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0 out of 9
Credit: WWE.com
Monday Night Raw has already set the course for WWE TLC 2018. The best matches are confirmed with Seth Rollins against Dean Ambrose, Braun Strowman against Baron Corbin and Ronda Rousey against Nia Jax. This means that Raw has a lot of time to devote to these games.
This week's focus was clearly on Rollins, who had promised an open challenge in which he would defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against anyone. Another title match was scheduled this week with the Authors of Pain competing against Bobby Roode and Chad Gable.
With Strowman dismissed by injury, Raw's men's division turned to two other big games. Corbin would fight against one of his biggest rivals at Finn Balor, while Elias would still have a shot at defeating Bobby Lashley and silencing Lio Rush.
The women's division's attention was less certain, although Jax was likely to continue to gain momentum and potentially attempt to intimidate Rousey. The worst woman on the planet, however, is not one to be easily scared.
Raw this week had serious potential with as many gigantic matches promised. TLC is still in weeks, so there was no reason for this show to be hasty, focusing on narration of exciting stories and the organization of quality matches.
1 of 9
Corbin started the series with Drew McIntyre, Lashley and Lio Rush to brag about the damage they did to Strowman. Corbin showed a video of The Monster Among Men promising that he would be back soon from his elbow surgery.
The Acting Director General then clarified that he would become permanent at TLC after The Monster would not appear. Elias interrupted and insulted Lashley. During their match, The Drifter managed to handle the number game on the outside and get the three apparently with a nudge.
However, Rush removed the referee from his position, the referee claiming a disqualification. The GM, however, announced that the match was not a match with the three men, then stormed the ring and destroyed the musician. After a spear around the ring on the outside, the fall was theoretical.
Result
Lashley def. Elias by pinfall
Quality
C-
Analysis
Once again, the story of Corbin takes too much time a week on Raw. Lashley and McIntyre form an imposing pair to help the GM make his choice, but this alliance leads to draws that matter little. It is all too clear that this will happen well before arrival.
Elias looked impressive here despite the terrible difficulties, which should bode well for him after Corbin's loss of power. For the moment, it's a pending game. Even if the story sold is that Strowman will not arrive at TLC, it is probably the last act of Corbin's leadership race.
2 of 9
The Revival called the Lucha House Parties for their inexpensive rule changes before asking for revenge. Despite the frustration of Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder, the match was again played under the rules of the Lucha House Party, under the domination of Kalisto, Lince Dorado and Grand Metalik. Dorado hit a shooting star press to give Luchadors another victory.
Result
Lucha House Party def. Revival by pinfall
Quality
D +
Analysis
Lucha House Party will always be fun to watch, but the artificial attempt to bring them out was already a bad move on the first outing. One has the impression that faces cheat openly without discernible reason at a time when the GM heel does not support them clearly.
This quarrel still has potential, but it does not go anywhere until the odds are fair. Otherwise, it's just a glorified handicap squash.
3 of 9
Credit: WWE.com
Jax is touted to have put Becky Lynch on the shelf with a concussion. She then took credit for launching the fall of The Worst Woman in the World Illustrated by Charlotte Flair's Brutal Attack at Survivor Series.
After The Face Breaker claimed that she was at the top of the women's division, Rousey finally announced her willingness to defeat The Irresistible Force.
While Tamina was looking to help Jax double her team as a champion, Natalya is rushed to make the save, before being eliminated by the Riott team. Rousey sent Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan to retire on the ramp.
Quality
C-
Analysis
Jax has never been an excellent worker at the mic, but it seemed even worse than usual. The former female champion attempted to sell her armament as a stub and this was revealed to be completely unnatural. Rousey looked like a seasoned veteran at the mic in comparison.
WWE is taking the steps that are required to make the most of this situation. In leaning on the unfortunate injury, Jax vs. Rousey has more heat. Lynch vs. Jax will be a huge angle for the WWE. However, after that moment, The Face Breaker should fall into the ladder for a moment as a punishment for reckless shooting.
4 of 9
Drake Maverick promised that Bobby Roode and Chad Gable would understand the fear he felt at Survivor Series before the end of this title match against The Authors of Pain. Gable and Roode seemed focused in their interview before leaving for the contest.
