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WWE RAW 1/2/21 | A Coherent Review.

Apparently, WWE are huge fans of The Weeknd because, for the second year in a row, his song is the main theme music for Wrestlemania.

I can't blame them because he's actually a fantastic musician. 

Anywho, how was Monday Night RAW? I didn’t hate it for the most part. 

Images via WWE.com 

Edge Confronts Drew McIntyre. 

Drew McIntyre kicked off this week's episode and he quickly recapped last night's Royal Rumble show (which you can click here to read my review for it). 

Out came the Rated R superstar himself and he wasn't a fan of Drew's compliments toward him saying that Drew should look at him as a huge target. 

Edge then told the usual bits, "I'm gonna walk out of Wrestlemania as a champion" to which Sheamus brogue kicked his best friend, Drew McIntyre. 

Keith Lee was right all along. This opening scene felt like it had so many things happening at once but that's just me nitpicking.

It looks like this is the feud for a match either at Elimination Chamber or Fastlane and I'm all for it. 

The segment was okay though. 

Riddle vs Bobby Lashley For The United States Championship. 

This match was so disappointing. It ended immediately with the full Nelson and Lashley proceeded to not let go of the hold for minutes.  

It could've been a hard-hitting fight but instead, it was basically a squash bout even though the feud portrayed Riddle as a credible challenger. 

Bad Bunny showed up with a Bugatti and all I was thinking seeing this backstage segment was that Ace Hood song from 2013.


  

Xavier Woods vs Mustafa Ali. 

The best part about this rivalry is the promos from Mustafa Ali and Kofi Kingston on Twitter. 

The match itself was okay. Woods finally picked up a victory from a member of loser……. I mean, Retribution with a crucifix pin. 

Miz TV. Special Guest, Bad Bunny. 

Mix tried to convince Bad Bunny to join them because he's made stars like Daniel Bryan (it would be funny if John Morrison said, "what about Alex Riley?") and of course, Bad Bunny refused. 

This was a way for Damian Priest to make his Monday Night RAW debut by facing The Miz immediately after this segment had aired. 

And he picked up a W with the reckoning. 

Outside shenanigans aside, this was a good way to debut a new star on the flagship show. 

Priest got a stamp of approval from Edge later in the night which was a cool moment. 

The Hurt Business In Cedric Alexander And Shelton Benjamin vs The Lucha House Party For The RAW Tag Team Championship. 

WWE gave those guys more time than I expected for a tag team title match on Monday Night RAW. This was a good effort. 

Cedric's interaction with Gran Metalik was a pure joy to watch. 

Alexander was about to hit his finish but instead, Shelton Benjamin tagged him and hit the paydirt to retain the tag team titles. 

Please, do not break those guys up. WWE just cannot write friendships. 

Asuka And Charlotte Flair vs Mandy Rose And Dana Brooke vs Lana And Naomi. Winner Gets A Women's Tag Team Championship Opportunity. 

Lana isn't too bothered by the fact that Charlotte Flair replaced her spot at TLC. It is what it is, I guess? 

Naomi had a decent showcase. Other than that, this was meh. 

Charlotte Flair continued to be distracted by Lacey Evans and Ric Flair. 

Because of it, Naomi pinned Asuka to earn a women's tag team championship opportunity. 

Is Naomi getting a RAW women's championship shot? If not, that pin had no litre of thought put into that finish. 

By the way, this feud ain't it for me my Gs. 

Jeff Hardy And Carlito vs Elias And Jaxson Ryker. 

Yawn. Another match that involves Jeff Hardy, Elias and Jaxson Ryker. 

But hey, at least Carlito is in the mix this week, right? 

The good guys won. Cool. 


Drew McIntyre gave a heartfelt promo about Sheamus betraying him earlier in the night. 

Drew did a fantastic job on how disappointed he was that his best friend was willing to break up a friendship for a championship opportunity. 

They're making Drew McIntyre more relatable to the audience and I love it. 

That's how you build a babyface.  But, that doesn't change the fact that WWE hates friendships (I'm joking). 

Alexa Bliss vs Nikki Cross. 

This was a way for Bliss to gain a bit of momentum following her short stint in the women's Royal Rumble match. In other words, this was fine. 

Alexa defeated Nikki Cross with a modified sister Abigail. 

Edge vs Randy Orton. 

Thanks to Alexa Bliss' weirdness again, Edge picked up the victory with the spear. 

Normally, I do not mind slow matches but this one was WAY too slow for my liking. 

It REALLY dragged on which is too bad because I've enjoyed their in-ring work against each other over the years. 

Hell, I even liked the last man standing match. 

So, to recap for all of you slow mofos. 

Like: The Hurt Business vs Lucha House Party, Damian Priest's debut, Drew McIntyre's backstage promo after the attack from Sheamus. 

Didn't like: Edge vs Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy and Carlito vs Elias And Jaxson Ryker, Riddle vs Bobby Lashley, the Charlotte Flair/ Lacey Evans and Ric Flair distraction. 


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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