Monday’s WWE Raw veered away from tradition, blurring the line between babyface and heel.
Early in his match against Jason Jordan, Roman Reigns’ arrogance wafted off him. He went from smirking to shaking hands by the end of the bout, though.
Goldust took on Bray Wyatt in a heel-versus-heel matchup.
The Miz and Maryse announced they were having a baby, making it hard to root against the villains.As for Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar, those two beasts aren’t heels and babyfaces but instead monstrous beings that exist beyond the normal boundaries for WWE characters.
This isn’t a sustainable approach, but it worked here. Never mind that Monday Night Football likely pulled viewers away, Raw thrived at several points.
At the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, John Cena and Reigns tore at each other verbally once more. Strowman looked like a star. And The Miz slapped around Enzo Amore with a mic in hand. The show engaged often, pushing toward the No Mercy pay-per-view emphatically.
Read on for a full breakdown of the latest Raw from Reigns and Jordan’s clash to the eight-man tag team contest that closed out the night.
Roman Reigns vs. Jason Jordan
Before the show kicked off, WWE requested a moment of silence from the crowd in honor of 9/11.
Reigns laughed off Jason Jordan early on. The Big Dog took it to his foe, slugging him with big strikes.
Jordan battled back, flustering Reigns with his mat-wrestling skills.
As the match went on, Reigns grew frustrated he wasn’t able to put away the rising star.
Jordan nearly forced Reigns to tap out. The Big Dog, though, floored his opponent with a string of signature moves that concluded with a spear.Reigns then shook Jordan’s hand afterward.
Result
Reigns wins via pinfall.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
- “It’s a proving ground here on Monday Night Raw.”—Michael Cole.
- Jordan counters the Superman Punch with a crossface.
- Jordan hits a beautiful standing dropkick.
- “Put the rocket on that kid.”—Booker T.
Grade
A
Analysis
Reigns and Jordan delivered. What an excellent bout.
It’s always energizing when Raw starts with in-ring action rather than a lengthy talking segment. It sure helps when it’s a match as fresh as Reigns vs. Jordan.
Reigns is moving closer and closer to his ideal persona. He was a snarling, dismissive predator here, and it clicked. But his post-match handshake was a straight-up babyface move, reminding us that WWE is still unclear just who Reigns is.
Despite his two losses, Jordan has upped his stock against Cena and Reigns. He’s looked tremendous, and an intriguing story of him proving he belongs with the big dogs is well underway.
John Cena Confronts Roman Reigns
Cena tossed Reigns a microphone before pointing out how Jordan nearly beat him.
They insulted each other in a tense showdown. Cena said that Reigns has failed to be a top guy. Reigns claimed he has surpassed Cena, that he has spearheaded WWE’s success.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
- “Maybe just keep it to one sentence.”—Cena.
- “I’ve had more great matches in two years than you have in your entire career.”—Reigns.
- “You guys can’t pin this on me. Roman is burying himself.”—Cena.
- “I’m selling the tickets that you haven’t sold in five years.”—Reigns.
- “Consider me like a drug test, homes. You ain’t getting past me.”—Cena.
Grade
A-
Analysis
After getting blasted by Cena in their first two encounters, Reigns finally won a round. He was more comfortable here, came off smugger and made strong points.
The animosity between these two has felt real throughout.
These exchanges have been entertaining and have created big buzz, but the rivalry needs more variety. A feud can’t subsist on breaking the fourth wall alone.
Sasha Banks vs. Emma
Alexa Bliss sat in on commentary as she watched two of her No Mercy opponents go at it.
Sasha Banks and Emma knocked each other around briefly before Nia Jax arrived to sit alongside Bliss at the announce desk. Emma dished out a ground-and-pound offense. Banks responded with a flurry.
The Boss finished things off relatively quickly with the Bank Statement.
Result
Banks wins via submission.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
- Emma hip-tosses Banks into the turnbuckles.
Grade
C-
Analysis
The bout had minimal time to work with and had low energy at a few points. Emma and Banks have good chemistry, and it would be great to see them clash for an extended bout down the road.
Neither Bliss nor Jax added much on commentary. WWE would have been better served with just choosing one of them or having them brawl at the desk.
This basically served as a reminder that this Raw Women’s Championship match exists, while not doing much of anything to advance its narrative.
Brock Lesnar Collides with Braun Strowman
Paul Heyman accompanied Brock Lesnar to the ring, where the advocate said Lesnar vs. Strowman sold itself. He recalled the rivalry between Strowman and his client.
Heyman wondered if Strowman was ready to take the Universal Championship from Lesnar’s hands.
The Monster Among Men stormed in and battered Lesnar. Strowman…
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