Strange feeling this Monday since we had a WWE PPV last night, and tonight’s RAW has nothing to do with it. I guess that’s the feeling I’m going to have for a while when a SmackDown branded PPV happens and we have to wait until Tuesday for fallout from it. Tonight’s big stories are “will Roman Reigns be added to the Clash of Champions main event?” and “what is WWE up to with the Raw Women’s Title?”. The Roman thing seems like it’s more of an excuse to keep him on TV while Rusev has his honeymoon than a legit “back to the main event” move for Reigns. Rumors I’ve heard say that Reigns will work Jericho at the Clash, so I imagine Jericho intervenes in tonight’s Owens / Reigns match in some capacity. Also, the WWE allegedly told their staff to stop mentioning the, sort of announced last week, Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks match at Clash of Champions. Indeed, WWE.com’s match preview disappeared, but one of the Clash of Champions promo spots that ran during Backlash last night heavily featured Charlotte and the Boss… so who knows. Standard logic seems to point to Bayley being added into the mix after her non-title win last week. So, that’s that. We’re still a few weeks out from the Clash of Champions event, so a lot of things can happen between now and then. Let’s get to the recap!
WWE Raw 09/12/16 Recap
WWE. Then. Now. Forever. We open with a “last week recap” video package focusing on Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns. Standard video credits open, no pyro, and we’re live from Baltimore. The announce team puts over tonight’s Owens / Reigns main event and we smash cut to Mick Foley already in the ring. I’m not even going to bother with the jokes about the GMs and Commissioners being heavily featured on these shows. WWE clearly doesn’t mean what they say.
Foley cuts a promo, not unlike Shane McMahon’s last night that tells us everything that we already know about the show tonight. Foley mentions last night’s SmackDown PPV and Becky Lynch winning the title to a mild reaction. Foley then puts over Raw as the “premier destination” for women’s wrestling. He then introduces Charlotte to a smattering of boos. Charlotte is out, wearing street clothes, and Dana Brooke is out with her, sans notebook. We see footage of all of the drama from last week, and Dana looks embarrassed. She also has no prop this week. Charlotte mentions she has something she wants to get off her chest. Charlotte says an apology is in order, Mick fumbles, but Charlotte states it’s not from him. Dana starts to say an apology is not necessary but Charlotte cuts in and says she’d never apologize to Dana. I keep saying it, face Dana Brooke is going to be weird. Charlotte demands an apology from Dana and wants her match with Bayley scratched from the record books. Charlotte says if Dana won’t apologize her mentorship is over. Dana apologizes and then Mick cuts in and advertises the Clash of Champions PPV. He’s then cut off by Sasha Banks’ music.
Sasha comes out and starts cutting a promo on Charlotte, putting herself over in the process. She again declares she will take the title back in two weeks at the Clash. Charlotte looks unimpressed. Charlotte says she’s the one with the title, which causes Bayley’s music to hit.
Bayley gets the first chant of the night and then says she’d love to see Sasha compete for the title… but… last week she beat Charlotte… so maybe she deserves the title shot. Sasha looks annoyed and Charlotte laughs. Sasha starts cutting a promo on Bayley saying when it comes to the title, she has no friends. Charlotte says she has unfinished business in giving Sasha a career-ending injury. Sasha wants to go now and throws her jacket at her. Charlotte says she doesn’t dictate when the title is defended. Mick agrees, but says only he dictates when the title is defended. Mick now says he’s having second thoughts about the Clash title match. Charlotte starts cutting a promo on both Sasha and Bayley. Dana suggests Sasha and Bayley fight over who is worthy for the title and suggests a Best of 7. Charlotte cuts a promo Dana for speaking up. Mick makes Sasha Banks vs. Bayley tonight – with the winner facing Charlotte at Clash. Charlotte turns and blames Dana for this, and Dana slaps her. Face Dana Brooke is weird. Mick adds Dana into the mix, making it a triple threat. And that match… is next!
