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WWE Monday Night Raw Reaction (10/3)

by Robert Lentini

Roman Reigns kicked off this week’s Monday Night Raw. He was greeted with a chorus of boos from the Los Angeles crowd. Reigns laughed it off and carried on with his promo. Reigns was bragging about becoming United States Champion and referred to himself as “The Guy”. Lana came out and the crowd went bananas. Roman Reigns and Lana began to exchange insults. Lana stated that she was in the ring to discuss a rematch between Rusev and Reigns for the United States Championship. Reigns thought it was embarrassing that Rusev sent Lana to the ring to do his dirty work.

Rusev finally came down to the ring and brawled with Reigns. Rusev wound up getting the upper-hand initially and sent Reigns flying into the crowd. Rusev celebrated with the United States Championship at the top of the entrance ramp. He was screaming that the title belonged to him when Reigns appeared behind him and hit a Superman Punch. Reigns then stood over Rusev and stated that he will get his rematch. The match will take place at the upcoming Hell in a Cell PPV.

Reaction: Reigns and Rusev opened Monday Night Raw for the second week in a row. I enjoy the matches between the two but I simply do not see Reigns dropping the United States Championship immediately after winning it. This feud will hopefully come to an end at Hell in a Cell.

T.J. Perkins vs Brian Kendrick

Perkins hit Kendrick with a Dropkick right when the match started. Perkins followed it up with a Springboard Crossbody and several punches to the face. Kendrick was simply dominated in the beginning of this match but finally battled back and hit Perkins with a boot to the face. Kendrick used all of his bodyweight and stomped on Perkins’ hand on top of the turnbuckle. When Raw returned from a commercial break, Perkins hit Kendrick with a Hurricanrana off the top rope. Perkins locked in the Knee Bar but Kendrick got to the bottom rope to break the hold.

Kendrick hit Sliced Bread but Perkins kicked out at two. Kendrick then locked in the Captain’s Hook in the center of the ring. Perkins reversed the hold into a pin and Kendrick kicked out. Kendrick was hung up on the second rope and Perkins hit a Wrecking Ball Dropkick. Kendrick recovered and raked the eyes of Perkins. Kendrick locked in the Captain’s Hook again and Perkins had no choice but to tap out.

Winner: Brian Kendrick

Reaction: This was a solid ten minute match that the Los Angeles crowd actually gave a chance. There were no “CM Punk!” chants during this one. Kendrick may already be in line for another shot at the Cruiserweight Championship.

Seth Rollins was interviewed by Michael Cole earlier on in the day. Rollins claimed that he was handed the Universal Championship by Triple H at Clash of Champions. Cole compared Kevin Owens’ rise to the top to the way Rollins won the title. Rollins disagreed and stated that when he cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase at Wrestlemania there was nobody there to hand him the title. Cole asked if Rollins felt replaced by Kevin Owens. Rollins stated that he didn’t feel replaced and that Owens is just a cog in the machine. Rollins went on to say that he is going to destroy that machine and that starts by taking away the Universal Championship from Kevin Owens. Rollins stated that if he gets his rematch for the Universal Championship, he is going to cancel the “Kevin Owens Show” and once again prove that he is “The Man”.

Braun Strowman vs Chase Silver

Brawn Strowman dominated Silver in a matter of minutes. Strowman hit Silver with several Shoulder Tackles and followed it up with a slam for the victory. Byron Saxton interviewed Strowman after the match. Strowman demanded that Mick Foley find him some real competition for next week’s episode of Raw.

Winner: Braun Strowman

Reaction: Thank goodness the Braun Strowman versus jobbers saga is over. I’m guessing that Strowman’s opponent next week will be the Big Show. I thought that match would have happened by now but it is what is. I’ve been bored with the Strowman enhancement matches for awhile now. Everybody understands that Strowman is strong. It is time to see what Strowman can do in a match against a real opponent.

Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens came down to the ring. Jericho brought his list to the ring and began to jot down some things. Owens claimed that Rollins was a stupid idiot for not sitting on the side and allowing his injured ribs to heal. Owens stated that Rollins has done nothing to deserve a rematch for the Universal Championship. Owens asked Jericho to be the referee in the match if Rollins somehow weasels his way into a rematch for the title. Jericho responded that he and Owens should challenge the New Day for the Raw Tag Team Championships. Owens didn’t seem too interested in that idea. Owens claimed that he already had a lot of things on his plate. Jericho stated that it was not like he was asking for an oppurtunity at the Universal Championship. Owens wound up agreeing with Jericho and stated that they will go after the New Day’s tag titles.

