The Aftermath of the 2023 Royal Rumble is tonight, with Cody Rhodes and Rhea Ripley getting to react to winning the rumble. The Elimination chamber is going to be filled with competitors for the US championship but who will qualify? Seth Rollins Vs Chad Gable, Corbin Vs Gargano and Bronson Reed Vs Dolph Ziggler are competing for their spot. And what will Becky Lynch have to say after things not going her way the last week.
GREAT Cody Rhodes In Ring Promo:
In the triumphant return before Cody could say a word, he was getting serenaded with you deserve it chants. Cody recalls OVW saying he thought he would be WWE champion within two years of starting and the next John Cena. Cody listed off his accolades of his full career, before saying he is the first of his family to punch his ticket to where the lights are the brightest at Wrestlemania. Cody says he wouldn’t tell the past Cody about a single thing. He then talks about his theme kingdom before saying WWE has more than one royal family.
Cody says he has to stand across from the bloodline, the tribal chief Roman Reigns. During a pause, the crowd chants for Roman sucks. Cody says he wants to be WWE undisputed universal heavyweight champion. The Judgment Day interrupt before saying Cody ruined the plans of the Judgment Day for the royal rumble. Dominik brings up what could have happened to Cody if he touched him in Prison. Damien takes a shot at Cody getting number 30. Cody says he respects Dom’s father, but Dom says he doesn’t feel the same. Cody challenges any one of the three in the judgment day later on tonight. Solid promo that had shock value with judgment day coming out.
When the promo should be over, Edge comes out and starts to brawl with Judgment Day.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GOOD Seth Rollins Vs Chad Gable – US Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier:
Gable got some good offense before the commercial, including a nearfall after the diving headbutt. Back from commercial break, Seth reverses a moonsault into a roll up. Lifting up for the buckle bomb. Seth gets a nice superkick and falcon arrow for a nearfall before Gable gets the cliffhanger ddt for a nearfall as well. Gable catches Seth with an ankle lock on multiple occasions. Rollins countered a jackknife cover into a pedigree for the victory. Last few minutes were very solid and had great sequences between both guys. With the commercial break existing during the match, I wish we could have seen more.
Results: Seth Rollins by Pinfall via Pedigree
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Candice LeRae with Mia Yim Vs Iyo Sky with Dakota Kai, Bayley:
Back and forth action with Candice getting a senton, Iyo getting a flapjack and bodyslam. Candice counters a straight jacket workhold before getting a jumping kick. LeRae hits a sliding kick to the outside as well before Iyo counters being thrown in the ring and connects with a tope suicida through the middle ropes. Candice hits a springboard crossbody with Mia, Dakota and Bayley getting into a shouting fight. Back from commercial, Candice connects with a missile dropkick for a nearfall. Sky counters Lerae’s wild ride before getting a combo of a backbreaker and double knees.
Lerae gets a poison rana for a nearfall before Iyo counters the neckbreaker from the middle rope. Candice reverses the moonsault with her knees up before getting a small package. Kai stops the ref from counting the pin before Bayley is the sole distraction that gives Iyo the win with a roll up. Solid action that was really harking back to their classic in Toronto, but the match left some to be desired between them and that is really good! I thought this was the better match than Seth Vs Gable, but the crowd was more into Seth’s match.
Results: Iyo Sky by Pinfall via Roll Up
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Rhea Ripley In Ring Promo:
Rhea says she wanted the attention on her despite it being the first time being away from her “latino heat.” Recalling 3 years ago when she challenged Charlotte Flair when Charlotte won the royal rumble. Ripley says Charlotte is always at the top and is always getting better. Rhea says she doesn’t like things being over played as she is challenging Charlotte Flair. She says Wrestlemania is when Rhea will put Charlotte in her place as she chooses her. This match is the right choice.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Baron Corbin with JBL Vs Johnny Gargano with Dexter Lumis – US Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier:
Corbin takes control of the majority of the match, Chokeslamming him onto the barricade before they go to commercial. Back from commercial, Johnny is making the comeback as he connects with a combination of superkicks. Corbin kicks out as he gets a great deep six after a striking sequence between them. Gargano kicks out as Corbin takes off his shirt, he reverses the end of days as he side steps Baron into the corner post. Lumis threatens JBL with a steel ax as he cuts JBL’s hat before Gargano counters the end of days with a small package roll up. Fun enough match with Corbin looking good and the stuff involving Lumis and JBL was good.
Results: Johnny Gargano by Pinfall via Small Package
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD MVP’s VIP Lounge With Austin Theory:
Austin Theory pitches to MVP his own show called Austin Theory Live. MVP tells Austin that he is not a classic anymore. After Austin and MVP talking about the chamber and Lashley. Theory and Lashley brawl but it ends with Theory causing MVP to get speared. Fun segment that advanced the mysterious relationship between Lashley and MVP.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
SQUASH The Miz Vs Rick Boogs:
Adam Pearce introduces Rick Boogs after Miz demands respect. Rick squashes the miz. I’m not sold personally on splitting Boogs and Nakamura.
Results: Rick Boogs by Pinfall via Gorilla PRess World Strongest Slam
GREAT Becky Lynch In Ring Promo:
Bayley attempts to say she is going to move on but Becky Lynch comes out. Becky ends up challenging Bayley to end it next week in Orlando. Becky still wants the steel cage match and threatens Dakota Kai’s leg if Bayley continues to say no. Bayley agrees before Becky lets Dakota go. This was entertaining and had a better format then their promo from a few weeks ago.
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Adam Pearce Announces the steel cage match is official along with a women’s chamber, Raquel Rodriguez Vs Nikki Cross Vs Asuka Vs Liv Morgan Vs two other, one spot to be determined in a four way between Candice Lerae Vs Mia Yim Vs Piper Niven Vs Carmella
SQUASH Bronson Reed Vs Dolph Ziggler – US championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier:
Ziggler hit a zig zag and got a nearfall. Bronson counters a famouser with a powerbomb before hitting the tsunami splash. Quick match.
Results: Bronson Reed by Pinfall via Tsunami
GREAT Cody Rhodes Vs Finn Balor with Judgment Day:
The crowd was on the top of their game for this match, Cody Rhodes is a clear draw and a clear performer. Cody Rhodes has started to fill a gap that existed within Raw for quite some time. This match had some really good stuff, spots and sequences. Including Edge attacking the Judgment Day and Beth Phoenix attacking Rhea Ripley as Rhea was striking Edge down. The crowd was truly on fire and the match was just really good and entertaining.
Results: Cody Rhodes by Pinfall via Trio of Cross Rhodes
Coby Galenzoski WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Overall
The Raw After The Rumble did deliver the return of Cody Rhodes to television. Rhea Ripley and Cody Rhodes both cut good promos talking about what was next for wrestlemania. Edge continues to be a thorn in the judgment day’s side. Seth Rollins is ready to get back the United States Gold. We saw returns in Carmella, Rick Boogs and Asuka’s chilling return of silence. Enough stories were advanced in preparation for next monday and the show felt and flowed really well.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.75/1 Stars
Atmosphere…: 0.50/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.25/5 Stars
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