Monday Night Raw LD - March 5, 2018

[klunderbunker]

You wouldn't know it's Wrestlemania season if you just watched the show. We have five shows before Wrestlemania and there's one match announced. Set something up tonight.

[BaconBits]

I’d imagine some stuff happens tonight in regards to Mania.

[klunderbunker]

Well that was obvious.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Iâ??d imagine some stuff happens tonight in regards to Mania.

Way to put yourself out there :lmao:

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

FUCK thank goodness we can get on the road to mania and get these special segments with Steph cutting promos!!

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Wow sheâ??s going real life. Way to make me so much more interested :rolleyes:

[klunderbunker]

I'm digging the dyed hair.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

She forgot “and shut your mouth”

[Fire Marshall Bill]

You don’t have to high five the whole planet.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

We should probably move past the bashful fangirl part of the rousey entrance

[shafe_41]

Ronda!

Hey, she's showing up weekly so far. That's two in a row.

[BaconBits]

We should probably move past the bashful fangirl part of the rousey entrance

I think it’s very cool that she’s actually a big fan, however, her marking out does not go with the character she’s suppose to be at all.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

Yoooooooooooooooooo

She is super fucking nervous

[shafe_41]

Yeah she probably shouldn't have gone and high fived the entire front row if she's coming out to be serious.

[BaconBits]

Ronda!

Hey, she's showing up weekly so far. That's two in a row.

She’s supposed to be full time.

[klunderbunker]

Stephanie is in charge? She should have said something.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

To be fair why the fuck is someone who has been in the business for two months doing carrying scripted tv talking segments

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

Oh my they fucked that up massive

[shafe_41]

She’s supposed to be full time.

No I know. I honestly still thought full-time for Ronda would be like... 80%.

[shafe_41]

Did Triple H know Steph said he wasn't there? Is this whole segment a disaster or just really poorly put together?

[BaconBits]

No I know. I honestly still thought full-time for Ronda would be like... 80%.

It probably will be long term, but this is the build to her first match.

[shafe_41]

Oh we're just going to throw the match together like that? What are we supposed to do the next 5 weeks?

[Spidey]

Forgot about tonight. I see that tag match is confirmed.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

It just better end up with Ronda beating Steph. Even if she is basically a noncombatant.

[BaconBits]

Can we have Ronda around every time Steph goes to slap somebody.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Did Triple H know Steph said he wasn't there? Is this whole segment a disaster or just really poorly put together?

Just showing they’re full of shit.

[Lee]

I absolutely despise the quick angle camera changes.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

Solid bump and sell by Rousey there , ok ok

[Skairipa]

I'm glad Ronda didn't just let Steph escape this week.

[shafe_41]

I'm not sure I'm a fan of them touching already like that.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

Rousey vs Banks, Sane, Bliss who can really bump for her is gonna be epic

[klunderbunker]

That worked. Not the best looking Samoan drop though.

[shafe_41]

And I really hope that isn't supposed to be Ronda's finisher. I don't think they'd reveal that randomly 5 weeks away.

[Lee]

I do like that Rousey's tied her hair back and got a black tshirt to show she's badass now.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

"What a way to start off raw!" Well, he isn't wrong

[BaconBits]

Looked like Ronda was gonna go for an F-5 when she first got Steph up.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Little does Kurt know that Steph has a 3rd contract as a buzzkill.

[shafe_41]

Looked like Ronda was gonna go for an F-5 when she first got Steph up.

Even though that belongs to Brock, there was a tiny tiny part of me that thought the F5 was happening.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Looked like Ronda was gonna go for an F-5 when she first got Steph up.

I almost thought it was going to be an AA.

[Spidey]

I thought it would be the AA and I'm just happy that it wasn't.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I thought it would be the AA and I'm just happy that it wasn't.

It’s only a matter of time before Steph kicks out of it too :lmao:

[BaconBits]

Even though that belongs to Brock, there was a tiny tiny part of me that thought the F5 was happening.

If she does end up getting paired with Heyman as rumored, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they ended up giving her the F-5 as a finisher. Unlike Brock being able to get big dudes up, though, I feel Ronda might have trouble hitting it on Nia, though.

[Spidey]

So fucking weird to see country music theme for Wrestlemania.

[Skairipa]

I thought it would be the AA and I'm just happy that it wasn't.

Ha I thought it'd be an F5.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

I'm still convinced we get Asuka vs Alexa instead of Charlotte.

[Lee]

Why don't they keep Asuka away from Nia. No need.

