Raw 8-2-21

             At a sold out All State Arena in Chicago, Illinois, we are greeted by the current Raw Champion Bobby Lashley and his hype man MVP. The crowd is chanting "Goldberg" as MVP asks the question "Bill, if I may, do you want to be remembered as a champion or as a casulty?". The Hall of Famer comes to the ring to answer the pressing question. "Because I'm Goldberg, at SummerSlam champ, you're next,".  Goldberg fist bumps his son Gage on his way back up the ramp. Lashley and MVP both have words with the younger Goldberg. Papa bear comes back and spears MVP. Father and son make their way back up the ramp. 

            Vengeance continues between Drew McIntyre and Veer and Shanky in a two on one match. McIntyre brings his sword "Angela" to the ring. Drew brings the aggression out of the gate against Veer until he sent shoulder first into the ring post. Shanky is now seeking retribution after the recent chair shots to the back that left him instantly bruised. Feeding off the WWE Universe, the former champ turns things again in his favor. Drew sets up for his signature Claymore but Shanky is holding on to his ankle from outside the ring. This allows for Jinder Mahal to enter the squared circle with a steel chair. Ref calls for the bell as the Modern Day Maharaja attacks Drew. Now Drew is facing 3 athletes each holding a steel chair. He grabs "Angela" and hits a steel chair out of Mahal's hand. I am all for foreign objects being used in a bout, but a sword is a little too much. Serious injuries happen despite training from some of this industry's greatest athletes. I am a huge fan of McIntyre but this was a no bueno for me and I pray it doesn't happen again.  

            Nia Jax squares up against Rhea Ripley next. I love that she is sporting curly hair. I never understood the flat ironed look. She is also rocking some improved ring gear. I never understood why she had those "beaver tail" flaps on her hips. An upgrade all around. Speaking of hips, Jax used her hips to sandwich Ripley's head into the ring post. While Nia dominated most of the match, Rhea turned things turned around with a drop kick off the top rope taking the irresistible force off her base. Further into the match, Shayna Baszler tries to help her tag partner by getting in the face of the nightmare. It all backfires because Ripley rolls up Jax to pick up the win. Now there is tension in the ring between Shayna and Nia. Fingers crossed, this team will be no more.

            The queen makes an appearance in a questionable outfit. Are shoulder pads a thing again? Ranting like she drinks from the same cup as Sami Zayn, the former champ is ready to go up against Nikki Cross later tonight in a No Holds Barred match. I think Nikki is more ready because she attacks Charlotte Flair from behind with a steel chair. 

            Damien Priest is the guest on Miz TV tonight. The Archer of Infamy is the one responsible for putting The Miz in a wheelchair. Gracias mi amigo. By the end of the interview, Priest challenges Johnny "Sidekick" to a match. 

            The match is on and despite a "drip stick" interference from The Miz on the outside Priest picks up the win. The former NXT champ is celebrating when he is attacked from behind by Sheamus. Here comes Ricochet to the aid of Priest. Now we have an impromptu tag match compliments of Sonya DeVille. Sheamus and Morrison take it to Damien Priest and Ricochet. Priest almost had a second win over Morrison but it is broken up by Sheamus. Sheamus would pay for the intrusion when Priest sends him out of the ring. The torture on the United States champ continues compliments of a high flying Ricochet. Back in the ring, with his signature move, Damien picks up the win over John via The Reckoning.   

            The Original Bro seeks payback against Omos for breaking the handle of his scooter last week. This is the first time he is coming to the ring without his tag partner AJ Styles. Riddle tries to gain the upper hand before the bell by attacking the almost 500 pound giant from behind. With the bell now rung, Omos dominates and ragdolls Orton's protege and easily picks up the win.

            It's now time for the No Holds Barred championship contenders match between Nikki and Charlotte to cap off the evening. An irate queen is the first to up the ante by clearing the announce desk and introducing a table from under the ring. But before any of those scenarios can be utilized, Flair spears Nikki through a barricade. After the commercial break, the action is back in the ring along with a table ominously propped up in the corner. The action quickly moves back outside the ring where Nikki is slammed through the announce desk. Charlotte puts the body of the lifeless champ in the center of the ring and attempts an arrogant cover to no avail. Charlotte then sets up for a spear but Nikki moves out of the way and goes through the table. This is the fatal mistake that cost the queen the match. Nikki picks up the win and holds high her gold. I'm a little tire of this storyline and eagerly await SummerSlam later this month.

