WWE RAW 1/14/19 Results and Review

At the start of RAW, we saw a limousine. The door of the limo opened, and Vince McMahon got out. We saw him walking backstage and then went to the live crowd who got greeted by Braun Stroman. Stroman says that he knows that Lesnar is afraid of him. Lesnar can no longer be saved by Baron Corbin because he doesn’t run RAW anymore. He says that at the Royal Rumble, Lesnar will “get these hands.” Corbin then came out and says he is focusing on winning the Rumble so that he will be “somewhere you (Braun) will never be, the main event of Wrestlemania.” This seemingly hit a nerve for Stroman, as he chased Corbin backstage. Once he went backstage he couldn’t find Corbin. Stroman glanced at the same limo that Vince McMahon was near. Elias was playing his guitar backstage and said told Stroman that Corbin was in the limo. Stroman went to absolutely vandalize the limo, ripping out a door. Corbin was in fact in the limo but got away as Stroman was caught by Vince McMahon. Vince was in absolute disgust of what happened as we went to the break.


After the break, we saw Stroman try to put back together the car door that he took apart. Vince was nice enough to wait until after the commercial break to shout at Stroman. He says that the repairs will cost Stroman 100,000 dollars. Wow, pretty solid estimation on the fly from Vince. After Stroman complained, Vince also called off Stroman’s Royal Rumble match. This enraged Stroman even more, making him flip the limousine. You’d think that at this point Stroman would learn that his temper is detrimental to his career, but I guess not.

It felt like an unusual way to end it, but whatever. There was some great camerawork for this opening segment, which felt out of the ordinary for the program. Once Stroman stormed away from the limo, the camera turned to a corner where Elias was hidden away with his guitar. It seemed odd that Stroman would get this offended over Corbin thinking that he will main event Wrestlemania.

Ronda Rousey & Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax & Tamina

The first match of the evening was Ronda Rousey and Sasha Banks fighting the duo of Nia Jax and Tamina. Before the match began we saw Braun Stroman being escorted out of the building by security. When Rousey first got tagged into the match the crowd cheered. Tamina fell into an Armbar but escaped it because Nia Jax dragged her out of the ring. The finish came after 10 minutes of the match, with Sasha Banks giving Tamina the Banks Statement after Tamina ran into Nia. After the match Ronda complimented Banks, saying that it would be an accomplishment to defeat Banks at the Rumble. While Ronda wasn’t being rude, Banks took offence to this, saying that she will teach Rousey how to lose with class. Both of them had a good exchange, although it made Ronda seem very passive.

Backstage we saw a line outside Vince McMahon’s office. Jerry Lawler left the room before we went to the break. After the break, we saw Bayley and Natalya breaking up another argument between Banks and Ronda. After they got split up, Bayley and Natalya themselves got in an argument. The Riott Squad then came in to make fun of the two. They offer the two to a six-man match if they can find a third member for their team. Natalya accepts the challenge before consulting Bayley, who seemed reluctant.

Kalisto & Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado (Lucha House Party) vs. Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder (The Revival)

Because of The Revival’s unfortunate loss last week due to the ref not seeing a foot on the rope, they are taking out their anger on the Lucha House Party. They didn’t lose to the Lucha House Party, but they were ringside as Lumberjacks for the match, so that makes them guilty in The Revival’s eyes. During the match, we headed backstage where Dasha Fuentes was reporting from outside Vince McMahon’s office. Apollo Crews, Curt Hawkins, EC3, The B-Team, Health Slater & Rhyno were outside the office in hopes of a match. EC3 didn’t say anything and just smiled when on camera. The wrestling was okay, but the whole point of this match relied on the finish, where Gran Metalik’s foot was taken off of the rope during a pinfall. After the match, we went back to the office where Vince McMahon said he will announce Brock’s new opponent.

Vince McMahon Makes An Announcement

Vince McMahon came out to make his announcement. Before he could finish a sentence, John Cena came out. Cena gives his pitch and says he is stepping up for the match. After he gave his speech, Drew McIntyre came out. And then came out Baron Corbin, and then Finn Balor. The first person that Vince turned down was Finn Balor. Balor says that Vince never believed in him. To change Vince’s mind, he starts a brawl. McIntyre comes out above everyone in the brawl, giving Cena a Claymore Kick. After this, Vince books a fatal-four-way match.

Backstage after the break, Jinder Mahal approached Vince McMahon backstage. Jinder doesn’t understand why he didn’t get considered for the match. Because of this, Vince gives him an odd stipulation where he can choose anyone from the fatal-four-way, and if he beats them, he gets their Rumble spot. Can we just have a show where everyone only fights once? Why does somebody have to appear twice? We saw this last week and will see it this week now as well.

Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan & Ruby Riott (Riott Squad) vs. Natalya, Bayley & Nikki Cross

For the previously announced 6-woman tag match, Natalya and Bayley got Nikki Cross as their partner. Michael Cole explained before the match that Cross will, like the other debuting talent, appear on both RAW and Smackdown before landing a home. As the match started, Nikki was acting crazy, doing the Ultimate Warrior rope shake at one point. Cross did a spot that I’ve always liked, where someone puts their opponent in-between the ring and the apron and then beat her. Bayley got the finish with an Elbow off the top rope to end the match. Lacey Evans was seen chatting backstage before the break.

Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh vs. Finn Balor

Jinder Mahal got his wish, facing Finn Balor in the next match. Before the match, we saw Dean Ambrose backstage. He cut a promo on his Intercontinental Championship match which is later on. As Balor was making his entrance, he got jumped by Mahal. Balor did a dive to Mahal and Sunil Singh and then brought Mahal back into the ring for a Coup de Grace to end the match. What a busy few days it’s been for Balor, as he was just fighting on the NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool show this weekend.

Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush, Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose (Intercontinental Championship Match)

Before the match, we saw an interview with Seth Rollins. Rollins says that this might be his last chance at an IC title shot. He referenced Roman Reigns and his leukemia announcement, which feels very exploitive since it’s been months now. Early on in this match Lashley and Ambrose formed an alliance. After Rollins did a Suicide Dive to Ambrose and Lashley, Lio Rush got involved in the match. Rush got chased around by Rollins, making him get hit with a Spinebuster by Lashley. Ambrose got a Belly-to-Belly Suplex right after. After the break, Rollins was closing in on a victory. He pinned Ambrose but then got his pinfall broken up by Lio Rush. Since it’s a triple threat match, it was totally allowed. Rollins hit a Frogsplash on Lashley, and then Ambrose got rid of Rollins so he could pin Lashley. Rollins got hit with a Doomsday Device from both Lashley and Ambrose. Rollins, I think, was supposed to land on his feet but didn’t. He went off the ropes but fell out of the ring because of Lio Rush pulling down a rope. Lashley gave Ambrose a Spear to become the new champion.

While Ambrose and Rollins are in the middle of a rivalry, I think it’s a good time to give Lashley a push. Lio Rush is a big part of the Lashley gimmick right now, and he’s doing an amazing job. Rollins and Ambrose can survive as a rivalry without the need for a championship incentive. Backstage we see an employee giving Alexa Bliss a latte. Since she didn’t answer her door, he walked in uninvited and accidentally walks in on her changing. And that was it, that was the segment. Not sure why that was there.

“A Moment of Bliss” With Paul Heyman

Alexa Bliss hosted her second episode of “A Moment of Bliss” next. Before her interview with Paul Heyman, she unveiled the new Women’s Tag Team Championships. During the interview, Otis Dozovic from Heavy Machinery crashed the interview. He was brought backstage by his apologetic tag partner and other employees. This interview felt somewhat short, just like the first Alexa Bliss talk show episode.

Finn Balor vs. Baron Corbin vs. Drew McIntyre vs. John Cena

The main event of the evening is the fatal-four-way to decide Brock Lesnar’s new Royal Rumble opponent. In the storyline, Balor came in at a disadvantage because he already fought tonight. Cena hit an AA late into this match onto McIntyre, but Corbin broke up the pinfall. Cena did another AA later into the match onto Balor, this time off the second rope. Corbin started to use a steel chair. McIntrye gave Cena a Claymore kick, and then Balor came in to take out McIntrye. Balor gave Cena a Coup de Grace to win the match. Balor will face Lesnar at the Rumble. After the match, Cena said he believes Balor. Balor felt like the favourite for this match since he was considered the underdog by Vince McMahon, and because he had already fought a match. This was a good match to end the show with.

In general, this wasn’t a bad episode of RAW. Lashley winning the championship was a nice surprise, and we got some enjoyable matches on top of that. This episode tops last week’s by a longshot.

WWE RAW 1/7/19 Results and Review

Monday Night RAW started with a brawl backstage between Bobby Lashley and Seth Rollins. The brawl made its way onto the stage, along with the many people who were trying to separate it. After a little while, the fight got finally broken up. What was interesting about this segment was how there was no commentary the whole time. The commentary came in once John Cena came to the ring. Cena mentions that at Wrestlemania you either step up or get left out. He says he will step up because he doesn’t want to risk being left out, like last year. He then announces that he is officially entering himself into the Royal Rumble.

Drew McIntyre came out next and said that he is known for taking out legends. Cena didn’t believe him, so McIntyre said he would come in and show him. Before anything went down, Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush came out and said that this show is cancelled until Seth Rollins is handled. Rollins came from the back and the brawl continued. Seth Rollins and Cena joined the right. Balor did a run-in on McIntyre. We went to commercial break after this.

John Cena, Finn Balor & Seth Rollins vs. Bobby Lashley, Dean Ambrose & Drew McIntyre

As you could probably expect, this segment got turned into a 6-man tag match. Sort of cop-out to book 6-mans like this so often. Cena got a hot tag, against Ambrose, and was in there with him for a long time. Balor finally got a hot tag later on against Ambrose. He hit a Coup de Grace, but McIntyre came in with a Claymore Kick to stop Balor’s streak. Both Rollins and McIntyre got tagged in. Rollins did a Moonsault off the apron onto Lashley and Ambrose, and a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Rollins found himself in a bad position, but Cena came in to help, giving McIntyre an Attitude Adjustment. Lashley came in a Speared Cena, but Rollins Superkicked him. Rollins brought McIntyre back in the ring. He tried for a Frogsplash but McIntyre dodged. Ambrose got tagged in and tried for a Dirty Deeds but got hit with a Curbstomp by Rollins for the victory.

