Tonight featured continued fallout from Royal Rumble, and how the championship scene figures to play out leading into the months ahead. RAW also heavily hyped Fastlane, the next WWE pay per view scheduled for February.
The special attraction feature appeared tonight. Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman opened the show. Heyman and Lesnar had their talking promo segment, which was interrupted and segued into the Dean Ambrose points of view. We also saw a nice teasing and foreshadowing of what Wrestlemania could look like. Brock Lesnar and Triple H, our current WWE heavyweight champion had some sharp and biting words for each other. It is possible for the third time; we will see the unofficial rubber match in their series of feature bouts.
In the first contest, Kalisto won his bout as US champion (his second match with the new title reign, from Royal Rumble). Kalisto defeated League of Nations member Rusev, with Alberto Del Rio ringside for commentary. The seeds were also planted for the Del Rio-Kalisto feud to continue and occur at Fastlane.
In other action, Dolph Ziggler defeated Kevin Owens in a great in-ring match, but did nothing storyline wise or title contender wise to advance either persona. It’s a great match that gets pops, and notwithstanding the talent of both men. However, this match felt treated as if it were dry and stale; without anything significant at stake, or to hype the bout. The magic of the “best of series” of bouts, like Booker T had with Chris Benoit, and then later Booker with John Cena cannot be replicated again; and also it can’t be done correctly without a belt/prop to further elevate a given wrestler.
The Uso brothers defeated Social Outcast members Adam Rose and Curtis Axel in tag team competition. Big Show fought Wyatt family member Erick Rowan to a no-contest. Big Show gained the upper hand with a knockout punch, but the numbers game caught up to the giant. Furthermore, it is rather confusing in which Royal Rumble teased Bray Wyatt and Brock Lesnar. However, why didn’t the Wyatt’s come out during the opening segment to “carry over” the feud, and hype it up a bit more? Why is Rowan in a meaningless match versus the Big Show? Who really “wins” in terms of advancing a storyline or persona is the question. Is the morale or logic to be assumed that, “Hey, the Wyatt’s taken out a 500 pound, 7-foot tall giant and somehow is to translate in readying Bray for Brock Lesnar?”
In Diva developments, Brie Bella continues to “job” and further give the impression that her star power is not as equal as Nikki. Nikki’s star as it relates to hype and relevance is rising even in her absence. In part, it is because of her long reign as Divas champion and because of the “rub” in who she is dating/engaged to regarding “star power status”. Brie Bella was defeated Divas Champion Charlotte who has a mark on her back for her championship. Becky Lynch is still in the hunt, and the developments of Sasha Banks who is now going solo, and propped to be a viable contender. Sasha though defeated Becky by disqualification, and would not help Sasha to buddy up with another baby face. Sasha is already getting the hype and the chants, so she needs to remain as a solo star, and shed all forms of factions and alliances.
In other action, Tyler Breeze whose star appeared to rise, and as a breath of fresh air is now stagnant. He was defeated by Titus O’Neil who frankly is a great solo star but given a lukewarm push. Goldust still wants to team up with R-Truth as well, and was featured in a comic relief skit. AJ Styles also appeared on Miz TV, and will face The Miz this week, on AJ’s first Smackdown match on that brand.
In the main event, it featured the New Day’s Kofi and Big E defeated by the team of Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. Brock Lesnar appeared and F-5’d Ambose to make his silent but violent statement.
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