The New Day then interrupted and stated that hey had the best friendship going in the WWE. Jericho objected to that and added Kofi Kingston to the list. Jericho then also added Big E and Xavier Woods to the list. Owens stated that the New Day jumped the shark seven months ago. Xavier Woods then told Owens to look at himself and wondered when the last time Kevin Owens jumped over anything. The New Day accepted Jericho and Owens’ challenge and the match will take place later in the show.

Sami Zayn vs Titus O’Neil

Titus O’Neil dominated the match early. Titus mocked Sami Zayn by singing his entrance theme and clapping his hands. Titus hit Zayn with a Backbreaker and started slapping Zayn in the face. Zayn battled back and hit Titus with a Clothesline. Zayn then hit an Exploder Suplex and followed it up with the Helluva Kick for the victory.

Winner: Sami Zayn

Reaction: O’Neil was apparently debuting a new brand called “Titus”. He implored the WWE Universe to go out and buy Titus accessories. It was looking like Titus was going to destroy Zayn but thankfully that was not the case. Zayn has been wasting away ever since he defeated Kevin Owens and a loss to Titus O’Neil would have been a brutal thing to see for Sami Zayn fans. Zayn picked up the victory but it was still a pointless match that ultimately did nothing for either Superstar.

Cesaro and Sheamus were shown backstage arguing. Mick Foley confronted them and told them both to get on the same page. Foley believes that if Cesaro and Sheamus worked together they will revolutionize the tag team division.

Golden Truth vs Gallows & Anderson

R-Truth started the match off against Karl Anderson. R-Truth hit one move and then tagged in Goldust. Karl Anderson finally battled back and tagged in Luke Gallows. Goldust was trapped in The Club’s corner while Gallows and Anderson took turns beating him down. Anderson and R-Truth were then tagged in and R-Truth took it to Anderson. Gallows broke up a pinfall which allowed Anderson enough time to recover. Gallows then tagged himself in and continued to the beatdown of R-Truth. Gallows and Anderson then hit the Magic Killer for the victory.

After the match, Gallows and Anderson hit the Magic Killer on Goldust.

Winners: Gallows & Anderson

Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson had a confrontation with Jericho and Owens backstage. Kutcher and Masterson will be ringside for Jeri-KO’s match against the New Day later in the show. Jericho warned Kutcher and Masterson that if they got involved in their match they were going to get “it”.

Enzo and Cass had a segment to announce that the WWE has partnered with the Susan G. Komen organization for the fifth year in a row. Enzo and Cass then presented three women that survived breast cancer with WWE Championship belts.

New Day vs Jeri-KO

Danny Masterson and Ashton Kutcher joined commentary for the match and promoted their show “The Ranch” on Netflix. Jericho and Woods started off the match and it was back and forth. Owens and Big E were then tagged in and Big E dominated. The momentum turned when Big E went to dive onto Owens in the corner but missed and hit the ring post. Jericho busted up his nose and was bleeding. Owens wiped away the blood like any best friend would do. Jericho beatdown Big E in the corner of the ring. Owens then was tagged in and he hit a Cannonball on Big E in the corner.

When Raw returned from a commercial break, the New Day had regained control of the match. Xavier Woods knocked Jericho off the apron but was hit with a Gutbuster from Kevin Owens. Woods tried to tag in Big E but Owens hit him with a Clothesline. Jericho was tagged and went for a Superplex off the top rope but Woods blocked it and sent Jericho face first into the mat. Woods followed that up with a Crossbody off the top rope but Jericho kicked out. Owens then got back into the ring and was in control. He hit Woods with a DDT and was looking to capitalize when Seth Rollins’ music hit. Rollins walked onto the entrance ramp and Owens became distracted. Woods hit him with a kick to the face and the New Day once again had the momentum.

Big E knocked Owens out of the ring and Woods went flying onto him. Woods got back into the ring and Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho. Rollins then ran down to the ring and Jericho broke the hold. The New Day then hit Jericho with the Midnight Arrow for the victory. Rollins chased Owens around the ring after the match but Owens retreated to the entrance ramp. Rollins then hit a Pedigree on Jericho while Owens watched on the ramp.

Winnners: The New Day

Reaction: This match was decent. It will only be a matter of time before Jericho and Owens become enemies. The WWE is doing the best they can to keep Rollins on television while dealing with his injury. Kutcher and Masterson were good enough on commentary that it wasn’t a major distraction during the match. Kutcher did fumble over his words a few times but there have been much worse segments that featured guest stars than what we saw tonight. It appears that Jericho and Owens will not be getting their shot at the tag titles anytime soon.

