The Raw Exposé: Ghosting The Night Away - A Brock Lesnar Story (2-26-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 2/26/2018

Location: Honda Center in Anaheim, California

Personal Mea Culpa: There was no SmackDown Files last week due to me being under the weather. I am doing better as the Cold 2.0 has been DELETED!

What Did The Five Fingers Say To The Face: Slap! Stephanie McMahon just dug her own grave when she slapped the baddest woman on the planet. We’re going to pray for her…

·        Raw kicked off with Alexa Bliss patting herself on the back after winning the first-ever Women’s Elimination Chamber match last night. Bliss thanked Mickie James for having her back despite their differences in the past. Bliss proceeded to run down her Chamber opponents before proclaiming that she was going to WrestleMania. She vowed to end Asuka’s streak and was thrilled that Nia Jax left the Empress of Tomorrow in dire straits after she rammed her through the barricade last night.

·        Asuka came out to confront Bliss which led to Nia Jax coming out moments later. Asuka attacked Bliss and James first, but Jax eventually laid her out. Jax hoisted Asuka up, but she countered with an armbar. James and Bliss broke things up as the triple beat down ensued until Bayley and Sasha Banks made the save.

·        Their efforts were quickly squashed when Jax nailed Bayley and Sasha with a double clothesline. Asuka tried to attack Jax with a series of strikes, but Bliss laid her out with a right hand as the opening segment came to an end.

·        This was a good way to start the show. Alexa Bliss is great on the mic when she has something meaningful to say. Bliss was given great material to work with which complimented her narcissistic character to a tee. It was a little surprising to see James aligned with Bliss, but it plays into their frenemies storyline which has been unfolding over the last couple of weeks.

·        Bayley, Sasha Banks, and Asuka defeated Mickie James, Nia Jax, and Alexa Bliss when Asuka made James tap out to the armbar. The six-woman tag team match was good, but the last three minutes were especially strong in terms of storytelling. Banks tried to make the hot tag to Bayley, but Bayley jumped off the ring apron and stared daggers at her so-called best friend. Sasha looked hurt, but she shouldn’t be surprised after putting the screws to Bayley at the last two PPVs.

·        Asuka eventually got the hot tag and cleaned house as she delivered a series of vicious strikes to James. Jax tried to get involved but, Asuka laid her out with the hip attack which set up the tap out finish moments later. All in all, this was a nice way to forward several storylines at once while putting the heat back on Asuka after Jax’s attack last night.

·        Meanwhile, Bayley coming to Asuka’s rescue but not Sasha’s was emphasized nicely by the announcers as they sold the rift between the besties. After a year, it appears that Sasha vs. Bayley is a go at WrestleMania. It should be great based on their storied history in the ring.

·        John Cena’s path to WrestleMania gets murkier by the day after his perplexing promo. Cena admitted that he failed to punch his ticket to Mania by failing to win at the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber. He could wallow in his self-pity or pick himself up and find another route to the biggest show of the year.

·        Therefore, Cena decided to do something unconventional by challenging The Undertaker to a match at WM. The crowd popped huge for the announcement as Cena explained that both men have been a part of 39 Manias during their respective careers, but they’ve never wrestled against each other at the grandest stage of them all.

·        However, Cena stated that it’s impossible for the match to take place which pissed the crowd off to no end. Since he can’t face Taker, Cena is taking his talents to SmackDown Live to see if he can earn a spot on the Mania card as the segment came to an end.

·        I think WWE is playing a game of chicken when it comes to prolonging the inevitable announcement of John Cena vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania. Cena going to SD Live has been expected for some time because he’s scheduled to appear at the Fastlane PPV in a couple of weeks. I fully expect Taker to accept Cena’s challenge which should get the ball rolling on their Mania match.

·        Cena hemming and hawing about not having a path to the biggest show of the year is comical. The fans booed his pity party speech until he challenged The Dead Man. This appears to a match the people want to see despite Taker’s disappointing string of WM matches since his shocking loss to Brock Lesnar at WM XXX in 2014. Here’s hoping The Phenom is capable of having one more show-stealing match against Cena because he deserves to end his career on the highest of notes.

·        Bray Wyatt destroyed Heath Slater and Rhyno before challenging Matt Hardy to another match. Zzz…I am so done with Wyatt that I can’t find a reason to get mad anymore. He shall be forever known as the Killer of Feuds. No shade, just facts.

