RAW Recap: WWE stars make way for LaVar Ball and his ‘Great Balls of Fire’

The Big Takeaway

Sasha Banks won a Gauntlet Match and will face Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship at Great Balls of Fire. Braun Strowman launched Roman Reigns into an ambulance. Samoa Joe tried to choke out Brock Lesnar and LaVar Ball lights up Raw on MizTV.

Monday Night Raw Recap

Braun Strowman attacks Roman Reigns

Reigns came out and was met with a chorus of boos from the WWE Universe. Reigns admitted that Joe put him to sleep last and Strowman picked the bones after the match. Reings accepted Strowman’s challenge and said will throw him in the back of an ambulance. An ambulance backed up into the arena as Reigns approached the vehicle. Reigns opened the door but was attacked from behind by Strowman. Reigns battled back and attempted a Superman Punch but Strowman caught him and tossed him onto the side and then placed Reigns into the ambulance.

• Good opening segment as the build for the Ambulance match has been solid.

Finn Balor, Matt & Jeff Hardy def. Cesaro, Sheamus & Elias Sampson

Highlights included Jeff delivering a Whisper in the Wind to Sheamus and then the Hardys followed it up with a double vertical suplex while Josh Duhamel was on commentary plugging his projects. The heels got the heat on Jeff who recovered by delivering a Twist of Fate stunner to Sheamus. Matt got the hot tag and delivered a Side Effect to Sheamus. But the heels got the advantage once again as Sheamus and Cesaro delivered a double team White Noise but Balor made the save.

Balor got the hot tag and delivered a running apron kick to Sampson, then tossed both Sheamus and Cesaro to the floor and followed it up with a beautiful Tope Con Hilo to the floor. Balor then delivered a sling blade and a running missile drop kick to Cesaro in the corner. Balor was setting up for the Coup De Grace but was stopped by Sheamus who took a Twist of Fate to the floor by Matt and then Jeff delivered a cross body to Sampson. Balor delivered the Coup de Grace to Cesaro for the win.

• Very good match as the WWE Universe loved The Hardys and Balor

Backstage: Goldust Vignette

Goldust said it’s showtime and is ready to present “The Shattered Truth”

Goldust attacks R-Truth

Goldust came out with his own camera man then R-Truth came out. The match never started as Goldust used the camera man as a shield and then Goldust attacked R-Truth.

• The WWE Universe in Los Angeles wasn’t a fan of this and neither was I

Backstage: Charly Carusso interviewing Paul Heyman

Heyman said that Lesnar was in the building as the WWE Universe cheered. Joe appeared from behind and applied the Coquina Clutch but then released the hold. As Joe said the hold was for Lesnar not for Heyman.

WWE did a “Did You Know” promoting that Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon was named as one of the 35 most powerful women in sports by AdWeek.

WWE announced a six-women Gauntlet Match. All the women picked out a number from the Royal Rumble tumbler throughout the show.

MizTv Segment: With LaVar, Lonzo and LaMelo Ball

Miz and Maryse came out for Miz Tv. Miz tried to make up to Maryse but she was having none of it. Miz then introduced LaVar and LaMelo Ball (who is a member of the 2019 UCLA recruiting class) LaVar ran down and then slid into the ring, then took a microphone and introduced his son Lonzo Ball. (This segment was just wild. Watch the video below)

The Miz (w/Maryse) Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel def. Dean Ambrose, Rhyno & Heath Slater

Ambrose ran wild early delivering a bulldog and running clothesline to Axel and Miz at the same time. Miz got the heat on Slater as he delivered Daniel Bryan like “Yes” kicks. Rhyno got the tag and delivered a spine buster to Dallas but Miz broke it up. The action boiled over to a six-way brawl as Dallas pinned Rhyno with a school boy cradle and got the win.

Big Cass attacks Enzo Amore, again!

Enzo came out and wanted to speak to Big Cass. Cass came out as Enzo cut a great heartfelt promo. Cass took the microphone and said Enzo is loud and annoying. But said “their brothers” and said sorry as some people booed. Then Cass extended his hand as the WWE Universe in LA chanted “No” They ended up hugging, then Cass spelt out “S-A-W-F-T” and then danced with Enzo. Cass attacked Enzo on the ramp and then threw him down. Loud boos from the crowd.

