Raw Is War 29/8

paulie21

Who will claim the WWE Universal Title?

In the biggest Raw main event of the New Era, Roman Reigns, Big Cass, Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens will battle it out for the WWE Universal Championship, which was vacated by the injured Finn Bálor this past Monday night. Although analysts might give an edge to Reigns or Rollins, both of whom have held the WWE World Championship in the past, you can’t discount Big Cass, who has more than proven he can hang in Team Red’s main event scene in recent weeks. As for Owens, we have to imagine that his pal Chris Jericho will “have his back” during this bout. After all, Jericho is “The Best in the World at What He Does,” and that includes bending the rules.

Regardless, there will be a new WWE Universal Champion Monday night, and you won’t want to miss any of the action in this explosive four-man melee.

What team will Gallows & Anderson target next?

After failing to diagnose any new cases of “ringpostitis” last week, “Doctors” Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson accepted new patients last week in The Dudley Boyz, spoiling the iconic tag team’s farewell address to the WWE Universe with a disrespectful attack that culminated in D-Von Dudley being driven through a table.

As much as it might have been an opportunity to spoil a feel-good moment — Gallows & Anderson are known to do that — it was also a poignant statement to the entire Team Red locker room that no one is safe. Will another tandem suffer the same fate as The Dudley Boyz this Monday night?

Is Bayley poised to wrap her arms around the WWE Women’s Championship?

Wacky, waving, inflatable, arm-flailing tube men in tow, Bayley made her official debut on Raw and, after sharing a hug with Raw General Manager Mick Foley, she earned a decisive victory over Dana Brooke as new WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte looked on.

Even though they share a bond as two members of “The Four Horsewomen,” Charlotte has made it abundantly clear that any past affiliations are null and void when it comes to Team Red and championship gold. Is a title match in the cards for these friends-turned-rivals?

Can Braun Strowman be stopped?

From James Ellsworth to Johnny Knockout, local competitors have been lining up to face Braun Strowman in recent weeks, and the conclusion of each bout appears to be more painful than the last. As Strowman looks to continue his impressive winning streak, another journeyman grappler will likely stand across the ring from the juggernaut this Monday night. Will this hopeful grappler find success where others have failed, or will he be mangled like the rest?

Lord TSC

Please Owens, please Owens, please Owens.

PTH2009

What has more prestige the world title or the universal title ???

CastorTroy

Depends on if reigns wins or not.

Really it should be the World title since Raw only created the Universal title because they couldn't get the World title.

I want to see those 2 jobbers from TNA that EC3 brought in, fight Strowman. Norv Fernum and Dewey Barnes, I believe.
How long until he moves on to 2 at a time?

That'll be heath's contract match after the tag titles don't work out.

Loughc

PTH2009 wrote: »

What has more prestige the world title or the universal title ???

JBL is claiming the World Title and you have to say he's right as the World title has the history behind it.

PTH2009

Before the world title git unified a year or 2 ago there was the WWE championship (dating back to wwf times) and the WWE world title (I think dates back to wcw times and was the original nwa world title). So basically Dean Ambrose is carrying the legacy of both these titles ATM and the universal title means feck all ATM ???

The Showstopper

PTH2009 wrote: »

Before the world title git unified a year or 2 ago there was the WWE championship (dating back to wwf times) and the WWE world title (I think dates back to wcw times and was the original nwa world title). So basically Dean Ambrose is carrying the legacy of both these titles ATM and the universal title means feck all ATM ???

I'm fairly sure that world title was created in 2002 and given to hhh. Then, when they were unifying the belts they tried to claim it was the same as the wcw title and the nwa world title but it really wasn't.
Didn't tna use the nwa world title during their early years, and isn't it still being used in other promotions today?

Omackeral

Getting mixed up here a bit fellas. They're both 'World' titles in essence. The one Ambrose holds is of the same lineage as the one Hogan, Bret and Steve Austin held. The other is brand new.

The World title too created in 2002 was a brand new title created for HHH that used the Big Gold Belt design, but not its lineage. JR used to call it the World's Heavyweight Championship. It looked like the WCW Title (which also used the Big Gold Belt) but it was a different championship altogether and got amalgamated into the Unified WWE Title in 2013 when Orton beat Cena. That World title has a life span of 2002-2013. Ambrose's traces back to the 1960's.

PTH2009

Omackeral wrote: »

Getting mixed up here a bit fellas. They're both 'World' titles in essence. The one Ambrose holds is of the same lineage as the one Hogan, Bret and Steve Austin held. The other is brand new.

The World title too created in 2002 was a brand new title created for HHH that used the Big Gold Belt design, but not its lineage. JR used to call it the World's Heavyweight Championship. It looked like the WCW Title (which also used the Big Gold Belt) but it was a different championship altogether and got amalgamated into the Unified WWE Title in 2013 when Orton beat Cena. That World title has a life span of 2002-2013. Ambrose's traces back to the 1960's.

more confused as ever now lol

The Showstopper

Okay my post was very unclear, I actually meant what Omackeral said.