While this match went too long, it was some pretty good wrestling for the final few minutes. The crowd really seemed to get behind the babyface team at the end. I thought it was sort of lame how we had a decent match in McIntyre versus Cena that got pushed out of the way since they wanted to shove all these dudes in one segment. After the match, Rollins sees Triple H backstage talking to Sasha Banks and Bayley. This annoyed him because he wanted HHH to be watching. He went to HHH backstage and asked for a IC title match against Ambrose tonight. HHH books the match, in a Falls Count Anywhere match.

Gene Okerlund Tribute

At the start of the show, we had a tribute photo of “Mean” Gene Okerlund but got a proper tribute here. The segment started with a 10 bell salute for Okerlund. After that, Hulk Hogan came out. He introduced a video package that played. Hogan got emotional while speaking after the video played. For the last time, he cut a promo to Gene.

Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder (The Revival) vs. Bobby Roode & Chad Gable (Lumberjack Match) (RAW Tag Team Championship Match)

The second match on the show was The Revival versus Roode and Gable for the RAW tag titles. The crowd was dead silent during this match, and it felt really weird. There was a nice spot where Gable did a German Suplex into a pin, which was broken up by Dash Wilder who was coming off the top rope with a Frogsplash. The finish was a roll-up from Dawson being reversed into a pin by Chad Gable with the help of Roode. During the pin, Dawson had his foot on the rope but the ref did not see. The match ended in controversy. Renee Young referred to Ambrose as the “moral compass of RAW.” What does that even mean?

After a commercial break, we saw a video package for Lars Sullivan, Lacey Evans, Heavy Machinery, Nikki Cross & EC3. I don’t understand the idea of showing back to back video packages for five different acts. How is one of them, better yet any more than that, leaving a lasting memory for a fan?

Elias vs. Baron Corbin

Elias said before his match that he will win the Royal Rumble. Before he played a song for the crowd Baron Corbin came out, asking him to stop. After a little more of an exchange of words, these two started their scheduled bout. Elias did a dive off the top rope to the outside as the show went to commercials. Elias went to the top rope and tried for a move but Corbin dodged it. Corbin pushed Elias into the ref, and then gave him a punch when he turned around. He sent Elias into a corner-post and then hit an End of Days for the win.

Braun Stroman & Brock Lesnar Face-To-Face

The next segment was Braun Stroman face-to-face with Brock Lesnar. Stroman came out and saw Lesnar and Paul Heyman on the screen. Heyman says that Lesnar isn’t coming to the ring because if he did, he would hurt Stroman before their face off. Stroman tried to anger Lesnar to get him to the ring, but nothing worked. Eventually, Stroman said something that got Lesnar out there. Lesnar never came down to the ring, and that was really the segment.

Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox w/ The Singh Brothers vs. Apollo Crews & Ember Moon

Before the next match, Jinder Mahal was insulting fans in the crowd. The match was quick, with Crews doing a dive to the outside, and Moon doing an Eclipse to Alicia Fox for the win.

“A Moment of Bliss” with Alexa Bliss

Alexa Bliss debuted her new talk show “A Moment of Bliss” in the next segment. The talk show took place on the stage, instead of most shows, which take place inside the ring. Alexa’s guest for the first episode was Ronda Rousey. During the segment, Nia Jax and Sasha Banks also came out. Banks challenges Ronda to a match. Nia tells her to get in line for a shot, so Banks comes to the ring and challenged her to a match.

Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax

Despite Nia not seeming interested before the break, we came back and a match was made. This match had tons of crazy parts. There was a point where Banks tried for a Hurricanrana on the apron but instead just got thrown flat on the ground. Looked rough. Back in the ring, Sasha tried for a Banks Statement out of nowhere. Did she get hurt? Cause it felt like they just cut right to the end out of nowhere.

Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose (Intercontinental Championship Match) (Falls Count Anywhere Match)

The main event of the show is Rollins versus Ambrose for the IC belt in a falls count anywhere match. From the start, Rollins was chasing Dean around the arena. The fight quickly went backstage. After a commercial break, the fight was on a staircase in the crowd. During the break, Rollins slammed Ambrose through the commentary table. Around the ring, Ambrose peeled off some of the mat outside the ring. A Dirty Deeds on the floor got reversed into a Back Bodydrop by Rollins. Back in the ring, Rollins did a Superplex into a Bucklebomb, and a Superkick. He then hit a Curbstomp, but when he went for the pin Bobby Lashley appeared to drag Seth out of the ring. He then beat up Seth, delivering a Spear, and then let Ambrose pin for the victory. The crowd seemed absolutely deflated after this.