Wrestling News

WWE Monday Night Raw Reaction (10/17)

By Robert Lentini
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Kevin Owens and Jericho kicked off this week’s episode of Raw. Owens immediately started scolding the crowd and they responded by chanting “Foley!”. Jericho then told the crowd to be quiet about 15 times.

Jericho blamed his loss to Seth Rollins last week on the referee. Jericho then added the WWE official to the list. Owens then claimed that he was going to retire Seth Rollins at Hell in a Cell. Rollins then interrupted and the crowd started chanting his name.

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Rollins poked fun at Jericho’s scarf, tattoos and his haircut. Rollins then referred to Jericho as “sparkle crotch” due to his sparkly in-ring attire. Seth suggested that Jericho add his friendship with Kevin Owens to the list because it is fake. Rollins then referred to Jericho as weak and Jericho flipped out.

Jericho stated that he can defeat Rollins any place and anytime. Rollins then challenged Jericho to a match and dared him to ask Owens to stay backstage. Jericho accepted and asked Owens to leave. Owens thought it was a bad idea but Jericho claimed that he needed to remind Rollins and the stupid idiots in the audience who they are dealing with. Owens agreed to leave but stated he would be there in spirit. Owens and Jericho embraced in a hug and Rollins told Owens to get his hands off of sparkle crotch and head to the back.

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Chris Jericho vs Seth Rollins

Rollins stomped Jericho in the corner and hit a Dropkick. Jericho fought back and connected with a Backbreaker on Rollins. The next few minutes were back and forth. Rollins went for the Pedigree but Jericho blocked it. Rollins then hit a Dropkick that sent Jericho flying out of the ring and Raw went to a commercial.

When Raw returned, Jericho had control of the match. Rollins hit a running knee and followed it up by slamming Jericho’s face into the second turnbuckle. Rollins hit a Slingblade but Jericho kicked out at two. Jericho laid out Rollins with an elbow and then hit a Lionsault.

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Jericho went for the Pedigree but Rollins blocked it and hit a Falcon Arrow. Kevin Owens then came out and both Superstars were distracted. Rollins hit a Crossbody off the top rope onto Jericho outside the ring. Rollins went for the Pedigree but Rollins countered into the Walls of Jericho. Rollins reached for the bottom rope but Owens pulled the rope away. The referee finally noticed and instructed Owens to stop. Rolins then was able to reach the bottom rope to break the hold.

Jericho went for the Codebreaker but Rollins blocked it. Rollins then hit the Pedigree for the victory and Owens walked away frustrated.

Winner: Seth Rollins

Reaction: Raw opened up with an entertaining promo and it was followed up with an even more entertaining match. Jericho and Owens will be throwing punches at each other in no time. Jericho wanted Owens to stay out of the match but he just couldn’t do it. Rollins continues to build momentum heading into Hell in a Cell. If Kevin Owens is to retain his Universal Championship at HIAC, it will most likely be due to some kind of shenanigans. Whether that be interference from Jericho, Triple H or someone completely unexpected.

Lita had an exclusive interview with Charlotte. Lita asked how Charlotte is preparing for her Hell in a Cell versus Sasha Banks. Charlotte responded that she was born ready for these moments. Charlotte went on to claim that she was the best female wrestler that the industry has ever seen. Charlotte then boasted that she has won 12 PPV matches in a row. Lita asked if she cared that the WWE Universe was fully behind Sasha Banks. Charlotte then mocked the WWE Universe and stated that she didn’t need them. The interview ended with Charlotte guaranteeing that she will become the three time Women’s Champion at Hell in a Cell.

Golden Truth & Mark Henry vs Shining Stars & Titus O’Neil

Titus and the Shining Stars tried to sell knock-off rolexes backstage earlier in the evening. The crowd was absolutely silent during this match. Mark Henry picked up the victory by delivering the World’s Strongest Slam to Titus O’Neil.

Winners: Golden Truth & Mark Henry

Jericho and Owens were shown creaming at each other backstage. Jericho claimed that he wasn’t Owens’ lackey or sidekick. Jericho almost called Owens a stupid idiot but he caught himself. Stephanie McMahon showed up and told them to stop allowing Seth Rollins to get into their heads. Stephanie also revealed that Raw has accepted Smackdown’s challenge for Survivor Series.

Big E vs Sheamus

The New Day cut an entertaining promo before the match. They incited the entire crowd to chant “shame!” at Sheamus in the ring. Cesaro, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were ringside for this match. Sheamus started off the match strong and hit a Suplex on Big E. Cesaro was walking around ringside while on Facebook live.

