WWE RAW Review (18th of March)
RAW was in CHI-TOWN last night as we're 20 days away for Wrestlemania! This episode featured more confirmed matches for Wrestlemania and continued build ups for the top matches of the show. Chicago is always a guaranteed great crowd to have a wrestling show in so this episode of RAW was in for a treat with the crowd.
Show opened with a promo by Paul Heyman and the Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Paul goes on about Lesnar's past victories over the likes of Finn Balor, Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, etc. They're then interrupted by the Scottish Psychopath, Drew McIntyre. Drew basically puts Lesnar on notice that he's coming for his championship after Wrestlemania. Seth Rollins appears with a steel chair and attacks McIntyre from behind! Rollins charges the ring to confront Lesnar, but Lesnar exits the ring and walks away.
Show opened with a promo by Paul Heyman and the Universal Champion Brock Lesnar. Paul goes on about Lesnar's past victories over the likes of Finn Balor, Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles, etc. They're then interrupted by the Scottish Psychopath, Drew McIntyre. Drew basically puts Lesnar on notice that he's coming for his championship after Wrestlemania. Seth Rollins appears with a steel chair and attacks McIntyre from behind! Rollins charges the ring to confront Lesnar, but Lesnar exits the ring and walks away.
Braun Strowman & Finn Balor Vs. Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush
This was a basic tag match as Bobby and Lio continue to make Balor's life a living hell. Adding Braun to this match made things complicated for the two heels as they were dominated by Strowman. Braun picks up the win for his team by pinning Lio Rush.
Backstage we see Ronda Rousey arrive to the arena with her husband Travis Brown. Referee Jon Cone notifies her that extra security was hired to ensure she doesn't beat up another official like she did the week before. Ronda wasn't having any of it and walked off.
A Moment of Bliss segment is next as Alexa Bliss attempts to interview Elias. They were interrupted by a conga line that included Heavy Machinery. Elias was then ambushed by No Way Jose, who was in a disguise, and this sets up a match between the two.
Backstage we see Ronda Rousey arrive to the arena with her husband Travis Brown. Referee Jon Cone notifies her that extra security was hired to ensure she doesn't beat up another official like she did the week before. Ronda wasn't having any of it and walked off.
A Moment of Bliss segment is next as Alexa Bliss attempts to interview Elias. They were interrupted by a conga line that included Heavy Machinery. Elias was then ambushed by No Way Jose, who was in a disguise, and this sets up a match between the two.
No Way Jose Vs. Elias
Basic match as we got to see Jose show more offense than we've ever seen him before on the main roster. Elias picks up the win after hitting the Drift Away on Jose. I gotta add one thing here: it's gonna take me a long time to get use to No Way Jose's new hairstyle. It's just all over the place to me.
Kurt Angle arrives next and announces his Wrestlemania opponent. Who is it y'all ask? Are y'all ready for this? Y'all ready? ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE READY?! Well here it is! Kurt Angle's opponent for his farewell match at Wrestlemania will be..........Baron Corbin. Yep. Hooray. Storyline wise, I kinda understand why he chose Corbin. Corbin has made his life hell back when he was RAW GM. I understand that Angle wants to embarrass Corbin in his final match, but absolutely NO ONE asked to see this match.
Kurt Angle arrives next and announces his Wrestlemania opponent. Who is it y'all ask? Are y'all ready for this? Y'all ready? ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE READY?! Well here it is! Kurt Angle's opponent for his farewell match at Wrestlemania will be..........Baron Corbin. Yep. Hooray. Storyline wise, I kinda understand why he chose Corbin. Corbin has made his life hell back when he was RAW GM. I understand that Angle wants to embarrass Corbin in his final match, but absolutely NO ONE asked to see this match.
Kurt Angle Vs. Chad Gable
On the plus side of this, we got to see Gable vs Angle in the ring. This honestly was a good technical wrestling match as both men are great technical wrestlers. Chad got to display some good wrestling holds on Angle and made himself look legitimate in the ring. I just wish we get to see Gable solo so he can be possibly one of the best technical wrestlers in the modern era of WWE. Angle picks up the win by tapping out Gable in the Ankle Lock. Both men showed respect towards one another and that was a class act to see.
