Sometimes, this show is genuinely exhausting. This was one of those episodes that would have benefited from telling the same stories in two hours instead of three.
The opening segment was great, especially with my expectations when I heard preshow that they were planning a segment between the two factions. How they got there was logical, and where they're likely headed after Backlash will make sense after how everything played out tonight.
Random observations...
Solo killed it AGAIN against a top talent. Not sure we're ready to go full Batista with him until he develops a bit more of a personality on-screen, but I get the feeling that's where this is leading sooner rather than later.
Dakota Kai may be the perfect opponent for Belair. She makes every bit of her offense look like a million bucks.
Speaking of the women's division, Rhea might be the most believable badass in the company right now, regardless of gender.
ALSO speaking of the women's division... Trish was rusty with her delivery on the mic here, and I was so disappointed that they went with the obvious route of confirming that she was the one who attacked Lita. I was hoping they'd let that be assumed, then have it revealed after the Trish feud that it was actually Becky or something.
While I may not be thrilled with how thrown-together all the women's tag division stuff is... wow, it's nice to be able to have so many opportunities to comment on women's segments. I know it's a three hour show so there's plenty of time to go around, but that didn't stop them from booking one women's segment per show even during the "Revolution".
Is Brock turning into the Undertaker now? First he started wearing the cowboy hat all the time, now he's got a trenchcoat. I'm half expecting him to have elbow-length gloves by this time next year.
Feels like we're shifting leadership duties in Judgment Day over to Priest, and I'm really not mad at it. Finn likely feels a little different, but I think that was always a square peg in a round hole anyway.
This week's best surprise for me was that they let the Miz go out there and tear the freaking house down with Rollins. He's eternally underrated, and that match was a reminder for those who may have forgotten that he can GO.
Review by CVIP 3BlockedParent2023-04-18T09:48:43Z
Raw is going like it used to be a few years back. It's just paint by numbers and extremely predictable. you can almost guess what will be where and who will be on at certain times.
The constant replays of things you have JUST seen moments before (I'm not talking reply moments from matches). This Bad Bunny stuff and treating him like he's an unstoppable wrestler that needs an army to take him down was just odd. I understand he's big outside of the West but I have no idea who he is outside of wrestling. In wrestling I just see him as a guy who does some jumps that look bad. I am sure any wrestler could run rings around him.
I did enjoy the Miz match. He was unpredictable and turned it into something different for once. Seth felt more like his old self which I do prefer. It was obvious who would win... but it was good.
The Cody and Brock part was a big step down for Cody. Just your generic bodyguards stopping everything and falling like batman extras. Cody is better than this.
I'm not sure I like Riddle with Kevin and Sammi. Riddle needs Randy back.
Trish being heel works for me, even though I think we all saw it coming before WM. She definitely isn't as good on the mic or in the ring as before... but it's good nonetheless. It's entertaining. I loved the line "Trish is nobody's sidekick" which is true. Next to Hayman it was the best promo.
The main event was pretty good. It was obvious who the winners would be due to the PPV already being booked. Rhea getting involved was pretty nice to see. She really is turning into a massive star. I didn't expect that LWO would come out. It makes an interesting angle as now the plan failed and we will see what Roman makes of this.
Overall it was a 6 for me. Trish and the main event standing out. Dominic just gets heat no matter what he does.