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The John Report: The WWE Raw Deal 10/01/18 Review

TJR Wrestling

Live from Seattle, Washington, this is the Raw Deal for episode #1323 of Monday Night Raw. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. Thanks to Melo Man for the banner up top. Please check out even more of our great content over at TJRWrestling on Patreon now!

Raw began with Dean Ambrose’s entrance. They plugged stuff that was coming up later.

Let’s Hear from Dean Ambrose

Dean Ambrose was in the ring with lovely interviewer Charly Caruso. She asked if there was any truth to what Strowman, McIntyre and Ziggler said about Ambrose last week. Ambrose said there might be something to it because he pointed out that Seth and Roman are champions while he is not. Ambrose said that when he was out for one year, Seth replaced him pretty quickly with Jason Jordan. Charly asked if Dean has ever thought about leaving The Shield. Fans chanted “no” for that. Ambrose said that he’s thought about it, maybe he doesn’t need it anymore and maybe it doesn’t mean as much to him as it used to. Ambrose said maybe he ran Reigns off the road and he’s not going to be there. Ambrose said that people may be asking why he is still in The Shield and why he might turn his back on them. Ambrose assumed that people thought that maybe he would snap because they don’t know what he is doing next. Ambrose said that maybe people know he’s waiting for the perfect time when nobody is looking, nobody is watching and he can slip the knife right in their back. She asked about this moment.

A clip aired from the end of Raw with Ambrose thinking about going with Braun, Drew and Dolph, but Ambrose instead went back into the ring with his Shield brothers.

Ambrose explained that maybe people wondered why he came back to Raw because he could be on Smackdown doing his own thing. Ambrose pointed out that since he’s been back he’s been cleaning up his brother’s messes and maybe he’s a little tired or maybe he’s over being in The Shield. Ambrose told her to judge him by his actions, so he said he stood by his brothers and stand by his family. Ambrose ended it like this: “The Shield is not a business, The Shield is not a brand…The Shield is a brotherhood and we will always ride into battle together.” Ambrose left and so did Caruso.

Analysis: Good promo from Ambrose, who is one of the better talkers in the company when he’s given an interesting storyline. A lot of people have thought about Ambrose turning on his Shield buddies, so it was an interesting way to have him address it.

Baron Corbin, the acting GM, showed up while Ambrose was on the apron. Corbin said that all he hears is a bunch of whining from Ambrose. Ambrose asked if Corbin was a therapist on top of his day job as a substitute teacher. Ambrose pointed out that Corbin can’t put The Shield down. Corbin admitted that his team fell short last week, but no cops were called, so he considers that a win. Corbin said if Ambrose wants to be judged by his actions, he has three options: 1) Ambrose faces Rollins for the IC Championship, 2) Ambrose faces Reigns for the Universal Championship or 3) Ambrose goes one on one with Braun Strowman. Ambrose went back into the ring to think about it. Corbin asked will it be his brothers or his career. Ambrose said that if Corbin is going to dangle a shiny carrot in front of him, he doesn’t know Ambrose very well and Ambrose challenged Corbin to a match right now. Corbin said it’s not that easy and Corbin said it’s Ambrose vs. Strowman right now.

Analysis: It showed that Ambrose didn’t want to fight his “brothers” even for a title shot. It also gave us a big match.

Braun Strowman made his entrance for the first match of the night.

(Commercial)

Dean Ambrose vs. Braun Strowman

Ambrose was wrestling in a tank top featuring one of his shirts and jeans. Strowman with a running boot to the face followed by a hard whip into the turnbuckle. Strowman slapped on a vice grip headlock on Ambrose’s head. Strowman with a running splash against the turnbuckle. Corey Graves asked Renee Young about his mindset since she is Dean’s wife and she said he’s focused. Strowman with another vice grip headlock. Strowman picked up Ambrose and slammed him down. Strowman yelled at Ambrose saying The Shield is never going to help him followed by a punch to the face. Ambrose slapped Strowman, so Strowman launched Ambrose across the ring. Ambrose locked in a guillotine headlock on Strowman, Ambrose got back to his feet and kicked the back of the leg of Strowman. Ambrose charged in, but Strowman stopped Ambrose with a punch to the face.