[klunderbunker]

Can we please get over this Asuka vs. Nia thing and have Asuka challenge Charlotte already?

[Spidey]

"...has a date to battle for the championship!"


I guess that's better than a rendevouz to fight for the title.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

If she does end up getting paired with Heyman as rumored, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they ended up giving her the F-5 as a finisher. Unlike Brock being able to get big dudes up, though, I feel Ronda might have trouble hitting it on Nia, though.

She’s got a natural submission finisher given her MMA history of making people tap.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

No one even bothered to make an LD on Wz

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Who was that behind Alexa?

[Spidey]

What is this half and half shit? We taking a time machine back to the 80s? Is this GLOW?

[Lee]

This is some old school early 90s superstars promos there.

[klunderbunker]

Who was that behind Alexa?

Mickie James.

[Spidey]

Alright, that thing Nia did was cool

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Shit! I missed Rowdy Ronda? I want replays.

[Slyfox696]

Just got home from work...did I miss anything interesting?

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Just got home from work...did I miss anything interesting?

Angle/Rousey v HHH/Steph is official.

[klunderbunker]

Remember to warn her in Japanese because Asuka can't speak English! Be fair!

[shafe_41]

Didn't we see this match already? It was called Shayna/Ember

[shafe_41]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand Nia loses again. Still not sure what the point of this is.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Uh...she just did, Cole. But it actually did make Jax look good and likable.

[klunderbunker]

Really? We're doing the hero's sendoff face turn? From that match?

[Spidey]

She looked good. She looked like someone I should be rooting for. (Jax)

[Slyfox696]

Angle/Rousey v HHH/Steph is official.Oh...good...two incredibly washed up wrestlers tagging up with two women who have never been active wrestlers.

What could go wrong?

[shafe_41]

Uh...she just did, Cole. But it actually did make Jax look good and likable.

They have no clue what they're doing with her it seems. She was attacking Asuka from behind who's pretty over face a week ago. Do they want her to be likable or be a heel? I've never seen so much this or that and in between booking for someone.

[BaconBits]

Really? We're doing the hero's sendoff face turn? From that match?

If Auska ends up going after Charlotte, Alexa will need an opponent.

[Lee]

Oh...good...two incredibly washed up wrestlers tagging up with two women who have never been active wrestlers.

What could go wrong?

One of those is a former womens champion dammit.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

This should be a good tussle.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

If Auska ends up going after Charlotte, Alexa will need an opponent.

This is a good point. They’ve been brewing that feud for what seems like forever. They just never pulled the trigger because they just can’t seem to book Jax very well. Maybe this is where it finally goes somewhere.

[Lee]

I hate the beat the champion to get a champions match thing that goes on far too often.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I hate the beat the champion to get a champions match thing that goes on far too often.

Feels like once a week.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I thought he was going for a super DDT or something. That would’ve been cool, but dangerous.

[BaconBits]

I hate the beat the champion to get a champions match thing that goes on far too often.

Problem is, there is exactly one other legitimate tag team than these two on RAW and the’re back to their natural role of being henchmen. With that talent shortage, I have no idea what else they’re supposed to do with these two teams.

[Lee]

Problem is, there is exactly one other legitimate tag team than these two on RAW and the’re back to their natural role of being henchmen. With that talent shortage, I have no idea what else they’re supposed to do with these two teams.

Just make the match?

[Slyfox696]

One of those is a former womens champion dammit....I stand corrected.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Nothing wrong with some quick no name matches so these teams don't have to fight each other 12 times a month.

[klunderbunker]

Hokey smoke a PowerPlex.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Huh?

[Skairipa]

Well that was fucking stupid.

[BaconBits]

Just make the match?

I mean, they did, but they have to at least attempt to make the match interesting. This feud needs to end up with all four guys laid out by the AOP.

[klunderbunker]

.....multi team ladder match right?

[Lee]

.....multi team ladder match right?

Maybe a Dudleyz last hurrah match?

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Hardy and Wyatt need to become a team just to fill a hole.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

From putting over too many people to the free agent nonsense and now this "does he have a path to WrestleMania" story, John Cena has been wasted over the last year.

[BaconBits]

.....multi team ladder match right?

Kinda hard to do that with just two legitimate teams.

[Skairipa]

So I guess were just not having The Bar defend at Mania.

[Spidey]

An Undertaker Gong in a horror trailer?

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Cena got a concessions job to make sure he’d be at WM.

[BaconBits]

From putting over too many people to the free agent nonsense and now this "does he have a path to WrestleMania" story, John Cena has been wasted over the last year.

He’s only been around slightly more than Brock over the last year.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Cena got a concessions job to make sure he’d be at WM.

So no one's working concessions this year?

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

What was the deal with that horror movie trailer mixed with WWE wrestlers? Way to confuse people. Everyone will go expecting Bray Wyatt in a horror movie.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

But if he loses that match he’s still screwed for WM...

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Wait..this Sunday? That was quick.

[klunderbunker]

Is there any logical reason to have a nothing pay per view four weeks before Wrestlemania?

[Spidey]

Seems slightly cowardly, that reason he's here and not on Smackdown.

[klunderbunker]

So assuming Cena loses on Sunday, we're getting Undertaker vs. CEna set up in four weeks?

[Lee]

Good Cena promo.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Well that’s random.

[klunderbunker]

That would be the Nakamura who doesn't have a match at Fastlane if you're confu.....Goldust?

[shafe_41]

Goldust vs. Cena at Mania. Book it.

[Lee]

GOLDUST!!!!

[Spidey]

lol what

[Fire Marshall Bill]

That would be the Nakamura who doesn't have a match at Fastlane if you're confu.....Goldust?

Give it a day. You think 4 weeks is a short build?

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Give it a day. You think 4 weeks is a short build?

For a dream match of that caliber, yes

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

What the hell is going on?

[Lee]

I always forget how tall Goldust is.

[shafe_41]

Are they just making matches and segments tonight for the lulz?

[klunderbunker]

They're officially out of ideas aren't they?

[BestSportsEntertainer]

This is what happens when you simulate Universe mode

[Spidey]

So out of left field and I love it.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Doesn’t matter what happened next...:lmfao:

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Even Cena was looking around with a What the Fuck look on his face.

[Lee]

Holy fucking crap!

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Thought I heard one of the commentators mumble “This is weird.”

[BaconBits]

They're officially out of ideas aren't they?

Bodies, too, apparently.

[Skairipa]

Tonight is so odd.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Up next: having never wrestled before, Seth Rollins is taking on Jamie Noble with Doink the clown refereeing.

[Lee]

Wait until Godust kicks out of the AA

[BestSportsEntertainer]

At least this is different

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Like the commentators trying to sell why Cena is having so much trouble.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Wait until Godust kicks out of the AA

Super AA.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

So Cena can beat the WWE Champion clean on TV but then struggles with someone who hasn't been in a meaningful match in years?

[Fire Marshall Bill]

People just glad the match is over.

[Spidey]

Kick to the balls. Still 2

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Somebody shock Golddust so we can get the stuttering,malfunctioning C3-PO Golddust of the 90s.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

This has been one of the weirdest WrestleMania builds in a while.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I just want to hear someone get hit with a xylophone.

[Lee]

Forgot about the mizzies.

[shafe_41]

Fish getting injured the other night could put quite the damper on the Dusty Classic. You could obviously slide Cole in there but that also puts kind of a damper on his singles run if Fish is out awhile.

[Spidey]

Elias should garrote Braun with some piano wire. Only way he stands a chance.

[Skairipa]

Forgot about the mizzies.

When will Titus have his own award show?

[klunderbunker]

....I knew the show that introduction was from just from the audio. That's not good.

[shafe_41]

Hillbilly Jim literally always seemed like the nicest dude.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Hillybilly Jims overall paint would always smudge on impact in the toy ring.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Here's a chance for Bayley to add something to her character.

My confidence is at about 4 %

[Skairipa]

Time to set up Bayley vs Sasha at Mania hopefully.

[shafe_41]

Oh Mandy you flawless human being you.

[Lee]

When will Titus have his own award show?

Soon, stealing the idea I'm sure.

[BaconBits]

Here's a chance for Bayley to add something to her character.

My confidence is at about 4 %

The thing with Bayley that nobody ever wants to admit is that she’s not that good at professional wrasslin’.

[shafe_41]

WHY DO WE NEED A CAMERA CUT FOR EVERY TIME YOU PUT MANDY'S HEAD TO THE TURNBUCKLE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[Lee]

WHY DO WE NEED A CAMERA CUT FOR EVERY TIME YOU PUT MANDY'S HEAD TO THE TURNBUCKLE?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I hate it.

[shafe_41]

So like... is Bayley turning?

[Lee]

So like... is Bayley turning?

No, she's showing she can be ruthless as per her moves in the match (when needed) and not a walkover and won't put up with shit.

[klunderbunker]

Hillbilly Jim literally always seemed like the nicest dude.