·        Seth Rollins defeated The Miz with a Frogsplash in a good match. Miz was more than halfway across the ring, but Rollins still managed to hit his target as Michael Cole sold the moment beautifully on commentary. The crowd was hot for everything Rollins did which pushed the match quality over the top.

·        Prior to the match, The Miz cut a fiery promo about Kurt Angle yanking his chain when it comes to his Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania. Angle informed Miz that he might find out who his Mania opponent is later tonight. Rollins’ win suggests that he’s earned a shot at the IC Title at WM. Before that idea could percolate further, Finn Bàlor came out to rain on Rollins’ parade. Hmm…

·        After the first match was thrown out due to interference from The Miztourage, the second time was the charm for Finn Bàlor when he defeated The Miz with the Coup De Grace in a solid match. It appears that Bàlor has also punched his ticket to WrestleMania, but Rollins criticized him for picking the bones he left behind. I smell a Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Title at Mania. Just a hunch. I think…

·        The face-to-face confrontation between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns never took place as Lesnar left the show 30 minutes before their segment was scheduled to take place. Supposedly… Reigns proceeded to read Lesnar for filth by stating that he always showed up to live events no matter how big or small the crowd was. It didn’t matter what city WWE was in, he always kept his word. Reigns put over the locker room for busting their asses night in and night out while Lesnar was a self-titled piece of crap who showed up on his own time.

·        Reigns didn’t respect Lesnar because he wasn’t bred the wrestling business. He capped things off by calling The Beast a bitch before heading backstage to get chewed out by the Powers That Be. Allegedly…

·        This was Reigns’ best promo of his career. He spoke with passion and conviction as he read Lesnar for 40 days and 40 nights. It’s hard to determine if The Beast went ghost, but shit just got real in a hurry.

·        Sheamus and Ceasaro defeated Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews in a 2-out-3 Falls match when Sheamus nailed O’Neil with the Brogue Kick to score the first fall within seconds. The second fall was a bit more competitive as Crews tried his best to keep his team alive, but it was to no avail as The Bar laid him out with the White Noise/Diving Neckbreaker combination for the win. The outcome was never in doubt, but the work rate was good for the most part.

·        Braun Strowman defeated Elias via disqualification when The Drifter sprayed a fire extinguisher in Strowman’s face. With Strowman temporarily blinded, Elias slammed him into the ring post before hitting him in the midsection with the extinguisher. Strowman fought back and nailed Elias with a right hand which sent him out of the ring.

·        Elias tried to run backstage, but Strowman caught him in mid-stride. Strowman attempted to powerslam The Drifter through the announce table, but he managed to escape.

·        Elias scampered backstage with Strowman not far behind. The chase was short-lived as a limo rolled up. Hmm…

·        Elias vs. Strowman was fine, but it was slotted in the 10:30 P.M. Lull Period of Death which did both men no favors.

·        The final segment of Raw featured Triple H and Stephanie McMahon trying to clear the air with Ronda Rousey after Kurt Angle dropped the dime on them last night. McMahon stated that Rousey was no longer in UFC and things worked differently in WWE when it came to respecting her superiors. Stephanie noted that Angle answers to her which means that Rousey ultimately answers to her as well. Steph claimed that Angle was suffering from Double Pneumonia which made him say crazy things last night. Therefore, she wanted to make amends and get everyone on the same page heading into WrestleMania season.

·        Rousey marched down to the ring to kill HHH and Steph on sight, but Angle managed to calm her down. Angle acted like a sad puppy as he told Rousey that he needed to keep his job. He claimed that everything he said last night was a lie. His “double pneumonia” made him delirious and apologized for his actions.

·        Rousey took Angle at his word, but she wanted Steph to apologize for the slap or she was going to rip her arm from her socket. Stephanie offered a mea culpa, but Triple H had the last unspoken word when he punched Angle in the face as Raw went off the air with Angle holding his jaw while Stephanie and Hunter headed backstage.

·        The show should’ve ended on a more explosive note, but Stephanie McMahon wasn’t dressed to fight based on her wardrobe choice. Ronda Rousey was much better on the mic tonight as she spoke with confidence while mean-mugging her ass off. She has a presence about her that stands out which will hush down any boo birds who try to throw her off mentally.

·        It appears that Angle and Rousey will team up to face Triple H and Stephanie in a Mixed Tag Team Match at WrestleMania. WWE has five weeks to milk this feud for all its worth. Here’s hoping they get the job done while getting over their newest acquisition at the same time. Fingers crossed!

