Monday Night Raw LD - May 21, 2018: She's Back

[klunderbunker]

And yes I mean Stephanie, because six weeks without her is just unacceptable.

[BaconBits]

Looks like we started one at the same time. You probably should just delete mine.

[BaconBits]

And doubling up Steph and Roman in one segment is never a good idea.

[SD619]

Your top face, threatening to beat up everyone

[BaconBits]

Roman keeps whining about getting at Lesnar. Why should he get yet another shot? He clearly can’t beat him.

[klunderbunker]

Roman keeps whining about getting at Lesnar. Why should he get yet another shot? He clearly can’t beat him.

Because he's been held back. Like Daniel Bryan.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

Owen's has become a bump taking machine

[smarkmouth]

Lucha Underground once got me interested in Ezekiel Jackson. WWE has no excuse to fail at getting me invested in Reigns.

[BaconBits]

Because he's been held back. Like Daniel Bryan.

The only way it works with Roman is you have him wrestle a match that stipulates no more title shots ever if he loses, and he goes on to lose that match. And you hold him to that for at least one full year, multiple years would be even better. Eventually it should get fans behind him, and then you fully pull the trigger on him as the top guy. Because for much as they push him and try to force him into a role that fans aren’t buying, they still haven’t actually fully pulled the trigger.

[klunderbunker]

EGADS STOP SAYING THEIR FULL NAMES EVERY TIME! WE HEARD YOU FOUR SECONDS AGO!

[klunderbunker]

The only way it works with Roman is you have him wrestle a match that stipulates no more title shots ever if he loses, and he goes on to lose that match. And you hold him to that for at least one full year, multiple years would be even better. Eventually it should get fans behind him, and then you fully pull the trigger on him as the top guy. Because for much as they push him and try to force him into a role that fans aren’t buying, they still haven’t actually fully pulled the trigger.

I don't even know if that works because the fans know that it's always going to be Reigns in the end, no matter what story they tell. It's hard to get around that, even if you wait that long.

[BaconBits]

I don't even know if that works because the fans know that it's always going to be Reigns in the end, no matter what story they tell. It's hard to get around that, even if you wait that long.

I agree, but it might work on Smackdown when it hits Fox.

[smarkmouth]

Is it biased to say I would buy into Roman's angle if it was Seth Rollins instead?

[BaconBits]

Is it biased to say I would buy into Roman's angle if it was Seth Rollins instead?

Yes.

[klunderbunker]

It's amazing how much Jinder and Roman can suck the life out of a show.

[Wildcat66]

Is it biased to say I would buy into Roman's angle if it was Seth Rollins instead?
Probably would be, though this angle for Roman has done him no favors as of late.

[DNA 2.0]

It was a smart way to get heat on Kevin

[smarkmouth]

Okay, I own it. I just feel like the angle can work on just about anyone so long as, y'know, they actually get cheered.

[klunderbunker]

We're going to be at least fifty minutes into this show and all we've covered is Stephanie is back and hasn't changed a bit plus Reigns vs. Mahal. I need more out of my Monday nights.

[Wildcat66]

Okay, I own it. I just feel like the angle can work on just about anyone so long as, y'know, they actually get cheered.

I'm surprised they didn't attempt this with Sandow back in 2015, especially after he ditched the Mizdow gimmick. It felt like it would have worked for him as a character. Not that Mandow Madness or Axelmania was a bad thing, but it felt like it was taking a joke character that hit it's peak and mixing it with something that got popular because of the internet.

[BaconBits]

If I never saw annother suicude dive I’d be a very happy man.

[DNA 2.0]

Why shouldn't people hate Roman when you book him as the most hate-able person on TV?

Let's look at some examples. Roman saying constantly "I'm THE Guy, I retired The Undertaker, It's my yard". Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, The Rock, Sting, Goldberg and other babyfaces who were ADORED by the fans, never said things like that. Their job was, we go out there, trash talk the opponent and let our actions speak for themselves. And when each one of these guys lost, they put over their opponent after the match. When Roman loses, he just whines. To quote Game of Thrones "a king that has to remind everyone that he's the king, isn't really a king".

The guy is basically written as a heel, he was a heel swagger and acts as a heel. He did try to murder Braun Strowman after losing clean to him. He's just a big bully that just bullies other heels, thus making them great babyfaces.

How can anybody cheer him? Seriously now. It's common sense. It's BASIC storytelling.

And you can't just cheer Roman because Roman is good in the ring. He is yes. But if you cheer him it's like you're applauding WWE for being idiots.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

I'm searching hard for a worse intro for someone who could be the next big thing than this lashley situation

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Everyone ready for the worst segment of the year?

Edit - And now they're doing Roman vs Jinder in Chicago? Dear Lord the heat...

