WWE’s 25th anniversary of RAW. Did it live up to the hype? Who will be in the Royal Rumble? There was a stunning array of star power. Legends return & the new generation tries to follow. Everything you need to know about the longest weekly episodic live television show in history is here.
The beginning…
The show opens up with a camera shot of the Manhattan Center. The birthplace of Monday Night Raw. Jim Ross & Jerry the King Lawler introduces the show. The shot was complete nostalgia. Something that will drive this show. After a short introduction, Raw quickly shifts to Brooklyn. At the Barclays Center. Stephanie McMahon’s music hits. Soon after Shane McMahon enter the arena. Both go on how the show could have never happen with out the work of off air personalities and the fans. But they have one person in mind to thank for all of this. Vincent Kennedy McMahon. Vince’s music hits and the crowd goes wild. The energy within the first few minutes are just electrifying. The crowd even sings “No Chance In Hell!” to my nostalgic approval. Vince starts to thank everyone and shuts down a chant of which is “Thank you Vince!”. Vince hates all and any chants. Stephanie takes a jab at her father and says “I know you are hard of hearing now. But they are saying thank you Vince”. Brilliant. Vince does the usual speech and is about to leave. However, Stephanie stops him and presents Vince with a plaque that was funded by a GoFund me account. Vince becomes Vince and is was outstanding! Then this….
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvjjGtSDDo4&w=640&h=360]
STONE COLD! STONE COLD!
The glass breaks and the crowd loves it. Vince is so great from being a complete ego centric man to a man begging for not to be stunned. Guess becoming a senior citizen will do that. Click on the video above to see to entire hot opening. My words can not fully give the exchange justice. I LOVE the Attitude era!
First Match of the night
The first match of the night is a prelude to the first EVER Woman’s Royal Rumble match! Sasha Banks music hits. Followed by Bayley, then Mickie James. Then The Empress of tomorrow ASUKA!I was waiting to see their opponents, but they were already in the ring. Absolution minus Paige, Alicia Fox, and Nia Jax. This was quickly becoming a spot fest. A rumble *pun intended* started the match. after order was restored. It quickly became a spot for the bigger names to have the limelight. Sonya DeVille & Mandy Rose barely had anything going. Nia displayed her power over Sasha. Near the end another rumble happened with Sasha winning the match. All the faces start to celebrate. Then The Empress, shows that there is no alliance. Taking out each of her tag team members for tonight like only Auska can. All with showing her beautiful smile.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxGd_0oJN1s?list=PLF0CB8E7B4C77DB61&w=640&h=360]
Undertaker returns!!!
The Deadman makes his anticipated return at the Manhattan Center. It feels so right seeing Taker entering where a place held a strong connection to his career. He cuts a promo, while the crowd chants “One more match!” Alas, Taker did not confirm anything. His promo is quiet perplexing as well. Name dropping Stone Cold, Mick Foley, Kane. Take a look at the clip and make up your own decision.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phCIKfJY7SU?list=PLF0CB8E7B4C77DB61&w=640&h=360]
Past Raw GMs are introduced
A short segment that happens. A handful of Raw GMs are introduced. From John Lauranitis to Eric Bischoff. But the hugest pop comes from one man that is a GM of another show. Daniel Bryan! The crowd goes WILD!! Shortly The Miz music hits and there is a stare down between the two. Foreshadowing? I hope so.
The Intercontinental Championship Match
The Miz vs Roman Reigns. This match was actually the best “match” of the night. However, that is not saying much.The Miz was the Miz. Brilliant. Taking advantage of his Miztourage at ring side. However STRONG Roman fought through anything the trio threw at him. Finally the Miztourage was thrown out by the ref. But they wouldn’t leave quietly, so Roman Superman punched both of them. Roman had a spear set up for the Miz. the Miz dodge it with an exposed turnbuckle and delivered the Skull Crushing Finale!! Becoming the new Intercontinental Champion! Well, The Miz is Mr I.C Champion and I can’t imagine anyone else with it. This does have me worried that the WWE is setting up a WrestleMania match between Roman and Brock. In which nobody wants.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ-4Cs-E3xU?list=PLF0CB8E7B4C77DB61&w=640&h=360]
The Peep Show!