Big E hit a big splash onto Sheamus on the ring apron. Sheamus battled back and hit a Senton onto Big E outside the ring. When Raw returned from a commercial break, Big E hit Sheamus with a couple of Belly to Belly Suplexes. Big E went for another splash but this time Sheamus got his knees up to block it. Sheamus hit an Irish Curse Backbreaker but Big E kicked out at two. Big E battled back and hit a Powerbomb.

Sheamus hit the White Noise but once again Big E kicked out. Cesaro hopped into the crowd and Sheamus became annoyed. Sheamus grabbed Cesaro’s phone and told him to film the best Brogue Kick ever. Big E then rolled up Sheamus for the win as Cesaro stood on the apron with his phone. Cesaro had a gigantic smile on his face as Sheamus shouted at him.

Winner: Big E

Reaction: I’m still not a big fan of teaming up Sheamus & Cesaro but it is starting to be mildly entertaining. The time has come to take the titles off of the New Day. I thought The Club would have been the perfect team to do so but obviously that will not be the case. The storyline here is that Cesaro and Sheamus have two weeks to figure out a way to work together. If they don’t, they will ultimately lose in their title match against the New Day at Hell in a Cell. However, if they do find a way to work together they can certainly defeat the New Day and capture the titles. I’d still just much rather see either of them in the Universal or United States Championship picture. That way we wouldn’t have to see Roman Reigns versus Rusev 10,000 times in a row.

Bo Dallas vs Neville

Bo started off this match like a psycho. He was shouting at the WWE Universe and beating the hell out of Neville. It didn’t take too long for Neville to fight back and hit an impressive Moonsault on top of Bo outside the ring. Neville was going up to the top rope to attempt the Red Arrow but Bo knocked him down to the ring apron. Bo Dallas then capitalized on this and won the match.

After the match, Curtis Axel ran into the ring to celebrate with his friend. Bo Dallas didn’t take too kindly to this and sent Axel flying into the barricade outside the ring. Bo then slammed his knee into Axel’s head and instructed the WWE Universe to Bolieve in Bo.

Winner: Bo Dallas

Dana Brooke vs Bayley

Bayley started off the match in control but Dana Brooke battled back and slammed Bayley into the turnbuckle. The WWE Universe started chanting “Bayley” to try and get her back into the match. Bayley responded by hitting Dana Brooke with an elbow in the corner. Dana Brooke then rolled out of the ring but Bayley hit her with a Dropkick anyway. Dana Brooke then slammed Bayley into the LED ring post and picked up the pinfall victory.

Winner: Dana Brooke

Reaction: The ending of the match was a bit weird. Dana Brooke seemed to be trying to get her foot on the bottom rope for leverage but was too far away. I could be completely wrong about that but it certainly was an awkward pinfall. The crowd didn’t really have a reaction to the end of the match because it came out of nowhere.

Paul Heyman appeared via satellite from the WWE Studios. Heyman encouraged Goldberg to say to no to Lesnar’s challenge later tonight. Heyman then stated if Goldberg did accept the challenge, Goldberg will be destroyed by Lesnar.

Braun Strowman vs The Mile High Trio

Stowman once again destroyed his opposition. Strowman chased one of the members of the Mile High Trio outside the ring and clubbed him in the back. Once back in the ring, Strowman picked up the easy victory.

After the match, Strowman once again demanded that Foley give him some real competition. Sami Zayn then came out from the back and marched down to the ring. The crowd chanted “Sami!” as he stood toe to toe with Strowman. Braun then shoved Strowman out of the ring and walked away.

Winner: Brawn Strowman

Rusev and Lana came down to the ring to cut a promo. Rusev barked at the crowd to stop chanting “USA!”. Lana then referred to Rusev as a phenomenal family man and insulted all the men in the audience. Rusev then insulted Roman Reigns’ s family. Rusev then introduced the WWE Universe to his family via a slideshow appearing on the screen. Rusev stated that his mother is a two time rowing champion. Lana then insulted all of the women in the audience. The crowd then booed Rusev’s mother and Rusev got angry.

Rusev then showed a picture of his father and referred to him as “Papa Rusev”. The crowd once again booed. Rusev then introduced his brother and stated that he was the best chef in Bulgaria. Rusev then showed a picture of his grandmother and his family dog. Rusev claimed that his dog has won multiple dog show awards all around the world.