(Commercial)

Strowman had a vice grip headlock on Ambrose again. Ambrose got back up with an eye rake, Ambrose wanted Dirty Deeds, Strowman avoided it, Ambrose pulled the ropes down and Strowman went over the top to the floor. Back in the ring, Ambrose tried a running attack leading to Strowman with a punch to the chest. Ambrose slipped out of a Powerslam attempt and Ambrose hit Dirty Deeds with a delayed pin for a two count. Strowman left the ring, so Ambrose hit him with a suicide dive. Ambrose avoided an attack and Strowman hit the steel steps. They went back into the ring with Strowman hitting a Powerslam, which led to Ambrose rolling to the apron. Strowman was selling and was unable to pin. With Ambrose outside the ring, Strowman hit a running shoulder tackle on the kneeling Ambrose. Strowman whipped Ambrose into the barricade. Strowman tossed Ambrose back into the ring and hit a Powerslam. Roman Reigns made his entrance. Reigns hit a Superman Punch on Strowman, so there’s the disqualification after about 14 minutes.

Winner by disqualification: Braun Strowman

Analysis: **1/2 It was an average match with Strowman dominating most of it, Ambrose making the big comeback and they opted for the finish where neither guy took the loss by pinfall. That’s not a surprise because Strowman almost never loses and Ambrose was booked strong too. Strowman matches are better when he break shit out of the ring. In a regular match he’s limited at times.

Reigns with a boot to the face, Seth Rollins ran out there and Rollins hit a knee off the top to the face of Strowman. Reigns and Rollins clotheslined Strowman over the top to the floor. Strowman was announced as the winner by disqualification. When Strowman backed up to the ramp, he was joined by Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre.

Baron Corbin showed up to announce two more matches: Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre and Roman Reigns will face Dolph Ziggler right now.

Analysis: That means they are matching up all six of these guys in singles matches ahead of their six-man tag on Saturday.

(Commercial)

Dean Ambrose was in the trainer’s room with ice on his shoulder. Seth Rollins showed up and said it’s about the war, not the battle. Seth said that Roan came out when he had to. Dean said, “yeah he sure did.” Dean got up, looked at Rollins and said, “it’s funny because I could be Intercontinental Champion right now.” Ambrose left.

The Reigns vs. Ziggler match was about to start. The referee held the title up since Reigns told him it’s for the title. Corbin showed up saying that this is non-title and so is the Rollins match. Corbin told Reigns the next title match is Crown Jewel on November 2 in Saudi Arabia when he faces Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman.

Analysis: It showed that Reigns wanted to be a fighting champion with the title on the line, but Corbin didn’t let him do it. It gets heat on Corbin for depriving the fans of a title match.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Roman Reigns

This is not for the Universal Title held by Reigns as mentioned by Corbin. Ziggler was in control of Reigns early on with a headlock with a body scissors. Ziggler remained in control with an elbow drop. Reigns charged against the turnbuckle, Ziggler moved and Reigns went shoulder first into the ring post. Ziggler hit a DDT on the floor. Ziggler hit a Fameasser for two as the show went to break.

(Commercial)

Back from break, Ziggler was still in control with a sleeper hold. Reigns got back into it with a snap mare, three clotheslines and a leaping clothesline. Reigns with ten corner clotheslines followed by a boot to the face. Ziggler avoided a Superman Punch and got a rollup with tights for two. Ziggler with an eye rake to counter a Samoan Drop and Ziggler hit a Zig Zag for a two count. That was a great nearfall. Ziggler set up a superkick, Reigns avoided it and hit a Superman Punch for two. Reigns was shocked by it even though he usually fails to win with that move. Ziggler avoided a Spear and got a sunset flip pin for two. Ziggler with a headbutt, Reigns bounced off the ropes and hit a Spear for the pinfall win after about 13 minutes of action.

