RAW DAY 1 Full Review | Wrestling
wrestling 027 & tv review 068
... Took way too long!
WWE
RAW {DAY 1}
January 01th, 2024
Review
Hm... I'm a bit free here so let's give it a try...:
Nia Jax v Becky Lynch (11m50s) [4/5]
What a way to start the year and the show with a match right away! Stating the importance of this clash is the wonderful video package with all the storyline going back years, one of the strengths of Paul Levesque's leadership. The booking of both wrestlers have been strong coming into the match, with the former winning matches against other capable women and the later coming off of a successful run in the NXT. The match is a great culmination of their history together, with the Man using her experience to get around the obstacle of not being able to pull off her usual moves on her while the Unmoveable Object standing her ground and brush off her opponent with ease. The increased intensity from the Irish lass is in line with her motivation coming in, earning her a leg up in the opening minutes with Sunset Flip Powerbomb and Top Rope Flip Press, while the arrogance of the Samoan proves to be her downfall time and time again. The redhead gives her all between using the count-out, Off the Top Rope Leg Drop and even the Disarm-Her but never enough to put the brunette away. Her desperation trying to pull off Manhandle Slam from the second rope almost proves to be her detriment after it backfired into a sweet and flushed Second Rope Samoan Drop! The crowd is certainly tune into the match from the get go and they give the second best reaction after that kickout. Becky gives her absolute all at the end there but can't discount for that lethal right hand, catching it going down and stays down after the In-Nia-lator.
{ Off the Second Rope Counter Stunner > Sunset Flip Powerbomb > Top Rope Flip Press > Cannonball off the Barrier > Off the Top Rope Leg Drop > Sit-Down Powerbomb > Second Rope Samoan Drop}
+ Wonderful introduction package of this feud + Great in-character quotes from Nia (i.e. after the leg drop on the ring apron) & delicious expressions from her i.e. the extra lean back on the pin (to look at the referee) after the Samoan Drop & the shocked exasperation right after the two count+ Smart babyface playing to the count-out, using her ring intelligence to her benefit & portraying her desperation well to win it with that shoulder-checks on the back of Jax's left ankle + Smart decision to bleed to mirror the inciting moment of this feud. + Oh, it's a perfect match to incite reaction from the crowd with a clear-cut babyface & heel... just watch the interaction between Nia and the spectators after the bell rings! + Props to Lynch in putting over Jax with the in-ring intensity and the dejected expression at the end...
? Wonderful foreshadowing of the finish with the punch to the stomach at the ringside. ? The In-Nia-lator would look much more devastating if Jax doesn't pull her punch in dropping her weight on the opponent but I'm all for keeping it as safe as possible for the performers.
- Not the cleanest of execution of moves (Stunner & Sit-Down) but it's in theme with emotions running high, which will not be factored into the scoring at all, for me.
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Cody Rhodes v Shinsuke Nakamura Storyline [3/5]
It has been building up for both competitors, each on their own journey of significance especially on the road to Wrestlemania. Granted the one who needs to finish his story has a significantly higher chance to do it while the other only have a recent repackaging with a couple of decent midcard wins and a streak of higher-profile losses. Giving each of them something with substance to play with that might factor into the Rumble itself is a smart booking decision, playing into the strengths of both wrestlers i.e. the extra villainous flair in Shinsuke's native tongue and the always over babyface persistence of Cody. The blow-off match next week is going to be amazing considering the talents here, but it will only be the start. Oh, I just love how over the American Nightmare is... do you listen to the deafening cheers during his entrance?!
+ Short but sweet segment that brings the feud to a definite finale of this chapter. + Smart direction to focus on the wrestler's native language since they could definitely express themselves much more effectively i.e. just like how Shinsuke does ever since! ? How's the match is going to be booked? This will not be just a regular match considering what Nakamura is hinting at. - ...
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Jey Uso & Kofi Kingston vs. Imperium
! stopped by the referee due to Giovanni Vinci injury !