Met him at back to back Axxesses. That's exactly how he comes off in real life. He even remembered me.

[Wildcat66]

So like... is Bayley turning?

The way I see it, it's like this: Sasha needs to make decision, either she's Bayley's friend or she's not. Simple as that.

[Wildcat66]

Ok, hot take: Alexa Bliss is somehow proving that she's a really good face by being an amazing heel these last few weeks.

[Spidey]

this is EXACTLY how I wanted to see Bliss vs. Jax begin

[Wildcat66]

On another note, how has RAW been so far?

[klunderbunker]

Celebrate was a good Wrestlemania song.

[Spidey]

Imagine if Austin had to have little kiddy subtitles for the things he said.

[Lee]

Finally saw oneof these word promos. Pure shite.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Finally saw oneof these word promos. Pure shite.

It's like a 10 year old screwing around with Microsoft Paint.

[Skairipa]

Did something happen with Bliss and Nia? I missed it if so.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Finally saw oneof these word promos. Pure shite.

Seems even worse on SD

[BaconBits]

Did something happen with Bliss and Nia? I missed it if so.

Alexa went to console a despondent Nia backstage and more or less called her fat.

[Skairipa]

Oh please let Braun throw the piano at Elias. Also didn't know Elias played piano.

[GuyCompton]

I cannot wait for the silliness of this match.

[Spidey]

Did something happen with Bliss and Nia? I missed it if so.

Bliss played a fantastic heel by giving Nia Jax the "least you tried" babyface speech on top of a "I know it's been hard for you because you're big" tidbit that made Nia Jax cry. Was solid stuff.

[klunderbunker]

Elias should host Wrestlemania.

[Wildcat66]

This should be glorious.

[BaconBits]

Elias should host Wrestlemania.

It’s still pretty mind boggling how much better he’s used on the main roster as opposed to NXT.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Good thing they happened to have cameramen out there.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Nice Injury Insurance pop up.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

And yes, Elias hosting WM would be gold.

[BaconBits]

I guarantee they shared a chuckle about the car spot on the way back to the ring.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Piano powerbomb

[Fire Marshall Bill]

I’ll laugh if he could actually play.

[klunderbunker]

Where exactly can this go for Wrestlemania? Strowman is crushing him every week, so what are they supposed to do there?

[klunderbunker]

I guarantee they shared a chuckle about the car spot on the way back to the ring.

Or after the pre-tape was finished.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Elias really has been earning his paycheck the hard way lately.

[BaconBits]

Where exactly can this go for Wrestlemania? Strowman is crushing him every week, so what are they supposed to do there?

Elias pulls off the shocker.

[Spidey]

Well Elias deed

[Fire Marshall Bill]

From a kayfabe standpoint, Elias would be smart to not acknowledge Strowman’s very existence from here on out. Just play dumb and move on.

[shafe_41]

I would have enjoyed Braun sitting down at the piano, playing and singing a single line of Tiny Dancer, then tipping the piano.

[klunderbunker]

So Strowman just beat Elias by dropping a piano on him.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Team little big?

[Wildcat66]

In Slam City, the Mizzies are probably the WWE's equivalent to the Oscars.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

At least a WM Match was named tonight.

[Spidey]

A fucking Cricket commercial has pyro for Dolph Ziggler.

[shafe_41]

A 50 man Rumble? Dear god.

[Lee]

https://crooksandliars.com/files/imagecache/node_primary/primary_image/17/05/piano_looney_tunes_3.jpg

Elias after that match.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

We're getting another Royal Rumble this year?

[shafe_41]

Wow. Good match there Rhyno Horowtiz

[Wildcat66]

Batshit insane Wyatt may just be the best Bray Wyatt of them all.

[Lee]

How shit must you be to job to Wyatt?

[Skairipa]

FINAL DELETION MATCH!

[BaconBits]

A 50 man Rumble? Dear god.

https://goo.gl/images/E4PBSG

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

A Final Deletion match at Wrestlemania?

[Wildcat66]

Let's be real, this was the only reason I was looking forward to this feud.

I want to see how a Final Deletion match works in WWE.

[shafe_41]

Batshit insane Wyatt may just be the best Bray Wyatt of them all.

Well all of the other versions of him suck ass so..... bar set pretty low right now.

[Skairipa]

We getting a mania match at the hardy compound?

[GuyCompton]

I am pretty surprised they've stopped giving the Cruiserweights any time on Raw.

[shafe_41]

Tight category there Miz... real tight. Going with Balor

[shafe_41]

Tight category there Miz... real tight. Going with Balor

OH MY GOD I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!! A TIE!!!!!!

