Monday Night RAW presented a show with developments and foreshadowing to both Roadblock and Wrestlemania. The most prominent stories again catered to the main-event players (Save for one mid-card story development). We open the show with a rousing appearance of Shane McMahon who is more than gung-ho and ready for Mania.
The second and other feature story is Triple H and Dean Ambrose. In the absence of Roman Reigns, and being held off TV until Mania; this feud is really priming, elevating Dean as a potential main event talent. How he is ready for Brock Lesnar in terms of competitive nature remains to be seen. Honestly, this Lesnar-Ambrose match is a stretch at best; and not much else has been done since the car body slam the Monday following the last WWE PPV.
Sadly, for the main event, we were treated to a redundant match of Bray Wyatt and Dean Ambrose, with underlying implications of Wyatt wanting claim for the WWE title. We will see Bray Wyatt versus Brock Lesnar at Roadblock. Kevin Owens defeated Neville in the opening bout; and revealed his soon to be opponent on the main roster. Owens will face former foe, Sami Zayn.
The New Day was victorious in their title defense versus Y2-AJ. Jericho abruptly and inexplicably turned on his partner, Styles. The story initially of them feuding over bragging rights and then the two teaming up as all buddy-buddy was wrong from the jump. It came off dry, forced and a little hokey. The execution of the story was rushed, but those who are diehard fans always remembered Jericho had that sniveling type heel character in him prior to. The New Day though will defend their titles Saturday at Roadblock versus Enzo Amore and Big Cass.
In other action, Brie continues her “job”, losing streak which is another reminder that she doesn’t have the “it” factor, preferences or success of her sister Nikki. Brie lost to Summer Rae of all people, which further kills the credibility of Brie, and also the women’s/Divas Revolution. Then, Lana comes out and in a storyline development which isn’t fully fleshed out yet; face-busters Brie and sets up a future match between the two. Outside of Charlotte, Sasha and Becky; who else has had competitive TV time, or a major storyline? This is a travesty in not fully utilizing all the divas, and those especially who have had success in the past; and can put on great matches. Speaking of Becky and Sasha, they were victorious once again in a one-sided feud. Sasha and Becky teamed up once again to defeat Tamina and Naomi. However, how this win makes the tandem ready or stronger for Charlotte (in a tag team match, and not say a singles win over Charlotte as merit) is a bit off.
A backstage segment is following next, and we are treated to Dolph Ziggler versus any three of the League of Nation members; as Del Rio has the night off. This three on 1 is a gauntlet-elimination style match, as booked by Stephanie McMahon due to Ziggler’s prodding and wise-cracks on past history. Despite the rally, and initially eliminating Barrett with a super kick; the numbers game caught up to Dolph via a Brogue kick from Sheamus.
In a “random throw-away” bout, Tyler Breeze gets (finally) a win and over Kalisto, the US Champion. Perhaps this is a new feud or match for the title at Roadblock? Ryback also soundly defeats Curtis Axel in a one on one bout.
In closing, this show was heavily hyping and built around future bouts and events. Roadblock is Saturday March 12th at 8:00 ET, exclusively on the WWE Network.
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