WWE Raw – April 22, 2019 (Review)

The Best of Raw

Styles / Joe / Mysterio

This should come as no surprise, but if you put AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Rey Mysterio into a ring together, great things happen. Go figure.

And after a pretty formulaic opening to Raw, a fast-paced, exciting match between three capable stars is exactly what the night needed to pick up a bit of steam. The back-and-forth contest played out all over the ring and the outside, ending when AJ first powerbombed Rey onto Joe and then did the same with the Styles Clash, before pinning the Samoan powerhouse.

And just like that, AJ moved on to face the winner of the second triple threat which played out later in the night.

Triple Threat 2, Electric Boogaloo

Although not as good as the original, the second three-way of the night was still a serviceable match. In fact, that’s unfair. By the time the end rolled around, this had become a pretty good bout.

Although I struggled to buy into either ‘The Legend Killer’ Baron Corbin or ‘Guy who lost to Shane McMahon’ Miz as legitimate threats to Seth Rollins’ Universal Title, they started to change my mind as the match wore on. With The Miz acting as the sole babyface, the odds were always be stacked against him, as a series of near falls played out. Eventually though, just as it looked like he might pull off the unlikely win, Miz turned around into a Claymore Kick from the ‘Scottish Psychopath’. Corbin then pounced on the opportunity, tossing McIntyre out of the ring and falling into the easy pin on Miz.

So the main event of Raw was set: AJ Styles vs Baron Corbin. Somehow Corbin had been swallowed by the mid-card vortex, travelled through time and space, and ended up in the night’s main event. Again. It’s unbelievable.

Sami Zayn’s Vacation Slide Show

Once again, Sami Zayn came out to lecture and belittle the audience. This time, he tried to convince us that his life was filled with nothing but sunshine and rainbows during his time away from the company. To illustrate his point, Sami put on a lengthy slide show highlighting all the peaceful moments he enjoyed during his recent get-aways. Just like your least favourite aunt used to do at every family gathering. Unless that was just my family?

As always, Zayn’s performance was top notch, coming across as a real obnoxious snob as he took us through all the high-priced exotic trips he’s taken and blaming the fans for the dread he felt upon returning to wrestling.

LOOK HOW HAPPY HE IS!!!

Have you EVER seen such UNBRIDLED JOY? #RAW @SamiZayn pic.twitter.com/sovu7caFMh

— WWE (@WWE) April 23, 2019

I’ve been rather critical of this heel persona (and I still feel like it’s rather directionless as a whole), but there’s no denying that Sami is excellent in the role. He delivers each line with unrivalled pompousness, each barbed comment at the crowd with a hint of truth. I was even starting to agree with him when he recommended that we take a trip ourselves – that was, of course, until he suggested hell as a holiday destination.

We’re in the mid-show doldrums of a pretty lacklustre Raw, Sami. I’m pretty sure we’re already there.

The Tag Team Experience

Raw’s tag team division looks noticeably healthy post-shakeup. The Usos cut an awesome promo before coming face-to-face with The Revival backstage.

This was followed by the mercifully rebranded Viking Raiders utterly decimating Lucha House Party (remember when they were beating The Revival on a weekly basis last year?). I’m still not entirely sold on the main roster versions of Erik and Ivar – in part because their names are Erik and Ivar. But also because their entire gimmick has been reduced to them grunting and slobbering like lobotomised giants, and their finishing move is now called “The Viking Experience”. Give it a rest, Vince! But at least they’re heading in the right direction.

oh my god give me the revival vs usos #RAW

— Cathy Kelley (@catherinekelley) April 23, 2019

Ending the segment was an interview with Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins. They said some stuff, but primarily this segment was there to remind us all that they were in fact the Raw Tag Team Champions. I had honestly forgotten that for a second.

All in all though, between The Usos, The Revival and The Viking Raiders, this division could get rather tasty.

The Firefly Fun House

Bray Wyatt’s latest promo package saw him host his own children’s TV show alongside Mercy the Bird Raptor and Peppy the Doll Witch. The playful tune and smiling Wyatt belied the genuinely creepy tone of this entire segment. It was weird, unsettling, jarring – and I absolutely loved it.

It was unclear precisely what character Wyatt would be adopting on his return to in-ring action following months on the sidelines. Weeks of seeing the asthmatic bird in the box and creepy cackling doll only made things more confusing. And while we’re still not sure how this psychopathic incarnation of the former cult leader will develop, I’m all on-board the train to crazy town.

A New Title Challenger

For a while I thought Raw would cave to the temptation to troll its fans. Before facing AJ Styles, Baron Corbin spoke about the fans on social media complaining about seeing him in the main event, and retiring Kurt Angle. It just seemed that the stars were aligning for the former GM to claim an unlikely win. And I was not happy about it.

But fortunately, when it really counted, sanity prevailed. And no, I’m not talking about the group.

After a decent encounter, Styles hit the Phenomenal Forearm and pinned his waistcoat-wearing opponent. Styles celebrated, Rollins came out for the customary stand-off, and we have our main event for Money in the Bank. That’s fine with me.

• review
• RAW
• Money in the Bank
• wwe

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