source: WWE
This week, we see another appearance from Brock Lesnar, a fantastic MizTV, a match for Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania (finally!), and some mind games from Shinsuke Nakamura to AJ Styles.
Raw: 3/27/18
source: WWE
Brock Lesnar appears two weeks in a row
Paul Heyman reminds fans of the brutal attack on Roman Reigns that Brock Lesnar delivered last week. Fans cheer as it is announced that Reigns’ suspension has been lifted, and they also cheer at the announcement that Roman isn’t there tonight. Paul details how Roman was raised to fight and win, but says that it’s a shame they didn’t raise him to be a man, because a man would be here to go face to face with Lesnar.
Heyman claims that if roles were reversed and Roman beat Lesnar down last week, Lesnar would show up the next week, which I find hard to believe. As Paul and Brock are about to leave, they notice Reigns coming through the crowd. He picks up a chair from ringside and rushes at Lesnar, but Lesnar knocks him down.
Highlights:
Heyman calls himself “unquestionably the greatest orator in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment”
Reigns sends Lesnar through the post, and hits him several times with a steel chair
Lesnar smashes Reigns several times with steel steps and steel chair
Brock threatens officials with a chair when they try and stop his attack on Reigns
Lesnar gives Roman an F5 onto the steps before standing over his body on the stairs as he lay limp on the mat
Opinion:
Until now, I didn’t see the appeal from Lesnar’s side of this feud. I completely sided with Roman Reigns due to my personal disdain for Brock Lesnar and his part-timing schedule. I was thrilled when Reigns exposed him for it, and annoyed that because of the accusations, Lesnar actually decided to show up.
However, after a second brutal beating to Reigns from Lesnar, I am starting to like where this is going, but only on one condition—Roman beats Lesnar at WrestleMania. If Reigns suffers attacks week after week, it makes no sense for him to not fight back at WrestleMania and endure more pain to get the victory. Fans always complain that Reigns is always winning big matches, but it has become part of his character now to be the guy who endures beat downs and comes back for the win. In my opinion, it would be a travesty for Reigns to lose in possibly his biggest comeback story yet just for Lesnar to win because he always has to win.
source: WWE
Nia Jax vs. Mickie James
Winner: Nia Jax
Highlights:
Mickie comes out to Alexa Bliss’ music
Nia tosses Mickie across the ring like a toy
Mickie kicks Nia in the back of the head outside the ring and knocks her off her knees to the floor
Alexa talks down to Nia as she lays on the floor outside the ring
Nia delivers a samoan drop for the win
Alexa hits Nia in the back before quickly running away
Opinion:
Every time I see the clips of Alexa and Mickie trash talking Nia and Nia going on a rampage afterward, I get excited for this. Its obvious that Alexa is terrified of Nia, and only talks when she’s not around or when she’s at a disadvantage. I can’t wait for Nia to get her hands on Alexa at WrestleMania and rip her apart.
source: WWE
Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali vs. Drew Gulak and TJP
Winners: Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali
Highlights:
205 Live GM Drake Maverick is on commentary
Alexander flips against the rope and Mustafa Ali tags in, unbeknown to Cedric
Cedric delivers the Lumbar Check to TJP, but the referee won’t let him get the pin because he isn’t the legal man
Ali climbs to the top rope and delivers an 054 to TJP, getting a three count.
Opinion:
The match between Ali and Alexander, while seen before on 205 Live, is being built very well. With such a small percent of eyes on the cruiserweight division, it’s hard to get over with the audience, but anyone who’s watching 205 Live every week knows how great this matchup is going to be. It was good to see some cruiserweight action on Raw after a few weeks of the smaller stars being absent on Mondays.
source: WWE
MizTV
The Miz condemns the Miztourage, saying that they have been failing him in recent weeks before Seth Rollins interrupts him, offering to mediate the disagreement. Rollins suggests that Miz thanks the Miztourage, because without them, he wouldn’t be Intercontinental Champion.
As Miz rants, Bo interrupts him by calling him a “phony A-lister that can’t fight”. Miz and Seth ask him to repeat himself, and Finn Balor comes out. Balor says that Dallas called him a jerk and a coward, and Dallas corrects him by repeating what he said, immediately regretting it.
Miz shoves him away by his face, and he yells at Dallas, saying that he’s trying to fire them up. He reminds them that in 34 days, he will be the longest reigning and greatest Intercontinental Champion, better than Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels, and Mr. Perfect.
