‘WWE Raw’ Review (Dec 30th 2024)
Welcome to this review of this past Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, right here on Nerdly. We all hope you had a great Christmas and with that being said, let’s see what went down on this week’s show… The last episode of the year AND the last before the shows move to its new home, Netflix!
Match #1: Chad Gable def. Otis
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Competing for the first time since standing up to his former friend and mentor, Otis went toe-to-toe with Chad Gable. Otis bullied Gable with his immense power, beating him from pillar to post. Gable, however, used his cunning to take out Otis’ legs. After Alpha Academy’s Maxxine Dupri and American Made’s Ivy Nile brawled on the outside, Gable used the fracas to lock in the Ankle Lock on his former protege. Otis weathered the pain and sent Gable into The Creed Brothers before locking in an Ankle Lock of his own. Nile distracted Otis once again, allowing Gable to cinch in the Ankle Lock. This time the pain was too much as Otis tapped out.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #2: Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament – Dakota Kai def. Zoey Stark
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Dakota Kai took on Zoey Stark as they both looked to make it to the Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament Final. Kai and Stark went back-and-forth in a thriller of a match, as each almost scored the pinfall on multiple occasions. Stark leaped through the air but was hit with a huge superkick from Kai. Kai then followed up with the Go-To-Kick to win the match and become the first finalist in the Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament Final.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #3: Damian Priest & The War Raiders def. The Judgment Day
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Damian Priest teamed with World Tag Team Champions The War Raiders to take Finn Bálor, “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh. Carlito attempted to interfere, but The War Raiders prevented it. Priest attempted the Razor’s Edge on Mysterio, but Mysterio countered. The Archer of Infamy, however, landed the South of Heaven to win the match. After the bout, The Judgment Day beat down the victors.
My Score: 2 out of 5
Match #4: Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament – Lyra Valkyria def. IYO SKY
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
With a chance to meet Dakota Kai in the Women’s Intercontinental Title Tournament Final on the line, Lyra Valkyria battled IYO SKY in the second semifinal. Valkyria took control of SKY in the early portions of the match before SKY bounced back with a stunning top-rope missile dropkick. SKY hit a bridging German suplex, but Valkyria stayed in the fight. Valkyria countered the O’Connor Roll with a rollup of her own to win the match and move on to the final.
My Score: 3.5 out of 5
Final Verdict: 2.5/5
What an odd episode. It felt like there should have been more fanfare about Raw having a new home but, obviously, the USA Network would not want to plug the change AND it’s not like the brand was having any kind of reboot either. Storylines continued this week and will continue next week even when the audience could be new (because, let’s be honest, WWE will probably pick up more viewers now they’re on Netflix). As for the matches, this weeks Raw was 100% made watchable by the two women’s tournament matches and – as I always say – tournament ALWAYS make wrestling shows, no matter the brand, better!
