WWE: Monday Night RAW takes place LIVE the night after Wrestlemania 33 from The Amway Center in Orlando, FL on 4/3/17!
We start with highlights from The Roman Reigns/Undertaker match from last night’s Wrestlemania and the brilliant farewell to one of the biggest, if not, the bigest icon the industry has ever known in the Deadman himself. The Undertaker gets a massive reaction from the Orlando crowd to start the show. If that was in fact his last match, he will be missed and I would like to thank him on behalf of the Scrum Sports, for an incredible career and a lasting legacy.
Here comes the new king of the yard, “The Big Dog” Roman Reigns. The heat, as expected, is nuclear and Reigns heads to the ring to start “the new season” of Raw, if you will. The crowd is all over him, but with respect, he gave his all last night and literally had to carry the veteran Booger Red last night and my hat is off to the controversial talent. I will look at Roman through different eyes from a business standpoint as it relates to what he did last night. However, that was then and this is now, and he starts the broadcast with the heat. “Delete” chants for Reigns and he’s grinning from ear to ear. They are dropping f-bombs now and that’s just wild. I can honestly say I’m not surprised, but Roman perseveres and just stands there, drinking it in. He’s letting the fans expend their energy and it’s almost comical. I love these post ‘Mania crowds though, it’s what you pay good money for. He keeps trolling like he’s going to speak and even points to his hands as if he’s scripted his promo. Now THAT is funny. They are chanting “go away” and this is polarizing, but they are wasting time on a show that is paramount to developing new stars and starting fresh angles. He simply says “this is my yard now”, he drops the mic and he leaves the ring. Holy cow, that was the most heel thing I’ve seen in the last couple of years and he’s a face. Brilliant. Run with this. The heat will be there, and he can capitalize on that. That was literally the best fifteen minute promo he’s done yet and he said five words.
We are immediately informed that after the break we are going to be treated to a tag team title rematch as members of the Club, Gallows and Anderson, cash in their rematch clause and they take on the new champs, “Broken” Matt and Brother Nero, the Hardys! The Hardy Boyz made a surprise return last night in one of the biggest moments of the night and I can’t wait to hear this crowd after the break. Will the fed let the Hardys continue their highly successful gimmicks from the independent scene? Let’s hope it doesn’t become OBSOLETE!
The Hardy Boyz defeat Gallows and Anderson via pinfall with a Swanton Bomb/Twist of Fate Combo to retain the tag titles. Massive “Brother Nero” chant as Jeff puts in work against Karl Anderson. Matt is in full “broken” mode on the apron and the crowd is diggin’ it the most. “Welcome Back” chant as Karl eats a side effect from Matt after a tag. Matt and Jeff are looking good against the former champs as Karl Anderson is dumped over the top and onto the floor as the crowd goes wild with a “delete” chant heading into a break. Upon the return, Matt is fighting off both members of the Club as Gallows gets the upper hand with a stiff right. After a double team effort, we get a near fall from the Club. Matt continues taking a beating from Gallows, ultimately eating a huge boot as an “obsolete” chant breaks out. Matt looking for the hot tag to Jeff and he gets it! Forearm, inverted atomic drop and a splash for a near fall of his own. Not missing a beat from years past, Jeff sets up the steel steps and hits “Poetry In Motion” on Gallows on the outside. Jeff to the top rope and he’s crotched by Gallows as Karl is tagged back in. Boot of Doom by the Club and only a two count! Jeff hits a Twist of Fate on Gallows, landing on Anderson, who rolls to the outside. Matt is in and he nails a Twist of Fate himself and after a Swanton, Matt covers for the three count and the victory!
We find out that later on, we’ll hear from the new Universal Champion, “The Beast” Brock Lesnar and we’ll also witness a tag team spectacular in the form of Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe taking on “The Kingslayer” Seth Rollins and Chris Jericho! I’m all about that! We hear the crashing of pyro and the “King Of The Cruiserweights” Neville, will be in action next, after having successfully defended his title against “A-Double” Austin Aries with a gouge to the eye last night during the ‘Mania kickoff show.
