WWE Raw – May 6, 2019 (Review)

The Best of Raw

Samoa Joe is a Scary Man

Samoa Joe must be a terrifying presence backstage. Imagine hanging around catering, searching for the perfect Crêpes Suzette – or maybe a delicious Pain Au Chocolat, depending on your mood – only for the gigantic Samoan to show up behind you. How does a man his size move so quietly? He’s like a rhinoceros wearing comfy slippers.

Anyway, that’s the fate that befell poor, young Dominic Mysterio, who seemed to just be minding his own business when Joe decided to threaten both him and his father.

Joe’s intensity is a thing of wonder, never failing to excite and terrify. He feels like he genuinely thrives off terrorising others and I just hope that he starts to be treated like an actual threat.

The Sassy Southern Belle

Contrary to popular opinion, I actually really like Lacey Evans. She’s fresh, unique and appears to be growing into her role as a challenger to Becky Lynch’s title. Titles? Who knows.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJIdpdBj9M/

This week she cordially invited the four Raw women in the MITB ladder match down to the ring – using lavender scented invitations no less. She then had them look on while she clobbered an anonymous jobber (who sold the Woman’s Right better than Lynch has managed to so far), before proceeding to caution the four women at ringside against cashing in their Money in the Bank briefcase against her after she dispenses of Lynch in two weeks.

Then the ‘Champ Champ’ strolled down to the ring to continue several weeks of brawls between her and Evans. While nothing special, this was a neat segment that adequately served to progress the Lynch / Evans / Money in the Bank dynamic.

The Planet’s Champion

Bryan cut an excellent promo backstage pledging that Kofi is simply a transient champion, ravaged by the sins of excess and a culture of disposability. He spat his words out with noticeable defiance, resentment and conviction.

If you weren’t in the mood to see Bryan take on Kofi later in the night, this promo certainly would have gotten you in the mood. Unquestionably the best performer on WWE’s books currently, he truly is the Planet’s Champion.

The Grisly End of Rambling Rabbit

Bray Wyatt’s latest instalment of Firefly Fun House was perhaps its darkest yet. The insert started with Mercy the Bird Raptor Buzzard munching on something in its cardboard box home. After some gentle prodding, Bray was able to pull out the remains of his pal, Rambling Rabbit. This was a grim scene. I’m talking ‘stuffed toy head no longer attached to fluffy body’ levels of grim.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJL7cXBnR0/

Yet, instead of despair, Wyatt comforted Mercy by confirming that it’s okay to express oneself in any way one thinks is appropriate. By painting a painting. Flying a kite. Or ripping Rambling Rabbit to shreds. All the while, the soundtrack of children laughing was played over the scene.

This was another excellent – if even more overtly ominous – instalment of Wyatt’s creation. So far, the pacing of these segments have been excellent, as we gradually get ever closer to Wyatt’s dark core.

Big Dog vs Scottish Psychopath

In a replay of their WrestleMania encounter, a returning Roman Reigns had a pretty good match against Drew McIntyre. This far exceeded the pair’s match at ‘the Showcase of the Immortals’.

Eschewing chinlocks and rest holds in favour of power moves and near falls, Reigns and McIntyre ably showed what they can do. Just as Roman hit the spear for what looked to be the win, Shane McMahon and Elias pounced to cause the disqualification. Apparently this is what the “Wild Card Rule” is all about (more on that below).

Shane and Elias beat up Roman for a bit before Miz came out to save him, armed with a steel chair. This caused Shane to flee, followed by The Miz. The ‘Best in the World’ managed to elude his chaser in a passage backstage, but could not outfox Charley Caruso and her intrepid team of camera men and boom operators. This battalion of investigative journalists attracted the attention of Miz, who caught Shane off-guard, clobbering him from behind with the chair. Despite the silliness, I enjoyed both the match and the ensuing angle.

WWE Championship Match

There was no logical reason for us to get this match on Raw, but I’m glad we did. Kofi drew on every ounce of athleticism, flying from pillar to post and back again, while Bryan relied on his guile and ring awareness to try and reclaim the WWE Title.

Kingston managed on several occasions to escape the LeBell Lock, before eventually hitting Trouble In Paradise to pick up the win.

It was great to see Daniel Bryan back in the ring following his mysterious injury layoff, and it was a relief that WWE weren’t tempted to end this with a messy finish, as they did the last time Kofi competed on Raw. Instead we were treated to a tremendous contest that served to cement Kingston’s spot atop the division.

5 years ago by Nicholas Holicki

Trending

Get the latest wrestling news straight to your inbox

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from WrestleTalk