RAW PRIMER 9/11: Brock Lesnar and Heyman will respond to Braun’s message, No Mercy hype, more Enzo, Bray-Balor

RAW PREVIEW
SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
ANAHEIM, CALIF. AT HONDA CENTER
By Joey Galizia (@RamJam89), PWTorch contributor

“HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND?”

If at any point you were doubting this newfound era of the “BIG MEN” look back on last week’s main event and question your judgments: The Big Show has been “gracing” our screens for nearly two decades but in that time it would be hard for you to find someone he’s had better in-ring chemistry with than Braun Strowman. The two put on an UNEXPECTEDLY exciting bout for the third time (in a cage BTW), and it would be wrong if my praises were only to go to the Monster Among Men. (So Kudos to you as well Paul White.) Braun would emerge victorious in the affair, and post match he would drive the Giant Veteran through the cage as a message to the Universal Champion.

Tonight in Anaheim, the Beast responds. Yes, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman will be on site, and according to WWE.COM, will be looking to equally parallel the message that Braun has sent. These behemoths haven’t touched one another since their Monday Night scuffle the night after Summerslam and I don’t THINK we’ll see them tangle until No Mercy. However, with Monday Night Football making its grand return this evening, a pull-apart that involves the entire state of California would be pretty exciting.

“NEW PLAYERS, SAME TALE”

The only credit I will give to the creative behind the Raw women’s scene currently is that at least they have added a little bit more intrigue into the title picture. Sasha Banks failed again to defend her championship and AGAIN she’ll be given another opportunity to begin what could be her fifth title reign in the same calendar year. (I’m getting queasy just writing that out loud.) Nia Jax and Emma are as sick of the repetitive cycle as we are, and demanded that they be added to the match at No Mercy. Kurt Angle agreed, but only if they, as a team, were to defeat Sasha and champion Alexa Bliss in tag action. They did, and thus, we now have a Fatal-Four way on our hands. Of course this means that Bliss doesn’t even need to be the one pinned to lose her title, but it does mean that she can let someone do all the damage for her while she sneaks in for the pin. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

“ANGELS IN THE STANDS”

-Cesaro and Sheamus have been in or around the tag team championships for the last few months. Their chemistry together has certainly improved both men’s image for the company, and they even have a few victories under their belts on their path to regain the straps. Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose do as well, and the eventual showdown in Los Angeles will see both teams coming in with a wave of momentum. If they were smart, (and we know they are), the Europeans may try to sneak in a few shots on the champs tonight.

-The Miz recently passed Honkey Tonk Man for most days with the Intercontinental Championship and it doesn’t look like he’s prepared to slow down. Last week in Omaha he pinned Jeff Hardy thanks to an assist from wife Maryse. Jason Jordan at one point seemed to have some beef with the Hollywood A-Lister, and my good senses tell me that the beef is far from over.

-Who knew that Big Cass going down with an injury would suddenly propel Enzo Amore into a title scene. On 205 live, he survived a Fatal-Five way elimination matchup to become the #1 contender for Neville’s Cruiserweight Championship. Cedric Alexander did all of the heavy lifting eliminating Tony Nese, Brian Kendrick, and Gran Metalik with his devasting Lumbar Check finisher, but was rolled up by the sneaky Amore who grabbed the tights. Will Cedric be looking for redemption? Are we really prepared to see Enzo compete for a championship and be expected to win? OH GOD… HE’S GOING TO WIN THE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP ISN’T HE?!?!

-There’s no slowing down on the hype for John Cena versus Roman Reigns. Although the outcome seems somewhat predictable (due to Cena’s upcoming schedule) it doesn’t stop the fact that the ride their has been one filled with intrigue and conversation. The Big Dawg wasn’t scheduled for a match last week, so expect to see him in action tonight.

-This story between Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt seems far from over. Bray has now challenged Finn to another matchup at No Mercy, but wishes to face the man, and not the demon. Someone that Bray has been able to defeat in the past. With Survivor Series being the next of the “Big Four” I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a war between the Wyatt Family and the newly reformed Balor Club. Thoughts?

Will you be tuning in to the flagship WWE show? If not, Vikings take on the Saints and the Broncos take on the Chargers.

NOW CHECK OUT LAST WEEK’S COLUMN: RAW PRIMER 9/4: What is announced and what to expect including Strowman vs. Big Show in a cage, Women’s Title fallout, Cena-Reigns follow-up