I'm not sure I really accept the idea of one promotion having two world titles. I would have rathered if they'd elevated the Intercontental Title to the top belt of one brand, though I suppose that has had a lot of damage done to it.

ricero

If reigns loses we riot !

CSF

ricero wrote: »

If reigns loses we riot !

Wut

CSF

I think Big Cass either wins or comes out of this as the hard done by loser here. With no Balor they are currently without a foil for Rollins on Raw. They surely won't go to the well with Romans again this soon.

sky88

CSF wrote: »

I think Big Cass either wins or comes out of this as the hard done by loser here. With no Balor they are currently without a foil for Rollins on Raw. They surely won't go to the well with Romans again this soon.

I honestly think him or reigns wins tonight. I just sense they want to do something big with cass.

Whatever happens I just don't want to see anymore reigns vs Rollins for the title

princemuzzy

if they have any sense KO wins

J. Marston

No idea why Big fecking Cass is in the match. He drops the star power and prestige of the match by about 400%.

Clearly obvious he's there to take the pin. Throw Sami or Cesaro into the match and it adds a little bit of "Maybe, just maybe, he could win..."

Big Cass though? Ugh.

CSF

J. Marston wrote: »

No idea why Big fecking Cass is in the match. He drops the star power and prestige of the match by about 400%.

Clearly obvious he's there to take the pin. Throw Sami or Cesaro into the match and it adds a little bit of "Maybe, just maybe, he could win..."

Big Cass though? Ugh.

My impression is he's gonna take over the role of number one face while Balor is out.

They could turn Rollins or Owens to take that role in a second but I don't think they want to.

Neil3030

My predictions:

One or both of Jericho/Owens will cost Cass in some screwy manner, leading to a tag match at the next PPV.

Reigns goes over with Rollins eating the pin for injuring Finn.

Interestingly, I see there is a house show on tonight featuring members of the Smackdown roster, I wouldn't have thought the USA Network would be happy with them eating into (an admittedly small) chunk of the likely RAW viewership in such a manner?

CSF

Neil3030 wrote: »

My predictions:

One or both of Jericho/Owens will cost Cass in some screwy manner, leading to a tag match at the next PPV.

Reigns goes over with Rollins eating the pin for injuring Finn.

Interestingly, I see there is a house show on tonight featuring members of the Smackdown roster, I wouldn't have thought the USA Network would be happy with them eating into (an admittedly small) chunk of the likely RAW viewership in such a manner?

Can't see Reigns winning tonight. The world would explode. Rusev screws him over. I think you're right about the Owens/Cass thing which only leaves one winner. The right winner tbh.

LeeJM

Think Ill stay up and live tweet during Raw. Havnt done it in a while and Twitter is always great craic during Raw. I dunno why but I think Owens wins tonight.

WinnyThePoo

Interference by someone id say.

Angron

I feel like Rusev will cost Roman the match (and get cheered for doing so). In a dream world, I'd love Owens to leave as champ, but I'd also be happy with Seth. Cass is still too green to go it on his own as champ I think.

Insect Overlord

Rollins is class.

Neil3030

Never mind wrestling, Jericho is possibly the best thing on TV right now.

Agent Coulson

Neil3030 wrote: »

Never mind wrestling, Jericho is possibly the best thing on TV right now.

After a load of lackluster returns over the last few years he is right back on top form now.

ricero

Jericho has been the mvp of the raw the past while.

Also hope owens wins tonight

Agent Coulson

These skits by Gallows and Anderson look like they came straight out of Vince childish humour mind.

Adiboo

Agent Coulson wrote: »

These skits by Gallows and Anderson look like they came straight out of Vince childish humour mind.

Kinda remind me of '97 DX.

Agent Coulson

Is Bayley The New Day token

J. Marston

Lot of venom behind those "Sheamus sucks!" chants.

johnnysmack

What is this **** with Stephanie and Paul Heyman

martyos121

Holy fcuk I couldn't have fantasy booked that better myself!

johnnysmack

Yyyeeeeeeesssssssss!!!!!!!!!

IncognitoMan

Amazing booking. Delighted for Ownes

SureYWouldntYa

I like this

KO with the bloody win

martyos121

Triple H putting over one of his own NXT guys, I have a feeling they might be headed that way storyline-wise.

Neil3030

So would people welcome back an authority storyline if Owens is their guy?

SureYWouldntYa

Neil3030 wrote: »

So would people welcome back an authority storyline if Owens is their guy?

Stephanie didn't seem to expect HHH, so maybe she wasn't happy he turned up

So it mightn't be back to the traditional Authority at least, and I wouldn't mind seeing that too much

Mr.Nice Guy

I liked what they did because honestly it all felt flat going into the match as I assumed either Reigns would win, and he doesn't need another title reign any time soon, or Rollins would win, and I didn't like that as I felt it would have rewarded his recklessness.

