‘WWE Raw’ Review (May 22nd 2023)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly… The WWE are still building to Night of Champions so let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: Bronson Reed def. Ricochet
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Despite a hard-fought effort by Ricochet, the devastating Bronson Reed overcame The One and Only with the Tsunami.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Zoey Stark def. Candice LeRae
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In Candice LeRae’s matchup against Zoey Stark, Nikki Cross grabbed The Poison Pixie in an attempt to cheer her on. Her enthusiastic efforts backfired, however, and allowed Stark to take out both Superstars before finishing LeRae with the Z-360.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #3: The Alpha Academy def. The Viking Raiders
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With Otis down in the final moments, Valhalla began to stalk Maxxine Dupri around the ring. During the distraction, Chad Gable thwarted a 2-on-1 attack by The Viking Raiders by kicking Ivar to the ringside floor before picking up the athletic quick pin on Erik.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Finn Bálor def. Shinsuke Nakamura
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Following multiple instances of interference from Damian Priest, Shinsuke Nakamura chased him outside the ring. This distraction, however, allowed Bálor to dropkick his opponent into the ringside barricade before finishing The King of Strong Style with the Coup de Grace.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Raquel Rodriguez def. Sonya Deville
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After being forced to relinquish the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title following a Liv Morgan injury, Raquel Rodriguez took on a member of one of the teams that she will face to get it back, Sonya Deville. Moments after Rodriguez overcame her opponent with the Tejana Bomb, Shotzi emerged to help Raquel put a stop to a post-match attack by Deville and Chelsea Green.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #6: Dominik Mysterio def. Apollo Crews
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
SmackDown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley blocked Apollo Crews from pursuing Dominik Mysterio at ringside. This allowed Dom time to regroup and throw his opponent into the steel steps. Then, as Mysterio got back in the ring and distracted the official, Ripley drove Crews into the ring post. Although Crew made it back into the ring, Dominik quickly followed up with a frog splash for the win.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Matt Riddle def. Imperium
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After The Original Bro and KO neutralized The Ring General outside the ring, Sami Zayn sent Ludwig Kaiser out of the ring. Moments later, Zayn hit the Helluva Kick on Giovanni Vinci. This set up Owens to hit the Swanton Bomb for the win. For, Owens and Zayn it was a huge victory heading in their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Title Match against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa at WWE Night of Champions. It remains to be seen, though, what effect the loss will have on Gunther against Mustafa Ali in their Intercontinental Title Match.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Three great matches on a three-hour show… I guess we have to settle for one great match an hour whilst sitting through a bunch of mediocre matches and some truly over-wrought promos and segments that did absolutely nothing to get people excited for Night of Champions, in fact after all the Cody/Brock stuff on this week’s show I even LESS inclined to tune into their match during the forthcoming pay-per-view. Talk about turning your fans off the product! Hopefully post-PPV, Raw can get back to being good again rather than just OK. Maybe..?
