WWE Raw – April 20th 2020: Results & Review
Welcome to this week’s review of Monday Night Raw, right here on Nerdly. I’m Nathan Favel and…I have to get something from my closet. I’ll just turn the TalkTech off and be right back. (TALKTECH activated) (distant voice) Where’s that damn shirt? Where are yo…ah! (man has left closet) I’m glad I found this shirt. I’m so happy I found my shirt. I’m ha…what’s that other… guy?!. This computer program is really detailed and won’t turn off, even when I press the damn button! I can’t erase any-thing. My life sucks. Let’s get started.
Match #1: Aleister Black def. Austin Theory – Men’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Though Theory had Zelina Vega shouting advice to him from the commentary table, it was not enough for the 23-year-old to end Aleister Black’s Money in the Bank hopes. The Dutch Destroyer felled Theory with a devastating Black Mass.
My Opinion: 3.4 out of 5 – This was an excellent way to start the card. There isn’t a bad moment here, but I wanted this match go farther than the ten/eleven minutes, along with just a tad more juice getting pumped in the engine. If you wanna watch a match that is technically sound and just as entertaining, than this match will be your Huckleberry…Hound. I was so gay, but I couldn’t tell anyone…is how good this match is. Hands…lightning with my hands… lightning with my hands… lightning with my haaaaaaaaands…and what good match.
Match #2: Shayna Baszler def. Indi Hartwell
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
One week after viciously breaking Sarah Logan’s arm with a stomp, Shayna Baszler used the same method to pick up the win over NXT’s Indi Hartwell. However, the punishment did not stop at the bell. The Queen of Spades sandwiched Hartwell’s arm in a ladder and stomped it once again, sending a message to the rest of her Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match opponents.
My Opinion: 1.8 out of 5 – Shayna killed Mrs. Garrett from The Facts Of Life in a squash match…b—-.
Match #3: Ricochet & Cedric Alexander def. Shane Thorne & Brendan Vink
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The high-flying duo of Ricochet & Alexander bounced back after last week’s loss to The Viking Raiders, picking up the win after hitting Thorne with a Recoil and a Lumbar Check.
My Opinion: 2 out of 5 – This was a f—— squash match.
Match #4: Nia Jax def. Kairi Sane
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Kairi Sane had The Irresistible Force down to one knee in this rematch from last Monday, but it was not enough to keep Jax down. Nia recovered and crushed Sane with a Samoan Drop to get the three count.
My Opinion: 1.4 out of 5 – Godzilla killed Bambi…again…poor little f—–. I hate squash matches.
Match #5: Apollo Crews def. MVP – Men’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The veteran MVP put the up-and-coming Apollo Crews to the test, but Crews prevailed, planting the former United States Champion into the mat with the Toss Powerbomb for the win and punching his ticket to the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
My Opinion: 3.1 out of 5 – These guys had a nice fight, which sounds like a brawl in a Mormon church. MVP put over Crews, who seems to have an angel by his side this time. It’s good to see both of these guys in primetime national wrestling, especially with such stakes set upon their bout. All in all, this was two big, tough guys taking a chunk out of each other for upwards of ten minutes.
Match #6: Liv Morgan def. Ruby Riott
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Former Riott Squad teammates collided on Monday night, with Liv Morgan driving Ruby Riott face first into the canvas to pick up the W.
My Opinion: 2.5 out of 5 – This was a few minutes of “the wrong person is about to win”. The wrestling was decent, but Ruby should have won this thing hands down, not lost it to little fanfare.
Match #7: Rey Mysterio def. Buddy Murphy – Men’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The disciple of Seth Rollins thought youth would be his ticket to the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match, but Rey Mysterio showed that experience was superior and defeated Murphy to earn his way to WWE Money in the Bank.
My Opinion: 3.6 out of 5 – This was good s—. Rey and Murphy had the chemistry and delivered the goods. The wrestling was intense and never let-up from the ring of the bell. Murphy has come a long way since he first started several years ago and has become good a hand as any fighter right now. What can be said about Rey that hasn’t already been said? You’ll enjoy this one.
Match #8: Charlotte Flair def. Kayden Carter
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
NXT’s Kayden Carter nearly pulled the upset off, catching The Queen off at several junctures, but Flair fought back and put Carter away with the Figure Eight. Now, the NXT Women’s Champion has her eye on Mia Yim. She may “swing by” the black-and-gold brand this Wednesday to see if The HBIC is around.
My Opinion: 2.4 out of 5 – Far too short to be what it could have been, but not too bad for what it was.
Match #9: Andrade def. Akira Tozawa
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Tozawa was looking to capitalize on his victory in the Interim NXT Cruiserweight Title Tournament with a win over the United States Champion, but Andrade stopped his aggressive opponent with a Hammerlock DDT.
My Opinion: 3.5 out of – This was about as good a five minute match as you’ll get. Akira was something special this time out and I hope Vince actually sees that. Andrade was excellent here and helped keep the momentum of the match at a high level. I bet you’ll like this.
Match #10: Bianca Belair def. Santana Garrett
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With The Street Profits singing her praises on commentary, Bianca Belair powered her way to victory with the KOD.
My Opinion: 2.2 out of 5 – Santana, one of the best wrestlers in the world, lost a squash to a decent fighter in Belair? Yeah, that sounds like the WWE.
Match #11: (Main Event) Drew McIntyre def. Angel Garza
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The WWE Champion took Garza out with a Claymore Kick, and then delivered the same fate to Austin Theory when Zelina Vega sent him after McIntyre.
My Opinion: 3 out of 5 – These guys had a good five or so minutes that kept the crowd alive…that’s funny. While not quite what I was hoping for, there’s enough strong back-and-forth to keep the whole thing rolling along in place (in style as well). Over-all, the length was what kept this match from making a bigger mark.
News Of The Night:
- Charly Caruso and Angel Garza wanna f— each other (Garza’s horny promo got her attention).
- Drew McIntyre fights Seth Rollins for the WWE World Title at Money In The Bank, thanks to Seth accepting the match via a fine promo.
Final Verdict: 3.3/5
The length of the matches was a huge issue, but the quality was there in several cases, so this is an enthusiastic 3.3.
