WWE Raw – May 13, 2019 (Review)

The Best of Raw

Babyface Miz

I delved into this a bit in the introduction, but The Miz deserves special praise this week. Not only was he asked to promote a match he’s not even participating in this Sunday, but he was also given the task of keeping Roman’s segment afloat, convincing us of Shane McMahon’s villainy and holding up the night’s first match. This opening segment wasn’t all rosey (which we’ll get to later), but it did play to The Miz’s strengths.

I was admittedly one of the many on the fence about Miz’s babyface turn against Shane McMahon. He had, after all, been a standout heel for the company for such a long time. But he was undeniably excellent here, in every respect. And I’ll gladly buy into him as the face of Raw’s upper mid-card.

"When I bring a fight, I. BRING. A. FIGHT!" 💯@mikethemiz #RAW pic.twitter.com/KaNiQWLcfs

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 14, 2019

The Wild Card Has Rules

The uncertainty around Vince McMahon’s ‘Wild Card’ proclamation was doing my head in last week. The only person who seemed to understand the parameters of this bizarre idea was the WWE Chairman himself – which is understandable given that he is a genius.

Rewinding to last week’s Raw, we were told from that point forward, three wrestlers from each brand would be allowed to appear on the opposing show each week. That quota was promptly upped to four once Vince realised just how much he longed to see big, sweaty Lars on both shows. Then we almost immediately saw six SmackDown stars on Raw and five Raw performers the following night on the blue brand.

It almost felt as if the entire ‘Wild Card Rule’ had been desperately crafted on the day of the show without any real forethought or proper consideration…

Thankfully this week saw some common sense introduced to the scheme, as Michael Cole often and unambiguously explained that only four wrestlers would be able to make use of the Wild Card Rule each week. And they actually adhered to that rule this week, with Roman Reigns, Elias, Shane McMahon and Charlotte being the quickest to the Raw sign-up sheet.

Finally, our long national nightmare is over.

Mojo Rawley’s Entrance Music

I can’t endorse Mojo’s decision to spill paint all over his face like a moody kindergartener. Nor his new gimmick of maniacally laughing at other’s misfortune like… well, like a moody kindergartener. But his entrance theme is banging, and I’ll admit it: I got hyped.

That'll be a W for @MojoRawleyWWE tonight on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/hL3HGYQIlY

— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 14, 2019

He also quickly dispatched of Apollo Crews this week, so perhaps Mojo will be given the opportunity to have a bit of an onscreen run.

Nikki Cross Finds a Friend

Nikki Cross was on the show! As in an actual, live, in the flesh appearance by the former SAnitY member! That was enough for me to enjoy this segment.

Slightly disconcertingly though, she appears to have undergone a strange character shift. Gone was the unhinged, psychopathic Cross, replaced instead by a much more soft-spoken, empathetic, eager-to-please therapist / best friend. She comforted Alexa Bliss, who had apparently only just realised that her luggage had gotten lost, even volunteering to take the latter’s place in the fatal four-way scheduled for later in the night. Judging by Bliss’ conniving grin, this was a clear act of manipulation by the ‘Goddess’. But to what end?

You can talk to @NikkiCrossWWE, @AlexaBliss_WWE.

😈. #RAW pic.twitter.com/bjIkajlbJU

— WWE (@WWE) May 14, 2019

Bizarrely, Cross’ entrance later on was accompanied by the same entrance music and manic behaviour. It somewhat undermined her apparent character shift, but any appearance by the Scotswoman should be considered a positive.

Corbin vs Ricochet

This was a neat little match that ended with an outstanding counter into an End of Days. Aside from Ricochet’s main roster sheen already starting to wear off after losses to Robert Roode and now Baron Corbin, it’s hard to take issue with the match itself.

Everything that happened after the bell felt a little wonky though. Corbin decided that the after-match festivities was a good time to demonstrate how a ladder works. So he hauled one into the ring and awkwardly lumbered two-thirds of the way up, only to be tipped off by a revitalised Ricochet.

The match was good. Everything else was just… strange.

The Women’s Fatal Four-way

This was an overwhelmingly good match, featuring some of the lesser seen faces in the Raw Women’s Division. In particular, it was great seeing Dana Brooke and Nikki Cross getting an opportunity to showcase their abilities. Dana’s dive off the top of a ladder was especially insane.

😱😱😱😱😱@DanaBrookeWWE JUST DID THAT! #RAW pic.twitter.com/kTIOUq3qHt

— WWE (@WWE) May 14, 2019

There are however a few things that need to be addressed.

Such as why Alexa Bliss needed to be replaced. Despite repeatedly claiming that she’s at full health, WWE seem to be doing their utmost to keep the ‘Goddess’ out of the ring. Accepting that Bliss is cleared to compete though, why have her substituted by Nikki Cross in last night’s fatal four-way? Even more to the point, why have her replacement win the match? I enjoy Nikki Cross as much as anyone, but her victory here is baffling, given that she was the only competitor not scheduled to feature at Money in the Bank. Unless her newfound alliance with Alexa Bliss leads her to interfere on Sunday, this angle made little sense. But I guess we’ll see how it all plays out this weekend.

Also, why was Michael Cole so staggered when Alexa Bliss came out to do guest commentary for the match? What did he think the extra chair behind the announce desk was for?

WHAT A WIN for @NikkiCrossWWE!

But… don't forget that it's all thanks to @AlexaBliss_WWE? 🤨 #RAW pic.twitter.com/2qDGHiTpu3

— WWE (@WWE) May 14, 2019

Cesaro vs Rey Mysterio

If the news that Cesaro and Rey Mysterio are great at wrestling, then you’re either new to the sport or your name is Lars Sullivan. I’m joking of course, I’m sure Lars loves cruiserweight and indie lads.

Mysterio was able to pick up the win here following a 619 and frog splash.

Bray Wyatt has a “Secret”

There’s been a steady progression to Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Funhouse skits, with each iteration being noticeably darker than the last.

This week, Bray cheerily informed the audience that he had a secret to share. He then assured us that while his soul was pure, his mind remained filled with darkness. And then things went full Donnie Darko levels of insane.

As with every episode of the Funhouse, you just need to watch it in order to appreciate the deranged genius involved.

Sami Zayn is the New Braun Strowman

Last week, Braun Strowman murdered Sami Zayn by tossing him into a dumpster which was immediately picked up by a remarkably efficient garbage truck. This week, Sami challenged Braun to a Falls Count Anywhere match, with Braun’s spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match on the line.

The road getting here was confusing to say the least, but it turns out that the destination was worth well it. They brawled in the ring, they brawled in the crowd, they brawled to the concourse. All the while, Strowman was forced to fight off intermittent attacks from Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin. Initially, the massive behemoth was successful, but eventually the numbers just became overwhelming. Strowman was tossed through a ladder and then Claymored by McIntyre, allowing Sami Zayn to claim the pin.

In a stunning departure from recent Raw booking, this actually made sense though. With both Drew and Corbin in the MITB ladder match, it’s understandable that they would want to eliminate the dominant Strowman from contention. You don’t need to be a practitioner of Steiner math to know that with him out of the equation, their chances of victory dramatically increase.

Logic aside, having Zayn in the match instead should also up the excitement. Zayn’s style is perhaps better suited than Strowman’s to a ladder match. Plus, I’m more interested in seeing him claim the briefcase than I am big Braun.

This was a cracking way to end Raw.

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