WWE Raw Review: U.S. and WWE Tag Team Titles on the Line

The top story: In a rematch for the U.S. Title, new champion Roman Reigns battled former champion Rusev to a double countout. In the post-match brawl, Rusev attacked Reigns with a chair, but Reigns ultimately ended up getting the better of the exchange. ... In a rematch from Clash of Champions for the WWE Tag Team Title, champions New Day again defeated Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.

Also newsworthy: It was announced that WWE Women's Champion Charlotte will defend her title against Sasha Banks on next week's show. ... Seth Rollins was not medically cleared to compete after suffering a rib injury during his match against Kevin Owens at Clash of Champions. ... Raw GM Mick Foley questioned Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon about her actions at Clash of Champions, but she put him in his place. ... Instead of Sheamus and Cesaro having another match to break the tie in their series, Foley put them together as a tag team and said they would get a shot at the WWE Tag Team Title. 

Here's a segment-by-segment look at the show:

Segments One, Two and Three: U.S. Champion Roman Reigns vs. Rusev (w/Lana) > Title Match

Result: Double countout

Aftermath: The brawl continued outside the ring. Reigns went for a Superman Punch but Rusev nailed him in the gut with a chair. Inside the ring, Rusev went to hit Reigns with the chair again, but Reigns speared him. Reigns took the chair, teased using it on a fallen Rusev, but instead sat on the chair near Rusev and held up the title belt. Reigns then changed his mind and nailed Rusev on the back with the chair.

Analysis: I loved starting the show with a three-segment match -- and a title bout at that -- instead of a promo. The match was hard-hitting and entertaining. I have no problem with the non-finish, as we're likely getting a Hell in a Cell Match between these two next month. The crowd was with Reigns more than usual, especially during the fight after the match.

Segment Four:  Mick Foley - Sheamus - Cesaro Promo

The gist: Foley recapped what happened in the match between Sheamus and Cesaro at Clash of Champions and invited them both to the ring. Sheamus and Cesaro argued over which of them was more physically dominant. Foley said they both proved they could be physically dominant. He said they will both get championship opportunities, but it will be for the WWE Tag Team Title and they'll have to be partners. Sheamus and Cesaro weren't happy about that decision. Foley said they will face the winner of the match between New Day and Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.

Analysis: I wrote in my Clash of Champions review that I wouldn't be surprised if Sheamus and Cesaro end up teaming together and going after the tag team title. These two could be a great tag team, but I'm disappointed that the best-of-seven series didn't result in a singles push for Cesaro. This certainly helps Sheamus, though. 

Segments Five and Six: WWE Tag Team Champions New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston w/Xavier Woods) vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson > Title Match // Clip from WWE.com w/Stephanie McMahon and Triple H // Stills: Seth Rollins

Result: New Day over via pinfall (Kingston pinned Anderson)

The gist: After Clash of Champions ended, Stephanie was shown walking to a limo, where she was greeted by Triple H. She said everything went great and that he was right. They were all smiles as they got in the limo and drove away. ... It was announced that Rollins suffered a rib injury at Clash of Champions and was not medically cleared to compete tonight.

Analysis: The tag match was excellent, but I'm surprised Gallows and Anderson didn't win. I was hoping for a Gallows and Anderson vs. Sheamus and Cesaro tag title match. ... Rollins getting injured is unfortunate, but hopefully he's not out of action for long. It may help to get sympathy on him.

Segment Seven: Backstage Vignette w/Mick Foley, Cesaro and Sheamus // Bayley vs. Anna Fields // Backstage Vignette w/Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley

The gist: Cesaro and Sheamus were bickering. They both wanted Foley to change his mind about them having to team together. Foley said they stole the show at Clash of Champions, but they can't face each other again because he can't risk losing one of them for good. He said they could change the face of tag team wrestling. He told them to just give teaming up a try. 

Result: Bayley over via pinfall

Aftermath: Bayley was interviewed in the ring. She said Charlotte and Banks proved at Clash of Champions why they're the top two women in the division. She said it's not the last time either of them will see her. She said her journey with the WWE Universe is just getting started.

The gist: Foley told Stephanie he looks like a fool for believing in her. He said at Clash of Champions he left for a few minutes to check on Cesaro in the dressing room and the bottom fell out in the main event. He questioned her about why it took her so long to bring out a second referee after the first referee was incapacitated. He also asked about her conversation with Triple H after the show. Stephanie said Triple H didn't get to see the show because he was in the air, and he asked how it went and she said great -- except for the main event. Foley said what happened in the main event was embarrassing. She got angry and said it was his job to protect the integrity of the main event. She said she hired him to be a businessman not for his medical expertise. Foley said he was out of line and he'd like to continue as GM. Stephanie said he needs to prove he's worthy by keeping an injured Seth Rollins from going after Kevin Owens. She said they need to protect their investment in Rollins. She told Foley to never forget who she works for.

Analysis: It appears that Bayley is starting over and will have to work her way up to another shot at the WWE Women's Title. That's probably not a bad thing. ... We all knew it was just a matter of time before Stephanie emasculated Foley. The only thing missing was a slap to the face. Foley looked really weak for just standing there and taking it and basically groveling for his job. The Foley character has always had pride and integrity, so why would he do that? Is this going to be another Big Show story where we find out that Foley made some bad financial investments and will swallow his pride because needs the job?

