Alberto Del Rio Frustrated With WWE

For Alberto Del Rio, his wrestling career with WWE has been a wild ride. He won the biggest Royal Rumble ever featuring 40 participants. Former Money In The Bank winner, successfully cashing it in on some wrestler named CM Punk (relax I’m kidding). Ironically his cash in was at SummerSlam, which we are only a few weeks away from. With the WWE Draft shaking up the new era in WWE, many superstars have come forward frustrated with their current position in the company. The draft seemed to have stacked RAW, with Smackdown once again playing second fiddle. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan do seem very invested in trying to make it as best of a show it can be, but only time will tell. Many rumored names to be coming back, (Kurt Angle, Melina, Jeff Hardy) pushes guys like Cesaro and Del Rio to the bottom of the pile. Alberto reports have been flying in about him being unhappy and possibly leaving with his contract coming up soon.

We all remember Del Rio was let go once by WWE, due to an altercation he had with an employee over a racist comment. It seems that ever since Paige and Del Rio started dating, WWE hasn’t used them very much and the reasons are unclear. This past Tuesday on Smackdown, (which you can see the results for here!) there was a Battle Royal to determine the number 1 contender, to face Dean Ambrose at SummerSlam. Del Rio was involved in that match and honestly, I would not have been mad if he won. He is a great wrestler and has showcased his talents all over the world in companies like AAA and Lucha Underground.

As a fan, no matter what he decides to do with his contract, you want Del Rio to be somewhere he is happy. Alberto is one of the best wrestlers in the world, once again a superstar that WWE just doesn’t know how to use. Will it cause conflict with his new love Paige if he leaves? Or maybe this is just another layer to set up something big for Del Rio? The wrestling world has always been a cloudy one, so let this be another cloud in the sky.

WWE Monday Night Raw Recap July 25, 2016

The night starts off with a bang! A new set for the show with a brand new logo. Honestly they didn’t change much, looks the same. Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley start in the ring, bringing every RAW wrestler on stage. They announce that there will be a new belt introduced on RAW. Calling it the WWE Universal Championship. Two huge fatal 4-way matches are announced with the winners facing each other in the main event. A winner from that match will go on to face Seth Rollins for the new title at SummerSlam. The 8 men announced are Sami Zayn, Sheamus, Chris Jericho, Roman Reigns, Cesaro, Rusev, Kevin Owens and……the Demon! Finn Balor!! Pittsburgh erupts with an ovation well deserved. Also announced is a WWE Women’s Championship between Charlotte and Sasha Banks. A great opening segment to a new era in the WWE. I have loved Stephanie since I was 10 years old and I won’t stop. On a side note the commentators are now reporting live from the entrance area. A new team of Michael Cole, Byron Saxton and Corey Graves.

Fatal 4-Way
Kevin Owens vs Rusev vs Cesaro vs Finn Balor
Overall the match was really good interrupted by too many commercials. All guys got their move sets in hitting every signature move. Rusev and Owens worked together at one point. Owens called the match in the middle out loud telling Rusev what to do next. Cesaro was impressive with his swiss upper cuts and big swing, that he successfully hit on Rusev. They used every space in and out of the ring, which I always appreciate. Near falls for all men involved finally concluding with Finn Balor taking advantage at the end. Vintage Balor moves, sling blade, Pele’ kick, double dropkick into the ropes setting up Rusev for the Coup De’ Grace. Jumping High into the air stomping both feet on Rusev for the 1,2,3! Pittsburgh goes crazy as we will see who faces Finn Balor in the Main Event?!!!

Nia Jax Debut
Nia Jax fought a jobber in a match that took about 2 minutes. You can picture the match probably in your head right now, Nia Jax winning in dominate fashion. I actually like Nia Jax and think she can shake up the division if they use her properly.

Fatal 4-Way
Chris Jericho vs Sami Zayn vs Sheamus vs Roman Reigns
Roman of course gets booed like crazy on his entrance. All 3 men attack Reigns to start which is entertaining to me. Sami Zayn is clearly the crowd favorite almost by default. Slow paced match that was brought back to life by Roman, hitting a flying move over the top rope on the 3 other wrestlers,  outside of the ring. Sami seems to be a much better wrestler showcasing it in this match. Sami had a near fall on Roman via blue thunder bomb. Roman hits a spectacular razor’s edge powerbomb to a very close near fall on Sami. Roman superman punches every guy in the ring multiple times. Jericho botches a spot with Roman, interesting. Roman very athletically leap frogs over Jericho and hits a spear moments later. 1….2…..3! Reigns with the victory! Roman was actually pretty impressive in this match showing off his power and strength. Setting up Finn Balor vs Roman Reigns in the main event! I’m not a Reigns guy but I do appreciate when a wrestler puts on a good performance and he did tonight. I am not mad with Roman Reigns winning even though I am a Sami Zayn fan.

New Day Celebration
I like New Day but they never wrestle. I can not remember the last time they defended their record-breaking tag team titles? A title reign should be vindicated with at least a few defenses. But the fans still are behind them as they celebrate in a decent segment revealing their new cereal Booty-O’s. (PG show though right?) They show a video package which I personally couldn’t care less about. They choose an honorary New Day member from the crowd which is obviously a plant. The audience members name is Sonny Boy? Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows interrupt the celebration! Thank You!! Destroying each member of New Day. Hitting magic killer on Big E, ripping off their outfits embarrassing them. A segment to kill time in my view.

