Our WWE Raw Results for tonight include Rhea Ripley battling Asuka, NXT’s Je’Von Evans taking on Rayo Americano, Bayley clashing with the Judgement Day’s Roxanne Perez, Gunther returns, and CM Punk teaming up with Rey Mysterio to take on two members of Paul Heyman’s Vision. Here’s our review and grades for tonight’s show, live from the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
WWE Raw Card:
- CM Punk and Rey Mysterio Clash with the Vision
- Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez
- Je’Von Evans vs. Rayo
- Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka
- Gunther Returns
WWE Raw Results:
Thw show kicks off with a highlight package focused on the chaos at the end of last week’s Monday Night Raw.
Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka w/Kairi Sane
Ripley is all over Asuka as the bell rings, tossing her from one end of the ring to the other. Asuka struggles and gets put to the mat with a headbutt. Ripley sets up Riptide, but Asuka slips out and leaves the ring. Asuka surprises Ripley with a hip attack after a distraction from Sane. After the break, Asuka continues her assault. Ripley fires up. Asuka unloads on Ripley with strikes. Ripley floors Asuka with a handstand kick.
Ripley and Asuka trade submissions. After a struggle in the corner, Ripley traps Asuka’s head and lands a superkick (that was new foe Ripley). The fight spills out of the ring. Asuka lands a nasty German suplex on the apron. Asuka dives off the top into a superkick from Ripley. Apron cannonball by Ripley. Sane trips Ripley on the top rope. IYO SKY runs down to ringside. Sane trips SKY on the apron. SKY lands on her injured back. Ripley checks on SKY. Asuka rolls up Ripley for the win.
Winner- Asuka
After the match, Ripley checks on SKY.
Grade: B
This was one of the better matches we have had on Raw in the past few weeks. Asuka and Ripley don’t pull any punches when they clash, and tonight was no different. Stiff strikes and nasty suplexes led to an excellent television match that could have easily headlined a PLE.
The Man Has Come Around… Again.
Becky Lynch says there will be no celebration for Women’s Intercontinental Champion Maxxine Dupri. This is a conspiracy, and Lynch is the rightful champion. Lynch does her best Trump impression and rants nonsensically for minutes. Maxxine Dupri hits the ring and gives Lynch her props and reminds Lynch that Dupri has beaten Lynch twice.
Dupri is happy to give Lynch another shot, and she is going to make Lynch admit Dupri is the rightful champion. Lynch is livid. Dupri tells Lynch that Lynch is just scared that her best years are behind her. Lynch drops Dupri with a straight right hand. Lynch beats down Dupri. Dupri trips Lynch into the ankle lock. Lynch taps, Dupri lets Lynch go.
Grade: B-
Lynch has been great on the mic as of late, but the story here was the fire from Dupri. Dupri still has a ways to go, but she showed an unusual amount of fire for her. This angle with Dupri and Lynch is the perfect scenario to see if Dupri has something. So far, Dupri is doing quite well.
Je’Von Evans vs. Rayo w/El Grande Americano and Bravo
Evans is in control early. Rayo takes over after Americano and Bravo crotch Evans on the top rope. Evans fires up after Rayo slaps him in the face. Evans eventually hits the OG Cutter for the win.
Winner- Je’Von Evans
Grade: B-
Solid match. Evans has been impressive every time he has been featured on the main roster. The big thing here is that Evans is being touted as a free agent, which is odd. Seems there won’t be a draft this year, but the free agent angle is interesting for someone like Evans. The free agent gimmick is usually reserved for the monsters, not the high flyers.
Bayley w/Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez
Bayley is in control early. Perez takes over after a chop block outside the ring. Perez spends most of the match working over Bayley’s injured knee. Raquel Rodriguez appears at the ringside, and Bayley is firing up. Valkyria takes out Rodriguez with a head kick. Liv Morgan tosses Valkyria over the commentary desk. Perez sends Bayley into an exposed turnbuckle.
Morgan distracts the referee. Rodriguez argues with Morgan and the referee while Perez has Bayley rolled up. In the confusion, Valkyria dives off the commentary desk and lands on Morgan and Rodriguez. Valkyria slaps Bayley in the face to get her to fire up. Bayley goes nuts on Perez and gets the pin after a diving elbow drop.
Winner- Bayley
Grade: C+
Didn’t we just do this a week or so ago? That’s not a bad thing in a vacuum, but with all the matches Bayley and Perez have had, they seem to be trending in the wrong direction.
GUNTHAAAAH!
Former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther is showered with boos from the crowd. It’s louder than it was last week. Gunther egged the crowd on. As the crowd boos, Gunther tells them they shouldn’t be mad at him; They should be mad at the guy who tapped out like a little b*tch. CM Punk’s music hits. Punk power walks to the ring and gets in Gunther’s face. Gunther laughs and steps away. As Gunther gets on the steps, Gunther gives Punk Cena’s you can’t see me taunt. Gunther walks up the ramp and is met Rey Mysterio. Mysterio shakes his head at Gunther. Gunther belly laughs in Mysterio’s face.
Grade: A
Gunther is just the best at being a ****.
CM Punk and Rey Mysterio vs. Bronson Reed and Austin Theory w/Paul Heyman
Mysterio jumps on Theory. Theory lands a backbreaker. Punk tags in and stomps Theory. Theory trips Punk into the corner. Rolling dropkick by Theory. After the break, Reed and Theory are working over Punk. Punk manages to tag in Mysterio. Mysterio lands a flurry on Reed and Theory. Theory takes over. Reed and Theory beat down Mysterio. Mysterio somehow gets to Punk for the tag. Punk clears the ring. Theory pins Mysterio with a Stomps!
Winners- Bronson Reed and Austin Theory
After the match, Breakker tries a sneak attack on Punk, but Punk fights him off. After a distraction from Theory, Breakker is able to cut Punk in half with a Spear.
Grade: B
Good tag match. Theory looks to have not missed a step. Having him use the Stomp as his finish is a choice. Part of this writer thinks that Theory may be a double agent for Rollins… Remember, you saw that here. Punk’s chances of retaining are slim to none at this point
WWE Raw Review:
For a taped show, this one flew by. They focused on the in-ring action and only spent time on 1.5 in-ring promos, which were both borderline amazing. The match of the night was Ripley vs. Asuka. Go out of your way to check that one out if you missed it. Raw was much shorter than it normally is, clocking in at an hour and thirty minutes. Given how smooth the pacing was on this show, it makes this writer’s heart hurt that they are bumping SmackDown back to three hours. There is such a thing as too much wrestling. We need more shows designed like tonight’s Raw. What did you all think of the show? Let us know in the comments!
Rating: B-
This event is ongoing. This information will be updated as the event progresses.
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