#BringBackBraun 

SmackDown 7-30-21 and More Releases

            So the housekeeping continues with the recent release of Bronson Reed, Mercedes Martinez and others from NXT, including a referee. I am not sad to Martinez go. I have said in earlier posts that she needed more training because her timing always seemed to be off. As far as Reed goes, I am still scratching my head. This man finally becomes NXT champ on May 18, 2021. He goes on to make his debut on Main Event only to lose the gold to Isaiah "Swerve" Scott on June 29, 2021. And now he has been released by WWE. That is quite a hard fall from the mountaintop. Why ? I ask again, is this the Nick Khan era of WWE? 

            The last SmackDown of July 2021 kicks off with a live crowd and John Cena in Minneapolis, MN. Yada, yada, yada....interruption by a disheveled Baron Corbin. Desperate for help, he asks John for assistance of any kind. Cena throws him a couple of bucks but an ungrateful Corbin verbally kicks a gift horse in the mouth. John ends the interaction with an Attitude Adjustment.    

            Jimmy Uso verses Rey Mysterio is the first match of the evening. The legendary Luchador goes for the first pin but Jimmy turns things in his favor by driving Rey into the turnbuckle. Mysterio goes for a baseball slide to his opponent outside the ring but gets caught by a super kick. Back in the ring, Rey showcases why he is a force to be reckoned with for almost 30 years. He goes for his signature 619 only to watch Jimmy be saved by his twin. Ever the quick thinker, Rey corkscrews himself over the top rope and takes out both Usos. Jimmy goes for the Samoan Drop but Rey counters into the Crucifix and, with an assist from Dominik, picks up the win.

            The EST of the WWE is in the ring for an interview with Kayla Braxton. Over 100 days as champ, Bianca is asked about the next 100 days. Before Belair can fully answer, she is interrupted by both Carmella and Zelina Vega. The champ answers the challenge from Vega followed by a two on one beat down. Luckily, it is short lived because Sasha Banks is off the milk carton and back in the ring. She comes to the aid of Bianca. Thought there would have been a bigger pop from the audience but it is nonetheless great to see Sasha again. We haven't seen the former women's champ since WrestleMania 37.

            Reginald is finally playing with the big boys now that he is the new 24/7 champ. I love that Reggie has gained some gold and lost the French accent. This athletic freak has an impressive ring entrance. His opponent tonight is Chad Gable. The "vacant in the eyes" Vader wannabe knocks the champ down before the bell. Wrestling in dress pants and a button down shirt, he picks up the win via a disqualification due to Otis' interference.

            Now it is time for the contract signing between Roman Reigns and Finn Balor. It's a full house with Adam Pearce, Sonya DeVille, Paul Heyman, Roman Reigns and Finn Balor in the squared circle. The Head of the Table speaks first as the crowd is chanting "Cena". "If you sign this contract, I'm gonna smash you and send you right back to NXT,". Finn is unfazed and responds, "It will be my privilege to return to NXT once again Universal Champion,". As Balor is attempting to sign on the dotted line, he is attacked by Corbin. Baron now has the contract and was going to sign it but Cena runs down the ramp and steals the contract. He signs the contract and it seems that Cena will acknowledge the Tribal Chief at SummerSlam. I'm not happy. I didn't survive the days of the ThunderDome for a summer of Cena.

             Mr. Money in the Bank is next. Praise God for that man's high booty. It's a beautiful thing. He is set to compete in a 6 man tag match. He teams with Cesaro and King Nakamura. They square up against Dolph Zigler, Bobby Roode and Apollo Crews. Big E and Apollo Crews start the match. There are frequent tags and multiple pin attempts inside the ring. Outside the ring, Commander Azeez and Rick Boogz go at it. And before you know it, Nakamura pins Crews and picks up the win for his team. Personally, I am anxiously waiting for a match up between Azeez and Boogs.

            One more promo before the main event of the evening. Before the commercial break, Edge is making his way to the ring. However, after the commercial break, it is Seth Rollins in the ring. Apparently, he attacked the Rated R Superstar with fury and a television camera. Edge is taken to the back and we are all subjected to the rant of the former "messiah". SummerSlam can't come fast enough.   

