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The WWE Championship Triple Threat match is next. I hope this week, we get to see the usual hard work Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre usually show, some fun Braun monster/power spots and a coherent ending. The last few weeks of Raw have made me throw my hands up, so I'm hoping!
Lots of big brawling action here. Braun was all beast. Drew and Lashley sent each other into the LED boards on the stage. Lashley was smashed through one with all sorts of pyro exploding. That looked really cool. Braun attacked Drew and THREW him down the ring ramp with Drew getting so much momentum I was scared he was going to keep rolling over and over. Braun wiped him out with a lariat and then drilled him again. Braun nailed a BIG back senton splash for a CLOSE two count. You do not want a big man squashing you when he's that big.
Drew whipped out a sit-out Michinoku Driver on Braun, which was INSANE TO SEE, for a near fall. TAKA is smiling somewhere! They ended up on the floor, where Braun charged but was caught for an overhead belly to belly suplex. Not only is that damn impressive to watch Drew execute but you have to give Braun credit for taking these big bumps. Drew went for the Claymore but was caught and powerbombed through the announcers' table. This is great stuff.
They continued wrecking each other until Lashley returned and speared Braun, scoring the pin.
Entertaining.
One would think this leaves Drew vs. Lashley to blow off their feud inside the HIAC.
We will close out the night with the WWE Universal Championship.
Backstage, Jey tried to talk up Roman but Roman didn't like his wording and cracked that he sounded like Jimmy and to stay in the back. So, Jimmy will hit the ring later to try and curry favor with the head of the table.
They made a big deal out of the idea this was Cesaro's first World title match.
The story early was that Cesaro had Roman off balance. Reigns gained control and worked him over but when he went for a Superman punch, Cesaro walloped him with a big leaping uppercut. Cesaro scored several near falls to keep the dream alive. Cesaro wore him down for the Sharpshooter. Roman went to the floor, but Cesaro nailed him with a corkscrew plancha. Cesaro scored another near fall with a flying bodypress.
Reigns cut off Cesaro in the corner and attacked him with a big boot, holding onto Cesaro's bad arm with the idea he injured his bicep or shoulder. Reigns then smashed him and scored several near falls as Cesaro was hurting and didn't kick up with the same confidence. You could see a scrape on Cesaro's shoulder. Reigns began calling out "DB" as he was working over Cesaro's arm. The announcers specifically said Roman "retired" Daniel Bryan.
Roman kept working over Cesaro, trash talking him. Cesaro tried to fire back. They really took it to each other and it's been great. Roman went for the spear but ate another uppercut. Roman persevered and grabbed the guillotine choke. Cesaro battled through and went for the Sharpshooter. he locked it in. Could this be the cue for Uso soap opera? Roman went for the ropes but Cesaro snatched the arm and rolled him into a crossface. This has been FAN FN' TASTIC. Roman finally regains control and choked out Cesaro with the guillotine.
This was an awesome match and the right match to close the show. Cesaro looked like a warrior and a top star. He fought his heart out and Roman made it past him, looking like an even tougher warrior.
Jimmy Uso hit the ring afrer and with Roman's approval, attacked Cesaro and kept beating him down. He went to the top for a splash when Seth Rollins' music hit and Seth came down wearing one of the worst suits in the history of suits. He walked up to Roman and smiled like he was Brother Love, then attacked Cesaro, beating the living hell out of him with a chair to the shoulder and mid-section. He went to Pillmanize Cesaro's arm and smashed it against the ring post, telling Cesaro no one makes a mockery of him.
There was a lot to like on this show, and um, zombies.
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