With a lengthy opening segment between the Brothers of Destruction and The Wyatt Family that accomplished nothing and a series of table-setting matches, this week’s RAW did its job in preparing the card for Survivor Series. At the same time, there was an overall lack of excitement. With no Seth Rollins and essentially no entertaining promo, Survivor Series is going to be a stinker (unless there’s a surprise or two.)
Matches:
King of the Ring Quarterfinals: Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens vs. Adrian Neville: Owens was tough, but Neville hit a slew of aerial maneuvers and an awesome Snap German Suplex to mystify the crowd. Neville then nearly got the win with the Super Kick and Reverse Frankensteiner, but Owens hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb after Neville once again failed to connect on the Red Arrow.
Tyler Breeze w/Summer Rae vs. R-Truth: Breeze was in trouble after Truth hit the Reverse Michinoku Driver and the Axe Kick variation, but Breeze hit the Beauty Shot for the win.
King of the Ring Quarterfinals: Dolph Ziggler vs. Dean Ambrose: Back and forth would be an understatement for this one. These guys literally beat the snot out of each other for 15 minutes and couldn’t put the other away, in spite of signature offense. It was until Ambrose countered a School Boy that Ambrose was able to hit the Dirty Deeds for the win.
Ryback, Jimmy and Jey Uso vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and Big E. and Xavier Woods: Nothing of any pertinence here as the match got thrown out thanks to a ton of chaos and disorganization.
King of the Ring Quarterfinals: Cesaro vs. Roman Reigns: Another back and forth encounter that saw both performers trade offense and strikes. After a beautiful Flying European Uppercut, Cesaro then threw Reigns into the turnbuckle and then hit Reigns on the outside with another Uppercut. Reigns however, fought back and evened things up with strikes. Cesar then got the upper-hand with the Swing and a Sharpshooter, which he transferred into a Crossface. Reigns then countered into a Samoan Drop and after some more back and forth, he hit a one-arm Sit-Out Powerbomb. Cesar then countered the Superman Punch with another Uppercut, but he couldn’t get the win. After Reigns hit the Superman Punch and Spear, Reigns got the win.
The Ascension: Konnor and Victor vs. The Dudley Boys: Bully Ray and Devon: Bully Ray and Devon wasted no time getting the quick win with the 3D.
King of the Ring Quarterfinals: United States Champion Alberto Del Rio w/Zeb Colter vs. Kalisto: Del Rio was always a step ahead despite Kalisto dazzling with wonderful high-flying offense and eventually got the win with the modified Double Stomp.