            Feeding off the incident from earlier in the evening, it's now time for the main event. Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair team up against Zelina Vega and Carmella. The outcome of this match seems obvious. And sure enough, it was. Belair and Banks pick up the win via a Banks Statement on Carmella. Then it happens, Sasha hits Bianca with a Back Stabber on the champion. The boss is back and coming after the gold. 

#BringBackBraun            

NXT 7-27-21

            Here are my thoughts on the last NXT of July 2021.

            The evening kicks off with a tag team match between Thatcher and Ciampa verses Pete Dunne and Oney Lorkin. Does anyone besides me miss Tomasso Ciampa in singles competition? These four men are all very savage in their wrestling style. Thatcher and Dunne begin the match in a traditional lock up into a ground submission game. Back and forth they go until each tag in their respective tag partners. Physically intense slugfest from bell to bell. In the end it would be alpha males Dunne and Lorkin who pick up the victory. Thank you Ridge Holland for the interference. 

            Samoa Joe is now in the ring and calls for General Manager William Regal to join him. Joe counters Regals decision to fire Karrion Kross. He wants Regal to fire him as management and reinstate him as an active member of the roster. The general manager grants the wish. Next, it is made official that Samoa Joe and Karrion Kross will meet in a NXT Championship match at NXT TakeOver 36. I'm predicting right now that Kross will lose his title. The man's moving up to the main roster. He's gotta drop the belt to someone.

            The saga between Grimes and Knight continues on the golf course. Cameron is washing LA's balls in his cowboy boots. Golf balls... just to clarify. Grimes then has to retrieve one of said balls from a water hazard. Fairy Godfather Ted DiBiase comes along with some encouraging words. Later on, Cameron would take out his gold ball to prove he is a better golfer than LA. The caddy takes out the Million Dollar Champion as he swings the golf club and sinks a hole in one.

            NXT Breakout Tournament continues with Carmelo Hayes and Josh Briggs. The dangling carrot for the winner of the tournament is their choice of champion for the opportunity to put gold around their waist. Briggs has the size and power advantage at 6' 8". Hayes works hard to wear the big guy down. The crowd was rooting for the ultimate winner Carmelo Hayes. Now he will go on to face Duke Hudson in the semi final round.

            Raquel Gonzalez is up next accompanied by Dakota Kai. After 18 months of domination, Gonzalez would land flat on her ass compliments of Kai. It's about time.

            Now it is time for the main event of the evening. Bronson Reed squares up against Adam Cole. I don't know who to root for. Reed has the obvious size advantage yet, both have impressive playbooks. Cole tries to take out the vertical base of Reed while Bronson showcases his power by swatting Adam out of the sky. With a kick to the back of the knee, Adam is in control after a commercial break until Bronson counters. Cole would eventually pick up the win with a kick to the back of the head of the former colossal champ. 

            The night wouldn't end there. An irate Kyle O'Reilly would attack Cole from behind after his victory. A chair to the back and a suplex on the steel steps would close out the night at the Capitol Wrestling Center.

#BringBackBraun

            

                

            

Raw 7-26-21

            So Windham Rotunda, aka, Bray Wyatt, and Ric Flair have been released by WWE. I must confess that I am not terribly sad about either man being let go. I was not a fan of The Fiend character. And I hope that Ric rests a little despite wrestling being in his blood. Let the shockwaves continue while I catch up on wrestling. Now, on to the last Raw of July 2021.

            The evening opens with the new Women's Champion Nikki Cross in the ring armed with a mic. Yes, I am still calling her Cross. While I am a fan of Nikki, I am not a fan of her new name. 

            During her encouraging monologue, she gets interrupted by Charlotte Flair. The former champ claims that the gold was stolen from her and vows to take back the belt at SummerSlam. The queen's soapbox rant gets halted by another former women's champ, Rhea Ripley. Rhea thinks she should have the title opportunity at SummerSlam. DeVille and Pearce intrude on the jaw jacking and officially make a triple threat championship match at SummerSlam. But before that can happen, Nikki accepts a match against Charlotte later in the evening.

