‘WWE Raw’ Review (July 25th 2022)
Welcome to this review of last night’s Monday Night Raw, right here on Nerdly. This is the first of a new Raw for WWE following the retirement of Vince McMahon… Of course, we won’t see changes straight away but let’s see what happened this week.
Match #1: Drew McIntyre def. Theory (DQ)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Although Drew McIntyre traveled to Raw to celebrate Rey Mysterio’s 20th Anniversary, The SmackDown Warrior soon found himself matched up with Mr. Money in the Bank. Before a winner could be determined, however, The Brawling Brutes attacked McIntyre and brought a swift end to the action. Bobby Lashley emerged to lend McIntyre a hand and send Sheamus and his cohorts out of the ring.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Bobby Lashley & Drew McIntyre def. Theory & Sheamus
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In the impromptu tag team showdown pitting Bobby Lashley & Drew McIntyre against Theory & Sheamus, both Ridge Holland and Butch got themselves ejected from ringside. Then, the sudden presence of Dolph Ziggler distracted Mr. Money in the Bank and paved the way for The All Mighty to make him quickly tap out to the Hurt Lock. As a defeated Theory escaped up the ramp after the bell, The Usos suddenly surprised him with a double Superkick out of nowhere as The Bloodline sent a strong message to the youngest Mr. Money in in the Bank in history before SummerSlam.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Rey & Dominik Mysterio def. The Judgment Day
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
As Raw celebrated Rey Mysterio’s 20th Anniversary, The Mysterios got a bit of payback on the menacing Judgment Day. Bálor attempted to use the late great Eddie Guerrero’s chair trick against The Master of the 619. However, The Legendary Luchador turned the tables (or more specifically the chair). During the confusion that followed, Rey and Dominik hit their The Judgment Day opponents with a Double 619. Rey then followed up with the Frog Splash off the top rope on Bálor for the huge anniversary victory! Unfortunately, Rhea Ripey and her defeated Judgment Day brothers unleashed a surprise assault during a backstage celebration that sent Rey Mysterio away in a stretcher.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Alexa Bliss def. Doudrop
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Despite interference from Nikki A.S.H, Alexa Bliss overcame Doudrop by hitting The Surliest Gal from Scotland with a massive DDT out of nowhere for the three-count.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: AJ Styles & Dolph Ziggler vs. Alpha Academy
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In a smooth showdown of tag team precision, AJ Styles set up Dolph Ziggler to pick up the win with the Zig Zag.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #6: The Bloodline def. Riddle & The Street Profits
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Prior to SummerSlam, Roman Reigns and The Usos overcame Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins & Riddle in a heated Six-Man Tag Team main event when The Head of the Table escaped an RKO attempt by The Original Bro and blasted him with the Spear for the win. After the matchup, Seth “Freakin” Rollins emerged to attack Riddle and nail his SummerSlam opponent with a devastating Stomp onto the steel steps.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3/5
I can’t believe we’re treading water this close to Summerslam. I get it, Raw is all about Austin Theory right now, he’s being primed to be the next big WWE star so a lot of the first hour was centred around him but… When WWE’s own writing staff only write one-liners about matches you know there’s something wrong with your product. Again, still hoping for changes to Raw and Smackdown but outside of a hard reset things will be gradual and slow.
