Raw Quick Takes 1/18/21
- Sean Covington
- Jan 20, 2021
- 3 min read
When you face the Fiend you face your own inner demons and your true self emerges; Randy Orton is a psycho. The promo was long but it was pretty good, something old from WWE. Orton channeled his inner Mankind for this one.
Peyton Royce vs Charlotte [c]
Charly was awful, Lacey was great; that’s how the backstage interview went. Usually Charly Caruso is good but she really brought the segment down.
Royce attacks from behind, of course the match didn’t go as planned because Lacey came out in a robe but Charlotte won anyway. Why? Why give a clean win to a babyface when you have a distraction in the match unless it’s at a PPV for a title? Big mistake, a win here could have really helped Royce. You know what else could have helped Royce? Charlotte. Charlotte continues to be the worst ring general, she has the big spots and main events and she still can’t elevate or carry anyone.
Xavier Woods vs Mace
It’s tough but you gotta do the job sometime and now is Woods’ time. One of the greatest tag team partners in WWE history can certainly take a few pins and he is taking some really good ones after having good matches. This is how you build a resurgence arc and how you get other people to a place where they are more credible as well.
Mandy vs Baszler
So this feud is still going on, meanwhile, Mandy has not gotten ANY BETTER! Shayna Baszler should be wrestling those who are showing signs of improvement. If now isn’t the time to push Mandy Rose, I’m not sure there will ever be a time. Let Rose beat some jobbers then lose to Baszler at least.
Ricochet vs AJ Styles
Really surprised to see Styles go over clean and in spectacular fashion. Ricochet needed this win, Styles did not. Why build up so much credibility only to build momentum towards nothing, not putting guys over that need the rub. Ricochet is due for a major repackaging, I hope it’s with Retribution and I hope Retribution is repackaged after Wrestlemania. Ricochet needs to find his voice and display his personality in a way that gets our attention.
Dirt sheet
Talk about a special guest, Gilberg makes his return amd that horrible Drew McIntyre. Gilberg is hilarious no matter what, that Drew was really sad though. These segments carry a 3 hour show though so it is what is.
6man tag alert
The Hurt business vs Lucha house party and Matt Riddle
The Hurt Business win with Lashley putting the Hurt Lock on Gran Metlik. Riddle gets his revenge at least. I’m perfectly ok with the match and the result however, its gonna be difficult making matches in this feud moving forward.
Alexa’s Playground
The women’s champ seemed to entertain Bliss and her weirdness, I just wish it was more of Asuka feeling sorry for her than Asuka being afraid. Asuka got to be her usual, funny self and Alexa got to be serious, the segment was pretty solid if you ask me.
Asuka vs Alexa
Alexa wins, Asuka has been made to be a weak champion and it’s a shame. Nia Jax would have been perfect to take the pin here. Instead, they immediately make Asuka sell without building Alexa’s new form up. Alexa wins the championship and it sits there collecting dust, diminishing everyone else in the division. If Charlotte is the one to beat her it’ll be the same old garbage.
Honorable mentions
Ryker loses to Jeff Hardy.
Drew returns next week.
Final take
A different Raw, one carried by story and supported by some solid wrestling, that’s usually SmackDown’s formula. The opening and closing of the show were definitely different, lets hope it gets more eyes on the product because the show is actually good.
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