‘WWE Raw’ Review (Aug 7th 2023)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly… Let’s see what went down on this week’s show!
Match #1: Intercontinental Title No. 1 Contender Match – Chad Gable def. Matt Riddle, Ricochet and Tomasso Ciampa
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
In his home state of Minnesota, Chad Gable took on Ricochet, Matt Riddle and Tommaso Ciampa to see who would become the next challenger for Intercontinental Champion Gunther. As The Ring General was watching, the four competitors combined for a jaw-dropping tower of doom that left Ricochet stunned. Ricochet and Gable almost become double winners as they hit a simultaneous shooting star press and frog splash onto Ciampa and Riddle. After a frenetic pace with all four Superstars wowing the WWE Universe, Gable locked up the win with a Chaos Theory Suplex onto Ciampa.
My Score: 4 out of 5
Match #2: Shinsuke Nakamura def. Bronson Reed
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Needing to settle the score from a few weeks ago, The King of Strong Style took on “Big” Bronson Reed. Reed dominated much of the contest with his sheer strength and brutality, hitting a running powerbomb that nearly broke Shinsuke Nakamura in two. After Reed missed with the Tsunami, Nakamura hit two Kinshasas to lock up the victory over his rival.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Shayna Baszler def. Zoey Stark
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
After suffering a litany of injuries in her win over Ronda Rousey in MMA Rules at SummerSlam, Shayna Baszler took on Zoey Stark, as Stark had earlier insinuated she was the baddest woman on the roster. With Baszler sporting a shiner the size of Minnesota under her eye, Stark dialed in on the injury by using the ring ropes to slide her face on it. After a tremendous fight, Baszler put Stark away with the World’s Baddest Slam.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #4: Ludwig Kaiser def. Otis
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Otis challenged Ludwig Kaiser after Kaiser spoke ill of his Alpha Academy teammate Chad Gable. With a coordinated attack from Gunther and Giovanni Vinci, Kaiser was able to steal the win over Otis.
My Score: 1 out of 5
Match #5: The New Day def. The Viking Raiders
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Making their triumphant, The New Day answered The Viking Raiders’ open challenge. After an entertaining back-and-forth, The New Day made their return a victorious one after a Trouble in Parade/Limit Break combo on Erik.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #6: Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Cody Rhodes & Shinsuke Nakamura def. The Judgment Day
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Despite initial partner Sami Zayn being taken out by JD McDonagh earlier in the evening, World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins and Cody Rhodes had Shinsuke Nakamura to team with them. The trio teamed well together albeit with the murky history between Rollins and Rhodes threatening to disrupt the unity. Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley continuously managed to get cheap shots on Rollins, Rhodes and Nakamura, but that did not deter the trio. Rhodes went for a Cross Rhodes and a Cody Cutter on Bálor, but twice The Prince was able to dodge out of harm’s way before The American Nightmare’s second Cody Cutter attempt landed. With the match breaking down, Sami Zayn made his way down to assist his team, leaving Rhodes to finish off Bálor with the Cross Rhodes.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Final Verdict: 3.5/5
Scary to think that this episode of Raw was a better post-PPV episode than the actual “Raw after Wrestlemania” that the WWE like to make a big deal about, but that was 100% the case here! The opening four-way match was surprisingly strong and the show kept up the momentum right up until the almost squash match between Ludwig (well really the entire of Imperium) and Otis. Thankfully things picked up for the final match of the show, and a brilliantly delicious heel turn from Shinsuke Nakamura as this week’s episode ended.
