Raw Quick Takes 4/19/21

No business like the Hurt Business

Drew is convinced Mace and TBar are working with MVP and MVP doesn’t do a good job of convincing him otherwise. The former Retribution members attack Drew McIntyre just as they did last week and Drew demands to face them both in a backstage segment.

Viking Raiders vs Cedrick Alexander & Shelton Benjamin

Clean win for the returning Raiders. Benjamin and Cedrick are gonna have to find a way to stand out on the show. Losing in back to back weeks is

Fit for a queen

Charlotte cut a promo but was dressed in her street clothes. Asuka interrupted without even getting a word in. This always happens when Charlotte has a segment. Charlotte equals lazy booking. Asuka calling Charlotte a bitch was unexpected but it was kinda cool I guess. Asuka still continues to look like a fool.Rhea Ripley took Charlotte’s invite to be ringside during the main event later so there will be Shenanigans.

Orton vs Riddle

Orton states that he wants the WWE title, very glad Orton has a clear direction. Riddle interrupts the backstage interview and Orton walks off. I don’t know what happened with Braun but Riddle seems to be a great stand in for any big men, that’s a great thing because Vince can rely on him.

Great match and great win for Riddle. I like the story told during this match, Randy Orton is a legend, a veteran that was trying to put Riddle in his place. Riddle was beat up the entire match but the offense he managed to get in looked really good. This is a feud I can get behind.

Lana & Naomi vs Shayna[c] & Nia[c]

Shit win for the challengers, I wish they would just put the titles on someone new and build that team up instead of making Shayna look bad twice a week. Nia walked off to chase Mandy and Dana but Mandy and Dana have zero credibility because they left a match last week. This division can be good if it has an actual direction.

Miz & Mrs. TV

Maryse joined the Miz to celebrate the success of their TV show. Damian Priest comes out and demands a rematch because he doesn’t like that Miz made a fool of both of them. Damian Priest wins a pretty good match. Miz and Priest have good chemistry, a built in story and the veteran vs rookie angle is one that never gets old when done right.

Kofi vs Elias

New Day interrupt Elias playing the bass in a funny segment. Elias knocks off Kingston in a match that really helped boost Elias; good match from Elias even with a couple errors. Ryker needs to do more, be more important in his roll.

Drew vs Mace & T Bar

I don’t like the idea of this match. The match was a little long and then it got even longer. Braun saves Drew, finally McIntyre has another friend. McIntyre is the only person to actually have multiple interactions with people and remember them and have friends that have his back. Long stories being told, the type that fake fans accuse WWE of never doing.

Braun & Drew vs Mace & T Bar

Braun needs to shave his head. T Bar was talking mad shit to Braun Strowman. I really liked what they did here. Drew and Braun rip off their opponents’ masks. The match STILL ends in DQ because Drew got mad.

Sheamus’ open challenge

Humberto steps up to challenge Sheamus. They really just let a returning Humberto get crushed like that. At least it wasn’t Ricochet but he’s probably next. Ricochet needs to either leave or get his shit together and start standing out.

The queen vs the empress

Unless this match ends with Rhea Ripley Ripley interference, it’s a bad look for Asuka. No reason to have this match without shenanigans. Charlotte’s new look is good, makes her stand out a bit more, the new gear is working as well. Rhea Ripley cost Charlotte the match, as she should have. Raw goes off with Charlotte attacking an official. She is going to be suspended but I don’t know where they go after that.

Honorable mentions

1. Virk seemed to slow down a bit, in a good way, Byron is the odd man out., Virk should have his lines or Saxton should just be quiet.

2. Alexa’s playground. Alexa shoved a little bitch off of the swing.

Final take

This show is on autopilot and it’s just not good enough. After the next PPV, there should be changes and call ups. Don’t know what else needs to happen but there needs to be a clear direction for the show and for its future.

#BobbyLashley #mizampmrs #themiz #Wrestlemania