Finally, Roman Reigns interrupted and came down to the ring. Reigns referred to his family as the “Roman Empire”. Reigns stated that Rusev looked more like the family dog than his father. Lana then slapped Reigns in the face and Rusev followed it up with a kick to the head. Rusev then beatdown Reigns outside the ring. Rusev slammed the steel stairs on Reigns. A “Roman!” chant broke out in the crowd. Reigns tried to fight back but Rusev kicked him and sent him into the steps again. Rusev then propped Reigns up onto the steps and locked in the Accolade. The crowd booed as Rusev stood tall over Reigns.

Reaction: This was a decent promo. Rusev and Lana insulting the crowd was amusing. The problem with this feud remains the same. I simply do not envision Rusev defeating Reigns at Hell in a Cell. Reigns will most likely hold the United States Championship for some time. It is hard to get invested in a feud when you feel like the conclusion of it is way too predictable.

Karl Anderson vs Big Cass

Both Luke Gallows and Enzo Amore were ringside for this match. Big Cass started out the match by pummeling Anderson in the corner. Cass hit a slam on Anderson that sent him rolling out of the ring. Big Cass then launched Enzo onto Gallows outside the ring. Big Cass then quickly defeated Karl Anderson via the East River Crossing.

Winner: Big Cass


Lita had an exclusive interview with Sasha Banks. Sasha stated that her and Charlotte are making history together at Hell in a Cell. Sasha claimed that she is the best and that she was going to show Charlotte that at Hell in a Cell. Sasha told Lita that she is completely over her back injury and that she is ready to go. Lita asked Sasha if she was afraid of the cell and Sasha said that fear is not an option at Hell in a Cell.

Brian Kendrick, Drew Gulak & Tony Nese vs TJ Perkins, Cedric Alexander & Rich Swann

Gulak and Swann started out the match. Gulak slapped Swann in the face and slammed him to the mat. Swann responded by connecting with a Dropkick. Alexander and Nese were then tagged in. Alexander slammed Nese to the mat and tagged in TJ Perkins.

Nese hit Perkins with a Suplex but TJ kicked out. When Raw returned from a commercial break, Alexander and Gulak were in the ring. Alexander landed a kick to Gulak’s head. Swann and Nese were then tagged in. Swann hit a Hurricanrana on Nese.

Nese hit a 450 Splash on Swann. Kendrick then tagged himself in and locked in the Captain’s Hook. Perkins tried to break up the hold but he was dragged out of the ring. Swann had no choice but to submit.

Winners: Brian Kendrick, Drew Gulak & Tony Nese

Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon announced that there will be a triple threat match between Owens, Jericho and Rollins next week on Monday Night Raw.

Goldberg made his return to the WWE. He walked down the ramp and repeatedly swore and the WWE had to bleep it out. The audience greeted him with a very loud “Goldberg!” chant. Goldberg seemed moved by this and acknowledged the crowd. The crowd then erupted in a “holy s***!” chant.

The audience then chanted “this is awesome!” as Goldberg tried to fight back the emotion of returning in the ring. Michael Cole then gave Goldberg a microphone. Goldberg thanked the crowd and stated that his wife and his son were in the arena seeing him live for the first time.

Goldberg stated that the biggest thing he missed was being a superhero for all the kids in the WWE Universe. Goldberg went on to say that he created some drama and that he should maybe leave it alone. Goldberg then said that Lesnar challenged him to a fight but made his fat little stooge Paul Heyman do it for him. Goldberg accepted Lesnar’s challenge and stated that Lesnar is not only next but he is last. Thus, it is confirmed. Goldberg will have one last match against Brock Lesnar.

Reaction: Tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw was better than the previous few shows. However, it still had plenty of filler. Goldberg’s return to WWE was certainly an awesome moment. I’m happy that he gets the oppurtunity to wrestle in front of his family for the first time. The WWE did a good job of showing vignettes to inform the audience of just who Goldberg is. He hasn’t been in the WWE for 12 years and they had to do that because a lot of today’s fans simply don’t know him.

For those that have been wrestling fans for longer than 12 years, they might remember the match between Lesnar and Goldberg at Wrestlemania 20. It was horrendous. The main reason it was so bad was because everybody was aware that both Lesnar and Goldberg were leaving the WWE. Now, the crowd will be more invested because it is Goldberg’s last match. Having said that, Goldberg hasn’t wrestled in a long time and is 49 years old.

I’m really hoping this match comes close to matching the hype put behind it. I wouldn’t mind seeing this match turn into a street fight or have it be no disqualification. Brock Lesnar has quite literally destroyed almost everyone he has gotten into the ring with in WWE. This is another match where it is hard to believe that Goldberg stands a chance. However, if you add in a steel chair or two I think it would make it more interesting and believable.

What did you think of tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw? Are you excited for the Goldberg and Lesnar match? Let us know in the comments below.

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