08th Feb2023

‘WWE Raw’ Review (Jan 6th 2023)

by Phil Wheat

Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly… We’ve got stories continuing from the Royal Rumble AND a build Elimination Chamber so let’s get into it!

Match #1: Damian Priest def. Angelo Dawkins

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

Before the match, WWE Official Adam Pearce ordered everyone surrounding the ring to go to the backstage area, allowing this match to be contested one-on-one. In the early goings, Angelo Dawkins threw Damian Priest over the announce table, proving he meant business in this Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match. Priest bounced back fairly quickly, hitting a Broken Arrow followed by a Bell Clap. Dawkins gave it his all, hitting a superb Swanton Bomb but could only achieve a two-count. Priest grabbed the victory with a South of Heaven to make the Elimination Chamber even more judgmental than it already was.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #2: Dexter Lumis def. Baron Corbin

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

Baron Corbin immediately attacked Dexter Lumis before the bell, signifying his desperate need for a win. With a recent string of losses plus an embarrassing performance in the Royal Rumble, Corbin badly needed a win. Corbin was all over Lumis, grinding him down before being caught with the Silencer, which put him away for yet another loss.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #3: Fatal 4-Way Match – Carmella def. Michin, Candice LeRae & Piper Niven

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

In a high-stakes Fatal 4-Way Match, a spot in the Elimination Chamber was on the line. Piper Niven looked scary dangerous, dominating Carmella before Michin and Candice LeRae combined to take down the threat. Niven would not be down for long, however, as she delivered a huge splash onto all three competitors. Niven continued to play spoiler, stopping Carmella from being pinned after an Eat Defeat from Michin. After multiple back-and-forth pinfall attempts, Carmella locked up the win after Niven hit LeRae with a cannonball before Carmella superkicked Niven out of the ring, earning the final spot.

My Score: 2 out of 5

Match #4: Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin def. Alpha Academy

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

MVP was in the corner of Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin, seemingly repairing the former alliance. The pace ran a mile-a-minute with Samoan drops, neuralyzers and German suplexes highlighting this impressive spectacle. Alexander hit a tremendous backbreaker on Gable to earn a statement victory.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #5: Asuka def. Chelsea Green

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

Chelsea Green demanded a match from WWE Official Adam Pearce, but she may have bitten off more than she could chew as Asuka was her opponent. Green put up a good fight, controlling the start, but her jaw-jacking with the other Elimination Chamber participants, who were ringside, led to her demise. Green got caught with the Asuka Lock to end the match.

My Score: 1 out of 5

Match #6: Montez Ford def. Elias

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

With the final spot in the Elimination Chamber on the line, United States Champion Austin Theory sat ringside to see who would be his final opponent. Montez Ford and Elias took it to each other, with Elias hitting a huge powerbomb from the electric chair position. Ford fought back with a wild leap to the outside followed by a From the Heavens to gain the last spot in the Chamber.

My Score: 2.5 out of 5

Match #7: Steel Cage Match – Becky Lynch def. Bayley

The following is courtesy of wwe.com:

Bayley attempted to exit the cage early, but The Man stopped her in her tracks. The Role Model grounded Lynch, attacking her knees before hitting a huge elbow drop for a close two-count. Lynch and Bayley took it back to where it started in Orlando, with the WWE Performance Center mere miles away. As both were scaling the steel cage, Bayley hit a huge Bayley-to-Belly off the ropes that Lynch barely escaped from. The eventually made their way to the top of the cage, with The Man snapping on a Dis-arm-her which dropped Bayley to the ring below. As Lynch was about to escape, IYO SKY prevented her from winning as Dakota Kai gave Bayley her crutch to use as a weapon. However, Lita emerged to shock Damage CTRL, hitting SKY with a Twist of Fate. This allowed Lynch to capitalize and nail the Man-handle Slam on Bayley, gaining the important Steel Cage win.

My Score: 3 out of 5

Final Verdict: 2.5/5

Much like Friday’s Smackdown this was, honestly, a pretty terrible episode of Raw. Mainly because the whole thing felt like it was built around the Cody Rhodes/Paul Heyman promo and the appearance of Lita in the main event. Which was a great promo AND a great match but when you can’t put on a great show to go along with those two there’s got to be decisions made.

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