This week has been weird. The apartment complex I live at was just sold and our new landlords have new rules. On top of that our caretaker was given a 30-day notice. It feels weird living life one way yesterday, and having to change your lifestyle and routine because someone else made new rules. It’s kind of somber round these parts so let’s get submersed into some wrestling!
Monday Night Raw Beginning
- We get a video package of HHH destroying Roman Reigns face to cheers from the crowd.
- Triple H finally got vindication from the spear he was hit with at TLC, now Roman wants retribution I am sure.
- The intro song plays… “press X to reload” lolol
HHH comes down to cut a promo
- HHH does what he did on Smackdown and show us post-op photos of Roman Reigns.
- Then HHH says we all have an authority figure that we need to listen to. Well isn’t that poignant, did you buy the apartments Hunter?
- I am a boss for a few employee’s and granted I am a dick sometimes, I am not the type of authoritative figure HHH says. Fear is what keeps things in place says HHH. That is why even if we hate our authority figures we don’t do anything about it.
- Hunter says Roman chose to disrespect Authority and then he looks around and waits for a good 30 seconds until a weak “Roman” chant breaks out.
Dean Ambrose comes out
- Cole asks if Ambrose forgot that he got thrown through a windshield, drove an ambulance back to the arena and got F-5’d? I am sure he remembers Cole but that is a nice way to recap.
- Pretty big “Ambrose” chant. Ambrose milks it for a bit too. Dean says he just got off the phone with Roman and he wants Dean to tell HHH that he is coming for him.
- Dean also has a very red nose…
- HHH says Dean won an Oscar for best supporting actor in a bromance. I liked the supporting actor line.
- Ambrose then goes down the whole Raw Recap of last week. Dean points out the four matches we have planned for Mania. “Shane-O-Mac” chants from the crowd and Ambrose asks HHH if he likes Shane McMahon.
- Ambrose asks Hunter the question “who did you not want to win at Fastlane” Hunter said the only people that meant anything in it was Brock and Roman.
- Dean and his red assed nose gets right on HHH’s lawn saying he was the last guy Hunter wanted to face at WrestleMania.
- Dean says HHH is smart enough to know that he doesn’t wanna face a guy like Ambrose and the crowd starts chanting “Ambrose”. His star is getting even brighter you guys.
- The cadence with these two makes this promo seem like an actual conversation. It is weird, I am not used to this type of wrestling conversation.
- Ambrose challenges HHH for the belt before Mania. He said Roman won a match to fight the champ at Mania, but HHH doesn’t have to be that champion.
- HHH looks skinnier than normal, maybe while he wasn’t on TV he was working out like crazy for Mania, I have a feeling he is gonna put on an amazing match. With the pressure of carrying some of the show and all.
- HHH made Ambrose vs. Del Rio in a match for later, then he will answer the title match question.
And I’m Like… That was what it was. It got Dean over a bit more, made HHH assert power. It set up a match and angle that at the moment doesn’t really matter. The fun thing was the way those two interacted. I was watching it, wondering if they had a script or not because that seemed very fluid, outside of waiting for crowd reactions.
Number One Contender Match
Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks
- Sunday was my birthday and I got a Sasha Banks shirt.. Feels good to finally have it. Now I just need those rings and shades and I’ll be set.
- I kinda want it to be a triple threat so I am hoping this finish is not decisive. That makes me wonder if I will enjoy it even if the finish doesn’t make sense as long as it sets up a triple threat. or Sasha can win.
- The match starts and Sasha applies a headlock and Becky almost reversed that into a disarmer. We have a split crowd “woman and children say Becky” “bassy men say Sasha”
- They are wrestling at a fast pace making me think this match won’t go for that long. They keep wrestling to a stalemate to show they are equals though.
- The girls trade baseball slides but before we go to commercial Sasha is in control.
- When we come back Sasha hits that jumping double knee into a pin that she has been doing lately and got a two.
- Becky hit an exploder suplex for two. Both girls hit one of their signatures for two.
- Each girl knows the camera game too, they show the facial expressions to accent the match but they face the ramp so the camera can catch the WrestleMania sign in the background.
