WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for January 15

Photo Source: WWE.com

Follow along with our live WWE Raw review.

Previously on WWE Raw, The Miz returned to once again be the best thing on the show. Braun Strowman attempted double homicide with a grappling hook. Enzo Amore retained the Cruiserweight Championship through cowardice. Nia Jax revealed she has a death wish by attacking Asuka. And the Balor Club wasn’t just a one time thing after all!

This week, the WWE Universe gets one last regular old run-of-the-mill show before next week’s big Raw 25 celebration. We’re also just two weeks away from the Royal Rumble pay per view, so expect plenty of developments on that front.

At this point, there’s only been one match signed for this week. Following last week’s sneak attack, Nia Jax will face Asuka. The Empress of Tomorrow is still riding her undefeated streak. Plus, she’s got a Women’s Championship match coming up – once she likely wins the Women’s Royal Rumble Match, that is. Of course, said championship match would be against Alexa Bliss – who all but told her BFF Jax to send a message to Asuka. Can Asuka survive Jax?

There’s also trouble brewing between Roman Reigns and The Miz. The A-Lister returned to Raw last week determined to regain “his” Intercontinental Championship. So when he attacked Reigns – with an assist from the Miztourage – it wasn’t unexpected. The rematch is next week, but Reigns has indicated that Miz may not make it to Raw 25. Will it be The Big Dog’s night?

By not being on the same page as his partners, Jason Jordan cost his side a victory against Balor Club last week. One of those partners is Jordan’s co-Tag Team Champion Seth Rollins. Their main rivals, Cesaro and Sheamus, know a thing or two about overcoming chemistry issues. With a title defense set for Royal Rumble, can Jordan and Rollins get in sync? And how bad is Jordan’s rumored injury?

Let’s not forget the Universal Championship match scheduled at the Rumble. Brock Lesnar will defend against Kane and Braun Strowman – unless Strowman destroys more of the set, stage, parking area, or anything else he can get his hand on.

Related Story: WWE Bold Predictions: Braun Strowman to Pay?

Follow along with our live WWE Raw review right here starting at 8 p.m. ET.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Because The Hook Brings You Back…

Listen, I was all settled in for Story Time With Braun when Kurt Angle made his way down to the ring. He was just getting to the good part!

But out comes Kurt Angle, OSHA Representative, to interrupt – with a full security force in tow. Angle informs Strowman of the danger he put everyone in last week, and Braun shrugs it off. In fact, Strowman seems to think that he has carte blanche around Raw. He can do what he wants, when he wants, how he wants to do it.

Sadly, Angle has his own story for Strowman – the triple threat match at Royal Rumble is off. Kane and Brock Lesnar are still able to compete, though – it’s just a singles match now. Due to his actions, Strowman is out of the match – and fired. Honestly, didn’t see that coming.

Angle leaves to unironic “You Suck” chants from the crowd, as Strowman looks on in disbelief. Braun quickly came to his senses and followed Angle up the ramp. The world’s most ineffective security squad followed Braun to the backstage area, before he threatened them to “make him leave.” Spoiler alert: they couldn’t.

Braun Strowman is like WWE’s version of Wayne Gretzky, or Ken Griffey, Jr. He has learned the craft so quickly and is so good at it, it’s almost unfathomable. Has anyone had a first year in pro wrestling on such a major stage as Strowman, and been so good at it? Goldberg, maybe?

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

The Bar (Cesaro & Sheamus) vs. Titus Worldwide (Titus O’Neil & Apollo Crews, w/ Dana Brooke)

Result: Titus Worldwide defeated The Bar via pinfall

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

Quick question: wasn’t Akira Tozawa part of Titus Worldwide? Like, the actual “worldwide” part of it? Maybe I missed the payoff to that whole thing, but I honestly can not for the life of me remember if Tozawa was fired, if he quit, or if the story was just abandoned. Please, someone, fill me in.

I will say this, though – I’m a fan of this new focus on Titus Worldwide, whoever is actually a member. The ridiculous punishment O’Neil had been subjected to finally seems to have run its course. Crews is way too talented to be the afterthought he has been for much of his main roster tenure. Getting a chance to work together as an actual tag team is the best thing for both – don’t forget Titus is a former Tag Team Champion.

Putting them in the ring with The Bar is a great way to build them up, too. Cesaro and Sheamus could pull an average match out of Mitch the Potted Plant (may he rest in peace), so actual, living, breathing superstars are no trouble at all. It’s not the world’s greatest match, but it’s not actively bad. The finish is junk, but we’ll get to that in a minute.

I especially like the callback to last week’s match – Crews goes for the same thing that helped bring about last week’s upset victory, but Cesaro has it scouted because he actually pays attention. Things like that make for compelling television – if you pay attention as a fan, you’re rewarded. Well, occasionally.