Having Owens win is fresh and leaves me curious over two things:

1) the reason why HHH picked Owens over Rollins. Will the injury to Finn play into it, i.e. Seth took out one of Hunter's guys so this is payback? HHH did tweet a lot of congratulations to Finn when he won the title so you could take that route.

2) does this now mean Seth Rollins will be a babyface going forward? I'm fine with that as I felt it should have happened when he returned.

I would have a slight concern that if the plan is for HHH and Owens to be heels then the manner of the win, with Owens getting a big babyface pop and fans chanting 'you deserve it', will make it hard going forward. There aren't going to be many guys that fans will side with over Owens - certainly not Reigns, and I don't think Big Cass either. Zayn could but he is down the pecking order and we were only recently told they had their final battle. This is why turning Rollins may be the best bet as he might just be able to play a popular face vs Owens.

On the other hand, perhaps this will lead to an Owens babyface turn? There's a lot of interesting ways they can go with it.

Thumbs up anyway. :cool:

SlickRic

Well done to on HHH winning the title.

Lord TSC

Same as MNG, I liked the ending cause it leaves me asking questions and, more importantly, makes me want to watch the show next week.

Owens deserves the title run, and while I know I should be annoyed he didn't get a clean win to start his run, I have 100% faith in him to put on awesome feuds and matches going forward. That, and if we're in a "New Era", then having Reigns or Rollins win would have been redundant.

Meanwhile, I fear they'll go down the lazy "I screwed you cause I wanted to" route, but I'm hoping they might be positioning HHH and NXT as a proper third brand. The fact Steph didn't know he was going to interfere, the fact it was an NXT guy being given the rub and an attack on someone who injured another NXT guy. I have that excitement over how this could go...which will no doubt be erased next week :P

Was that HHH then standing behing Rollins and Steph backstage before the match? There was a figure framed between the two, talking on the phone and it was a very deliberate foreshadowing scene. Something that was more subtle than Raw usually is :P

But yeah, that ending made me happy. As did how easily Bayley and Dana slotted in with the New Day and The Club....

the groutch

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

1) the reason why HHH picked Owens over Rollins. Will the injury to Finn play into it, i.e. Seth took out one of Hunter's guys so this is payback? HHH did tweet a lot of congratulations to Finn when he won the title so you could take that route.

Seth screwed Seth

mrkiscool2

Thought everyone would be raging after what happened, delighted to see that isn't the case. Delighted, absolutely delighted for Owens, he really deserves it. Hope he keeps it for a while now. Secondly, I did not see that coming. And I loved it.

seandotcomm

Looks like it might create an interesting dynamic between Foley and Triple H.
Nicey-nice Mick won't be long getting annoying.. a bit of intensity from him now after H's interfering would be cool.

Agent Coulson

Amazing for KO.


Watching the build up of Jealous Jericho of KO is going to be amazing to watch over the next while with the form Jericho is on at the moment.





Seth was always going to be ok losing but HHH screwing Roman still keeps Roman looking strong.

CSF

How good would this be?

Neil3030

seandotcomm wrote: »

Looks like it might create an interesting dynamic between Foley and Triple H.
Nicey-nice Mick won't be long getting annoying.. a bit of intensity from him now after H's interfering would be cool.

Yeah I was a bit annoyed they had Mick sitting there doing nothing while HHH just ambled around pedigreeing people in an important match. I'd much rather the commisioners weren't ringside for that as it made them look super weak. That said, I'd much rather the commissioners were never ringside.

SlickRic

I can't believe more people don't have an issue with the end of that title match. I think we might all be blinded by the fact that KO was the beneficiary.

Could they really have not come up with a finish that didn't involve HHH beating 2 people? Honestly?

ERG89

SlickRic wrote: »

Could they really have not come up with a finish that didn't involve HHH beating 2 people? Honestly?

Happy it's someone fresh but HHH literally handed it to him. They have a PPV coming up hopefully Owens will look stronger after it & it's not another authority storyline. Football season is coming up so they need something that didn't play a role in losing viewers imo.

Bounty Hunter

SlickRic wrote: »

I can't believe more people don't have an issue with the end of that title match. I think we might all be blinded by the fact that KO was the beneficiary.

Could they really have not come up with a finish that didn't involve HHH beating 2 people? Honestly?

We are willingly blinded by KO tbph and by the fact that it means next weeks Raw is something I (or we) actively want to watch, not out out of habit or hope that it'll be decent but because I genuinely wanna see what happens next and see Kevin Owens in the world (universal) title spotlight.

HHH making it 3 authority figures on Raw is not ideal but at least Raw isn't meh in my mind right now.

PTH2009

Wow didnt expect Triple H to return

Triple H vs Seth at Survivor Series could be happening. Imagine if Seth injured Triple H (He would then be rightly in the bad books lol)

delighted KO has finally reached the top of the ladder.

Didnt understand what happend between Steph and Paul Heymen