Winner by pinfall: Roman Reigns

Analysis: ***1/4 Good match as you would expect from these guys went they got that much time. Ziggler hit Reigns with all of his biggest moves for some believable nearfalls, but Reigns managed to find a way to get the win. Reigns winning was no surprise since he is rarely booked to lose. Reigns winning with one Spear is also what I expected because guys shouldn’t be kicking out of that in Raw matches. Some champions lose non-title, but Reigns isn’t going to get booked like that.

Following the win, Reigns celebrated with the Universal Title. They showed some kids at ringside celebrating for the win, which is what WWE wants to show after Reigns matches.

The Bella Twins were backstage with their buddy Natalya along with Ronda Rousey, who is in a match up next.

(Commercial)

Ronda Rousey, the Raw Women’s Champion, made her entrance with the Bella Twins because they are teaming up against the Riott Squad at Super Show-Down. Cole said “legendary” when talking about the Bella Twins, which might lead some people to vomit. That’s ridiculous to call them legendary, but whatever.

Analysis: It’s interesting that WWE put some of their biggest names like Reigns, Strowman, Ambrose and Rousey in matches in the first hour. They know that more people watch the first hour than the other two hours, so it’s a way to get more people watching those matches.

The Riott Squad entered. They did a pre-taped promo about their Super Show-Down match. Liv looks great after last week’s concussion caused by errant Brie Bella kicks.

Ronda Rousey (w/Nikki and Brie Bella) vs. Ruby Riott (w/Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan)

Rousey’s Women’s Title is not on the line.

Rousey took down Riott with arm drags, so Riott bailed to the floor. Riott managed to get control with a kick, Riott sent Rousey shoulder first into the ring post and Riott shoved Rousey back first into the barricade. Riott dumped Rousey out of the ring and Riott sent Rousey back in. Riott with a right forearm to the face of Rousey for a two count. Riott did a hair whip slam with the announcers overselling it as if it was a big move. It’s just a hair whip. Riott with a STO like trip into a slam on Rousey. Riott went for the Riott kick, Rousey caught her and tossed Riott across the ring. Rousey worked over Riott with gut punches, Rousey picked her up onto her shoulders and slammed her down like a Powerbomb. Rousey kicked Logan, so Riott got a rollup for two. Rousey with her spinning slam. Rousey with the armbar and Riott tapped out quickly after around seven minutes.

Winner by submission: Ronda Rousey

Analysis: **1/4 The match was decent. Rousey is improving all the time, but this match was really just basic stuff. Riott got in some offense, but I don’t think anybody watching believed that Riott had a chance to win. Rousey remains undefeated and a dominant champion.

Post match, Rousey celebrated with her buddies The Bella Twins. No kicks from Brie this week, which is probably a good thing.

The announce team of Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Renee Young talked about Super Show-Down on Saturday in Australia. They cued up a video package for Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair at SSD, which is for the SD Women’s Title and should be one of the better matches at SSD.

Still to come: Shawn Michaels is in the house, plus Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre.

Bobby Roode entered with Chad Gable for a match up next.

(Commercial)

There was a pre-match promo from Roode and Gable with Roode talking about beating a big man like Konnor of the Ascension. That led to Konnor’s entrance with Viktor. A pre-match promo aired from Konnor after he beat Gable last week.

