RAW Review (2.15.16): Average show leading to an average PPV

Raw was live from Anaheim, California Last night. This was the go home show to their WWE Fastlane PPV this coming Sunday. The show started off with Stephanie (surprise, surprise) taking issue with Dean Ambrose and forcing him to defend his Intercontinental Championship in a fatal five way opening match. Stephanie added a stipulation that if Roman Reigns interfered at all that Ambrose would be removed from the Fastlane main event. The 4 challengers were Adolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens, Stardust and Tyler Breeze. This was a fast paced action packed match that ended with Kevin Owens getting the pin and regaining the championship.

After the match, Dolphins Ziggler told Kevin Owens after beating him two straight weeks he should be number one contender. After Owens initially refused it was later a confirmed match for Fastlane later on in the show.

This was a chance to take the belt of Ambrose to make him appear like a possible threat to win Sunday. While I am not sure it was necessary to do this, I am hopeful this leads to a hot feud going into Wrestlemania with Brock Lesnar (view my past articles on Wrestling Geek on Facebook for my pitch for this match).

Later on in the night, after a war of words with Paul Heyman, the newly turned Dudley Boys attacked Reigns bringing out Ambrose for the save only for Ambrose to attempt dirty deeds on Reigns and warning Reigns to watch his back. I feel an Ambrose heel turn is coming which is where I believe the money is with him. No Lesnar on the go home show. He will be on Smackdown this Thursday for the first time since 2004.

Other Highlights:

• AJ Styles and The Miz had a very fun and good match with some nice false finishes and AJ executing an impressive counter to get the submission win on Miz with the calf killer. With Jericho on commentary he hyped he and Styles feud and after the match was challenged by AJ to a third match at Fastlane. Jericho is a very heel manner said he wasn’t sure he wanted to wrestle him again and would let him know on Smackdown making Smackdown much watch as this feud has been pretty good and should be stretched to Wrestlemania as I believe they can tear the house down if given time.
• The Dudley Boyz explained their turning on the Uso’s the previous Raw by stating they are not a nostalgia act and are still the best tag team in the world. It was a short yet effective promo to get the point across.
• Mark Henry appeared to be legitimately injured during the finish to his match with Big E while being set up for the Big Ending. Big E pinned him immediately and Henry was in considerable pain. Best wishes to Henry and hoping he gets back for one final Wrestlemania moment.
• The Wyatt Family Ended the show with Brain Strowman squaring off with Big Show. This was a clunky match and further proof Strowman isn’t ready for a big Mania match with Undertaker which has been rumored. They are setting up a six man tag at FastLane between the Wyatts and Ryback, Big Show, and Kane.

Match of the Night: Fatal 5 Way

This was a review of things that stuck out most during this Raw. Overall it felt like it peaked early as it tends to do and then fell flat towards the end. With Fastlane mainly being billed like a one match show this was not surprising.

Projected Fastlane card:

US Title: (Pre-Show)

Kalisto (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio

IC Title:

Kevin Owens (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler

Divas Title:

Charlotte (c) vs. Brie Bella

Cutting Edge Peep Show with guests the New Day

*Probable*

AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho

Wyatt Family vs. Kane, Ryback, Big Show

#1 Contender for WWE Title Match:

Brock Lesnar vs. Dean Ambrose vs. Roman Reigns

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image via WWE.com