‘WWE Raw’ Review (Jan 30th 2023)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly… We’ve got the fallout from this past weekend’s Royal Rumble and a build towards Elimination Chamber… Do these PPVs… cough… Premium Events, never end?! Let’s get into it!
Match #1: Seth “Freakin” Rollins def. Chad Gable
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Seth Rollins escaped a painful ankle lock by The Alpha Academy’s Chad Gable before using his opponent’s momentum against him and blasting him with the Pedigree to earn the right to enter Elimination Chamber and challenge Austin Theory for the United States Title on Feb 18.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #2: IYO SKY def. Candice LeRae
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Thanks to interference from Bayley on the apron, Damage CTRL’s IYO SKY rolled up Candice LeRae for the quick pin.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #3: Johnny Gargano def. Baron Corbin
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Moments after Dexter Lumis neutralized JBL by putting an axe though the WWE Hall of Famer’s prized hat, Johnny Gargano avoided End of Days and locked in the small package to hand defeat to “The Modern-Day Wrestling God” Baron Corbin and earn the right to enter the Elimination Chamber and challenge Austin Theory for the United States Title.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #4: Rick Boogs def. The Miz
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Moments after once again complaining to the WWE Universe that he was not getting the respect he deserved on The Road to WrestleMania, The Miz was defeated in an impromptu matchup against the newest member of Monday Night Raw, Rick Boogs, who took down his opponent with his devastating Press Slam!
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: Bronson Reed def. Dolph Ziggler
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The hard-hitting Bronson Reed used an earth-shattering Tsunami off the top rope to dispose of Dolph Ziggler and earn the right to enter Elimination Chamber and challenge Austin Theory for the United States Title.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: Cody Rhodes def. Finn Bálor
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In an explosive Raw main event slugfest, Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes went to war with Finn Bálor. Edge and Beth Phoenix emerged looking for retribution against The Judgment Day and laid waste to Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley. With Superstars of the dark faction laid out in every direction, The American Nightmare avoided the Coup de Grace and executed three thunderous Cross Rhodes to emerge victorious.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
I don’t know what happened to this episode of Raw but it started SUPER strong and then fell off a cliff until the last match of the night which redeem things somewhat but not enough to drag this show out of the doldrums. There was a lot of promos and appearances in this episode of Raw too, building to both Elimination Chamber and Wrestlemania. Still nothing [much] to write home about.
