‘WWE Raw’ Review (Aug 8th 2022)
Welcome to this review of this week’s Monday Night Raw, right here on Nerdly, in this new Triple H era where anything goes… So let’s get into the review!
Match #1: Seth “Freakin” Rollins def. Angelo Dawkins
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
One week after Montez Ford valiantly fought The Visionary, Ford’s partner Angelo Dawkins got the chance to shut up Seth “Freakin” Rollins for good. After the match last week, Rollins tried to put Ford on the shelf wiht a post-match Stomp, but Dawkins came chase him away. Dawkins started off hot, nailing Rollins with a pounce on the outside of the ring. After Rollins mocked Ford, who was at ringside, Ford brought a steel chair to the ring, but Ford was thrown out by the official, giving Rollins an extra edge. Perhaps motivated by the ejection of Ford, Dawkins hit a Silencer on Rollins and a stupefying dive to the outside. A Sky High by Dawkins nearly sealed the deal. Dawkins put up a battle much like Ford but could not overcome the former world champion. Rollins put Dawkins away with the Pedigree, further climbing the ladder to once again be in contention for Roman Reigns’ Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Kevin Owens def. Ezekiel
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
What was supposed to be the final chapter between the venomous KO and Ezekiel turned into a nightmare for Elias’ younger brother. Right at the start of the match, Owens was relentless, taking Ezekiel to the outside and pummeling away. In a scary show of malice, KO planted Ezekiel twice with the Apron Powerbomb. With Ezekiel no longer able to compete, the official had to throw out the match. It’s clear that Kevin Owens is done playing around and will leave a path of destruction in his wake. After the match, Ezekiel was put on a stretcher and taken to a local medical facility.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #3: Finn Bálor def. Rey Mysterio
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Master of the 619 once again tangled with Finn Bálor. Complicating matters for the future Hall of Famer was the absence of his son, Dominik Mysterio. Earlier in the evening, Dominik became upset when he shoved Edge, who had accidentally Speared him last week, and went AWOL. At the start of the match, Dominik was nowhere to be found. Outside factors during the match turned the tide as Edge came out to blindside Damian Priest, evening the odds for Mysterio. However, just as Mysterio looked to have the match won, The Judgment Day’s Rhea Ripley emerged from the backstage area dragging a beaten down Dominik Mysterio. With Rey’s focus turned to his son, Bálor capitalized by nailing a Coup de Grace and sealing the win.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament – Dakota Kai & IYO SKY def. Dana Brooke & Tamina
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament began with an immense battle between Dakota Kai & IYO SKY and 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke & Tamina. The 24/7 rules were suspended for this match, but the question of whether 24/7 Champion Dana Brooke and long-time rival Tamina could coexist still hung in the air. Kai and SKY maintained control of the matchup, dispatching their opponents with SKY hitting the Over the Moonsault to advance her team to the semifinals.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #5: United States Championship – Bobby Lashley def. Ciampa
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Before the match, Ciampa dedicated his performance to the late WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race, who had trained him. The United States Championship clash started with a bang, with Bobby Lashley and Ciampa taking it to each other in the opening minutes. Ciampa had the wily Miz at ringside, who stopped at nothing to get involved at every opportunity. Eventually AJ Styles appeared out of nowhere and attacked The A-Lister, and the two brawled around the arena. Despite being without his ally, Ciampa hit a flurry of offense, including a devastating submission hold and Willow’s Belle. However, Lashley fought back from the onslaught and locked Ciampa in the Hurt Lock, winning the match by tapout and retaining his title.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #6: Handicap Match – Omos def. Andrea Guercio & Spencer Slade
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The match was over as quick as this sentence has ended. Omos hit a Toss Powerbomb, and that was all she wrote.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #7: Dolph Ziggler def. Chad Gable
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Dolph Ziggler had his work cut out for him, with the abominable Otis at ringside ready to crunch Ziggler into dust. Ziggler and Gable went technical early, with both trading Ankle Locks in an effort to submit the other. After Gable had the upper hand, Ziggler hit Gable with the Superkick, winning in his hometown and giving Cleveland a big victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #8: No DQ Match – AJ Styles def. The Miz
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
AJ Styles and The Miz threw everything at each other, kitchen sink not included. Styles wasted no time retrieving the weapons, first a steel chair, then a Kendo stick before finally settling on a table. The Miz ruined the weapon wheel roulette, hitting Styles with a baseball slide. Styles and Miz exchanged Kendo stick assaults, with The Miz introducing Styles’ teeth to the wooden woe maker and Styles using the Kendo stick below the belt. The devious Ciampa got involved, but Styles countered the interference, delivering a Phenomenal Forearm that sent Ciampa crashing through a table at ringside. After The Miz hit a Skull-Crushing Finale with the help of a steel chair, Styles valiantly kicked out and executed a Styles Clash, winning the hard-fought No Disqualification Match.
My Score: 3 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Dexter Lumis appeared at the end of the main event.
Final Verdict: 3/5
I think we got our first sign that not everything Triple H touches is turning to gold. This episode of Raw, apart from the start of the Women’s Tag Tournament and that banging US Title match, felt a bit too much like the Raw of old. Though we still got the tease of more former WWE/NXT stars returning, which was nice! But hey at least we got WRESTLING on this show right? Right?
