This week’s episode of Monday Night Raw was amazing from start to finish. Randy Orton found a new adversary and a new ally. Aleister Black may have found his first “real” program against The O.C., and much more.
Here are my Top 5 Moments from Raw.
5. Erik Rowan Gaining Momentum
Before you begin to question my heading, yes even in defeat Rowan is looking like a badass. I for one was skeptical about WWE’s decision to move the big man away from Daniel Bryan on Friday Night SmackDown months ago; but after just floating around in the background he finally is being utilized as the monster he truly is.
Last week, he was annihilated by Black and tonight thanks to The O.C.; he brought the fight to Black. Rowan almost gained a huge victory over a wounded Black but he still looked great nonetheless. Coming out of this strong performance; Rowan should be placed in a meaningful mid-card feud and not just thrown back into squash matches.
4. Aleister Black vs. AJ Styles
I can’t honestly believe that this feud is actually happening. When “The Dutch Destroyer” arrived on Raw I knew a program with AJ Styles was a possibility; but after this week’s episode, it appears this dream feud is on the horizon.
This is absolutely perfect timing since Black hasn’t had a good opponent since Buddy Murphy, and perhaps he can mix it up with “The Phenomenal One” on the road to WrestleMania. There are rumors swirling that Styles will be facing The Undertaker at Mania, but if he doesn’t and they continue this route then Black vs. Styles could be a terrific match on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
3. Montez Ford Is A Star In The Making
I will never encourage WWE to split up The Street Profits Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, but Ford should branch off and become a singles superstar to be taken seriously. His charisma, raw energy, and athleticism is off the charts. Recently, The Street Profits have been intertwined with the recent Monday Night Messiah storyline surrounding Seth Rollins it and his disciples.
On this week’s episode of Raw, both Dawkins and Ford competed in singles matches but Ford was the breakout star of the night. He not only held his own against the former universal champion but he came within seconds of gaining a huge victory. The WWE universe was completely behind him the whole time, and it was such an incredible performance by the former NXT tag team champion.
2. Cousins Put On An Absolute Clinic
On this week’s episode of Raw; Humberto Carrillo and Angel Garza delivered a five-star classic on all measures. The cousins started the match off mirroring each other’s technical maneuvers and counters. Action was quick paced and the WWE Universe was very impressed by their incredible talents.
Most people may not know this, but Carrillo and Garza faced off once before on the March 24th, 2019 episode of 205 Live. In my opinion; their match last year was simply amazing and I was thoroughly excited to see what these two would bring to the table on Raw. After a series of roll-up pinfall attempts Garza picked up the victory surprising Carrillo. I can’t wait to see these two do battle on a brighter stage with a title on the line in the near future.
1.Randy Orton: Intermittent Explosive Disorder IED
Is it 2009 all over again? It sure feels like “The Viper” Randy Orton is back to his sadistic ways; as he has taken out Edge, Matt Hardy, and almost Kevin Owens on this week’s episode of Raw. Eleven years ago, he was singlehandedly viciously attacking and taking out Triple H and the McMahon family. Orton was seeking revenge for his former mentor’s betrayal after he became the youngest World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history.
HHH, Batista, and Ric Flair turned on Orton and it ignited a path of destruction leading into WrestleMania 25; where HHH defended his WWE Title against Orton. Fast forward to the present, where Orton distributed a horrific con-chair-to the “Rated R Superstar” over a month ago. For weeks, the WWE Universe has been demanding answers from The Viper for his disgusting actions; and Hardy paid the price for sticking his nose in where it shouldn’t be.
Last week, Hardy and Orton were prepared to do battle in a violent No Holds Barred match; but before the match could take place Orton heinously attacked his foe. Instead of leaving Hardy after a thunderous RKO, The Viper decided to smash his skull in with yet another con-chair-to on the steel steps which the WWE Universe watched in silence.
On this week’s episode of Raw, Orton and the hometown-hero Owens went one-on-one in a highly-intense match. Not only did KO have to worry about his opponent; but he also was confronted by the Monday Night Messiah and company. While the babyface was distracted; the official performed a fast three-count.
Owens laid lifeless as Orton was handed two steel chairs from an unlikely ally Rollins. “The Architect” was egging him on to deliver a con-chair-to to Owens. Owens popped up at the last minute; surprising his foe who emphatically claimed “I’m Sorry” but Owens didn’t care. Earlier in the show; it was revealed that Edge’s “real-life” wife Beth Phoenix will be live on next week’s episode to provide an update on her husband’s condition.
I may be wrong, but I don’t think The Viper will be too far away from the Hall of Famer; and perhaps we could see an RKO reminiscent to 2009 where he dropped Stephanie McMahon. I would love to see this storyline take this sadistic turn and get even darker and more personal.
There you have it those are my Top 5 Moments from this week’s episode of Raw. I’d love to hear what stood out to you.