(7m) [2.25/5]
It is a bit unfortunate that any of the wrestlers would get injured accidentally during the match since all of them have really good chemistry with each other, and having a little motivation for the clash in the ring would certainly helps. Although this started a couple of weeks ago under the most sports entertainment of circumstances, it is something tangible that they can play around with to act as a foundation for their upcoming team as well as single journeys. With the Rumble season already in motion, this is going to be one of the better storyline that will factor into that main event definitely. The match here itself is about to kick into the second gear before the aforementioned incident and thankfully the concussion protocol has been the best yet, with the referee comes to Giovanni's aid at his side right away when the fairly innocuous spot goes wrong and puts a stop to it with an X sign with his hands. The health of the wrestlers are now the absolute paramount despite the matches, instead of the norm before. Thankfully he doesn't suffer any other long-suffering ailment from it other than just an apparent quick concussion. Everyone will bounce back from this for the better, that's for sure!
+ Good match with a nice pace before the accident. + The still over Jey Uso pairing perfectly with Kofi Kingston. ? Jey is being cut out from the main event scene since it's so crowded now but looking like being paired with Gunther is not a bad consolation prize at all. ? The New Day isn't in contention for the belts yet as well as Kaiser & Vinci right now so pairing against each other is a smart booking especially when Woods returns. - No one should prioritise the matches over the wrestlers anymore in this modern age, I don't want them to suffer as much as before...
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The Miz & R-Truth v “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh (7m30s) [3.25/5]
These two veterans are returning to team back together again as the Awesome Truth against the juniors of the Judgement Day. However, the journeys to reach this moment are highly divergent against one another but still as extraordinary, with the former being one of the most consistent and safest performers on the roster while the latter has just returned from an injury and can still perform in the ring, betraying his actual age with his agility and of course his never-changing appearance. This pair is just the perfect foil for the newbies on the mic with Dom and JD, especially with how over the two babyfaces are against the almost nuclear heat of the Mysterio Junior and McDonagh as well just by association. The match itself is fine in and of itself but what makes it unlike any other is the self-insertion of R-Truth into the purple faction and how he makes it work miraculously to his benefit in the storyline itself and to the Universe as well. From naturally playing to the crowds and getting into the groove before trying to tag with his fellow 'team member' to his detriment, Truth plays this flawlessly to the bewilderment of the opponents with his self-delusion. It actually plays to the finish with him being in the Judgement Day's corner and actually tags himself in then forced to punch the Miz to show his loyalty. Of course the crowd favourites comes out on top in the end with the Showoff able to maneuver through the Truth tornado to clinch the pin in the end, with R's help whether he knows it or not.
+ Great decision to pair them back up together to play with the levity against the twos who can play in that area, from a faction that's quite flexible. From the interview to the match, that sense of enjoyment never really let up thanks to the nice pacing. + The Miz is a master at playing to the crowds and appealing to them proven by him going back to a babyface worthy of cheers yet again (especially after gruelling war against Gunther) + R-Truth is not a slouch himself, coming back from an injury (that he picked up from being selfless in NXT no less) despite his age and performs again like he never even left! + Dom blends into the background a little after losing the North American title but he is a just companion for JD who founds a little niche role perfect for him.
? The Judgement Day is at the forefront of the RAW roster considering the number of belts and possible championship opportunity at their disposal so trying to find the balance between making them appear as a credible threat and a bumbling bunch is critical. They might lean towards the latter with the inclusion of R-Truth but it is leading towards something as an ongoing storyline, not just for a flash in the pan just like yesteryears.
- There's always someone who doesn't like comedy bits in wrestling but just like Simon, I will proclaim loudly that "Goofy Wrestling for Life!" -
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Women's Tag Team Championship feud
Chelsea Green & Piper Niven v Kayden Carter & Katanna Chance [2.5/5]
The two Ks being brought up from NXT might be the only naturally paired wrestlers in the roster as a tag team that makes sense instead of just appeared to be randomly put together. This little vignette thankfully will give the casual viewers who doesn't watch the Gold Brand a little taste of their personalities albeit this is just scratching the surface. Putting them in the opposite corner of the always excellent Chelsea and her partner Piper, with the former being a revelation in the division with her impeccable comedic timing and facial expressions. She is definitely leading this segment wonderfully and the others follow suit.
