‘WWE Raw’ Review (Aug 1st 2022)
Welcome to this review of this week’s Monday Night Raw, right here on Nerdly. This is post-Summerslam for the company and is, undoubtedly, the beginning of the Triple H era… Let’s get into the review!
Match #1: Triple Threat Match – AJ Styles def. Mustafa Ali and The Miz
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
AJ Styles overcame Mustafa Ali and The Miz in an ultra-fast slugfest. Seconds after Ali hit Miz with the 450 Splash, The Phenomenal One used Ali’s momentum to grab him and execute the Styles Clash for the three-count. The win earned Styles the right to compete for a United States Championship opportunity later in the evening.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #2: Seth Rollins def. Montez Ford
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In an incredible showdown, Seth “Freakin” Rollin overcame the high-flying Montez Ford. When Ford went for the Splash off the top rope in the final moments, Rollins got his knees up to counter it and hit the Stomp for the win. When The Visionary attempted to hit the post-match Stomp on his defeated opponent, though, Angelo Dawkins stepped in his path, and Rollins quickly exited the ring.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #3: Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss (No Contest)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Alexa Bliss’ match against Asuka got cut short thanks to a surprise vicious attack by Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY. Their second attack of the night soon drew Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair to the squared circle. Although the attackers quickly escaped through the crowd, the irate EST of WWE declared that she would be facing one of the nefarious trio later in the evening, and SKY seemed to indicate that she would take the challenge.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #4: Triple Threat Match – Ciampa def. Dolph Ziggler and Chad Gable
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In the second hard-fought Triple Threat Match of the night, Ciampa reigned supreme over Dolph Ziggler and The Alpha Academy’s Chad Gable by hitting Gable with the devastating Fairytale Ending. With the victory, Ciampa earned the right to face the other Triple Threat winner, AJ Styles, to see who will challenge Bobby Lashley next week on Raw for the United States Title.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #5: Bianca Belair vs. IYO SKY (No Contest)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Following multiple acts of calamity earlier in the night and interference by both sides during Bianca Belair’s one-on-one matchup against IYO SKY, Bayley and Dakota Kai began brawling with Asuka and Alexa Bliss, resulting in a no-contest. The WWE Universe let out passionate cries of “let them fight” as WWE officials rushed the ring and did their best to end the wild brawl between the six Superstars.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: United States Title opportunity – Ciampa def. AJ Styles
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After winning their respective Triple Threat Matches earlier in the night, AJ Styles and Ciampa clashed for the right to challenge Bobby Lashley for the U.S. Title with two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T joining Raw as a guest commentator. The Miz prevented Styles’ victory by putting his man’s foot on the rope when the official wasn’t looking, potentially preventing a three-count. Then, when he was on the other side of the barricade, The A-Lister held The Phenomenal One’s leg in an attempt to prevent him from beating the 10-count. Although Styles escaped the underhanded interference, he walked right into a fierce knee from Ciampa the second he reentered the ring. Ciampa quickly followed up with the Fairytale Ending to earn a United States Title Match next week.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #7: Undisputed WWE Tag Team Title Match – The Usos def. The Mysterios
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After Dominik Mysterio failed to see his opponents make a tag, The Usos scored a hard-fought main event victory over The Mysterios with the 1-D to retain their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships for the second time in 48 hours. When The Judgment Day attacked after the bell, it brought a fired-up Edge into the fray looking for payback. During the bedlam that followed, The Rated-R Superstar accidentally Speared Dominik Mysterio before chasing Finn Bálor through the crowd.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
So we’re a couple of weeks into the regime “change” at WWE and already subtle changes are happening to the product. Mainly we’re getting great matches! Of course the status quo in terms of storylines, character arcs etc., won’t change quickly but seeds are being planted. Hopefully this weeks show is a [good] sign of things to come.
