Welcome to the WWE Raw Review for August 20, 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.
A Fighting Champion
Roman Reigns came out to a lot of boos, but a few cheers as well. Holding the belt, he promised that he would be a fighting champion and that his first opponent would be the man who never got his rematch, Finn Balor. Balor came out and the two shook hands. Baron Corbin tried to ruin the fun, but his schemes were thawrted by Kurt Angle. This is how you book Reigns. Make him give the WWE Universe matches they want. Second, put him in conflict with wrestlers fans hate more.
A New Man
Dean Ambrose wrestled for the first time in nine months against Dolph Ziggler. The time away, and time at that gym, has turned him into a different wrestler. His moves are now more power based and he stalks his prey all around the ring. The end of this match saw him his counter a Zig Zag, toss Ziggler up and then hit Dirty Deeds. It’s so rare when a wrestler completely changes up his style and this new way changes Ambrose just like a gimmick switch.
Evolution
Rhonda Rousey was presented with her championship with all the Raw Women’s Division surrounding the ring. The person talking was Stephanie McMahon and she showed us that she still had not learned what not to say. Taking credit for Rousey’s success, she tried to turn the women against Rousey. Rousey was not playing, talking up the women before she put the arm bar on Stephanie. One of these days, Stephanie will learn.
Match of the Night
Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs. Finn Balor (Reigns wins by pinfall)
The match that everyone has been asking for finally happened on Monday. The early going had Reigns using his strengh to counter Balor’s quickness. These two don’t lock up that often, but their contrasting styles back for a great match. Balor had to go to high risk moves in order to stop Reigns for a moment. Reigns would get the win, but Strowman would attempt to cash in. Ambrose and Rollins made their entrance, and the reunited Shield laid the Monster out.
Conclusion
The B-Team lost both singles matches to the Revial. The Riott Squad hung on to beat Bayley, Sasha Banks and Ember Moon. Titus World Wide ran into the brick wall known as The Authors of Pain. Curtis Hawkins is still looking for that win after losing to Elias. Corbin lost to Bobby Lashley.
