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WWE RAW PRIMER 9/3: Bella Twins vs. Riott Squad, Raw Tag Championship match, Strowman and his new alliance, Bliss’s strategy, The Showstopper’s thoughts

By Frank Peteani, PWTorch Specialist

September 3, 2018

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...

WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW PRIMER
SEPTEMBER 3, 2018
COLUMBUS, OH. AT VALUE CITY ARENA IN THE SCHOTTENSTEIN CENTER
AIRS ON USA NETWORK, 8:00PM EDT
BY FRANK PETEANI, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Arena / Last Week’s Recap

Tonight, WWE heads towards the home of former Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss as they arrive at the Value City Arena in Columbus, OH. After a weekend where you may or may not have taken part in Starrcast and/or All In, we get back to WWE business as we continue on the journey to Hell in a Cell which is just under two weeks away. The last time Raw was in this arena was just after WrestleMania in 2017.

Last week, Baron Corbin began his run as interim general manager. The “Monster Among Men” Braun Strowman returned to his heel ways as he turned on his tag team partner, the Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Kevin Owens has apparently “quit” WWE upon losing his latest opportunity against Seth Rollins for the Intercontinental Championship. Alexa Bliss revoked (sorry couldn’t help it…Alexa, it’s “invoked”) her contractually obligated championship rematch against Ronda Rousey at the upcoming Hell in a Cell PPV and had some words for her Evolution opponent Trish Stratus. Just prior to this segment, Trish returned to Raw in her hometown of Toronto and had a few words and a nice slap for Elias. The Bella Twins returned and announced they will have their first match on Raw in a while for next week (tonight). Along with that, we have a tag team championship match on tap as well as the return of a WWE Hall of Famer.

The Bella Twins vs. The Riott Squad

Last week Natalya, flanked by WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus and Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey, defeated Alicia Fox flanked by Alexa Bliss and a returning Mickie James. Following the match Natalya, Ronda, and Trish were celebrating in the back when Nikki and Brie Bella would appear. They gave props to all especially Trish Stratus, who had retired before the Bellas began their initial main roster run almost ten years to the day prior. They then announced that next week (tonight), they are “back” and have their first tag match in quite some time. We learned later on that their opponents would be the Riott Squad. It’s not clear which two members of the “Squad” will participate.

Earlier in the evening, we learned of this match to take place at the Super Show-Down in Australia on October 6:

Frank’s Take: Yay, the Bella Twins are back. I’m sorry but I have no desire to see them in the ring. I saw enough of them during their first two main roster runs. They impressed me more towards the end of their second run and that’s stretching it a bit. It hands me a laugh when they try and take credit for the women’s revolution. Actually, is it evolution? Thank you, Wade Keller and Jason Powell, for making me realize I’m not the only one who thinks it’s confusing as to what this whole this is called! Trish Stratus, Lita, Mickie James, and Beth Phoenix are the ones of the “modern era” to me who truly blazed the trail for today’s great women in WWE. I do admit I watch Total Divas and Total Bellas and I think that’s enough Bella for me as I have no problem with them in that role. In the ring, I could do without seeing them for a while…or ever again. With all of that said, word is Ronda Rousey will be facing Nikki Bella at Evolution. Whether or not it’s for the Raw Women’s Championship is unknown. If that’s the case I would expect something to happen between these two perhaps turning Nikki heel on Ronda as the role would be natural for her. Whether or not it happens on Raw or at the Super Show-Down remains to be seen. Also, expect hype for Total Divas which returns September 19.

Raw Tag Team Championship Match: The B-Team (Champions) vs. The Revival

Last week, The Revival won a non-title match over the Raw Tag Team Champions the B-Team. Following the match, they knocked out the champs and cut a promo. They discussed how they are saddened over the state of the current tag team picture, citing how we have gone from teams like the Road Warriors and Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard to teams like the B-Team whom they referred as “morons.” Tonight, these two teams square off for the Raw Tag Team Championship for the first time since the SummerSlam pre-show.

Frank’s Take: I agree with The Revival. The state of the WWE tag team division on Raw is a joke. I mean no disrespect to Joe Hennig (Curtis Axel) and Taylor Rotunda (Bo Dallas) of the B-Team but the fact that they have held the titles for as long as they have after being treated as a joke for the better part of their main roster runs is laughable. I didn’t mind them having a short run as champs but it’s time for a change. The problem is the crowd has been conditioned to not care about teams like the Revival. WWE has completely watered tag teams down as a whole through the years. In the 1980s-early 1990s, they would have thrived. I could imagine Gorilla Monsoon calling them “tag team specialists” and “tough customers” back in those days. I sure hope they start a run tonight as champs but given how WWE has booked this and past storylines of this nature I’m not overly confident.

Braun Strowman and His New Alliance

Earlier in the evening, Braun Strowman informed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns that he was cashing in his Money in the Bank contract for a championship match on September 16 at Hell in a Cell, in an actual Hell in a Cell match. He wanted that match so Roman’s Shield brothers, Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose, couldn’t interfere. Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre would then appear looking for a “new challenge” while Ziggler reminded everyone he’s still owed an Intercontinental Championship rematch against Rollins. They said Roman and Strowman were their “new challenge,” and Roman replied why not now. Baron Corbin came out and made the tag match between the two teams for the main event, claiming it’s a match his predecessor Kurt Angle could “never make.” (Good god, I’m already over Corbin being G.M.)