Stephanie McMahon confronted Seth Rollins backstage and stated that for the first time he was all alone. Stephanie claimed that without the Shield and the Authority backing up Rollins he wouldn’t last long in the WWE. Rollins told Stephanie that Triple H attacking him was the second worst decision he’s ever made. Rollins went on to say that the worst decision Triple H ever made was marrying Stephanie McMahon. Rollins demanded a rematch with Kevin Owens for the Universal Championship and stated that if he didn’t get it he will burn Raw to the ground.

Rich Swann vs Tony Nese

Swann hit a big Dropkick on Nese to get things going. Swann went for a Clothesline but Nese ducked under it and hit Swann with a series of kicks and knees. Swann hit a Hurricanrana on Nese that sent him flying across the ring. Nese recovered and hit Swann with a big kick to the back of the head. Nese tried to keep Swann grounded but it didn’t work for long. Swann hit Nese with another Hurricanrana off the top rope. Nese battled back and hit a variation of the Michinoku Driver for the victory.

Winner: Tony Nese

Cesaro & Sheamus vs Raul White & Mark Carradine

Cesaro interrupted the entrance of Sheamus and Sheamus wasn’t too pleased. Sheamus and Cesaro won this match easily and then argued after the match.

Reaction: I cared very little about this match and apparently the WWE didn’t care either because they didn’t bother to tell the audience which jobber was which. They simply just announced their names and I guess we were supposed to figure it out on our own. I don’t know why the WWE decided to pair Sheamus and Cesaro up. I guess everyone is supposed to find them arguing with each other all the way to becoming the Tag Team Champions entertaining. Personally, I think it is boring and unoriginal. Meanwhile, Gallows and Anderson are wasting away in meaningless matches against Golden Truth. The Club would have made much more sense to take the titles from the New Day. If Cesaro and Sheamus become Tag Team Champions right away it will feel forced.

Charlotte and Dana Brooke confronted Bayley backstage. Charlotte poked fun at Bayley and referred to her as Dora the Explorer. Charlotte walked away and Dana Brooke continued to insult Bayley. Finally, Bayley had enough she launched Dana Brooke into a wall backstage. Bayley then walked away as Dana Brooke grabbed her leg in pain.

WWE Raw Women’s Championship Match: Charlotte (c) vs Sasha Banks

Dana Brooke did not join Charlotte ringside due to Bayley attacking her. Sasha started off the match in control and hit a Suicide Dive onto Charlotte outside the ring. When Raw returned from commercial, Charlotte was in control of the match. Banks battled back with a couple of punches but Charlotte responded with a Backbreaker. Sasha once again fought back and hit a Dropkick and followed it up with Double Knees. Banks sent Charlotte out of the ring and tried to jump onto her but was caught. Charlotte then awkwardly slammed Sasha into the ring apron and the action spilled back into the ring.

Sasha went for the Bank Statement but Charlotte blocked it. Banks went to the top rope but Charlotte knocked her down and Sasha went slamming face first into the top rope. Charlotte followed it up with a kick to the face but Banks kicked out at two. Charlotte looked shocked but went back on the attack and hit Banks with several chops. Charlotte then went for a Superplex off of the top rope but Banks blocked it. Sasha then hit the Double Knees off of the top rope but Charlotte was able to kick out of the pinfall. Sasha went to jump onto Charlotte but she countered and Banks went tumbling out of the ring. Charlotte then hit an incredible Corkscrew Moonsault onto Sasha outside the ring. Charlotte rolled Sasha back into the ring and hit the Natural Selection. Once again, Sasha kicked out and Charlotte was in disbelief.

Charlotte began to lose it and started shouting at Sasha to stay down. Sasha countered with a Bank Statement out of nowhere but Charlotte rolled through into a pin. Banks then countered the pin into another Bank Statement in the middle of the ring and Charlotte tapped out. After the match, Sasha Banks celebrated and Charlotte was visibly frustrated outside the ring. Charlotte had tears in her eyes and was shouting that the title was hers from the entrance ramp.

Winner & New Raw Women’s Champion: Sasha Banks

Reaction: This was a great way to close out the show. Sasha Banks and Charlotte continue to put on great matches and it will be interesting to see how long this title reign for Sasha Banks will last. Her previous reign was cut way too short. Overall, this Raw was up and down. It certainly had it’s moments but there is always a handful of bad segments that bring the show down. That is the advantage that Smackdown will always have over Raw. It is a shorter show and there is a lot less filler every week. However, if you were able to get past the bad segments on tonight’s episode of Raw, there were certainly some very entertaining moments. The main-event was the highlight of the show for me.

What did you think of this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw? Let us know in the comments below.

Robert Lentinihttp://www.mankymedia.com
Writer from Boston, MA.
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