[Spidey]

these are fantastic

[Lee]

This is brilliant!

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Lol

[Fire Marshall Bill]

House of Horrors went so well. Let’s try another weird match like that.

[BaconBits]

I am pretty surprised they've stopped giving the Cruiserweights any time on Raw.

I’m not. The cruisers don’t draw.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Rollins’s hair dripping like crazy.

[shafe_41]

I do really enjoy that Monday Night Rollins shirt.

[Spidey]

Rollins stole Roman's hair.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Clearly he forgot that Balor has Anderson and Gallows too.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Ya. Keep fighting every week so by WM we'll see the same guys fighting over and over and over again.

[Spidey]

"You need more than a hand sign that's not even yours."

[shafe_41]

I love good wrestling but I don't enjoy when a great segment gets stopped due to an impromptu match.

[BaconBits]

Ya. Keep fighting every week so by WM we'll see the same guys fighting over and over and over again.

It’s been that way since weekly live tv became a thing.

[BaconBits]

"You need more than a hand sign that's not even yours."

That was a brutally honest burn.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

That was a brutally honest burn.

Miz is good at those.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Could have just kept doing Mizzies, interruption , Mic work, clear ring for the duration of this unneeded match.

[klunderbunker]

I am pretty surprised they've stopped giving the Cruiserweights any time on Raw.

I'm very glad. It defeated the purpose of 205 Live.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Those pants though.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

The suicide dive is almost the superkick.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Balor looks insanely ripped when he does his intense flex yell .

[Skairipa]

Glad it's only a triple threat.

[BaconBits]

Balor looks insanely ripped when he does his intense flex yell .

He basically hits a most muscular. That pose can make anybody with a solid physique look ripped, hence the name.

[shafe_41]

Those pants though.

Rollins pants remind me of what a fire would look like in an early episode of South Park.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Paul is the new champion!

[klunderbunker]

So for the sake of this story, Wrestlemania XXXII doesn't count.

[shafe_41]

So for the sake of this story, Wrestlemania XXXII doesn't count.

WM32 barely counts as a Wrestlemania. Whew it was bad.

[Wildcat66]

What you mean Sable?

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

Thankfully they didn't decide to put Roman out there to try and rebuke any of this.

[shafe_41]

This is ummm.... weird. Good promo but a little longwinded.

[Spidey]

Are we still pretending Paul Heyman is a mic wizard?

[Spidey]

Not sure how to feel about all this looking behind the curtain lingo tonight. Roman was great I thought up til "promo segment".

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

You have that much time to try and sell Brock Lesnar again for the hundredth time and try not to repeat all your previous promos.

[BaconBits]

Not sure how to feel about all this looking behind the curtain lingo tonight. Roman was great I thought up til "promo segment".

The new kayfabe is the behind the curtain stuff these days.

[Spidey]

WCW smiles in its grave.

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

I miss when you had actual storylines that made you want to tune in to next week.

[klunderbunker]

Review is up.

Lifting a Car and Dropping a Piano (http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/03/05/monday-night-raw-march-5-2018-lifting-a-car-and-dropping-a-piano/)

[Lee]

I don't think the Goldust moment was as random as you think. I think they'll give him a last hurrah mania match and it puts him in the spotlight. This was someone more of a vet than Cena coming out to get into the spotlight.

He had the advantage over Cena at the start because they never wrestled together before, took a couple of minutes. Cena composed himself and won. Good storytelling and very simple.

[Fire Marshall Bill]

No I get what you’re saying, and how the announcers were trying to sell it. I get Goldust is a heel trying to keep himself relevant. But it’s still Goldust randomly coming out and attacking Cena, creating an impromptu match. Not a person on the planet would’ve called that.

[Slyfox696]

So, overall, how was Raw? Worth watching?

[jmt225]

So, overall, how was Raw? Worth watching?

No. Maybe perhaps the opening segment, but nothing after that.

Reigns/Lesnar confrontation next week should be good though.

[Lee]

So, overall, how was Raw? Worth watching?

John Cena v Goldust!

[Slyfox696]

John Cena v Goldust!I may have to check that out, two of the better workers in the WWE. Was the match decent?

[Lee]

I may have to check that out, two of the better workers in the WWE. Was the match decent?

It was short but sold a story, I liked it but KB gave it a D.

[klunderbunker]

It was Cena being in trouble off a single right hand then popping up with his finishing sequence. They could have a good match but this wasn't it.