Neville defeats Mustafa Ali via submission with the Rings Of Saturn. Neville has a mic before the match and he cuts a great promo about retaining the title. He dismisses his heel tactics, and he says he couldn’t deny the fans an opportunity to see him competing. He is interrupted by Mustafa Ali, who heads to the ring to begin the match. These two aerial talents get to it early. They had a great match a few weeks ago on 205 Live. Neville is sent into retreat mode after a spin kick and a top rope move that puts him in control. Neville eventually regains the upper hand, sending Ali to the outside before a break. After they return, Neville has Ali trapped in a side headlock. We see a clip of a beautiful basement dropkick that Neville hit during the break. The crowd is going into business for themselves as they tend too, but it doesn’t distract from sound in-ring action as Ali turns the tides again. Rolling snap neckbreaker by Ali for a near fall. There’s a “KO-Mania” chant out of nowhere. Neville is visibly frustrated with the crowd, but he channels his frustration into a massive clothesline as some tomfoolery is apparently taking place in the stands. I’m sure somebody got tossed or something. Oh, it’s a “beach ball mania” chant. Well, their ignorance doesn’t detract from a sensational springboard Spanish fly that Ali hits and unless it pertains to something important, I’m gonna focus on the in-ring talent and not those going into business for themselves. Ali nails a brilliant reverse hurricanrana and a massive satellite DDT for a very close two count! Ali heads up top and he misses the inverted 450 splash. Neville up top and the crowd is waiting for it, he leaps down and applies the Rings of Saturn for the submission! Ha! Neville trolled the crowd like Roman did earlier. That is damn funny! Great victory for Neville and a good look for Ali as well.
We see a stretch limo pulling up and who should get out? VINCE MCMAHON! This is going to be good! He is probably going to introduce the new RAW GM after the break, but the crowd is going to eat him alive. I can’t wait for that. I take back what I wrote, because I will cover that. Hopefully these jabronies can string together an “out of touch” chant or would that be too much to ask? I did see Michael “Pickleboy” Green in the audience and that was pretty legit. He’s one of the stars of “Angry Grandpa” on Youtube, great for a laugh. I believe he does site design for “The Advocate” Paul Heyman as well. Good to lay eyes on that sunumagun to quote Santino Marella.
We see clips of ‘Mania including Rob Gronkowski’s appearance in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale and then we hear “No Chance” as Vinnie Mac saunters out onto the ramp and he powerwalks down to the ring. The crowd doesn’t let me down with a “Roman Sucks” chant and they barely let him talk. He actually thanks the fans for their passion and for the support of last night’s fine Wrestlemania show. He says tonight the big wheel keeps on turning and next week there is going to be a superstar shakeup! Are we getting a draft already?! AJ to RAW! He obviously talks about the upsetting spot where his billion-dollar princess and beloved daughter, Stephanie McMahon, went crashing through a table because of Seth Rollins and Triple H inadvertently pushing her. Vince says she’ll be gone for several months and the crowd goes nuts. Vince goes old school and calls them “blood thirsty and downright cruel”. I actually spit out some delicious pot roast I was eating. He’s appointing a new General Manager and he says they were just inducted into the Hall of Fame! We hear “Mack Militant” as Teddy Long comes out dancing and Vince tells the boys in the truck to “cut his damn music” and Vince looks to end the confusion. Teddy says “my bad” and “holla holla holla” and he gets a huge cheer! Vince introduces KURT ANGLE and the crowd goes absolutely bonkers! Huge “You Suck” chant as the treasured Olympian and hall of famer heads to the ring to a proper reaction befitting an athlete of his caliber! Kurt is pleased and he gets a huge “Welcome Back” chant! He says it’s great to be back on RAW, oh it’s true, it’s damn true!
AWWWWWW Orlando! Here come the hosts of ‘Mania, The New Day and they are out to a great reaction. Their FF14 costumes were incredible last night. Big E. is wearing a box of Booty O’s and Woods And Kofi have Road Warrior ensemble on. Big E. says he was so excited all the blood from his head, rushed straight to his…Kofi cuts him off and he and Woods have a great exchange after Kofi says “you people”. Kofi says they are ready to put a whoopin’ on anybody that steps to them. They are issuing an open challenge! Woods asks who wants to “catch that cream”. OH SNAP! IT’S “TOP GUYS”! Dash and Dawson, The Revival have arrived! They push over the Ice Cream Truck and the crowd goes bananas! These guys, for those who don’t know, are like the second coming of Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard. Big E. and Woods are doing business for the New Day! Here we go!
