Hotlanta GA was the place to be for this week's New Era edition of Monday Night RAW, live from the Phillips Arena.
It was a night of intense action, storyline progression and surprising returns. There was an awful lot packed into this three hour block, so let's dive straight into the results and hand out some grades along the way!
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OPENING SEGMENT: BANKS MAKES A STATEMENT!
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It was very refreshing to see the ladies take center stage to kick off this week's flagship show. However, as much as I like Enzo, I do question the logic behind including Jericho and Enzo. It almost felt like they were watering down the womens title picture by having the extras included.
Nevertheless, it was a good segment to open the show, with lots of laughs and a solid continuation of the Charlotte/Sasha rivalry.
GRADE: B-
CHARLOTTE & JERICHO DEF. SASHA BANKS & ENZO
I've said this time and time again, I detest the idea of having a champion lose any type of non-title match. Anytime, anywhere, anytime situation, period. It just doesn't do justice to the women's championship, which they've worked so hard to revamp.
However, in this particular circumstance, Banks still comes away looking like the superior women's star of the roster, despite taking a loss for her team.
GRADE: C+
BRAUN STROWMAN DEF. EVAN ANDERHOLM
It's the return of the jobbers! In these types of situations, I love having squash matches against "local talent." Braun Strowman is a big, strongman brute superstar with a world of potential. His only handicap is the fact that he's still pretty green in the ring.
Strowman is benefiting tremendously from these squash bouts. In the end, he gets some in-ring experience, he looks like a bona-fide monster and he gets the win.
These matches are vital for Strowman. If he can just stack up a few more like this, he'll be well on his way to becoming a dominant big man.
GRADE: B+
SHINING STARS DEF. GOLDEN TRUTH
Just a much as anyone else, I dig the comedy bits. It's a necessary addition to a three-hour show sometimes. However, this stuff is ridiculous. Pokemon?
There's not much more I can say about this match. It was just a train wreck.
GRADE: D-
SETH ROLLINS INTERRUPTS FINN BÁLOR
This segment was a fantastic building block for what may turn into one of the best feuds of the year. The potential behind Rollins v. Bálor is off the charts. This is a Wrestlemania type of feud, with Wrestlemania type of implications.
SummerSlam is three weeks away and the event is looking like it may be one for the ages. If Rollins and Bálor deliver the way we all anticipate they will, we might all be witnessing something magical.
I'm looking forward to seeing this story continue to build over the next couple of weeks. The ceiling is extremely high for this one!
GRADE: A+
U.S. TITLE MATCH: RUSEV(C) DEF. MARK HENRY
While I'm pretty sure no one really expected to see Henry win this one, it was good to see the veteran strong man back in action. Having Rusev defend his title against someone the caliber and size of Mark Henry did justice for his United States title.
Rusev needs to continue to defend the U.S. title against superstars of at least the same status as Henry, if the company truly wants to elevate the overall image and legitimacy of the championship.
The post-match actions by Roman Reigns will only make the status of the title even better and put the title in a better light moving forward. This is a smart move all the way around.
GRADE: B+
TITUS O'NEIL DEF. DARREN YOUNG
I'm not sure having these two feud with one another is a smart idea. In fact, I think they need to be on opposite ends of the spectrum. There was a lot of effort in making Young more of a relevant superstar.
Having him thrown into a match against his former partner and then to have him lose at that, just made no sense for either superstar.
If they plan to keep Backlund with Darren, there needs to be more of an effort in pushing him to at least an upper mid-card level.
GRADE: C
NIA JAX DEF. ARIEL MONROE
Just like with Braun Strowman, Nia Jax is another one who will benefit greatly from these squash matches. She is also one who honestly wasn't ready for a main roster call-up. However, I do see the true potential with her, especially considering her size and family pedigree.
Again, some may roll their eyes at these random local jobbers, but right now, there's a legit need for them and they're using them exactly how they should be.
GRADE: B-
THE NEW DAY DEF. GALLOWS & ANDERSON
There were times when this match seemed to be all over the place. But, the two top tag teams ended up pulling it together relatively soon into the contest.
As much as I really like New Day and appreciate what they've done for the tag team division, I truly believe it's time for a title change, sooner than later. With that said, I can't think of a team better suited to be the next champs, other than Gallows and Anderson.
Overall, this wasn't their best match, but both teams are doing a great job telling the whole story.
GRADE: B-
CESARO DEF. SHEAMUS
Mick Foley put a lot on the line for this match, as far as future title shots. I think that added a ton of value to this match. Both men work tremendously well together and always have. Their chemistry is unbreakable.
When this one was said and done, the better man certainly walked away with the win and a future push. Cesaro is and always has been the man to carry that proverbial brass ring. Will it finally be placed in his hand this time around?
GRADE: A-
JINDER MAHAL PICKS HIS SIDE WISELY
Bringing Mahal back can be a really good thing, IF he's booked and managed properly. This guy has all the intangibles to be a solid addition to the Raw roster.
Moving forward, Jinder Mahal doesn't need to be booked as some air guitar playing goof. He is a quality heel and should be used accordingly. Hopefully the creative powers that be will see the true potential in what's right in front of them.
GRADE: B+
SETH ROLLINS DEF. SAMI ZAYN
Not that anyone should be surprised, but these guys stole the show last night. Rollins and Zayn have something so special. It's one of those storylines that I don't want to see end.
These two seem to work so well together, probably due to the fact that both come from similar backgrounds and have been in the ring with a lot of the same talent. As far as this match was concerned, even though Seth picked up the win, neither walked away looking inferior to the other.
This was as even as you could imagine, but in the end, Rollins put this one to bed with a beautifully executed pedigree.
GRADE: A+
RKO SPOILS THE RETURN OF THE BEAST INCARNATE
Genius. That's the word I'll use to sum this one up. While I still don't see Orton having much of a chance at SummerSlam, having him come out and deliver an "RKO outta nowhere," was very smart, simply for the sake of selling the match itself.
This was also a huge win for the Smackdown brand as well. This not only left the fans happy as they left the arena, but also did wonders for the build towards SummerSlam.
GRADE: A+
