‘WWE Raw’ Review (Jan 5th 2024)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly. Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match – #DIY def. The New Day, The Creed Brothers and Imperium
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In a high-stakes Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match, #DIY gained the upper hand over their opponents to hit Meeting in the Middle on Giovanni Vinci for the victory. With the huge win, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa will take on Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne on Friday’s SmackDown to see who will earn the right to challenge Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Judgment Day at WWE Elimination Chamber.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #2:Becky Lynch def. Shayna Baszler
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Despite Shayna Baszler targeting Becky Lynch’s arm throughout their matchup, The Man roared back and overcame The Submission Magician with the Man-handle Slam. As a result of the victory, Lynch will step into the Elimination Chamber for the first time to fight for an opportunity to challenge Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #3: Ivar & Valhalla def. Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Ivar executed the World’s Strongest Slam off the second rope to give himself and Valhalla a Mixed Tag Team Match win over The Alpha Academy’s Maxxine Dupri and their junior member Akira Tozawa.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #4: The Miz def. JD McDonagh
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After R-Truth climbed on the apron and distracted JD McDonagh with his T-shirt sale money, The Miz took the opportunity to hit the Skull-Crushing Finale for the three-count.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship – The Kabuki Warriors def. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In an explosive title rematch, Kairi Sane hurled Katana Chance into the steel steps and paved the way for a decisive Insane Elbow on Kayden Carter to defeat the former titleholders.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: Bull Rope Match – Cody Rhodes def. Shinsuke Nakamura
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In a brutal Bull Rope Match during which the heated adversaries left everything on the canvas, the nefarious Shinsuke Nakamura sprayed Cody Rhodes with the mist and followed up with a devastating Kinshasa. Nevertheless, the irate American Nightmare dug deep and used the rope to unleash a series of low blows to Nakamura before finally finishing him with the Cross Rhodes. Moments after the bell, however, Rhodes suffered a vicious post-match assault by Drew McIntyre.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
What the hell happened here? This week’s Raw started off so, SO hot and then petered out after the second match – falling into average mediocrity until Cody’s match against Shinsuke revived the show for the conclusion. The storytelling was on point this week but the match quality in the mid-section of the show really let things down. But hey, at least we got those first two matches… with a particularly great match from Becky Lynch and Shayna Baszler!
