Viking Raiders vs. Angel Garza and Andrade in an Elimination Tag Team Match
Garza and Andrade were accompanied by Zelina Vega. Garza and company went right after the Viking Raiders. Garza and Andrade had control of most of the match. The Viking Raiders were able to show off their agility which was very impressive considering how big they are. Erik was eliminated early. However, Ivar was able to hold his ground. Shortly after, he eliminated Andrade. He then turned his focus to Angel Garza. As Ivar put Garza away or so we thought, Andrade sneaks in and moves Garza’s foot to the rope causing a break. Garza then hit Ivar with a powerbomb for the win.
Result: Angel Garza and Andrade defeat the Viking Raiders via pinfall
Grade: C
The IIconics vs. Ruby Riott and Bianca Belair
Ruby Riott was finally able to find someone to help her against the IIconics. Riott’s partner is the EST of WWE Bianca Belair. It has been a while since we have seen Belair on the main roster on television. The IIconics have made frequent tags and double team moves to ground and isolate Riott. They would make sure Belair never got in the match. However, once she dud she took over the match. Belair showed off her strength by squatting Billie Kay. Belair was able to hit the KOD on Kay for the win
Result: Ruby Riott and Bianca Belair defeat The IIconics via pinfall
Grade: B-
Murphy vs Aleister Black
In what was supposed to be a match between Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens turned out to be a match between Murphy and Aleister Black. Rollins came out to criticize Mysterio for choosing an eye for an eye match at Extreme Rules. Kevin Owens came to embarrass and humiliate Rollins saying he would have risked his career to shut Rollins up. Rollins called Murphy to attack Owens before Black came to the aid of Owens which led to a brawl at ringside. Murphy and Black are two rising stars with strong and powerful strikes. Their rivalry continues in yet another match. Owens and Rollins are both at ringside. Murphy has effectively and strategically gone after the legs of Black. Black hit Murphy with the Black Mass. Before the three count, Rollins pulled Black out of the ring causing a disqualification.
Result: Aleister Black defeats Murphy via disqualification
Grade: C
Seth Rollins vs Kevin Owens
In a rematch from WrestleMania, the two square off once again. Owens go straight after Rollins to the point where Owens begs for mercy. Rey Mysterio, Dominic, and Black were all at ringside. Rollins was tossed out of the ring and all three cornered Rollins forcing him to get back in the ring. Everyone at ringside has heavily made an impact on the match. Rollins was able to take advantage but is still outnumbered. Rollins then cowardly gauges the eye of Owens. Mysterio, Dominik, and Black surround Rollins until Owens could recuperate and hit the Stunner for the victory.
Result: Kevin Owens defeats Seth Rollins via pinfall
Grade: A-
R-Truth vs. Randy Orton
I have no idea what the point of this match is. Orton is a top-star in this industry and he is fighting R-Truth whose role is to entertain. Truth is the 24/7 Champion and is a jogger. Orton is main-event caliber while R-Truth provides comedy and entertainment. Truth is no longer the wrestler he once was. Truth got a few punches in before being RKO’d. After the match, Orton tried to attack Truth before Flair prevented him and the Big Show came out. Orton then challenged Big Show to an unsanctioned match next week on Raw.
Result: Randy Orton defeats R-Truth via pinfall
Grade: F
Bobby Lashley vs. Ricochet
Ricochet started going right after Lashley however, Lashley shrugged off the kicks. Lashley chased Ricochet out of the ring and used his size and speed to his advantage. Ricochet wasn’t able to get much offense in. Lashley made Ricochet tap out with the Full Nelson. He would not let go of the hold until Cedric Alexander came in the ring. Alexander ended up being in a Full Nelson of his own.
Result: Bobby Lashley defeats Ricochet via submission
Grade: F
The Kabuki Warriors vs. Bayley and Sasha Banks for the Women’s Tag Team Championship
Asuka and Banks start off the match for their respective teams. The two started arguing before Banks ran to the rope. Banks then tagged in Bayley. Bayley and Banks are looking to get Asuka so heated up that she would make a mistake for the champions to capitalize on. This rivalry has been going on and is heating up. It is only going to escalate at Extreme Rules as Banks challenges for Asuka’s championship. Bayley has had control of most of the match. Asuka was able to use the double knees and then make a tag to Kairi Sane. The Pirate Princess went after both Banks and Bayley. The Kabuki Warriors were able to take advantage with their strong strikes. Bayley Dos Belts provides a crucial distraction in the match to allow them to regain control. Then they sent Kairi Sane into the plexiglass before the commercial. Raw comes back from commercial to Banks applying a submission on Sane. Banks then tags in Bayley hitting her with multiple strikes. Asuka applied the Asuka Lock and Banks was able to roll over and force a rope break. Kairi Sane hit the Insane Elbow but Bayley pulled Sane out of the ring. Banks was able to put Sane in the Bank Statement where Sane tapped out.
Result: Bayley and Sasha Banks defeat The Kabuki Warriors via submission to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
Grade: A-
This weeks episode of Raw was terrible in my opinion. There were a lot of bad or mediocre matches with the exception of a couple of matches. I would give this weeks episode a C+.
Brian's World of Sports 