            When the match between these two female athletes takes place, I watched for the obvious outcome of the current champ retaining her gold but that didn't happen. The perceived underdog champion loses to Flair via a pin. Jaw jacking after the match ends with a rematch scheduled for next week.

            The first match of the evening is between Damien Priest and Sheamus. This is a United States Championship Contenders match. Priest focused on the face of the title holder and Sheamus focused on the lower back of his opponent. A kick to the face would allow for the mask to finally come off of Sheamus. Priest hits the reckoning and picks up the win. Sheamus screams that his nose has been rebroken and wants a doctor. I am so loving this storyline. Priest is a future champ and he will take the gold from Sheamus. The fella recently became engaged and will need time off for the wedding and a honeymoon. Remember how Seth Rollins went on paternity leave?

            A tag team championship match is next. The Viking Raiders go up against AJ Styles and Omos. Out of the gate, Erik flattens AJ with a pair of knees. The quick tags in and out by the challengers is an effective strategy. The current champs are an odd couple of a team but are gelling more and more. Omos is a man that can easily block out the sun. After he softens Eric up, he tags in his partner. Styles executes an impressive 450 to retain the titles.

            Vengeance is the flavor of the next bout between Drew McIntyre and Veer. Before Veer can make his way to the squared circle, Jinder, flanked by Veer and a "lawyer", runs his mouth and offers McIntyre the opportunity to apologize for his actions last week against Shanky. Drew's response, "Screw the lawyer and I'm going to beat Veer within an inch of his life,".

            As Drew is unleashing fury on Veer, Mahal is on the outside slamming a steel chair on the apron of the ring. It is enough of a distraction to turn things in the favor of Veer. Impressive skills by the challenger with ruthless rights and lefts followed by a vertical elbow drop. The former champ does ultimately turn things around but for a moment. Mahal gives Veer a steel chair and McIntyre claymores the foreign object into the face of Veer. And by disqualification, the former champ picks up the win.

           Veer and Jinder slowly back up the ramp, This leaves the attorney down at ringside. Drew throws him into the ring and proceeds to Claymore the lawyer after Stone Cold saluting him.

  

            A main event promo is next regarding Goldberg's challenge to Bobby Lashley. Thought Bill was going to make an appearance but instead the champ is interrupted by Cedric Alexander. Why hasn't he been released? And why is his ring gear black and lavender accented with white fur and a headband? Is he the new Velveteen Dream? Shelton Benjamin cancels Alexander's rant. Both offer Lashley a challenge. Bobby decides to take both of them on in an immediate handicap match. The champ dominates and retains. 

             Matt Riddle is up next against John Morrison. This is a light hearted feud. Also, I must confess that every time someone says "moist", I get a tangible wet willy feeling. The best part was when Matt drop kicks The Miz on the outside causing him to fall back onto the floor like an upside down turtle. True to character, Riddle playfully mocks. After commercial break, The Miz is again right side up in his wheelchair and the Original Bro is off his game because of the appearance from AJ and Omos walking the ramp to ringside. Omos breaks the handle of Riddle's scooter over his leg like a twig. This allows for John Morrison to hit Starship Pain and pick up the win. 

             I will continue to catch up on wrestling while indulging in my personal routine of re-watching every past SummerSlam. I do this with every pay-per-view event because often the color commentators will reference back to past matches and then I would make a note to go back and watch. Now, I just prep beforehand. 

#BringBackBraun

SmackDown 7-23-21

            There is a new episode of SmackDown tonight. But I am still catching up on wrestling, so this post will be talking about last week's episode.

            First, we are in Ohio and once again, I find myself exhaling at the site of a live audience. However, Cena opens the show and I find myself wanting a commercial. I understand what the company is doing now that the days of the ThunderDome are over, but his time is over, it is not now.

            Apparently, he has come back to challenge Roman Reigns at SummerSlam for the gold. If that happens, I'm rooting for Roman. Praise God, Paul Heyman interrupts Cena's monologue. The advocate assures Cena that he will get an answer, when and only when, the Tribal Chief decides. He then goes on to musically mimic John's entrance music. Heyman is a true master of his craft.

            First match of the evening is Finn Balor verses Sami Zayn. I never thought Balor would be back on the main roster. Now that he is back, I prefer not to see him as the Demon. Just show us fans why you're The Prince.

