Welcome to the WWE Raw Review for September 3, 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.
The Real Monster
Why did Braun Strowm join forces with Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler. Many thought it was a one time thing, but Strowman announced that the reason was simple. If Roman Reigns would have the Shield, he would have McIntyre and Ziggler with him. While there was a line about not caring what the WWE Universe thought, this might not be the heel turn we were expecting. Strowman has always worked better as an anti-hero and this might be a more true version of that.
Drake
The story of the Authors of Pain’s match was not the two jobbers that squashed in a few minutes. The story was that Drake Maverick was in their corner as their new manager. He stated before the match that he will continue to be the GM of 205 Live as well. This is such a out there move that it might just be brilliant. More Maverick is a good thing, and will his new duties make him more heelish in his GM duties?
Undertaker
Shawn Michaels made his way to the ring to talk about Triple H and the Undertaker and their match in Australia. After a few seconds, the lights went out and the Deadman himself headed to the ring. What happened was a interesting bit of promo work by the Undertaker. He admitted that HBK and Triple H were his friends, but that he also put them both down. Michaels then said the reason he has not wrestled again is because he respects the Undertaker. Something tells me HBK might be getting involved in this match somehow.
Match of the Night
Braun Strowman vs. Finn Balor (Strowman wins by pinfall)
It would seem that putting Strowman against Finn Balor might be trying to make Strowman more of a heel, but he did not do anything in a heelish way. It was the fact that he brought Ziggler and Mcintrye to be ringside. Balor looked in great form, but the power of Strowman was simply too much. If Strowman gets the title at Hell in the Cell, will he still need the other two? The bigger problem will be if management is backing these three.
Conclusion
The Bella Twins beat the Riott Squade . Bobby Roode and Chad Gable have formed a new team. Kevin Owens attacked Bobby Lashley. Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler are your new Tag Team Champions. Alexia Bliss beat Natalya. Bayley and Sasha Banks beat Ember Moon and Dana Brooke