Bobby Roode (w/Chad Gabe) vs. Konnor (w/Viktor)

Roode went for his DDT early, Konnor drove him back first into the turnbuckle and Konnor can back with a running body attack. Konnor with an elbow drop for a two count. Konnor with a forearm to the back, but then he missed an elbow drop because Roode moved. Roode tripped up Konnor by sending him into the turnbuckle. Roode with a clothesline off the top. Roode with a forearm to Konnor, boot to the face by Roode and Roode hit a Blockbuster off the middle ropes. Viktor knocked Gable down outside the ring. Roode punched Viktor, so Konnor punched Roode in the back. Konnor hit a Dominator Slam (it was sloppy) off his shoulders for the pinfall win on Roode after about four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Konnor

Analysis: * Boring match to keep this feud going. That’s two weeks in a row with Konnor winning in singles matches. Those don’t happen very often, but it’s a way to show he is a credible wrestler. These teams have had matches every week in some form on Raw for the past five weeks. I don’t know if I would call it a Konnor push, but at least it’s two wins in a row.

Alexa Bliss did one of her “A Moment of Bliss” videos talking about how her hero growing up was Trish Stratus. Bliss said that the first time she met Trish was when she was just a 7-year-old goddess clutching her autograph book, then there she was, she gazed up at Trish’s “wrinkly” eyes and Bliss asked for her autograph. Bliss claimed that Trish burped in her face and said that it would be $50. She claimed Trish ripped up the autograph and Bliss was sad. Bliss faces Trish at Evolution on October 28 on WWE Network. The announcers talked about with Renee calling Bliss a liar.

Analysis: There was a math issue with the promo because Bliss was 7 in 1998. Stratus started in WWE in early 2000. Don’t take it too seriously because remember, my friends…heels lie.

The B Team duo of Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel made their entrance because they are up next.

(Commercial)

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There were promos for this week’s Smackdown Mixed Match Challenge match: Rusev/Lana vs. Jimmy Uso/Naomi.

The tag team match was already underway after the break.

The B Team (Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas) vs. The Revival (Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson)

There was a bulldog by Dawson early on with the announcers noting it was Axel’s birthday. Dawson applied an armbar to the left arm of Axel. Wilder tripped up Axel and slapped on another armbar on the left arm. Axel whipped Wilder face first into the turnbuckle. Dallas got the hot tag against Dawson with two forearms, a running kick and elbow smash for Dallas. Dawson came back with a spinebuster for two. Wilder up top as the legal man, Dawson launched him and Dallas got his knees up to block it. Dallas rolled up Wilder for the pinfall win after about four minutes.

Winners by pinfall: The B Team

Analysis: *1/4 It was a very basic tag team match with the heels working over Axel, Dallas getting the hot tag and going with the fluke win because that’s how the B Team wins matches.

When the B Team were on the ramp, AOP showed up to attack from behind with a forearm to Dallas and a kick to Axel. AOP whipped Axel and Dallas into the ring. Rezar and Akam did their Super Collider double Powerbomb move on the B Team to take them out. Manager Drake Maverick showed up to pose with AOP in the ring.

Analysis: I think it’s a safe prediction to say AOP are future tag team champions. It’s just a matter of when.

Dean Ambrose was backstage selling a back injury. Roman Reigns went up to him to ask if he is alright. Ambrose said he’s fine, we’re all good and he had Strowman. Reigns said that Ambrose could have got hurt. Ambrose said if he wasn’t such a nice guy he might be Universal Champion right now.

Analysis: It’s the same thing Ambrose said to Rollins earlier about the IC Title, so it showed that Ambrose was thinking about the title shots he turned down earlier.

Still to come: Rollins vs. McIntyre and Shawn Michaels is there in the main Seven.

(Commercial)

The AOP team with Drake Maverick were in the backstage area with Baron Corbin. It was just Corbin telling them that he liked what they did out there and he told them to keep getting it done.

October is breast cancer awareness month, so they spent about five minutes with videos and survivors at ringside. The phrase #Unacceptable was pushed. Visit Komen.org/DonateWWE for more info. It’s something WWE promotes every October.

