So, something weird happened.
I liked Raw.
Yeah! I know!
And something else happened too. This week made me realize that I actually don’t care about the WWE title picture anymore. In fact, I ended up liking more of the stuff I normally wouldn’t have.
I already didn’t particularly care for Braun Strowman, but legitimately the first time Drew McIntyre popped up on screen after the opening segment, I groaned. And it’s because WWE have taken what I enjoyed about both Bobby Lashley and McIntyre and tarnished that in the name of WrestleMania Backlash.
Truthfully, since the break up of The Hurt Business, Lashley just hasn’t been the same. MVP had multiple promos on this show, and while I would normally be excited to hear him talk, I didn’t pay attention to any of them.
Then they’ve had McIntyre in this... thing with Strowman for the past few weeks. It’s been boring. I’m starting to get tired of his “shtick” too. I don’t know. It’s not hitting well with me right now.
And then, MACE and T-BAR seemingly reverted back to the days of RETRIBUTION being dumb, because while they’ve been thorns in the sides of McIntyre and Strowman, they were nowhere on this show. Why? They got Strowman in the rematch and then dipped? How does that make sense?
The main event match between Strowman and Lashley was fine. Two big men doing big men things. But... I just don’t care. Of course Drew was there, of course one of his triple threat opponents would get in his face, of course it would lead to Drew Claymore kicking them.
Next week, Drew will face Bobby. Okay. Will MACE and T-BAR show up then? Will Braun be involved? You know the answer to the second question.
Aside from the WWE title picture, the rest of the show was pretty good. A few more misses, but I ended up enjoying a bulk of this show. Let’s get into it! For a full rundown of Raw, check out the live blog by Rev. Claire Elizabeth!
Fair to Flair
This was pretty quick, but served its purpose. Dana has a new theme, and honestly I couldn’t have realized if I wasn’t told beforehand. I don’t even remember her old theme. Charlotte really was brilliant here. “You’re still my protégé. You’re still my bitch.” Damn, Charlotte. Popped me.
Sonya Deville came out after and said she’s now an equal WWE official to Adam Pearce and she heard Charlotte had a proposal.
Flair went on to say that she was the woman who beat Asuka and Ripley and Ripley took her spot at WrestleMania. It would be a bigger deal if she were added to Asuka’s and Ripley’s rematch. She is the original influencer and the most famous face of the WWE women’s division.
She asked Deville to make the courageous decision, and Deville did just that. Ripley came out and said that she’s put up with a lot of Charlotte’s crap and no one likes her. Asuka then came out and said that Charlotte’s a whiny cry baby.
This was a wildly entertaining segment. Rhea sounded much more natural and Charlotte is spitting facts. Her inclusion in the title match brings intrigue to WrestleMania Backlash and hopefully, a better match involving Asuka and Rhea.
Be fair to Flair, y’all.
Winning streak
Second week in and R-K-Bro is still hitting.
This match came about because in their quest to get back at New Day, Elias and Ryker ended up throwing tomatoes at Randy Orton. It was a bad segment, but made better by Riddle riding by on his scooter.
Later, Riddle went up to the Viking Raiders and asked if they were supporting the Vikings or the Raiders in the NFL draft. Orton was nearby, and he scooted over calling him Bro, to which Orton responded “I’m not your bro” and Riddle replied “We don’t have the same parents” and HAHAHAHA. How is this still so entertaining?
Riddle was super hyped as Orton made his entrance, and Orton had that ugh look on his face as he did the turnbuckle pose.
After they won doing the same stuff as last week, and Orton was more into it, Riddle did his pose in the middle of the ring and Orton didn’t do his because Riddle wanted it so bad.
Seriously, how is this still so entertaining?
America’s Moist Wanted
I died.
I laughed for nearly 3 straight minutes.
I don’t even know what Miz said after because I couldn’t contain myself. Expert stuff by Johnny Drip Drip there, and got me in a good mood for a team that I’ve been desperately wanting to not see much of these days. Plus, they’re really leaning into the incoming break up.
Damian Priest is a mood. He’s got this swagger about him and WWE needs to treat him better than they’ve been as of late. It never should have been solely about Bad Bunny.
Very good way to end this match by Miz trying to distract the referee for Morrison, but Morrison reversed a roll up and it led to him losing. I sometimes forget how good Morrison is because they lean to heavily on Miz.
Time for that break up!
All Red Return
So Eva Marie is back.
You probably knew that even without watching this show because the great Geno Mrosko tossed up a Breaking News banner. You know that thing is only for the most special occasions.
Back when Eva was on the roster years ago, I wasn’t really into her. I did enjoy her last gimmick on SmackDown Live where the movie trailer announcer would announcer that she wouldn’t be performing for various reasons. Sadly, she was gone soon after.
I don’t know if she’ll be called All Red Everything since her hair is now pink. Let’s see where this goes.
The Rest
AJ Styles and Omos defeated The New Day
Omos has that genuine big man look. I absolutely love the dynamic between him and Styles, and how New Day interacts with him. The little kicks to Omos’ legs by New Day made me laugh, and I loved how the “accidental” tag by Styles woke Kingston and Woods up. They took turns stomping down Styles in their corner but it didn’t work. Omos got back in and Kingston sold like death for him. Nothing New Day did could stop the Monster Among Men. Yes, the real Monster Among Men. Styles leapt off Omos’ shoulders and did the Phenomenal Forearm to win. This was very entertaining.
The Streak is over (Sheamus vs. Mansoor ends in disqualification)
Mansoor signed a Raw contract with Adam Pearce, and Sheamus walked up and challenged him after attacking Humberto Carrillo. Sheamus took over for most of the first half, and then Mansoor did some nasty elbows and Sheamus was busted open. Sheamus set up the Brogue Kick, and Carrillo attacked him causing the DQ. Corey Graves said Sheamus may have underestimated Mansoor and Carrillo, yet both men were laid out by Brogue Kicks. Huh? Mansoor had a 49 match win streak before his debut match on Raw. The streak is over. Let’s see how he feels about it.
Allow @WWESheamus to welcome you to #WWERaw, @KSAMANNY! pic.twitter.com/l50Nl3ECbT
— WWE (@WWE) May 4, 2021
As long as he’s smiling, right?
WWE Officials imploding
This show was helping to further division with Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. Very recently, Sonya has been called a WWE official and has been making decisions without Pearce. I’m very interested in where this goes, because Sonya has been very entertaining as an “official” and an official official. I wonder if the brand GMs are coming back?
Angel Garza defeated Drew Gulak
This was an unexpected match that came from Gulak poking fun at Garza for not getting Nia Jax. Gulak doesn’t realize that the rose has actually always been for me. Sadly, that rose is now up Gulak’s ass.
Lucha House Party defeated Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin
This match felt a bit off, almost like they hadn’t had much preparation for it. Some interactions felt mistimed and I’m just saddened by the positioning of Cedric and Shelton. Now, they’re splitting too. I just don’t expect WWE to do good things with them both as singles stars.
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler defeated Naomi and Lana
Sure. See you all next week.
Lilly has a dirty little secret
Eventually we’ll find out what it is. Ending these segments with the same giggle and snarl is very creative. But people will get mad at me for my opinions.
Grade: B
What were your thoughts, Cagesiders?