Back from break, Charlotte has joined the commentary team.
Match #1: Sasha Banks vs. Bayley vs. Dana Brooke (Triple Threat Match – Winner faces Charlotte at Clash of Champions)
Wow. It’s like WWE finally decided to do something with Dana Brooke. Even though she doesn’t go over here, she looks the best she’s looked… since… she’s been in WWE. She kicks out of a super superplex tonight. Sasha looks okay, but is selling a back injury – complete with taped back which makes her look like she’s wearing Marc Mero trunks. Bayley is here, but doesn’t really do a whole lot throughout most of the match. We get to a hot segment where Sasha tries to hit a Backstabber, but Dana shakes it off, but Sasha connects with a second attempt and slaps the Banks Statement on. Bayley runs in with a kick at the last second before Dana taps, saving the submission. Bayley then hits a Bayley to Belly on Dana but Sasha breaks this up and rolls into an awkward pin where it looks like both her and Bayley’s shoulders are down. Regardless, the announcer awards the match to Sasha Banks… but I have a feeling…
Verdict: Thumbs Up – Great triple threat, and bravo to WWE for finally doing something with Dana Brooke. She really stood out in this match and I think Sasha having to sell the back injury really allowed Dana to shine here.
Post-match, nope, despite a replay that totally makes it look like both Bayley and Sasha’s shoulders were down, the match is awarded to Sasha. Bizarre choice if you’re not going to run with a “double pin” scenario.
Next, we learned that Cesaro won a match in the Best of 7 at a London house show. Match 5 is later tonight. Graves then tries to sell us on Reigns / Owens for later.
Back from break, Dana Brooke is rubbing her face and… walking. Charlotte appears and Dana starts to apologize. Charlotte cuts her off and demands she get her bags. Dana grabs Charlotte’s roller bag and follows Charlotte. Whew, no more face Dana Brooke. Because face Dana Brooke was weird.
Next, the Shining Stars are literally trying to sell a Puerto Rican time share to R Truth. R Truth buys their pitch, but before he can give them his credit card info, Goldust appears and hisses / spits on Epico and they leave. Enzo & Big Cass then enter and Enzo calls the Stars a “cuppa haters”. Cass calls them “cheating con men”. The Stars say they didn’t cheat last week and then they try to sell Enzo a time share. Enzo challenges Epico to a match tonight. Epico cuts a promo on Spanish on Enzo, Cass translates it as “he accepted your challenge, and then it didn’t go good for you”, and Enzo declares he’s going to get Rosetta Stone so he can learn “Spanglish”.
Next, Tom Phillips is backstage with Kevin Owens. KO hugs Tom and calls him “Tyler”. KO cuts generic promos on Reigns, Rollins, and Mick Foley under the guise of hypothetically “trying to say something controversial” in this interview with “Terry”. KO says he’s going to beat Reigns tonight and he’s leaving the Clash as the Universal Champion. He then leaves and then Jericho enters. Jericho calls Tom a “hack journalist” because he doesn’t realize that the real story is Jericho. Foley pulled KO out of the Highlight Reel, but Jericho found Zayn to fill in as his guest tonight. He then asks “Phillipe” to tell him what Sami Zayn really is. Tom starts to say “a stupid idiot” but Jericho screams “NO” at him. Jericho says he’s a “stupid idy…. it.” and then he leaves.
Next, we’re sent to the ring for Bo Dallas’ ring entrance – complete with weird “Bo-lieve in Bo” sign.
Back from break, Bo Dallas cuts, what I can only call, an “angry poem” on his “local talent” opponent.
Match #2: Bo Dallas vs. Brandon Scott
Tonight’s squash match time to beat… one minute and thirteen seconds. Your move, Braun Strowman and/or Nia Jax.
Verdict: Thumbs Down – This makes absolutely no sense… he lost to Bin Wang in China… why are they still doing this now?