But then Jason Jordan uses a music distraction to ruin everything, and even Seth Rollins is peeved. This is why we can’t have nice things, I guess.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Tony Nese (w/ Enzo Amore) vs. Cedric Alexander (w/ Goldust)

Result: Cedric Alexander defeated Tony Nese via pinfall

Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars

Not exactly sure what makes Tony Abs the garlic, but I don’t always understand Enzo to begin with. Maybe it’s because his numerous abs look like cloves of garlic?

https://twitter.com/WWE205Live/status/953081335639195649

Anyway, Alexander and Goldust is still a thing, so out comes the Bizarre One to make movie references. The irony of “straight to DVD” being used as an insult while any WWE personality not named John Cena who makes movies sees that exact release isn’t lost on me.

When the match got under way, it sadly wasn’t anywhere near as good as it could have been. Sometimes I feel like I’m the last Tony Nese fan on the planet, and while I’m not changing my mind based on this one, he’s likely not winning anyone over with it. I don’t know if it’s sloppiness, a lack of charisma, or what, but Nese doesn’t click with the majority of the WWE Universe.

There were definitely brief flashes of brilliance in here from Alexander – his agility is almost unparalleled – and the crowd responded accordingly. But too much of this one was fought in silence, which is the biggest problem with the cruiserweight division. The Lumbar Check always gets a good pop – and kudos to Nese for selling it like a champ – but is that enough to carry a division? One move from one guy? With three hours of Raw every week, there’s no room for a second 205 Live segment to build up other guys? Why are we only seeing Gran Metalik hanging out in catering with Curt Hawkins?

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Welcome Back

So let’s check in on Braun Strowman and what he’s been doing since he got fired at the top of the show. Last time I mentioned him in the review here, he had taken out a Keystone Kop filled security force.

https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse/status/953078727088381952

Since then, he destroyed Kurt Angle’s office. He found his way to the catering area, where he took out all the furniture and Curt Hawkins. Oh, and he stopped for a piece of cake, because even monsters have a sweet tooth.

Strowman then came across one of his old friends – a dumpster. (No word if Kalisto was inside.) One of the kamikaze referees tried to stop him, but Braun ain’t stopping for anyone.

His next stop? THE TWELVE MILLION DOLLAR PRODUCTION TRUCKS. Braun tries to turn things off, but because it’s not a giant lever that says “ON/OFF” he has a bit of trouble figuring it out. He leaves, the crew comes back in, and Strowman starts to DRIVE THE TRUCK AWAY.

Kurt Angle stops him, tells him he’s calling the cops, and thinks he’s got everything under control. But that’s the illusion – with Braun, you’re never in control, so he flips over the semi and heads back to the ring.

Well, not to the ring, to the stage area, where he grabs Michael Cole and drags him around until Angle comes out. Apparently, Stephanie McMahon called to rehire Braun – because Raw is nothing if Stephanie isn’t undermining her General Manager. Braun puts Cole down to celebrate, then picks him up and throws him into the amassed security forces before finally leaving.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Nia Jax vs. Asuka

Result: Asuka defeated Nia Jax via referee stoppage due to injury

Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars

Now seems like a good time for my periodic “CAN WE BE RID OF BOOKER T YET” rant. He’s just bad, there’s no two ways about it. He’s a Hall of Fame competitor, multiple time world champion, instructor, coach, trainer, and so on. How does he not know what the octopus stretch is? “Uh, you know, uh, when Asuka had that, uh, spider hold locked in right there…” NO. BAD BOOKER T.

He was pretty garbage earlier on, too; he completely contradicted himself during the Bar/Titus Worldwide match. In the same breath, he warned Titus about “blowing up” and going too hard, then chastised him for “giving Cesaro a chance to recover.” YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS, BOOK.

Anyway, I like the way most of the Jax/Asuka match was laid out. This is really Asuka’s biggest test in her three-plus year undefeated streak – at least since the last time she faced Nia Jax. But in theory, Jax has improved since then, so besides the size and strength advantage there’s experience at play.

But Asuka tried to use her usual game plan to no avail – Jax countered because she’s seen it before. So Asuka breaks out something new – the octopus stretch – and forces Jax to think on her feet. Asuka’s submission proficiency became her saving grace, because she was able to systematically wear down Jax.

I really thought we were getting a cop-out count-out finish to this one after the kick on the steps. Instead, we got the cop-out referee stoppage finish! Apparently, Asuka can’t lose, Jax can’t be pinned, and this is what everyone came up with. Ugh. Out comes Alexa Bliss, Asuka’s biggest rival – but nothing happens. It was just very strange.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Family Time

Jason Jordan enters Kurt Angle’s ransacked office to thank him for “believing in him” a few weeks back. Jordan proclaims readiness for the Rumble, and asks for a match tonight. Kurt thinks of tag teams to put up against Jordan and Seth Rollins, but Jordan says Seth could use a singles match. Jordan then suggests Finn Balor as a suitable opponent, and the match is on.