Maverick played games of the spirit by stealing Roode 's dress and heading backstage. In revenge for comments from The Glorious One, the manager pee on the dress, which was shown on the titantron. The distraction allowed Akam and Rezar to hit Roode for an optimal victory.
Result
Authors of Pain def. Roode and Gable by pinfall
Quality
C
Analysis
If it was possible to pay attention to the action in the ring, there would be enough for a decent title defense. However, it was only a puzzle to pursue a frustrating angle that belittles Maverick several times.
The team division of Raw deserves much more than this AOP, in particular.
5 of 9
Credit: WWE.com
With her new partner Curt Hawkins in her corner, Ember Moon was quick to tidy up Alicia Fox. She's connected to The Eclipse for three. Subsequently, Hawkins celebrated as he had his first win in years.
Result
Moon def. Fox by spit
Quality
C
Analysis
It was a complete squash that seemed to not even need to happen. This was supposed to help sell the Mixed Match Challenge, but the match never went anywhere to give the impression that it was a good sale. At least the goddess of war won a victory.
6 of 9
Credit: WWE.com
No Way Jose interrupted the celebration of Moon and Hawkins to head for the ring with the conga line. The modern day Maharaja quickly anchored the host, but José refused to stay down. Finally, however, Mahal rested him with an emphatic Khalla.
Result
Mahal def. Jose by tomb
Quality
re
Analysis
Jose has not been on TV for a while for a reason. At best, it is perceived as a talent for development. There is therefore no reason why he should have been so offended as against Mahal. In a way, it lasted much longer than Moon vs Fox, but provided even less.
7 of 9
Rollins told fans that he wanted to reconcentrate himself after games in the spirit of Ambrose. So he came back to defend his title in open challenges. Dolph Ziggler took this opportunity to get another title against The Architect, certain that he had Rollins' number.
The Showoff proved early that he certainly knew how to challenge the WWE Intercontinental Champion, but that was not enough. Even after being connected with a Zig Zag, Rollins stayed there before hitting a superplex in Falcon Arrow for the win.
Result
Rollins def. Ziggler by pinfall
Quality
B
Analysis
The open challenge format is to allow new candidates to stand out. That would have been a good way to let Apollo Crews continue to develop goodwill with the fans. An NXT call or a return from someone like Bray Wyatt would have been an exciting move.
It was more of a match between Rollins and Ziggler. To be honest, it was undoubtedly the best match of the night, a big televised shock. It was obvious that both are putting their all in every moment, and their chemistry is obvious. It was so useless with so many new options available.
8 of 9
Credit: WWE.com
Alexa Bliss, newly appointed head of Corbin's women's division, hosted an open forum where fans would have asked Sasha Banks and Bayley questions. The goddess quickly took over and tried to convince the best friends to make their mouths.
After too many Bliss insults by The Boss and Hug Connection, Mickie James, Fox and Dana Brooke jumped faces to get away from Banks and Bayley, who were standing tall.
Quality
C
Analysis
Insults in primary schools associated with utterly inconsequential narration have made it a useless segment. Although it's good that Banks and Bayley are doing something new on Raw, their rivalry with Bliss will have to make a radical change to not feel completely dull.
The only thing that resulted was Brooke heals the heels, but she was quickly eliminated, even though she managed to beat every third time.
9 of 9
Credit: WWE.com
Alone, Corbin still managed to use early Balor in this game. However, The Irishman refused to be slow, becoming faster and more aggressive every minute. After the managing director ducked De Grace, he announced that the match was now a handicap game including McIntyre.
The Scottish psychopath took less than a minute to follow his example by hitting Claymore on a distracted Balor. Subsequently, Lashley joined the fray with the Three Plantations of The Extraordinary Man, ending with another Claymore kick.
Result
Corbin and McIntyre def. Balor by brooch
Quality
C
Analysis
This was no different than the opening segment beyond the match having a little more to it. As the main event, it was not remarkable. Corbin and Balor have always been good opponents, but certainly not a couple worthy of closing Raw.
Raw's goal was to sell Corbin as imminent imminent force, but it simply made the entire night lethargic and predictable. Balor against McIntyre is the only good that will eventually result.
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