‘WWE Raw’ Review (Feb 23rd 2026)
Welcome to our 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: Jey Uso def. Bronson Reed and “Original” El Grande American
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
The Vision’s Bronson Reed, World Tag Team Champion Jey Uso and “Original” El Grande Americano clashed for the final spot in the Elimination Chamber Match. Americano showcased his immense strength by taking Reed out of the contest with an enormous German suplex. Moments later, Uso Speared Americano to progress to the Elimination Chamber.
My Score: 3 out of 5
Match #2: Nattie def. Maxxine Dupri
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Maxxine Dupri and Nattie erupted once the bell rang and fought outside the ring. Nattie kicked Dupri right into the ring post, which knocked out Dupri and forced the referee to stop the match.
My Score: SQUASH out of 5
Match #3: Je’Von Evans def. Kofi Kingston
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Je’Von Evans had Atlanta’s own and world-renowned rapper Offset in his corner as he took on Kofi Kingston. Evans tweaked his knee following a high-risk moonsault that did not pay dividends. Even on one foot, Evans wiped out Kingston at ringside. As Evans was getting Kingston back in the ring, Grayson Waller attacked Evans behind the referee’s back. After Evans kicked out, Waller and Xavier Woods got into a confrontation with Offset, who threw Waller over the barricade and forced Woods to back off. Back in the ring, Evans hit the OG Cutter to get the victory.
My Score: 2.5 out of 5
Match #4: Raquel Rodriguez def. IYO SKY and Kairi Sane
The following is courtesy of wwe.com:
Raquel Rodriguez landed the first big blow when she dropped IYO SKY and Kairi Sane with a double fallaway slam in impressive fashion. Sane locked in a gruesome submission hold on SKY that was mercifully broken up Rodriguez. SKY went for the Bullet Train attack but was intercepted by Rodriguez. SKY and Sane worked together against Rodriguez, as SKY hit a dropkick to send Rodriguez over the barricade. Back in the ring, SKY landed Over the Moonsault on Sane, but Rodriguez pulled Sane out of the ring. Before SKY could hit another moonsault, Sane shoved SKY off the top rope. Rodriguez reversed an Insane Elbow attempt and soon delivered the Tejana Bomb on Sane to win the match.
My Score: 3 out of 5
News of the Night:
- Liv Morgan challenged Stephanie Vaquer for the title at Wrestlemania
- Brock Lesnar issued an Open Challenge for WrestleMania
- Undertaker announced AJ Styles will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
Final Verdict: 3/5
This week’s Raw was one of those perfectly serviceable, middle-of-the-road episodes that keeps the Road to WrestleMania moving without ever really slamming the accelerator. The opening triple threat did its job, giving Jey Uso momentum heading into the Chamber, but it never quite escaped “TV main event formula.” Nattie vs. Maxxine was over before it began – angle advancement disguised as a match – while Je’Von Evans picking up a win over Kofi Kingston felt more about celebrity chaos than clean in-ring storytelling. Fun? Sure. Memorable? Not especially. The standout was the women’s triple threat. Raquel Rodriguez overpowering both IYO SKY and Kairi Sane made for some genuinely strong visuals, even if the pacing occasionally felt clunky. It at least had stakes and urgency. Outside the ring, the big talking points did more heavy lifting than the matches. Liv Morgan calling out Stephanie Vaquer adds intrigue to the WrestleMania picture, Brock Lesnar casually tossing out an open challenge instantly injects unpredictability, and The Undertaker announcing AJ Styles for the Hall of Fame gave the show a genuine “moment.” Overall, this was a steady, storyline-driven episode. Not spectacular, not bad – just solid weekly television keeping the chess pieces moving.
