WWE Monday Night Raw on Labor Day came to us from Des Moines, Iowa. Another solid episode that featured good solid matches, someone getting fired, Big Show being forced to take on Daniel Bryan in the main event and more storyline building with Bryan and the Corporation.
The show opens up with Triple H in the ring and The Shield at ringside for protection. Randy Orton comes out to cut a promo and he talks about what he did on Friday Night Smackdown where he spray painted 'No' on Bryan's chest following another beating. Orton talks about how Bryan should give up his opportunity against him at Night of Champions and Triple H backs it up by saying that he needs to protect the health of the WWE superstars. HHH talks about what is best for business and compares Bryan to Doink the Clown, he continues on to talk about bringing back the Cruiserweight Championship or the European Championship. This draws Bryan out to cut his own promo bashing both Triple H and Orton even throwing Stephanie McMahon in there. Bryan discusses how he was not given anything and how Orton has been handed everything. Triple H then books a match between Bryan and Big Show in the main event.
My analysis: This was more of a storyline builder between Bryan and 'The Corporation,' as we get closer and closer to Night of Champions. I love this story and I hope that it continues with Bryan reigning supreme at one of the upcoming pay-per-views which I am guessing will not be NOC because that would seem too quick to end this storyline.
Triple H and Orton are shown walking backstage and they run into Cody Rhodes where Rhodes tells Triple H that Orton vs. Bryan is what is 'best for business.' Triple H talks about how he and Orton did not receive an invitation to Rhodes' upcoming wedding. Triple H then books a match between Orton and Rhodes and if Rhodes loses then he will be fired.
My analysis: This came out of left field honestly. I did not expect a match between Orton and Rhodes especially since Rhodes and Damien Sandow have been feuding lately. Also, I had no idea that Rhodes was getting married (just a side note). Orton and Triple H have been on a serious abuse of power streak, I like Rhodes and hated the result that came later in the evening although I do not think it is for real.
The first match of the evening is between The Miz and Fandango which continues their little feud that they have had lately. Miz locks in the figure four leg lock and Fandango taps out almost instantly.
My analysis: I am not sure where Miz is headed right now, he has been in a little feud with Fandango and he has also been involved in the whole 'Corporation' vs Bryan angle as well so it will be interesting to see where this goes. My choice will be he will join forces with Bryan and fight back against Triple H/Orton/The Shield.
The next segment is between Bryan and Booker T (who has been off TV for a while), and Booker tells Bryan that he should maybe think about giving up his title match at Night of Champions. Booker says that he could get hurt and he needs to think about this match upcoming if he so chooses to keep it instead of giving it up.
My analysis: Bryan will not give up his match at Night of Champions unless he decides to team up with others such as Big Show, Dolph Ziggler, Miz and take on The Shield/Orton/Triple H in a big match which may end up happening at Survivor Series. I would love to see a team led by Orton vs. a team led by Bryan.
Dolph Ziggler is out next for a mystery opponent which ends up being Ryback, but Dean Ambrose comes out to attack Ziggler prior to the match. Ryback was on offense the majority of the match with a small dose of offense from Ziggler. Ryback hits the Shell Shock finisher to pick up the victory.
My analysis: This was more punishment being dished out against Ziggler, but the attack by Ambrose prior to the match could lead to a match at Night of Champions between Ziggler and Ambrose with the United States Championship on the line which is my prediction. I honestly feel bad for Ziggler, just a short time ago he was World Heavyweight Champion and now he is relegated to the mid-card.
A promo for Los Matadores is shown which is clearly a redone Epico and Primo. They will be coming soon and I'm guessing that their first match will be against 3MB who have been involved in numerous squash matches. Stephanie McMahon comes out and has a conversation with Big Show and it gets incredibly personal where McMahon talks about Show being broke and needing this job and needing to fight Bryan after he clearly did not want to. I feel bad for Show who has been basically treated like a child in on every Raw/Smackdown lately. Then another promo is shown, this time it is for Edge who is returning next week for one night only. I am extremely happy to see Edge coming back and sad at the same time to see that it is for one night only.
3MB are in the next match against the surging Primetime Players. The PTP get another victory after Titus O'Neill planted Jinder Mahal out of nowhere for the win.
My analysis: A squash match for the PTP, ever since Darren Young came out as the first openly gay WWE superstar, the WWE has been giving the Primetime Players a serious push. I believe that this will lead to a match down the road with The Shield for the tag titles. This match will have to wait until at least Night of Champions because at this point, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins do not have any opponents yet for the pay-per-view.