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

Instead of this segment I'm going to do my laundry

[Wildcat66]

Everyone ready for the worst segment of the year?

At least they're getting it out of the way early.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Uhhh....

[SD619]

Oh dear...this doesn't look good

[Wildcat66]

Oh boy, this could get interesting.

[BaconBits]

Holy hell. Randoms in drag. This is going to go over real well with the feels over real set.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

Sorry for being so negative, but how in the hell is Vince a billionaire?

[BaconBits]

Sorry for being so negative, but how in the hell is Vince a billionaire?

He’s an incredible businessman. That’s how.

[klunderbunker]

Vince is in tears of laughter on the floor right now.

[BaconBits]

Vince is in tears of laughter on the floor right now.

I mean, I am too, for entirely different reasons than Vince, though.

[Wildcat66]

Sorry for being so negative, but how in the hell is Vince a billionaire?

Vince can sell you into a product and knows how to run a business. Hit and miss creative decisions be damned, there's a reason he's still going strong to this day.

[BaconBits]

And fans still don’t have a single fuck to give about Bobby Lashley.

[BestSportsEntertainer]

He’s an incredible businessman. That’s how.

Oh certainly, but some of his creative decisions are WAY out there.

[Wildcat66]

I'll say this: Bobby and Sami look like they're having fun here.

[BaconBits]

Oh certainly, but some of his creative decisions are WAY out there.

Creative decisions mean fuck all. Always have, and always will.

[SD619]

Does this company not understand how faces work anymore?

[Wildcat66]

Sami's enthusiasm and Bobby turning into a badass saved this segment.

[Jack-Hammer]

I knew the stuff with Sami Zayn and Bobby Lashley would suck but that was even worse than I expected. So much about that segment was badly written, outdated and executed that it's a perfect example why so many accuse Vince McMahon of being out of touch.

[klunderbunker]

So to wrap it up, Lashley takes his shirt off to reveal one of the best physiques in wrestling history. On top of that, he's an amateur wrestling champion.

He was used in a comedy segment involving men in drag where he smiled almost the entire way through.

[SD619]

Somewhere, Vince Russo was taking notes and making mental improvements(BRO!!)

[Jack-Hammer]

It's not 1993 anymore, so it's not really edgy or funny seeing men in drag. It's also past the era where it was considered okay to beat up on crossdressers and associate that with homosexuality. The time in which a father could tell his kid in attendance "Yeah, it's okay to boo the guy in the dress because he's the bad queer man, so it's okay to beat him up." Sami Zayn looked like a buffoon and Lashley just...frankly, it sorta reminded me of the times when WWE has tried to make Roman Reigns funny. Just let Lashley be the badass he is and use Zayn to his talents.

[BaconBits]

So to wrap it up, Lashley takes his shirt off to reveal one of the best physiques in wrestling history. On top of that, he's an amateur wrestling champion.

He was used in a comedy segment involving men in drag where he smiled almost the entire way through.


Thing with Bobby is that he’s got a fantastic look, but he’s pretty bad at all the other aspects of sports entertaining.

[klunderbunker]

Thing with Bobby is that he’s got a fantastic look, but he’s pretty bad at all the other aspects of sports entertaining.

Then never have him in segments like that?

[Jack-Hammer]

Given that Stephanie is "moderating" the contract signing between Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey tonight, at least it gives us some idea as to what might happen in their match. Rousey's probably not ready to be champion, but she also shouldn't just flat out lose to Nia either.

[BaconBits]

Then never have him in segments like that?

I can agree with that, but then you’re still really struggling to build the feud with him and Sami.

[klunderbunker]

Given that Stephanie is "moderating" the contract signing between Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey tonight, at least it gives us some idea as to what might happen in their match. Rousey's probably not ready to be champion, but she also shouldn't just flat out lose to Nia either.

I'm expecting a cash-in to make Rousey champion and then lose it immediately.

[klunderbunker]

I can agree with that, but then you’re still really struggling to build the feud with him and Sami.

Let him have his actions do the talking. Or don't have him be the big smiling face. Someone like that isn't exactly the best choice for a face but it's what we're getting anyway.

[mooseman]

Given that Stephanie is "moderating" the contract signing between Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey tonight, at least it gives us some idea as to what might happen in their match. Rousey's probably not ready to be champion, but she also shouldn't just flat out lose to Nia either.

So a jealous Nattie attacks Rousey so Rousey wins by DQ and her firat real feud is with the woman who is really training her?

[Jack-Hammer]

Ember doesn't have much in terms of a character, but she's a lot of fun to watch in the ring.

[Jack-Hammer]

So a jealous Nattie attacks Rousey so Rousey wins by DQ and her firat real feud is with the woman who is really training her?

Or Stephanie just takes it upon herself to interfere herself.

