WWE RAW Rebound (12/20/21): A Phenomenal Breakup
After weeks of teasing the end of the A.J. Styles and Omos tag team, the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI finally saw it come to fruition this week on RAW.
The former RAW Tag Team Champions went on Miz TV to try to hash out their issues. The “Phenomenal One” didn’t want to believe his colossus no longer trusted him the way Maryse no longer trusts the Miz, but the host of Miz TV claimed Omos told him he was sick and tired of carrying around Styles. Omos wouldn’t admit to those words in speaking. Instead, he did so by his actions, costing his team a match against the Mysterio’s when he refused to accept Styles’ tag, leading to roll up victory for Rey.
Afterwards, Omos slapped Styles, and the brawl was on. Styles got in some strikes on Omos, but the 7’3 monster took out his former partner with one chokeslam as Styles was attempting to deliver a Phenomenal Forearm. Omos then took Styles, hoisted him up over his shoulders, and dropped him to the mat below, before challenging him to a match next week.
A couple weeks ago, I dictated it felt like a bunch of tag teams were getting ready to separate on the red brand. Styles and Omos brought the first domino down this week. I’m excited to see how Omos looks as a singles competitor going forward. Both men will bring much needed punch to the singles division on RAW.
Else Where:
- Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins teamed up against Bobby Lashley and Big E in tag team action to see who could “co-exist”. Lashley, attempting to Spear Rollins, “accidentally” Speared Big E, leading to Rollins and Owens intentionally getting themselves disqualified by hitting Lashley with steel steps. All of a sudden, Owens — with his new contract — and Rollins are… friends? It’s really anybody’s ballgame at Day 1.
- Liv Morgan went to Becky Lynch’s (Seth Rollins’) training faculity in Iowa and attacked her with a kendo stick. Looks like we may be getting a Kendo Stick on a Pole Match on the 1st of 2022.
- Speaking of Maryse, she went on The Cutting Edge and tried to play victim to the Miz, but the “Rated R Superstar” wasn’t buying it, smelling a sneak attack. His intuition was correct as Miz attacked him from behind and celebrated with his wife while Edge laid motionless after a Skull Crushing Finale. I see Beth Phoenix getting involved in the ATL.
- Chad Gable is one of the most underrated wrestlers in wrestling, and he proved it this week by going toe-to-toe with the “Viper”. Orton, without Riddle by his side to prove to the “Original Bro” that he can win on his own, nailed Gable with a sweet RKO after a wonderful back and forth. Otis attacked Orton later, setting up a match next week between he and the “Apex Predator”, where Riddle will once again not accompany his partner to ringside.
- Bianca Beliar finally was able to nail Doudrop with the KOD to hopefully end their feud in a good match.
- A sweet Spanish Fly was not enough for Austin Theory, who took an L to Finn Balor. The boss granted Theory a rematch next week.
- Robert Roode made Damian Priest angry and forced a countout victory for Ziggler while Priest beat down his partner, setting up a U.S. Title match next week.
- Rhea Ripley defeated Zelina Vega in quick fashion. Both Nikki A.S.H. and Carmella were barred from ringside, proving Ripley is better without Nikki
- Reggie helped Dana Brooke escape Tamina, Akira Tozawa and R-Truth in the 24/7 Title chase. This time, at an indoor lights show in Milwaukee.
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Next Week:
From the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, MICH, it’s the go home show to Day 1. WWE has already announced four matches, plus the final build for the WWE Championship, the RAW Women’s Championship and the Edge/Miz feud.
- Randy Orton vs Otis (W/ Chad Gable)
- Finn Balor vs Austin Theory
- A.J. Styles vs Omos
- Damian Priest © vs Dolph Ziggler (W/ Robert Roode). United States Championship
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RAW was the definition of average. There was nothing special on this show. Average wrestling with average segments equals an average show. The most newsworthy segment was the Styles-Omos breakup. Everything else felt like an afterthought.
Editor’s note: Let me know if you like the bullet point system better than the full recap.
GRADE: C