Paul Heyman and Brad Maddox are in the back talking about the match at Night of Champions between CM Punk and Curtis Axel/Paul Heyman. Triple H intervenes and talks about how the match is best for business, which is an ongoing theme for the evening. Bray Wyatt and the Wyatt family are shown on the jumbotron cutting a promo about Kane and where he is which we still don't know that answer. I honestly do not like the Wyatt Family, the character aspect is cool, but I want to see more than squash matches against Tons of Funk. The Kane story was cool, but now we have not heard or seen Kane since SummerSlam. I am hoping that Kane comes back to attack the Wyatt Family instead of joining them which has been a rumor I have heard as well.
Cody Rhodes is out for his match against Randy Orton with Rhodes' job on the line. This match featured some solid back and forth wrestling between these two men. Rhodes seemed to have the match won after he he hit a disaster kick and then Cross Roads on Orton for near falls. Orton then takes advantage after Rhodes tweaks his knee in the match and hits an RKO for the win. Triple H comes out and ultimately fires Rhodes after talking about how he liked him personally.
My analysis: There is no way that Rhodes is getting fired I think. I think it's strange that Rhodes went from a feud with Sandow to being fired and off of television. I feel that this is a way to write Rhodes off of television to enjoy his wedding and honeymoon with his fiance. Once Rhodes comes back though I think he will receive a big push right to the top of the food chain.
CM Punk comes out and cuts a promo about Paul Heyman and Curtis Axel which I am surprised did not bring out Heyman and or Axel. Punk stands with a kendo stick in hand and promises to break Heyman's face at the upcoming Night of Champions. This was a cool promo from Punk and I am hoping that he defeats Axel and Heyman at NOC. Daniel Bryan is shown talking with Big Show backstage and Show talks about the fact that things need to change especially after what happened to Cody Rhodes. Bryan then says that he is going to beat Show later on in the evening.
The divas match featured Natalya going against Brie Bella and Naomi in a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for AJ Lee's Divas Championship. Lee gets involved and causes a disqualification and gets beaten down by all three competitors. Later it was announced that AJ would defend the gold against Brie Bella, Natalya and Naomi in a fatal four way at Night of Champions.
My analysis: I would like to see Natalya with the belt around her waist as she has been around for quite a while and I believe she deserves it. I just like the fact that someone new is facing AJ instead of Kaitlyn constantly. New life could be breathed into the Divas Championship scene if the title changes hands at Night of Champions.
Damien Sandow takes on Rob Van Dam in the next match, honestly I did not care for this match too much as it just seemed that Sandow and RVD lacked chemistry. Alberto Del Rio comes out to make an appearance and stands at the top of the ramp to watch the match from afar. RVD gets the victory over Sandow with a five star frog splash. RVD and Ricardo Rodriguez celebrate following the victory.
My analysis: I think this is the end of Del Rio's title reign at Night of Champions. RVD will hold the gold for one final time before he calls it a career. I personally feel that Del Rio has been a boring champion and would like the World Heavyweight Championship scene to be revamped. The Heavyweight title scene has been dry lately and needs something to spice it up. Hopefully, Van Dam gets the W at Night of Champions.
Cody Rhodes is seen leaving the arena and answers a few questions from Josh Matthews and Rhodes goes off and I loved every minute of it. He will be pushed upon his return and I hope to see him back quickly.
The main event is up and Daniel Bryan comes out with the entire WWE locker room on the stage. Big Show is reluctant to even get in the ring and tries to leave until Triple H and The Shield come out to attempt to get Show back in the ring, Show comes back in the ring after The Shield start beating down Bryan. Show watches as The Shield triple powerbomb Bryan to the mat. Triple H wants Big Show to knock out Bryan, but Show leaves the ring again until Stephanie McMahon comes out to bring Show back in and that is where Show attempts to punch Triple H, but Stephanie stops him and Show is forced to KO Bryan which he does. Show then leaves the ring and Randy Orton comes out to stand over Bryan to end the show.
My analysis: I honestly feel awful for Big Show, he has been crying on live TV lately and I hope and pray this leads to a match against Triple H in the future. Big Show should be in a match against Reigns and Rollins at Night of Champions, but with the recent push of the Primetime Players that may not happen anymore. This was another great episode of Monday Night Raw and this storyline keeps on building. One day Daniel Bryan will prevail, he will just have to wait a while until at least after Night of Champions.
