Raw Quick Takes 5/17/21

Fallout

It’s time to celebrate and celebrate in style, taking a page from the Godfather’s book. Good to see Bobby Lashley bringing even more diversity. Bobby issues an open challenge, Drew wants a piece of that open challenge but I’m burned out on Drew and MVP feels the same way.

Alexa’s playground

Alexa had special guests, the new women’s tag team champs, Tamina and Natalya. Tamina was irritated and wanted to get out of there fast but Alexa just got even more weird. Alexa needs a feud immediately, this act is cool and all but it means nothing if it doesn’t have anything to do with matches.

Orton vs Kofi

I understand why we are getting this match but I personally didn’t need it. Orton is so far above Kofi that it doesn’t make sense to book the match. Kofi is never serious enough so putting him against Orton doesn’t elevate him, it drags down Orton. Woods distracts Orton, Kofi rolls him up. They were building RKBro until this loss, maybe it’s not as bad as it seems.

Tamina[c] & Natalya[c] vs Shayna & Nia

It’s a rematch from last week’s SmackDown. The matches between these teams get better every week but the problem is that they happen every week. I like that the two teams are mirror images of each other, it lends quite a bit of credibility to the new champs because this is a proven formula for longterm tag team success. The champs retain.

Sheamus[c] vs Ricochet

I like seeing the playful attitude from Ricochet, best promo he’s done in forever. Ricochet is a former United States Champion so he is a legitimate threat to anyone at any time. He is also a former #1 contender for the WWE Championship, once facing Brock Lesnar for the title. Because of this, we got an incredible match between two of the best workers in the business. Sheamus wins but I honestly thought Ricochet had this one. I was really into the match, total suspension of disbelief. Sheamus retained and said his other shoulder feels empty, teasing that he may accept Lashley’s open challenge later in the night.

Asuka vs Charlotte

Charlotte lobbies for a one on one match while attempting to bury the rest of the women’s division. Rhea Ripley chimes in and wants a new opponent. Ripley is a natural and Carrie’s herself as a star, the doubters are just being silly. Great match, Charlotte needs to find this kind of performance when she wrestles everyone else.

Regular lumberjack match

Morrison vs Priest

Boooo! Bring back the zombies. Morrison was great as always, he doesn’t have bad matches and I understand why he lost but he needed a win. Priest wins, moving on from Miz and Morrison, hoping to maybe enter the WWE title picture by accepting the open challenge.

Open challenge

After all the hype and teased from the rest of the roster, Kofi answers the call. I’m pretty disappointed, I wanted a returning Keith Lee or Brock Lesnar. Kofi picks up his second win with an assist from Drew McIntyre. Didn’t like the finish, makes Kofi look weak and Drew is still overexposed and this is why. Kofi has the same problem Big E does, they are not serious enough. The Mix is serious but does comedy as well, this is what the New Day need to learn.

Honorable mentions

1. 2 New Eva Marie vignettes.

2. Various wrestlers call for Lashley ‘s head. Mace and TBar cut a damn good backstage promo on Lashley.

3. R Truth returns.

4. Solid work from Elias in a match with Styles too bad it ended in DQ shenanigans.

Final take

Raw has been a much better show lately, still has a ways to go before it gets back to how great it was during the rise of the Hurt Business.

#wweonfox #wweonaampe #ricochet #BobbyLashley #DrewMcIntyre #KofiKingston #wweonpeacock