Patrick Mahomes
Mattered **
Having Patrick Mahomes hanging with Logan Paul and Judgement Day as they brag about their success and enter was a pretty cool look for Raw.
Michael Cole Lays Out The Rules: Draft Night Two
Mattered **
Michael and Pat Announced the draft's layout for Draft Night Two. Six rounds and champions are bran-protected, which makes you wonder why Logan Paul is on Raw. It could be a more interesting segment, but it lays the groundwork for the night.
Becky, Nia, and Liv: Who Deserves To Be Champion
Mattered ***.5
Becky came out to a lukewarm reception, and she talked about how the man started right there in Kansas City with a bloody nose. She then transitioned to wanting to fight the best challengers. This part of the segment was okay because I don't think anyone was overly excited for Becky, so her mini-celebration fell flat.
Liv came out and challenged Becky for the title and said even though she didn't just want to be handed a title, she felt like Becky owed her one because if she didn't take out Rhea(who beat Becky), then Becky wouldn't have become champion. I was disappointed that Liv didn't bring up the fact that the last time these two faced off for the title in a singles match, Becky cheated. Becky should be on Liv's revenge tour as well. This was a tough spot because Liv lost fair and square last week with no excuse.
Nia came out next, and she was the one who actually carried the segment. She had the whole crowd booing her, and she had them eating out of her hand. She pretended to shake little girls' hands and then didn't, and she called SmackDown superior and vowed to take out Becky or Liv before she left Raw. Nia continues her reign of excellence.
Draft Picks
Mattered: ***
This segment was fine. Stephanie came out to do them, which isn't that exciting because we have seen her already. In fact, Triple H and Stephanie are coming out a little too much. Unless they have something storyline to do, then it just feels like Vince putting himself on TV over and over again during his first round of accusations.
The draft picks were Imperium and Damage Control for Raw. Raw secured one of its strong factions while stealing a massive asset from Smackdown in Damage Control. SmackDown drafted Kevin Owens and Jade Cargill. The SmackDown focussed on securing the talent they already had, but to their credit, they were big names.
Xavier vs. Gunther
Didn't Matter **
This match had an uphill battle because it didn't mean anything, which meant it would have had to be so great in the ring that it was made more significant than what it started as. This match did not make it to that level. It was a good match, and Xavier lost via tapout, which wasn't surprising or exciting. It was also pretty lame, considering these two are top dogs in the King of the Ring tournament, so why not save a face-off for them? Plus, I'm getting New Day vs. Imperium fatigue because they keep fighting without advancing a story.
Mic Drop Jey
Mattered ***
Logan Paul made fun of Jey at the top of the show, and Jey got his lick back with a mic drop moment. He said he's glad WWE signed a Paul brother, but he wishes it was the one with a winning record.
Picks Part Two
Mattered: ***
Ishowspeed and Logan Paul announced the picks for the second round, which is nice. But I can't lie. So far, it seems like Raw couldn't get any stars to show up. They have Logan, his friend, and Stephanie, who have already been here. They have Patrick Mahomes, but he isn't even announcing picks; he's just in the audience. With that said, Ishowspeed did a great job announcing the picks with entertaining enthusiasm.
Raw drafted CM Punk and Braun Stroman. CM Punk is a great pick, but he is staying on the same Brand. Braun's being drafted is a good sign that he will return soon. SmackDown drafted Tiffany and the Pride, and its draft shows that it already had most of the stars it wanted. SmackDown is stacked.
Braun IS Back
Mattered *
This segment matters because Braun returned, but that is the only positive thing about this segment. Jey came out to confront Logan Paul, who was talking crap about him, and that was fine. Then Judgement Day came out to help, and Jey started beating up both Finn and JD, which was ridiculous, but eventually, they got the upper hand. Logan Paul went to Patrick Mahomes to get his Super Bowl rings to use as brass knuckles.
I want to know who thought it would be a good idea to make the biggest NFL player in the world a villain in his hometown. Also, Logan missed with the rings and hit JD, and Braun came out to make the save after they refocused on Jey. So Patrick Mahomes was wasted, and then Braun was on the back burner of his own return. Also, this would have been much more exciting if Braun came out of nowhere, but we just saw him drafted, so the return was watered down. This segment was a mess.