Up next, it’s the Highlight Reel.
Back from break, the announcers mention the Connor’s Cure thing going on right now. Next, Jericho makes his entrance for the Highlight Reel. Jericho announces that Owens was pulled from the Highlight Reel tonight. To replace Owens, Jericho went for the “lowest of the low” – Sami Zayn. Jericho sells the “lowest of the low” line by laying on the mat when he introduces Zayn. I said it last night, I’ll say it again here… both Miz and Jericho are operating at another level right now.
Zayn is out to a modest reaction. Zayn sarcastic thanks Jericho for the introduction. Jericho gets the crowd chanting “Ole! Ole Ole Ole!” and then mentions that Owens dumped Zayn as his best friend. Jericho rubs it in that Zayn doesn’t even have KO’s new phone number. Jericho says the problem in the Owens / Zayn relationship was Sami. Zayn says he could care less about Owens now and all he wants is the Universal Championship. Sami says if Jericho thinks that KO is his friend and brother, then Jericho truly is a “stupid idiot”. A “stupid idiot” chant starts up and Jericho gets a sour look on his face. Jericho calls Zayn a “taker”, but Jericho is a “giver”… he gives them the “gift of Jericho” and Zayn says that gift “sucks”. Zayn again tells Jericho that KO will eventually turn on him too. Jericho calls it “jealousy” and Sami wonders if there is even a shred of the old Chris Jericho around. Zayn says he and KO became wrestlers because of guys like Jericho, Dean Malenko, and Eddie Guerrero… but now Jericho is nothing more than KO’s “bitch”. Jericho says he got a text from KO before this segment… Jericho goes to show Sami and then cold cocks him and gives him a Codebreaker.
Next, Saxton sells us on Reigns / Owens… and Cole sells us on Cesaro / Sheamus… which is next!
Back from break, it’s Cesaro’s entrance. We see some footage of the finish from the house show match. Sheamus enters next. During his entrance, Sheamus cuts a promo saying he’s not worried because he leads the series 3-1.
Match #3: Cesaro vs. Sheamus (Match #5 in the Best of 7 series)
I’m at the point where I’m not even remotely into this series any longer. Maybe “Game 7” at Clash of Champions will be compelling, but I just can’t get excited about matches where Cesaro sells his back the entire match so he can’t do any of his move set. Tonight he wins with a roll up and has to use the ropes for leverage. And he’s a face… reduced to using heel tactics to squeak out a victory. Nope.
Verdict: Thumbs Down – Not that it’d be a barn burner either way, but choosing to have Cesaro sell a back injury during this series seems like a bad idea. If he’s legit injured, then the series should be postponed because these are not good matches. I get what they’re trying to do, but I can’t be only one who thinks these matches haven’t been very good.
Next, Mick Foley is backstage with Seth Rollins. Seth is upset with Mick because he thought Mick and he were working together finally. He doesn’t get why Roman Reigns is getting a shot tonight. Mick says Roman was wronged also. Seth isn’t worried because he can beat Roman at any time, his point is he doesn’t want anything distracting him from Owens. If Mick isn’t going to do anything, Seth suggests getting Stephanie involved. Mick says Stephanie is in Singapore right now. Mick says all Stephanie cares about is Raw beating SmackDown in the ratings. Rollins says that’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard… and I have to agree. Seth suggest taking matters into his own hands. Mick loses it and says for Rollins not to question his integrity and that Seth better not interfere in tonight’s match. Seth mockingly suggests that Mick will suspend him if he does, which he’s not buying. He then calls Mick a “fool” and leaves.
Back from break, we learn that Zayn / Jericho happens at Clash of Champions. Huh, I guess that Jericho / Roman rumor was false.
Next, Alicia Fox is out. We see footage of Nia Jax and Fox’s argument from last week. Meanwhile Tom is backstage with Nia. Jax cuts a promo on Alicia saying she’s dealt with wackos like her before, and she’s going to beat the crap out her.
