Welcome wrestling fans to another edition of Monday Night RAW. Tonight’s episode emanates from Cleveland Ohio; and we are twelve days away now from the Granddaddy of them All. The biggest show of the year is fast approaching, Wrestlemania. Let’s take a look back at the Monday airing and see what is leading up to the upcoming festivities.
Raw presented a six match card over the course of the three-hour evening. Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman opened up the show with a promo, and a poignant discussion about what will happen to Lesnar’s opponent in Roman Reigns. Reigns naturally of course would interrupt, and because of the attack upon him from last week. However, he would find himself unlucky, and be attacked once again by the Beast Brock Lesnar. One may think though, how does this help Roman? Will these attacks on RAW mean that Reigns will get his comeuppance at Mania, and win the Universal Title? In reality, how do these attacks help Roman “muster up” strength and wherewithal to finally beat Brock at the PPV? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-IxZMzg6XY
Furthermore, in other analysis; giving the title to Reigns (if it indeed occurs); will do what exactly? Fans already have a mixed reaction of him, and boo him because of Roman defeating Undertaker last year. There are other reasons for his dislike as well. But giving the title to a performer who gets a mixed reaction is a bit puzzling. Yes, he is a full-timer and his “pipe bomb” promo on Lesnar did earn cheers; but at what costs? Ideally, it’s not like Roman gets a miraculous recovery, and then the fans automatically switch to cheer Reigns a solid 100% of the time. Ergo, what is the point of beating him down, when the initial point (and subsequent heel turn on Lesnar) WON’T get the reaction that everyone is hoping for, for Roman?
In other action, “No one is truly ready for Asuka”; and we found that out once again last night. Who pray tell would be the one to defeat her? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8JzNPfpLiI. Will it be Ronda Rousey in the future? But, in any event; and despite hypothetical’s, Asuka defeated her opponent Jamie Frost in a strong, enhancement style win. Other ladies action led to Nix Jax defeating Mickie James. However, Jax’s opponent for Mania in Alexa Bliss was featured at ringside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vZe6CCD6zg.
Given the way they have booked and pushed Jax as of late, is she a babyface, or a heel? Secondly, with the hoopla of Asuka winning the first woman’s Royal Rumble and the arrival of Rousey; will these events overshadow Jax; and the other women’s developments on RAW? Now, we have a cross-over match where Asuka is wrestling Charlotte for the Smackdown title, thanks to the eligibility in winning the Women’s Rumble.
With this happening, Creative needs a little more depth to give “meat” to the Bliss-Jax feud and storyline. Quite honestly, is it forgettable of what the precipitating moment of when the Jax and Bliss feud truly began- and with all that has been going on lately?
First, they were friends and sometimes they’re not, and in other times, there is an undercurrent with Jax and Bliss because of the quest for the women’s title. However, which is it- at the end of the day? Friends and allies, or enemies?
Other matches went as follows for RAW. Elias defeated Rhino followed by a Braun Strowman victory over Sheamus in singles competition. It is noted that The Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro) will be wrestling Strowman for the tag team titles at Mania. Strowman now has a victory over both members, as he defeated Cesaro back on March 19th. Good news is, the element of surprise is still apparent because Braun still has a mystery partner (if any) for this bout. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKigQVoTM6c.
In segments, Miz TV featuring host The Miz featured one of his two Mania opponents in Finn Balor and Seth Rollins on the show. You may recall Miz will be defending his Inter-contental Title versus Balor and Seth Rollins in a triple-threat at Wrestlemania. There is also a rumor swirling because of the Miztourage incident, that Miz will reappear and have Authors of Pain as his new henchmen. Whether or not this is the case or intended direction, remains to be seen. Speaking of Miztourage, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas teamed up in a losing effort to the Club members Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCvZBSJeOa8 & https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHWN850LbSo.