• This segment was very good as both Enzo and Big Cass were very good. 

The announcers were about to plug something but Big Cass approached them. Cass was about to put his hands on Corey Graves but Angle said he couldn’t. Cass then told Graves to “Mind his own Business”

Seth Rollins def. Curt Hawkins

Hawkins got on the attack early but Rollins came back by delivering a suicide dive. Rollins then delivered a middle rope blockbuster a sling blade, a springboard clothesline and a kick to the face. Rollins then got the win with his version of the “Rainmaker” with a knee instead of a clothesline.

• After the match Bray Wyatt appeared on the TitanTron cut a spooky promo and looked to challenge Rollins to a match at Great Balls of Fire

Samoa Joe attacks Brock Lesnar

Heyman was in the ring and said Lesnar was here to call out Joe for a fight. Heyman introduced Lesnar who came out but was jumped from behind by Joe. Joe applied the Coquina Clutch but it wasn’t fully locked in. Lesnar rammed Joe into the screen. But Joe still had the hold locked in as Lesnar rammed Joe into the screen two more times. The Revival came out and made Joe break broke the hold. WWE Universe chanted “Let them fight” as Joe returned to the back.

• This segment was awesome and the build for the match has been fantastic

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville defeated Lince Dorado via submission — Non-title match

Akira Tozawa was looking dapper wearing sunglasses and a three-piece suit while sitting in the VIP area. Little reaction for the match as highlights included Dorado delivering a beautiful middle rope moonsault. Neville won by applying the Rings of Saturn.

• After the match Tozawa entered the ring and stared Neville down. Titus O’ Neil came out and announced that Neville will defend the Cruiserweight Championship against Tozawa at Great Balls of Fire.

Backstage: Charly Carusso interviewed Paul Heyman

Heyman looked pissed backstage and called Joe a coward for attacking Lesnar from behind. Heyman said Lesnar will take Joe to “Suplex City” and deliver an F-5. Heyman ended the interview by saying “Is that what it’s like to face THE BEAST? GOODNESS GRACIOUS, GREAT BALLS OF FIRE!”

Sasha Banks won a Women’s Gauntlet Match will challenge Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Title at the WWE Great Balls of Fire

Bayley came out and faced Nia Jax in the first match. Bayley attacked the legs of Jax and went to the top turnbuckle. But Jax knocked her off and delivered a Samoan drop and pinned Bayley.

Mickey James came out next and delivered a top rope dive and then teased a DDT but Jax lifted her up and tossed her down. Jax then delivered a running body attack and pinned James.

Dana Brooke came out next and attempted a cart-wheel in the corner but Jax gave her a big boot. Jax delivered a running leg drop and pinned Brooke.

Emma came out next and delivering running dropkick to a prone Jax who kicked out. Emma attempted a cross body but got caught as Jax pinned her after delivering a Samoan drop.

Banks came out last and went back-and-forth with Jax. Jax applied a bear hug but Banks broke out of the hold with a guillotine choke. Finish came with Jax attempting a Samoan drop but Banks applied the Bank Statement. Jax went to one knee and attempted to break out of the hold but ended up tapping out.

• Jax looked great throughout the match. Would have been better if Jax passed out instead of tapping out so you can protect Jax in the loss.

Post-Match

Kurt Angle came out and raised the hands of Banks. Bliss then came out and posed with the title. Banks was having none of it as she delivered a dropkick and posed with Raw Women’s title.

• Banks winning leads to a bigger storyline with Angle taking the side of the “Legit Boss” which makes way for the return of “The Real Boss” Stephanie McMahon. This will then lead the way to the return of Triple H and end up having a match with Kurt Angle.

Overall

A good episode of Raw as the build for both the Joe vs. Lesnar and Reigns vs. Strowman match has been really good. I have to saw it was comedy but LaVar Ball shined on Raw.

— — — — — — —

Follow Me on Twitter: @AminAjani

Like my Facebook Page

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel