‘WWE Raw’ Review (Feb 14th 2022)
Surprise, surprise. Yes, I’m back with a WWE Monday Night Raw review. Why? Because I’m trying to be fair and give WWE the benefit of the doubt, especially given that co-editor and host of Nerdly Out Loud, Kev, has been telling me that there are some good matches among the usual WWE dross. Let’s see!
Match #1: The Street Profits def. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Former NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa had a front-row seat at the Raw announce table for this one stemming from Dolph Ziggler’s recent appearance on NXT 2.0. The Street Profits, meanwhile, wanted all the smoke as per usual from Ziggler & Robert Roode, and when Ziggler found himself face-to-face with Ciampa at ringside, Ciampa threw some water in The Showoff’s face. Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford seized the opportunity in the ring as Ford nailed Roode with an awe-inspiring Frog Splash to pick up the victory for the Profits.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #2: United States Champion Damian Priest def. AJ Styles
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Embarking on a quest to eventually become a double champion, AJ Styles had to first defeat Damian Priest for the United States Championship. The Phenomenal One gave it his all just five days ahead of competing inside the Elimination Chamber for the WWE Title, but Priest rolled up Styles and escaped with the win to remain United States Champion.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Omos def. Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
A declined invitation earlier in the day from Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin for Omos to join them in reviving The Hurt Business set up this extremely one-sided Handicap Match. Omos was in the mood to destroy his competition, and that is exactly what he did, capping off the dominant victory with a massive two-handed Chokeslam to Alexander.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Women’s Gauntlet Match – Winner Bianca Belair
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Rhea Ripley was finally able to gain retribution against former friend Nikki A.S.H. in the first leg of this match, dropping her with a big Riptide for the victory. Liv Morgan tried her best to overcome the formidable Ripley. However, The Nightmare was able to seal the win with another incredible Riptide. The mighty Doudrop was no match for The Nightmare, as Ripley triumphed after hitting yet another massive Riptide on her opponent. Ripley tried to do the unthinkable and run the entire gauntlet by defeating The EST of WWE in the final match, but Bianca Belair was just too much for The Nightmare. Belair picked up the win with an earth-shattering K.O.D., and as a result, she will now be the last Superstar to enter the Elimination Chamber Match with a Raw Women’s Championship opportunity at WrestleMania 38 on the line.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #5: Alpha Academy def. Rey & Dominik Mysterio
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Miz & Maryse paid close attention from the commentary table as Rey & Dominik Mysterio took on former Raw Tag Team Champions Alpha Academy. Chad Gable & Otis, still fuming from their defeat in the Academic Challenge against RK-Bro last week, bounced back thanks to a little help from The A-Lister. When The Miz provoked Rey Mysterio to attack him with a dive off the apron, Dominik leapt off the top rope and hit Gable with a crossbody, but Master Gable was able to turn the pin around for the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Seth “Freakin” Rollins def. Randy Orton
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Looking for a big win prior to the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match, Seth “Freakin” Rollins would have to roll through 14-time World Champion Randy Orton. The back-and-forth action between these two was exhilarating and culminated when Alpha Academy emerged to ruin The Viper’s night. Riddle rushed out to his partner’s aid, but Rollins capitalized on the distraction and connected with a Stomp to defeat Orton and make a major statement just five days before stepping inside the Elimination Chamber.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Well Kev was right, there is some good among the dross. In this case a fantastic women’s gauntlet match, the main event (but give that it is Rollins and Orton that was a given) and a brilliant performance by Chad Gable in his match – though that guy needs to be positioned in the Kurt Angle league of pro-WRESTLERS, not a clown act like he has been. Two good matches, a bunch of average, or worse squash matches, in a show this long though? Yeah, Raw needs a re-think in terms of storytelling and match ratio. Still, I might be back next week.