            Sami has the upper hand to begin with a wrist lock take down into an arm bar. Then a series of vicious lefts and rights only to have Finn return the favor. Sami turned things around again by slamming Balor's head into the ring post and then goes for the pin. Finn fights back with a sling blade. After some back and forth between these former NXT champions, Balor heads to the top rope for the Coup de Grace and the win.

            Now for Mr. Money in the Back. I love saying that! And I love hearing a live crowd chanting "You deserve it!" What I didn't like was the interruption from Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez. Then things turn around with another interruption from the tag team champions, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. The interruptions continue with Rick Boogs and King Nakamura. One more for good measure, here comes Cesaro. I thought I could smell where this is going. I was hoping for an eight man tag match. Instead, it was just momentary chaos in the ring.

            Next, we head over to the world's largest hip hop festival - Rolling Loud at Miami Gardens hosted by Wale. With over 200,000 fans chanting "We want the smoke!", here come the Street Profits. It's so good to see Montez Ford back after his recent surgery. But this is not a tag team match up. Instead this is a singles competition between Angelo Dawkins and Chad Gable. Gable's strategy was to target the left arm that Otis recently injured. With encouragement from Wale and Ford on the outside, Dawkins gets the win. 

            Next is a championship re-match between Bianca Belair and Carmella. Why? Am I the only one who feels like this is a place marker feud until some of the M.I.A. superstars come back. Carmella will never be the one who takes the gold from Bianca. With a K.O.D., Belair retains. Duh....

            Back to Ohio for the Rated R Superstar. From the center of the ring, Edge laments about how he should be the new Universal Champion. Calling out Seth Rollins, he proclaims vengeance on the one who cost him the win. Rollins answers the verbal assault and fires back. He declares his intention to end the fairy tale come back story with a boot to the back of the hall of famer's surgically repaired neck. Edge has had enough and puts hands on Seth. He tries to execute his signature spear but Rollins flees.

            Toni Storm is next and makes her debut on SmackDown in a bout against Zelina Vega. I just want to see Vega get her ass kicked. And sure enough she did. Storm gets the win via a Storm One. The red rooster wannabe still has not won a match since her return.

            The new tag team title holders, The Usos, make their way to the ring for a singles competition. Jimmy Uso will be facing Dominik Mysterio. 

            Dom goes right after Jimmy. The veteran Uso is able to turn things around when he causes the young Mysterio to fall awkwardly on the top rope. After the commercial break, Dom regains momentary control with a neck breaker followed by a 619. It would be counter for counter until Jimmy picks up the win with yet another assist from his twin.

            As the Usos are making their way back up the ramp, Roman Reigns' music hits. Here comes Roman making his way down to the ring to answer John Cena's challenge. The Universal Champion's rant had one of the best lines that I have ever heard. He said that listening to John upon his return to WWE was  "a nostalgic 2005 John Cena....... like missionary position every night". He says no to Cena's SummerSlam challenge, so The Prince, Finn Balor, serves up a challenge of his own. The crowd is chanting "Roman's scared!". Reigns answers with a simple "Challenge accepted." I'm going to love this. The first ever Universal Champion feuding with the current Universal Champion at SummerSlam.

#BringBackBraun

NXT 7-20-21

            Summer continues to be in full swing here in New England. Repainting the inside of my home and steam cleaning the rugs has me behind on my wrestling. Just finished watching last week's "provoking" NXT, so let's get to it.

            "Tick tock. Tick tock. Guess who's come to smash your clock!" An irate Samoa Joe has words with GM William Regal regarding Karrion Kross. With Kross on his way to the arena, Joe prophesizes that someone will be going to sleep.

            The first match of the evening was a tag team bout featuring Tyler Rust and Roderick Strong of the Diamond Mine. They get ambushed by their opponents Kushida and Bobby Fish on the way to the ring. Diamond Mine members have control of Bobby Fish to start the match. After absorbing much punishment, Fish is able to tag in Kushida with the help of a spine buster. This was a fast moving match-up. With former team member Bobby and Roderick on the outside, Rust taps out to Kushida in the center of the ring.

            Kyle O'Reily is up next and he squares up against Austin Theory. I loved that Theory came to the ring solo. His skill set is improving and I hope that leads him back to the main roster. Austin had an answer for most of Kyle's moves. I was happily surprised to see Theory in command for the majority of the match but it would not be enough. The Muay Thai experience of O'Reily gave him the win via a submission. I found myself wanting that upset win for Austin watching this feud. And I do hope that this is a feud that continues without the voices of The Way. 