- Thi pace has not slowed down and there are still flash pins and hard attacks. These girls are really going at it.
- The story is they are almost exact equals and know each other so well. That means it should lead to a finish where one gets a lucky move for the win to keep them as equals.
- Both ladies look tired and they are climbing to the top rope and fighting on top. Sasha does a sunsetflip powerbomb pin. Sasha is flat on her back and Becky is laying on Sasha but Lynch’s shoulders were down. It is a double pin and a draw.
And I’m Like… We saw this with Zayn/Joe and we saw it now. I like it. I think I like it because of what I want the Mania match to be. The crowd chants “triple threat” there isn’t much of a reaction, more confusion. I like it though, now all we need is some emotion in this triple threat story and we are good. These girls will steal the show and I am so excited for this match at Mania. You go girls, prove to the world what you proved to the NXT Universe
Bray Wyatt is backstage with the Wyatt’s. Bray describes the definition of insanity by doing the same thing over and over again with the same result. Like attacking someone, starting a storyline, losing the big match. Trying it again and again. Maybe not. Bray delivers his promo’s and is so captivating because he expresses so much sadness, despair, and at the same time joy and chaos in his eyes. He is a special performer that is hankered down by not having a real impact on the WWE narrative.
Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz
- I have no cares about this match.
- As I was thinking about what to write this match lasted a minute or two with Miz getting a flash pin on Ziggler.
And I’m Like… Let’s look to Smackdown where Ziggler will get a to continue the feud. Just let these two tag against Jericho and AJ Styles.
Stephanie McMahon Promo
- She has her hair done, has her trophy in the ring, and is carrying a clipboard because “nobody do her like she do her”
- Steph is trying to finish her acceptance speech. Her and her swoll ass arms. I bet if I worked out for a year I couldn’t get those kinda muscles.
- Steph says “keep chanting Shane-O-Mac is not here tonight”
- She starts her speech but is getting emotional. It feels bad to see people boo her. She is just a human trying to fulfill her families legacy. Honestly that is daunting. She will be the fourth or fifth generation to run the company. To fill Vincent K.’s shoes is such a task.
- Steph tells us that she has worked so hard us and put family time behind work. She has every right to be pissed at her brother.
- Shane, that was kind of a dick move, let them run the company because you don’t want to, then demanding it back. We need a brand war. Steph can showS Shane how to run a company.
- Steph points out the honesty, Shane hasn’t been to many or any WWE events since he left. He doesn’t care about the family legacy, he cares about Shane’s.
And I’m Like… I know its Shane vs. Undertaker, but there is no reason to choose one over the other. On the McMahon sibling rivalry though? I am all in the Steph camp!! Love that Shane shows up and emotional truth based stories start up easily.
League of Nations vs. Lucha Dragons
- Rusev and Sheamus are wrestling for LoN.
- Dragons have some sweet black and silver gear.
- I am not sure that this match matters. We hear that Rusev has a Maserati and hear “we want Lana” chants… I don’t think we do, I think we just want to chant something during a rest hold.
- Rusev gets the referee’s attention, tags Sheamus, then tells everyone he made the tag by clapping over his head.
- League of Nations are like “good wrestlers with no creativity” They just seem like they have no entertaining ideas outside of the ring like a Social Outcasts or New Day. Del Rio does the hand with pointing finger circling the head taunt before his finish. Now Sheamus does it before the Ten Beats of the Bowery, and Rusev joins in with Del Rio and Sheamus.. It was just so like unnecessary and they looked so excited to do it. Like they all planned a group move before the match.
- Kalisto got the hot tag and shit got nuts, there was springboarding and flipping and yelling and diving, that all ended when Rusev landed a YUGE superkick on Kalisto
And I’m Like… That was kind of needed. The LoN are a pathetic group right now. Like the Bully’s who graduated high school but all dropped out of community college, yet they try and act like they are the cool guys from high school still. I bet they all wear Leather coats and sunglasses while smoking e-cigs too!