The trio of Strowman, Ziggler and McIntyre were backstage. Strowman gave Ambrose credit for being a tough bastard. Strowman told McIntyre to get out there and beat Seth Rollins while telling Ziggler, who lost to Reigns, that they don’t need any weak links. Strowman left while McIntyre’s match is up next.

Seth Rollins made his entrance with the Intercontinental Title. He got a good ovation from the crowd.

(Commercial)

Drew McIntyre made his entrance as one half of the Raw Tag Team Champions. The Shield trio faces Strowman, McIntyre and Ziggler at Super Show-Down on Saturday.

Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre

This is not for Seth’s IC Title, which was mentioned earlier. This is their third singles match on Raw since early July.

Rollins attacked McIntyre with punches to start followed by a leaping kick, clothesline over the top and Rollins hit a suicide dive that sent McIntyre into the barricade. Rollins with a chop to the chest, McIntyre came back with a kick to the ribs to give him control. McIntyre slapped on an armbar. The fight went to the apron where McIntyre shoved Rollins back first into the ring post. McIntyre with a backbreaker off the steps onto the ring apron. That was a good spot.

(Commercial)

The match continued with Rollins getting some momentum with a Slingblade followed by a Blockbuster off the middle ropes for two. Rollins with a step up enziguri followed by a leap off the top with a punch to the back. There was a shot of Baron Corbin watching it in his office. McIntyre went for a slam, but Rollins countered with a rollup for two. McIntyre avoided a Curb Stomp, Rollins came back with a Falcon Arrow slam and that was good for two. Rollins went up top, McIntyre with a chop to the chest and Rollins powered out of it with a Buckle Bomb that sent Rollins into the turnbuckle. Rollins with a kick to the face. Dolph Ziggler’s music hit, he ran into the ring, avoided the Stomp and McIntyre hit the Claymore Kick on Rollins for the pinfall win after 12 minutes. No DQ finish because Ziggler didn’t touch Rollins.

Winner by pinfall: Drew McIntyre

Analysis: ***1/4 That was a typical fun match between these two. They know eachother well from wrestling so many times in singles and tags in the last three months or so. It was not at the level of some of their matches just because they didn’t have as many nearfalls and close calls towards the end of the match. Cheap finish due to the Ziggler distraction. I don’t like when theme songs of other guys play during a match and it happened multiple times on this show.

Post match, McIntyre and Ziggler stomped away on Rollins. Roman Reigns made the save with punches for McIntyre and Ziggler. Braun Strowman made his way down to the ring as the heels took control with McIntyre hitting Reigns in the back with a forearm. Dean Ambrose entered last to complete the six man battle. Ambrose hit Strowman in the ribs with an axehandle. Ambrose chased after Ziggler, but Strowman was there to run over Ambrose with a shoulder tackle. Rollins went after Strowman, so Ziggler hit Rollins with a superkick. Ziggler and McIntyre hit their Zig Zag/Claymore Kick combo on Ambrose. Strowman with a Running Powerslam on Reigns. The trio of Strowman, McIntyre and Ziggler stood over the fallen Shield trio. Some fans chanted “one more time” for Strowman to attack Reigns again. Strowman, Ziggler and McIntyre did the Shield pose over The Shield with Strowman laughing about it.

Analysis: It was the predictable heel beatdown to give that trio the advantage over The Shield going into their Super Show-Down six-man tag team match. I thought it was well done. I was already picking The Shield to win at Super Show-Down, so that attack only solidifies that pick for me.

A video package aired for AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the WWE Title at Super Show-Down. I have the full lineup at the bottom of this post. We will have a preview up on Thursday.

Elias was shown backstage with his SSD tag team partner Kevin Owens.

(Commercial)

A commercial aired for WWE 2K19 with the pre-order available this Friday.