R-Truth
Mattered ***
R-Truth made a lousy deal with Gable because Gable told him they could get some vague two-for-one deal. R-Truth is giving someone in Alpha Academy a tag title match; that was the setup for later, but R-Truth stole the segment by mistaking the WWE draft for the real draft and acting like he would be able to be an NFL player. He also ran off to meet Mahomes so he could get a deal with State Farm. The segment ended with Sami kicking Gable in the face and knocking him out.
Drew and Booker
Mattered ***
Booker was just praising the draft, including Punk, and Drew came in and scolded Booker for acting like CM Punk should have been drafted over him, especially after his world title win. When Booker pointed out he lost the title, Drew said don't act like that because I know how you really feel about Punk. Back in 2010, Punk declared himself the locker room leader and told people to pick up their trash, and Booker purposely threw trash on the ground to disrespect him. Drew is mad that everyone is changing and acting like they like CM Punk while he has remained consistent, and it's easy to understand why. Drew won't let his vengeance go, and everyone else has, and it bothers him. I love Drew's character because he is supposed to be a heel, but he is telling the truth. Also, him walking up to Booker and saying tell me you didn't just say that was hilarious.
Bronson Reed vs. Sami Zayn IC Title Match
Didn't Matter*
Sami Zayn hit his finisher on Reed pretty early, and he would have won if Gable hadn't interfered. Gable made the whole match pointless, and even with Gable's intervention, Bronson looked weak. Bronson slammed Gable and hit his Tsnami finisher on Sami, so we are heading for a triple threat. However, I did not enjoy the road there this week.
Draft Picks Part 2
Mattered ***
The APA went out there to announce picks, and once again, this felt lackluster because JBL had already announced picks on SmackDown. The LWO is coming to Raw, which is an exciting shakeup of new scenery. Legado will be staying on SmackDown, so that feud is over. Drew is staying on Raw, which Raw desperately needs. Nakamura will be going to SmackDown, which is a shame because he was doing well on Raw.
After the Picks, Drew came out there and berated the APA for where he was picked in the draft, but before something could pop off between them, Cm Punk's music played, He called Drew a Bitch from the balcony, and Drew ran off to go get him. Ron Simons did his Damn, but it was so out of place that it didn't get a reaction for the first time in years.
Gable Tightening the Reigns
Mattered ***.`1
Alpha Academy was in the back hyping up Maxine for her match when Gable came in and ran them all down. Maxine was happy she had eliminated two people, but Gable reminded her that she had lost and that we don't celebrate mediocrity. Then he told Akira that he better not do that stupid dance again and told OTis to shape up. Then he yelled at them to go win the tag championships, and then Ivy Nile came out and went to train with Maxine. Gable is being harsh, but is he wrong? Will his new attitude push his group to success?
Sheamus Interuppted Bron Breakker
Mattered ***
Bron was getting interviewed, and Sheamus interrupted. Things got tested when he told Bron that he just wanted him to know he was a fan. Nothing happened here, but Sheamus and Bron's fighting is exactly what I wanted. It's a fight made in fighter heaven.
Candice Lerae vs. Maxine
Mattered ***.5
Maxine actually came out firing. She was beating Candice Lerae's butt all over the ring before Indi attacked Ivy Nile, and the distraction cost Maxine the match. Maxine continues to get better each week as a lovable underdog, and Candice and Indi continue to cheat to win.
LWO SPEAK
Mattered ***.1
LWO was interviewed about being on Raw, and the interview was interrupted by Dominik, who said Judgment Day runs Raw. Rey made fun of Don's mustache and called him dirty Sanchez before making fun of him for being undrafted. Dom left while LWO laughed at him. This segment indicated that this beef is still on, and Rey is done holding back on Dom. Rey is treating Dom like a stranger, and I love it.
CM Punk Living in Drew's Head Rent Free
Mattered ***.3
When Drew ran up to the top to get CM Punk, he instead arrived to see a signed picture of CM Punk and CM Punk coming down the entrance ramp where Drew was when he started. It was pretty funny. Then he cut a promo calling Drew a crazy ex he can't get rid of before saying he would continue to make Drew's life a living hell until CM Punk is cleared.
