Wrestlemania is over but the weekend itself doesn't end there because I have the Monday Night RAW after Wrestlemania episode to talk about and it was one of the weakest RAW after Wrestlemania shows in quite some time.
A few highlights in between but for the most part, the show lacked excitement. I know there are pro wrestling episodes that can pull off without a crowd (last week's episode was a great example of that) however, this show in particular, absolutely needed an enthusiastic crowd that expresses moments like no other show of the year can.
Liv Morgan vs Asuka.
In my Wrestlemania part 2 review, I joked about how I regretted watching Liv Morgan's last match with Natalya. It's crazy how 24 hours makes a difference because she had a good opener with Asuka.
Morgan did a middle rope code-breaker of some sort on Asuka which looked cool. The match ended with the Asuka lock after Liv Morgan tried so hard to get out of the submission but Morgan tapped out. I wanna see more of this Liv Morgan. A solid showing for her.
Becky Lynch in the post-match after Wrestlemania 36 night one, basically gives Shayna credit for being a fighter. Shayna, however, was warning Lynch that she might lose the belt. I think a rematch makes sense given how their match has ended the way it did.
The Street Profits vs Austin Theory And Angel Garza For The RAW Tag Team Championship.
Yes, a rematch from last night and like that match, it was aight. The ref called for the match to end in a DQ due to Vega grabbing on Montez Ford's leg and the official saw that.
Similar to last night, The RAW champs were attacked by Garza, Theory and Vega but Bianca Belair showed up to the rescue. The one main difference is that it leads to a match between Belair and Vega.
That match also ended in a DQ which led to a 6 tag team match with a woman on each team and the babyface team won the match with the KOD from Belair to Vega.
I don't hate this booking strategy per se (it was used greatly in the Kevin Owens vs Seth Rollins match on Night one).
However, this was a mess. Considering that Bianca showed up yesterday at Wrestlemania by saving The Street Profits, Why can't this match happen solely instead of a championship rematch then a singles women's match then a 6 tag team match? It was a lame way to add time to a 3-hour show.
Aleister Black vs Apollo Crews.
Crews is a member of the RAW roster due to "the draft picks that were about to expire" (huh?) and I expected that match to end quickly but I was surprised.
This is the first time since his debut that WWE actually made him look good. It felt like an NXT produced match and not the main roster match.
Apollo at one point during the match threw Aleister Black with the overhead belly to belly suplex outside the ring.
Aleister Black locked in the leg bar which the way Black did it was amazing. Crews got out of the black mass and strike Black with the enziguri. After many reversals from Crews, Aleister Black finally delivers the black mass and takes the W.
If this is what we're going to see Apollo Crews on RAW in the coming months, I certainly do not mind it. Probably the best TV match all year.
Aleister Black's Wrestlemania 36 opponent, Bobby Lashley has a problem with Lana because of how Lashley lost the match and her involvement. *Sarcasm* Cooool.
Cedric Alexander And Ricochet vs Oney Lorcan And Danny Burch.
The red brand is in desperate need of quality tag teams and having Cedric team with his long time friend Ricochet is a great idea if you ask me.
I mean, their styles can perfectly be mixed with fellow RAW tag teams like the Viking Raiders.
This match, while decent, was a great showcase for Alexander and Ricochet. They won with the recoil from Ricochet to Burch.
Seth Rollins vs Denzel Dejournette.
Before this match aired, Kevin Owens cut a decent promo saying that he finally got his Wrestlemania 2 day ago with his bump from the Wrestlemania sign all the way through the table on Seth Rollins. Anywho, the match itself was one-sided. Rollins won with the stomp.
Nia Jax vs Deonna Purrazzo
The irresistible force is back after a year of absence (no sh*t, Omar). I wasn't a fan of hers so her return didn't do anything but I'm sure you guys disagree and you're glad to see her once more.
Like the Seth Rollins match from earlier, this was a one-sided encounter. Jax dominates the match with a DDT of all moves.
Humberto Carrillo vs Brendan Vink.
This wasn't offensive at least. Carrillo grabs the W with a moonsault I'll never get tired of witnessing.
Drew McIntyre vs The Big Show.
I know you're reading the headline above like wha but first, let me explain this whole thing. After Wrestlemania was over, Drew had an in-ring interview with Sarah Schreiber and McIntyre passionately talked about how when Brock Lesnar hits an F5 after F5, it gave him the motivation to get back up and strike the claymore to get the title.
The Big Show showed up and played mind games so that Drew could face him for the championship which that's exactly what happened.
We know why WWE did this. The company used that entire segment and match to promote Big Show's sitcom show that they heavily produced along with 2 other production companies or at least that’s how I preceded it but this entire thing was fine for what it was. McIntyre retained the championship with the claymore kick.
So, to recap for all of you slow mofos.
Like: Aleister Black vs Apollo Crews, Liv Morgan vs Asuka, a great showcase for Cedric Alexander and Ricochet.
Didn't like: The awful booking in the RAW Tag team title match, overall lacked excitement.
What do you guys think about this episode of RAW? Sound off in the comments below. Follow me on the tweets @omartheplayaguy and follow this very blog for honest pro wrestling opinions. Anyway, stay safe smarks.
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