Neville vs Curtis Axel
JoJo Introduces Curtis Axel as Mr. Irrelevant. Neville makes his ring return which I am excited about. He is more than talented and has tremendous experience all over the world. Another wrestler who deserves more of a shot than he gets. A match in which Neville almost looks like he is facing a jobber, showcasing his move repertoire. Hitting Red Arrow which all fans should love! Neville should at least be thrown into the Intercontinental or United States Championship picture. This new era could definitely use a fresh face like him. Go Neville!

WWE Women’s Championship
Charlotte vs Sasha Banks
First off, I think Sasha Banks needs to change her entrance music. Sasha is super talented but I don’t understand why she has sky rocketed to the top? All because she likes Eddie Guerrero and is cousins with Snoop Dogg? (I want to hang out with Snoop Dogg one day) Charlotte enters with her protegé Dana Brooke. They grapple and roll around for the beginning of the match. A distraction by Dana gives Charlotte the advantage. Sasha hits bank statement into a different type of straight jacket submission. Charlotte breaks out, another bank statement attempt. They spill to the outside of the ring with Sasha hitting her double knees off the apron which is always fun to watch. Moments later Charlotte violently kicks Sasha into thew barricade teasing her with the Women’s Championship. Charlotte rolls into the ring and in a very good homage to Eddie Guerrero, she tosses the belt to Dana Brooke acting as if she was hit with the belt. We Lie, We Cheat, We Steal! Mike Chioda of course sees this and ejects Dana Brooke from ringside. A great moment destroyed by a commercial break! (bad timing with commercials tonight WWE) Some decent wrestling after the break concludes, with a near fall after double knees in the turnbuckle by Sasha. Moments later, Sasha botches another suicide dive landing very awkwardly. (hopefully she is okay) Charlotte lands a moonsault from the top rope, to the outside onto Sasha! Holy S–T! Echoes through Pittsburgh. Near falls climax after Charlotte hits natural selection to a 2 count! Figure Four attempt on Sasha as she holds the submission attempt rolling onto the apron. Sasha continues with another bank statement attempt broken up by a rope break. Another backstabber into a bank statement in the center of the ring! Charlotte taps to everyone’s surprise! And Neeeeewwwww! Women’s Champion! Sasha Banks! If I am being realistic it wasn’t the great of a match. Charlotte outperformed her in my opinion hitting a majority of the big spots and not botching anything. Byron Saxton comes to the ring to interview her, as the crowd goes wild chanting YES!

Braun Strowman Debut
Braun Strowman comes out to a new look, and pretty cool entrance music. James Ellsworth, a local competitor the size of a cockroach is set to face him. Strowman destroys him in less than 2 minutes with a reverse chokeslam. A dominating performance similar to Nia Jax earlier in the night.

Throughout the night Goldust and R-Truth walk around backstage looking for Pokémon! Pretty funny segments in-between matches.

Enzo and Cass vs Shining Stars
Enzo comes out and does his thing on the mic. Big Cass is interrupted by Primo and Epico promoting their beautiful paradise in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico! Enzo and Cass dominate the match fairly quickly after a big boot by Big Cass. During the match R-Truth walked through the match looking for Pokémon haha! I thought that was genius writing for once by WWE. A funny moment which brought a smile to my face. Maybe a tease for Golden Truth to face off against Jersey’s finest! Another quick segment match which makes 3 for the night. If you combine this match with Nia Jax and Braun Strowman, it would take longer to say the alphabet. You need balance and variety which is the only defense I can come up with to explain these matches.

They announce Brock Lesnar will return next week on RAW!

Main Event
Roman Reigns vs Finn Balor
This has the potential to be an amazing match! I am very enthused to see who will fight Seth Rollins at SummerSlam for the WWE Universal Championship. Finn receives a great response. Reigns, obviously again getting booed. Reigns tosses Balor viciously like a rag doll to start. Reigns exuding his power in an angry mood. The match displays quickness against strength. Size against strategy. Big clothesline in the corner by Roman. Leaving Finn displayed on the ropes. Roman looks for his double dropkick on the apron, Finn jumps over the ropes and double foot stomps onto the outside! Finn dropkicks Roman into the barricade followed by another bad commercial break just as the match was picking up! ( Did I mention I hate commercials) Headlock in the middle of the ring on Finn Balor. It feels as if Roman Reigns is trying to slow the match down using slow power moves. I remind you this is the second match for both of these men. A missed superman punch moments later clears Finn Balor for a running knee on the apron to Reigns. Leading to a high-flying coupe de grace to the back of the head by Finn Balor for a 1….2…kickout! Both guys are physically exhausted following Balor’s sling blade. They rise to their feet, Finn runs into a superman punch! 1….2………Kickout!! I can’t believe he kicked out from the destructive punch by Roman Reigns! Reigns power bombs Finn twice, almost breaking him in half to another near fall! Looking for the spear, runs into another sling blade, double dropkick into the corner! Finn climbs to the top rope! Coup De Grace!!!! 1…..2……3!!! Happy Birthday Finn Balor!!! An amazing ending to a decent match. Baylor being the much appreciated victor in this one. I am shocked Finn Balor won! Thank You Stephanie and Mick!! It is a New Era in WWE!! Another post-fight interview with Roman Reigns. Seems like they are just copying UFC with the interviews following the matches. They have better writers than that, I think. Finally a good Monday Night RAW with the winner being the fans going home happy. Don’t count your chickens though, we will see who is the first Universal Champion at SummerSlam!!