‘WWE Raw’ Review (Mar 20th 2023)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly… We’re apparently on the road to Wrestlemania so let’s get into it!
Match #1: Austin Theory def. Montez Ford
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Montez Ford was out for payback after Austin Theory’s unflinching beatdown of Angelo Dawkins last week. The Street Profits Superstar got cooking with a flawless “You Can’t See Me” impression of John Cena and followed it up with a crushing moonsault, perhaps trying to provide the United States Champion with a WrestleMania preview. Despite more high-flying assaults, a battered Theory battled back and sent Ford on a trip that went A Town Down.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Omos def. Mustafa Ali
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
It didn’t take long for Omos to crush a challenge from Mustafa Ali, but it didn’t make the spectacle any less jaw-dropping. The Nigerian Giant took less than a minute to dispatch the high-flyer, as a crushing slam to the mat likely left Brock Lesnar feeling the vibrations ahead of WrestleMania.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #3: Dominik Mysterio def. Johnny Gargano
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Before the match, Corey Graves proclaimed that Dominik Mysterio is so dangerous right now that he’s afraid of himself. With Johnny Gargano nursing an injury, “Prison Dom” showed his ruthless side by attacking the wrap around his ribs and crushing them with the definitive Frog Splash. After the match, the youngest Mysterio used the post-match opportunity to let his Hall of Fame father and the entire family know he was coming to confront them this Friday on SmackDown.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Rhea Ripley def. Bayley
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Rhea Ripley has been unstoppable on The Road to WrestleMania, but Damage CTRL has never shied away from a red brand battle. An interruption set up an impromptu match between Bayley and The Nightmare with the emergence of Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus only upping the ante. As IYO SKY and Dakota Kai attempted to get in on the action, their WrestleMania opponents shut down their attack, as Bayley walked right into a Riptide defeat.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #5: Ricochet def. Chad Gable
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
It was a technical masterpiece and clash of styles, as Chad Gable’s mat supremacy ran into the aerial excellence of Ricochet. A Shooting Star Press from Ricochet wowed the WWE Universe, but Master Gable’s Dragon Suplex showed his ability to fire back. With Maxxine Dupri strutting to ringside to beckon Otis to the back, a distracted Gable was hit with one final Shooting Star Press to seal the win for Ricochet.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Match #6: Bianca Belair & Asuka def. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Bianca Belair and Asuka became unlikely allies ahead of their WrestleMania showdown, as the pair took on Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Even with the partnership, The EST put on an unreal display with a mind-blowing K.O.D. to Piper Niven to win it. The Empress of Tomorrow wanted the last word for herself, however, as she launched an attack on the Raw Women’s Champion to turn up the intensity on their Road to WrestleMania.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Once again the entire show was made by the Bloodline, this time feuding with both Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens AND Cody Rhodes. To be fair we did get three good matches this week on top of the excellent promos and THAT closing segment! Though, if I’m honest, you’d probably be better off watching highlights on YouTube rather than the full show – especially the Bloodline stuff, which when edited together actually makes for really thrilling stuff!