Ricochet Vs. Jinder Mahal
Jinder literally was dominating half of this match by applying rest holds after rest holds to Ricochet. Once Ricochet finally got some offense in, he took over the rest of the match. Ricochet picked up the win here by executing the 630 Splash to Mahal for the pin.
Bayley and Sasha Banks appear next and confirms that they'll appear on Smackdown Live tonight. As they begin to talk about Wrestlemania, they're interrupted by Natayla and Beth Phoenix. Beth Phoenix announces that she will step out of retirement and issues a challenge to Bayley and Sasha for their Women's Tag Titles. This lead to a brawl and sets up a match between Sasha and Natayla.
Bayley and Sasha Banks appear next and confirms that they'll appear on Smackdown Live tonight. As they begin to talk about Wrestlemania, they're interrupted by Natayla and Beth Phoenix. Beth Phoenix announces that she will step out of retirement and issues a challenge to Bayley and Sasha for their Women's Tag Titles. This lead to a brawl and sets up a match between Sasha and Natayla.
Sasha Banks Vs. Natalya
This match itself was fine as we got to see some good back and forth between these two women. Nia Jax appears and starts talking crap about Beth Phoenix. As Beth's distracted, Tamina comes from under the ring and attacks Beth, Bayley, and Natayla. The ambush caused this match to end in a no contest.
Ronda Rousey (C) Vs. Dana Brooke (RAW Women’s Championship)
I was shocked to even found out that Dana was getting a title shot here. I wasn't too worried though because with Wrestlemania on the horizon there's no way in hell that Ronda was losing her championship here. This match was short as Ronda just beat the holy hell out of Dana and made her tap to the armbar very quickly, retaining her championship. After the match, Ronda walked over to her husband who was in the front row. A security guard attempted to talk to her and she laid him out. As guards surround her, Travis gets a hold of one of the guards and punches him in the face! He then grabs Ronda and they walk off into the crowd. I was surprised seeing Travis get involved here and this made me wonder if he'll accompany his wife to the ring at Wrestlemania. I think that would be a fun thing to see, husband and wife walking down the ramp together at Wrestlemania.
Apollo Crews Vs. Baron Corbin
I don't even know why this match was added to the show but whatever. Basic match that had Apollo winning here by rolling up Corbin! Corbin is facing Angle in Angle's final match at Wrestlemania so he gotta come up with ways to pick up wins from here on out if he wants to have a chance of beating Angle.
Batista is being interviewed via satellite by Michael Cole and talks about his Wrestlemania match against HHH. He said HHH has always been a control freak, and that he will end his in ring career. This was definitely better than him repeatedly shouting, "GIVE IT TO ME! GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!" last week. We'll definitely see these guys face to face within a couple weeks.
Before the main event, Drew McIntyre officially challenges Roman Reigns to a match at Wrestlemania.
Batista is being interviewed via satellite by Michael Cole and talks about his Wrestlemania match against HHH. He said HHH has always been a control freak, and that he will end his in ring career. This was definitely better than him repeatedly shouting, "GIVE IT TO ME! GIVE ME WHAT I WANT!" last week. We'll definitely see these guys face to face within a couple weeks.
Before the main event, Drew McIntyre officially challenges Roman Reigns to a match at Wrestlemania.
Seth Rollins Vs. Drew McIntyre
These two always have good matches together and this one was no exception. Good back and forth action here as both men beat each other pretty good in this match. Before Seth could put Drew away, he's distracted by Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman and this causes Drew to hit the Claymore Kick on Rollins, picking up the win.
Chicago is always a great crowd to have shows in, but they deserve better than what they had received last night. RAW wasn't a terrible show, but wasn't a great one either. We're 20 days away for Wrestlemania and they gotta pick up steam somehow next week.
Show rating: 6/10
Chicago is always a great crowd to have shows in, but they deserve better than what they had received last night. RAW wasn't a terrible show, but wasn't a great one either. We're 20 days away for Wrestlemania and they gotta pick up steam somehow next week.
Show rating: 6/10
