Drew McIntyre Starts the Show, Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan
Monday Night Raw kicked off this week with Drew McIntyre as The Scottish Warrior had some things to say. Drew is still furious with Seth “Freakin” Rollins over getting involved with The Bloodline before he took a couple of brilliant shots at CM Punk. Seth Rollins eventually came out to call McIntyre a massive hypocrite before Rollins tried to goad Drew McIntyre into a fight by saying “you’re the least of my worries at WrestleMania.” This was a pretty good start to the show and once again, Drew McIntyre is on fire right now!
Grade: B
We got a great video package for Chad Gable ahead of tonight’s Number 1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match before it was time for the first match of the night as Becky Lynch took on Liv Morgan. I thought this was a good match, it was a lot smoother and better flowing than the matches these two have been in the last couple of weeks, and to my surprise, Nia Jax was nowhere to be seen throughout this contest. Both Liv and Becky also had the match won at different points if it wasn’t for the other rolling out of the ring before the match finally ended with Lynch standing victorious after a second Manhandle Slam. After the match, Rhea Ripley marched down to the ring, laughed at Liv Morgan, and cut a good promo on Becky before Lynch fired back with an even better one about how she’s at her best when people doubt her. Good stuff all round.
Grade: B- (Match and Post-Match Promo Combined)
Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell VS Ivy Nile and Maxxine Dupri, Cody Rhodes Interview, The Kabuki Warriors VS Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark: WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis announced that The Judgment Day will be defending their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships in a 6-Pack Ladder Match at WrestleMania. Finn Balor and Damian Priest were obviously furious, but I for one cannot wait for how bonkers that match will be! We then went straight into a Tag Team match as Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell took on the team of Ivy Nile and Maxxine Dupri. This actually wasn’t much of a match, and more an angle. After Maxxine Dupri attempted to hit the worm on Indi Hartwell, Candice LeRae stopped her before she talked trash about Dupri and even brought up Maxxine’s real-life brother who unfortunately passed away in 2017. Maxxine Dupri then went to leave the ring before she was met by a Big Boot from Indi Wrestling (who was unaware of what transpired) to get the victory. This is a very interesting storyline for WWE to do, but I personally don’t see a problem with it as long as Maxxine is okay with it. Also, Heel Candice is so much better than Babyface Candice as LeRae actually comes across as a genuinely good villain.
Grade: C+
The Judgment Day were furious with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis backstage before R-Truth walked in due to forgetting what day it was. This set up a match between Priest and Truth for later in the show. Cody Rhodes then made his way down to the ring as The American Nightmare had a sit-down interview with Michael Cole. This was pretty decent, Cody said some interesting things including about how “people change” in regards to trusting Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Rhodes also got emotional whilst talking about his family before he made it clear to Roman Reigns that “we’re in the last innings now!” The crowd clearly liked this so it worked from that perspective.
Grade: C+
Ricochet and JD McDonagh both had well edited hype videos before Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan shook hands backstage. However, it didn’t go very well for either women as Nia Jax arrived, sent Liv flying into a production crate before she put Becky crashing through a table. I still think a Fatal 4-Way could be possible. It was then time for some Gold to be on the line as The Kabuki Warriors put their WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on the line against Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark. I enjoyed this match, Asuka and Kairi Sane are a great Tag Team whilst I’m also never going to complain about seeing Kairi and Shayna go at it. It was also cool to see Asuka-Baszler given they’re the two greatest NXT Women’s Champions whilst Zoey Stark also brought a lot because she’s simply a very good wrestler. I even bought Baszler and Stark winning at one point which is genuinely awesome, but in the end, interference from Dakota Kai allowed Kairi Sane to hit the assisted InSane Elbow to score the 3 count.
Grade: B-
Damian Priest VS R-Truth, Jey Uso Promo
The Judgment Day and Andrade had a little chat about talking business in the future, but it’s fair to say that Damian Priest didn’t seem to bothered by this. We then got good video packages for both Shinsuke Nakamura and Bronson Reed before it was time for Damian Priest to go one-on-one with R-Truth. Damian Priest has shown time and time again now that he is a great in-ring worker, but I do have to say this, I do enjoy R-Truth’s persistence to just hit all of John Cena’s big moves! Midway through the match, DIY ran down to show their support to R-Truth, but towards the end of the contest, Finn Balor and JD McDonagh arrived to wipe out Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa which ultimately allowed Senor Money in the Bank to hit South of Heaven to get the victory. After the match, The Judgment Day continued to beat up the Babyfaces to the disgust of the WWE Universe. I really hope DIY are in that Tag Team Ladder Match at WrestleMania.
Grade: C+
Becky Lynch challenged Nia Jax to a Last Woman Standing Match for next week’s show before Jey Uso came out to party with the WWE Universe. After Jey was done partying, he quickly called out Jimmy Uso and challenged his Twin to a match at WrestleMania before he continued to dance before the segment ended. This was very weird and odd, but I kind of liked it. It was simple and straight to the point which is important because realistically, Uso VS Uso at Mania 40 is going to be anything but.
Grade: C+
Intercontinental Championship Number 1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match: Ricochet VS JD McDonagh VS Bronson Reed VS Sami Zayn VS Shinsuke Nakamura VS Chad Gable
After a brilliant video package highlighting Gunther’s historic reign as the Intercontinental Champion, the Main Event of Monday Night Raw saw six men compete in a Gauntlet Match for the opportunity to face The Ring General for the Title at WrestleMania XL. The match started with Ricochet and JD McDonagh and I thought they both did a really good job here which isn’t actually at all surprising. In the end, a perfect Shooting Star Press was enough for Ricochet to eliminate JD before Bronson Reed came out and laid waste to The One and Only in pretty quick fashion, securing the win with a Tsunami. After this, Sami Zayn came out and Bronson and Sami had a pretty decent encounter, even though it ended slightly surprisingly as Zayn was able to get the victory courtesy of a sunset-flip Powerbomb. As Shinsuke Nakamura made his way down to the ring, Reed attacked Zayn from behind before The Big Aussie wrecked his rival with the TSUNAMI, but this didn’t really help Shinsuke that much as he was also eliminated by a Zayn Helluva Kick. This meant that the final two men in this Gauntlet Match where Sami Zayn and Chad Gable. Both men are very prideful and proper Babyfaces, but that ultimately probably cost the loser. After multiple good near-falls and Chad locking in the ankle lock about 25 times, in the end, Sami Zayn was able to roll through and pin Master Gable for the 3 count meaning Sami Zayn will take on Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. I thought this was a great Gauntlet Match, especially the first and final matches as they actually got a good amount of time. To be honest, I was disappointed when Sami Zayn won as I really wanted to see Chad Gable book his ticket to WrestleMania. However, if you look at the ending of the match, you can clearly see that Gable’s shoulder is up. Also, Chad cut a near 6 minute exclusive promo after the match which makes me think that Master Gable’s story isn’t quite over just yet!
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