‘WWE Raw’ Review (23rd May 2022)
Guess who’s back reviewing WWE Raw? Nerdly that’s who! Yes, we’re getting back into regularly reviewing the WWE’s flagship show going forward. Hopefully watching and enjoying and not hate-watching though! Let’s get into the review…
Match #1: Riddle & The Street Profits def. The Usos & Sami Zayn
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After The Usos defeated RK-Bro to became the new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions on SmackDown with the help of Roman Reigns, The Head of the Table and his cousins delivered a nefarious post-match attack on their defeated opponents after the bell. As a result, Riddle returned to Raw out for retribution on The Bloodline for taking an already injured Randy Orton out of action. Before he joined forces with The Street Profits in a Six-Man Tag Team Match against Jimmy & Jey and Sami Zayn, The Original Bro ignited an all-out brawl outside the ring. Then, in the final moments of their subsequent showdown, The Usos opted to walk out and paved the way for Riddle to earn payback when he hit the RKO on Zayn for the win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Damian Priest & Rhea Ripley def. AJ Styles & Liv Morgan
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Still in the crosshairs of The Judgment Day, Liv Morgan teamed with AJ Styles against Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest, as Edge watched from his mountain of Omnipotence at ringside. In the final moments of the contest, interference by Edge allowed The Nightmare to pick up the quick pin on her former partner. Then, The Judgment Day laid siege to both Styles and Morgan and left then down on the canvas.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Alexa Bliss def. Nikki A.S.H.
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Goddess of WWE overcame her one-time friend turned bitter enemy Nikki A.S.H. with Twisted Bliss.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Cody Rhodes def. The Miz (DQ)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Less then two weeks before going to war with Seth “Freakin” Rollins inside WWE Hell in a Cell, Cody Rhodes climbed to the top rope in an attempt to finish off The Miz in their one-on-one matchup. As he did, The Visionary suddenly emerged from nowhere and threw him off the top ropes and crashing down to the ringside floor. Seth and The A-Lister then unleashed a two-on-one attack and hurled Rhodes into the steel steps to injury Rhodes’ knee. Then, Rollins stole Cody’s weight belt that he has gifted to a child in the crowd and struck The American Nightmare with it.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Ezekiel def. Chad Gable
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After Kevin Owens and Otis got ejected for interfering in the matchup, Ezekiel used the commotion to overcome Chad Gable with the rollup. After Ezekiel escaped a post-match attack by Owens and Otis and headed into the crowd, an out-of-control KO challenged him to a one-on-one matchup at WWE Hell in a Cell.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: MVP def. Bobby Lashley
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
En route to Bobby Lashley’s rematch against Omos at WWE Hell in Cell, the former WWE Champion challenged his one-time cohort MVP to a match with the winner choosing the stipulation for the June 5 Premium Live Event showdown between The All Mighty and The Nigerian Giant. When Lashley got in an altercation with Omos outside the ring, the referee didn’t see Omos put his hands on his foe and, as a result, counted out The All Mighty from the match. In response, an enraged Lashley put MVP in a post-match Hurt Lock.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #7: Becky Lynch def. Asuka
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Big Time Becks battled Asuka for the opportunity to get added to Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair’s match against The Empress of Tomorrow at WWE Hell in a Cell. When the explosive back-and-forth moved outside the ring, Asuka accidently kicked Belair as she looked on. Lynch took advantage of the bedlam, and when Asuka struggled to beat the count back in the ring, Becky picked up the quick pin.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
Well that was a rollercoaster of a show, opening strong, waning in the middle and then picking up for the finale. This was easily one of the better episodes of Raw I’ve seen in some time (yes I still watch even when not reviewing). Interesting to see Riddle storyline continuing on Raw after the big loss on Smackdown on Friday… A further sign of the brand split ending? I really dug the mixed tag match this week – good to see Liv Morgan mixing it up with the likes of AJ Styles and I’m enjoying the The Judgment Day faction so it was a win-win for me. As usual Becky and Asuka delivered a great main event though I’m not sure how long WWE can just keep focussing on the pair {and Bianca Belair) and ignoring a lot of the other women in the company. We shall see. Anyway, a decent episode of Raw to kick off this week’s wrestling coverage!
