Overall this was definitely an entertaining Raw. While it didn’t feel a ton like a traditional “Go-Home” show, it was a fun Halloween episode. The Trick or Street Fight was entertaining from start to finish. Roman Reigns cut one heck of a promo headed into Crown Jewel, and while he was up, he knocked out The Miz. To Miz’s credit he came back later in the show but was defeated by Mustafa Ali. Things only got worse for Miz, as immediately after, Johnny Gargano revealed that Miz had been paying Dexter Lumis to attack him. Once again Bobby Lashley and Brock Lesnar had to be separated by nearly the entire locker room. In the main event, Asuka and Alexa Bliss were able to win the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Oh yeah, Crown Jewel is Saturday and the card is absolutely stacked.
It is a Halloween edition of Monday Night Raw, and there are plenty of matches on tap for tonight. Nikki Cross makes her return to action against Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair. Matt Riddle will face Otis in a Trick or Street Fight, and Damage Cntrl defends the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Asuka and Alexa Bliss.
GOOD Bianca Belair vs. Nikki Cross:
This was a non title match, and Nikki Cross has an entirely new gimmick. Well kind of, there are some things reminiscent of her SANITY character. Especially in regards to her mannerisms. This isn’t the same Nikki ASH we’ve seen over the last year on the main roster, this is Nikki Cross from NXT. It ends up being a very entertaining match as well. In the end, Belair connects with the KOD to pick up the victory, but after the match, Damage Ctnrl attacks the champion. Alexa Bliss and Asuka run down to save her and the segment ends with them standing tall.
Result: Bianca Belair by Pinfall via KOD
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GREAT Bobby Lashley and Brock Lesnar Promo:
Lashley starts by talking with Lesnar non existent in the opposing chair. Bobby Lashley cuts the rest of his promo and then Brock Lesnar enters the actual arena. Lashley is quickly in tow, and this becomes a physical altercation. It takes nearly the entire locker room as well as arena security to separate these two men.
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GOOD Seth Rollins vs. Austin Theory:
This was a non title match. Theory and Rollins had a solid match for about 15 minutes. In the end after a lot of back and forth, Theory attempted a pedigree but had it blocked by Seth. Rollins hit the Stomp to pick up the win.
Result: Seth Rollins by Pinfall via Stomp
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GREAT Roman Reigns Promo:
Roman enters this week only accompanied by Paul Heyman, and his promo reflects such. He makes sure to mention that both Sami Zayn and Jey Uso are at home solving their issues. Next he brings up Logan Paul and their match this weekend at Crown Jewel. The Miz interrupted and offered his help against Paul, but Reigns swiftly disposed of him with a Superman Punch as the segment ended.
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
GOOD Karl Anderson vs. Damian Priest:
Anderson is accompanied by The OC and Priest is by the Judgement Day. After a short back and forth match, Karl Anderson uses a backslide to pick up the win over Priest. Post match, the Judgement Day swarm Anderson but both Gallows and Styles are there for the save.
Result: Karl Anderson by Pinfall via Backslide
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE JBL/Baron Corbin Promo:
JBL talks a lot and puts over both himself and Corbin. Thankfully Corbin is interrupted by R-Truth and momentarily the crowd is excited for this encounter. In the end, Corbin gets him with the End of Days and stands tall alongside JBL as the segment ends.
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 2.50 Stars
GOOD Matt Riddle vs. Otis Trick or Street Fight:
Riddle is dressed as Ezekiel for this match and both Otis and Gable are in costume as well. This is a super gimmicky yet incredibly fun match. The crowd is into it throughout and the whole thing is pretty dang hilarious. There are pumpkins surrounding the ring, and somewhere along the way, one ends up on the head of Otis. Riddle wins the match via RKO.
Result: Matt Riddle by Pinfall via RKO
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Mustafa Ali vs. The Miz:
The Miz will face Mustafa Ali tonight and this is huge given the fact that Ali is cultivating his rivalry with Seth Rollins. The match is pretty quick, but definitely entertaining. Lumis interferes and Ali takes advantage, landing a superkick followed by a 450 splash for the win.
Result: Mustafa Ali by Pinfall via 450 Splash
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
Dexter Lumis/The Miz Segment: Apparently Johnny Gargano is going to give a tell all interview, and we’ll see what he has to say about Miz and Lumis. This is a hilariously produced, 60 minutes esque segment. Gargano claims that Dexter Lumis was being payed by The Miz to attack him. Gargano’s entire claim is that Lumis and Miz were in on this the whole time. This is an unrateable segment but a very entertaining one.
GREAT Asuka and Alexa Bliss vs. Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky, WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match:
Asuka and Bliss are not only motivated but they start this match relatively quickly. While the champions put up a great fight, it is the challengers that shine through here. Asuka and Alexa Bliss are the new champions and they win via Twisted Bliss. The crowd goes crazy for the new champions, and the match was definitely worth a rewatch.
Result: Asuka and Alexa Bliss by Pinfall via Twisted Bliss
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Overall: Overall this was definitely an entertaining Raw. While it didn’t feel a ton like a traditional “Go-Home” show, it was a fun Halloween episode. The Trick or Street Fight was entertaining from start to finish. Roman Reigns cut one heck of a promo headed into Crown Jewel, and while he was up, he knocked out The Miz. To Miz’s credit he came back later in the show but was defeated by Mustafa Ali. Things only got worse for Miz, as immediately after, Johnny Gargano revealed that Miz had been paying Dexter Lumis to attack him. Once again Bobby Lashley and Brock Lesnar had to be separated by nearly the entire locker room. In the main event, Asuka and Alexa Bliss were able to win the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Oh yeah, Crown Jewel is Saturday and the card is absolutely stacked.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.50/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.50/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.00/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE.com
For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
