‘WWE Raw’ Review (Apr 24th 2023)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly… We’ve got the build to Backlash so let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: The Bloodline def. LWO
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Just days away from the WWE Draft and weeks away from WWE Backlash, The LWO and The Bloodline threw down in a Six-Man Tag Team Match. With new music inspired by WWE Hall of Famer Eddie Guerrero, The LWO confidently strode down to the ring. Their confidence paid off at the start when they stood tall to begin the match. The LWO continued their dominance with Santos Escobar lighting up The Usos and Sikoa with jumping knee strikes and crossbodys. A superb Phoenix Splash by Del Toro almost gave The LWO a resounding win, but The Bloodline were able to survive long enough for Solo Sikoa to flatline Joaquin Wilde. Before del Toro could connect with an awesome dropkick, Sikoa dropped del Toro with the Samoan Spike. The 1D from The Usos put del Toro away for good.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: The Street Profits def. Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Looking to establish hierarchy in the tag team division before the WWE Draft, The Street Profits faced off against Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin. Benjamin started the match hot, blindsiding Angelo Dawkins with a cheap shot. Alexander followed up with a Michinoku Driver that nearly got the quick victory. The Street Profits were able to get back into it with Montez Ford’s athleticism and Dawkins’ strength. Ford hit From the Heavens to gain the momentous victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #3: Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez def. Damage CTRL
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair got a championship group together as she was joined by WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez in her Six-Woman Tag Team Match against Damage CTRL. Rodriguez used her height to help Morgan hit Dakota Kai with a stunning senton bomb. Damage CTRL were able to isolate Morgan from her teammates with IYO SKY. SKY, who faces Belair at WWE Backlash, took The EST out of the equation by slamming her into the ring steps. As the match broke down, Rodriguez used Morgan as a weapon before Belair hit the K.O.D. on Bayley to ensure the three champions stood tall.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Mustafa Ali def. Chad Gable
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In front of his hometown of Chicago, Mustafa Ali took on the Alpha Academy’s master Chad Gable, who had both Maxxine Durpi and Otis at ringside. Ali was able to counter Gable’s Chaos Theory into a roll-up to garner the hometown win.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: Cody Rhodes def. Finn Bálor
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Competing in the same building for the first time since his brutal battle with Seth “Freakin” Rollins inside Hell in a Cell, The American Nightmare took on The Judgment Day’s Finn Bálor. Rhodes and Bálor battled each other in front of the new World Heavyweight Championship, the new title bringing out the best in each competitor. Rhodes flattened Bálor with the Disaster Kick before setting up the Cross Rhodes. Bálor, however, would counter with a picture-perfect reverse DDT. Bálor kept up the attack on Rhodes’ ribs, hitting him with the slingblade. As Bálor was setting up the corner dropkick, Rhodes stunned The Prince with a superkick before a phenomenal Cody Cutter. Bálor would be successful with the Shotgun Dropkick on the second try, but his attempt at the Coup de Grace backfired. This enabled Rhodes to hit the Pedigree followed by a Cross Rhodes to send a clear message to Brock Lesnar with the victory.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #6: Rey Mysterio def. Damian Priest (DQ)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Rey Mysterio had his work cut out for him as Damian Priest was easily able to dispatch Mysterio to the outside to start the match. Mysterio managed to get back in the contest, soaring through the air with the greatest of ease, hitting a crossbody. Before Mysterio was about the dial up the special three numbers, Priest clobbered Mysterio with a mouthful of his boot. Priest looked to end the match after hitting a perfect Flatliner. Upset over not putting Mysterio away, Priest went to ringside to grab a steel chair. Before Priest could use it, Mysterio hit him with a 619. But just as Mysterio looked to hit the West Coast Pop, Priest threw the chair in the face of Mysterio, earning the disqualification.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Triple H revealed a new WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt.
- Bad Bunny challenged Damian Priest to a San Juan Street Fight at WWE Backlash in Puerto Rico
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
An OK show this week. One that didn’t set the world alight, even with the announcement of the new World Heavyweight Championship – something that, to me, felt more story-driven due to the amount of shade thrown at Roman Reigns during Triple H’s introduction. I’m digging the closing promo with Bad Bunny challenging Damien Priest to a match in front of a Puerto Rican crowd at Backlash, which should make for one hell of a match – I’m expecting a fever-pitched response from the live fans! Overall, I can’t help but feel that the WWE are going to be in a holding position until the Draft comes along though, so expect more “OK” shows than great ones!
