Was the first WWE Raw of the 2019 Road To WrestleMania Good, Bad, Or Ugly? Bobby checks in with his review!

After a Blockbuster Royal Rumble weekend, here we go again.  Onto the next one, and officially on the road to WrestleMania.  Last week was a very Good show, with a very hot crowd.  Can Raw keep running hot?  Or will the fire die down during the home stretch? 

THE GOOD

Opening Segment with Seth Rollins

The crowd just went ballistic for the 2019 Royal Rumble Winner.  Rollins the face of the company, continues to get praised for his efforts.  The crowd on Raw was loud and proud to chant “Burn it Down.”  Rollins is going to WrestleMania to delight of all who are watching.  Rollins was visibly emotional for his long journey to get back here.  But who will he pick?  Apparently HHH was also interested as he graced us with his presence.  Emotions are high here, WrestleMania is where wrestling dreams are made.  HHH wants to know who Rollins will face at WrestleMania by the end of Raw.  Dean Ambrose had enough and bravely made his way to intervene.  Ambrose essentially took credit for the success of his “brother” Seth Rollins.  Ambrose is rooting for Rollins because he has his number.  Ambrose legit just took a shot at HHH and told asked him if he needed permission to make a match.  Rollins vs Ambrose next per HHH.  This was a freakishly Great promo!  Well done WWE!

Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose

HHH set up this match per Ambrose after being antagonized into it.  The fire looked real and the feeling was true.  This is a hell of a way to open Raw, two huge stars who can put on a show, and are full of fire.  This match had a Good feeling and pace to it.  The two stars did not play it safe but the opposite.  Move after move, they would constantly out-do each other.  It was incredibly physical and unforgiving.  Rollins continuously dove onto Ambrose on the outside, laying his body on the line constantly.  Ambrose would attempt to win every opening he had.  Rollins hits The Stomp and gets the win.  Rollins steamrolled his rival and decisively won this match.  It was all Good so far. 

Dean Ambrose Continued

Before he could say anything important, Nia Jax and Tamina interrupted as they were scheduled at that moment.  Nia Jax then essentially removed Ambrose herself. 

Nia Jax and Tamina Snuka vs. Alexa Bliss and Mickie James

Finally time for the Women’s Tag Division to take flight.  The qualifying for Elimination Chamber has officially started.  Bliss was just impressive.  She looked so sharp and on point.  It has been so long without her, it is just amazing to have The Goddess back where she belongs.  Tamina and Nia held their own in there and working an artist like Bliss had some Good points.  Things were miraculously going smoothly considering, but then Mickie James got involved and between her and Tamina really laid on some harshly, Bad action.  Luckily, it was brief and overall, everything was Good.  Nia Jax double “Samoa Dropped” Bliss and James for the Victory and are qualified for the Elimination Chamber. 

Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin

A grudge match of sorts, these guys have some heat at least in the storyline.  Angle again as to prove to himself he still has it.  Corbin has become an upper echelon heel and is delivering.  Let me address this, Corbin needs to change his gear already, enough is enough.  Angle looked classic, focused and aggressive.  Corbin poked at Angle with empty compliments and set Angle off.  Angle completely dominated Corbin and would not let up.  Multiple suplexes and throws.  Angle even hit the “Angleslam” but only for a two count.  Angle then got Corbin in an “ankle lock” but Corbin got out, pulled out a huge “deep six” and got the victory.  Both competitors looked Good and did a Good job.  Solid match again.  Corbin then laid on the punishment futher embarrassing Kurt Angle before making his exit. 

Finn Balor Promo

Balor lost to the Beast last night at Royal Rumble but did not do all he could to win, he did not tap into the unstoppable Demon.  That was what he needed to do and it just didn’t happen.  Balor looked determined and still confident.  Bobby Lashley didn’t want to hear it, and made his way out with Lio Rush.  This could be a really impressive feud especially for the Intercontinental Championship.  Lio Rush laid into Balor stiff, Balor then made fun of Lashley and paid for it.  Lashley overpowered and destroyed Balor.  Impressive way to start this potentially Good feud. 

The Revival vs. Curt Hawkins and Zach Ryder

Ryder and Hawkins are a Good team together.  The Revival was on point as always, they just work so well together on a consistent basis.  This was a Good, quick, action packed match.  Revival really dominated and showed they are serious.  After completely destroying Hawkins, they hit a Shatter Machine for the victory. 

Elias and Jeff Jarrett Promo

Elias is very popular but he really seems like a heel still.  He isn’t out to impress anyone, he just does his thing and keeps on trucking.  He really heeled out and was interrupted by the original entertainer, Jeff Jarrett.  As Jarrett was laying into Elias, Road Dogg then followed.  It turned into a Double J celebration.  Elias crushed Road Dogg with the guitar and went after Jarrett.  Jarrett whopped Elias ass all around the ring, he still has it!  Jarrett being on TV is an awesome addition.  It only lasted momentarily before Elias took down the Hall of Famer.  This was a fun, Good promo.     

Natalya and Dana Brooke vs. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan

This was very physical.  Dana Brooke and Sarah Logan are visibly better.  They obviously have been working hard.  This went back and forth but Natalya got Liv Morgan into a “sharpshooter” but with the outside interference of the Riott Squad, she got out and rolled up Natalya for the win and moving onto to qualify for the elimination chamber. 

Becky Lynch Promo with Ronda Rousey

Something amazing here.  Lynch wants Rousey for her Title in the Dream Match.  The Man wants Rowdy and her gold.  Rousey poked back, and the crowd was just going insane.  The lines have been drawn, the Match is set.  Becky Lynch is the hero who will conquer Rousey.  She is now in Rousey’s head.  This will be epic when it goes down. 

THE BAD

Braun Strowman vs. Drew McIntyre

Battle of the Titans, what a power fest.  This is very interesting it is literally a power struggle for position.  Both are in a position to be top guys.  These guys were going a million miles an hour, full steam.  McIntyre was brutal to the giant Braun Strowman.  Braun had a bad wheel but of course put up a Good fight.  However this was all ruined by Baron Corbin who attacked Strowman.  Braun wins by DQ but beat the living hell out of Corbin, punching a chair out of his hands.  Braun laid waste to both McIntyre and Corbin.  The crowd was into it egging Strowman on.  This was a decent match but had a horrible ending.   McIntrye finally got the upper hand and Corbin and McIntyre severely hurt the big man.  Considering who was at play here, this was pretty Bad.   

Seth Rollins Decision 

Who will Rollins pick?  On one hand him and Brock Lesnar would be great as he will most likely slay the beast.  On the other hand, Rollins vs. Bryan would be incredible.  The crowd shook with anticipation.  Brock Lesnar came out first, surprisingly.  Paul Heyman laid it all out for everyone, basically not sweating “The Architect.”  Rollins did not back down and came right into Lesnar’s face.  He went right after Brock but was destroyed by a devastating F5.  Lesnar gave another F5.  Then another.  Even a fourth and fifth.  Lesnar had shear dominance over the “new” challenger.  The message was sent, even if it was a Bad one.  It was actually annoying that Rollins continued to egg him on and got even another F5.  This was such overkill and a flat out disappointment. 

THE UGLY

Raw’s Women’s Championship Open Challenge – Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Bayley  

Rousey needs to not go on the microphone at all, for anything.  Where is Paul Heyman?  Anyway, open challenges are great!  To make it better, Bayley, answered.  Bayley is so Good for business.  She is incredible and a viable challenger for Rousey.  This is awesome!  Rousey is so hit or miss, she is just too aggressive sometimes.  This was just an incredibly awkward and hard match to watch.  Rousey was just horrible and Bayley tried her best to carry the match.  It was just full of miscues and flaws.  This was not due to Bayley what so ever!  Bayley very smartly slowed down the pace to reset.  Unfortunately the harsh reality of how much work Rousey still needs to do to have a Good match is overwhelming.  Make no mistake, Bayley looked great but there was only so much she could do.  Bayley nearly won with a “Bank Statement” but Rousey got to the rope.  Rousey when hope was lost, hit a really great roll up off the top rope into an “armbar” for the victory.  Rousey retains.  Out of nowhere “The Man” arrived onto the scene.   

FINAL

• Good- 11
• Bad- 2
• Ugly- 1

Overall

This was a Good strong Monday Night Raw post Royal Rumble.  The action was tight aside from a poor showing from Rousey.  She needs so much work, hell even Tamina and Nia Jax looked okay tonight.  It was a very enjoyable show, with a TON of content. 

Monday Night Raw continued this strong trend, and delivered a fantastic show.  Tomorrow is SmackDown who always puts on a decent showing.  Royal Rumble was amazing and WWE is riding high.  Hopefully the momentum continues.  Please like, share, comment and as always thank you for reading.