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was decent at best. The first two hours were very good, but the third hour hit a lull before the main event segment. That tends to be the case most weeks even though the show has been better from a wire to wire standpoint as of late.

·        WWE is slowly piecing together the WrestleMania card. The Universal Championship match between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar is set in stone. Everything else is in limbo at the moment. The Fastlane PPV should provide more answers in a couple of weeks because I have a feeling that Asuka is going to challenge Charlotte for the SmackDown Women’s Title after The Queen defeats Ruby Riott.

·        Meanwhile, a desperate John Cena is trying to find a path to New Orleans. His Undertaker challenge was a swerve, but I still expect the match to happen. Cena being a Debbie Downer about the whole situation is unintentionally hilarious. The man has main evented WrestleMania FIVE times and been a part of WrestleMania 20-33 over the past FOURTEEN years. Hell, a rotator cuff injury didn’t prevent him from being part of WM 32 a couple of years ago. I’m sure the Wrestling Gods are on Cena’s side which should help everyone sleep easier at night. *Insert Sarcasm Here*

·        WWE has already announced a key match for next week’s show. Asuka will face Nia Jax in a rematch from the Elimination Chamber PPV. Asuka’s undefeated streak should remain intact, but I hope she is booked like a badass who doesn’t get beat up by Jax after she wins. If anything, Alexa Bliss and Mickie James should cost Jax the match which should set up the Raw Women’s Championship bout at WM minus Asuka.  

·        Most importantly, what is the status of Brock Lesnar? Did he walk out during a live broadcast or is this a straight up work to make Roman Reigns a beloved hero? WWE has gone down this rabbit hole too many times over the past four years. Is the fifth time the charm? We shall find out soon enough. In the meantime, the internet streets will be talking about Reigns’ blistering promo all week. To quote Eric Bischoff, “Controversy Creates Cash.”

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls! 

The Raw Exposé: The Seth Rollins Is The 65 Minute Man Edition (2-19-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 2-19-2018

Location: Talking Stick Arena in Phoenix, Arizona (Night 1 of 2)

Iron Man of the Year: Seth Freakin’ Rollins

Back to Basics: The All-Night Wrestling Revue

·        In a shocker, Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns with a roll-up to survive phase one of the Gauntlet Match. This was a good match as Rollins and Reigns traded rest holds early on before picking up the tempo after the commercial break. The highlight of the match was Rollins hitting Reigns with the Buckle Bomb only for Reigns to counter with the Superman Punch. They’ve done this spot in the past, but it never gets old because it’s executed so well. Tonight was no exception as the crowd popped something fierce.

·        The finishing sequence was strong as Rollins countered Reigns’ Spear with a knee to the face. He went for the Blackout, but Reigns countered with a roll-up. This resulted in Rollins following through with a roll-up of his own for the win. Next up: John Cena.

·        In another incredible performance, Seth Rollins defeated John Cena with The Blackout in a great match. Rollins vs. Cena is one of the best television matches of the year in terms of storytelling and work rate. Rollins was running on empty as Cena tried to tell him to stay down. Rollins wouldn’t listen as he took the fight to Cena. Both men traded near falls as Rollins kicked out of the AA. He mustered enough strength to deliver a Suplex from the middle rope followed by the Falcon Arrow for a near fall. The highlight of the match was Rollins rolling through on Cena to hit his own version of the AA for a near fall. It was a shocking spot that the announcers sold to perfection.

·        Cena managed to counter with an AA and tried to roll through with another only for Rollins to counter with a knee to the face which set up the finish moments later. This was an awesome performance by both men, but Rollins was the true star as he showed up and showed out.

·        Elias defeated Seth Rollins with The Drift Away in an okay match. Rollins was favoring his left knee which ultimately played into his downfall. Rollins lasted 65 minutes and had two great matches against Reigns and Cena. He should be proud of his performance. Fans should be even prouder because this was the best first hour of Raw from a wrestling standpoint in years.

·        Finn Bàlor defeated Elias with the Coup De Grace in a solid match. This was a comedown bout after Rollins tore the down the house for an hour. Elias worked over Bàlor’s shoulder which kept him grounded for the most part. The ending was good as Bàlor hit his Slingblade/Running Dropkick/Coup De Grace trifecta for the win. Next up: The Miz.

·        The Miz defeated Finn Bàlor with the Skull Crushing Finale thanks to an assist from the Miztourage. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel distracted Bàlor long enough for Miz to attack him from behind before the match started. Miz picked up where Elias left off by going after Bàlor’s left shoulder. Bàlor got back on offense, but the Miztourage kept getting involved until he laid them out with a flip dive. Bàlor tried to finish Miz off with the Coup De Grace, but Dallas and Axel got involved which set up the finish moments later. Next up: Braun Strowman.

