The New Days dream of becoming the longest-reigning tag-team champions in WWE history became a reality on Monday night, despite a series of hurdles which threatened to trip them up in the 11th hour.Forced to retain their titles in a pair of exciting triple-threat title matches that bookended the episode, The New Day eclipsed Demolitions record of 478 days in almost improbable fashion. Both matches had a pay-per-view feel as The Powers of Positivity overcame an early party foul against Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon, which led to a second match -- against four of the brands top stars, no less -- as payback.Interestingly enough, The New Day doesnt have a match scheduled for Sundays Roadblock: End of the Line PPV. But their struggle to overcome served as the canvas on which Raw, which emanated from Philadelphia, used to tell its biggest stories.Moments after The New Day defeated the teams of Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens/Chris Jericho in the main event, Reigns was the last man standing in the ring just days before his main event on Sunday against Owens for the WWE Universal championship.Reigns, the WWEs United States champion, interrupted an argument between former best friends Owens and Jericho to spear Owens before standing over his fallen body holding both title belts. The moment elicited a chorus of boos from the same crowd which famously did the same to Reigns after he won the 2015 Royal Rumble in predictable fashion.The predictable booking unfortunately followed Reigns into Raw this week, as the crowd also booed his rescue of former Shield teammate Rollins earlier in the night from a beatdown at the hands of Owens and Jericho.What we do know entering Sunday is that Reigns will meet Owens, and Jericho will face Rollins. But the status of the friendship between Owens and Jericho remains uncertain after Mondays drama, which saw their brief (and somewhat acrimonious) reunion spoiled when Owens accidentally broke up Jerichos pin attempt following a shove from Rollins.#PopUpCODEBREAKER!! But @WWERollins throws @FightOwensFight into the pin attempt to break it up! #RAW #TagTeamTitles pic.twitter.com/QA3NDRohGP- WWE (@WWE) December 13, 2016Mondays Raw wasnt quite up to the level of the resurgence seen over the past two weeks. In fact, the brands hottest storyline between Raw womens champion Sasha Banks and Charlotte was reduced to a mere video package recapping their recent history.There were as many hits as misses (see more below), which is likely a more realistic scenario as far as consistency is concerned moving forward, as Raw continues to tinker with how to properly book three hours of content during this current brand split. But the episode succeeded in proving more entertaining than it made sense at times.Sami Zayn secured the rematch against Braun Strowman on Sundays card that he has coveted for weeks thanks, to a well-written shouting match between himself and Raw general manager Mick Foley, in which Foley bluffed trading Zayn to SmackDown as a means to summon the fire within him. Every aspect of the multiple interactions between Zayn and Foley clicked on a high level.WWE also committed more time and energy to actual story lines within its cruiserweight division than has been seen up to this point. Brian Kendrick and TJ Perkins told a meaningful story to set up their triple threat match with cruiserweight champion Rich Swann on Sunday, and newcomer Jack Gallagher was given a strong push when he interrupted Ariya Daivaris match against Lince Dorado, leading to a brawl outside the ring.Raw remains headed in the right direction entering the final PPV card of 2016, and thats a better position than it has been in for months.Hits and missesThe New Days triple-threat match against the teams of Karl Anderson/Luke Gallows and Cesaro/Sheamus was a tremendous way to open Mondays show, and nearly as good as the 40-minute main event. Both matches featured well-booked spots and believable near-falls. But the highlight of the opener may have been Cesaro taking out all four of his competitors in succession (both inside and out of the ring), which included an homage to Rey Mysterio Jr.s 619 finishing move, creatively dubbed Swiss-1-9 by announcers Michael Cole and Corey Graves.It was fun to see WWE continue its long-standing tradition of having every formal event -- from parties and ceremonies to weddings and contract signings -- end in absolute chaos, as Stephanie McMahon angrily halted The New Days celebration. But the highlight of Mondays shindig may have been an earlier shot of the festivities which featured an exuberant Bob Backlund creepily toasting some local enhancement talent:THE PARTY IS ON in #TheNewDays locker room as they are victorious on #RAW! @TrueKofi @XavierWoodsPhD @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/RvGQvQNsj6- WWE (@WWE) December 13, 2016While WWE ultimately failed to follow through with a trade between Raw and SmackDown, which has been teased on both shows in recent months, it may be time for a minor transaction or two to spice things up. Raw talent like Zayn and Strowman could see themselves worked into title opportunities quicker on the SmackDown side, as could Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler should they make the move to Raw.Rollins is an amazing talent and one of WWEs most valuable superstars as a whole. But his face turn over the past six months simply isnt working, and its time the company responds. Rollins struggled through hosting duties of his own talking segment, The Rollins Report, on Monday, which simply isnt the best use of his skill set. And while it was nice to see Rollins call out Triple H for the second straight week, its a notion thats about four months too late, as Raws most gaping plot hole continues to remain unfilled. A mini-Shield reunion has been teased in recent weeks between Rollins and Reigns, which can only help both characters, but a continued turn to the dark side would truly be best for business for all parties.As evidenced by his brief backstage interview with Charly Caruso, Swann can really work on the microphone. His Oh Charly, baby girl shtick is just as infectious as his dance moves. More face time, please.While keeping Bayley busy with a makeshift feud while Sasha Banks and Charlotte continue their memorable feud is important, this current program with Alicia Fox isnt working. Bayleys character simply doesnt have the depth to believably fall into an accidental love triangle between Fox and Cedric Alexander (which was halfheartedly teased). If the WWE does end up pulling the trigger on a trade between brands, getting Bayley an upgrade from the deeper SmackDown roster would be a welcome change.Its always a gray area when babyfaces not named Stone Cold Steve Austin act like unrepentant heels. And while Big Cass rightfully sought storyline retribution on Rusev for the severe beating that was administered last week against tag-team partner Enzo Amore, the big man failed to justify Amores actions of entering a married womans hotel room. Big Cass will seek retribution against Rusev on Sundays pre-show, yet Im not sure Rusev and wife Lana admitting that they set Amore up completely absolves the Skywalker Smack-Talker from his moral transgressions.Move of the nightThere were many spots in the well-booked main event that competed for top honors on Mondays show, including a six-man double powerbomb/superplex combo, a pop-up Codebreaker from Jericho and Owens and a throwback Lionsault from Jericho featuring full extension. But Xavier Woods reminded us of just how great a worker he is (which often gets overshadowed by his abilities as a mouthpiece) by landing a springboard elbow drop three-quarters across the ring onto Reigns..@XavierWoodsPhD ACROSS THE RING onto @WWERomanReigns!! ONE TWO NOOO!! #TagTeamTitles #RAW pic.twitter.com/9StMezJxak- WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) December 13, 2016Line of the nightIm going to tell you what I want. I want you to remember this moment in time! Remember how angry you feel, how bitter you feel. Remember that, this side of rage that quells inside of you. I want you to be able to bottle it and duplicate it on Sunday night, because youre going to need every bit of it when you face Braun Strowman at Roadblock. There was never a trade! I wouldnt trade Sami Zayn from Monday Night Raw. Not for anyone. I believe in you, I always have. I just questioned whether a guy as nice as you, a credit to WWE, had a soul to get nasty enough, mean enough to survive a monster like Strowman. And the answer you gave me is yes. -- Mick Foley Blue Air Jordan 2 Retro . Despite the cost, effort and an improved steroid test, its possible that very few -- if any -- positives will be detected, Dr. Richard Budgett told The Associated Press in an interview. "We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said. Discount Air Jordan 2 Retro . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. http://www.cheapairjordan2retro.com/ . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead. Mens White Air Jordan 2 Retro . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. Cheap Nike Air Jordan 2 Retro . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Its that time of year, late October, and World Series talk is in the air.Theres one theme in this Cubs-Indians matchup that Im familiar with: the significance of well-known jinxes.In 1980 with the Phillies, we were constantly reading about how wed never won it all. Then we busted the longest skid in baseball.Cleveland is battling history as well. Its last win, the 1948 Series over the Boston Braves.Now the kings of jinx, those beloved Cubbies. They appeared in 1945, but last won in 1908.Thats a long time, boys. Whats the story?A lot of people will have fun with this -- Cubs and Indians, and whose curse is the strongest. Fans will pull out every anti-jinx weapon they can find.Chicago is well known for its efforts. Theyve tried a goat on the field, holy water sprinkled around the dugout, electrocuting the Bartman ball and three guys dragging a goat across country.None worked.Cleveland vs. Chicago at every level from politics to sports, and the hottest topic will be the Cubbies fighting their past.So how do the players themselves handle trying to win these games with history against them?Youd think with all the social media exposure the jinxes will be getting, the players would be consumed with the fear of losing.Not even close.The players wont give it a second thought. To them, its a waste of time, its only something that is attached to a negative outcome by fans and media.In Philly in 1980, the media recalled our teams long drought, the Whiz Kids missing out in 1950 and the Phold of `64.But inside the clubhouse, there was never a mention of these jinxes.Can you imagine Pete Rose saying to Steve Carlton, Lefty, what do you want to do about our jinx?I bet if you ask the Indians players, theyd have no idea when the Indians were last in the Series.Cubs may be a diffeerent story because they still play in the stadium where their jinxes were born.dddddddddddd Youd have to live under a rock not to at least be aware of them. But a factor in their play? Not a chance.One of the things that makes baseball so beloved is that its there every day from April to October. You can become so consumed by it that you believe outside forces are at work affecting the outcomes.Youve heard of golf gods, the higher powers of the game that you never want to cross in fear of being punished.Baseball has them, too. Heres how they work: The baseball gods, those spirits of the game that every player believes in, love teams that play fundamentally sound, dont strike out in key situations, move runners, play good defense and run the bases.They frown on teams that swing for the fences, dont hustle, and give the opponent extra outs.Teams that win in the postseason do little things that matter, and wait for the big things to come. Teams that lose in the postseason try to force the action, play tight and dont let the game come to them.I know because Ive been on both sides.So the challenge for both the Indians and Cubs will be to play the game, under the pressure of the World Series, with patience, relaxation and confidence.The fans and media can have fun with the jinxes, and one of these teams will continue their futility in the Series. But make no mistake, after the umpire says play ball, history will not affect the outcome.---Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt was MVP of the 1980 World Series when the Philadelphia Phillies won their first World Series championship. He hit 548 career home runs, including four in a game at Wrigley Field. ' ' '