It’s the RAW following Money in the Bank. John Cena is once again the WWE Champion. And Triple H is advertising a former WWE Champion to appear tonight. While everyone is hoping for Brock Lesnar or CM Punk, we will surely all be disappointed when it ends up being The Miz.
More Kane In Main Events!
RAW started with The Authority. Steph said it was a great home coming and they felt privileged to be out there celebrating Money in the Bank. Steph ran down the happenings of Money in the Bank. HHH then talked about Cena becoming a 15 time Champion and welcomed him to the ring. Cena said when Daniel Bryan comes back he will give him the opportunity to regain the Title that he never actually lost. Steph then randomly asked how many people were gamers and said Cena would be on the cover of WWE2K15. Cena said Steph and HHH are being way too nice. He then showed HHH and Steph’s reactions from Cena winning last night. Steph said that was a reaction to Randy Orton’s injury. HHH told Cena to chill homie and to be steppin it back a bit. HHH said he didn’t mind Cena being Champion as long as he did it with some respect. He said things can be done the easy way or the hard way. Cena said he will be doing things the hard way. HHH said that’s good, because at Battleground John Cena will be defending the WWE Title in a Fatal 4 Way Match. HHH said two of the guys in it he will face tonight: Randy Orton and Kane. And his partner will be the fourth man in the match at Battleground, Roman Reigns. Cena then referenced crap a bunch of different ways then left. HHH said that if Cena survives Battleground, there is always a Plan B. And out came Seth Rollins to the ring.
What Is This? Guys Selling A Match From The Night Before???
It’s RVD vs Seth Rollins. RVD took down Rollins and he sold some back pain from last night. Both men exchanged punches and kicks and Rollins was shoved down again. RVD connected on an enziguri kick and some punches in the corner. RVD hit a spinning heel kick and then a standing moonsault on the back of Rollins. Rollins caught RVD in the corner but RVD countered into a gut wrench. Rollins got to the ropes and escaped. Rollins went to the outside. RVD followed but Rollins clotheslined him.
RVD tried fighting back from break but Rollins countered into a half crab. RVD got to the ropes. RVD hit Rolling Thunder on the back of Rollins. RVD hit a backbreaker then a split leg moonsault on the back of Rollins for two. RVD went for a kick but Rollins caught him and hit a rough leg sweep. Rollins went for his corner powerbomb but RVD countered with a hurricarrana. RVD went for the Five Star Frog Splash but Rollins rolled to the outside. RVD then hit a crossbody to the outside. Back in the ring, RVD went for a kick through the ropes. But Rollins caught him and hit another leg sweep sending RVD into the ropes. Rollins then hit the Curb Stomp for the win.
WINNER: Seth Rollins
Renee Young interviewed Seth Rollins. He said to introduce him as Mr. Money in the Bank “toots.” He said MITB was his golden ticket. Dean Ambrose appeared on screen. Ambrose said Rollins didn’t win because his Plan A failed and he needed a Plan B. Ambrose said this might be more fun. He said anytime Rollins tries to cash in his contract, he will be there. Ambrose said his briefcase might as well be filled with TNT, because it is going to explode in his face.
Lets Go Swagger Chant? I’ve Heard It All Now
Lana came out and made fun of America for telling our children its all about participation and not about being the best. Lana asked who would be America’s next failure to challenge Rusev. Out came Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger. Zeb said he was sick of Lana coming out here every week and told Lana to shut up. He said because of freedom of speech they can each say whatever they wanted to say. Zeb said they couldn’t go to Russia and say what they wanted but they have taken advantage of their freedoms. Zeb said she did say something that peaked their interest: nothing could stop Rusev Crush. Zeb said he thinks a Real American could stop him. He then lead a loud “We the People” chant. Rusev let Lana leave the ring and charged at Swagger. Swagger hit a couple of armdrags and Rusev left the ring. A loud “LETS GO SWAGGER” chant broke out.
This Is All Uso Crazy!
It’s the Wyatt Family vs Sheamus and The Usos. Erik Rowan was taken out by two Uso kicks then sent over the top. Back from break Rowan had Jimmy Uso in a chin lock. Bray came in and hit a splash in the corner. He quickly tagged in Harper, but he ate an elbow and boot in the corner, followed by a corkscrew dive off the top. Jimmy made the hot tag to Sheamus as Rowan came in as well. Sheamus hit the high running knee and hit his rope punches. Sheamus went to the top and hit a battering ram off the top onto Harper and Rowan. Sheamus hit a powerslam on Rowan in the ring. But Bray distracted Sheamus and Rowan knocked him to the outside. Harper then came over and hit a boot.