Let’s Hear From Elias and Kevin Owens

Elias was in the ring on a steel with his buddy Kevin Owens beside him with the spotlight on them. Elias let us know his name. Elias played on the guitar for about 30 seconds, which drew some applause from the crowd. Owens said it was beautiful and he felt it in his bones. Elias did his “who wants to walk with Elias?” bit that drew cheers. Elias said there is only going to be one man that will walk with him tonight, he’s a brother and fan…it’s Kevin Owens. That led to Owens saying that he’ll gladly walk with him especially this Saturday in Melbourne when they face Bobby Lashley and John Cena.

Owens said that teaming with Elias makes sense with similar likes and dislikes that are also great guys. Owens said that Cena teaming with Lashley doesn’t make sense. Elias said: “It doesn’t make sense you know…like having a basketball team in Seattle.” This is where things got interesting because the fans were booing loudly since Elias ripped on them for losing their beloved Supersonics in 2008 when they moved to Oklahoma City to become the Thunder. The fans booed for about 30 seconds straight leading to Elias saying Oklahoma City is a good town. Owens mentioned that sports aren’t exactly his thing.

Owens had to yell “you know what else isn’t my thing?” and Owens said “John Cena” and the fans kept booing from the Sonics thing. Owens tried to talk, but it was tough to hear him with Owens pointing out that Cena they can’t see Cena since he’s gone. Elias complained about Cena running his WrestleMania moment this year. Owens said that Cena ruins things like the Seattle people that ruin things because that’s why their basketball team left. The fans kept on booing loudly and it didn’t stop. It was over three minutes at that point. Some lights went on in the crowd, so Elias said turn the lights off. They mentioned that Cena is called “Big Match John.” Owens said that nowadays every Cena match is a big match, every time we see Cena in the ring is special and Elias said that Cena needs to be in the ring with them like how Seattle needs to shut their mouths. The booing was over five minutes now. Owens said they were the absolute best, which is why Lashley and Cena have no chance in Melbourne on Saturday. Owens said that he’s going to Powerbomb Cena on the edge of the apron one more time. After six minutes of LOUD BOOING from the crowd, here’s the interruption from Lio Rush.

Rush did a promo on the stage with the fans calming down after their booing for six minutes. Rush said that Cena is a legend. Rush said that Owens and Elias are justified in recognizing how big the match is at Super Show-Down with Rush noting that some people call Cena the greatest of all time. Rush said that Owens should not overlook this match tonight because if he does it would be foolish. The fans were chanting for the Sonics and Elias reminded them that they left. Rush said Lashley is ready to battle right there in Seattle and he introduced Bobby Lashley.

Analysis: The fans in Seattle supported the Sonics very well, but the arena was old and the owner wanted them to build a new one. They never did, so the team left. As a huge NBA fan, I don’t think Seattle should have lost the team, but it was a money decision. Anyway, I’ve never heard Elias’ cheap hometown heel promo get so much heat before, so kudos to whoever told him to mention the Sonics leaving because that’s obviously a huge sore spot with the people of Seattle. The promo wasn’t anything special other than a typical heel promo ripping on the local sports team, but the reaction from the crowd was huge.

(Commercial)

Bobby Lashley (w/Lio Rush) vs. Kevin Owens (w/Elias)

Lashley was in control early with a waistlock takedown. Owens slapped on a headlock. Lashley with a running shoulder tackle that knocked down Owens, so Owens bailed to the floor and Lashley hit a neckbreaker. Graves questioned the team of Lashley and Cena because they have no chemistry as a team compared to Owens and Elias. Owens with a kick to the face, Lashley caught him with a powerslam and no pin attempt. Lashley had KO on his shoulders, Owens avoided a charge and Lashley went shoulder first into the ring post. Owens whipped Lashley into the ring post again leading to a break.