            The Breakout Tournament continues with Andre Chase verses Odyssey Jones. Sometimes you can tell just by the way an athlete comes to the ring, who is going to win. I immediately got a Mark Henry vibe from Jones and truthfully predicted his win. Chase showcased an impressive in ring intelligence and took advantage of his environment. He slams Jones into a steel pillar. He then perfectly executes a moonsault. The way he landed on his opponent was like two puzzles pieces fitting together. Absolutely textbook. But in the end, it would be Mr. Jones that advances. He now joins fellow qualifier Duke Hudson. I wonder how long this tournament is going to run. 

            Yawwwwn......I mean Raquel Gonzalez is up next and she battles Xia Li for the gold. I don't know what it is about the NXT Women's Champion, but I find no enjoyment watching her in the ring. I think I find Raquel to be more of a brute than a wrestler. I am rooting for Xia all the way.

            Li focused heavily on the left leg of the champ. Smart strategy to take a tower off its base. However, Gonzalez comes off the second rope and crashes down on the challenger right across the mid section. There is a pause in the match so that medical staff can assess the situation and deems her fit to continue. Like a shark in bloody waters, the champ slams Li into the mat and picks up the win. 

            Now for my favorite part of the evening. LA Knight accompanied by his "butler" Cameron Grimes goes up against Drake Maverick. I am so happy to see Drake in action. It seems like forever since he's been in the squared circle. Grimes' only task during the match is to hold high the million dollar belt high on the outside. Multiple times, LA takes his eyes off his opponent to remind Cameron of his one and only task. It was this behavior that would cost Knight the match. While reprimanding Cameron, Knight's face is pushed into the diamond crusted belt by Maverick who then picks up the win.   

            Ever the sore loser, LA blames his butler and attacks Drake. Cameron comes to the aid of Maverick and tries to get Knight to leave the ring. Battling with his conscience, Grimes reluctantly follows the directive of his employer and punches Drake in the face. The CWC audience was not happy. Please don't turn on my Trevor Lee. The arch of this storyline will soon come and then we all will be going TO THE MOON!

            The evening ends the way it began. With an angry Samoa Joe in the center of the ring, Karrion answers the enforcer's call on the Jumbo Tron. Declaring that he can go anywhere and do anything he wants, we see Regal unconscious on the asphalt as Kross speeds off into the night. 

#BringBackBraun 

            

    

              

Raw after Money in the Bank

             I have always found the Raw episode after a pay-per-view exciting so let's dive in.

            John Cena has returned and he opened the show. I personally do not enjoy watching him but, love him or hate him, the man knows how to hype up a crowd. He called Roman Reigns an A-hole! Censors may have bleeped Cena but they couldn't silence the live audience. It will be curious what he has to say to the Universal champ this Friday at SmackDown. 

            The first match of the evening is the team of Matt Riddle and The Viking Raiders verses AJ Styles, Omos and John Morrison. Styles and Riddle start the contest. Great action but my favorite part was watching Morrison get sandwiched by the Vikings on the outside. Back inside the ring, AJ and Erik go at it with a phenomenal blitz of strikes. I can hear, and subliminally feel, just how powerful those leg kicks are. Incredibly impressive but after much energy spent, they each catch a reprieve from one of their respective partners. John and Ivar are now trading moves. Ivar is so powerful and agile for a man of his size. John tries to execute Starship Pain off the top rope but misses. Before a winner can be declared in this contest, a predictable event takes place. Morrison's sidekick, The Miz, "kind of "gets involved with his "drip stick".

            Riddle, comes around the ring, steals a water filled drip stick from Miz and squirts the giant Omos. When Omos turns around, Riddle is gone and Miz is left holding his stick. The big guy leaves the apron and slowly makes his way to Miz. Morrison gets in-between them only to get thrown back into the ring by an angry giant. AJ then tries to slow his irate partner down which leaves John alone in the ring with the Vikings who pick up the win.. 