Being the son of Mr. Perfect, Curtis Axel is taken aback by this. Miz tries to backpedal, then tries to cancel MizTV. He tries to get out of the ring, but Bo and Curtis stand in his way. Miz is cornered when Dallas and Axel stand in front of him, and Rollins and Balor come up behind him. At once, the Miztourage rushes and attacks Rollins and Balor. Miz aims for the Skull Crushing Finale and is distracted by Gallows and Anderson.
Standing in the ring, Miz turns around and runs into a slingblade from Balor and a (curb)stomp from Rollins. Rollins and Balor come face to face as they hold the IC Championship, but Finn jumps and attacks Miz again before turning on Seth. He holds the belt high in the center of the ring.
Highlights:
Fans chant “welcome home” to Miz, and he responds by saying “I live in LA”
Miz tells Bo Dallas to “bo-lieve” himself back to catering
Finn and Seth grinning like children in the background while Miz, Dallas, and Axel argue
The Balor Club and the Miztourage fight up the ramp and toward the back
Rollins says, “you tried to play us, Mike?”
Finn picks up the IC title and holds it before Rollins takes it from him
Balor holds the title high as he stands above Rollins on the ground
Opinion:
This was probably the best MizTV segment ever, and I didn’t think I could get more excited for these guys. I was totally fooled into thinking that the Miztourage was turning on Miz, and at first, I was confused as to why this was happening now.
However, as the segment continued, I got more and more excited for this implosion. While I thought about what the Miztourage would do without their leader, they turned and attacked Balor and Rollins. These characters get more and more intriguing, and it was really cool to see possible turmoil between Miz and his goons, even if it was temporary or fake.
source: WWE
Asuka vs. Jamie Frost
Winner: Asuka
Highlights:
Jobber Jamie Frost says in a pre-match interview that Asuka isn’t ready for her
After slapping Asuka in the face, Frost suffers defeat via a kick in the face.
Opinion:
This was just a filler ahead of Asuka’s match with Charlotte at WrestleMania. I liked how the enhancement talent conducted a decent pre-match promo just to be defeated in less than a minute. It would have been cool to see Charlotte appear on Raw like how Asuka did Smackdown a few weeks ago.
source: YouTube
Sasha Banks attacks Bayley backstage
After weeks of slow build, Sasha tries to talk out issues with Bayley. They get into a brief argument, and Bayley tells Sasha that Sasha is just afraid she can’t beat her. Sasha attacks Bayley,
Highlights:
When Sasha tells Bayley she’s a four time Women’s Champion, Bayley says, “but how long did you keep it?”
Sasha jumps Bayley, laying into her against the lockers and on a table
The two women have to be separated by referees, but still get to each other and beat one another up
Opinion:
After both women declared that they would be in the battle royal at WrestleMania, I thought we wouldn’t see the eventual attack until after Mania. I’m kind of confused as to why they did this now, because I was hoping for this feud to culminate at WrestleMania, but the attack paid off to the point where it doesn’t matter anymore. Sasha’s attack on Bayley was vicious, and Bayley showed more character development than she has in months by fighting back against her best friend. I can’t wait to see where this goes.
source: WWE
Braun Strowman vs. Sheamus
Winner: Braun Strowman
Before the match, the Bar calls out Strowman, ordering that he tells them who his partner is at WrestleMania. Braun responds, saying that he would let him know if Sheamus could beat him.
Highlights:
Strowman blasts Sheamus out of the ring and into the barricade
Cesaro backs away from Braun ringside and sits on top of the corner of the barricade
Braun wins the match with a power slam
Opinion:
Braun's partner is still yet to be revealed, and in my opinion, there are two options: he has one partner in Elias, or he has two partners--these hands. That is all.
source: WWE
Ronda Rousey gets rowdy
Earlier on in the night, a video package showing the dominance of both Stephanie and Triple H. It is boasted that they didn’t have this handed to them, that they train incredibly hard and that Ronda doesn’t belong. Steph and Triple H look dominant as the “first couple” of WWE in this video.
Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey both come out to the ring, and Angle tells Rousey that he thinks she’s ready. Ronda says she’s ready tp earn her opportunities, and she doesn’t think Stephanie is as tough as her.
The Olympians are interrupted by Absolution. Paige welcomes Ronda to Raw, but says that the ring and the show belong to them. Paige offers to be in Rousey’s corner, but Rousey says that she is fine with having Kurt behind her.
Paige tells Ronda that she could become the fourth member of Absolution, to which Ronda turns the offer down. Paige tells her that she just made some enemies, and allows Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose to enter the ring. Ronda floors Sonya, and Mandy cowers in the corner. She keeps a cold and serious expression on her face as she grabs Mandy’s arm, and Kurt Angle convinces her to break the armbar and spare her.
