‘WWE Raw’ Review (July 18th 2022)
Welcome to this week’s review of WWE Raw, the company’s flagship show which this week follows one of the worst episodes of Smackdown I’ve seen in some time.And yes, that’s exactly what I said last week but the same applies to this week! Let’s see what this show has to offer…
Match #1: Raw Women’s Championship – Bianca Belair def. Carmella
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The margin of error could not have been tighter for this encounter as Carmella could win the Raw Women’s Championship via pinfall, submission or count out. A perennial thorn in the side of The EST of WWE, Becky Lynch made her presence felt before the match laying out the champion with a Manhandle Slam. Lynch scouted her competition from the announce table, as it was announced that the winner would face her at SummerSlam for the Raw Women’s Championship. Belair had to battle to get back inside the ring on multiple occasions but in the end Belair stayed ready and put Carmella away with the K.O.D. After the match, Big Time Becks picked up the Raw Women’s title, lifting it high in the air before dropping it on the floor at the feet of the reigning champion.
My Score: 1.5 out of 5
Match #2: Damian Priest def. Rey Mysterio
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
One week before Rey Mysterio’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, The Master of the 619 contended with Damian Priest in another battle in the Mysterio’s war against The Judgment Day. Mysterio gave it his all but The Archer of Infamy was too much, getting the victory with a Razor’s Edge. The drama continued after the match as The Judgment Day held Rey Mysterio in a con-chair-to position as his son Dominik was forced to choose between either joining The Judgment Day or watch his father succumb to the vicious maneuver. Dominik had no choice but to surrender to the nefarious group, but The Judgment Day did not believe his admission and left both Dominik and Rey reeling in the ring.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Seth “Freakin” Rollins def. Ezekiel
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Ezekiel was ‘Zeked’ up after Rollins had ambushed and stomped Riddle earlier in the evening and wanted to teach him a lesson in respect. Ezekiel had a strong showing, countering many of Rollins’ attempts to put him away. After a series of reversals, Rollins would close out the clash by Stomping Elias’ younger brother just like he did to Riddle.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Angelo Dawkins def. Omos (DQ)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Excited about the prospect of having Jeff Jarrett be the Special Guest Referee for their match at SummerSlam against the Usos, Angelo Dawkins accepted the challenge of The Nigerian Giant. With the Usos looking on, Omos pummeled away at Dawkins but the Profits’ representative wouldn’t give up enraging the towering behemoth. MVP couldn’t help but stick his nose in the match, but it backfired as the referee caught wind of this and gave the victory to Dawkins by disqualification.
My Score: 0.5 out of 5
Match #5: The Street Profits def. Omos & MVP (DQ)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After having lost to Angelo Dawkins by Disqualification, Omos was irate and understandably so. WWE Official Adam Pearce came up with a solution and ordered The Street Profits and Omos & MVP to engage in a tag team showdown. MVP in suit and all, kicked it old school hitting the Ballin’ Elbow Drop onto Dawkins. Dawkins would then take out MVP by throwing him into the Usos who were ringside. After Montez Ford hit a huge splash on Omos for a one count, the Usos interfered. The match was called off immediately with the Profits winning by disqualification. The Usos assault on the Street Profits was relentless with the reigning Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions delivering a Superkick to both Ford and Dawkins. The Usos barrage would end when they fed Ford to the ravenous Omos who planted both Profits with a Double Chokeslam.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: AJ Styles def. Theory (Count Out)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After knocking some sense into Theory, AJ Styles tussled with the braggadocios Mr. Money in the Bank. Theory’s recent rival Dolph Ziggler was also at ringside causing trouble for the young upstart throughout the match. Ziggler’s scheming would eventually cost Theory the match after a rapturous Superkick left Theory outside the ring. Theory could not answer the count and suffered a loss to the veteran Superstar. Not to be outdone, AJ Styles hit the Styles Clash on Theory after the match for one final message.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #7: Alexa Bliss, Asuka & Dana Brooke def. Doudrop, Nikki A.S.H. & Tamina
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Raw Women’s Division was in full force with a chaotic Six-Woman tag Team match. 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke had challengers outside the ring as well with the 24/7 Title mob attempting to gain the Championship during the match. A run of mayhem would lead to Akira Tozawa, Nikki A.S.H., Alexa Bliss, Doudrop and Tamina all holding the title, but Brooke would regain the championship and make her escape. Asuka took advantage of the chaos, snapping the Asuka Lock on Nikki A.S.H. to gain the win.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2/5
Wow. When I said this episode of Raw was following the WORST episode of Smackdown in some time I wasn’t expecting this show to try and be even worse! You have to wonder what’s going on when the only decent matches are featuring two veterans – Seth Rollins and AJ Styles – who both carried their respective matches over the line. That’s TWO matches on a 7-match show. Seven matches, in three hours! When I layout these blog posts/reviews, I always have placeholders for eight matches in the hopes, the hopes, that we’ll get a semi-stacked show out of Raw’s three-hour timeslot. Do we ever get to eight matches? I can’t even remember the last time that happened! WWE has a lot more problems right now than what’s going on behind the corporate doors, that’s for sure!
Oh, and whose idea was it to have the 24/7 Championship interfere with the women’s main event tag match? Dumb. Just dumb. REALLY dumb.