Opener
The Raw after Survivor Series began with Baron Corbin and Stephanie McMahon in the ring. They say tonight is a celebration after the 6-0 win at Survivor Series (actually it’s 6-1, but WWE evidentally doesn’t care about the Pre-Show at all) . Corbin wanted to be made permanent GM, but Strowman interrupted to say he wants his match with Corbin that he was promised. Steph made it for TLC and says if Corbin wins, he’s permanent GM. But if Strowman wins, he gets Lesnar at The Rumble. She then made a 6 man tag match between Corbin, Lashley and Drew McIntyre and Strowman, Balor and Elias for an immediate start.
Braun Strowman, Finn Balor & Elias vs Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley & Baron Corbin
Corbin changed it to an elimination 6 man tag. Which pleased me greatly. Balor was first to go after eating a Claymore. He had a fairly awesome showing though. Elias got his ass kicked by Corbin and after trying to get Lio Rush, Elias took a big spear by Lashley on the outside and couldn’t beat the 10 count. So it was now 3 on 1. Braun got beaten down for a while, then came back and nailed Corbin with a Powerslam. But the pin was broken by a chair shot from McIntyre, which got him DQ’d, but apparently that meant everyone was DQ’d so they all beat on Braun, they then laid his arm over the steps, and Corbin smashed his arm with more steps! It was pissing with blood and visibly swollen, he also said he couldn’t feel his fingers or move his arm to the EMTs. That was hard to watch. I hope this is a work and not a serious injury.
Seth Rollins promo
Rollins came out and talked about his upcoming title match with Ambrose, however this soon turned into him calling Ambrose out but Ambrose just showed up on the tron and basically just made everything worse by stating that Roman’s cancer is karma for making Dean weak. Then said to Rollins he should come find him, but Rollins couldn’t find him as he was gone when he got there. Interesting interaction and introduction to their narrative for the show too.
Renee Young was accused of knowing more about Ambrose’s choices than she’s letting on by Corey Graves, but Renee snapped at him and told him she doesn’t know and doesn’t agree with her husband’s choices, but she “understands them“. Interesting..
Sasha Banks and Bayley vs Nia Jax and Tamina
I’m so down on Bayley and Banks right now. I’ve never liked Tamina in the ring, but I loves me a bit of Nia Jax and I adore the way she’s handling this Becky heat. This match was good. I enjoyed it, and I really enjoyed Bayley and Banks again too. But they need to introduce these Women’s Tag Team Championships already. The women’s tag division on RAW in particular is stacking up! Bayley got hit with a pop up Samoan drop by Nia for a 3 count.
Backstage hacking thing..
Charlie Carusso is talking to the camera when all of a sudden there’s somehow a lunatic on the screen behind her who says to tell Rollins to meet him at the place the Shield called “home“.. Which was very comic book villainous of him.
Rollins heads to the boiler room and heads down stairs to see a spray painted door that says ‘Burn It Down’ on it. This is an awesome route to take this feud. Like a game of cat and mouse.
Lars Sullivan video package
Looks like the resident Wild Animal of NXT is headed to the red brand to unleash his headbutts, his Freak Accidents and his many, many moments that look like he’s killed someone upon the roster. (Please destroy Bobby Lashley first, Lars.)
Lucha House Party vs The Revival
Before the match, there’s an announcement that the match will be contested under “Lucha House Rules” which means all 3 members of the LHP are allowed to be in the match. Effectively making it a handicap match. I don’t see how this is fair to be honest. The Revival are made to look like fools. Again. They took a clean loss after a distraction from Metalik and “Penelope the Piñata” and then Dorado landed a Shooting Star Press for the win. I didn’t enjoy this at all. I felt like it was another burial of a team who could lead that division.
Video package
We got an amazing video package showing some of what happened between Rousey and Charlotte at Survivor Series. If you saw it, you know how savage it was. I loved it.
Interview
Seth Rollins had another interview thing with Charlie saying that what he said about Roman was unforgivable and he can’t wait to find him and teach him a lesson, all the while Dean Ambrose slowly walks across in background. Titus dobs Ambrose in to Rollins and Rollins goes running after him. But he ran the wrong way. Doofus.
Ronda Rousey promo
This was awesome. She showed off her bruises and welts and said she is a true champion and if she can’t defend it right now, she doesn’t deserve to be. So she laid down an open challenge.. however, Baron Corbin came out and said she can’t do it and he won’t allow it, so Ronda squared up to him and listed her accolades and said to go get her an opponent. So he reluctantly agrees to go get one.
Ronda Rousey vs ???? For the WWE RAW Women’s Championship
Just when an NXT call up could be made on the Raw after Survivor Series.. It was Mickie James, she lost in about 3 very underwhelming minutes. But then Nia Jax met Rousey on the ramp, blew and stroked her face-breaking fist with a smile and walked away. Which was really awkward.
Roode & Gable vs AoP w/ Drake Maverick
Having this match because the former mocked Drake Maverick about his pants wetting on Sunday. God, I hate this angle. Way to kill a guys cool, WWE. AOPeePee chants and all. Roode and Gable are working well together it seems and they picked up a win over AOP! So they have a Tag Title opportunity now. That could be a great match!
Ambrose promo
He’s waiting for Rollins and says he’s not playing games anymore and said he can’t wait to shatter his bones and stop him and all of his fans from whining. I liked this again. He makes a great Heel.
Rollins interview
Rollins is giving up and going home, he said Dean is too scared to come out. We will see..
Ruby Riott w/ The Squad vs Natalya Neidhart
Ruby Riott was absolutely brilliant in this match. Both women were, but Ruby was great! It ended in a roll-up, but that’s okay, it continues the feud for a little bit longer.
Braun Strowman update
Strowman has unfortunately shattered his elbow Which could put him out for a long while, if it’s not a work.
Ambrose promo
I love this Ambrose. He was cocky and cold and antagonizing. He’s got a great character to work with. This ended with Rollins running down to the ring and the two scrapping until Ambrose low blowed.. low blew?.. low blo.. He bicepped him in the balls basically, then hit Dirty Deeds.. twice. I reallt liked this segment, but I wish it had gone longer and been much more impactful.
Conclusion
5/10 🌟
Not much happened. I didn’t enjoy this like I thought I would. It all seemed quite lacklustre in terms of the “Celebration” we were all told was happening. No one celebrated anything. The matches were very thrown together and didn’t really serve as anything meaningful other than Roode and Gable beating the Tag Team Champions. Very disappointing Raw after Survivor Series.
Match of the Night: I don’t have one. I didn’t enjoy any match on this card all that much. The onslaught put on Braun was good and the whole Ambrose and Rollins stuff was awesome, but neither of those are for a match. I’d just say Performance of the Night: Dean Ambrose. Amazing heel work and he seems much more in his element right now. That’s nice to see.
Annoyance of the Night: Almost all of it. 75% of the show sucked ass in my opinion and this was the FINAL “Raw after” a big 4 event of 2018 and it was quite mediocre.
Thank you all so much for stopping by again if you’re a regular reader and if you’re not then thank you for taking the time out to have a little gander, I appreciate every single one of you, please feel free to comment, like and share and make sure to Too Sweet that follow button on the Twitter machine @KayfabeToday. Peace and love to one and all! ✌🏻💚
– CB