·        Braun Strowman defeated The Miz with a running Powerslam to win the Gauntlet Match. The bout was fine, but the outcome was never in doubt. The Miztourage tried to help their boss out, but it was to no avail as Strowman dominated the action from start to finish.

·        After the match was over, Strowman laid out Miz and the Miztourage with a series of Running Powerslams as the Phoenix crowd egged him on.

·        Overall, this was a great way to kick off the first two hours of the show. The Gauntlet Match never dragged as Seth Rollins set the tone by having one of the best matches of the year when he defeated John Cena in a great match. Renee Young interviewing the men who didn’t survive the Gauntlet was a nice touch as they didn’t believe in moral victories heading into the Elimination Chamber. This was old school wrestling at its best and it was nice to see WWE keep it simple while magnifying the importance of Sunday’s PPV at the same time. All in all, this was a nice piece of business that made me care about who punches their ticket to WrestleMania even though the outcome is damn near academic.

·        Asuka struggled through her promo as she forgot some of her lines during her interview with Renee Young. The crowd was on the verge of turning on the segment, but the boo birds were kept at bay as Asuka tried her best to power through the segment. Nia Jax tried to attack Asuka from behind, but Asuka saw the sneak attack coming and got the jump on Jax first.

·        Jax overpowered Asuka when she laid her out with a Samoan Drop followed by the Leg Drop. This appears to telegraph the finish on Sunday in terms of Asuka keeping her winning streak intact, but stranger things can happen.

·        WWE put together a nice video package of Ronda Rousey training ahead of her contract signing at the Elimination Chamber PPV on Sunday. After a ho-hum announcement last week, the company put their production prowess to good use by hyping Rousey’s official debut to the hilt. It’s about damn time!

·        Titus O’Neil and Apollo (Don’t Call Him Crews) defeated Sheamus and Cesaro when Apollo pinned Cesaro with a roll-up. This was a nice way to set up a probable match for the Raw Tag Team Championship at Elimination Chamber because it’s currently a three-match card at the moment.

·        Make that four matches as Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt has been added to the festivities as well.

·        Mickie James, Bayley, and Sasha Banks defeated Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, and Alexa Bliss when Banks made Bliss tap out to the Bank Statement in a solid main event match. Bayley and James played the babyfaces in peril early on until Banks got the hot tag down the stretch.

·        Sasha came in hot as she hit everything that moved including a sick double knees to Deville on the outside. Bliss suffered the same fate 2X, but it wasn’t enough to keep her down as she slammed Sasha’s head into the middle turnbuckle.

·        Things got chaotic towards the end when Mickie and Bayley laid out Absolution which set up the finish moments later. Sasha didn’t get a chance to celebrate as Deville and Rose attacked her from behind. Bayley tried to make the save, but it was to no avail as Absolution laid her out as well. The beat down was a bit sloppy which undercut the effectiveness of the closing angle.

·        Bliss admired their handiwork but quickly realized that she was next on the chopping block when James made the save. They nailed Deville with a Double DDT as Raw went off the air with the frenemies standing tall.

·        Despite Bliss teaming with Absolution, she maintained her alliance with James by refusing to tag in the match whenever her former mentor was in the ring. One can assume that their truce will come to an end on Sunday, but it should be interesting to see who will turn on the other first.

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was very good. The Gauntlet Match set the tone as the in-ring action was stellar due to the Herculean effort of Seth Rollins during the first 65 minutes of the show. Roman Reigns and John Cena deserve props for holding up their end of the bargain, but this was a clear indicator that Rollins can be a top babyface based on his wrestling ability alone. He has been mishandled over the past couple of years due to a shitty face turn by default, but things got better once he reunited with Dean Ambrose last summer.

·        Tonight proved that he has what it takes to still be The Man in WWE if the creative team doesn’t script him like a pompous jackass. Here’s hoping Rollins has a top tier match at WrestleMania because he hasn’t had the chance to deliver a true Mania moment despite his Money in the Bank cash-in a few years and his win over Triple H last year.

·        WWE did a great job hyping the Elimination Chamber PPV by showcasing every match on the card to maximum effect. The company shook things up by removing the obligatory promo that starts every episode of Raw. Most importantly, there was no General Manager to exert his authority while tripping over his lines at the same time (No shade to Kurt Angle, but I am simply stating the facts).

