Dolph Ziggler vs. Kevin Owens
A battle of fan favorites is the first match on Raw tonight, with Ziggler getting a quick upper hand. This did not last long, with Owens hitting some big moves, including sending Dolph to the outside. He also focuses on the upper body, but Ziggler fights back like usual. A DDT and then moving away from a Cannonball in the corner gives Ziggler some life. Since Tyler Breeze was on the outside with Summer Rae, Dolph begins to get distracted.
Kevin Owens takes advantage of the distraction and hits a pop-up powerbomb for the win. Tyler and Summer get into the ring after, but Dolph punches him. This angers Breeze and he unloads before taking a selfie with the beaten Dolph and Summer Rae.
I would have debuted Tyler Breeze much different than a segment on Smackdown with a predictable pairing. Maybe, I would have given Summer Rae a few weeks to hype up her new man, giving him some mystique before he even debuted. I also would have put together some backstage storyline, something aside from him coming out and attacking.
I will say that I like what they have done so far with him, not overexposing him to the crowd and pairing him with a guy the fans love. THAT is smart. If they want him to be taken seriously, give us a competitive match for Breeze. I think we need to see him compete before casual fans begin to lose interest.
Cesaro vs. The Miz
Two men who are completely mismanaged face off on Raw. Cesaro connects with some classic uppercuts, but The Miz actually gets some offense in. He hits a big boot and then applies a head lock to slow things down. Miz grabs his tights and drives Cesaro into the turnbuckle. Miz connects with a running clothesline into the corner. Cesaro reverses a Skull Crushing Finale into the swing and then the Sharpshooter for the win.
A very average match with the fans really getting behind Cesaro. Denver might have had the best “Cesaro Section” I have seen in quite some time. I am happy to see Miz get some offense in, but it all circles back to how WWE has no idea what to do with Cesaro. A good bout, but a meaningless one at that.