            The queen is up next wearing her newly earned championship gold. Yada, yada, yada, "I can beat Rhea Ripley any night of the week..."... here comes Rhea. She issues a challenge for tonight which Charlotte quickly declines. However, Adam Pearce and Sonya DeVille come out and makes a title rematch official.

            But before that can happen, it's time for my favorite fella. The United States Champion Sheamus squares up against Humberto Carrillo. It was 2 months ago that Humberto broke the nose of the champ. Carrillo is showing a lot of fiery guts going after Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior turns things around after his opponent tries to take off his protective mask. Sheamus is so powerful. His strikes are just echoing throughout the arena. He goes for a second Dublin smile but his opponent is smart enough to bite the champ's fingers to change the momentum in his favor. It's an illegal but effective move. Carrillo then flies through the ropes to launch Sheamus over the announce table. This would all be short lived because the champ demonstrates why he is the champ. It takes a moment but the fella finds his way back. With one Brogue kick, he scores another victory over Carrillo.

            Succeeding this match is a promo by Bobby Lashley and MVP. I tuned out until Bobby asks "Who is it going to be to accept the open challenge?" Keith Lee is back!!!!!!!!! This powerhouse has been out of action since January 2021. And now he is going up against Lashley in a championship contenders match. 

            Keith is all power and glory and he is a fitting opponent for Bobby. Lashley had trouble muscling up Lee. He does, however, try to go for the Hurt Lock. There was no way he was going to hook it on a man of Lee's frame. It would be with a spear that the champ picks up the win. I'm not mad that Lee lost on his first night back. I'm just happy he is back. 

              The surprises didn't end there, While the champ is celebrating his win, Goldberg's music hits. The Hall of Famer has returned and he makes a bee line for Bobby Lashley. I am a huge fan of Goldberg. He gets directly in the face of  Lashley and delivers a simple and effective message: "I'm next!" This fan is so ready to see these gladiators go at it. 

            For those of you who follow me regularly, I mentioned in my May 7th post that I would share my disappointment regarding a promoted match between Mahal and Lesner that never happened. 

            It was 2017 and for the first time ever, I was dating a fellow wrestling fan. As we were driving to dinner, I mentioned that I was excited to see the feud between Jinder and Brock. His response: "It's never going to happen." Shocked, I asked "Why not?" and he just kept saying that is was never going to happen. And sure enough he was right. I don't know how, because he wouldn't explain, but he was right.   

            Speaking of The Monday Night Maharaja, as I like to call him, he is in the ring flanked by Veer and Shanky. Shanky is singing Happy Birthday to Jinder when Drew McIntyre comes up from behind and attacks Mahal with a steel chair. He then goes after Veer and then Shanky. Poor Shanky, he gets absolutely brutalized with the steel chair across the back while Jinder and Veer have made it up the ramp. This is where the genius of Corey Graves comes into play. 

            Graves: "Where's Tito and Jermaine?"

The chair is completely mangled. So the Scottish Warrior grabs a fresh chair from the outside and continues the slaughter.  Twenty times across the back of Shanky and there is instant bruising. 

            Now it is time for the Harbinger of Sorrow to make his debut on Raw sans Scarlett. His opponent is Jeff Hardy. The future Hall of Famer comes to the ring rejuvenated with the return of his "No More Words" entrance theme music. Karrion thinks he is going to dominate the veteran in this match but Hardy changes his plans. He sends Kross shoulder first into the ring post. That is enough for him to hit the Twist of Fate and then a power bomb to secure the win. It is inevitable that Karrion is moving up to the main roster. Did the NXT champ pick up a "L" at his Raw debut as a way to set up a losing streak storyline that has him parting with the gold?

             To cap off the evening, Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley have their championship title re-match. From the bell, both athletes unleash fury on each other. Ripley wants the match over quickly but Flair is a chess player. The champ targets the knee of her opponent. Rhea fights through the agony and the pain. She even gets a the figure four on the champ and hits the Riptide and goes for the pin. The ring awareness of Charlotte allows her to get her foot on the rope to break the count. Flair would retain her title for a few minutes longer after she gets disqualified for hitting Rhea with the belt. After the bell, Nikki Cross runs to the ring to cash in her MITB contract. From the top rope, she flies with a cross body onto Charlotte Flair and just like that, we have a new champion. That was a fun and unexpected way to end Monday Night Raw.

#BringBackBraun