·        This was a show that had a purpose and included one of the best matches of 2018. That’s how the E should get it done heading into WM season. Despite the destination being inevitable, the creative team should make Raw and SmackDown Live must-see television every week instead of coasting their way through the biggest time of the year. Tonight was a prime example of what they can do on a consistent basis. Let’s hope the company maintains that momentum heading into the Chamber PPV on Sunday. Fingers crossed!

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls! 

The Raw Exposé: Concerto No. 5 - The Ballad of Braun Strowman (2-12-2018)

By: Keila Cash

Date: 2-12-2018

Location: SAP Center in San Jose, California

All About That Bass: Braun Strowman singing bars on bars on bars.

Welcome to the Elimination Chamber Second Chance Sweepstakes: There must be a winner. Or two…

·        Raw kicked off with John Cena waxing poetically about main eventing WrestleMania. However, that dream could be shattered if Cena doesn’t win the Elimination Chamber match in two weeks. He wanted to prove the naysayers wrong by making the impossible possible by surviving the Chamber and beating Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at Mania.

·        The Miz came out to remind Cena that it wasn’t 2013. Miz scoffed at the notion that Cena could beat Lesnar because he is the founder of Suplex City after The Beast destroyed him at SummerSlam three years ago.

·        Miz claimed he had a better shot at being a dual Champion because he wasn’t afraid to cross the line in order to get ahead. Cena admired Miz for speaking his mind, but he didn’t give him a snowball’s chance in hell of beating Lesnar at the biggest show of the year.

·        Cena challenged Miz to match with the loser entering the Chamber first. Miz turned him down, but it was a ruse as Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel blindsided Cena.

·        Miz accepted Cena’s challenge and called for a referee. Kurt Angle came out to make the match official as the opening segment came to an end.

·        John Cena defeated The Miz with a Super AA in a very good match. The action was hard-hitting and physical throughout as both men kicked out of the other’s finisher. Michael Cole noted that Cena has a 3-3 record inside the Chamber with one of those wins coinciding with him entering the match first. Cena’s Road to WrestleMania would be hard, but manageable based on his .500 Chamber record.

·        Cena went up to the top rope, but Miz knocked him on the turnbuckle to set him up for the Skull Crushing Finale. Cena blocked Miz which led to the finish moments later.

·        This was a strong way to kick off the show. Over the past few weeks, Cena has been treated like another guy on the roster. This week, he got a chance to verbalize his feelings heading into the Elimination Chamber PPV. Cena wants to main event WrestleMania because it’s the one night of the year where dreams are born and legends are made. If he doesn’t win the Chamber match, he doesn’t have a guaranteed spot at the biggest show of the year. The notion of Father Time catching up to Cena could be a great storyline heading into Mania if he fails to punch his ticket to New Orleans in two weeks.

·        The Miz played his part well as he openly admitted that he was willing to cheat in order to get ahead. Honesty is the best policy…

·        The Revival defeated Gallows and Anderson when Scott Dawson pinned Karl Anderson with the Shatter Machine. Dash and Dawson attacked Gallows and Anderson from behind which gave them the unfair advantage before the referee rang the bell. The match was fine, but the constant 50/50 booking is doing both teams a disservice at the moment.

·        Kurt Angle made a couple of announcements that have Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania ramifications. Angle announced that Jason Jordan underwent minimally invasive surgery that will prevent him from competing at Mania. A few fans cheered at Jordan’s injury which was beyond tasteless. Angle called them out on it, but he was met with a mixed reaction.

·        Things got better once Seth Rollins came out and explained that he was in Jordan’s shoes a couple of years ago when he missed WrestleMania 32 due to injury. Rollins was tired of being a part of Monday Night Raw. He wanted to be the centerpiece of the show. 

·        Rollins wanted a spot inside the Elimination Chamber. Angle noted that he couldn’t change the Fatal 4-Way Match on a whim. Rollins agreed and wanted to make the bout a Fatal 5-Way. Angle polled the audience and made the match official for later tonight as the segment came to end.

·        The second under the radar announcement from Angle was Ronda Rousey appearing at the Elimination Chamber PPV to sign her Raw contract. The crowd reaction was mixed, but I expect the Las Vegas fans to be a bit more receptive towards Rousey because UFC’s business roots are firmly planted in Sin City which should create an interesting atmosphere, to say the least.

