Monday Night Raw was live last night in Chicago, Illinois. Off the heels of an eventful WWE Super Showdown in Melbourne, Australia this past weekend, it is time to move forwards towards the future. Who has something to say?
Raw kicks off with Triple H & Shawn Michaels. This past weekend at Super Showdown, they seemed to finally have laid to rest the history between themselves and The Brothers of Destruction, Kane & The Undertaker. After Triple H picked up the win, with the assistance of Shawn Michaels, The Brothers of Destruction were the ones standing tall.
Triple H wonders where the term, “respect” has gone. He has fought alongside these same men and live by the words they state each and every day. Respect has come and gone from time in the wrestling business. However, with these men, it is long gone. That is why at WWE Crown Jewel, Shawn Michaels will come out of retirement and team up with Triple H to take on The Brothers of Destruction. D-Generation X is back and is ready for war with the most destructive team in WWE history.
Bobby Lashley v. Kevin Owens
This past weekend, these two competed in tag team action at WWE Super Showdown with Bobby’s team picking up the win. Kevin looks to get redemption for his team against Bobby in this matchup. Lio Rush is once again in the corner of his client, Bobby Lashley for this match. Throughout this match, Lio is on the mic hyping up his man Bobby to get in the mind of Kevin.
Kevin attempted time after time to keep focused on the match at hand, however, Lio was always the annoying voice in his ear that did not allow him to keep focused throughout the match which led to inevitable defeat.
Bobby has a new attitude which showed after the match. Bobby attacked Kevin’s already injured leg. Hitting it off the steel post multiple times. Since the partnership with Lio Rush, Bobby has changed his demeanor and his attitude and it showed through this attack.
The Bella Twins & Ronda Rousey v. The Riott Squad
In a rematch from Super Showdown, The Riott Squad look to get revenge on The Bella Twins and The Raw Women’s Champion, Ronda Rousey. Before the match, Chicago was treated by a concert by Elias. After making fun of Chicago and the Cubs, Ronda came down to put an end to his concert.
Just like at Super Showdown, the result is the same, Ronda Rousey was able to show why she is the baddest woman on the planet. She was able to lock the armbar on Ruby for the win.
After the match, The Bellas attack Ronda from behind. The Bellas use the numbers game to get an advantage and ambush the Raw Women’s Champion to try to make a statement to the entire Raw Women’s Division.
Finn Balor & Bayley v. Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox
After weeks of feuding with each other, these two teams finally face off as tag teams. The result is still the same as Finn and Bayley were able to pick up the win over Jinder and Alicia.
WWE World Cup Tournament Qualifying Battle Royal
It was announced that 8 of WWE top stars will take part in one massive tournament which will culminate at WWE Crown Jewel. Acting General Manager Baron Corbin brought together several wrestlers from all over the globe to take part in this massive opportunity. The wrestlers try to team together to eliminate them.
However, Baron eliminated them all except one. The Conquistador slid outside the ring. Baron seemed confused on why he was not the winner. The Conquistador stood up and started battling and eventually eliminated Baron. The Conquistador then revealed himself and it was the real General Manager Kurt Angle. Kurt Angle has returned and is now entered the WWE World Cup with 16 time World Champion John Cena. Just these two alone already gets me pumped for this upcoming World Cup.
Ember Moon v. Nia Jax
In the name of friendly competition, these two friends do battle in one on one action. In a quick match, Nia seemed to be in control of the match. Dominating Ember all throughout the match. However, Ember used the smallest of opportunities and was able to beat Nia by count out.
Trish Stratus Returns
In less than a month, Trish Stratus returns to the ring to take on Alexa Bliss at the first ever all women’s pay per view Evolution. Trish states the importance of this match not only for her but the entire women’s evolution. The landscape of women’s wrestling has changed drastically, and it will continue to grow.
Alexa then comes out and states that the game has changed. She is on top and plans to stay on top. She also states that if she was wrestling back when Trish was, Trish would have been living in the shadows of Alexa. Which then leads to Mickie James back up Alexa and then bring the idea of teaming with Alexa to take on Trish and a partner.
Trish then thinks of the idea of her partner, her bestie and fellow Hall of Famer Lita. At Evolution, it is now Trish Stratus and Lita taking on Mickie James and Alexa Bliss.
Bobby Roode & Chad Gable v. The Ascension
Over the last few weeks, Connor of The Ascension has defeated both Bobby Roode and Chad Gable in singles action. However, in tag team action, Roode & Gable has defeated The Ascension. Who left Raw victorious?
In this competitive contest, Chad Gable was to make a blind tag and capitalize hitting the rolling German Suplex for the win. Roode seemed confused on why Gable made the tag. However, before they could talk it out, the Authors of Pain run down to the ring and run through both teams. They would clean house of these two teams and leave them in a heap. Authors of Pain continue to make statements to the Raw Tag Team Division.
Paul Heyman Returns
The Advocate for the self-proclaimed “Crown Jewel” of WWE, Brock Lesnar, has come to Chicago to come and view the main event war between The Shield and The Dogs of War. He came to see these teams destroy each other yet again as they did in Australia. He then states that wars and fights are what made Brock Lesnar the superstar he is today. That is why when he goes to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel, he will win back the Universal Championship.
The Shield v. Braun Strowman, Dolph Ziggler, & Drew McIntyre
After destroying each other in Australia, these 6 men look to do it one more time in Chicago. This match was action packed from start to finish. Each team tore the house down in Chicago. Midway through the match, there seemed to be dissension in the Dogs of War as they were not on the same page.
However, by the end, as a melee happened outside the ring, Drew was able to hit the Claymore on Dean for the win. After the match, while The Shield tried to recuperate, Dean walked away from them. Is The Shield over? What is going through Dean’s mind?
Overall
This was an eventful Raw. The double turn between Bobby Lashley and Kevin Owens was a shocker. Also, the returns of Trish Stratus and Lita with the announcement of the tag team match at Evolution is a plus. Then, the announcement of the reuniting of D-Generation X at Crown Jewel against the Brothers of Destruction is very nostalgic. Then, Kurt Angle returning and being involved in the WWE World Cup with John Cena already makes the World Cup must see. Finally, the story of The Shield’s future is intriguing, to say the least. Very good Raw to start the journey towards Crown Jewel.
David Jacobus
Contributing Writer