This week’s RAW wasn’t all-bad, but it was really the legends that made the show great. With appearances from Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, X-Pac, Ron Simmons, The New Aged Outlaws, and Sting. That’s right Sting was in the building this past Monday in Dallas, Texas. From the looks of it, it was really the appearances of these legends that got the fans on their feet.
Monday Night RAW started with a montage played in honor of Martin Luther King Day. Afterwards it was the Beast, Brock Lesnar who kicked off RAW when he approached the ring looking for a fight. Lesnar’s target was Mr. Money-in-the-Bank, Seth Rollins. Sadly Lesnar didn’t get to have the fight he was looking for as Triple H came out instead. Triple H stepped into the ring to address matters and before anything could get out of hand, the rest of The Authority (except Seth Rollins) joined him.
Seth Rollins appeared on the Titantron from backstage to address Lesnar’s hunger for a fight. Rollins was interrupted when John Cena walked out and started to approach the ring. Cena made jokes directed to Rollins and declared that he would hold the WWE World Heavy Weight Title hostage when he wins it until Dolph Ziggler, Erik Rowan and Ryback are reinstated. Lesnar stood back as the Authority stated they would reinstate the three wrestlers, but only if the WWE Universe voted for it on the WWE App.
Daniel Bryan vs. Bray Wyatt
First match of the night was a singles match between Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt. After being out for so long, Bryan performed as if it never happened. The match started with Daniel Bryan having the upper hand on Wyatt until Kane walked out and caused a distraction.
Coming back from commercial break Wyatt was dominating Bryan, while Kane sat at ringside. Just when Bryan started to gain the momentum back Kane interfered while the referee’s back was turn and Bryan on the apron. Bray Wyatt would waste no time as he finished Bryan off with a Sister Abigail and took the pin fall.
As Wyatt started making his way backstage, Kane entered the ring. Kane started attacking Daniel Bryan and ignored any commands from the referee. For a brief moment Kane would let up, but he continued his attack. Finally Kane stopped and left the ring. Although Daniel Bryan lost this match, he still has a bigger one ahead of him before the Royal Rumble this Sunday.
This wasn’t a bad match. Both men have the skill to pull off a really good match and that’s exactly what they did. Of course it was only booked to weaken Daniel Bryan before his match against Kane this week on Smackdown.
The Kliq
Next in the show was a backstage segment of a Kliq reunion. Damien Sandow made this segment hilarious, as he dressed up as X-Pac’s stunt double. The Miz wasn’t too happy and got shot down by members of the Kliq when he offered to shake hands with them.
I will even admit that Sandow fooled me. I actually thought he was X-Pac before the real X-Pac showed. I enjoyed seeing Miz get shot down by each member of the Kliq and the remark that Triple H made when asked what kind of show he was running. “I’m so ashamed.”
The Legends Panel
Back in the ring was a Legends Panel featuring Shawn Michaels, Hulk Hogan and Nature Boy Ric Flair. Smackdown commentator, Brian Saxton asked each legend to give their pick of who will win the Royal Rumble. Shawn Michaels chose Bray Wyatt, Hulk Hogan picks Daniel Bryan and Flair wants to see Dean Ambrose win. The panel was interrupted when Big Show walked out and started reminding each panel member of the matches that they once faced with him and how none of them could eliminate a giant like him. The tides changed when Show knocked out Ric Flair, but Roman Reigns was there to the rescue.
The Legends cleared the ring as Reigns made his entrance through the audience. Reigns and Big Show started to go at it, which ended with Roman Reigns, eliminated Show over the top rope. Reigns would then walk with Michaels, Hogan and Flair backstage.
This segment wasn’t bad but it could have been better. There’s a lot that could have made this segment better. Roman Reigns and Big Show could have thrown more blows at each other or the panel could have been asked more questions.
Dean Ambrose - Bad News Barrett
The next singles match of the night was between the Lunatic Fringe Dean Ambrose and the Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett. This booking was a bit odd because the two men haven’t targeted each other. Unless this match was to settle the score from the match that took place between the two last summer, when Barrett got injured. If so, Barrett did not get his revenge as the Lunatic Fringe got the pin fall after getting Barrett with a Dirty Deeds. It seems the whole purpose of this match was for Dean Ambrose to sell his tweaked knee.
