The fallout from Summerslam on this week’s Monday Night RAW wasn’t enthralling at all. If anything, it was boring. Away from the newly-designed WWE World Heavyweight Title and Paul Heyman’s promo declaring a new era for the company with Brock Lesnar as champion, there wasn’t anything to get excited about.
Well, that’s not entirely true. The main event of Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins was special and if anything, was a sign of things to come.
More a show that developed the mid-card and youth than set up a new opponent for Brock Lesnar, the shift in attention to the younger faces on RAW appears to be in full-swing. Although appearances from The Big Show and Mark Henry this week anchored the show in its past, if anything they’ll serve as the guys that the Luke Harper’s, Erick Rowan’s and Rusev’s establish themselves against.
It could be fun, but this is just the beginning of it all.
Matches:
The Big Show and Mark Henry vs. Erick Rowan and Luke Harper: Rowan and Harper were out-powered for the first time in their careers and never really stood a chance. After Show nailed Rowan with the Knockout Punch, Henry finished him off with the World’s Strongest Slam for the win.
WWE Divas Champion Paige vs. Nattie Neidhart: Paige was in control until Aj Lee came and skipped around the ring. The distraction led to a Neidhart win via School Boy.
Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz: With an already injured ankle, The Miz was in control throughout and nearly won with the Figure Four. Although he won via count-out, The Miz got the last laugh with a Zig-Zag after the bell.
Jack Swagger w/Zeb Colter vs. Antonio Cesaro: An eye poke and the Neutralizer gave Cesaro the much-needed win.
Randy Orton, Curtis Axel and Ryback vs. United States Champion Sheamus, Roman Reigns and Rob Van Dam: A fast-paced match that saw a bevy of signature moves and finishers. After a wild sequence, RVD got the win with the Five-Star Frog Splash.
WWE Tag Team Champions Jimmy and Jey Uso vs. Goldust and Stardust: An athletic match that saw Stardust get the win with a School Boy. Although that doesn’t sound too sexy, this is the beginning of what can be a really fun in-ring feud.
Falls Count Anywhere: Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins: A worthy RAW main event as both competitors beat the crap out of each other. The double Cross Body Block was a metaphor for the evenly-paced match. Add in kendo sticks, tables and Powerbombs on steel chairs and this was almost a tribute to late ‘90s ECW matches. Ambrose should have gotten the win after a Superplex through a table, but Kane’s interference kept the match going. Although Ambrose fought back and hit the Dirty Deeds on Rollins, Kane interfered again. Ambrose then took out both Kane and Rollins on the outside, but Kane eventually delivered a Chokeslam on the announce table, which was followed by a Curb Stomp by Rollins. Kane then revealed a stack of cement blocks and Rollins quickly delivered his finisher on the already broken Ambrose, who was laid across the bricks stomach-first, for the win.
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