(Commercial)

The match returned with Owens still in control as he hit a senton splash in the ring for a two count. Owens with an armbar on Lashley. Owens mocked Rush and called him a “little muppet” while he was grounding Lashley with an armbar. Owens with a punch to Lashley’s arm, Lashley got back into it with a leapfrog, clothesline and a running clothesline. Owens with a boot to the face and Lashley came back with a flatliner. Lashley with a corner clothesline on Owens, then a shoulder tackle and Lashley wanted a vertical suplex, but Owens got out of it. Lashley followed up with a huge spinebuster. Elias went after Rush, he put Rush into a full nelson and Owens got the ROLLUP OF DEATH~! on Lashley for the pinfall win after about ten minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Kevin Owens

Analysis: **1/4 The match was okay with Owens getting the crafty heel win although that ending is so cheap with the ROLLUP OF DEATH~! for the finish.

Post match, Elias went into the ring to join Owens in attacking Lashley. Rush jumped off the top for an attack, but Elias decked him with a forearm smash to the face. Owens hit Lashley with a Popup Powerbomb. Owens and Elias hugged over a fallen Lashley. Cole advertised the tag team match at Super Show-Down where he called Cena the “greatest of all time.” At least that’s arguable in some ways and not as bad as calling the Bellas “legendary” like he said earlier.

Analysis: The win by Owens and post match makes sense from a typical booking standpoint because I fully expect Cena and Lashley to get the win at Super Show-Down.

It’s Bayley vs. Alicia Fox up next.

(Commercial)

The announcers talked about Mixed Match Challenge, which airs after Smackdown. I have reviews of it every Wednesday on TJRWrestling.net only.

Finn Balor and Bayley made their entrance with Balor having to act like a goof during Bayley’s entrance. Balor was a guy I mentioned in a column on The Comeback last week as somebody that is poorly used on the Raw brand. Bayley is too. It’s also about how Smackdown is beating Raw because they have more personal rivalries. Alicia Fox was joined by Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh. Cole said “Ranjin Singh” instead of Sunil, so the announcers ripped on him. Anyway, this match was done to set up Mixed Match Challenge.

Bayley (w/Finn Balor) vs. Alicia Fox (w/Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh)

Fox took control early with a neckbreaker. Bayley avoided a suplex, back elbow to the head and Bayley jumped off the middle rope with a back elbow for two. Fox with a flying knee attack for two. Fox hit a Northern Lights Suplex into a bridge for two. Fox whipped Bayley hard into the turnbuckle. Bayley picked up Fox and launched her face first into the top turnbuckle. The crowd woke up due to Balor hitting the mat repeatedly. Bayley with two clotheslines and the neckbreaker using the middle ropes. Bayley with a low dropkick on Fox. Mahal grabbed Bayley’s leg, Bayley kicked him and Balor hit a Slingblade on Mahal on the floor. Bayley hit the Bayley to Belly on Fox for the pinfall win after about four minutes.

Winner by pinfall: Bayley

Analysis: * Boring match. This is supposed to get people interested in Mixed Match Challenge, but I don’t think it worked.

Shawn Michaels is up next in the main event.

(Commercial)

Let’s Hear from Shawn Michaels

Shawn Michaels made his entrance in jeans, a tank top and a cowboy hat. Huge ovation for WWE Hall of Famer Michaels, who is my favorite WWE superstar ever along with Kurt Angle and Steve Austin. Michaels will be in Triple H’s corner at Super Show-Down on Saturday with Undertaker having Kane in his corner.

Michaels said that the fans make it feel great for him to come home again. Michaels spoke about the “Last Time Ever” Triple H/Undertaker match. Michaels said you can feel sadness, nervousness or joy when you are in the final match. Michaels said now it is time for the “Last Time Ever” in Melbourne, Australia for Super Show-Down with The Undertaker and Triple H for the last time ever one on one (important point there). Michaels said that he booked himself a flight for the Super Show-Down event and he wanted to witness it just like us as a fan. He said that he was an innocent bystander until a couple of weeks ago and then it got personal.

