‘WWE Raw’ Review (May 1st 2023)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly… We’ve got the build to Backlash AND another WWE Draft so let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: Damage CTRL (Bayley & Dakota Kai) def. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In their last appearance on Raw for the foreseeable future, Damage CTRL looked to go out with a win against WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. As Rodriguez was rolling, Bayley pushed Kai out of the way and took the brunt of a Rodriguez body slam in the corner. Kai would not be spared from Rodriguez’s pain however, as Rodriguez hit Kai with a twisted senton for a close two. During the closing moments, Morgan hit an Oblivion on Kai but Bayley had tagged herself in, unbeknownst to Morgan. Bayley then rolled-up Morgan for the three-count.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #2: Braun Strowman & Ricochet def. Alpha Academy
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With both teams’ draft status still up in the air at the time of the match, Braun Strowman & Ricochet took on Alpha Academy. In an exciting moment, Strowman collided with Otis, lifting him up and slamming him in an extreme show of strength. A swanton bomb from Ricochet onto Otis from the top of Strowman’s shoulders earned the win for Strowman and Ricochet.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #3: Matt Riddle def. Jimmy Uso
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Fresh off their loss to Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn on SmackDown, Jimmy Uso tangled with Matt Riddle, just days before their Six-Man Tag Team clash at Backlash. Owens and Zayn, who were ringside, pulled a fast one on Jey Uso, sending Jimmy’s brother to the back after being ejected by the WWE Official. Jimmy, without his brother, fought back valiantly but could not overcome Riddle, who dispatched him with the Floating Bro.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Omos def. Anthony Alanis
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Alanis was no match for Omos, being swiftly dealt with after a crushing Choke Bomb that gave Omos the victory.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: The Judgment Day def. LWO
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With WWE Backlash just days away, the LWO and The Judgment Day clashed in a Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match. Damian Priest took to punishing Santos Escobar, but Escobar was able to battle back. When Rey Mysterio was tagged in, he lit up the Texas crowd as he battled his son, much to the WWE Universe’ pleasure. With both Mysterio getting drafted to opposite brands, this could possibly be the last father and son matchup for quite some time. As Mysterio was bout to hit Priest with the 619, Bálor distracted the elder Mysterio. Mysterio’s second attempt at the 619 was thwarted again by Bálor as he took the shot. This enabled Priest to hit the South of Heaven to earn the win.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #6: Seth “Freakin” Rollins def. Solo Sikoa (DQ)
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In the first-ever matchup between the two, Seth “Freakin” Rollins took on The Bloodline’s enforcer Solo Sikoa. Rollins took to the air to ground Sikoa, hitting multiple dives to the outside, finally leaving Sikoa laying after the third dive. Sikoa looked to wrap Rollins up with the Spinning Solo but Rollins was able to kick out miraculously. As the match was winding down, The Usos emerged to cause the disqualification. Matt Riddle, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn ran down to erupt the end of Raw into chaos.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
Good god, this show was coasting along for almost its entire length and was saved only by the last two matches of the night – especially the main event. I get the focus was on the draft but to deliver such average wrestling at the same time felt like a detriment to EVERYONE involved in this week’s show. In the end nothing mattered on this show as the Draft is changing the status quo anyway…
