Kevin Owens hypes up War Games, The Brawling Brutes VS The Judgement Day
Monday Night Raw kicked-off with the returning Kevin Owens. Owens talked about the fact that he is joining the Brawling Brutes and Drew McIntyre this Saturday to take out the Bloodline and more specifically, Roman Reigns. Owens also made it clear that he was coming for the title post War Games. He then welcomed the Brawling Brutes and Drew McIntyre out into the ring and they came through the crowd. A nice nod to the Shield. After this, the Judgement Day came out and talked about this show being their own. After some more back and forth, Sheamus challenged Finn Balor to a six man tag team match. Kevin Owens sat on commentary during this match and he did a good job putting everybody over. Damian Priest and Sheamus reignited their rivalry in this match with some heavy shots whilst Finn Balor showcased his class between the ropes. After Dominik Mysterio realised Sheamus was the legal competitor, he ran down the ramp only to find the O.C standing there. Sheamus then through Evil Mysterio into the ring and he picked up the win after hitting the Brogue Kick. After the match, Luke Gallows delivered a boot to Damian Priest before Kevin Owens hit the stunner onto Balor. This was all alright, but it was a shame to see the Judgement Day losing.
Grade: B-
Johnny Gargano VS Omos
Johnny Gargano was talking with Cathy Kelley backstage and he said that he couldn’t wait to get his revenge on the Miz in a one-on-one contest tonight. Johnny then came down to the ring with brand new entrance music. Why? The Miz then came out dressed in a suit and his hand was bandaged up. Miz then told everyone that he had injured his hand punching a cactus. What? He then said he had found a replacement for his match with Gargano and that happened to be the Nigerian Giant Omos. The match was short, Gargano got some offense in but in the end, Omos got the win with the Tree Slam. Gargano losing again isn’t great but at least it made the Miz look pretty clever.
Grade: C
The United States Championship Picture, Austin Theory VS Mustafa Ali
Seth “Freakin” Rollins was backstage and he talked about how he had requested a triple threat match between him, Bobby Lashley and Austin Theory. He then told Theory to call up Cody Rhodes and ask him what happens when you mess with the Visionary. Is this guy definitely a face? Austin Theory was then cutting a promo where he said he is going to prove just how much of a threat he is in his next match with Mustafa Ali. The two then had a match and I thought it was solid. Ali’s ribs were still tapped up and he sold his pain well. Theory was in control for a lot of this but a Tornado DDT from Ali before a powerbomb from the top rope got the Heart of 205 Live back into it. Ali even hit the 450 Splash, but he ended up bouncing away from Austin before the smart heel rolled out of the ring. Ali tried to get him into the ring, but Theory countered this before he threw him into the ring, hit the A-Town Down, and got the victory. A good win for Austin.
Grade: B
After the match, Bobby Lashley appeared on the titantron and said he was coming to give Theory a little preview of what’s to come at Survivor Series. After an ad break, Lashley came out and laughed at Theory for failing to cash-in his Money in the Bank briefcase. Theory then told Lashley that he would be champion if it wasn’t for him before the Youngest United States Champion in WWE history reminded Lashley of his short comings against Brock Lesnar. The best part of this was when Theory said the line “That kid is dead”. He comes across better than ever which is impressive as I’ve been a big fan of Theory since his Disciple days. The two then brawled with Bobby Lashley dominating Theory before Austin ran to the back. He then chucked Mustafa Ali into the path of Bobby Lashley which allowed him to get away before the All Mighty pummelled Ali on the ramp area. I really liked the promo Theory did, but my biggest question is why isn’t Mustafa Ali in the United States title match at Survivor Series? To have him involved with Lashley, Theory and Rollins this much yet he doesn’t get to be in a major match on a major show. It just doesn’t make any sense.
Grade: B-
Alpha Academy VS Matt Riddle and Elias, Baron Corbin VS Drew McIntyre
After all of the US title stuff, it was time for a match between the Alpha Academy and the team of Matt Riddle and Elias. This was solid stuff; all four guys know what they are doing and they all put on a good show. At one point, Chad Gable hit a suplex on Matt Riddle onto the ring apron which was just ridiculous. In the end, Elias hit the drift away (I really like that move) before Riddle got the win with the Floating Bro. However, Elias looked to have made a tag, but the referee didn’t acknowledge it which was strange. Maybe that’s been done to protect the Alpha Academy. Really, the Academy should have won this match to keep up their momentum but sadly, that was never going to happen.
Grade: B-
JBL and Baron Corbin were backstage playing Poker again before Drew McIntyre walked in to say hello. JBL looked to be complimenting the Scottish Warrior before he asked Drew how Scotland were getting on in the World Cup. That was a really good line. Drew then reminded Corbin of what happened at WrestleMania before he challenged Corbin to a match. He then punched Corbin right in the face which allowed JBL to call McIntyre an idiot. Are Corbin and JBL great together, no. Are they funny, yes. We then got a promo for the men’s War Games match before it was time to see Drew McIntyre take on Baron Corbin. I didn’t enjoy this. Both men are really good in-ring workers, but they just don’t work well together. The match went on way to long and the Future Shock DDT that McIntyre hit looked very sloppy. As Corbin looked like he was in a position to maybe beat McIntyre, Akira Tozawa came out with dyed hair and his old ring gear. He then stole JBL’s cap and started dancing and this distraction allowed Drew McIntyre to hit the Claymore Kick to get the victory. Drew was always going to win this match, but I thought Corbin was going to go on a long unbeaten run. He didn’t look good against Tozawa last week and he lost this week, so it’s really not been a great run for Mr. Corbin.
Grade: C-
Rhea Ripley VS Asuka: Women’s War Games Advantage
The OC were backstage doing an interview before they were attacked by the Judgement Day. The teams then brawled outside in the parking lot before officials broke it up. Bianca Belair, Asuka and Alexa Bliss came down and this really annoyed me. Asuka was about to have a match, yet they came down to Belair’s theme song. I really don’t like her very much anymore. They talked about how they are ready for War before Rhea Ripley’s music hit and her, Nikki Cross and Damage Control all came out. Bayley talked about how Belair is clearly stalling for a fifth partner as nobody likes her before Rhea Ripley reminded Asuka what happened at WrestleMania 37. I like that they brought that up. The match itself was alright, both women are former Raw and NXT Women’s Champions and they have also held tag team gold so they definetly know what they are doing. After a pretty back and forth matchup, the opposing teams came down to the ring and watched as Rhea Ripley hit the Riptide to get the victory. It was a good win for Rhea and it now means that the Heels will have the advantage at War Games. The two teams then brawled and Ripley was again in control before Mia Yim returned to take out the Nightmare. Asuka then jumped on all of them to end the show. This was a sloppy ending and I don’t really understand why Sky wasn’t the one jumping on them. I’m guessing they’re saving that for War Games itself.
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