MLK Tribute

Hey, at least Seth Rollins isn’t going to hit Big E with a Curb Stomp on Martin Luther King Jr. Day again…

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Enzo Brings the TLC

Oh, that Enzo, such a nice boy.

And poor Alexa, getting shoved off to the side like that. Not cool, Nia.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder) vs. Local Talent

Result: The Revival defeated Local Talent via pinfall

Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars

Hey, Ricky Starks made it onto Raw this week! Good for him, you know? Oh, yeah, Bayley’s significant other Aaron Solow is the dude with red hair. NEPOTISM. (I kid.)

But by the time I figured out that my eyes were not deceiving me with who the local talent was, The Revival had already picked up the victory. Okay, then.

I don’t fully understand how the WWE thought process works sometimes. Both Dash and Dawson were injured at different points of 2017 following their main roster debut. So the team was kept off TV to keep them as “tag team wrestlers.” Fine. But then right before 2017 ended, out they came for a match. Then they disappeared again.

Now, they’re back, and facing enhancement talent? I get that you want to actually introduce one of your greatest tag teams to the WWE Universe, but there’s got to be better ways to do it.

After the match, it begins to make sense. Charly Caruso asks them if they’re ready for Raw 25, and who they want to come across. At the mention of DX, Dash and Dawson immediately turn into grandpas and yell at some clouds about crotch chops. Okay, so they’re going to get attacked by the New Age Outlaws next week, good to know.

I like the “we’re not a corporate creation” angle, but that’s about it. Just let The Revival put on great tag matches against other teams. That’s all they need.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Elias Deep in the Heart of Texas

Wow. Just, wow. Elias really topped himself with his promo this week. I mean, he gave a shout out to his biggest fan, Michael Cole, wishing him a speedy recovery. How great is that? It’s such a ridiculous little aside that adds so much to the Elias character. He pays attention to how people respond to his art! Of course he would!

Then the actual music begins, and it’s terrific. Clearly, Elias has a long memory, and knows exactly how much payback he needs stored up for John Cena. To write an entire song about it? Even better. How many artists express their pain through art? It’s so typical – this is basically WWE’s version of a Taylor Swift break-up song.

After the obligatory dig at the hometown crowd, Elias gets to part two of the performance – sponsored by The A-Lister himself. I love the fact that The Miz cares so much about himself and self promotion that he’ll commission a song to hype his appearance. The union between Elias, Miz, and the Miztourage is a fun little alliance. It doesn’t need to be a permanent thing, but just a loose association is perfectly fine.

Then we’re treated to yet another Miz promo that is a cut above nearly everyone else’s work. He had fire, passion, confidence, desire, and logic on his side. When The Miz retires and becomes a Hall of Famer, I want him to be a broadcaster, or a valet/manager/advocate, or whatever will get him on television in a non-wrestling role. We need Miz.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

The Miztourage (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel) vs. Roman Reigns, 2-on-1 Handicap Match

Result: Roman Reigns defeated The Miztourage via pinfall

Rating: 2.25 out of 5 stars

I just know there’s a bunch of people out there who watched this and complained about “Super Reigns.” You know, he took a beating and came back like nothing had happened, then won a handicap match despite being outnumbered. It’s right out of the John Cena playbook.

But I got a secret for you: Before it was the Cena playbook, it was the Rock playbook. Or the Austin playbook. Or the Hogan playbook. Or the Bruno playbook. (I’m guessing on that one, Bruno was before my time.) It’s classic booking for your top guy – he’s literally supposed to be a superhero. When it was Hogan, I was a kid and ate it up. When it was Austin/Rock, I was a snarky teenager who liked the “bad guys” getting one over on “the man.”

However, when it was Cena, I was a young(er) adult who thought it was cheesy, stupid, and bad for the medium overall. In fact, I tuned out for a few years in the late 2000s before coming back like Pacino in The Godfather Part III. After a few years, the transition to Reigns started, and my retroactive understanding of just how important Cena was in the grand scheme of things became clear.

So seeing a “superhero” comeback like what Reigns did here doesn’t phase me. He’s supposed to be the guy who overcomes the odds, because he’s literally the epitome of the company at present. He can withstand anything and will endure – so he does. No one complains when Iron Man finds a way to beat the Mandarin. Or Spider-Man going over Doc Ock. Or Batman taking down the Joker. This is the same thing, just not on the pages of a comic book.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Sasha Banks (w/ Bayley & Mickie James) vs. Sonya Deville (w/ Paige & Mandy Rose)

Result: Sonya Deville defeated Sasha Banks via pinfall

Rating: 2.0 out of 5 stars

Holy crap, something unexpected!