One half the most photogenic tag team in WWE history, Christian has arrived! Alas, Edge could not make it tonight. Captain Charisma introduces the current WWE Tag Team champions, Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins. Jason Jordan goes on how Kurt Angle deserves praise until The Bar interrupts. The Bar cuts a promo and gets the crowd to chant “You Suck” towards Jason Jordan. A fight ensues and Seth accidentally takes out Jordan.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoOPE1pzmg8?list=PLF0CB8E7B4C77DB61&w=640&h=360]
The match out of nowhere
Bray Wyatt’s music hits from the Manhattan Center. The feel of an intimate crowd really makes it seem special. Then The Woken One music hits! What is going on? Was this match supposed to be for the Royal Rumble?! It probably was, but Vince might have pulled an audible in light of the Enzo Amore situation. It was a good match with a shocking ending. Bray Wyatt won! I hope WWE knows what the =y are doing to the greatest character in Pro Wrestling of 2017.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrXMlNLOUcU?list=PLF0CB8E7B4C77DB61&w=640&h=360]
The APA Poker game
Though out the night The APA held a poker game. It started out with the APA, Heath Slater and Rhyno. Then The Million Dollar Man joined. After awhile Jeff Hardy, New Day, Natalya, MVP, and other joined. Heath was caught cheating, because he has kids. Which led in an improve to match with Titus Worldwide. The match was standard, making Titus an Apollo Crews look strong. Especially the forever suplex delivered from Crews. Then this music hit. The greatest tag team in pro wrestling history (my opinion) THE DUDLEY BOYZ!! The Dudley Boys are being introduce in to the WWE Hall Of Fame this year and show it to Heath Slater. Poor guy, he has kids!
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcBAIpcqYqc?list=PLF0CB8E7B4C77DB61&w=640&h=360]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EAzr90wq3g?list=PLF0CB8E7B4C77DB61&w=640&h=360]
Degeneration X returns!!!
For me, this was easily the highlight of the night. DX returns to the Manhattan Center. HHH and Shawn Michaels strut in from a vintage DX intro. Shawn Michaels goes to tell some DX stories only to have HHH shut him down. Saying “We can’t tell those stories, we are PG”. Shawn is agitated saying ” I remember when I was the leader of DX, but now you are the boss”. Soon HHH introduces the….. NEW AGE OUTLAWS! Shortly XPAC GETS HIS OWN SOLO ENTRANCE! The Kliq is almost back together. Kevin Nash couldn’t make tonight, but Xpac introduces someone who did. Scott Hall! Razor Ramon! The Bad Guy! My teenage pro wrestling inner self is floored! Scott Hall cuts a promo only he can. Then. This. Happened. I lost my collective pro wrestling mind, THE BALOR CLUB WALKS IN!!! The Balor Club looks to DX. DX looks at them. They throw up the Too Sweet and the WWE universe goes wild!! The Revival music hits. Yup, The Revival is now The Ascension, after making the Pro Wrestling shoot last week. Vince is going to prove a point. This is his Universe and you better respect that. Balor Club make quick work of The Revival. After the match, DX and The Balor Club all drop their finishers on The Revival. Sorry not sorry.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wHZT2t78E4?list=PLF0CB8E7B4C77DB61&w=640&h=360]
The build up we forgot
The show could have ended like that. But we must go through the Royal Rumble build up. Kurt Angle heads out to the ring with the locker room in tow. Braun music hits, then Kane. They duke it out for a brief moment and Paul Heyman cuts a promo. Brock storms to the ring taking out Kane. Brock goes for Braun, but Braun counters. Takes the fight outside and POWERSLAMS Brock Lesner through announcer’s table. Braun is a Monster among men.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFtdkXvc1E8?list=PLF0CB8E7B4C77DB61&w=640&h=360]
Heading in to the Royal Rumble
This historic show started off so strong! Embodying the Attitude Era and strong electricity from the crowd. But as the show had matches, it waned. It seemed that any match aside the I.C match didn’t mean anything. Still, I’ll take this trip down Nostalgia Road any day. Side note Elias is darn over it’s crazy! Check out his segment here.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDENLW5A9iI?list=PLF0CB8E7B4C77DB61&w=640&h=360]
