04:21am
Good Lord. What a show.
From the very beginning to the very end, that was a show packed full of talking points, be them good or bad, and that very much makes a change from what we’ve become used to of Raw.
The Ambrose turn at the end was masterfully executed. WWE has managed to turn a disastrous situation into a scintillating and compelling angle for the first time in a very, very long time.
However, more important that angles and turns is that tonight actually put everything into perspective. We may joke and moan about WWE‘s booking and who should and shouldn’t be pushed, but at the end of the day, there’s far more important stuff than that.
A stellar show, and once again, we at WrestleTalk send our thoughts, prayers, and best wishes, to Joe Anoa’i and his family.
Dean, you dick.
😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😡 #RAW pic.twitter.com/DHaTyswI7Q
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
04:12am
Well that was absolutely mental.
A fantastic match was going on, and then out of nowhere, the ref gets knocked out (because WWE‘s refs are made of Lego), Braun Strowman marches down to the ring and chases away Drew McIntyre. This leaves Dolph Ziggler on his own in the ring, and the Shield get the pinfall victory and become the NEW Raw Tag Team Championships.
That was great all round.
HOLY SHHH!
Dean Ambrose just nailed Rollins with a Dirty Deeds and is pounding away on Seth. On tonight of all nights. Jesus Christ.
And, just for good measure, another Dirty Deeds, this time on the exposed concrete on the outside.
That was insane. Absolutely gutting. Yet, amazing at the same time. Fair play.
Wait… WHAT?!#RAW @TheDeanAmbrose pic.twitter.com/yyXBvTVHPN
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
03:42am
It’s now time for the main event of the evening.
The Raw Tag Team Titles are on the line, and Rollins and Ambrose are very much representing the Shield in this clash.
This one's for @WWERomanReigns…@WWERollins & @TheDeanAmbrose challenge @HEELZiggler & @DMcIntyreWWE for the #RAW #TagTeamTitles NEXT! pic.twitter.com/Ub4eWIMM3A
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
03:41am
So…
Lita and Trish Stratus were doing a backstage interview like normal wrestlers hyping an upcoming ppv match tend to do, but are then interrupted by Alicia Fox who tells them that they will lose to Alexa Bliss and Mickie James. Because she’s CRAZY and that.
Then there’s a brawl between Stratus, Lita, Fox and James because why not, I suppose.
The AMBUSH is on backstage as @AliciaFoxy and @MickieJames look to take @trishstratuscom & @AmyDumas out of the game ahead of #WWEEvolution! #RAW pic.twitter.com/5at7u6foZ3
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
03:38am
Titus O’Neil spearheads WWE‘s fight against breast cancer in partnership with Susan G. Komen:
Join the fight with these six brave women right here!
Breast cancer is #unacceptable. @SusanGKomen pic.twitter.com/aJ9L7ysW6d
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
03:27am
Up next, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins challenge Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships.
This should be very good indeed.
UP NEXT: The #RAW #TagTeamTitles are on the line as @HEELZiggler & @DMcIntyreWWE defend against #TheShield's @TheDeanAmbrose & @WWERollins! pic.twitter.com/cgIL82Y9To
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
03:24am
Well that was a bit naff.
Ember won.
That’s all I can say really.
This #Fatal4Way has been ECLIPSED, because @WWEEmberMoon just picked up some HUGE momentum heading toward #WWEEvolution! #RAW pic.twitter.com/sdIKyxVyxM
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
03:17am
An emotional backstage interview with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose follows, in which they say they will win the Raw Tag Team Titles tonight for Roman Reigns.
Up next, it’s a fatal four-way match involving Nia Jax. This is their way of hyping up Sunday’s Battle Royal. Brill.
The #IrresistibleForce @NiaJaxWWE is in action NEXT on #RAW as she competes in a #Fatal4Way match with #WWEEvolution implications! pic.twitter.com/8pX6CEiAQk
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
03:10am
The Bellas are reluctant to get in the ring with Ronda to sign the contract because, you know, she could absolutely batter them.
Ronda promises she won’t touch them though. So it’s fine, right?
Well, after bringing up all Ronda’s past failures, Nikki signs the contracts and slaps Rousey right in the mush. What a great idea.
Ronda doesn’t physically retaliate though, and ends the segment with a vicious stare and an “on Sunday, I will end you. I give you my word.”