Draft Picks Part 3
Mattered ***
Teddy Long and Alundra Blaze came out to do picks, and it was cool to see Blaze back, but once again, we saw Teddy on SmackDown. Judgment Day is staying Raw, which is very important to the future of Raw, given that they have invested a lot of storyline in their group. Naomi is staying on SmackDown, which makes sense because she has been killing it over there. Dragonuv is coming up to Raw, which is exciting, but it is watered down by the fact that he wrestled on the Raw after Mania instead of now during a big debut on draft night. Chelsea and Piper are heading over to SmackDown, which will be a great addition to the already-stacked show. Plus, Chelsea and Piper have done everything on Raw.
Liv Morgan vs. Nia Jax/w Tiffany
Mattered ****
Liv Morgan and Nia battled on equal terms. This match has shown how far Liv has come. Nia did her worst: She Samoan slammed live, banged her head against the announce table, and clobbered Liv. But Liv always came back and did some clobbering of her own, kicking Nia in the head, banging her head against the ring post repeatedly, and even Powerbombing Nia Jax. Who would have thought Liv would Powerbomb Nia Jax!?
Tiffany Stratton showed up to support her new friend Nia, and Naomi showed up to beat up Tiffany. Nia got involved and took out Naomi, but it cost her her match with Liv. Liv hit her with a quick two-piece codebreaker off the ropes and oblivion, and it was over. Liv is the clear number-one contender. However, this also shows that SmackDown's women's division is the most lit in the WWE overall.
Adam Pearce Celebrates
Didn't Matter **
Adam celebrated losing Chelsea Green and Piper and made fun of Nick Aldis for having to deal with them. It was a decent farewell statement, but it didn't really need to be on the show. This could have been WWE exclusive on the YouTube page.
Picks Part 4
Mattered ***.1
The Dudley Boys came out to give the picks of round five, and once again, they already reunited on SmackDown. The New Day stays on Raw, which is a little disappointing; they could have made a splash on SmackDown. Pretty Deadly stays on SmackDown, which is wise from SmackDown, but they could have used a shakeup. Lyra is coming up from NXT to Raw, which is exciting. She is like Sheamus. You could just let her wrestle people for a few weeks, and she would be entertaining off matches alone. SmackDown is staling Indi and Candice, which adds to their growing women's tag division, which is interesting considering the tag champions for the women are moving to Raw.
Awesome Truth vs. Alpha Academy World Tag Team Championship Match
Mattered ***
Gable's new tough-love approach resulted in Alpha Academy making a real push for the title. They almost had the titles, but the Awesome Truth was able to turn the tide. I have to say that the Awesome Truth is starting to look very formidable in the ring. They may be the most underrated champions in WWE.
Damage Control Confront Becky
Didn't Matter *
Damage Control walked by Becky and said they were coming for her. This segment should have been cut. It was an irrelevant introduction to Damage Control. They deserve better than being a throwaway segment.
Picks Part 6
Mattered ***
Nick and Pierce made the final picks, which was anti-climatic but made sense. The Final Testament was sent to Raw. Hopefully, The Final Testament will be given a reason to be. Bronson Reed will stay on Raw, which makes sense because he has been a big part of the midcard. Blair Davenport has graduated from SmackDown. I'm not the biggest fan of Blair, but she is talented, and it wouldn't be the first time someone who had a so-so career in NXT had an amazing main roster career. Cough Cough Carmella Alexa Bliss Liv Morgan Nikki Cross. DIY is going to SmackDown, and that just further proves that SmackDown dominated the draft.
Jey Uso, Ricochet, Andrade vs. Judgment Day
Mattered ***.5
This was an odd main event. There wasn't a great story here, and everything would stay the same regardless of who won. This match felt like the match you put on after the show went off the air, and it was just the live audience. The match was very good, and Jey Usos won for his team, which gave him momentum going into Backlash.
Final Grade 6/10 D-
This show had a lot of mid. Maxine's short match was the most enjoyable part of Raw at one point in the show. The main event very clearly should have been Liv vs. Nia instead of that random 6-man. I mean, you had superstars from different a show and bodies everywhere with title implications. The women's match was the clear main event. However, Raw has been on a bad run lately. It doesn't matter that this is a transition period. You are coming off a huge WrestleMania and have more eyeballs than ever on the product, and right now, WWE Raw needs to give people a good reason to keep watching every week.
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