The Revival defeat The New Day via pinfall after a Shatter Machine on Xavier Woods. Woods takes charge early with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors on Wilder. Dawson is in and he destroys Woods before the break as Graves says “That won’t separate your shoulder, that’ll divorce it.” Awesome. Dash and Dawson putting on a clinic after the break. They really work that catch as catch can style and they are so physically gifted. “No flips, just fists” as they say. Woods finally makes a comeback, hitting Wilder with a missile dropkick, but they cut Woods off, but he scampers through the legs, tagging in Big E. Big E. dumps both members of the Revival as Woods tags himself back in. He works over both guys, swinging wildly, trying to survive. Woods with a huge right hand. Big E. had leapt through the ropes and wasn’t available for another tag. Woods goes to the second rope and he rolls off, but eats a Shatter Machine! Ballgame! Kofi comes in after the match and he gets taken down and tied up as “Top Guys” take out the knee like they did to teams in NXT!
Kurt Angle is shown backstage getting settled in when Enzo Amore and Big Cass show up and introduce themselves. They do the “can’t teach that” line and Kurt says, you sure can’t. “How U Doin?” and Kurt says he’s great. Enzo and Cass keep with the slang as Kurt asks how they are doing? They are disappointed that they don’t have any gold around their waist and they inquire about a tag title opportunity. They continue on with their slang, and Kurt eventually books a number one contendor’s match for the tag titles later tonight, they’ll be facing Sheamus and Cesaro. They call them “SAWFT”, spelling it out and Kurt chuckles and says “that’s not how you spell soft”. He’s been back an hour and already won our hearts. We head back to the ring and here comes the women’s champion, Bayley! A six women tag team match will take place after the break!
Bayley/Sasha Banks/Dana Brooke defeat Charlotte/Emma/Nia Jax via submission after a Banks Statement on Charlotte. Bayley is teaming with “The Boss” and Dana Brooke and they’ll be taking on Charlotte, Nia Jax and EMMA! That’s the best re-debut of the year! The hell with “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay, Big Johnny has come through! The crowd is going bananas and they should be! it’s criminal that Emma has been sidelined in story-line hell when you are as immensely talented as she is. Nia and Charlotte join her and we get down to business. It’ll be interesting to see Emma and her former partner, Dana Brooke going at it. Emma starting things off against Dana early and she wastes no time in taking care of business. Dana tags in Bayley and the crowd is VERY Pro-Bayley with their classic chants that we enjoyed in NXT! Bayley gets in, but she is handled by Emma, who wastes little time asserting her dominance and showing the fans that all eyes should be on her! They head to a break and when they return, Emma gives us an awesome visual as she pulls Bayley’s hair on the outside after Nia Jax put her in the tree of woe. Charlotte is in and she is kicking away at Bayley’s hamstring. Bayley launches Charlotte out of the ring and she tries to tag Sasha, but Charlotte pulls Sasha off the apron. Bayley tags in Sasha over Charlotte’s shoulder and Sasha goes to work on “The Queen” with a spinning head scissors. Sasha with double knees in the corner and a near fall, thanks to Emma breaking it up. Nia gets sent out of the ring with a double dropkick and Bayley hits a cross body over the top and onto the floor. Charlotte goes for Natural Selection, but it’s transitioned into the Banks Statement for a submission victory! Charlotte isn’t pleased and she pushes Emma and Nia away. Bad call. Nia Jax might have just turned face because she destroys Charlotte by crushing her in the corner. Very cool.
Kurt Angle is backstage and he’s with Sami Zayn. Sami talks about his relationship with Kurt Angle and Sami is worried about over-extending himself. Kurt says Sami possesses all three I’s, highlighting examples of each. Kurt says no matter what happens with Sami in the brand mixup next week, he’ll be just fine. Jinder Mahal barges in and talks about being disrespected by Gronk last night and he and Sami have words. Kurt intercedes and books Jinder and Sami tonight. He says it’s done, over and finished and he orders them away. Up next, we’re gonna see “The Beast” live as he comes out with the Universal Title!
