WWE Monday Night RAW
KeyArena, Seattle, WA
02.08.16

It’s my second time seeing live WWE wrestling here at Seattle’s KeyArena, but there’s something in the air tonight that reinvents the “Raw.” Thousands of fans cram the arena for Monday Night Raw, bombarded by strobe lights and pyrotechnics galore, as some of the biggest names in the WWE make their appearances. The night kicks off with a video package in honor of retiring hometown wrestling hero Daniel Bryan before a contract signing for Fastlane. Stephanie McMahon steps into the ring to get signatures for the three-way contender’s match that will determine who faces her husband Triple H at WrestleMania for the WWE World Heavyweight Title. The threesome of Dean Ambrose, Brock Lesnar, and the irrepressibly attractive Roman Reigns huff and puff their way through an ensuing scuffle during the signing, which is essentially the perfect setup for the rest of the night.

The entertainment of the night is tempered by various inconsequential matches, but constant throughout is the cheering for Bryan. Between matches, celebrity tweets flash across the jumbotron bearing the hashtag #ThankYouDanielBryan along with sentimental notes that display just how much this unsuspecting local boy had an effect on professional wrestling. The main event is wrapped up in a tag-team of The New Day and Mark Henry vs. The Dudley Boyz and The Usos. There are head butts. There are super kicks. There’s a table match that looks like it hurts. And then there’s the wait.

Typically at the end of the show, a crowd will stand and file out, but not tonight. Tonight they’re waiting. There’s another video segment until finally the revered Daniel Bryan takes to the ring, clad in fresh lumberjack plaid, infamous beard trimmed short, clearly hovering on the edge of tears. The chanting of “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Is overwhelming as Bryan takes a moment to close his eyes and soak it all in. Eventually the chanting calms and Bryan is able to speak, and while not particularly eloquent, he is humble. He clearly addresses his retirement and its traumatic head-injury cause – concussions are no joke kids – and makes sure to work in his pet charities for kids. He makes a sex joke, laughs as the fans chant “That’s what she said” in response, and there’s not a dry eye in the building as he reiterates his endless gratitude towards the WWE, his fans, and his family.

The WWE lost a good one this week, the rare wrestling personality who seems to have made a real connection despite expectation. On his way out, Bryan shakes hands and hugs fans who line the ring, under the admiring gaze and applause of the entire WWE team. The emotion is real, and this is Raw.

Review by Stephanie Dore
Photos by Sunny Martini

WWE Monday Night Raw