Overall this was an episode of Raw that had its ups and downs. There wasn’t a true standout match, and that is why it earned only 0.5 in that category. While the show was generally well structured, I can’t in good faith say I wasn’t bored at any point and that is why it only received half of a point in that category as well. The crowd was active for over half the show but in the same respect it was only enough to earn the same as the first two categories. Storytelling received 3 quarters of a star because of some key moments from Sami Zayn, as well as the two womens triple threat matches. Add in another 3 quarters of a star for production and theme and that brings us to a 3 star show. Which is not a bad show at all, it was absolutely entertaining, both the triple threat matches delivered. The OC looked outstanding in their six man tag match. Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle made a fun team challenging the Uso’s for the Tag Team Titles. Oh yeah, and Baron Corbin played a lot of poker.
WWE Monday Night Raw is in Washington D.C. tonight, and the card is stacked with talent across the board.
GREAT The Bloodline Promo:
The show starts and The Bloodline are shown walking into the arena. Riddle and Elias come across them and Elias is laid out by Solo Sikoa. In the ring The Bloodline and Riddle have a back and forth conversation that is very entertaining. Sami Zayn is on a roll and he makes this segment what it is without question. The segment ends with Riddle announcing that he’ll team with Kevin Owens to face The Uso’s tonight.
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
GREAT Matt Riddle and Kevin Owens vs. The Uso’s for The WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championships:
Despite a valiant effort from both Riddle and Owens The Uso’s are able to retain their title in this one. The crowd was definitely behind Riddle and Owens but that wasn’t enough to produce a title change. They hit the 1-D to pick up the win, and even attack Riddle after the match. Riddle leaves on a stretcher to end the segment.
Result: The Uso’s by Pinfall via 1-D
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
Bayley Promo:
Bayley enters but is quickly interrupted by Becky Lynch. Big Time Becks reminds Bayley that it has been years since they’ve met in the ring and suggests a future match. Bayley retorts and while this is an entertaining back and forth it is too short to rate.
GREAT Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka vs. Bayley:
This was a highly entertaining Triple Threat Match. All 3 women appeared to have the match won at various points but in the end it was Bayley who picked up the win via Rose Plant. She’s now one step closer to a championship match against her long time rival Bianca Belair.
Result: Bayley by Pinfall via Rose Plant
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
GOOD Seth Rollins Promo:
Rollins enters and the crowd chants along to his music. He talks for a while then Lashley enters. This quickly delves into a brawl and Bobby Lashley accidentally spears Petey Williams.
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Austin Theory vs. Mustafa Ali United States Championship Match:
This was another display of Austin Theory’s new found aggression until Dolph Ziggler mercifully ended it with a superkick. Theory retains his title by disqualification, and after the match throws Ali into the ringpost, but the crowd chants, “you still suck,” at him as the segment ends.
Result: Austin Theory by Disqualification
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 2.50 Stars
GOOD Alpha Academy and Baron Corbin vs. The OC:
This was definitely one of the more exciting matches of the night. In the end the OC picks up the win with a Magic Killer. JBL has done a great job in his role as a manager outside the ring so far, and Chad Gable truly shines bell to bell week in and week out.
Result: The OC by Pinfall via Magic Killer
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
SQUASH Dominik Mysterio vs. Akira Tozawa:
Tozawa gets in minimal offense and then is squashed with a Frog Splash.
Result: Dominik Mysterio by Pinfall via Frog Splash
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – SQUASH
GREAT Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Cross:
This was a really solid triple threat match. Becky and Cross both had their chances but in the end Alexa Bliss was able to pick up the victory and set up a match against Bayley. At one point during the match Bliss set up for a Sister Abigail and the crowd went wild for that but it wasn’t ever actually hit. In the end a Twisted Bliss was enough to pin Nikki.
Result: Alexa Bliss by Pinfall via Twisted Bliss
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
Overall: Overall this was an episode of Raw that had its ups and downs. There wasn’t a true standout match, and that is why it earned only 0.5 in that category. While the show was generally well structured, I can’t in good faith say I wasn’t bored at any point and that is why it only received half of a point in that category as well. The crowd was active for over half the show but in the same respect it was only enough to earn the same as the first two categories. Storytelling received 3 quarters of a star because of some key moments from Sami Zayn, as well as the two womens triple threat matches. Add in another 3 quarters of a star for production and theme and that brings us to a 3 star show. Which is not a bad show at all, it was absolutely entertaining, both the triple threat matches delivered. The OC looked outstanding in their six man tag match. Kevin Owens and Matt Riddle made a fun team challenging the Uso’s for the Tag Team Titles. Oh yeah, and Baron Corbin played a lot of poker.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.50/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.50/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.75/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/5 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.00/5 Stars
Photo Credit: WWE.comFor inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
