Raw’s opening
As Monday Night Raw opened in Tampa, Florida, the one question on the collective lips of the WWE Universe was whether or not the WWE would address the suspension of Roman Reigns. As Seth Rollins music hit, it became apparent that they would.
When Rollins got on to the microphone, he made the decision to talk about the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Rollins clearly took the suspension personally. As the architect of the SHIELD, Rollins stated that the suspensions embraced him and even soiled his name.
The current WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Dean Ambrose, interrupted Rollins when he said that the slated SHIELD triple threat match for the title at WWE Battleground should be altered to reflect Reigns’ suspension.
Ambrose defended Reigns by saying he admitted to his mistake and continued to say that he was just looking forward to WWE Battleground so he could defend his championship.
The pair were then interrupted by AJ Styles who said he would replace Reigns in the match. With Styles throwing his name into the mix, it was obvious John Cena was going to follow suit and that is exactly what he did. With Styles and Cena both asking for spots in the match, Stephanie McMahon gave them an answer.
If Styles could beat Ambrose and Cena could beat Rollins, they would both get a spot in the match. The segment finished with all the men acknowledging that a difficult task lay ahead.
Analysis: A solid start for Raw, especially given the decision to speak about Reigns. Ambrose still looks like a fighting champion and teasing that either Cena or Styles could compete for the title seemed to enthuse the crowd.
Sasha Banks and Paige - Charlotte and Dana Brooke
The WWE Universe wants to see more of Sasha Banks and they got it in Tampa. She tagged team with Paige against Women’s Champion Charlotte and her protege Dana Brooke. An effective game plan from Charlotte and Dana meant that they kept Sasha away from the champion. Instead, Paige tried to rally and get The Boss into the match to pick up the way.
She failed in her initial attempts but created enough space and time for herself to get Sasha into the match with the momentum swinging in their favor. With Charlotte on the outside, Paige was able to keep her busy while Sasha hit the Bank Statement on Dana Brooke for the win.
Analysis: A solid match where Sasha and Paige played the good guys well. The WWE Universe wants a lot more of Sasha Banks and they will continue to get it if she puts in good in-ring performance.
Titus O’Neil - Rusev
Titus O’Neil has had enough of Rusev and it was evident as he marched to the ring. Immediately attacking Rusev, the match got off to a hot start and the pent up anger from O’Neil led to his win, but it wasn’t enough to prove he can pick up a decisive win over Rusev.
The pair battled to the outside, where O’Neil tossed Rusev into the timekeepers area. He quickly got back into the ring and beat the referee’s count.
Analysis: Another filler match between these two and it may continue for a while. While Titus has improved, Rusev is a clear step-up and should be in a much more meaningful feud with the United States Championship on the line.
John Cena - Seth Rollins
With a spot in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WWE Battleground on the line for John Cena, it was going to be no easy feat overcoming Seth Rollins. The pair have put on numerous good matches in the past few months and this was no different.
With both superstars getting in good offense and looking really good, it led to a number of near falls that really could have ended the match.
As Cena looked like he was going to make Rollins tap out, The Club made their way to the ring and surrounded each side. With nowhere to go, Cena released the hold on Rollins and quickly looked to get himself into a position to face The Club.
The distraction was enough for Rollins to gather himself and hit the Pedigree and pick up the win.
Analysis: Cena and Rollins are money together in the ring. They just click. This was a very good match that made both men look really good, of course, they’re two of the WWE’s best but it’s still good each time they perform together. The conclusion to the match may have been a little obvious but that shouldn’t take away from it.
Enzo and Cass - Local Competition
Enzo and Big Cass cut their usual promo but there was no usual tag team awaiting them in the ring. Enzo and Cass were scheduled to have a match against a tag team from Tampa in what was seemingly going to be a squash match.
Enzo and Cass hit their rocket launcher finisher from the top rope and picked up the win.
Analysis: A match that doesn’t quite make sense. Enzo and Cass are talented in the ring, but with the New Day seemingly moving with the titles to face the Wyatt Family, the tag team division is left in limbo.
The brand split draft and new tag teams cannot come quick enough for the tag team division.
Becky Lynch attacks Natalya at ringside
With Natalya set to do some commentary on the match Becky Lynch was scheduled to have with Summer Rae, it was all too much for the Irish lass kicker as she made a beeline for Natalya. After being turned on by friend after friend, Lynch has had enough and stood up for herself by attacking Nattie.
Her match with Summer Rae never took place as the pair had to be separated by a number of referees.
Analysis: Good for Becky Lynch, finally getting to stand up for herself. While it’ seems to be the same story for heel turns in the Women’s division, having Becky look genuinely angry made it better. A good piece of character development and storyline progression.
Highlight Reel with Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens were the guests for Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel segment. The hate between the pair is obvious, it’s been around for much longer than they've been in the WWE. In the WWE, their hatred has kept them for being much more successful than they already have been.