Back in the ring Bray came in and hit his back splash. The Wyatts started to work over Sheamus, including Bray knocking Sheamus hard to the outside. Harper and Sheamus brawled on the outside and Harper hit a superkick in the ring for two. Sheamus then caught Harper with an Irish Curse backbreaker. Jey Uso got the hot tag and hit a dive over the top onto Harper. Jey then hit a hard superkick but Rowan broke up the pin. Sheamus caught Rowan with a Brogue Kick and then Jimmy hit a dive to the outside. Bray hit a chokeslam on Sheamus. Jey went for a kick on Bray but Bray stopped himself in the ropes. This allowed Harper to hit his finishing clothesline for the win.
Nikki Bella was interviewed. Steph came in and said she and Nikki had match against the Funkadactyls next. But since Brie isn’t around anymore, it’s now a handicap match.
WINNERS: The Wyatt Family
Bo Dallas asked the crowd to join him in 60 seconds of silence for Bad News Barrett and Daniel Bryan. After a full minute, Bo said he was the bigger man last night with Daniel Bryan. They replayed everything. Bo said to don’t stop bo-lieving.
The Funkadactyls made quick work of Nikki Bella. Cameron was upset Naomi tagged herself in and they argued after the match.
It was announced Bad News Barrett will be out “a couple of months” and there will be a battle royal to determine the new Intercontinental Champion at Battleground. Paul Heyman came out and said Cesaro is the favorite to win the Battle Royal.
And Now The WWE Is Monday Nitro
It’s Cesaro vs Kofi Kingston. Kofi caught Cesaro with a kick to the face then a springboard crossbody for two. Kofi then sent Cesaro to the outside and hit a Swanton over the top to the outside. Cesaro caught Kofi with an upper cut mid-air. Cesaro gained the upper hand. Cesaro teased doing the swing but he didn’t do it. Cesaro hit an upper cut to the back of Kofi into commercial. Back from break, Kofi had apparently beaten Cesaro during the commercial. After the match Cesaro beatdown Kofi. He tossed him into the announce table then press slammed him over the barricade. Cesaro rammed Kofi into the post a couple of times then hit a nasty clothesline on the outside.
Adam Rose and Santino did a plug for Twisted Tea.
Damien Sandow came out dressed as Vince McMahon. He talked about how he has found great talent, including Damien Sandow. He said he is putting Damien Sandow in the Battleground Battle Royal, and if you don’t agree with that you’re fired. Steph said how dare he make fun of her father and made a match against The Great Khali. Khali won with one chop.
Oh Well This Should Be Interesting…
Miz made his return to TV. Miz asked if we missed him. Miz said he could have become the biggest movie star of all time. But he came back for all of us. He said we are all wrong for not appreciating him. He’s the A-lister and he won’t leave the WWE until he main events Wrestlemania again.
Pyro then went off and Chris Jericho came out. Miz asked if he had something to say. Miz asked if he was just back for three weeks. Miz asked if he had any idea how important he was. Jericho then hit the Codebreaker on Miz. Jericho said that felt good. He was about to talk when The Wyatts appeared and attacked Jericho. It ended with Bray hitting the Sister Abigail.
Dolph Ziggler beat Fandango. Summer Rae came in to the ring and made out with Ziggler. Fandango became upset, allowing Ziggler to hit the ZigZag for the win.
Stardust and Goldust beat Rybaxel. Pretty much same match from Money in the Bank.
Well Well Well, Look Who Isn’t Pregnant
Paige came out. She said normally she lets her actions speak for her. She said she knows there are a few people out there who thought she couldn’t be Champion. She said in the past three months she has proven she belongs and is here to stay. Suddenly, AJ came out. AJ said Paige was right: Paige proved her wrong. AJ said she let success get to her head, and despite being the longest reigning Divas Champion of all time, Paige gave her the slap she needed. AJ said congratulations. Paige asked how stupid she thinks she is. Paige said she isn’t falling for it and said no one wants to see her defend her Title tonight. AJ said they should let the fans decide. They cheered. Eventually Paige agreed.
Paige started the match with a kick and some headbutts. AJ caught Paige with a kick but Paige came right back with a clothesline. AJ then caught Paige with a roll up and won the Divas Title.