Renee Young asks Nattie how she “does it” She is on Diva’s and wrestles and is on Social Media. Nattie shows instagrams pictures of her working out while Subway is in the pictures and behind them in the interview. Nattie says lots of water and Subway is what helps get you healthy, along with 8 hours of sleep and working out…. Thanks?
Ryback vs. Adam Rose
- The Radical Mongoose name is taking off. “Goldberg” chants towards Ryback.
- Ryback cut a promo before the match talking about how ‘Spotlight’ won the Academy Award and something something he has the spotlight on him and it’s his time something something
- I just got used to Ryback in trunks, I am not used to Adam Rose in them.
- Ryback started throwing punches on Rose and wouldn’t stop, he started doing the whole MMA style punches. Hit Shell Shock and won then left.
- He did a Goldberg routine.
And I’m Like… The commentators are asking where that Ryback has been. I think this is the Ryback that was always planned, he just looked too much like Goldberg that they had to shed that and then he got lost along the way. A few years later we still have the Goldberg chants.
Y2AJ vs. New Day
- New Day get some promo time.
- New Day says they are the greatest and most successful group in WWE.
- New Day tries to make a three-way hug look gangsta.
- They were doing some weird promo when Jericho’s pyro went off.
- Instead of a Cesaro Section signs we have “They don’t want none” signs.. I approve!
- The AJ/Jericho team is something I didn’t know I liked. Like when I was watching old WCW pay per views and there was a Lex Luger vs. Michael Hayes match. No reason on why that match should stick out to me but it does, it just seems like a great match-up. Like AJ and Jericho, it shouldn’t feel that special, but I enjoy the idea of the team.
- Big E gyrates to Francesca II but instead of doing it with the flair he normally has, he stands straight up and down like he is Salmon dancing
- Xavier and Kofi try and do a joke that hilariously backfire. Xavier tells Kofi to pick a card while AJ was laying on the concrete on the outside. Kofi grabs a card, Xavier says “what did you get” (Kofi grabbed a king) “I got his number!” says Kofi without looking at the card. No Kofi you got his face card.
- Kofi and Jericho have a nice little battle that had Jericho triangle dropkicking Xavier and Francesca II, and Lionsaulting on Kofi. Then AJ does a springboard forearm to Big E. Jericho reverses the Trouble in Paradise for a Walls of Jericho victory.
A nd I’m Like… New Day are used where they need to be, but WHAT are they doing at Mania. AJ grabs the mic “I know I am the new guy here, but correct me if I am wrong. This victory puts Y2AJ at the top of the list for the titles. Y2AJ “is then new big thing in WWE” They are the Burger King Hot Dogs of WWE. AJ Styles is just loving these WWE crowds. He is so used to TNA type stuff, that he is genuinely surprised at some crowd responses.
Vince McMahon Comes Out
- McMahon lays this storyline on thick. The quick and dirty is. “Shane could win but he won’t because Hell in a Cell” “My daughter would quit” yada yada.
- McMahon introduces the Undertaker as his “instrument of destruction”
- I guess we forgot that McMahon was the higher power and Taker was listening to him a bunch.
- Undertaker looks like the Man in Black not Randal Flagg
- McMahon was talking about how he owns the Undretaker. Taker chokes McMahon and says “The blood of your son will be on your hands not mine.”
And I’m Like… Let’s see if we make it to WrestleMania. Titus O’Neil shoved Vince and McMahon suspended him for 60 days. Undertaker just choked him so that is what 90?
- McMahon grabs the mic and starts talking again about how Shane will lose his inheritance and everything else he has when he loses the match.
And I’m Like… That was kind of a waste… Where is Kevin Owens?
Jey Uso vs. Bubba Ray
- The story here is , two teams were on a team. The Dudleyz turned their back on the Uso’s after the match was over. They have wrestled each other twice on television. Now they are wrestling again to build interest. I don’t get how that works?
- Devon threw a table at Jimmy Uso and I legit laughed out loud.
- Cole says they are hypocritical but they said they wouldn’t put someone through a table. They never said they wouldn’t use one.
- Bubba hits the Bubba bomb for the three
And I’m Like… Fighting sleep and these two teams do not help at keeping me awake.
