Was the holiday edition of WWE Monday Night Raw Good, Bad, or Ugly? Bobby lets us know!

After an explosive and historic Elimination Chamber, a battered and beaten roster continues on the Road to WrestleMania.  A lot has happened and there have been some changes to the landscape.  That brings us to Monday Night Raw, who have been on the money lately and hope to continue this trend all the way to the big dance and beyond.  We all know they want to, but can they do it?  Or will they buckle under the pressure?  Let’s see how the chips fall on Monday Night Raw!

GOOD

HHH Opening the Show

Good concise opening.  Hyping the NXT talent’s Newly designated Debuts on Monday Night Raw (Tomasso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black and Ricochet) and giving a background to the opening match coming up Strowman vs. Corbin in a Tables Match.  HHH always is money.  He can do so much without much effort.  Less was a whole lot more for a Good opening.    

Tables Match- Baron Corbin vs. Braun Strowman

Strowman being hurt from Sunday is evident and makes him breakable.  It is more believable when “The Monster” isn’t just steamrolling everyone.  He would never lose that way.  Corbin is an opportunist and will always pounce when given the chance.  It was said though, Corbin will still have pick up the big guy and slam him through a table.  Corbin had a ton of offense and effort destroying the hurt Braun Strowman.  Corbin couldn’t get it done though and ultimately got “powerslammed” through a table.  Strowman Wins the Table Match.  After the match Strowman got his hands on Paul Heyman but let him go with only a scare.

Intercontinental Champion- Finn Balor Promo

Balor is decent on the mic and did well but was quickly interrupted by the dishonored Lio Rush.  Lio was not his cheery self and was borderline quiet but this acted as a distraction as former Champion Bobby Lashley jumped Finn Balor, and Lio Rush joined in on the beating.  Then things got crazy, as NXT Star Ricochet came in for the save devastating Rush and Lashley, saving Balor.  Great segment, again, short and sweet, setting up a tag team match with all involved.

Finn Balor and Ricochet vs. Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush

Ricochet is simply unreal how Good he is.  He just flies around everywhere non-stop.  He is sharp and entertaining.  He can do anything.  Surrounded by superior talent, this was a, can’t lose match.  Finn Balor and Bobby Lashley did what they do and killed it!  Lio Rush is another great talent and meshed well into the Match.  Ricochet had a fantastic, successful debut and hit a “650” for the Win!  Short but action overloaded!  Great Match!

Non-Title Match- Raw Tag Team Champions The Revival vs. NXT Champion Tommaso Ciampa vs. NXT North American Champion Johnny Gargano

WOW!  This is just an unbelievable Match!  We have some real technical gold here.  Lots of talent yet again and NXT Royalty and literal Champions.  They all can work and they did.  A ton of fight, Gargano is a freak!  He is one of the best around!  Gargano was sharp working the Tag Team Champions, who are also great in there.  Ciampa came in and also shined.  There really wasn’t anything to hate but a lot to love.  “DIY” if you will had a big effort but couldn’t finish the champs off.    This match could have been over several times but both teams would not quit.  Finally the DIY hit a double team for the victory in the non-title match.  This is just huge.  For them to pin the Tag Team Champs in their debut is outstanding. 

Drew McIntyre vs. Dean Ambrose

Ambrose earlier had a horrible lapse in judgement and slapped the very dangerous Drew McIntyre, leading to this match.  Ambrose is a lunatic and loves punishment.  Luckily he can give it and take it just as well.  Ambrose put up a fight early on but was destroyed by a “claymore kick” and finished off by Drew McIntyre.  This was a huge dominant victory by McIntyre over a decorated Dean Ambrose.  Big win could mean big things to come. 

Elias vs. Aleister Black

Elias had enough of the disrespect shown to his talent and the constant distractions and interruptions have revived the pure heel within Elias.  He is just a heel now and maybe always has been.  He is definitely a talented guy and got heat for the new NXT guys right away.  Here comes the fourth and possibly the most anticipated call up of the four NXT Stars.  Aleister Black, big entrance and all was finally on Raw.  Aleister Black facing one of the most over talents in WWE, Elias is also big in many aspects.  They want him to be seen and facing a safe Good opponent.  Black showed off a bit but Elias beat down Black early on and looked to be in complete control but one “Black Mass” and everything faded to Black.  Aleister Black Wins! Black is a star and should be a huge fit and story on Monday Night Raw. 

Raw Women’s Championship Match- Ronda Rousey (C) vs. Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad

The match at Elimination Chamber was a Good one but really quick.  Ruby Riott is too Good to be steamrolled like that even by Rousey.  It looked Good though.  Riott looked amped for this rematch and is always a pleasure to watch.  Rousey of course was also ready but Riott this time put the fight into her.  Riott did not let this be a quick squash again.  Riott was vicious and tore apart the Champion.  Rousey had a few spots that looked off and had her struggles but nothing that Ruby Riott couldn’t save.  Rousey kicked out of a “Riott Kick” out of nowhere.  Rousey stayed in there even though she was continuously getting beaten down.   The Riott Squad did their job helping Ruby Riott get an edge, leading to a second “Riott Kick.”  Again Rousey kicked out and fought back taking out the entire Riott Squad on the outside, and slinging Riott into the corner.  She then continued into a match ending “armbar” retaining again!  Rousey then fought off the Riott Squad in a failed attack proving her dominance. 

BAD

Lucha House Party vs. Zach Ryder and Curtis Hawkins

I don’t know when they are going to stop with Lucha House party but it won’t ever be soon enough.  They can work but it’s always the same repetive match every week.  Ryder and Hawkins are Good though but working LHP isn’t the way to get “hyped.”  Gran Metalik and Dorado get the win in this okay but unimpressive match. 

Heavy Machinery and Lacey Evans

Bad and pointless but still not Ugly.  Everyone here has quality and entertainment value but this really was a totally Bad use of time and content. 

UGLY

Paul Heyman Promo

The Mastermind of ECW and Professional Wrestling genius hyped his boy The Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar.  He had a nice compact, WWE Caliber style video just showing how dominant and awesome of a force “The Beast Incarnate” really is.  He has a ton of power and a dominance that few can even fathom.  He beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, the first to ever do it.  Let’s be honest, he is a crazy impressive entity in the show.  However, this was cheap even how well done it was.  He needs to be here.  The fact that he isn’t on the show instead of a hype video is just an ugly shame.  Finn Balor’s music hits interrupting this repetitive hype. 

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions- Boss ‘N’ Hug Connection (Sasha Banks and Bayley)

History was made at Elimination Chamber, and Boss N Hug Connection delivered all the way!  Bayley and Sasha Banks are stellar talent and always a great addition to the show.  Now we are promised to see more of them with the Gold.  The promo was Good a heartfelt pat on the back for the beloved fan favorite’s historic milestone.  However it was burned and stomped on the minuet Nia Jax and Tamina got involved, vomited on the microphone and ruined the segment.   

FINAL

GOOD- 8

BAD- 2

UGLY- 2

OVERALL

Dare we call this Good!  We will, NXT saves the day.  The unexpected result of NXT invading Raw was a really Good, in fact Great series of events from Monday Night Raw.  We saw a ton of action, some Good moments that outweighed some downright Ugly mess.  This was a successful week and the momentum gunning toward Wrestlemania continues to skyrocket!

Next up we have the blue brand SmackDown Live which looks to be another stacked show!  SmackDown typically delivers at the very highest possible level and will not be the brand that lets everyone down so close to Wrestlemania!  See you after SmackDown for some more Good, Bad and Ugly!