Lesnar and Heyman are out and Brock is all smiles. He has the Universal Title slung over his shoulder as Heyman introduces his client and the crowd chants along with him. Great to see that kind of support for Heyman after all these years. Lesnar gets a fine reception as well. He took Goldberg to Suplex City last night and Heyman tells us that Brock is allowing him to expound upon a bedtime story he tells his children and that now Paul tells his. It’s about a superhero named Goldberg who reigned with a spear and a jackhammer. He says the superhero took a detour through Suplex City, which is a place where tradition and values aren’t respected, and he got handled by the Beast. Heyman says we will no longer be seeing Goldberg around anymore and the crowd goes wild. Heyman thanks “Taker” and then thanks Brock for ridding the fed of Goldberg. Cold blooded. Heyman says Lesnar is looking for new challenges and new challengers. Heyman goes down the list. He talks about Seth Rollins, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, all competing against Lesnar. He says Lesnar will be a disrupter of the status quo. He says it’s time to talk about the 2 in 22-2. History demands that those “two” go one on one. Heyman wants to know who’s yard it really is. He straight up name drops Roman Reigns. Heyman mocks Roman barking orderds backstage as a massive “We Want Balor” chant breaks out and it’s deafening. Heyman says if Roman Reigns is the “big dog” then Roman Reigns is “animal cruelty”. Heyman says it’s time to give the RAW crowd something they will never forget, why wait? Why not do it right now? They say they are gonna do it tonight. BRAAAAAAAAAUN! What?! Here comes Strowman! “The Mountain Among Men” marches down to the ring to confront “The Beast”. Strowman says that he sees that Roman has Brock’s attention, when he’s done with Roman, maybe he’ll have his. He tells Lesnar that he’s got Braun’s attention. We get a staredown and Brock lays the title down in the ring, almost inviting Strowman to try him. Strowman tells Brock he’ll do things on his time and he takes his leave. Brock is grinning and he hoists the title back up as we head backstage as Chris Jericho is waiting!
Chris Jericho will have a rematch for the US Title at Payback! At least we’ll have the “Ayatollah” for another month. he says he’s excited and he even says “beach ball ‘Mania” is running wild. He references the “Tomo Dachi’s, the Mes Ami and the Mis Amigos” of Jericho, all the “Friends Of Jericho”, “Cheer Me On, Maaaaan!”. Huge “Y2J” chant for the veteran great. He says tonight is the perfect place for him to get his revenge against the “stupid idiot” Kevin Owens here tonight! He talks about getting his revenge on KO’s finger, because with that finger he broke the count which ultimately led to the apron bomb that ended Jericho’s Title reign. He then proceeds to put the tip of KO’s finger on the list! Amazing stuff. Jericho is the best. KO doesn’t let Jericho finish, he violently assaults him backstage. Samoa Joe joins in and they put a beating on Jericho. Jericho is powerbombed through a table and it appears that Seth Rollins will be let without a partner. That’s where we’ll see Balor if Jericho can’t make it out. I’m rockin’ my “Bulletproof Balor Club” shirt as I type this, so let’s hope so! Maybe he’ll turn on Rollins and join KO and Joe as payback for shelving him. Maybe they’ll just let bygones be bygones? We’ll find out shortly.
Kurt Angle is coming out of the trainer’s room and he runs into Seth Rollins and tells him that Chris Jericho cannot compete tonight, but he says the match is still on. He tells Rollins to relax, he will find him a partner. Enzo and Cass are in the ring and it’s time for a number one contendor’s match. Here comes Cesaro and Sheamus!
Cesaro and Sheamus defeat Enzo Amore and Big Cass via pinfall with a European Uppercut. Hard hitting affair early as Sheamus hits a corner leap onto Big Cass as Enzo is tagged in, clad in Orlando Magic gear. Enzo is launched into Sheamus and then as Cesaro and Sheamus regroup on the outside, Cass tosses Enzo over the top and down onto them on the outside! They head to a break and after they return, Sheamus hits a dropkick through the ropes onto Enzo in front of a fan dressed as “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan. Cesaro eventually gets a hold of Enzo and takes him for the big swing. Cass gets the tag from Enzo after more damage in done and the big man splashes Cesaro. He nails a huge sidewalk slam and the empire elbow right to Cesaro’s sternum. He tags in Enzo and they setup for Bada-Boom Shaka Laka, but Sheamus breaks it off and he dumps Enzo. He tosses Enzo into the European Uppercut and have new number one contendor’s!
