Welcome to the Raw Review for October 23, 2017. For both this and Smackdown, I will go over what the big talking points were, pick the match of the night, and look ahead to the next show.
Talking Points
The Devil’s Favorite Demon
Why did Kane attack Braun Strowman at TLC? The Big Red Machine answered that very question after attacking Dena Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and AJ Styles. Claiming that he was upset that Braun Strowman was called a monster, Kane wanted to remind everyone that he was the first and only monster. He demanded that someone come out and face him and Finn Balor answered the call. The match was old school Kane, taking shots while not going down and finishing Balor with three chokeslams. This is the Kane of old, one who might not have put Strowman down as well as he might have thought.
Only One Champ
With the news earlier that Kurt Angle had made a match for Brock Lesnar vs. Jinder Mahl at Survivor Series, the Beast came down to the ring with his advocate Paul Heyman. What followed was not a typical Heyman promo, as he tore into Mahl for daring to think that he was on Lesnar’s level. This was more of a shoot promo, and Heyman gave it everything he had. Mahl better think of something fast unless he wants to be Lesnar’s next victim. On a side note, has there ever been a bad Heyman promo? I think he could walk to the ring, say nothing for five minutes, walk out, and I would still rate it a nine out of ten.
Under Seige
If you thought the battle between Smackdown and Raw at Survivor Series was not personal think again. Shane McMahon showed up at the end of Raw with the entire blue brand behind him. What followed was mayhem as they tore through the locker room, beating anyone who crossed their path. Angle was left speechless and very angry as Shane took his troops home. This has made the stakes for the upcoming pay-per-view red hot. How will Raw respond? And what would have happened if the Smackdown roster had come across a certain Monster Among Men?
Match of the Night
Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles vs. The Miz, Cesaro and Sheamus (Rollins, Ambrose and Styles win by pin fall)
This was the earliest a match of the night happened, and it was the first match. All six men looked none the worse for wear as the beat and flew all over each other. Styles especially thrived, looking like the future Hall of Famer he is. I must point out that in the last twenty-four hours, I have wanted Cesaro to fight Angle and now I want to see him and Styles in a match. The Swiss Cyborg is as good as they come. This was the hottest way to start the show and Styles must be given props for pulling double duty this week.
Conclusion
A lot of great stuff happened on the first show towards Survivor Series. Every Champion from both shows will compete against each other at the pay per view. Alicia Fox beat both Sasha Banks and Bailey to become captain of the women’s team at Survivor Series. Drew Gulak read Enzo Amore’s intro in the funnest moment of the night. Elias left a very nasty looking bruise on Jason Jordan, courtesy of his guitar. Will Raw retaliate tomorrow on Smackdown?