Michaels said that Undertaker made this personal a long time ago with Triple H. Michaels spoke about how he had the utmost respect for The Undertaker, but he will pick his best friend Triple H over anybody on the face of God’s green Earth. Michaels said that upset The Undertaker, but now it’s personal because of The Undertaker since Kane is in Taker’s corner. Michaels said that Triple H has got his “brother” in his corner too. Michaels talked about how if Kane or anybody tries to get into that ring, Michaels will brush him back courtesy of some Sweet Chin Music.

Kane’s music started up and the Mayor of Knox County, TN was in the ring behind Michaels. The fans were screaming as Kane decked Michaels with a punch to the face. The Undertaker’s “gong” hit and the lights went out. When the lights came back on, The Undertaker was in the ring too with the crowd going wild for this. The purple light was in the ring as Undertaker stood over Michaels. Triple H’s music hit and Triple H walked out in his suit.

Triple H and Undertaker got into a slugfest. I should point out also that Michaels is bald now, so that’s a change for him. Kane punched Triple H in the back repeatedly to weaken him. Undertaker had a hold of Hunter, Kane had a hold of Michaels and the Brothers of Destruction hit a Double Chokeslam on Triple H and Michaels at the same time. The fans were cheering all of this while chanting “Undertaker” for the legend. When Taker and Kane were about to live, Triple H was staggering back to his feet, so Undertaker hit a Tombstone on Triple H. The fans popped big for that. They were cheering and happy to see some Undertaker action.

Undertaker and Kane left the ring as Taker’s music played. Undertaker and Kane posed at the top doing their pose where they looked back and raised their fists in the air. That’s how Raw ended this week.

Analysis: That was a cool moment to end the show with the crowd getting really into it. It was a nice surprise to have Undertaker, Kane and Triple H show up to deliver some final build to the Super Show-Down match. The crowd was hot for it and the four legends all played their parts perfectly with the Brothers of Destruction delivering an ass kicking to Hunter and Shawn. It went about as well as WWE could have hoped in terms of the fans reacting to it how WWE would want them to.

Three Stars of the Show

  1. Elias and Kevin Owens
  2. Dolph Ziggler
  3. Seth Rollins

The Scoreboard

6.5 out of 10

Last week: 6.5

2018 Average: 5.79

Last 5 Weeks: 6.5, 5.5, 5.5, 5, 6.5

2018 High: 8 (February 19)

2018 Low: 4 (June 4, July 2, August 6)

Final Thoughts

I give it a 6.5 out of 10.

I thought it was a pretty good Raw with some solid in-ring action thanks to the Reigns/Ziggler and Rollins/McIntyre matches. The segment with Elias/Owens is what I’ll remember the most about this show because the crowd was booing for six minutes straight after they mentioned Seattle losing their basketball team, the Supersonics (or Sonics). That was crazy and also made for great TV.

The ending angle was very good too with Undertaker and Kane beating up Triple H and Michaels. I know people will complain about the older guys in that spot, but I thought it was effective in terms of getting people more excited for Undertaker vs. Triple H at Super Show-Down.

Here’s the updated lineup for Super Show-Down on Saturday, October 6 from Melbourne.

Triple H (with Shawn Michaels) vs. The Undertaker (with Kane)

The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins) vs. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre

WWE Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe

Bobby Lashley and John Cena vs. Elias and Kevin Owens

Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz – The winner is the #1 contender for the WWE Championship

Smackdown Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair

Smackdown Tag Team Championships: The New Day (c) vs. Cesaro and Sheamus

Ronda Rousey and The Bella Twins (Brie Bella and Nikki Bella) vs. The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan)

Cruiserweight Championship: Cedric Alexander (c) vs. Buddy Murphy

Asuka and Naomi vs. The IIconics (Billie Kay and Peyton Royce)

That’s ten matches. I think that will be all of them.

You can contact me using any of the methods below. See ya next time for the Smackdown review. Go Los Angeles Rams. Thanks for reading.

John Canton

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport

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