+ Short but sweet little vignette that highlights each of the performer's personalities, with Green of course being in the center of it, deservedly so.
? The KC2 never did get a lot chance to dive into their characters and what make them tick in NXT and then getting called up without much to do in an always overlooked division... here's hoping for the best for her with now a more dedicated focus on this title since there's no more NXT women division.
- -
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Ivy Nile v Rhea Ripley {Women's World Heavyweight Champion} (13m) [3.25/5]
Having Ivy Nile in the title picture this early in her main roster tenure is a bit surprising but it is not really if you took into account the storyline they're going for this: the Champion trying to set an example of her division by picking off the up-and-coming newcomer. It doesn't exactly go the way that she is intended but the point has been made despite the challenger's best efforts. Mind you, Ivy certainly gives her all in the ring against one of the most dominant Champions at the moment, showcasing her great grappling foundation and exraordinary weightlifting prowess that sets her up for a bright future in this industry. She would thrive in NXT for sure but bringing her up this early would let us see her journey of self-discovery on a bigger platform, definitely to her testament that she could at least be a deserving adversary to Rhea Ripley. Speaking of which, the Champion certainly should be given her just credit as well by being a really dependable soundboard for the freshman (or freshwoman?) to bounce herself off of and see what the echo is, so to speak. She really leads the encounter from the jump expertly despite her comparatively young age, showing her eagerness to set the tone for the rest of the match, knocking down any kind of effort Nile is trying to put up. Ripley would sell remarkably well to highlight her opponent's moves despite the lack of smoothness on the rookie's executions a couple of times and then display her ruthlessness with a off-the-shoulder front drop to the ring's apron for example. Ivy keeps pulling off a number of counter-attacks that surprises Rhea for sure but when she's able to chain some moves together, it wil always be for naught time and time again. That German Suplex off the second rope after that great head bounce off the buckle is the highlight for the body builder but the sudden end to her momentum - that flushed headbutt and the following finisher looks just like the defacto Judgement Day needs to pull that out to come out of this on top. That more or less ten minutes certainly fly by since they fit in as much as they could in that short amount of time. I can't wait for them to meet each other again in the ring further down the line!
+ "Oh, sh*t!" + Solid encounter between the established & the upcoming that's impactful and engaging for the Universe in attendence. + She doesn't have a lot of depths in her character right now especially in the ring but Nile has the making of a top babyface considering her reception here. + This is another reason that Ripley is still the leader of RAW, putting out entertaining outing every now and then while still being the talk of the town outside of the ring.
? It is the scenario of throwing you into the deep end and see whether you swim or not for Ivy Nile and it appears that she can definitely swim with the others for sure! ? There is no real credible contenders in line for her title yet on RAW, with a handful of the women in the roster involve in the Tag Team picture... the bigger picture here is for Becky to eventually rise back up to meet Rhea at Wrestlemania, so we'll see.
- There's a couple of not-as-smooth transitions to other moves but it's in the acceptable margin of errors for the newbie... this is just me being too nitcpicky, so I am not letting it affects the score.
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Jinder Mahal & the Rock segment [2.5/5]
The setting for this segment is just perfect for the obvious but still effective swerve of introducing one of the most divisive champions of the modern era. Mind you, it's never his fault in the first place since he was capable to reach that heights naturally himself but being swept up with the corporate's Indian expansion back then with a protracted journey for that title just set his reign on the backfoot from the start that he simply couldn't really overcome completely. He has solid movesets but is better on the mic and he has proven that yet again by milking the hate the audiences have since the aforementioned betrayal and then turning up the notch for the anti-American sentiments that are rather generic yet still do the job. Playing with the viewers' expectations and then their feelings, they have let it gone long enough for the stress to be released when the Rock returns to interrupt him. Someone that's the audiences actually expect in the first place, the atmosphere changes almost instantly with the People's Champ plays to the crowd expertly the only way he can, certainly a novelty act for the WWE Universe that's just hitting the familiar i.e. vintage beats that caters to the most basic of fan engagement without any more extra venom in it. It ends of course with a little altercation that Dwayne gets the upper hand almost immediately and finishes him off with the People's Elbow. Perfect, as it should be.
