Sheamus defeated Ludwig Kaiser. The win came in spite of interference from Pete Dunne.
Lyra Valkyria gets a DQ win over Shayna Baszler, due to Deville and Zoey Stark interfering. They were eventually taken out by Damage CTRL.
New Day defeated the Authors Of Pain. Woods and Kingston got a massive assist from Odyssey Jones. Jones came down to the ring after Kross interfered, and he wowed with his raw power. He may be no Big E, but I bet he grows into the group nicely. And, check out X, Big E loved the introduction, as did other WWE luminaries.
A-Town Down Under defeated Awesome Truth. Was worried we might see Miz snap at Truth due to how things ended, but not yet.
IYO SKY took out Sonya Deville. When I say later that neither team is a face team, I think IYO and Kairi overcoming the odds goes a long way toward flipping them that way. Maybe.
The Wyatt Sicks (Dexter, Joe and Erick) defeat American Made (Gable and the Creeds). Entertaining match, outside of the entrance nothing too crazy non-wrestling. Crowd loved it.
Best Match
There was a lot to like from open to close. I loved the raw physicality of Priest and McDonagh. Everything came across as though Priest had just been screwed over by JD and friends and he was out for his pound of flesh. Priest and Ripley are still at a numbers disadvantage for now, so I do wonder who, if anyone, may lend a hand (Rey is too easy).
Worst Match
Lyra versus Shayna. Just was a short match that, in the entirety of this specific card, meant little.
Holy Sh!@ Moments
I loved the opening segment with GUNTHER and Randy Orton. The two have a recent history, which was used to set up this sequel. There was respect from both, and I dig it. Not every feud needs to be intensely personal, and this segment struck the right tone, I think. Doubt Orton takes the title in Berlin, but it should be a really good match for GUNTHER’s first defense on a PLE.
Love how WWE chose to keep Punk and Rollins apart. You keep Drew and Punk going, and you use Rollins to elevate someone who has been a mid card monster in Bronson Reed. Reed looked really good as North American Champion back in NXT , so I am optimistic here. A program with Rollins will go a long way.
Credit: WWE
New Day got some backup, and his name is Odyssey Jones. We knew he was around. He’s been shown on the WWE drafts. Anyone watching NXT from years gone by knew who he was and what he was all about. Now he had an impressive coming out on RAW, providing some added muscle for Xavier and Kofi. I like the move, it will give the greener Jones a chance to develop with veteran guidance. There will probably be some who dislike it because it lines up with stereotypes, which I get. I mean, if they wanted a free spirited big guy to throw into the mix, Otis might have been a nice move too (and I typed this before Otis danced with New Day post-match). But I am on board with Odyssey Jones.
Noteworthy Moments
Credit: WWE
As cool as getting a new addition to New Day might be, and as much as Xavier did dance with Alpha Academy, I can’t help but notice that Xavier didn’t seem happy. Seemed that Kofi and Odyssey knew he would appear, but Xavier was in the dark. So there could still be a wedge there, meaning Karrion’s attempts to break up New Day may not be done. What I’d love? Big E coming back, on RAW, and telling the group to get over it and get along and go get those tag titles.
Lowlights
I’ve said it before, so I shall say it again. Sonya Deville’s group are heels. Damage CTRL are too. Neither group has been a ‘tweener. No one in either group has done anything recently that would make anyone cheer them. So, right now, the feud between the two trios seems like it has a lot of work to do. A decently hot Baltimore crowd wasn’t feeling that interaction, and I get it.
Highlights
Opening was a really nice presentation. Damian Priest had a nice segment too, embracing the fans and his return to the face side of things. Really enjoyed Odyssey Jones, and the viciousness of Bronson Reed too.
Like, I am trying to remember when we had two, back to back, Superstar-making segments like we did on RAW. Look, I am not saying that Jones and Reed are going to be top draw Superstars. But, you took one guy who’s been good, but mid, and another who’s been on the main roster for a year and not used, and you made them a lot more relevant in about 30 minutes. Having Reed destroy Seth Rollins like that is massive. I just hope they keep Seth off for at least a few weeks to sell it (like, even possibly missing Berlin). And all that was in between cementing the newest faces, Priest and Ripley.
Credit: WWE
Loved the in ring debut of the Wyatt Sicks. You knew they weren’t going to lose, so perhaps you wish they tossed someone other than freshly minted American Made in there against them. But it is what it is.
Wow, what can I say. Superb RAW. Lots of action, two new Superstars were elevated, lots of progression and it all just worked. Well, all but that Lyra match, but I wonder if they wrote off Dakota and Lyra will do Damage CTRL a favor? Because of those names, Valkyria might be sort of new to RAW, but she is 1000% a face. Regardless, a ton to love here, and if you don’t believe me just go check social media. Plenty of fans were thrilled with this show, and with good reason.
Most Popular
Comments / 0