Match #4: Alicia Fox vs. Nia Jax
Well… we’ll call this at two minutes when the ref tells Nia Jax to leave and the flood of officials come out. The “match” takes place mainly outside the ring and involves Nia slamming Alicia into the barricade over and over again. She then spears Alicia through the barricade into the time keeper’s area. There is no official end to the match, but this went longer than Bo’s match so he’s still in the lead.
Verdict: Thumbs In The Middle – Well, this makes Nia look like more of a beast so I’m cautiously more into this than the regular squash matches.
Post-“match”, Fox sells like a corpse.
We then awkwardly transition into the New Day’s entrance. During the entrance, Big E serves Booty-Os cereal to the crowd out of a wrestling boot – as you do. Woods immediately buries last week’s horrible segment and says that “entertainment” is the New Day’s thing… and do not touch their “thing”. Big E says he’s going to throw us to the “Old Day” footage… but psych… they burned the footage so we’ll never have to see it again. Thank you. Kofi says Gallows & Anderson wasted 5 minutes and 37 seconds of everyone’s life. They then start mentioning things that would have been a better use of 5:37. This eventually brings out Gallows & Anderson.
They come out and cut a promo on New Day for “pandering to a stupid crowd like Baltimore”. They cut a brief promo about their title match at the PPV and head to the ring. We get a “SummerSlam rematch” up next.
Back from break, the bell rings.
Match #5: Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows vs. Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston (w/ Big E)
This whole thing appears to be WWE apologizing for making Gallows & Anderson a comedy act. They completely dominate this match. Kofi goes in peril and stays there for a good chunk of the action. Woods gets a hot tag and has a nice segment with Anderson, but Gallows eventually puts an end to that. They hit Magic Killer and go over super strong in this non-title match.
Verdict: Thumbs Up – I’m cautious here. Every time WWE acts like they’re going to book Gallows & Anderson properly, the next week we get some awful “green screen” vignette with fart jokes.
Next, Roman is backstage… walking. Tom Phillips appears and asks Roman what’s on his mind. Roman says the only thing on his mind is getting to the Clash of Champions and the only way he does that is by “kicking Kevin Owens’ ass”.
Back from break, Cole puts over the Cruiserweight Challenge and their imminent arrival on Raw. Next, we’re sent to the ring where Jinder Mahal gets an actual entrance and is called the “man that comes in peace”. Mahal actually gets a promo here and explains his absence from the WWE. While he was gone he felt hate and rage towards everything. But, he’s learned to let that all go. He is a “man of peace” now. “Peace is a way of life” and he’s here to give us the “gift of peace”. Not sure if a better gift than the “gift of Jericho”.
This brings out Jack Swagger… who I guess is a “man of aggression”.
Match #6: Jinder Mahal vs. Jack Swagger
This feels like it goes on for way too long. It probably doesn’t, but it feels that way. Mahal gets in a ton of offense, Swagger fights back a little, but this is clearly a vehicle to put over the “man of peace”.
Verdict: Thumbs In The Middle – I suppose it’s good to give Mahal some sort of character beyond “guy who used to work here, but left, and is now back because of the brand split”.
Meanwhile, Enzo & Cass are backstage… walking.
Back from break, Swagger is… walking. Tom Phillips appears and reminds him that his contract expires soon. Swagger just looks at Tom and breathes heavily. Okay, then.
Meanwhile, it’s time for Enzo & Cass’ entrance. Standard Enzo / Cass intro speech, crowd shouts along, and Enzo bops around the ring. Enzo starts calling his shots in the forthcoming match with Epico. Enzo mocks the hibiscus and Cass calls the Shining Stars “sawft”.