+ That perfect swerve that's too good to pass up, playing off of that announcement from Triple H.
+ Jinder plays his role perfectly with the promos alone & against Johnson.
+ Great surprise return for one of the biggest stars of the industry & great segment letting him do what he does best.
?Oh, that Head of the Table tease?! ? Mahal can still go in the ring as proven by his recent matches since his return but he needs to be given something meaty to chew into, especially as a manager for Indus Sher.
- I'm sure this segment has gone over the alloted timeslot especially with the Rock holding the mic, and it's unfortunate the matches following them would be cut short a couple of minutes...
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Women's Tag Team Championship feud
Shayna Bazler & Zoey Stark v Natalya & Tegan Nox (5m 30s) [2.25/5]
I am always in favour of giving the Women's Tag division at least a spot for the weekly show (SmackDown has a more limited timeslot so they'll be less time there) and it's a good booking this week with a nice club vignette and this surprisingly competitive match between these two tag teams that are thrown together but with opposite trajectory for their tag chemistry. It is unfortunate that they are not being given more time to play with since they fit in a lot inside a rather limited timeframe. Within this short but sweet match, we can see the difference between a cohesive team and individualistic team with being more of a unit together between Shayna and Zoey while just moves on their own pace between Natalya & Tegan. The latter do dominate the exchange early on but just can not keep it going to overcome the former's combined might. It ends as soon as it starts with the Irish Nox comes in with a hot tag and gets a momentum going before getting cut down with the tag team move from Bazler and then Stark.
+ Short but sweet match & a good representative of the division.
? At least there is a segment each week for them... they are being used at least, with Natalya will always be there to support the upcomers while Tegan is just happy to be healthy enough to gain experience on the main roster. Zoey gains a lot from that partnering with Trish Stratus and now just learning more in tag team dynamic with the capable Shayna, whom could challenge for the Single title but would need to be build up to reach that height again.
- It's unfortunate that it's being cut short, they could've been much more entertaining.
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Drew McIntyre v Seth Rollins {World Heavyweight Champion} (18m 05s) [3.25/5]
With the past history going back months between these two wrestlers and then the effective build-up towards this rematch for the last weeks, the Champion goes on the offensive right away when the bell rings which makes sense story-wise. The Visionary puts in a valiant effort to overcome the Scottish Warrior but soon overcome by his superior strength and the recently found sadistic side. He has to put his body on the line to keep the challenger at bay but it takes its toll on his weary back, halting his momentum time and time again that allows Drew to assert his authority over his body. A frog splash cannot keep him down and even the Superplex-Falcon Arrow combo is being turned against himself, while he himself has to kick out of White Noise off the second rope. The momentum keeps going back and forth between them when McIntyre clutches in a Future Shock DDT as a counter to the Face Stomp and then follows by a Sitdown Powerbomb as a counter to the Claymore. Even a Pedigree soon after can't keep him down!
And then... comes the finish of the match: Damien Priest comes down with Dominick Mysterio with their own referee, seemingly to cash in the Money in the Back contract, with the latter acting as a distraction for the former to bash the briefcase in the face of the Champion. The plan comes to an abrupt end though when The Scotts notices them and rush in to Claymore the aforementioned briefcase now on the Punishment's face and then give the Con a Body-to-Body Suplex. He then tries to take advantage of a wounded Rollins and hit him finally with his finisher... but his over assertiveness in the cover unintentionally brings Seth's leg too close to the rope and of course the referee sees it right before the three counts. Playing into the story of Drew screwing himself over in every Championship match before, he looks too stunned and irate to consider another quick cover, instead trying to put him through the announcer's table. This proves to be his undoing when the Champion recovers just enough to counter that into a Pedigree instead! A roll into the ring and a devastating stomp of the face later, it is over and Rollins wins again.