"I will end you."
The goal is simple for #RAW #WomensChampion @RondaRousey this Sunday at #WWEEvolution! pic.twitter.com/LJgI7Z7dAb
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
02:59am
Coming up next is the contract signing for Evolution‘s Raw Women’s Championship match between defending champion Ronda Rousey and challenger Nikki Bella.
What could possibly go wrong?
UP NEXT: It's the OFFICIAL Contract Signing for #WWEEvolution's #RAW #WomensChampionship match-up between @RondaRousey and Nikki @BellaTwins! pic.twitter.com/Z0SQJT6b8i
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
02:57am
YES ELIAS IS BACK!
Oh no, he’s interrupted by Baron bloody Corbin. For God’s sake man.
Elias is a hero so doesn’t care for Corbin’s orders and attempts to carry on with his performance, but his mic and guitar are muted and he has to stroll backstage.
And then Elias came back out and absolutely smashed Corbin with the guitar. YES.
Elias is the best.
.@IAmEliasWWE will NOT be silenced! #RAW pic.twitter.com/gmv8WRek5d
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
02:47am
Yeah, that was a largely pointless exercise and went pretty much as we’d have expected.
Apollo did some flippy stuff, Elias won. Sick.
We then get a weird backstage promo from Kurt Angle who gives us a COMPLETELY UNSCRIPTED rundown of the WWE World Cup that includes Angle, Seth Rollins, Jeff Hardy, The Miz, Rey Mysterio, Dolph Ziggler, Randy Orton and John Cena.
That was a bit strange.
.@RealKurtAngle is feeling READY for the #WWEWorldCup at #WWECrownJewel! #Raw pic.twitter.com/6PnMMrz0pm
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
02:34am
I just got excited for Elias but then realized it means Apollo Crews is going to come out again.
Yay.
We have a question…#RAW @IAmEliasWWE pic.twitter.com/etp4vqBr4B
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
02:26am
Paul Heyman is in the ring, and sends his best wishes and prayers to Roman Reigns, before seamlessly and masterfully turning it into a Brock Lesnar hype promo. Only Heyman can do that.
After badmouthing Lesnar’s Crown Jewel opponent Braun Strowman though, Strowman marches down the ramp. Strowman says that Roman will be first in line for a title shot when he’s back.
Remember Drew McIntyre’s “monster hunting?” He did it. After screaming at Heyman, the ‘Monster Among Men’ turned right into a vicious Claymore from Drew. Boss.
It seems @DMcIntyreWWE truly is NOT afraid of @BraunStrowman. At all. #RAW pic.twitter.com/v1i1qv3eqU
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
02:13am
It has just been confirmed that Braun Strowman and Brock Lesnar will go one-on-one at Crown Jewel for the now-vacant WWE Universal Championship.
It will now be ONE-ON-ONE for the vacant #UniversalChampionship at #WWECrownJewel as The #MonsterAmongMen @BraunStrowman goes one-on-one with #TheBeast @BrockLesnar! #RAW pic.twitter.com/JZmsvJVUpQ
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
02:10am
DX spend a couple of minutes telling BoD that they’re going to kick their ass at Crown Jewel, before the lights go out, and ‘Taker and Kane appear on the titantron, and give us a spooky-dooky promo, basically saying they’re going to kill DX.
Joy and such things.
"Your first match against us will be your last match against anybody."
😱 #RAW pic.twitter.com/JoVmFn2ZDG
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
01:53am
With some help from the Riott Squad, Ruby Riott picks up the win against Sasha Banks.
I guess that means Banks, Bayley and Natalya are winning on Sunday then, doesn’t it.
Up next, DX respond to their Crown Jewel opponents, the Brothers of Destruction.
UP NEXT: Are YOU ready?! @TripleH & @ShawnMichaels are BACK with a message for The #Undertaker and @KaneWWE on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/dJfGr6D3bb
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
01:43am
Before Banks vs. Riott kicks off, we get the customary ‘is it tension or is it not?’ backstage interaction between Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre, which basically consisted of Ziggler pooping his pants at the thought of Braun Strowman’s existence, and McIntyre being an absolute mental ‘ardman and going “monster hunting.”
The pair will defend the Tag Titles against Rollins and Ambrose later tonight.
