Did WWE Monday Night Raw continue to be good, or did things get ugly this week? Bobby Fernandes tells you–now!

The Road to WrestleMania continues with imperative action ahead on all of the major WWE shows.  As always the week starts with Monday Night Raw.  Raw has been filled to the max with content weekly, almost doubling both SmackDown and an extremely scarce NXT last week.  It seems to be making up for lost time getting everything set up for the Grand Finale at WrestleMania.  Will the super flow of Monday Night Raw continue, or will the pipeline get clogged up before the big day?

THE GOOD

(Post Liv Morgan’s Match) Non-Title Match – Sarah Logan vs. Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey (C)

Sarah Logan came in hot and surprised Rousey before getting locked into an arm bar and escaping out of the ring.  Logan put up a hell of a fight until a quick turnaround.  Rousey beat Logan down and got Logan into an arm bar for the win.  It looked like Ruby Riott was next but she decided to retreat to her girls. Logan and Rousey looked a lot better than the first match with Morgan. 

Heavy Machinery vs. Lucha House Party vs. B Team vs. The Revival

Non-stop action, all teams making themselves known.  Good to see the B Team and of course the new popular kids, Heavy Machinery.  The Revival especially looked Good while locking up with Heavy Machinery.  Otis and Tucker cleaned house and dominated everyone clearing the ring, Bushwhacker walk and all.  Dorado did some amazing stuff as well, but it was The Revival that took advantage and won with a “Shatter Machine.”  Good match, great Tag Team Content! 

Kurt Angle Retiring?

Kurt Angle having a historic, insanely successful career and life, seemingly was about to retire.  Out comes Baron Corbin.  As things got heated, when Corbin is talking, out comes Drew McIntyre.  As Corbin and McIntyre were about to kill Angle, out comes Strowman.  Angle with such a Monster backing him made Corbin and McIntyre flee.  Not sure how or what this will become but this looked and played out well.  Good segment. 

Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Alicia Fox and Nikki Cross

Nikki Cross and the even more psycho Alicia Fox attacked Sasha Banks and beat the hell out of her.  Bayley fought back but to no avail after being slammed into the screen.  Fox and Cross made their way to the ring however it looked as though nothing further could happen as their opponents were already beaten down.  Bayley would not be denied and would fight even with a visibly hurt partner.  Bayley held her own beating both Cross and Fox all around the ring, but ran out of steam and had no help. 

Again this week Alicia Fox was just horrible.  She really needs to stop.  Nikki Cross on the other hand looked great as always.  Cross is very impressive and could potentially be a Good fit with just about anyone on the roster.  Just when it seemed that Fox had Bayley down, Bayley rolled up Fox for the victory.  Although Alicia Fox was horrible in this match, overall it was okay.  Bayley and Sasha are natural fits for the Women’s Tag Team Championship picture. 

Jeff Jarrett w/ Road Dog vs. Elias

It was awesome seeing Road Dogg do his whole DX deal.  Nostalgia is a safe and Good bet with WWE always.  Jarrett has seen better days, but don’t let that fool you, he can work.  The man has been wrestling a very long time, and single handedly fist fought WWE with multiple ventures in his career.  It is a Good thing to see him around.  Elias is absolutely talented all around and hopefully will continue to be used often.  They need to stop singing that song already, enough is enough.  Elias interrupted this mess and the crowd applauded him.  Elias was savage.  Even when heeling out, the crowd cheered.  Jarrett pursued Elias and held his own.  Elias never stays down long though and took control.  Honestly it is very impressive how Jarrett hung in there.  After coming back and looking strong, Elias hit a “Driftaway” and got the win over Jarrett.  Road Dogg then attacked Elias.  Road Dogg strutted and saluted Elias with a “suck it” while Jarrett hit Elias in the back with a guitar.  There was some crap stuff here but the match overall wasn’t bad and certainly not ugly.    

Lio Rush w/ IC Champion Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor

Good way to open up the third hour.  Finn Balor is a crowd pleaser and a huge talent.  Lashley is red hot right now, and since winning the IC Title has been even more impressive.  Surprisingly Lio Rush came out in his gear ready for a fight.  Bobby Lashley beat the hell out of Finn Balor abusing his already bruised up ribs.  What looked like a non-title match Balor vs. Lashley became Lio Rush vs. injured Finn Balor.  Lio Rush really is a talented worker and can really go.  Balor came back hard but was taken out by Lashley before the ref barred Lashley from ringside.  This did not stop Lio Rush who continued his assault. 