+ That eye roll! He is one of the few wrestlers that acknowledges the video we are seeing when we cut away from them! Even that quote, "He brought it upon himself!" when we see that staplers in Sami's head!
+ Solid Championship match with hard-hitting moves and extra motivation behind them. + One of the better finishes to the match yet, playing to every angle that's available from Drew screwing himself to Damian still can't find that golden moment and Seth persevering through it all.
? McIntyre finds another new lease of life with this heel turn and certainly makes a case for him to be the top guy on RAW yet again... where will he be placed on Wrestlemania? ? It still depends on whether he would resign after April though.... ? Priest needs to be booked to be a viable threat to the Championship, there's still time even after Wrestlemania or before the MitB contract reaches its anniversary.
- It's certainly a PLE-worthy match, definitely would love a longer duel of it!
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[in order of appearence]
Nia Jax (+9)
+++ in Women's A storyline ++ awesome match + a win ++ building momentum
Becky Lynch (+8)
+++ in women's A storyline ++ awesome match + a hard fought battle despite the lose + putting over another talent
Cody Rhodes (+2)
+ in Men's C storyline + intriguing build to the eventual clash
Shinsuke Nakamura (+2)
+ in Men's C storyline + intriguing build to the eventual clash
Jey Uso (+2)
++ in Men's B storyline ? match cut short accidentally
Kofi Kingston (+2)
++ in Men's Tag Team storyline ? match cut short accidentally
Giovanni Vinci (+2)
++ in Men's Tag Team storyline ? match cut short accidentally
Ludwig Kaiser (+2)
++ in Men's B Tag Team storyline ? match cut short accidentally
the Miz (+5)
+++ in Men's A Tag Team storyline ++ entertaining goofy wrestling
R-Truth (+6)
+++ in Men's A Tag Team storyline +++ spearheading an entertaining goofy wrestling
Dominik Mysterio (+6)
+++ in Men's A Tag Team storyline ++ entertaining goofy wrestling + play a part in the closing segment
JD McDonagh (+5)
+++ in Men's A Tag Team storyline ++ entertaining goofy wrestling
Chelsea Green (+5)
+++ in Women's Tag Team storyline + nice personality highlight + short airtime
Piper Niven (+4)
+++ in Women's Tag Team storyline + short airtime
Kayden Carter (+4)
+++ in Women's Tag Team storyline + short airtime
Katanna Chance (+4)
+++ in Women's Tag Team storyline + short airtime
Ivy Nile (+6)
+++ in Women's A storyline ++ great match + a hard fought battle despite the lose
Rhea Ripley (+7)
+++ in Women's A storyline ++ great match + a definitive win + leading by example
Jinder Mahal (+3)
++ effective use in the segment + good foil for the Rock
the Rock (+8)
+++ nostalgia hit ++ effective use in the segment + good foil for Jinder Mahal +- the People's Elbow (the apparent gassing after) ++ a tease for the Head of the Table clash ?!
Shayna Bazler (+5)
+++ in Women's Tag Team storyline + good match + a win
Zoey Stark (+5)
+++ in Women's Tag Team storyline + good match + a win
Natalya (+4)
+++ in Women's Tag Team storyline + good match
Tegan Nox (+5)
+++ in Women's Tag Team storyline ++ good match with good showing of talent
Drew McIntyre (+7)
+++ in Men's A storyline +++ awesome match + an in-character performance
Seth Rollins (+8)
+++ in Men's A storyline +++ awesome match + a win + leading by example
Damien Priest (+4)
+++ in Men's A storyine + play a part in the closing segment
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