"After tonight, you're not going to have to worry about a thing. Trust me." – @DMcIntyreWWE is NOT afraid of @BraunStrowman… #RAW pic.twitter.com/H8KTAn1fBQ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 23, 2018
01:37am
Up next, it’s Sasha Banks vs. Ruby Riott. This one should be very, very good indeed. Sasha’s first televised match back after an injury layoff since September.
The ‘Boss’ has Natalya and Bayley as backup, as those three will be taking on the entire Riott Squad in six-woman tag team action at Evolution this Sunday.
How thrilling does that sound?!
UP NEXT: #TheBoss @SashaBanksWWE goes one-on-one with #RiottSquad leader @RubyRiottWWE on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/eNXfNtuuQZ
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
01:33am
After a pretty standard opening bout, that was largely just Lio Rush shouting “Lashley, Lashley,” because of course it was, Bálor manages to counter big Bob’s finisher into a roll-up to pick up the win.
HE GOT HIM! @FinnBalor is ALL 😁 after getting the quick VICTORY over @fightbobby on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/KfThg5eJ4Y
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
01:20am
The opening bout of the night will see Finn Bálor take on Bobby Lashley.
Lashley interrupted Bálor’s celebrations last week after he defeated Jinder Mahal, and, as always, there’s the X-Factor of Lio Rush at play here.
Genuinely really looking forward to this one.
Can @ItsLioRush get a WITNESS for the #RockyMountainMadeMachine @fightbobby?! #RAW pic.twitter.com/iUHzYXaa7a
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
01:14am
Tonight’s episode of Raw opens on a sad note.
Roman Reigns breaks character, talks to us as Joe Anoa’i, and announces that due to leukemia, he has to relinquish the Universal Championship.
In a fantastic act from the live crowd, chants of “thank you Roman” reverberate around the arena. I’m sure everyone would join me in echoing that sentiment.
Roman closes his speech by emphasizing that this is NOT a retirement speech, and he will get the better of the illness, and will be back in WWE very, very soon.
After leaving the Universal Title in the ring, he is greeted and consoled by Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose of the Shield at the top of the stage.
On behalf of myself and everyone here at WrestleTalk, we send our best wishes and prayers to Joe Anoa’i and his family.
"I've been living with leukemia for 11 years, and unfortunately it's back…I'm going to have to relinquish the Universal Championship." – @WWERomanReigns #RAW pic.twitter.com/WnT4qyBUSx
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2018
It’s the go-home edition of Raw for Evolution tonight!
Yes, you read that right. Despite it barely being mentioned for about two months, WWE‘s first all-women’s pay-per-view event is finally here this Sunday.
On the Raw side of things for that show, we’ve got Ronda Rousey defending the brand’s Women’s Championship against Nikki Bella, Bliss & James taking on Stratus & Lita in a tag match, the newly announced Riott Squad vs. Banks, Bayley & Natalya bout, and then everyone else (I think, probably) chucked in the Battle Royal.
Tonight, we’ll see the contract signing for Ronda vs. Nikki – WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?! – and also Sasha Banks vs. Ruby Riott in singles action, which should actually be dead good.
Also announced for tonight is a Raw Tag Title match. McIntyre & Ziggler will defend against Rollins & Ambrose. It’s better than another six-man tag, I suppose.
Other stuff going down tonight:
- DX respond to Undertaker’s SD 1000 promo
- Something with Apollo Crews and Elias because that’s a thing now
- Finn Bálor vs. Bobby Lashley
- Probably something disappointing involving the Revival
- Possibly someone dressed as a condom pretending to be Kurt Angle
Are you looking forward to tonight’s Raw? Let us know in the comments below, on Twitter, or on Discord!
Trending
- Spoiler On WWE Crowning Inaugural Champion
- WWE Team Reacts After Being Drafted To Different Brands
- WWE Star Unsure About Return Plans After A Year Away
- Triple H Addresses WWE Main Roster Call-Up
- Celebrity Teases WWE Match Against Current Champion
- Released WWE Star’s New Ring Name Revealed
- Shawn Michaels Sends Message To WWE Star After NXT Departure
- Major WWE Star Re-Signs, Announced By The Rock
- AEW Star’s Return Match After Six Months Away Announced
- Former Champion ‘Genuinely Surprised’ By WWE Draft Announcement