Highlights:
The Performance Center looks amazing in the video package
Stephanie says that Ronda should be intimidated by her
Rousey calls Stephanie “trust fund tough”, “limousine tough”, and “personal trainer tough”
Paige and Ronda Rousey stand face to face in the ring (how cool would this match be?)
Paige calls teaming with Kurt Angle “career suicide”
Mandy Rose goes for Ronda, but is stopped by Angle
Rousey picks up Mandy and throws her into Sonya
Rose screams and cries in an armbar by Rousey
Opinion:
I really like the idea of Ronda Rousey in interactions with other women on the Raw roster before WrestleMania. By laying out and intimidating the other women, she is able to be taken more seriously. It didn’t hurt Absolution, because they’ve dominated the women’s division and won most of their matches since they were formed and made their debut. Allowing Ronda to meet other women face to face also gives her an opportunity to show fans bits and pieces of what she’s learned before Mania.
source: WWE
Miztourage vs. Balor Club
Winners: Gallows and Anderson
Highlights:
Luke Gallows kicks Curtis Axel in the head, following it with a pump handle and a big splash
Gallows and Karl Anderson double team Axel
Anderson and Gallows delivers a Magic Killer for the victory
Opinon:
It is probable that these guys will be in the Andre battle royal, and the match likely took place in result to both men’s involvement in MizTV earlier. Even as a filler, it was good to see these 4 guys getting extra TV time.
source: WWE
Elias vs. Rhyno
Winner: Elias
Before the match, Elias comes out to sing for the crowd. He says he’s embarrassed to be in Cleveland, and goes on to sing his song.
Highlights:
Elias tells fans he sold out MSG last week, and coming to Cleveland was a huge disappointment
Corey Graves says that WWE stands for “we want earplugs”
Elias delivers the Drift Away for the 3-count
Elias attacks Heath Slater after the match when Slater tends to his partner, giving him a Drift Away as well
Opinion:
Elias seems to be in limbo right now. He hasn’t been announced for anything at WrestleMania, and in my opinion, he would be best suited as either Braun’s tag team partner or the winner of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. It’s possible that WWE doesn’t even know that they want to do with him yet either, and are building him to look good for either one of those matches. As per usual, his concert and match were both very good.
source: WWE
John Cena vs. Kane
No Disqualification Match
Winner: John Cena
Highlights:
Cena picks up Kane for an AA but falls under his weight
Kane sends John into the steps
Cena picks up a metal barricade and runs it into Kane’s arm
Kane suplexes Cena into the barricade, angled up against the announce platform
John runs Kane into an upright set of steel steps
Cena sits up like the Undertaker, revitalized with energy
John mocks the Undertaker with a chokeslam
Kane angles a table against the corner and sends Cena through it
Cena counters a chokeslam with an AA to Kane through the table, earning him the victory
An astounded Cena asks for the Undertaker yet again, saying silence is not an answer
Opinion:
This match was entertaining, and proves that Kane can still go after so many years. The build to this match is not like anything we have ever seen before. The suspense is insane, and it’s safe to say that no one wants to assume anything about the Undertaker’s possible appearance at WrestleMania.
Cena‘s promos have been great in the meantime, and he’s very convincingly frustrated about the lack of response from the Dead Man. I think it’s a great idea to draw this out as long as possible—it could even come to 8 PM next Sunday night.
Smackdown Live: 3/28/18
source: WWE
Bobby Roode and Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal and Rusev
Winners: Rusev and Jinder Mahal
Highlights:
Jinder says Sunil Singh will unleash “the wrath of the noble tiger”
Singh takes his arm out of the sling to try and save Mahal and Orton sends him into the barricade
Roode drops Mahal with a clothesline from the top rope
Randy Orton tags himself in and he and Roode argue in the ring, allowing Rusev to get a tag
Mahal sends Roode into Orton, distracting him
Orton gives Roode an RKO
Rusev delivers a Matchka kick to Orton for the win
After the match, Mahal offers for Rusev to attend WrestleMania as his guest, but Rusev tells him he is going to talk to Daniel Bryan and try to get into the US Championship match at WrestleMania
Opinion:
This match is starting to get more interesting. When it started, it looked the exact same as Raw’s Intercontinental match—they all dislike each other, but it’s often a two-on-one. When Orton turned on his own partner, we saw more heel-ish tactics from the Viper, but it also got away from the theme of Orton and Roode vs. Mahal.