In other happenings, we find a boiling (and lukewarm breaking) point to the issues pitting Bayley and Sasha Banks. Both ladies went to blows and fisticuffs backstage after weeks of miscommunication and doubting of the other’s trust, and intentions. However, the term lukewarm term is used; because both women will be put into a battle royal. The battle royal is the wrong move. Ideally, if you are building up a feud, you’d want to pay it off in a featured bout, a singles match between the two. Therefore, all of this drama, builds up and friction between the two will dissipate because now the focus is now detailing other women in this one singular match. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0DFRx8Tuq0
Here is the initial problem: Both women are talented, and have in-ring chemistry- especially as rivals. Given the intensity of their 2015 match at NXT Brooklyn, the feud should be able to be re-ignited and have an awesome match (now in 2018). But yet, both women are in the battle royal instead, this leads to equaling awkward booking. Furthermore, Creative also showcases a lack of attention to these women and others because Rousey once again got into an altercation. Last week, she took down Dana Brooke. Last night’s takedown was Rousey getting one over on Absolution’s member, Mandy Rose. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVuzDN95L3k
Segueing back to the Battle Royal, this time will introduce the men’s version. We found out some information regarding the Andre the Giant Memorial match. Matt Hardy, coming off the heels of defeating Bray Wyatt at the Compound is now delegated to the Battle Royal. This move screams lack of creativity. This option is a makeshift idea, to wrongly cover up perhaps because they don’t have a new feud/opponent for Hardy. Hardy will join combatants: Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson, AKA the Revival in the match. The bout will also have Mojo Rowley and Tye Dilligener as those who are also featured.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEbzjGqsgo8
In the main event, John Cena came out in a promo monologue once again. He still wants an answer from The Undertaker. Instead, once his say was over; he was met by a response- but not the one he was hoping. This is reminiscent of the Chokeslam from Hell, Cena got last week. However, he would be officially met with Kane tonight; and the two squared off in a No-DQ match. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOY0X4Yv1zk
In conclusion, the talent and in-ring product has been building up to a superb Wrestlemania. However, some glaring spots with Creative remain to be seen. As suggested, the mid-card and delegation to battle royals is evident. The women not named Asuka, Ronda Rousey and Charlotte seem to be getting the attention; meanwhile lacking detail to those who work around and beneath them at a different level. Lastly, will the Undertaker respond? Given how he left his attire in the ring, post-match of last year’s loss- why? What’s next? What more does he need to do, or prove? Or, will Undertaker lay the Deadman aside, and re-appear as the American Bad Ass in a rebirth of persona?
Smackdown Live was broadcast on March 27th 2018, from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. The show has had a five-match card. The show is built around the fall out of General Manager Daniel Bryan being attacked by the two men Bryan had fired, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Bryan also addressed the audience on this evening to regain his revenge and intentions come Wrestlemania. Bryan will team with Shane McMahon versus Owens and Zayn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnRs9InyaA0
In Smackdown action, Shelton Benjamin faced number-one contender, Shinsuke Nakamura. This match was the main event of the evening. Nakamura as you all may recall, won the Men’s Royal Rumble and is eligible for the Smackdown WWE Title versus AJ Styles. Styles was in Shinsuke’s corner, and to ensure The King of Strong Style is at his very best. However, post-match, the Artist teased Styles with a Kinsasa. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm2HK031PqU
Women’s action led to hyping up the Asuka and Charlotte feud for the Women’s title at Mania. Tonight though has Becky Lynch defeating Ruby Riott with the Dis-arm her submission. The Riott Squad members are now also apart of the Women’s Battle Royal at Wrestlemania. Outside of this match and the eventual bout for Mania, honestly- not much is being given or built around the Smackdown Live women leading up to Mania. Sadly this trend is similar to what RAW is doing, with the Ronda Rousey and Asuka showcasing on Monday night’s offerings.
In the opening bout, Rusev teamed with Jinder Mahal. Jinder had announced he had a new partner. This is due to injury, although kay-fabed that Sunil Singh is hurt. Singh came out and accompanied Mahal, but Sunil was clad in a neck brace and shoulder sling. The Rusev and Mahal team defeated “Glorious” Bobby Roode plus the “Viper” Randy Orton. Miscommunication and posturing so to speak with Roode and Orton led to a RKO to Roode. This subsequently followed into a Matcha kick to end the match. This scenario also builds more hype for Mania as Mahal, Roode and Orton will feud for the United States title. However, due to Mahal and Rusev winning, Rusev now asked for a fatal four-way, as opposed to a triple-threat at Wrestlemania. Whether or not this change is made official, remains to be seen.
The Bludgeon Brothers, known as Harper and Rowan defeated The New Day. This led to a featured altercation with The USO’s. This is because of the last layout by Harper and Rowan from the Smackdown Live pay per view. The Uso’s and as defending champions have who have a budding feud; a beef with Harper and Rowan, plus a long-standing issue with the New Day. Lastly, in other matches, Dolph Ziggler defeated Tyler Breeze by pinfall victory. Ziggler would also Superkick Fandango post-match as well.
In closing, much of this show has had implications and proper build up towards Wrestlemania. However, the segues of where the feuds are going come across as fundamental and predictable. The in-ring action is superb and worthy of the hype (for the actual matches at Mania).
However, nothing Earth shattering occurred tonight as a “hook and drag” in leading up to Mania. Mania will be an exciting show, but something here just seemed to be missing in terms of story-telling and drama wise on this show. Some may say there are no real stories outside of the dynamic pitting McMahon and Bryan versus Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Wrestling fans, lets tune in next week for Smackdown Live, Tuesday nights at 8:00 PM and then jump on over for the rundown and analysis that youll find on PWP Nation.