·        Bayley reversed the Hometown Curse when she defeated Sasha Banks with the Bayley-to-Belly from the middle rope in a very good match. Bayley and Sasha have squared off against each other on the main roster over the past couple of years, but they always wrestled tentatively because both ladies were babyfaces. That dynamic went out the window tonight as The Boss heeled it up while Bayley was the Hometown Girl through and through. For the third week in a row, the women’s division delivered the goods which nice to see heading into the first-ever Women’s Elimination Chamber match.

·        Bayley tried to hug it out with Sasha after the match was over, but Nia Jax ruined the Hallmark Moment when she laid them out with a pair of Samoan Drops.

·        Charly Caruso asked Jax why she interjected herself into a situation that didn’t concern her. Jax clapped back by stating that she laid out the two women who almost beat Asuka in seconds while she vowed to end Asuka’s winning streak in similar fashion at the Chamber PPV in a couple of weeks. Her explanation totally made sense while putting Caruso in her place at the same time. Good for her.

·        Meanwhile, I liked how WWE delayed Sasha and Bayley hugging it out in the ring. There should be a hint dissension between both ladies heading into the Chamber match. By doing this, it leaves the door open for Banks’ heel turn which should lead to a full-on feud with Bayley heading into WrestleMania. It’s happening a year too late, but I digress…

·        Asuka is so next level that she has a By-The-Numbers video package detailing her badassery.

·        Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville defeated Mickie James and Alexa Bliss when Rose pinned James with the Facebuster in a decent match. Paige got involved down the stretch when she distracted Bliss long enough for Deville to pull her off the ring apron which set up the finish moments later.

·        She ordered her Absolution sisters to attack James after the match was over, but Bliss made the save which falls in line with the goal of keeping her frenemies close heading into the Chamber match in a couple of weeks.

·        Elias’ concert was interrupted by Braun Strowman. Strowman grabbed a big ass bass and immediately broke the strings. He was on the verge of breaking character, but he managed to sing his ditty before kicking Elias’ ass. As Elias was crawling up the ramp, Strowman smashed the bass over The Drifter’s back as the crowd popped something fierce.

·        Outside of the Mixed Match Challenge and the Elf Spoof during the holidays, Strowman has rarely shown his comedic side on broadcast television. He is becoming a well-rounded performer which speaks well for his future. Strowman can bring the funny while scaring the shit out of people at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!

·        Roman Reigns defeated Sheamus with a Spear from midair in a good match. This bout was in danger of being hijacked by the fans when they started up a Rusev Day chant after the commercial break. However, both men maintained their composure and delivered the goods down the stretch as the last five or six minutes featured hard-hitting action and crazy near falls that popped the crowd.

·        Cesaro tried to get involved, but Reigns knocked him over the barricade with a Superman Punch. This set up the finishing sequence as the match avoided the dreaded 10:30 Lull Period of Death. For now…

·        The Fatal 5-Way Match featuring Bray Wyatt, Matt Hardy, Apollo Crews, Seth Rollins, and Finn Bàlor ended in controversy when Rollins and Bàlor pinned Wyatt at the same time. The referee counted to three like an idiot and had the nerve to admonish both men for not claiming the win based on his bullshit decision. Raw went off the air with Michael Cole wondering who won the match as Rollins, Bàlor, and the dumbass ref argued in the ring.

·        This was a good match, but it lacked crowd heat during the last few minutes. Some fans tried to start a “CM Punk” chant early on, but they were quickly hissed down. Everyone got a chance to shine, but the flat finish left a lot to be desired.

·        In some ways, WWE telegraphed the outcome as the announcers kept talking about this being the last chance for someone to possibly punch their ticket to WrestleMania. Based on what happened tonight, Kurt Angle will probably book Rollins vs. Bàlor with the winner getting the last spot in the Chamber. Short of both men sharing a pod, this is the best way out a ludicrous situation. The match should be great, but this was such a shitty way to get from Point A to Point B.

·        To maintain the integrity of my original thoughts, I am breaking some news that happened after Raw went off the air. Kurt Angle announced that Rollins AND Bàlor earned a spot in the Elimination Chamber. For the first time ever, there will be a seven-man Chamber match. This blockbuster news should’ve been announced on television, but the match should be great considering the talent involved. The end of the main event was still a bullshit soufflé, though.

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was decent at best. This show was trending towards being pretty good until the main event. The dreaded 10:30 Lull Period of Death reared its ugly head as the Fatal 5-Way left a bitter taste in my mouth. The booking of that match damn near ruined the show. Fortunately, the first 2 ½ hours was strong as the in-ring action ranged from solid to very good. The Braun Strowman-Elias Dual Concert was the best thing on the show from an entertainment standpoint while Sasha Banks vs. Bayley win Match of the Night honors.

