest ovation of the year! Wow, that in itself was almost surreal! Punk talked about his loss to Paul Heyman at the Night of Champions PPV, and said maybe he should call it quits. He said he let everyone down, and said he might not be worthy of their affection. Punk compared himself to the Chicago Blackhawks, and talked about them winning the world championship. He said he will come back and beat everyone in his way. Punk was then interrupted by Paul Heyman, who came out singing.
Punk said it was the wrong place and the wrong time. Heyman said he had suffered a relapse from the beating he took at the hands of Punk at NoC. He said he took solace in the fact that he pinned CM Punk, and said he shouldn’t feel bad about it. He said it was because he was from Chicago, and mocked Chicago and called it a second rate city. A loud “Walrus” chant broke out, and Heyman said he pinned Punk. Punk asked Heyman if he was confident about his goons getting to Punk first before Punk got to Heyman. Punk said he would rip his face off.
Heyman was about to leave, but it looked as if his motorized contraption didn’t work. Punk went for Heyman, but was beaten down by Axel and Ryback. Punk tried to fight back and leapt onto Ryback from the top of the ramp. The numbers game caught up to Punk and Ryback dominated the Second City Saint, slamming him through a table! Heyman shook Ryback’s hand, and said that is what happens to bullies.
Analysis: Firstly, what an ovation! That is probably the loudest pop I’ve heard in a decade! The fans came unglued as the Cult of Personality hit, and Punk and Heyman (once again) showed just why they’re such phenomenal performers. I can never get tired of watching these two, and Heyman’s genius is once again highlighted by plotting an attack. This will lead to Punk facing Ryback at Battleground, and will finally lead to Punk getting his hands on Heyman for once and for all at the next PPV.
Back from the break and Punk was still tended to by the medics.
AJ, Layla, Aksana, Alicia Fox and Tamina vs Natalya, Bellas and The Funkadactlyes in a 10 diva tag team match
Natalya and Alicia started things off, and Natalya tagged in Brie Bella. AJ came into the ring and ripped into Brie, but Brie hit the facebuster to pick up the victory for her team.
Winner (s): Bellas, Funkadactyles and Natalya
Rating: Dud
Analysis: That was a way to waste 3 minutes of our time. The only good thing was Natalya getting some air time.
Backstage, The Shield cut a promo about beating their opponents, and said they always made the locker room stand up and take notice when their backs were against the wall, and they’d do the same tonight.
Daniel Bryan
Main event time, and Daniel Bryan came out to a loud reception. “Yes” chants by the Second City crowd rang through the arena as Bryan made his way out first for his match. The crowd started a “Daniel Bryan” chant and Bryan said they were awesome. Bryan accused Triple H of getting into cahoots with Scott Armstrong, and said in two weeks’ time, he will win back his WWE championship. Bryan said he was tired of Orton hiding behind his boss’s skirt, and said at Battleground, he will beat Randy Orton. He then led the crowd in a loud “Yes” chant, which brought out The Shield.
Daniel Bryan and the 10 Superstars vs The Shield in a Handicap elimination match
Before the match began, Cody and Goldust jumped on The Shield, but were escorted out of the arena!
Jimmy Uso started things off against Seth Rollins, and tagged in Dolph Ziggler. Loud “Ziggler” chants by the Chicago crowd. Dean Ambrose tagged in and started laying into Dolph Ziggler. Roman tagged in and isolated Dolph Ziggler. Ambrose came in but was dropped by a drop kick! RVD came in and took Ambrose out with stiff kicks. Ambrose countered and spiked him head first to eliminate RVD!
Back from the break and Kofi was isolated by Dean Ambrose. Kofi came down with a huge crossbody for a 2 count. Ambrose planted Kofi head first to eliminate Kofi Kingston!
Titus came in next and ran over Dean Ambrose. Ambrose tagged in Roman Reigns, and the two big men went at it. Roman hit the spear on Titus to pick up the 3 count, and eliminated Titus O’Neil!
Justin Gabriel came in next and Roman hit the spear to eliminate Justin!
Ryder made his way into the match next, and dropped Roman with a dropkick. Ryder went for the Broski boot but Roman hit the spear to eliminate Ryder!
Bryan came in next and went at it against Roman! One of the Usos took advantage of Bryan’s attack and pinned Roman Reigns to eliminate the first member of The Shield as WWE went to commercial!
Back from commercial, as Darren Young was isolated by Ambrose and Rollins. A little fun fact: That was the first time Roman Reigns was pinned on the main roster. Young dropped Ambrose with a belly to belly throw. Rollins made the tag and came down with a huge knee to the head of Young to eliminate him!
Ziggler came in next but was dominated by Ambrose and Rollins. Ziggler hit the Zig Zag on Ambrose to eliminate the United States champion!
Rollins attacked Ziggler, but Ziggler hit a huge DDT and tagged in R – Truth! Truth hit a spinning crossbody and planted Rollins facefirst for a near fall. Rollins stomped Truth’s skull to the mat to eliminate Truth!
The remaining four superstars came in and attacked Rollins! Ambrose came back but Ziggler threw him out of the ring. Roman tried to attack, but was taken out by a double superkick by the Usos and then the top rope plancha by The Usos on Ambrose and Reigns! Back in the ring, Bryan hit Rollins with the swandive headbutt and put him down with the Busaiku running knee to pick up the victory for his team!
Winner (s): Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler and The Usos
Rating: *** ½
Analysis: That was an outstanding main event match, and the psychology involved made it feel all the more special. The in – ring action was phenomenal, and the ending was well booked. This makes The Shield look strong although they lost, and Bryan keeps building momentum heading into Battleground PPV.
The show ended with Bryan standing in the middle of the ring, and led the crowd in a “Yes” chant.
Over – all rating of the show: *** ¾ (Out of 5 stars)
Analysis: That was yet another outstanding show, mainly because of the crowd. They were hot all night and made everything feel special. CM Punk’s reception might just be the biggest pop in the past decade, and the rest of the card was solid as well. There were two solid TV matches and the ending was phenomenal as well, with Daniel Bryan once again leaving his mark. That does it for this week’s review. Join us next week as we head into the final show before the Battleground PPV.