WINNER: AJ
Was Anyone Else Nervous When HHH Had The Briefcase In His Hands?
Main Event time. Orton started with a headlock and shoulder tackle to Cena. Orton connected on a hip toss. Cena tagged in Reigns, which caused Orton to tag Kane. They exchanged punches before Reigns tossed Kane over the top. Back from break the heels were working over Reigns. Reigns tried starting a comeback. He went for his apron dropkick but Kane stopped him. Reigns ran Kane into the barricade but Orton took him out with a clothesline. Kane worked over Reigns again in the ring but Reigns bounced back with a clothesline. The heels regained control before Reigns fought out of a Kane chokeslam and hit a Samoan Drop. Cena got the hot tag and went into CENA MODE. Orton escaped the AA and tagged Kane but he ate the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Orton came back in and hit the RKO. Reigns came in and took out Orton then hit a Superman Punch on Kane. Orton and Reigns brawled to the back.
Cena and Kane brawled on the outside. Kane tossed Cena into the steps then rammed the steps into Cena’s head. The ref called for the bell. Kane hit a Tombstone in the ring. HHH checked on Cena then signaled to the back. Seth Rollins came out to cash in. The refs delayed to check on Cena. Dean Ambrose came out and attacked Seth Rollins and they brawled through the crowd and to the back. Kane grabbed a chair and came into the ring. But Roman Reigns reappeared and speared Kane. Reigns and HHH stared each other down before HHH left.
WHAT I LIKED
Main Event: The wrestling was okay in the main event, but the post match stuff made it seem like a lot of good was going on. You had the Rollins tease cash in, followed by a pretty loud Ambrose pop to stop it. Then you had the tease of Roman Reigns/HHH that got a good reaction from the audience. It was a fun last five minutes of TV.
Seth Rollins vs Rob Van Dam: I liked this match for a couple of reasons. One is that it was once again a good TV match between these two. The second reason I liked it is because these guys actually sold their injuries from the night before. RVD also worked over the back of Rollins and Rollins went after the injured leg of RVD. It’s things like that which make a match much more believable.
Sheamus/Usos vs The Wyatt Family: And we all thought that we would be missing out on good six man tag matches with The Shield breaking up. It looks like The Wyatts are taking the spot of that. Another good match here. Which you should expect given the competitors involved.
Jack Swagger/Rusev Segment: People can crap on Rusev all you want. I’m not going to stop you. But his gimmick is over. And that is evident with the reaction Jack Swagger got during that segment. Sure people do the “We the People” stuff. But Swagger actually got a “LET’S GO SWAGGER” chant tonight. I thought Swagger should have turned face after Wrestlemania 27. I’ll be interested to see how this works out for him. But it’s off to a good start.
Chris Jericho’s Return: They did a good job of making us believe Miz was the actual surprise. Kind of funny how they just pushed Miz off to the side during the segment. I think a Jericho/Wyatt feud will be pretty good. I would assume Jericho will be used to work with younger talent, only he will do a lot better job than RVD and he will get actual storylines. Imagine Jericho/Cesaro, Jericho/Rollins and Jericho/Harper. Hopefully he sticks around past SummerSlam. ta few good long ones.
AJ’s Return: That was definitely a double turn that took place. And I really wasn’t expecting that. Paige was kind of losing steam as Champ but it has as much to do with her competition. Paige’s character kind of fits better as a heel, but so does AJ’s. So it will be kind of weird. But hopefully we get a couple of good Paige/AJ matches out of this.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Cesaro/Kofi: First of all, the match ended during the commercial break. I don’t care how much you want to hype the WWE App, that isn’t cool. Second, the match just seemed bleh and the post match beatdown just seemed out of place. I don’t know. Maybe it was just me but the segment seemed off.
Bo Dallas Segment: I really didn’t get the point of the Bo Dallas segment last night. People cheer him. And even if it was from Daniel Bryan, I don’t think the bo-ner chant would have caught on. And tonight’s segment was just weird. It really did nothing for the Bo Dallas character tonight.
That was a really good episode of RAW. There was good wrestling, a couple of surprise returns, and a solid final five minutes of TV. John Cena may be WWE Champ but everything else about RAW was fun. There were some interesting feuds set up and of course, the build continues to HHH/Reigns and Ambrose/Rollins. I’m giving RAW an 8.
Until Next Time,
Justin C
Follow Me On Twitter @JCWonka