I could count on one hand the number of people who honestly thought that a Deville victory would have been clean as a whistle. After all, Banks is a multiple-time Raw Women’s Champion. She’s one of the top superstars in the division, has been for a while.

Deville, on the other hand, is a rookie. She spent a short time in NXT, but was never really a featured player there. Deville only debuted on Raw a little more than a month ago as a part of Absolution. On paper, this is a mismatch.

But the all-too-brief match quickly turned to Deville’s favor, and I get the feeling she’s going to be one of those “out of nowhere” type competitors. The kick she used to win tonight’s match was straight out of the blue, but it was enough to stop Sasha in her tracks.

Conspiracy theory time: The relatively quick match, coupled with the loss to a transition move (MMA background of Deville aside) represents a doghouse moment for Banks. Remember, she’s the one who injured Paige – likely permanently. Sure, word on the street is that there’s “no heat” on Sasha for the incident – as there shouldn’t be. But that doesn’t mean that it’s accurate. Remember, Titus O’Neil got suspended for literally touching Vince McMahon’s arm – logic isn’t always the word of the day.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Tag Champs Can’t Stand Each Other

Maybe it’s just me, but Seth Rollins seems insufferable. No wonder he has such a hard time keeping friends.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter (WWE never tweeted out any photos from this week’s episode, so here’s Napoleon inhabiting a goldfish’s body to play chess)

Woken Matt Hardy vs. Heath Slater (w/ Rhyno)

Result: Woken Matt Hardy defeated Heath Slater via pinfall

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Matt Hardy vs. Heath Slater was just another piece of a very uneven episode of Raw. Match quality to this point hadn’t been particularly great. For every Braun Strowman destroying everything in sight, there was a referee stoppage, or a match with a lousy finish.

Objectively, there was nothing really bad about this match. But there was nothing objectively good about it, either. I feel like that’s the story of the night – not good, not bad, just there.

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Like, The Revival took on local talent. This match basically treated Slater as local talent. He got in about as much offense as either Solow or Starks did against Dash and Dawson. Rhyno was out there coaching, as he has been for the past few weeks. But did he really do anything? Nope.

As far as Hardy himself, he’s just laughing like a maniac, doing his thing that no one really seems to get. And it seems like a shell of what the Broken Universe was on Impact – it’s been distilled down to said laugh, and the word “delete.” That’s not what it was at first.

But how about the lack of Bray Wyatt? Isn’t Hardy in some kind of war of words with Wyatt, trying to determine who’s the nuttiest of the lunatics? You would think he would either come to the ring, or magically and spookily appear on the video screen. But nothing. It’s almost like tonight’s Raw was meant to be a standalone episode, instead of part of a larger story.

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Finn Balor (w/ Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs. Seth Rollins (w/ Jason Jordan)

Result: Seth Rollins defeated Finn Balor via pinfall

Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

First off, how can any human being not think Finn Balor is the most adorable (luchadorable?) man on the face of the earth? Just look at how much he’s been smiling since he got paired up with the Good Brothers. He can’t keep a straight face AT ALL anymore. We’ll be sending for the man every week!

This is the first singles match between these two since SummerSlam 2016. You know, the match to crown the first ever Universal Champion. The one Balor won, but suffered an injury en route to the victory that forced him to vacate the title and miss several months of action.

Well, it took all night, but we finally got a pretty good match. Both superstars were on their “A” game, working through adversity to fight tooth and nail for a victory. Rollins powered through a bum knee, while Balor fought through a neck tweak. Neither injury stopped either competitor from going all out, though.

Things got a little dicey at the end. After a bunch of great sequences, it looked like Balor had Rollins down for a three count. But Seth forgot to kick out, so the referee went for a four count? It was really confusing, then The Bar came out, everyone brawled, and the match was still going.

Back in the ring, Balor went for a Coup de Grace, only for Rollins to escape. After Jordan tripped Balor up, Rollins hit the Blackout, better known to most of us as a Curb Stomp, and picked up the controversial victory. Definitely wouldn’t have expected to see THAT. But, man, did you see the blotch on Finn’s face where he hit the mat? Yeesh.

The lingering camera shot on the Balor Club in the ring post-match had me picturing TakeOver: Chicago, and part of me expected Gallows and Anderson to go full Ciampa. Thankfully, it was just artistic license to focus on Balor’s skull, and the wooziness he exhibited after going face first into the mat with a foot on the back of his head. Ah, who cares about CTE?

Next: 5 Best Movies Starring WWE Superstars

What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE Raw?