Welcome to the Raw Review for January 15, 2018. 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
Rampage
It seems that enough is enough. After Braun Strowman tore down a piece of the stage last week, Kurt Angle was not pleased. He not only took Strowman out of the title match, he also fired him. This went over as well as you might expect and Strowman spent the next hour destroying everything and everyone in his path. At one point, he even overturned a semi cab. Only after dragging Michal Cole across the stage was he told that that Stephanie McMahon had rehired him and put him back in the title match. He celebrated by launching Cole off the stage. Strowman was at his absolute best here, bringing destruction every where he went.
The Empress Survives
Askua has not lost since joining the WWE, both here and in NXT, but her biggest challenge was the woman called Nia Jax. Askua tried all the moves that had gotten her wins before, but Jax kept shrugging her best shots off. It was only when Askua kicked her while Jax was standing on the steel steps did she do any real damage. Jax hurt her ankle and the referee called for the bell. Askua might have been the winner, but she did not get Jax by pin fall or by submission. These two will clash again and one has to wonder what the outcome will be.
The GM’s Son
One has to wonder what Jason Jorden’s mind is at. During the Bar’s rematch with Titus Worldwide, Jordan appeared to distract the challengers and have Titus and Apollo Crews score another victory. He then talked to his father and suggested that Seth Rollins should meet Finn Balor in the main event. An idea that was not discussed with Rollins. Jordan is moving toward his heel turn, but the reason why it happens is still a mystery. Is he angry with Rollins? Or does he have an axe to grind with Angle?
Match of the Night
Seth Rollins vs Finn Balor (Rollins win by pinfall)
The rematch of the first Universal Title Fight. Rollins had Jordan while Balor had Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. No one would get involved until the very end of the match. Rollins and Balor put on a great match, w2ith reversals and high impact moves the entire time. When the Bar came to the ring, Jordan got them to fight with Gallows and Anderson. This allowed the referee to be distracted so that Jordan could trip Balor and Rollins could bring back the Curb Stomp. Rollins did not seem mad about Jordan’s move, but Balor looked legitimately shook up after the match.
Conclusion
Enzo Amore made sure Nia Jax was all right after her match. Sonya Deville defeated Sahsa Banks. The Revival are here to tell you they are wrestlers, not entertainers. Bill Goldberg is the first inductee into this year’s class for the Hall of Fame. Next week, we celebrate Raw’s 25th anniversary with a ton of special guests.