Segments Eight and Nine: Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann Inset Promo // Drew Gulk Highlights Package // Lince Dorado Highlights Package / Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann vs. Lince Dorado and Drew Gulak

The gist: Swann said they are going to party all night long. Alexander said they can't underestimate their opponents. Swann said he's not underestimating anyone, he's just having fun.

Result: Alexander and Swann over via pinfall (Swann pinned Gulak)

Analysis: That was an entertaining spotfest.

Segment Ten: Cesaro and Sheamus vs. Nick Cutler and Willis Williams // TJ Perkins Highlights Package // TJ Perkins Backstage Interview (Brian Kendrick)

Result: Cesaro and Sheamus over via pinfall (Cesaro pinned Cutler)

The gist: Perkins said winning the Cruiserweight Title was a dream come true. Kendrick walked up and offered his hand in a disingenuous manner. Kendrick said Perkins deprived him of what is rightfully his. He said Perkins owes him the title. Perkins said he owes Kendrick for the headbutt after their match at Clash of Champions. Kendrick told him to enjoy the spotlight while he can. He said the next time they meet in the ring, Perkins will wake up from his dream.

Analysis: Cesaro and Sheamus did all the spots that you would expect from reluctant tag partners. The crowd actually chanted, "Let's go jobbers," which seemed to catch Cesaro by surpise. Hopefully, the powers that be can come up with something more compelling for Cesaro and Sheamus going forward. ... Kendrick was good on the mic. He's shown the most charisma of the cruiserweights thus far.

Segment Eleven: Charlotte (w/Dana Brooke) - Sasha Banks Promo

The gist: Charlotte bragged about her win in the Triple Threat at Clash of Champions and said she is the queen of the women's division. Banks came out and said she wasn't pinned in the Triple Threat. She said she's still owed a one-on-one match with Charlotte for the title and she wants it right now. Charlotte said Banks will get the match next week. Charlotte said Banks would just whine to Mick Foley until she got her way anyway. Banks said she will be the face of the division after she takes back the title. Banks slapped Charlotte and then put Brooke in the Banks Statement. Charlotte made the save, but Banks tossed both Charlotte and Brooke out of the ring.

Analysis: Charlotte was really good on the mic and continues to show why she is the true star of the women's division. I have a feeling the blowoff to this program is going to happen at Hell in a Cell, perhaps in a Hell in a Cell.

Segments Twelve and Thirteen: Backstage Vignette w/Seth Rollins and Mick Foley // Tony Nese Highlights Package // WWE Cruiserweight Champion TJ Perkins vs. Tony Nese

The gist: Rollins told Foley that nothing is going to stop him from going out during The Highlight Reel with Kevin Owens. He said Owens has something coming to him. Foley said now isn't the time because Rollins isn't medically cleared. Rollins said he saw Stephanie McMahon get in the limo with Triple H Sunday night, and he's not going to sit back and watch Owens brag about what happened. Foley again said this wasn't the time. Rollins said he sees Foley's lips moving but all he hears are Stephanie's words.

Result: Perkins over via submission

Analysis: The only babyface trait Rollins has shown is that he's no longer a chicken you-know-what. ... The cruiserweight match wasn't bad, but the crowd was disinterested. Putting two guys in the ring who have no story line and a lot of the crowd may not know so late in the show probably wasn't the best idea.

Segment Fourteen: Clip from Twitter: Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson // Chris Jericho's Highlight Reel w/Kevin Owens (Seth Rollins, Mick Foley, Enzo Amore and Big Cass)

The gist: Actors Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson (whoever that is) took offense to being mentioned by Jericho last week. They said they are true best friends, unlike Jericho and Owens. They said they'll be at Raw in Los Angeles next week. ... Jericho said if they show up at Raw they'll be on his list and they won't like it. Jericho talked about Rollins getting hurt again and said he's been in WWE 17 years and has never been hurt. He said Owens is a true champion. Owens came out and said he proved at Clash of Champions that he is the man. He said it was karma that Rollins got hurt since Rollins injured John Cena, Sting and Finn Balor. Owens said he took out the most dangerous man in WWE, so now he is the most dangerous man in WWE. Rollins came out, but security and Foley prevented him from going to the ring. Owens and Jericho taunted Rollins from a safe distance. Amore and Cass came out. They exchanged insults with Jericho and Owens. Cass informed them that they have match against him and Amore next.

Analysis: Jericho continues to be highly entertaining week in and week out. There's nothing all that clever about the material, but he makes it work with his delivery.

Segments Fifteen and Sixteen: Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho

Result: Owens and Jericho over via pinfall (Owens pinned Amore)

Analysis: The match was OK, but I kept waiting for Rollins to hop the rail. Enzo and Cass have lost steam.

Final thoughts: The first hour of the show was really good but it was downhill after that. Perhaps the powers that be decided not to even try to compete with the presidential debate, which began at 9 p.m.

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