New Day vs. Tyson Kidd and Cesaro
New Day members Big E and Kofi Kingston won their tag team match against Cesaro and Tyson Kidd. With Natalya and Adam Rose at ringside the match actually wasn’t bad as Cesaro and Kidd got to show off their new tag team moves in their arsenal. At one point Cesaro set up his swing and in the middle of it, Kidd hit a drop kick. New Day got the pin fall even though it should have been Cesaro and Kidd. It’s almost as if WWE is trying to force New Day on us. When New Day made their entrance, no one was on their feet cheering for them and the same thing happened when they won the match.
It also looks like WWE might be working Adam Rose with Cesaro and Kidd. This would be an interesting faction if it continues because all three men have gimmicks that are so diverse from one another. If a new faction does happen then it could help Rose with the fans.
nWo
The nWo made walked out to the ring for a segment. Its too bad Hulk Hogan didn’t join them. Nash, Hall and X-Pac stood in the ring to the cut a promo about they’re the cause of everything awesome that has happened. The Ascension interrupted to address their dislike of being compared to legendary tag teams. The Ascension started to degrade the hottest faction of the 90s. JBL stood up and started to address the youngsters while unbuttoning his shirt and summoned Ron Simmons having an APA reunion. What is a reunion of awesome tag teams without a few members of DX? The New Age Outlaws approached the ring to join the party and the Legends united in a beat down against The Ascension.
This was one of the good segments from the whole night as the WWE Universe got to see their favorite teams from the 90s reunite. Most fans have been craving the Attitude Era to come back and Monday they got a glimpse of what they were missing. I totally agree with everything the now said about being the ones who started it all. It’s true because if it weren’t for the nWo, then Vince McMahon wouldn’t have stepped up to try and win the Monday Night Wars. There would be no DX or Attitude Era.
Natalya and Paige vs. Summer Rae and Alicia Fox
The only Divas match of the night was Paige and Natalya vs. Summer Rae and Alicia Fox in a tag team match with the Bellas as guest commentators. Natalya and Paige sold the match with their great team work. Natalya super kicked Alicia Fox into the PTO, causing Fox to tap out. The Bellas were not pleased and it was announced that at the Royal Rumble this Sunday the Bellas will be facing Paige and Natalya in a tag team match.
R-Truth vs. Rusev
Well it looks like R-Truth is becoming a jobber now as he lost to Rusev Monday night in a short singles match. Truth did manage to send the U.S champion over the top rope but it was the Accolade that got him to tap out.
Jey Uso vs. The Miz
Not much to say about this match other than Jey Uso winng and Mizdow is always fun to look. Before the match started, the Miz made a comment backstage that with his stunt double he has two chances of winning the Royal Rumble. Mizdow didn’t like this and didn’t hesitate to shoot a glare at Miz. Could this be the start of Mizdow turning on his partner?
John Cena vs. Seth Rollins, Kane and Big Show
Earlier in the evening it was announced that the WWE Universe voted for Cena to fight in a match that would get the jobs back of Ziggler, Rowan, and Ryback. That match would be a three on one handicap match against Authority members Seth Rollins, Big Show and Kane. Before the match started Seth Rollins was confronted by Brock Lesnar backstage and was left shaking. Not so tough, are you Seth?
The match was a typical John Cena match. With the odds stacked against him, he managed to get the upper hand against the Authority and almost got screwed when J and J security interfered. The Authority started to gain momentum but that all came to a halt when Sting appeared backstage on the Titantron. The crowd went wild as Sting walked out from backstage and stood on top of the ramp. Cena used the distraction to his advantage and got the pin fall, winning the jobs back of Dolph Ziggler, Erik Rowan, and Ryback.
The Authority was none too happy about this and Triple H started calling Sting down to the ring. Brock Lesnar used this opportunity to finally get the beat down he was wanting all night. Lesnar rolled into the ring and threw blows at all three men on the Authority’s side. Seth Rollins managed to escape and flee the Beast, finally knowing what is in store for him this Sunday.
Despite a long and rather boring opening to the show, the ending was spot on. Even though Cena won the match, the focus wasn’t on him. The appearance of Sting made everything worthwhile. The action between Lesnar and Rollins is what the WWE Universe really wants.