WWE RAW
Episode 1319
#RAW
Original Air Date: September 3, 2018
Event Date: September 3, 2018 (aired live)
City: Columbus, OH
Venue: Value City Arena (announced as “Ohio State University”)
Commentary: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Renee Young
Ring Announcer: Jojo
Ring Area
Braun Strowman heads to the ring, and he’s accompanied by Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. Strowman says that he would have taken the Universal Title from Reigns if not for Ambrose and Rollins. He also says Reigns would never have become champ without his shield either. So now, Strowman runs with his own pack. And at Hell in a Cell, he will break Roman Reigns, body and spirit, and take the Universal Title.
Drew McIntyre says The Shield’s time is over. He, Ziggler, and Strowman are the new kings of the jungle. Ziggler intends to be the most dominant force in WWE history. He says The Shield started this, but he, McIntyre, and Strowman will end it.
The Shield heads to the ring through the crowd. Before they make it into the ring, Baron Corbin runs out and brings referees and other superstars out to prevent a brawl. Corbin’s efforts fail, and The Shield brawls with Ziggler, McIntyre, and Strowman. More and more people come out and enter the ring to hold everyone back. Eventually, the fight is broken up, but The Shield runs to the back to continue fighting as the show goes to a commercial break.
Backstage
The Shield is arrested and forcibly removed from the arena as everyone yells and argues.
Match 1
Liv Morgan & Sarah Logan w/ Ruby Riott vs The Bella Twins
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: Nikki Bella pins Liv Morgan after the Rack Attack 2.0
Time: 7:49 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was okay. It was a nice exhibition for The Bella Twins (which is all it was really meant to be), but I feel like the Riott Squad should have done better in the match. They’ve been on a roll lately, but the Bellas came in and didn’t have too much trouble with them. Sure, Brie got beat up a lot, but Nikki had no trouble at all. Also, Brie had some scary moments with two dives that didn’t go very well. In the end this felt like an advertisement for Evolution, and for that I think it worked pretty well.
Backstage
Finn Balor wants a rematch with Baron Corbin. Tonight. Corbin doesn’t like the idea, so Balor questions his manhood. That gets Corbin to agree to a main event match.
Backstage
Charly Caruso asks Chad Gable and Bobby Roode about their new tag team. Gable says he’s been captivated by Roode on RAW, and he wanted in on some of that gloriousness.
Match 2
Bobby Roode & Chad Gable vs The Ascension
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Chad Gable pins Viktor with a bridging roll-through German suplex
Time: 5:00
Match Thoughts
This was fun. Gable was supremely energetic and didn’t get hit once during the match. He repeatedly suplexed Konnor and Viktor, and pretty much did whatever he wanted to. Gable tagged in Roode, and Roode got beat up, then Gable tagged himself back in and finished the match. Roode seemed happy with the win and his new partner, but I can see a future where Gable’s over-enthusiasm will wear on Roode and lead to problems. I really hope this team is a step in the direction of a one-on-one feud between Roode and Gable.
Backstage
Elias talks to some guy about his new album.
Ring Area
In the ring, Elias says he “strongly dislikes” women who hit men, and that’s what Trish Stratus did last week. She embarrassed herself. He’s about to start singing a song about Columbus when Alexa Bliss’ music interrupts him. Alexa, Alicia Fox, and Mickie James head to the ring.
Alexa says “the goddess” was born in Columbus. She starts an Ohio chant and calls the crowd “sheep” when they respond. She says her town is a dump and she couldn’t wait to leave. She also apologizes to Elias on behalf of Trish Stratus. She asks Elias to play his song because she wants to walk with him. Elias is interrupted by Ronda Rousey.
Rousey heads to the ring accompanied by Natalya.
Match 3
Alexa Bliss w/ Alicia Fox, Mickie James vs Natalya w/ Ronda Rousey (RAW Women’s Champ)
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Alexa Bliss wins via submission with an arm bar
Time: 3:15 (joined in progress)
Match Thoughts
This was super short and was really just an excuse to show that Alexa Bliss has learned how to apply an arm bar. It was fine though.
Ring Area
After the match, Alexa and friends attempt to attack Rousey. It doesn’t work out well for them.
Backstage
Strowman, Ziggler, and McIntyre demand that Baron Corbin give them some competition. Ziggler wants a tag title match, but Corbin says the tag titles are already booked. McIntyre wonders what would happen if The Revival were unable to compete tonight. Corbin says he would have to make other arrangements. Ziggler and McIntyre like that. Strowman still wants a match though.
Backstage
Charly Caruso welcomes The Revival. Scott Dawson begins to talk, but Ziggler and McIntyre quickly attack him and Dash Wilder. After they’re finished, Ziggler and McIntyre look pleased with themselves.
