Hello, readers! Prince Osborne here with another review of Monday Night Raw from Chicago which is ought to be an interesting event after what were conspired in the company. Let’s cut to the chase!
Bobby Lashley kicks off the show
MVP and Lashley were out to address the challenge issued by Goldberg, who had a thunderous chant of boos when MVP mentioned his name. Then, he billed Lashley as a “titan” who can’t be dethroned. Out comes Goldberg and he stated that no matter what his age is, how good his health is and how different his in-ring work is right now – he’s still Goldberg. He found that deep inside, Lashley is scared of him. So, at SummerSlam, Lashley’s next!
After Goldberg left, MVP warned Goldberg’s son who was in the front row. Goldberg came out again and speared MVP. A decent segment to start the show. I’m not a fan of Goldberg challenging Lashley but let’s see what happens. Grade: B
Two on One Handicap Match: Drew McIntyre vs Shanky & Veer w/Jinder Mahal
Drew McIntyre def. Shanky & Veer by disqualification @3:14 after Jinder interfered the match and hit McIntyre with a chair. More of an angle to elevate the rivalry between McIntyre and Mahal. Rating: 0.5 out of 5 stars
Singles Match: Rhea Ripley vs Nia Jax w/Shayna Baszler
Rhea Ripley def. Nia Jax by pinfall @4:42 after Ripley rolled up Nia when Baszler was distracting. A very decent yet nasty match that put Ripley over ahead of SummerSlam. Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars
We were shown footage from last week, when Mustafa Ali and Mansoor shockingly defeat MACE and T-BAR. Now, we’re in with a rematch, next!
Tag Team Match: Mustafa Ali & Mansoor vs MACE & T-BAR
MACE & T-BAR def. Mustafa Ali & Mansoor by pinfall @02:41 after T-BAR pinned Mansoor. Welp! Looks like time for payback. Rating: N/R
Charlotte Flair addresses the WWE Universe
Charlotte came out and started by saying that Nikki A.S.H. stole the Raw Women’s Championship from her and further stated that a MITB cash-in is a cowardly way of reaching the top of the chain. She is pissed that most of women MITB winner cashed-in on her. She went further to warn Nikki that tonight won’t be like last week. She can’t escape from the sights of The Queen. But, Nikki sneak attacks with a steel chair on the back of Charlotte. A solid but basic promo from Charlotte to hype the main event of tonight’s Raw. Grade: B-
Singles Match: Tamina vs Doudrop w/Eva Marie
Tamina def. Doudrop by pinfall @3:42 after Tamina hit her with a superkick. Basic match that did nothing. Rating: 0.5 out of 5 stars
Miz TV ft. Damian Priest
The Miz and John Morrison started to make a mockery out of Damian Priest billing him a “cheater” who unmasked Sheamus during their match last week. Priest then replied, asking about The Miz’s knee injury and doubting if it’s legit. Then, we had a back-and-forth exchange between Morrison and Priest which led to a challenge laid out by Miz to face Morrison. Priest accepted and knocked both men with dripsticks! Well…. That happened. Grade: C+
Singles Match: Damian Priest vs John Morrison w/The Miz
Damian Priest def. John Morrison by pinfall @4:03 after Priest hit the Sit-out Chokeslam on Morrison. Another short match that elevated Priest ahead of SummerSlam. Rating: 1.75 out of 5 stars
Tag Team Match: Damian Priest & Ricochet vs Sheamus & John Morrison w/The Miz
Damian Priest & Ricochet def. Sheamus & John Morrison by pinfall @3:52 after Priest hit The Reckoning on Morrison. Another short, low interesting match. Priest is 4-0 against Morrison and undefeated in singles action which is a good record. Rating: 1.25 out of 5 stars
Up next, Bobby Lashley will answer the challenge laid out by Golderg laid out earlier tonight for SummerSlam!
Back from the commercials, and Lashley accepted Goldberg’s challenge! It is official!
Singles Match: Riddle vs Omos
Omos def. Riddle by pinfall @2:35 after Omos hit a double handed chokeslam. A squash that put Omos over. Rating: N/R
Up next, another rematch from last week is upon us as Keith Lee faces Karrion Kross.
Singles Match: Keith Lee vs Karrion Kross
Keith Lee def. Karrion Kross by pinfall @5:59 after he hit the Spirit Bomb to secure the win. I’m really glad that Keith got the rebound he needed after his underwhelming return to the scene. Kross is good but needs more polishing in certain aspects and he got his win last week. Solid match from these two again! Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
Now, Reginald goes under a name change, and it’s….. Reggie. Simple as that.
Singles Match – 24/7 Championship: Reggie (C) vs Akira Tozawa
Reggie def. Akira Tozawa by pinfall @2:05 after he hit the front-flip splash for the win. Another entertaining display from Reggie. He has huge potential to be a great comedic character like R-Truth is, right now. Rating: N/R
Now, it’s main event time! Nikki A.S.H. faces Charlotte Flair in a No Holds Barred match!
No Holds Barred – Raw Women’s Championship Contender’s Match: Nikki A.S.H. vs Charlotte Flair
Nikki A.S.H. def. Charlotte Flair by pinfall @11:02 after Nikki hit the swinging neckbreaker for the win. Good match that lived up to the stipulation for the time being. Nikki winning was predictable but felt right as she needs a huge ratio of momentum ahead of SummerSlam. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Overall Match Rating: 1.25 out of 5 stars
Overall Show Rating: 3.5 out of 10 points
Today was the same old shit from last week with main parts improved a bit while most of the show was filled with rematches and squashes. Keith Lee bouncing back with a huge win and the main event were the noteworthy parts of this show. Chicago is always vocal and this was another example but the management somehow feared to express the open response of the crowd so that they had to pipe in faux crowd noises during certain moments like Miz TV. In overall, another hot garbage show with little to zero moments that turned heads.
What do you think of tonight’s show? Did you feel the same pain or did this show hit different? Chime in your thoughts right below in the feedback form. I’ll see you guys tomorrow for NXT! Peace out.