RAW Review – 04/25/2016
Welcome to my, Kareem’s (@HomeOfWWE on IG’s), second RAW review on thewrestlingclassic.com.
RAW REVIEW 04/25/2016
(1/11) The Shane and Steph Opener:
Shane came out, doing the usual, then out comes Stephanie McMahon. She wouldn’t want to leave, so Shane had security escort her away.
Pros and Cons (3-1):
Pros:
- The announcement of the Payback segment, Vince’s choosing, was announced quite well.
- Decent way to start the show adding more interest for the upcoming PPV, WWE Payback.
- I really loved the brother and sister dynamic.
- The segment clicked with the viewers, and hyped up tonight’s show.
Cons:
- The WM match with Taker and Shane is becoming even more meaningless now.
Crowd Engagement:
The crowd overall for this segment were loud and energetic.
Rating: 8.25/10
(2/11) AJ Styles VS Sheamus:
Very good match. Styles won by pinfall. Good way to hype up AJ for Payback.
Pros and Cons (3-0):
Pros:
- It was a really good match, entertaining the viewers.
- Interesting match-up for AJ, as Sheamus was Roman’s former main rival.
- Good way to hype AJ for Payback.
Cons: N/A
Crowd Engagement:
They were alive, rooting for the phenomenal one.
Rating: 9.25/10
(3/11) Tag Team Tension:
New Day showed up, talking about the tournament finals. The Vaudevillians then walked in and claimed that they would win at Payback. Enzo and Cass joined afterwards, getting themselves into the heated convo.
Pros and Cons (2-1):
Pros:
- Good to see all 3 together in a segment before Payback.
- Potential to have Enzo or Cass to face one of the VaudeVillians in a single match.
Cons:
- Should’ve had the Vaudevillians explain themselves more.
Crowd Engagement:
Decent. Loud pop for The New Day, and also appreciated the realest guys in the room.
Rating: 7.5/10
(4/11) Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson VS The Usos:
Good to see Luke & Karl win on their debut. But bad to see how afterwards Luke & Karl were beating up the Usos, Roman had to come to settle things. They should’ve had him come out but get beaten down again, putting Karl & Anderson over.
Pros and Cons (4-1):
Pros:
- It was very entertaining.
- Payback hype; solid.
- Karl and Luke winning.
- Karl and Luke beating up the Usos after the match.
Cons:
- Roman getting the better of Karl and Luke.
Crowd Engagement:
Good pop for Gallows and Anderson.
Loud boos for Roman.
Rating: 8.5/10
(5/11) Rusev VS Sami Zayn:
Excellent match between the two as Sami defeated Rusev by a roll up pin.
Pros and Cons (3-0):
Pros:
- Excellent match
- Lana throwing her high heels at Sami after the match, as Owens then came down to attack Sami, continuing their feud.
- Rusev did really good here; possibly his best performance.
Cons: N/A
Crowd Engagement:
Engaged.
Rating: 9.25/10
(6/11) Apollo Crews VS Stardust:
Apollo and Stardust had a backstage segment, were the audience had more of a glimpse at who Apollo is in the brief backstage interview.
Apollo then beat Stardust.
Pros and Cons (2-0):
Pros:
- Nice to see a little interview before their match.
- Stardust’s selling.
Cons: N/A
Crowd Engagement:
Quite engaged.
Rating: 8.15/10
(7/11) Ambrose and Y2J face-off:
Great segment, and great, strong promos by the two. Good hype for Payback.
Pros and Cons (2-0):
Pros:
- This segment was exciting.
- This time, their face-off was intense.
Cons: N/A
Crowd Engagement:
They were interested in this segment.
Rating: 9.6/10
(8/11) Emma VS Natalya:
It was pretty boring, and not such an interesting part of the card.
Natalya won by submission.
Pros and Cons (1-2):
Pros:
- Having Natalya look strong going into her match with Charlotte at Payback.
Cons:
- It was not a good match but it wasn’t a bad match.
- The women weren’t given too much time and it was the only women’s division segment of the evening.
- They were performing sluggishly.
Crowd Engagement:
The fans were not into it at all, and instead chanted for Sasha Banks and WOO’D for Charlotte.
Rating: 4.5/10
(9/11) Baron Corbin VS Damien Sandow:
The match never even began, as Ziggler ambushed Corbin, who then managed to get away.
Pros and Cons (2-1):
Pros:
- Fine for what it was.
- Damien Sandow on RAW!
Cons:
- Not so interesting. This rivalry needs some background, some story telling, I mean, how else will we be invested?
Crowd Engagement:
So so.
Rating: 6.9/10
(10/11) Miz, Maryse, and Cesaro’s segment:
Miz and Maryse did their typical heel job. Cesaro then interrupted, who later attacked the Miz. Before Cesaro was about to go for his signature swing, Maryse placed herself on top of Miz to stop Cesaro. Cesaro then held the IC title, signalling what he wants.
Pros and Cons (2-0):
Pros:
- They did their job well once again.
- Made the feud slightly more interesting.
Cons: N/A
Crowd Engagement:
They were into it, and showed their support for Cesaro.
Rating: 9/10
(11/11) Roman Reigns VS Alberto Del Rio:
Main event time;
They have their match, as Gallows and Anderson came to interrupt, causing Del Rio to roll Roman up. Roman kicked out, then hit Del Rio with a spear, to win. Gallows and Anderson went to beat up Roman, but then AJ came down telling them to stop. Roman superman punched AJ, as he then beat up his buddies. AJ afterwards hit a beautiful phenomenal forearm on Roman.
Pros and Cons (2-1):
Pros:
- Decent match.
- Nice ending.
Cons:
- Roman actually looking strong up against 3 other hyped guys.
Crowd Engagement:
They were behind Alberto, with a few kids/women behind Roman. They chanted SI, SI, SI loudly as Del Rio was doing his taunt. They also gave Karl, Luke and AJ good reactions.
Rating: 8.8/10
RAW Overall rating: 7.7/10.
Not a bad RAW. So far, the build up to Payback has been good; especially the main event. Looking forward to it. I’m interested in seeing if we’re heading into another brand extension period after this Sunday, when Vince makes his announcement of who will be in charge of Raw.