Match 4
RAW Tag Title Match
The B-Team (RAW Tag Champs) vs Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre
(referee: Dan Engler)
Result: Drew McIntyre pins Curtis Axel after a tandem Zig Zag and Claymore
Time: 6:38 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match. The finish felt inevitable and I wonder what the logic is in derailing The Revival’s rise in the tag ranks, but Ziggler and McIntyre looked good. I’m glad there was no goofiness, and maybe this will help the RAW tag titles get away from the focus on story lines and turn to focus more on good wrestling matches.
Backstage
The Authors of Pain walk towards the ring area. In between Akam and Rezar is Drake Maverick, and he’s dressed like the AoP.
Ring Area
The Authors of Pain and Drake Maverick head to the ring. Maverick announces that he is the manager of AoP, and he will make the tag champs.
Match 5
AoP w/ Drake Maverick vs Keith Thompson & Jimmy James
(referee: Shawn Bennett)
Result: Akam pins Keith Thompson after the Super Collider
Time: 0:55
Match Thoughts
Super squash.
Video
From the videos previously aired, Ric Flair, Christian, Booker, DDP, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Jeff Jarrett, and Big Show make their picks for Triple H versus Undertaker.
Backstage
The Bella Twins check on Ronda Rousey and Natalya. Natalya doesn’t feel well, so she excuses herself. The Bellas thank Rousey for inspiring them to come back to the ring and offer their services as training partners and mentors. Rousey thanks them but says she’s fine with Natalya.
Ring Area
Shawn Michaels heads to the ring. He is showered in praise. He also tells people to buy his new shirt and subscribe to the WWE Network.
Michaels also says that he is going to be at Super Showdown. He goes on to say that Triple H is going to beat The Undertaker. As Michaels sounds like he’s about to wrap up, the lights go out. The Undertaker heads to the ring.
Undertaker reminds Michaels that he’s beaten both HBK and Triple H. He says Michaels chose Triple H to win because Undertaker took Michaels’ career. Michaels says he is a man of honor and integrity. He has stayed retired out of respect for the business, the fans, and The Undertaker. Undertaker wonders if he’s stayed retired out of respect or fear. He says he would put Michaels down again if he ever came out of retirement. At Super Showdown, Undertaker plans to put down Triple H. Again. Undertaker leaves Michaels alone in the ring.
Backstage
Baron Corbin tells Finn Balor that he has to cancel their match. Instead, Balor will face Braun Strowman in the main event.
Match 6
Sasha Banks & Bayley vs Dana Brooke w/ Titus O’Neil, Apollo Crews & Ember Moon
(referee: Rod Zapata)
Result: Sasha Banks pins Dana Brooke with a wheelbarrow victory roll
Time: 2:15 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
This was okay. It was too short to be much of a match. The point of this was to show that Dana Brooke is getting frustrated with the advice and arguing of Titus and Apollo. I just wonder where this is going. The problems in Titus Worldwide came out of nowhere, and they haven’t had enought TV time over the past few months for this to really mean anything right now.
Backstage
Charly Caruso asks Bobby Lashley about his meeting with Baron Corbin. Lashley hands Caruso a performance review from Corbin. The review states that Lashley is required to attend an in-ring meditation session with Jinder Mahal. Because of anger issues or whatever.
Ring Area
Jinder Mahal and Sunil Singh head to the ring. Lashley heads down next. Mahal invites Lashley to sit with him. He does. Lashley also puts on the scarf that Sunil hands him. Mahal attempts to get Lashley to meditate.
With Lashley distracted, Kevin Owens attacks him from behind. Lashley fights back, but a distraction from Mahal gives Owens an opening. Owens kicks Lashley before powerbombing him onto the apron.
Backstage
Finn Balor puts on his jacket.
Match 7
Finn Balor vs Braun Strowman w/ Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre (RAW Tag Champs)
(referee: John Cone)
Result: Braun Strowman wins via pinfall after a power slam
Time: 6:58 (1 break)
Match Thoughts
Good match, but the finish was extremely anti-climactic. Balor looked good trying to bring Strowman down, but the finish made it feel like Balor never stood a chance. It was just so matter-of-fact.
Ring Area
After the match, Ziggler, McIntyre, and Strowman prepare to triple powerbomb Balor onto the ring steps. They’re interrupted by the sound of a police siren. A police van backs up next to the stage. The Shield emerges from the van.
As The Shield heads to the ring, they are attacked from behind by a bunch of bad guys. With help, Strowman smashes Reigns with the ring steps. Meanwhile, Rollins is thrown from the stage into the side of the police van. Also meanwhile, Ambrose is stomped on the announce table. The show ends with The Shield beaten up outside the ring while Strowman, Ziggler, and McIntyre look down on them.
Show Impressions
This wasn’t a great show. I liked some of the ideas, but overall there just wasn’t a lot there. My favorite parts were seeing Drake Maverick, Chad Gable being in a match, and of course seeing Undertaker and HBK in the ring together was cool.
Match of the Night
B-Team vs Ziggler & Axel
This wasn’t a great wrestling show. I think all of the matches were underwhelming for different reason. The tag title match wasn’t bad though.