As expected earlier, two of the participants of the Universal Championship match, Kane and Brock Lesnar were absent from this week’s WWE Raw owing to the attack from Braun Strowman, last week.
However, this gave the opportunity to the creative team to book in such a way to make him the strongest babyface present in the locker room, today. The segment where he got fired was fun to watch and so was the havoc that he raised on the whole show.
After a long time on the flagship show, we witnessed such chaos where a superstar is destroying everything in his path in the locker room. It received huge cheers from the crowd, as they love to see this type of mad action. At last, Strowman got rehired on the show by Stephanie McMahon, but the monster continued to entertain. He threw Michael Cole on the security guards to create a kayfabe injury for the commentator.
That was a really interesting way to kick off #RAW. Obviously that won’t be the end of Strowman for tonight, especially with that rinky dink security force escorting him out. Good little wrinkle to the story.
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 16, 2018
The big match between Nia Jax and Asuka disappointed the crowd. Perhaps, the timing of the match was not a better one. Both of them needs momentums before getting into the Royal Rumble match, and hence a count-out victory was given to the Empress of Tomorrow. But, it failed to give any momentum to both the candidates.
Completely and totally dull handicap match with The Miztourage. This is definitely a “Let’s just get this over with” show. Production’s eyes are focused on #RAW25 and #RoyalRumble. It really feels like #RAW25 is going to be more important than #WrestleMania this year.
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 16, 2018
The match between Roman Reigns and The MIztourage fell short too. The audience did know the outcome of the match, and it was no otherwise. Instead, the booking for the Absolution was much better.
After suffering a loss, last week, Sonya Deville claimed a win against Sasha Banks in a singles match which is huge. However, Paige will be out of the Royal Rumble match.
That’s exactly what they should’ve done with Absolution last week. Absolution is a powerful group that had a great debut. They should be protected like tonight. Good call. #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 16, 2018
The main event between Seth Rollins and Finn Balor was quite a fun one. It was one dream rematch from Summerslam. The involvement of Jason Jordan, The Bar, Gallows, and Anderson created unexpected chaos to the match which made things unpredictable.
Lastly, Rollins finishing the match with the banned move, Curb Stomp was unbelievable. On that note, a decent show of WWE Raw ended hyping-up next week’s 25th anniversary.
Well that was… interesting. Flat crowd for most of the match, a botched kickout, and then the return of the Curb Stomp. Glad they’re bringing that back. Rollins really has been a man without a finisher for quite some time. That Ripcord Knee never took. #RAW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 16, 2018
Check out the Twitter reactions, here,
This man is my new hero. That was hilarious! #RAW pic.twitter.com/AVJ9TqTuTQ
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 16, 2018
60% of the time, Kurt Angle’s acting is awful all of the time. pic.twitter.com/iCYIMvHAZW
— Wrestleview.com (@wrestleview) January 16, 2018
RT if you are happy that the Curb Stomp is back!#RAW pic.twitter.com/l0uR14mAqR
— Colt – Wrestling Coverage (@WWEColt) January 16, 2018
If you weren’t like this when you saw the curb stomp, you are not human. #RAW pic.twitter.com/GU5VSU5MD1
— UNSANCTIONED Podcast ?? (@UnsanctionedPW) January 16, 2018
BEHOLD the absolutely SCINTILLATING presence of #WOKEN @MATTHARDYBRAND… NEXT on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/cVQbkY1We6
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2018
“I’M NOT LEAVING UNTIL EVERYBODY GETS THESE HANDS!”
Everybody run. #RAW pic.twitter.com/vU0Ni7kAlS
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2018
Sonya Deville is one to watch in 2018. #RAW pic.twitter.com/agPoluOXLD
— Markell Bailey (@tenorbuds) January 16, 2018
When Seth Rollins breaks out the curb stomp again.#RAW pic.twitter.com/NmKuHFp6ng
— Johnny (@WWEJohnny05) January 16, 2018
MONSTER.#RAW @BraunStrowman pic.twitter.com/CXWp6bxYdq
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2018
Did @WWERollins bring back the curbstomp #raw #raw25 pic.twitter.com/rpwKazrqzQ
— Thomas Fenton (@ThomasFentonWNW) January 16, 2018
The time grows near.
A DELETION is IMMINENT. #RAW pic.twitter.com/knxBCveeqA
— #WOKEN Matt Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) January 16, 2018
His title. His yard. Plain and simple. #Raw pic.twitter.com/9YDbXaHu4T
— RomanReigns.Org (@RomanFansite) January 16, 2018
Vince backstage seeing that curb stomp#RAW pic.twitter.com/zMTFYyXNPi
— Rachel??????? (@Its0nlyRachel) January 16, 2018
She always knows how to make an entrance. ? #RAW pic.twitter.com/OKHUUXKquj
— $cott (@MrSashaBanks) January 16, 2018
This was lovely. #Raw pic.twitter.com/gr8Wi0rUW3
— RomanReigns.Org (@RomanFansite) January 16, 2018