R-Truth and Goldust are in the backstage. R-Truth says he will not be Goldust’s partner. Truth then broke up with Goldust but then thought long and hard on their tag team.
Kevin Owens vs. Big Show
- Here is Kevin Owens.
- He had a tough time fighting Big Show until Owens through Big Show into the turnbuckle then punched him a bunch.
- Owens sneaks outside and hits a tornado ddt on Big Show to the outside. Show is up at 8 but gets back in the ring.
- Owens got a bit too confident and tried to go off the top rope. Show throws Kevin on the ropes.
- Owens nuts hurt too bad like he was Malaki Matthews and Big Show was Darin Corbin.
And I’m Like… Recaps and short matches? Is this Mid-South wrestling?
Renee interviews Brie Bella and I am looking for a Subway sandwich somewhere. Lana shows up and says Brie can never bite the big one. Lana compares yourself to Brie and says there is no comparison. Brie said until Lana can wrestle, she doesn’t have much power behind those words.
Naomi vs. Brie Bella
- How many different colors does Naomi have? She changes olors every tv show. Tamina and Naomi are working over Brie hard. We got leg trips and baseball slides.
- Brie is struggling to get in the ring and Tamina is just posted up on the stairs. Naomi needs to win soon because there is no suspense, Naomi will lose by distraction roll up or dominate Brie.
- Brie dodges an attack by Naomi but Naomi does those kicks over and over. Brie fires back with kicks of her own.
- Brie enters “Brie Mode” and she runs into Naomi’s head.
- Naomi put a new submission on Brie, Bella tapped and Naomi started punching Brie like Ryback was punching earlier.
- AS Naomi dances, Lana’s music hits. Lana slow claps like this isn’t another teen movie.
And I’m Like… Please not that match at WrestleMania.. I mean the story is fine but having Lana and Brie carry the comedy and acting is doing too much. I am thinking a multi-woman match or preshow battle royal.
We see the Freebirds are in the Hall of Fame now. From Badstreet to where ever the Hall of Fame is going to be. Fantasia is alive and well.
Becky is stoked for a rematch and Charlotte is grossed out by Becky showing excitement. She does some middle school taunting.
Alberto Del Rio vs. Dean Ambrose
- Poor Dean Ambrose. After a 3 hour Raw, you have to keep the crowd entertained, but you are against Del Rio…
- Alberto throws Ambrose into the barricade, does the finger twirl and all the other Euro’s try and do it quickly too.
- Even when a match has a short amount of time, Del Rio wrestles slow and methodical.
- Whatever Del Rio tries to do Ambrose is able to reverse it.
- Del Rio goes for a double stomp while Ambrose was on the barricade.
- Ambrose legit had to hold himself up for a good 45 seconds before Del Rio hit his move and all the LoN did the finger twirl thing. lol
- Ambrose and Del Rio fight back and forth with not much happeneing, then Ambrose throws Del Rio out the ring and Ambrose jumps on the whole League.
HHH Comes Out
- The ref is still in the ring and the LoN attacks so the ref then calls for DQ.
- LoN does the twirl and HHH shakes their hand after they dominate Ambrose.
- HHH was telling Dean how he would never beat the Authority
- Dean pops up and punches Hunter in the face. HHH says Ambrose gots the match.
- Ambrose got pedigreed and grabbed the mic and said “Hunter thanks” then he passed back out.
- HHH rolled up his sleeves and threw Ambrose outside the ring and over the table. Then HHH beat up Byron Saxton.
- HHH is doing the same beating to Ambrose except there were no cheers. That is the difference between Ambrose and Roman Reigns.
- HHH leaves Ambrose laying on the announce table as Raw ends.
And I’m Like… I think we should be paying attention to that Network Special for more WrestleMania setups. It could be a lot like the “War to Settle the Score”. This is either intriguing or setting us up for disappointment. Wait and see where it goes right? right!
Thanks for the read, let’s continue our road to WrestleMania
Please share and like and comment, every little bit helps.
Have a good day everyone
-Jake.