I could see Nattie turning on her though, frankly, there's more money in ultimately setting up whatever the ultimate payoff is for Stephanie and Ronda.

[DNA 2.0]

The only reason Finn is paired with Braun is because Finn is the same size of Nicholas

[Jack-Hammer]

Nice little shout out to Danny Hodge from Braun Strowman. It's impressive watching someone crush an apple with one hand.

[BaconBits]

Let him have his actions do the talking. Or don't have him be the big smiling face. Someone like that isn't exactly the best choice for a face but it's what we're getting anyway.

The only time in his career he’s been even kinda interesting was was when he was in TNA with MVP doing the majority of his talking for him. Maybe they should just bring MVP back to be his mouthpiece?

[klunderbunker]

Nice little shout out to Danny Hodge from Braun Strowman. It's impressive watching someone crush an apple with one hand.

Even better when Hodge did it in his seventies. The only wrestler I'd completely buy as a threat to Lesnar in a UFC fight.

[klunderbunker]

The only time in his career he’s been even kinda interesting was was when he was in TNA with MVP doing the majority of his talking for him. Maybe they should just bring MVP back to be his mouthpiece?

I liked him as the condescending monster who knew no one could touch him. Or just let him hurt people.

[DNA 2.0]

Oh no, it's big boredom, there's no way (jose) this won't be boring.

[klunderbunker]

I still like Jose a lot.

[Wildcat66]

I'm always gonna get a smile on my face whenever I see No Way Jose, it's hard not too. The guy looks so lovable.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

That corbin hair situation is starting to get a little dire

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

What's fantastic is Gable could make either of them scream like a woman

[DNA 2.0]

Why not swap Corbin and McIntyre?

Ziggler is already a lost cause, so put the two lost causes together and see what happens. McIntyre is a singles prospect

[Wildcat66]

If this is leading to what I think it's leading to, then i'm all for it.

[klunderbunker]

These guys make me laugh.

[DNA 2.0]

Imagine if Kurt starts treating Chad like the son he never had and then Jason returns like the idiot he used to be. That would be a nice feud.

[DNA 2.0]

Can someone bring back fans dancing to Breezango's music?? That was cool....

[mooseman]

Is it me or is the ring oddly loud tonight almost like at a house show

[Wildcat66]

I'm starting to really dig the B Team.

[klunderbunker]

The celebration was funny.

[DNA 2.0]

Best bromance ever

[DNA 2.0]

Better love story than Twilight

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm starting to really dig the B Team.

Same here, and it seems to be that way with a lot of people. So, don't be surprised to see Vince lose interest in them between now and next Monday.

[DNA 2.0]

If all of this isn't something that was set up by Stephanie in order to get one back at Ronda, which means that Nia becomes a heel again aligning with Steph, leading to a big rematch at Summerslam, then they're stupid.

[DNA 2.0]

Hey Steph she broke your arm twice just a month ago...........

[klunderbunker]

How's your arm?

[klunderbunker]

Hey look: Stephanie is doing all the talking.

[BaconBits]

Hey look: Stephanie is doing all the talking.

I mean, Nia is terrible on the mic.

[DNA 2.0]

Why couldn't they have the TWO competitors cut THEIR promos and let it heat up in a natural way??

[Jack-Hammer]

Pretty uneventful as far as contract signings go, but it ultimately did what it needed to in kicking things off. If they escalate things over the next few weeks, it'll add more to the match than it simply being Rousey's first 1 on 1 bout.

[DNA 2.0]

Oh look what a terrible job they did on selling that match to me

[Wildcat66]

Oh look what a terrible job they did on selling that match to me

I thought it was the right course of action. Neither woman are particularly impressive on the mic, why not have someone help build up the match for them?

[Jack-Hammer]

Why couldn't they have the TWO competitors cut THEIR promos and let it heat up in a natural way??

Vince is too much of a control freak. He doesn't want things to come off "natural", he prefers that WWE TV come off as exactly that: a scripted television show where the "actors" speak the lines they're supposed to. It's easier to take if the "actors" involved are good at doing that but if they suck at following scripted lines, then it just makes it hard to sit through. It's really one of the major drawbacks of WWE and has been for a while.

[klunderbunker]

Why couldn't they have the TWO competitors cut THEIR promos and let it heat up in a natural way??

So they can have things told in the ultra controlled way that they love. Back in the Shield days, Dusty Rhodes went off script and Stephanie tried to explain what he was doing wrong. Thankfully Dusty pretty much ignored her because he knows a bit more about wrestling that Stephanie could ever hope to approach.

[Jack-Hammer]

I have a feeling Chad Gable is eventually heading to 205 Live.

[Jack-Hammer]

The match really didn't even get out of 1st gear. Those two are capable of putting on matches that'd bring the house down.

