Overall this was not the best show of the Triple H era but it wasn’t the worst either. The Bloodline in the opening segment was exciting but the execution booking wise after that did seem a bit odd. At the end of the day though the main event delivered and the matches were solidly entertaining. Show structure is where I felt things struggled a bit, there were gaps in the show that moved much slower than others and for that category only received half of a star. While storylines were advanced it was not enough to earn more than half a star in the storytelling category as well. WWE Production is always excellent and the Nashville crowd was loud for a Monday Night Raw the day after New Years. Overall the show received 3 stars and was a quality worthwhile watch. Oh yeah, Dominik Mysterio saying he served “hard time” in prison was one of the funniest segments I’ve seen in a long time.
Preview: It is the first WWE Monday Night Raw of the new year and we are live from Nashville, Tennessee. Seth Rollins will challenge Austin Theory for the United States Title and Alexa Bliss takes on Bianca Belair for her Raw Women’s Title.
GOOD Bloodline Segment:
The show opens with a bang as the Bloodline starts destroying the ringside area. Sami Zayn declares it a hostile takeover but is interrupted by Kevin Owens. Eventually Adam Pierce sends security down to the ring but they are quickly disposed of. KO tries himself to no avail as Pierce sends the locker room down the ramp to break things up. Pierce tells them their punishment is they will all be booked in matches tonight.
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Alexa Bliss vs. Bianca Belair Raw Women’s Championship match:
This was a really fun title match from the start. Bianca controlled the early action before Bliss made a comeback. Alexa sees a fan in an Uncle Howdy mask in the crowd, and then another. She almost instantly snaps and Bray Wyatt’s logo is flashed on the screen. Next, she hits a Thesz press on the referee to get herself disqualified before ramming Bianca into the steel steps outside of the ring. This was entertaining without question and a good way to make Bliss look strong without putting the title on her.
Result: Bianca Belair by Disqualification
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Elias vs. Solo Sikoa, Music City Street Fight:
Elias wants to play a song which is of course interrupted by Solo Sikoa. This match goes a lot longer than I expected, and Elias gets in significantly more offense than one may have anticipated as well. In the end, Sikoa hits a Spinning Solo on a piano to pick up the victory.
Result: Solo Sikoa by Pinfall via Spinning Solo
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GREAT Sami Zayn and The Uso’s vs. Kevin Owens and the Street Profits:
This is such a star studded match and it was treated as such. While it went much faster than I expected there were some truly outstanding spots littered throughout this one. Montez Ford is able to connect on a frog splash but it is not enough to get the job done. With everyone else distracted outside the ring Sami Zayn hits a Helluva kick to give the Bloodline their second win of the night. The Bloodline attempt to assault Owens and the profits after the match, but Drew McIntyre and Sheamus run in to make the save in their adopted hometown of Nashville.
Result: Sami Zayn and the Uso’s by Pinfall via Helluva Kick
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.75 Stars
ABOVE AVERAGE Dexter Lumis vs. Chad Gable:
This is a super short match and Gable dominates a lot of it but in the end it is a Dexter Lumis Inside Cradle to pick up the win.
Result: Dexter Lumis by Pinfall via Inside Cradle
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 2.50 Stars
GOOD Damage Ctrl Promo:
Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky make their entrance and Bayley is wearing a houndstooth jacket which I presume is for heat given the rivalry between Tennessee and Alabama. Which I thought was a nice touch. Bayley immediately mentions her win over Becky Lynch who quickly interrupts. Becky challenges Bayley to a match but Bayley says not tonight. She offers a tag match against Kai and Sky which Becky accepts as a handicap match instead.
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.25 Stars
GOOD Becky Lynch and Michin vs. Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky:
It appears to be a handicap match in the beginning, but pretty early on while Becky is in trouble Mia Yim runs down to join her as her tag team partner. They refer to Mia Yim as Michin and it appears that the name change is official. In the end, Michin nearly wins the match for her side but is caught by a surprise moonsault from Iyo Sky. Becky Lynch is completely shocked by the loss after the match.
Result: Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky by Pinfall via Moonsault
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.00 Stars
GREAT Austin Theory vs. Seth Rollins United States Championship Match:
Rollins starts the match strong and the crowd is the loudest they’ve been all night. He dominates through the first commercial break but when we come back Theory is in control. Theory begins to get frustrated though and tries to leave the match with the title but is cut off by Rollins. Back in the ring Theory shoves Rollins into the referee but Seth is able to hit a Pedigree. Another referee runs down and counts but the champion kicks out. Somewhere during an exchange Rollins appears to sustain a non contact knee injury and is visibly limping throughout the latter part of the match. Theory tries to push Rollins into a second referee unsuccessfully but he is able to land a low blow while the ref’s eyes are shielded. He capitalizes on the opportunity to hit A-Town down and retain the title.
Result: Austin Theory by Pinfall via A-Town Down
Clark Taylor’s WR Star Rating – 3.50 Stars
Overall: Overall this was not the best show of the Triple H era but it wasn’t the worst either. The Bloodline in the opening segment was exciting but the execution booking wise after that did seem a bit odd. At the end of the day though the main event delivered and the matches were solidly entertaining. Show structure is where I felt things struggled a bit, there were gaps in the show that moved much slower than others and for that category only received half of a star. While storylines were advanced it was not enough to earn more than half a star in the storytelling category as well. WWE Production is always excellent and the Nashville crowd was loud for a Monday Night Raw the day after New Years. Overall the show received 3 stars and was a quality worthwhile watch. Oh yeah, Dominik Mysterio saying he served “hard time” in prison was one of the funniest segments I’ve seen in a long time.
Matches: 0.50/1 Stars
Show Structure: 0.50/1 Stars
Atmosphere: 0.75/1 Stars
Storytelling: 0.50/1 Stars
Production/Theme: 0.75/1 Stars
Overall Rating. 3.00/5 Stars
Photo Credit: (Website) For inquiries about the rating criteria check out the article announcing the new system here:
