With two weeks left until the Extreme Rules pay per view, Monday Night Raw was live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Last night, Jinder Mahal became the champion of SmacKDown Live, will Brock Lesnar show up on Raw? How will the red brand rebound from the loss of Braun Strowman? Will the five men in the Extreme Rules fatal fiveway remain civil? Let’s track the extreme build.
Monday Night Raw Report: Extreme Build
Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns
The show opened with everyone’s favorite southern cult leader, Bray Wyatt. He was demanding the crowd stand up, and probably wondering why Jinder Mahal got to beat Randy Orton, but he couldn’t. He cut a promo on Lesnar, saying he was the only one that could beat the beast.
He went wrestler by wrestler, breaking down why the other four competitors couldn’t beat Lesnar, let alone Wyatt, and that’s when he was interrupted by Roman Reigns. Is it just me, or has Reigns become a little more bearable lately? What’s that? He’s been off television. Never mind.
The two jawed, and that’s when Kurt Angle came out. Kurt always looks so happy to be back on WWE television. He made a match, starting immediately, between the two.
1.5/5 Stars
Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns
It was a solid back and forth bout. Regardless of how you feel about Reigns, he is a solid worker, and he and Bray are great together. It was a good back and forth match, and then Samoa Joe showed up.
He attacked Roman, and then all hell broke loose. Everyone was brawling and then Seth Rollins came out to save Bray… for some reason. I guess it was to continue the feud with Joe? Reigns and Rollins cleared the ring, standing tall. Awwwwkward.
1/5 Stars
Akira Tozawa vs. Ariya Daivari
Akira Tozawa, one of the three cruiserweights that gets a reaction, took on Ariya Daivari in the second match of the night. This match was interesting because it kept cutting to Brian Kendrick in the back, where he was interacting with the announce team. It was a bit of a squash as Tozawa won easily.
1/5 Stars
The Drifter vs. Dean Ambrose
Elias Sampson made his main roster debut against Dean Ambrose. He was doing the rock concert thing when Ambrose had enough and came out. Miz and Maryse were on commentary, selling the Extreme Rules match for the Intercontinental Championship.
Would you believe it if I said there was another screwy finish? Because that’s what happened. Miz ran down, attacked Sampson, and cost Ambrose the match. Ambrose chased Miz around the ring, but ultimately, Sampson hit the swinging neckbreaker on the lunatic champion.
.5/5 Stars
Finn Balor vs. Karl Anderson (with Luke Gallows)
Finn Balor was cutting a promo about Karl Anderson when Paul Heyman came out. Heyman broke down all of Lesnar’s potential opponents, referring to them all as potential victims. However, when he got to Balor, he sang his praises, calling him the most talented superstar in WWE.
Balor told Heyman that he would win, and that he would take the Universal Championship off of Brock Lesnar. That’s when Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows came out, and instead of having a Bullet Club markout moment, I wished it was Extreme Rules already.
It’s a shame that this match started during commercial because we didn’t get to see either man take off their knockoff Bullet Club shirt.
It was a pretty decent bout. It was obvious that these two knew each other like the back of their hand, and it’s a damn shame we have to keep waiting for Balor Club to materialize. Maybe at Extreme Rules…
Balor eventually got the win, and didn’t wait long before making his way to the back. Gallows stared Balor down as he made his way to the back, and I genuinely believe something iffy might happen at Extreme Rules with these three.
2.5/5 Stars
Alicia Fuououox w/Noam Dar vs. Sasha Banks
This is a thing, I guess. Alicia Foooooooooooox took on Sasha Banks halfway through the show. Noam Dar tried to distract Banks as much as he could, but ultimately, it wasn’t enough, and Banks got the win. After the match, Dar and Banks bickered before she shapped the Scottish wrestler. Fox hit the scissor kick and the happy couple celebrated.
1/5 Stars
Kalisto vs. Apollo Crews
Kalisto called Apollo Crews for working with Titus O’Neil backstage, and as we approach the final hour of this show, they faced off. It was a pretty quick back and forth match, but believe it or not, Kalisto got the win. It was after Titus distracted him, but it happened nonetheless.
.5/5 Stars
Matt Hardy w/Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus w/Cesaro
The winner of this match between Matt Hardy and Sheamus could determine the match stipulation at the Extreme Rules pay per view. The biggest issue with Monday Night Raw is that I’ve seen these four guys fight for two months now. I’m sick of it, and I don’t see how their pay per view bout is going to be any different.
Hardy won with the Twist of Hate when Sheamus was distracted by Jeff Hardy attacking Cesaro outside the ring. It was mostly a forgettable bout. Matt and Jeff announced that at Extreme Rules, they would defend their championships in a steel cage match. I’ll get to see that live, I’m pretty excited.
1/5 Stars
Tony Nese vs. Austin Aries
The cruiserweight champion, Neville was in the ring with his clone, Tony Nese, as Nese prepared to take on Austin Aries. It was actually a pretty decent bout. Aries spent the entire match trying to hit the Last Chancery, but Nese was able to power out.
Eventually Aries locked on the Last Chancery for the win as he and Neville stared each other down. Neville was not pleased with Nese, attacking him after the match. I think Aries’ time has come and gone. If he was going to become Cruiserweight Champion, it should’ve happened at WrestleMania… is there any way we can bring Pete Dunne to Raw?
1.5/5 Stars
Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James
The Raw Women’s Champion, Alexa Bliss, took on her former partner, Mickie James as the last half hour of the show kicked off. It was a quick match, lasting less than five minutes before Bliss got an easy win. After the bout, Bliss searched under the ring until she found a kendo stick, which she brought into the ring.
She started beating on Mickie James until Bayley came to the rescue. Bayley went to hit Bliss with the stick, but Alexa was able to escape.
1/5 Stars
Author’s Note:
Man, I really miss Braun Strowman.
The Shield vs. Samoa Joe and Bray Wyatt
The oddball couple of Samoa Joe and Bray Wyatt teamed up to take on the former tag team champions, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in the main event. Awkwardly, WWE accidentally played Seth Rollins’ theme music instead of Samoa Joe’s. Good job, Kevin.
There was tension to start the match as Rollins and Reigns bickered over who would start it. Reigns stepped out and Rollins took on both Bray and Joe. This was actually a pretty good match. Joe and Wyatt were a good team, while Rollins and Reigns were more focused on one-upping each other than winning.
Unlike the rest of this show, this match was actually worth watching. These four are very talented, and they put on a main event worthy match.
Dear WWE,
Seth Rollins is actually incredible.
Use him better.
Love,
Everyone.
This match had great tag-team psychology with both teams. The heels felt like heels, the babyfaces felt like underdogs, and when the babyfaces were getting heat, it felt like it mattered. At the end of the match, Reigns went to hit Joe with a Superman Punch, but he moved and hit Rollins instead.
The two bickered and Joe was able to lock the coquina clutch on Rollins for the win. It was a fantastic match, and even though Joe has no chance on Sunday in two weeks, he looked very strong. Good stuff, WWE.
2.5/5 Stars
Star Count- 14/55 Total Possible Stars (25%)
Worth Watching?
No, not really. The show dragged on, and by the time the main event rolled around, it wasn’t even exciting anymore. This show was like pulling teeth to cover. Next week, maybe just wait and read my article before you expose yourself to three hours of it.