Adding Rusev into this match is a great idea, not only to differentiate from the Raw match, but to make WrestleMania Rusev day as well! We were all trying to figure out Rusev’s place in the WrestleMania card, and I was hoping that he wouldn’t have to participate in the Andre battle royal. If he gets added to this match, fans will definitely care about it more.
source: WWE
Ruby Riott vs. Becky Lynch
Winner: Becky Lynch
Highlights:
Riott sweeps Lynch’s legs off the apron
Becky hammers into Ruby with punches
Lynch sends Liv Morgan off the apron into Sarah Logan
Becky gets a roll-up pin for the 3 count
Riott Squad attacks Lynch after the match, but Becky counters them all and ends on top
Opinion:
I’m glad that Becky got the win, and it makes her look even better that she could outlast all 3 members in the attack at the end. I hope she wins the battle royal, and I think she might. The Riott Squad looks a little bit weaker, but I don’t think it’s a big deal since their next match is also the battle royal.
source: WWE
Daniel Bryan gives Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn one more opportunity
Bryan comes out, saying that while, Smackdown is the land of opportunity, and he’s giving KO and Sami one more. He proposes that they take on him and Shane McMahon at WrestleMania. If Daniel and Shane win, Zayn and Owens remain fired, and if Zayn and Owens
Bryan says that he gives Sami and Kevin opportunities because he knows their talent and has been friends with them for fifteen years, and it’s also his job to give opportunities. Bryan says that part of his job to wear blazers, go to meetings, and do paperwork, and he’s sick of it.
Daniel Bryan says that after 3 years of work, KO and Sami tried to take his chance to wrestle away, and he was done with it. He says that he’s going to kick Sami and Kevin’s ass.
Opinion:
I’m glad its finalized that Bryan will make his return at WrestleMania. This version of Bryan is fired up and intense, and fans are anxiously waiting now more than ever to see him compete. With Shane McMahon being hospitalized with diverticulitis, I was nervous that he wouldn’t make it to Mania, but it looks like the outlook is good, and it’s always good that he’s healthy,
source: WWE
New Day vs. Bludgeon Brothers
Winners: N/A (DQ)
Highlights:
New Day calls the Bludgeon Brothers trash
Rowan grabs the mallet, and Jimmy and Jey Uso come out and attack him, causing a DQ
New Day argues with the Usos because they interrupted their match
Harper and Rowan clear the ring after coming in with their mallets
It was announced that there would be a Tag Team Championship triple threat match at WrestleMania
Opinion: While the tag title scene is confusing, it’s good. We could’ve seen the Bludgeon Brothers greatest competition yet in their match with the New Day, but they cut it off soon after it started, which, in my opinion, is good because it saves that match for a bigger time. I didn’t know where this was going ahead of WrestleMania (much like several other unconfirmed matches), but at least I liked what I’m seeing.
source: WWE
Tyler Breeze vs. Dolph Ziggler
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
Highlights:
Breezango fanning the Andre trophy and taking selfies with it before the match
Ziggler does a lap around the ring and Breeze chases him
Fandango runs around the ring over and over, causing Breeze to be distracted and almost lose via a roll-up pin
Ziggler hits a Zig Zag for the win
Dolph Ziggler superkicks a panting Fandango at ringside
Opinion:
I am so glad Breezango was on TV this week. Becoming the kings of the dark match, the Fashion Police haven’t been on the show in weeks, and they have so much talent that it was hard for me to deal with (I may be a little biased because of my love for Breeze and Fandango, but still).
One more thing—let’s get rid of the record scratch in Ziggler’s theme song!! Please!!
source: WWE
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Shelton Benjamin
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
Highlights:
Benjamin escapes a triangle submission and puts Nakamura in a half-grab submission
Nakamura delivers a Kinshasa for the victory
Shinsuke thanks AJ for being in his corner, but he just wanted to show him how he will defeat him at Mania
AJ fires back, but Shinsuke tells him that he’s “too emotional”
Gable and Benjamin attack Styles, but Nakamura saves him
Nakamura goes for a Kinshasa, but stops himself, pointing at his knee and tapping AJ’s head while slowly saying “knee to face”
Opinion:
AJ and Shinsuke’s rivalry is great, because they don’t actually hate each other. I love the idea that Shinsuke wants to save AJ all the time, but only because he wants AJ to be able to compete at WrestleMania and lose to him. WWE is doing a really good job at capitalizing on Nakamura’s unique in ring and microphone style, and his “mind games” look great.
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