We see the graphic teasing the partner of Seth Rollins and the main event matchup. Balor seems like the obvious choice. Tye Dillinger might show up on Smackdown tomorrow, where we’re expecting to see Shinsuke Nakamura and Andrade “Cien” Almas as well. RAW has been terrific tonight and Smackdown should be incredible as well.
Sami Zayn defeats Jinder Mahal via pinfall with a Helluva Kick. Oh awesome! Orlando a VERY pro-Zayn crowd as they sing along with his theme music and show the RAW star the respect he deserves. Mahal cuts the festivities short as we goes to work on Sami with an early assault. He rains down strikes and boots as an “Ole” chant breaks out. The attack was before the bell as Mahal calls for the ref to sound the bell and the ref complies. Mahal keeping Sami grounded with a knee to the face and he gets a two count after a dropkick to the small of the back. Zayn fights his way to a vertical base before “Hardbody” Mahal slams him down. Sami fights his way back to a vertical base after Jinder had him grounded with a headlock. Sami fights back into the match, nailing an exploder suplex and he drills him with a Helluva Kick for the three count! The main event with the mystery partner is up next!
KO and Joe are out to great reactions, eager to see who will be teaming up with “The Kingslayer” Seth Rollins. “The Destroyer” and KO turn their attention to the entrance ramp and we catch our breath. IT’S FINN BALOR! The founder of the “Bullet Club” along with Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga, and the first Universal Champion, makes his triumphant return to a deafening reaction. He is donning a beard and his standard black jacket and the crowd is marking out as much as I am as he does his signature poses and hasn’t missed a beat. He looks ready to get back to work and he’ll do just that, teaming with the man who put him out of action right after the final break.
Finn Balor/Seth Rollins defeat Kevin Owens/Samoa Joe via pinfall with a Coup De Grace on Owens. KO and Seth start things off, Balor and Joe waiting in the wings. There is so much history in the ring right now it’s scary. All of these guys did great work on the independent scene and Joe beat Balor after Balor beat KO to win the NXT world title. KO tags in Joe and Joe looks eager to get after it with Seth. Joe with rapid fire strikes as Rollins “catches hands” in the corner. Joe tags KO back in. “The Face Of America” Kevin Owens with a knifehand chop. Here comes Balor! Finn is in and he hasn’t lost a step. He works over KO and he rolls back, nailing a basement dropkick. He heads up top for the Coup De Grace, but KO rolls to the outside. Finn gives chase and he nails a dropkick into the barricade. Seth is tagged in and he and Balor look to hit a tandem double team maneuver. KO leaves the ring and Rollins hits a topei suicida and then he goes right back into the ring, hitting a somersault splash onto both KO and Joe. He gets back into the ring, as does KO, and KO targets the knee before dropping Seth with a DDT. Joe in and he works over Seth with rights and elbows in the corner. A huge “Joe” chant from the Orlando crowd. Well deserved and great to hear the sounds of respect for the treasured veteran. KO back in after a tag and he stomps away at the abdomen. He mocks Balor before returning to the assault. A cannonball senton gets KO a two on Seth, who is looking for the hot tag from Finn. KO gloats and tags in Joe, who goes back to work on Rollins. He focuses in on the knee, and then he applies a spinning toe hold. A “Joe’s Gonna Kill You” chant from the crowd. Rollins tries to dive for the tag, but Joe pulls him back towards his corner, hitting a kneecapper. Awesome move! Two running sentons by Joe and Seth avoids a third. Seth finds himself trapped in the Coquina Clutch, but Rollins gets the rope break. KO is tagged back in, but there’s the hot tag! “2Sweet” chant as Balor goes right back to work on the US Champ. Balor with a standing inzaguri and an apron kick to Joe. Balor up for the Coup De Grace, but KO out of harm’s way. KO hits a power move, but then he eats a sling blade. Joe in illegally and he tries for the Coquina Clutch, but Balor sidesteps and Rollins hits a knee to the face. Joe rolls out of the ring and Finn hits the delayed dropkick into the corner. He’s up and it’s the Coup De Grace! Three count and a winner! Welcome back Finn! What a RAW!
