Raw Review 2021-12-07

We start with Seth Rollins backstage, and he starts off by telling us we’ve got Kevin Owens and Big E in a steel cage up first then goes on to say he’s going to win at day 1.

Big E is up next backstage, and he says he’s going to punish KO inside said steel cage.

Kevin Owens is next, says the WWE championship is his and Big E is just holding it for him, says that he isn’t going to get punished inside the cage, he is going to do the punishing.

These weren’t bad in any way, just very generic, they potentially would have been better if they did it in ring and just let them spitball a bit, they have great chemistry and are all so good on the mic.

Big E vs Kevin Owens

Steel Cage match

KO is tried to get out the cage door early, but Big E took early control, KO seemed quite content with running away and tries to climb out of the cage a few times. they have some back and forth on the top rope in the corner and it culminated with Big E bouncing KO off 3 of the walls of the cage, Big E then went for his apron spear and KO moved out the way, Big E smashed against the wall, KO goes to escape again over the top of the cage, Big E goes to stop him gets kicked down to the mat and KO hits a very nice top rope lionsault.

Big E again bounces KO off a wall and goes for the pin for a 2 count, then goes for the door, KO

intercepts he beats on E then goes to climb out the cell, E climbs up to stop him, they fight on the top rope and KO bounces E off the cell twice dropping him to the mat KO looks like he’s going to do a Swanton but carries on climbing, E intercepts again and KO hits a sunset flip powerbomb on E, They are both in the centre of the ring, Big E takes a couple hits, but then hits hit belly to belly trifecta, goes for the big splash but KO scrambles away and goes for the door, they both start to fight near the door.

They get back in the centre and KO applies the Walls of Jericho/ Camel Clutch

Big E and KO are both scrambling for the cell door again and Seth is there to slam the door closed on both of them.

When we come back from break KO is on the corner attempting to escape over the top of the cage again, E intercepts and climbs up there with him and teases an avalanche Big ending, KO does a eye rake dropping Big E to the mat, then hits a frogsplash, 2 count.

KO goes to hit a cannonball in the corner, Urenage from E,

he goes for a Big ending, KO reversal

KO goes for a stunner, Big E reversal but KO does hit a pop up powerbomb.

KO once again goes to escape but E springs up and they fight on the top rope once again, this time Big E does hit the big ending off the top rope, then goes to crawl for the door. KO attempts to stop him, but E kicks him in the face as he’s crawling and reaches the door

Seth attacks E at ringside while he’s celebrating, then moves onto KO who is still in the ring, Seth goes for a Stomp on KO but Big E intercepts with a Belly to belly suplex, Seth rolls out the ring, he then hits a second Big ending on KO and celebrates in the ring.

Winner: Big E

Wow. What a match to start us off. There was some nice spots and E and KO have some really nice chemistry, as well as being generally brilliant.

A great match given sufficient time to impress to start us off.

This was a great way to start off a very good show.

My only slight gripe about this match would be that it should have ended with the Avalanche Big Ending, I don’t really get how KO recovers quite quickly from that but is done by a kick to the face from a crawling Big E.

Also, as far as I’m aware this match didn’t have any stipulations to it, didn’t have much of a point or reason to be a cage match which seems odd for a match like that one HOWEVER I feel like I’m nit-picking at a match that was fantastic to watch.

We come back from the break and all 3 of the people involved are now on ringside rolling about in pain. During the break Bobby Lashley came out hit a spear on Big E, and decimated E, KO and Seth before leaving again… Maybe not the best time for an advert break?

Possibly building up to day 1 being a fatal 4 way

This could be fantastic if it culminates, its great to have such a strong title picture where it is genuinely difficult to predict who will have the title next and when they will have it.

Next up

Queen Zelina and Carmella

Zelina Vega please stop with the accent.

Zelina comes out with a typical short heel promo “I’m going to beat Nikki ASH tonight”

“This town/city/state is disgusting”

She didn’t do it badly in any way. Just very very generic.

Zelina Vega vs Nikki A.S.H

We start off with a very quick pace, we have a couple of early roll ups and some very nice back and forth before Zelina gets a 2 count, but her feet are on the ropes for a “dirty pin” Nikki goes for a splash, Zelina moves out of the way and hits a Code red on Nikki

1…2…3

Winner: Queen Zelina

This was a typically short Zelina match, It had a really good pace and had some great technical moves, I actually really enjoyed this match it was just far too short, less than 2 minutes in total

I don’t mind Zelina’s Queen gimmick and taunts she pulls it off well, just drop the British accent.

Next we’re backstage with the Raw tag team champions RKbro And Riddle is wearing a beige blazer

Kevin Patrick comes over to do an interview, Matt riddle explains that they came up with the idea for

a NO1 contenders tag team tournament, Randy says it was only Riddles idea and that he said they should only be focusing on their matches and that Riddle replied with how home alone changed his life, genius, I can literally hear Riddle saying it in my mind.

Riddle announces they’re going to be guest commentators for the tournament which Riddle dubs thee RKbro-Nament, Randy doesn’t agree and says he wont be taking part.

MATT HAS A BLAZER FOR RANDY TOO

They have some brilliant, funny back and forth about Randy wearing the blazer he has his usual exasperated look, but Randy eventually gives in and puts the blazer on to a big cheer from the crowd.

We go backstage with Nikki A.S.H and Rhea Ripley, Nikki looks downhearted about her loss from earlier and Rhea is trying to cheer her up, someone asks Nikki for an autograph, but it turns out they are actually talking to Jerry “King” Lawler, Its nice to see him back for a cameo, he looks well!