‘WWE Raw’ Review (Feb 20th 2023)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly… We’ve got the fallout from Elimination Chamber so let’s get into it!
Match #1: Sami Zayn def. Baron Corbin
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
As Sami Zayn was leaving, he was blindsided by Baron Corbin. Zayn fought back, however, and requested the impromptu match. Corbin had the upper hand, hitting a Chokeslam Backbreaker, but Zayn’s resolve was too much. Zayn surprised Corbin with the Helluva Kick to earn the bounce-back win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Mustafa Ali def. Dolph Ziggler
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With the two beefing over opportunities in recent weeks, Mustafa Ali and Dolph Ziggler finally squared off. Ali took a vicious route in the match, prying Ziggler’s mouth to show everyone his “smile.” As Ziggler was about to hit the Famouser, Ali evaded it and caught Ziggler in a crucifix pin for the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Asuka def. Nikki Cross
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Just 48 hours removed from the Elimination Chamber, Asuka and Nikki Cross battled once again, this time in a traditional one-on-one match. After Asuka missed a kick that instead connected squarely with the ring post, Cross took advantage by planting her on the ring apron, the hardest part of the ring. As Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair watched, Cross amped up the aggression, using the ring’s apron to batter the No. 1 Contender. Asuka fought back with a huge DDT from the second rope before Asuka slapped on the Asuka Lock to make Cross tap.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Seth “Freakin” Rollins def. The Miz
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With both of their paths to WrestleMania uncertain, Seth “Freakin” Rollins and The Miz battled each other for the first time in five years. As The Awesome One was blasting Rollins with “It” kicks, Miz whispered the name “Logan Paul” to Rollins. A suddenly irate Rollins stormed back to life to Stomp The Miz. Rollins continued to Stomp The Miz, to the point where the referee had to stop the match and award the win to The Visionary.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Bronson Reed def. Chad Gable
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Bronson Reed looked to bounce back from his Elimination Chamber Match defeat by taking on Alpha Academy’s Chad Gable. The Maximum Male Models have been trying to court Otis into their fold, leaving Gable a little miffed that he wasn’t considered. Reed started strong by using his brute power to overwhelm Gable, but Gable executed an Ankle Lock on “The Aus-Zilla.” In a jaw-dropping moment, Gable lifted Reed into a German Suplex. However, Gable could not capitalize as Otis was distracted by Maxxine Dupri. This lapse of judgment by Gable led to a Tsunami from Reed that wrapped up the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: United States Championship Match – Austin Theory def. Edge
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Edge looked to win the United States Championship for the first time since 2001 when The Alliance was running rampant in WWE. To put that into perspective, Austin Theory was only four years old in 2001. Theory strode into the advantage, trying to wear down the WWE Hall of Famer. Edge bounced back hitting a crossbody to the back of the champion from the top rope. Edge continued the assault with a superb Edge-O-Matic. As Theory was about to hit a rolling maneuver, Edge caught the champion with a sit-out powerbomb. Theory was about to tap as Edge locked on the crossface, but Theory was able to get himself to the ropes. As Edge was about to connect with a Spear, Finn Bálor made his way to the ring, clubbing The Rated-R Superstar. This allowed Theory to connect with the A-Town Down to retain his U.S. Title. After the match, Finn Bálor hit Edge with three Coup de Graces.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
This week’s show was at least better than last week’s… Though you got to ask why the hell you have Sami Zayn take on Baron Corbin right after his huge match against Roman Reigns at Elimination Chamber. But then that’s a great example of this entire show, which felt disjointed and absolutely nothing like a pay-per-view follow-up; or at least the follow-up that Elimination Chamber deserved.