In the actual match Ziggler and McIntyre had the advantage over Roman while Strowman was desperately trying to tag in. Eventually, Roman made the “hot tag” but Strowman refused to enter the match. Ziggler and McIntyre would continue to beat down Roman and eventually they were disqualified. Strowman would then come in and join in on the beat down and would endorse Ziggler and McIntyre to do the same. One by one, Roman’s Shield brothers Ambrose and Rollins would come out to help only to be foiled by Strowman. Roman would be the last one to feel Strowman’s wrath. We would then see Strowman raising the hands of Ziggler and McIntyre, with whom he appears to be aligned now.

Frank’s Take: WWE has turned a clear crowd favorite to help Roman Reigns get over. I’m personally numb at this point to the situation, as I pretty much expect Roman to stay this way. With that said, it doesn’t make much sense to keep Strowman a babyface. He has tipped over just about every vehicle and stage prop possible. There are also no more weaselly heels he can torture at this point. Nobody wants to see him face Jinder Mahal and it’s expected Kevin Owens will turn babyface upon his return, the role he basically played in his recent feud with Strowman. The WWE continues to be ignorant to their fans though, as Strowman was immensely popular. Fans may be slightly tipping in Roman’s favor, but not enough for a wrestler being pushed as the top babyface. It’s not expected of Strowman to win the Universal Championship, so it will be interesting to see his progression following the match at Hell in a Cell. There are certainly plenty more babyface opponents for him as opposed to heels as I alluded to earlier. As far as tonight, look for some flavor of this rivalry. Perhaps we get separate singles matches involving all members of the Shield against Braun, Ziggler, and McIntyre. A tag match isn’t out the question, involving perhaps Rollins and Ambrose vs. Ziggler and McIntyre or some other combination.

Shawn Michaels Weighs in on The Undertaker vs. Triple H

WWE Hall of Famer “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels will return to Raw to give his thoughts on the upcoming match at the Super Show-Down between the Undertaker and his close friend, Triple H. The match is being billed as the last match ever between the two long-time rivals.

Michaels of course will have plenty to say. He has been in rivalries with both men through the years, been a partner of Triple H through many iterations of D-Generation X, had his retirement match against the Undertaker in 2010, and was a special guest referee for the Hell in a Cell match between ‘Taker and Triple H at WrestleMania in 2012. WWE made it a point to announce his return several times throughout Raw last week. They also put on their website as well as tweeted out some “controversial” moments of his in the past. Take a look:

Frank’s Toughts: It’s always great to see HBK although I hope we don’t get the humorous self-deprecating person we got at Raw 25 earlier in the year. I understand he’s older and he’s a dad, as am I, but give me the serious Shawn Michaels we got during his active runs in WWE or please just stay home. If we get a promo similar to the ones he cut for the ‘Taker-HHH match at ‘Mania in 2012, it should be just fine. Shawn Michaels can certainly fan the flames of a match that is being billed as quite a big deal, which is interesting in and of itself. It’s hard to say if anything will come of this, but I keep going back to HHH saying “the era is back” in his promo a few weeks ago. I’ll still expect a decent match with sportsmanship displayed at the end. If more happens I’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Alexa Bliss’s Strategy

As I talked about earlier, Alexa Bliss revoked (again I couldn’t help myself it’s invoked Alexa!) her championship rematch vs. Ronda Rousey to take place at Hell in a Cell for the Raw Women’s Championship. Mickie James returned and stood by Alexa in the corner of Alicia Fox who faced Natalya, flanked by Rousey and Trish Stratus. WWE.com has Alexa’s new “strategy” to regain the championship as a point of emphasis tonight.

Frank’s Thoughts: Alexa is in her hometown. I’m sure she will get a huge pop, turn on the crowd, and probably lose a match if she wrestles. The big key out of this is it’s expected Ronda will keep the title through Evolution, so it will be interesting to see how Alexa comes out of this. Putting her in a match at Evolution with Trish Stratus indicates how highly WWE thinks of her, so I expect them to keep her strong.

Other Items

Finn Balor defeated interim G.M. Baron Corbin via disqualification when Corbin attacked Balor with a chair. Oh wait, I’m sorry it was a no-disqualification match! Corbin forgot to mention that after the referee made his decision. Aren’t all referee decisions final? Anyway, Corbin hit end of days on Balor following the chair shot and scored the win. This was as annoying to type as it was to watch.

Bobby Lashley was thrust into a handicap match against The Ascension. Baron Corbin couldn’t remember Lashley’s opponent because it was two opponents! (Please Vince make this stop.) Corbin could be moving into a feud with Lashley if that gets your Mojo going. Speaking of Mojo, I think I’d rather see him face Lashley than Corbin at this point.

Dean Ambrose defeated Jinder Mahal after Ambrose refused Mahal’s help with meditation. Mahal continues his plunge after dropping the U.S. Championship upon arriving on Raw. It was the first time Ambrose spoke since his return a few weeks ago.

Start Time/Matches Advertised

On the arena’s website, start time shown is 7:30 p.m. but they do not indicate when doors will open. They do correctly show the Bella Twins vs. The Riott Squad and Shawn Michaels’ appearance. They show the Shield vs. Strowman, Ziggler, and McIntyre but with that already booked for the Super Show-Down it could be a dark match or not happen at all. Ronda Rousey is advertised along with Alexa Bliss, Finn Balor, Sasha Banks, Bobby Lashley, and “many more!”

Follow me on Twitter @FrankPeteani and ask any question you may have. Thank you for reading!

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