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

What's fantastic is Gable could make either of them scream like a woman

[TheManTheyCalledNorCal]

DANA BROOKE IS GOING TO WRESTLE

[Skairipa]

Natayla winning that match was so disappointing. She's so boring.

[klunderbunker]

Last week I said that someone would cash in MITB on the new champion Rousey because it would be the dumbest thing they could do. I hate being right about stuff like this.

[BaconBits]

Elias out here with the topical stuff.

[klunderbunker]

My eyes rolled when Roode's music hit.

[BaconBits]

My eyes rolled when Roode's music hit.

Face Booby Roode is raw, unadulterated garbage.

[klunderbunker]

Face Booby Roode is raw, unadulterated garbage.

Roode is a natural heel and the fans want to cheer Elias. Therefore, go with the opposite and blame the fans!

[klunderbunker]

Does it feel like they're rushing through everything tonight?

[klunderbunker]

GET ON WITH IT ALREADY!

[klunderbunker]

Monday Night Raw
Date: May 21, 2018
Location: Times Union Center, Albany, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Jonathan Coachman

We’re FINALLY back to normal with no international trips or major shows in sight for at least a few weeks, meaning we can get back to a bit of a routine. Therefore, let’s pick things up with…what’s probably going to be a disaster as Sami Zayn has invited Bobby Lashley’s sisters to Raw to expose him for what he really is. Oh this is going to hurt. Let’s get to it.

The Dark Days Begin (http://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2018/05/21/monday-night-raw-may-21-2018-the-dark-days-begin/)

[Nate]

I really wouldn't mind seeing an extended version of that Braun/Finn match. I'm pretty sure I was more into that one than any other one-on-one match I've ever seen Balor have.

[Echelon]

Reading KB's review has reminded me why I don't watch RAW consistently anymore. Watched the Lashley segment on YT and that was a complete dumpster fire.

[supermatto64]

Missed Raw last night but my Facebook was blowing the fuck up and now I see why:
Jessica Lashley was portrayed by my friend Victor Andrews, who also has been on NXT as one of Lars Sullivan's tag team partners.

[Jack-Hammer]

Generally speaking, I thought it was an okay show. I could've done without the unnecessarily and formulaic opening promo segment, but the Reigns vs. Owens and Reigns & Rollins vs. Owens & Mahal matches were fun.

The "Bobby Lashley's Sisters" segment was hot garbage, easily the worst segment of WWE TV this year. Sami Zayn came off like an ineffectual goof, Lashley came off as lame as Roman Reigns when Reigns tries to be funny and the live crowd couldn't have been enticed to care one iota if the ring caught fire. This segment sucked the energy out of much of the rest of the show.

I liked the contract signing segment enough. It was wise to have Stephanie do most of the talking, Rousey's just not there yet and she may never be as conforming to WWE's heavily scripted promos is hit or miss and Nia Jax just doesn't have the charisma or personality, her entire schtick is that she's a 250+ pound part German/part Samoan chick who happens to be the Rock's cousin.

The B-Team is a fun little mid-card tag team, their celebration was fun and MAYBE the team could really be something, though my bet is Vince loses interest in them within a month. They MIGHT last long enough to earn a title shot, which they'll lose, and then Vince will allow them to fade back to comedy jobbers, which they're really only about a step above right now.

Elias injected some life back into the fans. Even though I don't see Elias rising higher than he is right now, he might as well milk it for all he can. I thought is match with Roode was solid, nothing special but it was okay.

Nice to see Ember Moon score a clean win over Alexa Bliss. I probably would've been more into the match if I hadn't gone into it with the presumption that the match was ultimately just a formality for Alexa to win. I probably shouldn't do that but, in my defense, it's hard not to sometimes because of WWE's inconsistent booking. After all, they could do something next week or the week after that renders Moon's victory moot and meaningless.

The main event with Strowman vs. Balor was a lot of fun, probably the best I've seen Strowman look in a singles match in a long while. They generated just enough drama to make it seem like Balor might pull out the upset. Balor lost, as we all expected, but he came out looking like a tough, Irish scrapper who wasn't going to be intimidated by anybody, even someone a good 8 or 9 inches taller and about 200 lbs. heavier.

I give the show a C overall, certainly not great but enough to keep me mostly entertained. Take out the horrible Lashley segment, it might've even gone up as high as a B-. Damn, but that segment sucked and it's one of those outdated, dumbass things that sometimes makes me embarrassed to watch wrestling. Use Sami Zayn for the talented guy he is, Let Bobby Lashley be the legit athletic badass he is and call it a day because garbage like men crossdressing and beating them up by calling upon outdated homophobic standards is not good TV.

[Yer Maw]

The Lashley sister in the pink looked exactly like Jacqueline.