After a promo of Big Show calling out Randy Orton, Angel Garza and Andrade surrounded the Big Show. Ric Flair told them to attack the World’s Largest Athlete. The Viking Raiders stormed down to the ring to help Show. The terrible storyline of Andrade and Garza arguing while being saved by Zelina Vega continued. Andrade and Garza were able to get back and focus as they were able to successfully pick up the win.
Result: Andrade and Angel Garza defeat the Viking Raiders via pinfall.
Grade: B-
24/7 Champion Akira Tozawa vs. R-Truth
Akira Tozawa was surrounded by his ninjas before the match. Tozawa and R-Truth have been trading the title with brief stints of Rob Gronkowski holding the title. The match was very short. R-Truth picked up the win and then quickly escaped the ninjas and ran straight to the locker room. R-Truth is more of an entertainer now than a wrestler as his sole purpose is to add comedic purposes. I am fine with the 24/7 championship having funny moments/segments and being defended constantly. However, I want the matches to be longer and more action packed instead of lasting a few minutes.
Result: R-Truth defeated Akira Tozawa to win the 24/7 Championship via pinfall.
Grade: F
Seth Rollins and Murphy vs. Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo
Black and Carillo have had enough of the Monday Night Messiah’s antics of harassing and embarrassing Rey Mysterio. Black called Rollins evil which thus set up this tag match. This feud has been going on for weeks now and it is starting to heat up. Rollins underestimated the two but the chemistry and power of Rollins and Murphy was no match for the challengers. Carillo was hit with the Stomp for the three count. Black saved Carillo from an attack but Rollins hit Carrillo with a Stomp on the steel steps.
Result: Seth Rollins and Murphy defeat Aleister Black and Humberto Carrillo via pinfall.
Grade: A
Ruby Riott vs. Peyton Royce
The IIconics made fun of Ruby Riott for trying to reunite herself with Liv Morgan. Riot challenged Billie Kay or Peyton Royce to fight her. Lana told Riott backstage to start listening to Natalya more. Kay used the 2-on-1 advantage wisely to help Royce pick up the victory within minutes. It is a shame Riott’s talents are being wasted and maybe she should team up with Natalya or Liv Morgan so she is part of some sort of angle.
Result: Peyton Royce defeats Billie Kay via pinfall.
Grade: D+
Big Show vs. Andrade and Angel Garza
Andrade and Angel Garza ended up competing twice tonight on Raw. It was nice to see the Big Show back in action especially since he is in a feud with Randy Orton but 2-0n-1 handicap matches just are not fair or entertaining. The duo were scared to fight Big Show in the beginning as they were thrown like rag dolls. The Most Beautiful Man was able to attack Show’s left leg which is what one should always do when wrestling a giant like the Big Show, until El Idolo forced his way into the match. Garza walked out as Big Show choke slammed Andrade for the victory. This feud or storyline between Garza and Andrade is getting boring and repetitive and the WWE Universe wants this to either progress or end.
Result: Big Show defeats Angel Garza and Andrade via pinfall.
Grade: D
Apollo Crews vs. MVP
Backstage, Bobby Lashley asked Montel Vontavious Porter why he was still trying to recruit Apollo Crews. MVP said he was done playing games and being Mr. Nice Guy and wanted to teach the United States Champion a lesson. MVP continued to rant about respect until Crews came out saying he did not want a manager. MVP warned Crews saying you do not want me as an enemy. Bobby Lashley was at ringside to make sure MVP gets the win.
Result: MVP defeats Apollo Crews via pinfall.
Grade: B
Bobby Lashley vs. Ricochet
After the MVP and Crews match, Crews attacked MVP before being put in a Full Nelson by Bobby Lashley. Ricochet and Cedric Alexander came to the aid of Crews. This led to a match between the One and Only and the All-Mighty. Lashley dominated and controlled most of the match until Ricochet showed signs of life after escaping the full nelson. Ricochet reached a near fall after hitting Lashley with a springboard moonsault. Lashley then turned a high chokeslam into a full nelson for the submission victory. Alexander saved Ricochet after the match but was put in a full nelson for his efforts.
Result: Bobby Lashley defeats Ricochet via submission
Grade: A-
Drew McIntyre and Asuka vs. Sasha Banks and Dolph Ziggler
In a Champions vs. Challengers main event, we saw WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Raw Women’s Champion Asuka take on Dolph Ziggler and one half of the Smackdown Tag Team Champions Sasha Banks. McIntyre and Asuka bonded backstage to prepare for the match and talk strategy. Banks and Bayley on the other hand warned Ziggler to not cost The Legit Boss the match and to do his job. Ziggler had no idea what to do against McIntyre so Banks repeatedly would save the match. The Boss was barely able to make a tag to save the match and Ziggler. Asuka battled out of the Banks Statement and locked in the Asuka lock only for Banks to counter and make it a pin for the win. Bayley and company then celebrated as Raw went off the air.
Result: Dolph Ziggler and Sasha Banks defeat Drew McIntyre and Asuka via pinfall.
Grade: A
Analysis: For the most part this was a very solid card filled with a lot of solid promos. The Rollins-Mysterio and Orton-Show feud are some of WWE’s hottest rivalry’s and I am looking forward to seeing it continue. If I had to grade this weeks episode of Raw I would give it a B-.
Brian's World of Sports 