·        Also, WWE did nice job hyping the Elimination Chamber PPV by running down the key matches on the card. These points were hammered home to maximum effect until the company dropped the ball during the main event. Now that the situation has been rectified via social media, here’s hoping next week’s go-home show in Phoenix, Arizona is a nice make-good after tonight’s ho-hum ending. Fingers crossed!

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls! 

The Raw Exposé: You Can't See Us - How John Cena and Casper The Friendly Ghost Became Kindred Spirits (2-5-2018)

By: Keila Cash 

Date: 2-5-2018

Location: Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa

Homecoming from Hell: Jason Jordan burned Seth Rollins’ championship dreams to the ground.

Casper’s New Best Friend: John Cena because no one can see his worth as of late. #SpittingTruth

·        Roman Reigns defeated Bray Wyatt with the Spear to secure a spot in the Elimination Chamber match. The match started off sluggish, but the action picked up after the commercial break. Wyatt had Reigns on the ropes with a couple near falls, but the outcome was never in doubt despite Reigns kicking out of Sister Abigail.

·        Corey Graves oversold their rivalry on commentary by putting them on the same pedestal as Superman vs. Lex Luthor and Batman Vs. The Joker. The Reigns-Wyatt feud from 2015 was terrible, but their matches made up for the shit fans had to deal with on a weekly basis.

·        Minor criticism aside, I thought the announcers did a nice job emphasizing the importance of the Chamber match being the final playoff game before WrestleMania. It’s the last chance for someone to main event the biggest PPV of the year and that point should be hammered home over the next few weeks.

·        After the match was over, Matt Hardy nailed Wyatt with the Twist of Fate to get a measure of revenge after Wyatt cost him a spot in the Chamber last week. Their never-ending feud continues. Yay! *Insert Sarcasm Here*

·        Karl Anderson and Finn Bàlor defeated The Revival when Bàlor pinned Scott Dawson with the Coup De Grace in a solid match. Anderson shouting Kiai after kicking Dash Wilder in the face was unintentionally hilarious. I’m not thrilled with The Revival and Bàlor Club going 50/50 as of late, but it’s understandable because the tag team ranks are thin at the moment when it comes to the heel : face ratio.

·        Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander defeated Tony Nese and Drew Gulak when Alexander nailed Gulak with the Lumbar Check for the win. The match was fine, but it lacked heat despite the acrobatic feats of Alexander down the stretch.

·        Kurt Angle announced the five women who will face Alexa Bliss inside the Elimination Chamber for the Raw Women’s Championship. They are: Bayley, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Sonya Deville, and Sasha Banks.

·        Nia Jax isn’t in the Chamber match, but she will face Asuka at the PPV with possible WrestleMania ramifications. If Jax defeats Asuka, one of the Women’s Title matches will become a Triple Threat affair. The streak and a spot at the biggest show of the year are on the line. Talk about high stakes!

·        Alexa Bliss made her way to the ring and complained about being treated unfairly when it comes to defending her title inside the Chamber. The Universal Championship isn’t on the line in the Men’s Chamber Match which should automatically exempt her from competing in the women’s bout.

·        Angle stated that Bliss hasn’t defended her title since October. Bliss shot back by saying that he’s responsible for making the matches. Feeling exasperated, Angle asked the audience if they wanted to see Bliss defend her title inside the Chamber. This was a risky move because the fans actually backed Bliss’ argument, but they stayed on the script by chanting “Yes!” as the segment came to an end.

·        Bliss had a great point, but she was overruled in the end. If she tried to state her case to Stephanie McMahon, things would’ve ended badly for Little Miss Bliss. It’s like leading a lamb to slaughter…

·        Asuka defeated Bayley with an Armbar in a solid match. Both ladies delivered the goods, but the outcome was never in doubt.

·        The Miz defeated Apollo Crews with the Skull Crushing Finale to advance to the Elimination Chamber match. Miz vs. Crews was surprisingly competitive as Crews had a nice showing. Jonathan Coachman was astute on commentary as he criticized Crews for going to the well too many times instead of finishing Miz off when he had the chance. Crews went for pay dirt, but he got caught between the ropes which set up the finish moments later.

·        The fact is not lost on me that Reigns will get one of his wins back against Miz when he pins him clean inside the Chamber. Just a hunch…

·        Jason Jordan is still not medically cleared to compete which put Seth Rollins in a bind leading up the Raw Tag Team Championship against Sheamus and Cesaro. Roman Reigns was more than happy to provide the assist as Kurt Angle nodded in approval.

·        Sheamus and Cesaro defeated Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns via disqualification to retain the Raw Tag Team Championship after Jason Jordan punched Sheamus in front of the referee. To say Rollins and Reigns were pissed off would be an understatement. Before the bullshit finish, this was a good match as Rollins became the hometown hero down the stretch. He was on fire like the flames on his pants as the Des Moines native put on a one-man show.

·        Jordan made his way to ringside to provide emotional support and helped his partner get out of a jam when he grabbed Cesaro’s leg which helped Rollins score a near fall.

·        Reigns told Jordan to hit the showers because he and Rollins had everything under control. Jordan started to head towards the back when The Bar tried to get counted out on purpose. This led to the ill-fated punch which set up the DQ finish moments later.

·        Jordan looked guilty, but it could’ve been an act because he didn’t want Reigns to steal his spotlight. If that’s the case, mission accomplished! If not, Jordan just became the most hated man in Iowa.

·        Kurt Angle just went Uncle Phil on Jason Jordan…

·        Nia Jax destroyed Vanessa Floyd with a leg drop in quick and decisive fashion.

·        Mickie James defeated Sonya Deville with a roll-up in a decent match. After the match was over, Mandy Rose and Deville double-teamed James until ALEXA BLISS made the save. James looked confused as Bliss helped her to the back. Something tells me that Bliss is trying to worm her way into James’ good graces ahead of the women’s Elimination Chamber match.

·        A Second Chance Fatal 4-Way featuring Matt Hardy, Bray Wyatt, Finn Bàlor, and Apollo Crews with the winner securing the final spot in the Elimination Chamber Match. It should be a good one if everything goes according to plan.

·        Elias will be the final man to enter the Elimination Chamber as he pinned John Cena thanks to an assist from Braun Strowman. The Triple Threat Match featuring Elias, Strowman, and Cena was fine but nothing special. Cena and Elias joined forces to take out Strowman as they laid him out at ringside before turning on each other.

·        Cena got back on offense as he nailed Elias with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena tried to finish off The Drifter when Strowman caught Cena and dropped him with a Running Powerslam. Elias knocked Strowman out of the ring and picked up the tainted win moments later.

·        Elias’ celebration was short-lived as Strowman laid him out with a Running Powerslam. Cena ate a second Powerslam as the fans egged Strowman on. He gave them what they wanted as he laid out both men two more times before Raw went off the air with Strowman fist bumping fans at ringside.

·        This was a good way to end the show. Outside of Seth Rollins, Strowman was the most over star in the building. It’s weird to see Cena almost treated like an afterthought, but it happened here tonight. This is becoming a disturbing trend as of late because Cena is usually positioned as a top star despite not being featured in a front-burner storyline. Elias needs the rub, but seeing Cena in such a nothing feud is surprising to see in 2018.

·        Despite his part-time status, Cena should still be a top five star in WWE. Unless the company is waiting to pull the trigger on his rumored match against The Undertaker the night after the Elimination Chamber PPV, I don’t get the creative direction thus far. I know that hardcore fans have been clamoring for Cena to take a backseat over the past several years, but he still has equity as a marquee draw and it’s stunning that the company is treating him like a random guy on the roster with zero cachet.

·        That might not be the case behind the scenes, but the presentation of his character has been lazy and uninventive ever since his ho-hum return at Survivor Series last November. Here’s hoping Cena has a meaty storyline to sink his teeth into as we head into the heart of WrestleMania season because seeing him swim in the shallow waters of mediocrity is so 2002.

·        Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was middling at best. The Des Moines crowd was lukewarm as the in-ring action ranged from decent to solid. This felt like a glorified house show that happened to air on live television. There was no spark outside of Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman kicking ass during the third hour. Outside of that, the fans were subdued most of the night.

·        WWE is doing a nice job hyping the Elimination Chamber PPV even though it’s predicated on the two chamber matches so far. The card should feature some decent mid-card bouts, but the show will be bookended by the Chamber matches. I have a sneaky feeling that Asuka vs. Nia Jax might steal the show if they are given enough time to do so. Their match on Raw a few weeks ago was a pleasant surprise. Let’s hope they can recapture the magic in Las Vegas later this month. Fingers crossed!

On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls!