The first RAW of 2018 gave us what we expected-- a Brock Lesnar return, Roman Reigns maintaining a lengthy title run, and hype over the two Royal Rumble matches. Let's dive into it, shall we?
Angle opens the show
Kurt Angle comes out to address the WWE Universe regarding the men's and women's Royal Rumble matches. After he promotes them a little bit, he tells that there will be no rule changes between the two respective matches. Side note: I think this is excellent for the women's division. As Angle noted, "What's good enough for the men is good enough for the women". The women's division is only getting stronger, and I believe that keeping the rules the same for both matches only proves that.
The Bar comes out and calls Angle out for favoring Jason Jordan by giving him an opportunity at the tag titles with Seth Rollins. They demand a rematch for the titles immediately, and Jordan comes out to the ring as a response. Angle orders Jordan to compete with Cesaro in a match, and right before the match can begin, Seth Rollins comes out. Rollins lectures Jason Jordan about being self-absorbed and offers no support for his tag partner.
Jason Jordan vs. Cesaro
Cesaro takes control in the beginning of the match, targeting Jason Jordan's left leg in attempt to block him from utilizing his signature suplexes.. However, Jordan bounces back, delivering a couple suplexes. After an attemped distraction, Seth rollins takes out Sheamus, giving Jordan the stamina to deliver a final suplex to defeat Cesaro. Jason Jordan gets approval from Rollins as he walks to the back.
This seemed like a pretty decent match. However, it was clear that they're still pushing Jordan heavily, which is going to lead to fans disliking him even more. The match was mostly controlled by Cesaro until a couple suplexes at the end, which seemed sort of unrealistic and Roman Reigns-esque.
Speaking of Roman Reigns, the next segment was Renee Young interviewing Reigns. She notes that if he is disqualified in his match against Samoa Joe, he loses the Intercontinental Championship. Roman calls Joe a punk but states that he will stay within the rules.
Bray Wyatt vs. Apollo Crews
Crews enters with Titus Worldwide, consisting of Titus O'Neil and Dana Brooke. Wyatt controls most of the match, and as he goes for his finisher, Dana Brooke jumps onto the apron. Bray "scares the daylights" out of Dana, distracting him for a moment. Crews tries to capitalize, but Bray retaliates with a Sister Abigail. After the three count, Woken Matt Hardy appears on the TitanTron and cuts a promo with plenty of extended laughter and "delete" chants as his image multiplies on the screen. Even Bray seems weirded out by Matt's "woken wisdom".
I think Matt Hardy is excellent. Even though no one understands what he's talking about, he comes off as if he understands, which is all his character needs. He's funny but it is still plausible that he can be a threat to Bray Wyatt. However, it makes me a little sad to see Bray as the one Matt will defeat. While Wyatt will seemingly do the storyline justice, it's difficult to watch him get defeated in a somewhat meaninful storyline once again.
A camera in the back shows Nia Jax carrying a tupperware container of soup. Alexa comes up to her asking for her help, but she insists she has to go take care of Enzo Amore in the hospital. Alexa gives her "best friend" an ultimatum: either her or Enzo. Nia apologizes, but then leaves the arena because her "chicken soup is getting cold".
While strange, the Nia and Enzo storyline seems to be working for me. Enzo is handling two storylines-the "Zo Train" and his "relationship" with Nia. It seems like WWE doesn't have much to do with Nia as they are trying to establish both Absolution and Asuka as legitimate threats. Although Nia is a great competitor, I think it makes sense to keep her away from the other girls if she wants to be seen as a threat herself.
Alexa Bliss vs. Asuka
Throughout the night, Alexa has been visibly worried about her match with Asuka, and rightfully so as Asuka has been billed a dangerous competitor in the past. While the match offered a decent back and forth, Asuka seems to be in power throughout most of the bout. While the match didn't last as long as it could have, it seemed to be a good preview of a main event or pay per view match in the future. Bliss not only handled herself well with such an intense competitor in Asuka, but enforced her mean girl antics. In the end, Asuka made Alexa tap with a brutal arm bar.
Cut to Renee Young in the back with Samoa Joe. Renee rolls her eyes when introducing him, and Joe is quick to call out Dean Ambrose as a "stay-at-home husband living off his wife's paycheck", much to Young's dissent. Joe goes on to preach about how he will defeat Roman Reigns for the IC title and how the Shield will never hold titles together again.
I really like how Renee is able to be brought into this a little bit regarding Dean Ambrose. It's funny and gives her an opportunity to show a little bit of her character.
Braun Strowman vs. Rhyno
Rhyno requested this match to prove to Slater how to show him an "example of toughness", but we all now how this match played out in the end. Braun dominates, but gets irritated with Heath Slater supporting his partner constantly, inviting him to either shut up or join the match himself. Seenig this as an opportunity to prove hiumself, Slater enters the match and he and Rhyno breifly gain the advantage before Braun gains control again, delivering a running power slam to end the match and then a few more to both men for good measure.
Of course, Strowman looks strong. Not much to say about this here. He has a brief interaction backstage wtih Kane where Kane suggests they stay on the seam page at the Royal Rumble. Strowman declares himself the "Alpha Monster".
Backstage, Finn Balor meets up with Kurt Angle and enters himself in the Royal Rumble match. He also noted that he found two partners for his 6-man tag match against Elias and the Miztourage- Gallows and Anderson.
This is amazing. It is no secret that fans have been dying for the Bullet Club to reunite in the WWE. I only hope that this won't be the last interaction between these three in coming weeks.
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Joe takes control at the beginning of the match, targetting Reigns' left elbow. However, Reigns fights back and after he gains control, Joe lures him outside the ring and towards temptations to break the rules. Joe bounces Reigns off the steel steps, and Roman picks up the steps, fighting himself not to use them. The referee tells him he can't do it, and Roman returns Joe and himself back into the ring. Reigns is shoved into the referee, causing a distraction and allowing Joe to capitalize. He attemptes the Coquina Clutch, but Roman breaks free and counters with a spear, causing him to retain the title.
This match was entertaining and intense to watch, and it proved even moreso that Roman Reigns deserves the position he has been put in. I believe fans are (slowly) starting to see Reigns' real value, and that although he isn't as good on the mic as the Miz or Samoa Joe, his in-ring skills are above average.
Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari vs. Cedric Alexander and Goldust
Gulak and Daivari are in the ring to deliver a message from Enzo Amore at the hospital. Gulak reads Enzo's message perfectly, including his "how are you doing?" and even correcting his "cuppa haters" into "a couple of haters". As per usual, Gulak is interrupted and Cedric Alexander expresses his dissent for Enzo not being able to defend his championship. Gulak and Daivari note that they'll take his place if Alexander can get someone to join him. Suprisingly, Goldust comes out to the ring. The match begins and offers some back and forth. The members of the Zo Train keep Alexander in their corner for a bit, but Alexander tags in his partner and Goldust takes out both Gulak and Daivari. He delivers a crossbody from the top rope, and then Alexander delivers a Lumbar Check to get the pin over Gulak.
Drew Gulak is fantastic on the mic, and I have yet to see a segment of his that disappoints. He just seems so naturally funny, and Ariya Daivari isn't bad either. Goldust seemed like a strange partner for Cedric, but WWE utilized a great opportunity to integrate 205 Live in with the rest of the roster.
Elias and the Miztourage vs. Finn Balor, Gallows and Anderson
We got another opportunity to Walk With Elias as he trashed on Miami and proclaimed that he would win the Royal Rumble. Axel and Dallas joined him, singing awfully and poorly playing the cowbell terribly. They were interrupted (thankfully) by Gallows and Anderson, and then Balor. At first, Elias took control against Finn Balor, and then Gallows was tagged in and dominated Bo Dallas. Gallows and Anderson delivered a Magic Killer followed by Finn's Coup De Grace, giving them the win.
Fans were more than happy to see the Bullet Club reunited. The three clearly showed no ring rust in working together and put on an awesome performance. Speaking of awesome, the Miztourage never fail to disappoint. Upon announcing that the Miz would be returning next week, they gave him endless praise in a hilarious way. They make the cringe-worthy gimmick work so well.
Brock Lesnar is Back!
Paul Heyman escorts Lesnar out to the ring and after a moment of basking in the fans' cheers, Heyman complained about Lesnar having to face two opponents instead of one. At first, it seemed a little odd that he wasn't coming in super confident off the bat, but Heyman made it clear that Lesnar would not be pinned to lose his title. Kane came out to confront Brock Lesnar, giving him a chokeslam. Lesnar was laid out briefly, but sat up, laughing. A battle ensued before the entire locker room was sent out by Kurt Angle to separate the two.
Although fans loved Lesnar's return, it didn't offer much outside the usual for when Lesnar comes back: Heyman preaches about how The Beast Incarnate will beat his opponent (or, in this case, opponents). It was interesting to watch Kane and Lesnar get their hands on each other so far ahead of the PPV, but it seems that Lesnar will be predicted to keep the title at Royal Rumble.
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