The cost each other the Intercontinental Championship and a shot at becoming Mr. Money in the Bank. Zayn claimed that Owens is, and always has been jealous of him. He then continued to lay down a challenge, where the pair would settle their differences at WWE Battleground.
Owens accepted but of course he didn’t admit to being jealous of Zayn.
With it being the Highlight Reel, Jericho had to make it about him somehow. As he tried to give everybody the Gift of Jericho, he was super kicked by the pair in near perfect sync.
Analysis: You’ll never end the Zayn and Owens feud, and trying to do it this early in the WWE could be a really bad move. However, the ending to the segment may have been a tease of what's to come.
Zayn and Owens were tag team partners on the independent circuit, could they reignite that spark and do it once again in the WWE? Time will tell.
Kane - The Miz
The Miz returned to Raw and was immediately set about defending his Intercontinental Championship. Kane was around to prove that he could be the choice to run SmackDown once the show goes live in a few weeks, so he said he’d find the Miz an opponent.
Social Media immediately went into overdrive, trying to guess who the Miz’s opponent was going to be.
In the end, Kane took the job himself and tried to capture the Intercontinental Championship. He was unsuccessful as Maryse fell off the apron, claiming she had a rather nasty ankle injury. Miz, ever the humanitarian, picked her up and carried her backstage, leading to the match ending in a count out victory for Kane.
Analysis: Again, just like the United States Championship, the Intercontinental Championship has been wasted. The Miz is a good champion but being away for a number of weeks took any sort of focus away from the belt.
Maybe with the impending brand split coming up there will be more of a focus as a secondary championship for one of the brands. For now, however, it’s wasted.
Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus - Apollo Crews and Cesaro
Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus, former League of Nations members, teamed up against Cesaro and Apollo Crews. This match was seemingly born out of putting two feuds together to fill a bit of time during the show.
While not a bad match, it was ended by Sheamus turning on his tag team partner and Apollo Crews quickly using that to his team's advantage as they picked up the win.
Analysis: Not a great match and clearly filler but it showed that all four could do so much more in the WWE. While Apollo Crews picked up the win, he clearly needs to develop his character. Winning will do that, but it could be in a bit more conclusive fashion.
The New Day and the Wyatt Family
The New Day completely parodied the Wyatt Family’s entrance and put their own unique spin on it. It worked, it was enjoyable. They cut a promo on the Wyatt’s by breaking down their style while maintaining the New Day’s comedic aspect.
Eventually, they were interrupted by the Wyatt Family who ripped into the New Day’s continued use of the ‘power of positivity.’ With Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan backing him up, Bray Wyatt continued to speak from the Monday Night Raw stage.
Xavier Woods did his very best in not making eye contact with Wyatt, but once he did, he became entranced and couldn’t snap out of it until the Wyatt’s exited.
Analysis: The Wyatt’s and New Day feud continues to intrigue as the WWE pits each groups differing styles against each other. The Wyatt’s are meant to be near supernatural while the New Day are outlandish and comedic characters. Having the New Day imitate the Wyatt’s won’t be copied as it’s not The Wyatt’s style but it just works.
Xavier Woods continuing to be drawn into a trance-like state by Bray Wyatt’s promos is something to keep an eye on going forward.
AJ Styles - Dean Ambrose
As AJ Styles got his shot at being an entrant in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WWE Battleground, it was going to be an easy task as he faced the champion, Dean Ambrose. Both men had a good amount of offense, with Styles at times looking like he was going to win a spot in the championship match.
Styles managed to hit a number of his offensive moves, including the lighting pace strikes to the head and the body of Ambrose.
After much back and forth, it looked like it was dire straits for the challenger and his chances of being entered into the match at Battleground. Unsurprisingly, The Club appeared at ringside and drew the attention of Ambrose as he begun to signal the end for Styles.
Just like earlier when Styles interrupted Cena, Cena returned the favor, attacking The Club and drawing Styles’ attention. With Styles pre-occupied, Ambrose was able to strike with Dirty Deeds and pick up the win.
Analysis: A really good match for both men but the ending and interruptions could have been seen from a mile away. That's not to take away from what was a really good match, Styles and Ambrose laid it all on the line but the champion was just able to capitalize.
After the match, Seth Rollins jumped Ambrose and laid him out with a Pedigree. Ever the opportunist, Rollins fired the opening shot as they build to Battleground.
Match of the Night: John Cena and Seth Rollins have put on a number of good matches in recent months and this one was no different. The pair work so well together in the ring and it showed once again.
Star of the night: While Xavier Woods was not part of any in-ring action, the way he continues to be drawn in by The Wyatt Family helps establish them as a rather weird and supernatural force, something that has been lacking. Woods continued to move towards the Wyatts each week continues to be interesting, especially when the teams finally compete against each other.
Rating: 6.5/10