WWE Monday Night RAW #1213

WWELive: A Night of Thrills at Barclays Center

August 22nd, 2016 - New York City, NY - The Barclays Center played host to a stacked WWE live event, featuring some of the company's top stars and a slew of high-stakes matches that left fans on the edge of their seats. For this reporter, it was an absolute pleasure to be in attendance for what turned out to be a truly unforgettable night.

The card got underway with Seth Rollins taking on Sami Zayn in a WWE Universal Title #1 Contendership Qualifying Match. While both men showed flashes of brilliance, it was Rollins who ultimately emerged victorious, pinning the high-flying Zayn after a vicious knee to the head. The win sets up Rollins for a potential showdown with current champion Kevin Owens, and one can only imagine the intensity that would accompany such a match.

Speaking of which, Owens himself got in on the action just moments later, defeating Neville in another #1 Contendership Qualifying Match. This one was an absolute barnburner from start to finish, with both men trading blows and near-falls aplenty. In the end, it was Owens' cunning and experience that proved too much for the young upstart Neville.

The first half of the night also saw Big E pick up a solid win over Karl Anderson in a Singles Match. While not exactly a technical masterclass, this bout featured plenty of big-boy moves and a healthy dose of energy - exactly what you want from these types of encounters.

As the intermission approached, Big Cass made his way to the ring to face off against Rusev in yet another #1 Contendership Qualifying Match. This one had all the makings of an instant classic, with both men trading heavy strikes and showing a clear disdain for one another. In the end, it was Cass who came out on top, pinning the Bulgarian Brute after a thunderous boot to the chest.

The women's division also got some love tonight, as Bayley successfully defended her winning ways against Dana Brooke in a Singles Match. This one featured plenty of quickness and agility from both competitors, with Bayley ultimately emerging victorious after a series of impressive moves.

The main event was then set in motion, pitting Braun Strowman against Johnny Knockout in a Singles Match that could not have been more one-sided. The monstrous Strowman dominated from bell to bell, finishing off his opponent with a crushing running powerslam. All hail the Monster Among Men!

Finally, we were treated to what was undoubtedly the match of the night: Roman Reigns vs. Chris Jericho in another #1 Contendership Qualifying Match for the WWE Universal Title. These two are no strangers to each other, and their rivalry showed no signs of slowing down here. This bout featured some incredible moments - including a sickening dropkick from Jericho and a series of near-falls that left the crowd on their feet.

In the end, it was Reigns who emerged victorious, pinning Jericho after a thunderous spear. The win sets up a potential showdown between Reigns and Kevin Owens for the WWE Universal Title - one that has all the makings of an instant classic.

All in all, tonight's WWELive event at Barclays Center was an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. With some incredible matches, high-stakes drama, and a healthy dose of unpredictability, it's no wonder this show will be remembered for weeks to come. Until next time...

Card Details

Date: 22 Aug 2016
Promotion: World Wrestling Entertainment
Arena: Barclays Center
Type: TV-Show
Broadcast Type: Live
Broadcast Date: 22 Aug 2016

Matches

Seth Rollins defeat Sami Zayn in a WWE Universal Title #1 Contendership Qualifying Match
Match Time: 12:15
Kevin Owens defeat Neville in a WWE Universal Title #1 Contendership Qualifying Match
Match Time: 08:30
Big E defeat Karl Anderson in a Singles Match
Match Time: 03:35
Big Cass defeat Rusev in a WWE Universal Title #1 Contendership Qualifying Match
Match Time: 08:20
Bayley defeat Dana Brooke in a Singles Match
Match Time: 04:30
Braun Strowman defeat Johnny Knockout in a Singles Match
Match Time: 01:18
Roman Reigns defeat Chris Jericho in a WWE Universal Title #1 Contendership Qualifying Match
Match Time: 15:00