Braun Strowman fired!? Summerslam Universal Championship rematch! What will the WWE have in store for the show before the 25th anniversary of Monday Night Raw?
Kicking off the show.
After a video package of the what the “Monster Among Men” did last week. Braun Strowman makes his way to the ring. Braun cuts a short promo in a story telling way. Kurt Angle’s music hits, Kurt makes his way to the ring with massive security around him. The General Manager of Raw informs Braun that what he did last week was unacceptable and Braun Strowman IS FIRED!! What a swerve! How would anyone expect this?! Now the Universal Championship match is between Brock Lesner and Kane.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiWSLb8I03M&w=640&h=360]
First match of the night
The Bar vs Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews.
This “rival” continues. What would’ve been a decent story building match, turned in to an “on-air filler”. Fans at home and in the arena wanted to know what will Braun Strowman do. The Bar and Titus Worldwide put on the usual spots. Titus looks strong in the match. Jason Jordan’s music hits and The bar suffers another distracted loss. Seth Rollins comes out and questions why Jason Jordan chose to interrupt. Alas, we do not care.
Braun changes his mind
Braun had a change of heart on leaving the arena and takes out the security that was escorting him out. We all know that the security team will at some point become fodder to the Monster Among Men. Braun destroys the security team and goes on a mission looking for Kurt Angle.
Second match, Cedric Alexander vs Tony Nese
The realest guy in the room Enzo Amore struts to the ring with Tony Nese in tow and cuts his usual promo. Goldust interrupts and cuts a duo promo with Cedric. Again, another filler match in which no one cares. The crowd and at home audience are intrigued about Strowman finding Angle. Cedric wins with the Lumbar. *side note* Dustin Rhodes aka Goldust is a FANTASTIC manager/valet.
Kurt Angle appears and Braun is a monster
Things pick up quickly as Braun goes on his rampage. Kurt calls the cops and asks for a SWAT team. The monster isn’t having any of it and heads towards the $12mill TV production trailers. Braun heads in to find Angle. But only finds the production crew and probably the most hated man in the WWE. *Kevin Dunn sighting!* Braun does what a monster does… goes Godzilla on a semi-truck! Too bad Kevin Dunn wasn’t involved.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clQGvMBNmqs&w=640&h=360]
The end of a Monster’s rampage
So all this craziness ends like this. Braun makes his way to the stage, grab Michael Cole. Kurt interrupts and tells the Braun “Stephanie McMahon called me and rehire you”. ” I called off the cops and you are still in the title match at the Royal Rumble”.
WHAAAT?! Seriously, Why go through this and only to erase anything that happened in the past hour? Not smooth WWE, not smooth. At least Michael Cole was tossed around like a rag doll, in which makes me smile.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8hFJQLvZ1E&w=640&h=360]
The first true event of the night
Now on to the first true match up of the night. A match that could have headline a PPV. The undefeated Asuka vs The force known as Nia Jax. I was perplexed on why we had the opportunity to see this match on a throwaway show as tonight’s Raw. Both ladies did not disappoint. Asuka while being overpowered, reached in to her arsenal, and pulled submission moves when she could. Nia took every opportunity that was allowed to show her power. It was an intriguing match that I believe should have had a long build and saved for a PPV. After many submissions by Asuka and many power moves by Nia. Asuka delivered a swift kick to Nia’s knee. Which caused Nia unable to continue the match. Both ladies looked strong and potentially set up a PPV main event match later on.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oypBOgW-fKE&w=640&h=360]
The Revival cometh..
The Revival arrive for a squash match. They looked great. However it is not the match that had me going. It was their after match interview. Then they went on a great promo calling out the likes of New Day and.. *GASP* they said “We are not Sports Entertainers! We are Professional Wrestlers!” I had to pick my jaw up from the ground after hearing that in Vince McMahon’s universe.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR2wYcoYqjs&w=640&h=360]
Elias a bounty hunter?
The charismatic Elias starts his usual skit. But ended his song with saying.. ” I was paid a significant amount of money for this next part”. Introducing the Miz and his Miztourage. Without even trying to rhyme his words. Hilarious. Also, showing that Elias has is a hired gun.
Roman Reigns is still strong
After the brilliant promo from Elias. Roman Reigns had a handicap match vs The Miztourage. Yes, it ended with Roman looking strong.
Next step for Absolution
We all know the sad circumstances about Paige. I didn’t even expect to see her tonight, let alone on a show in the near future. But here she was, leading her stable Absolution to the ring. Tonight it was The Boss ( & one who gave Paige the fateful kick that ended her WWE career) vs Sonya DeVille. This was a standard match. Spots when needed and such. However, the kicker was that DeVille won the match clean with a MMA style kick. Take what you want from that ending.
Woken Matt Hardy
I had my doubts about Broken/Woken Matt Hardy in the WWE and it seems to be true. Not only will the WWE use the royalty free music format Hardy. But have no idea on how to use him. I always thought they would just let Matt Hardy wing it and reap the benefits. Alas, WWE is showing that must have full control over anyone that steps in their ring. #Delete #Boo
The Main Event no one talked about.
Through out the night this match was barely built up. It was only mentioned in the beginning of the third hour. It was a rematch of the first ever WWE Universal Championship match! Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins! This time Finn is not a demon and has his Club with him. Sethe is no longer a lone wolf and has his tag team partner Jason Jordan with him. This match was great. Both men showcased on why they should be in the main event. Neither of the contestants squad interfered. Leaving it up to their leader/partner to win. Rollins hit an awesome Superplex in to a Falcon Arrow, only to have the Bar interfere. Seth capitalizes on the distractions and hits a CURB STOMP!!! Yes, the move that was banned. After the match, Finn looks to be very shaken from the move. Maybe unleashing the Demon in the process.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXRzfEYGcac&w=640&h=360]
How will this affect Raw 25?
Not sure. This could be the show that actually continued the storyline for the Royal Rumble. With the 25th Anniversary show serving as nostalgia and little to do with storylines. Only time will tell and we will find out next Monday for what is believed to be one the greatest WWE Raw shows EVER!!