Match #7: Enzo Amore (w/ Big Cass) vs. Epico (w/ Primo)
A “better than I expected” match until Enzo tries to suplex Epico into the ring. Primo grabs Enzo’s feet, which causes him to fall with Epico on top of him. So, Epico gets another cheap victory. I’m sure this is leading to them getting destroyed at Clash of Champions by Enzo & Cass.
Verdict: Thumbs In The Middle – I guess it’s good they’re using the Shining Stars for something… but this is really doing nothing for Enzo and Cass… like at all.
The main event is up next!
Back from break, Kevin Owens is backstage… walking. He happens upon Seth Rollins. Owens reminds Seth what Foley said about touching him. Seth sarcastically gives Owens “good luck” tonight. Seth would rather have a one-one match with Owens. Especially since Triple H won’t show up so beating Owens is the next best thing to getting his hands on H. Seth wants to take HHH’s golden boy’s title from him. KO is annoyed by Seth’s laugh and points out that Seth should want Roman in the match. You see, Roman could do all of the work and Seth could take all of the glory. Owens asks if that is how it used to work when they were in the Shield. KO says it’s been like this for Rollins’ entire career… he even had John Stewart helping him. But, KO thinks that Seth is just hurt that Triple H saw the light and realized there was someone better… Kevin Owens. KO then details what Seth accomplished since returning. He let Raw down by letting the title go to SmackDown, he lost to a one-armed Finn Balor… he’s just a failure. KO says Seth’s catchphrase should be “Rebuild. Reclaim. Replaced.” Foley appears and tells Owens that’s enough and he has a match. Owens leaves and Foley reminds Seth there will be consequences if he gets involved.
Roman’s theme hits and he’s out to mostly boos. Owens is out next to a small pop.
Match #8: Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns (If Reigns Wins The Clash of Champions Main Event Becomes A Triple Threat)
Owens actually manhandles Reigns for a good chunk of the match. However, Reigns mounts a few comebacks here and there. After a bit, Owens takes things outside the ring and Seth Rollins comes running down the ramp, dives onto Owens, and the match gets thrown out.
I’m sure this is setting something else up, there are still 10 minutes left in the show.
Post-match, Rollins just pummels Owens on the ramp. JoJo announces Owens as the winner so Roman is theoretically out of the match. Foley and road agents (hi Fit Finlay!) come out and break things up. Foley is livid and starts yelling at Rollins but Rollins says he does what he wants. Foley says he and Rollins are going to have a talk and the road agents take him to the back. Foley demands the match get restarted.
Roman fights back and finally gets in some offense. Owens resorts to biting Roman while they’re on the ropes, teases a frog splash, but Roman counters. Owens hits a top rope rolling senton but only gets two. Owens follows with a frog splash, but Reigns kicks out. Roman strikes back and dodges a Owens cannonball attempt. Owens eats a Superman punch, but kicks out at two and a half. Owens fights back, hits a superkick, and connects with the cannonball this time. He then hits another cannonball and goes for the pop-up powerbomb. Roman counters with a sitout powerbomb but Owens kicks out. Rusev appears out of nowhere and eats a Superman punch. Owens takes advantage of this and hits a pop-up powerbomb on Reigns for the win.
Verdict: Thumbs Up – I love that Rusev worked everyone with his honeymoon and is back in time for Clash of Champions. When Jericho / Zayn got announced on this show I figured that had to be what happens here. The match was really good, so it seemed like a given that Reigns wasn’t going to to the PPV in the triple threat. A pretty hot final sequence for this show.
Post-match, Rusev enters the ring and kicks Reigns in the head. Rusev pummels Reigns, and then Lana comes out on the stage and points at Rusev. Reigns gets put in the Accolade and Rusev finally releases it after Roman sells the hold. Rusev stands over the fallen Reigns as we go off the air.
Well, that was a solid Raw. Beyond the weird Bo Dallas stuff, the weird Jinder Mahal stuff, and the seeming waste of Enzo / Cass… this was a great show to build up more of that Clash of Champions hype.
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