WWE RAW Coverage: Thank You Kevin Owens, Welcome Back Brock

Between the half hour wait for the first match and the performance from machine Gun Kelly, as wells the Terminator trailer, this week’s RAW felt called in, big time. Fresh off of Money in the Bank, the show was incredibly flat- away from the return of Brock Lesnar and the actions of Kevin Owens.

Overall, Sheamus failed to make as big an impact as you’d expect after winning the Money in the Bank briefcase while Owens and Dean Ambrose continue to prove that they are capable in the ring and on the mic.

Nothing against Seth Rollins, but the WWE creative team hasn’t helped him nearly as much as they need to. Excellent in the ring and on the mic, Rollins has been made to look way too weak, more a weasel than a champion.

With The Authority beginning to unravel by the week, it should be creative’s job to get Rollins over more as someone who doesn’t need anyone’s help, rather than someone who only pretends that to be the case. Now with Brock Lesnar hungry to regain the WWE World Heavyweight title, Rollins finally has an opportunity to prove himself.

Matches:

Sheamus vs. Dean Ambrose: Sheamus worked on Ambrose’s injured leg throughout the match, but the Lunatic Fringe was vigilant, thanks to strikes and signature offense.Despite the injured leg, Ambrose went off the top rope and nearly won with his modified Elbow Drop. Going for the Dirty Deeds, Ambrose looked ready to win, but Sheamus took the Money in the Bank briefcase and was ready to leave. That was until Randy Orton hit the ring, forcing Sheamus back into the ring where Ambrose won with the Rollup. After the pinfall, Orton nailed Sheamus with the second Rope DDT, but Sheamus escaped before the Apex Predator could hit the RKO.

R-Truth vs. Wade Barrett: For the second time in as many nights, Truth got the win over Barrett with a Rollup. After the bell, Barrett took out Truth with the Bullhammer Elbow.

NXT Champion Kevin Owens vs. Dolph Ziggler: A very good back and forth with plenty of counters. While Ziggler almost won with the Super Kick and Zig-Zag, Owens mystified with the Cannonball and a vicious German Release Suplex before getting the win with the Pop-Up Powerbomb.

Randy Orton vs. Kane: Orton was ready to win until Sheamus hit the ring and Kane made it a no-holds-barred match. After Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick, Kane got the win.

The Miz vs. The Big Show: Although The Big Show literally slapped the hell out of The Miz, Show was preoccupied with Ryback on the outside, allowing The Miz to get the win via count-out.

Divas Champion Nikki Bella and Brie Bella vs. Paige: Nikki got the win thanks to the Forearm Smash and the Rack Attack, but it wasn’t before Paige nearly won with the Rampage in an effort she couldn’t have been upset about.

Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Big E. Langston vs. Adrian Neville and the WWE Tag Team Champions Titus o’Neil and Darren Young: Neville got the win with the Red Arrow after O’Neil and Young got in plenty of licks themselves.