Even when Balor would get ahead, Rush would take control back with a great counter.  It really looked like Rush had the match won several times but Balor prevailed.  He came back hit the “Coupe de Grace” and got the Win!  Lashley ran out but Balor rolled out to safety.  Good, solid and surprising.  This Match was Good. 

Paige

She was just promoting her movie, but always Good to see her.  She was knocked off way to soon.  She just was so talented.  No matter her history, controversy and all Paige was and is Awesome! 

Moment of Bliss w/ EC3

Wow!  Good choice, and great wuperstar.  EC3 is very interesting here, as it is unclear how he will be used and has so much potential.  He really is a star.  Bliss was impressed.  Out comes Nia Jax and Tamina Snuka.  It seems the deep hate for Nia Jax has dissipated.  Just as she was about to ruin it for herself, Dean Ambrose came out.  This is where things got hot.  Dean Ambrose deeply disrespected EC3 until EC3 had enough and started a fight.  Looks like he will finally see some action, and against a name like Dean Ambrose. 

Dean Ambrose vs. EC3

This match has a ton of potential and can be a huge thing for EC3 especially with all of the hype around Ambrose possibly leaving after Wrestlemania.  Not to mention both guys can really work well.  Both guys looked sharp in there and Ambrose looked particularly aggressive.  This could have been a Good long drawn out match but EC3 gets a very quick rollup for the surprising win.  The end was stupid but it’s a big win and a Good win for EC3.

Kurt Angle and Braun Strowman vs. Baron Corbin and Drew McIntyre

Strowman and McIntyre are literally a big deal.  This could be a huge feud with amazing results and a pushing point for either guy.  As expected early on Angle was hot but was overcome by the heels and taken down most of the match.  Angle would constantly fight back but couldn’t get ahead.  The Monster laid in wait, foaming at the mouth.  McIntyre again got Angle into his own “ankle lock.”  Angle persevered and got the tag.  Strowman came in just destroying everyone.  Strowman was all worked up and let it all out in there, but the heels got control once again.  McIntyre and Corbin worked well together.  McIntyre really is a great superstar with unbelievable talent.  Now Angle fully recovered waited for his turn.  He wanted another shot in at Corbin and McIntyre.  Angle came back in big time, with German Suplexes to take control.  He hit the Angle slam but McIntyre made the save.  Then the absolutely most absurd moment took place.  Braun was disqualified for hitting Corbin and was not the legal man.  Corbin and McIntyre win by DQ.  Decent match with a stupid finish.  Corbin and McIntyre continued the assault but Strowman overpowered them and destroyed them on the steel steps to finish the show.

THE BAD

Opening Segment w/ Stephanie McMahon and Becky Lynch

Before her name could be introduced, “The Man” graced the masses on Monday Night Raw.  Rousey was angry last week, and told Becky what she plans to do at Wrestlemania. The back and forth was Good, but there was a lot of recap material.  McMahon’s reasoning for this public meeting, is Becky now mandatory will have to see a doctor before she is allowed to compete again.  Becky Lynch resisted and even insulted the “Billionaire Princess.”  She made the wrong enemy, and Stephanie again claimed a suspension for Becky Lynch if she doesn’t get cleared.  Becky then threatened Stephanie.  Becky then attacked Stephanie and couldn’t be stopped until McMahon kicked her in the knee and quickly retreated.  This was not great, kind of pointless and didn’t need to happen.  Not a Good start.  The follow up with Rousey in the back didn’t help anything either.  Rousey is getting better week by week though.

Non-Title Match – Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey (C) vs. Liv Morgan w/ Riott Squadd

Liv Morgan getting some much deserved air time is a Good move, even if it is to be feeder fish to Rousey.  Of course Morgan wanted no part of the Champ.  This was literally quick and awful.  If this was the plan, why? 

THE UGLY – It wasn’t pretty but nothing pure ugly either. 

FINAL TALLY

• GOOD- 10
• BAD- 2
• UGLY- 0

OVERALL

Good* but it needs to be mentioned that this week was Not as Good as Raw has been lately.  Again there was a ton of content, a lot of faces onscreen and stories continued.  There was an abundance of action.  However, Raw was a little off tonight, something wasn’t right.  It did the job but wasn’t up to par. 

Well there we are, another Raw closer to the Big Night.  SmackDown is up next followed by the ever popular NXT brands.  WrestleMania’s pot continues to simmer and will soon boil over.  Every step from here out is for the sake of WrestleMania, which should mean that we are all in for some big things.