Match Ratings For WWE Raw 10/28/19 From Sean Ross Sapp
Becky Lynch defeated Kairi Sane (w/ Asuka)
6.5/10
- Paige comes back “WIFOUT FUVER ADOO” brings out the Kabuki Warriors. She’s proud of them for becoming champions while she was gone.
- The Kabuki Warriors take the mic from her. Asuka ends up spitting green mist into Paige’s eyes. This was a really good turn.
- Paige plays this off very well. That was a brilliant way to address the Paige situation, and facilitate a turn without any contact with Paige
- Becky Lynch comes out and saves Paige and has a match with Kairi Sane. Dio Maddin explains the history of the mist.
- Kairi’s Anchor submission is great.
- Becky constantly has to battle both Kairi and Asuka. Fortunately, Asuka’s attempts to distract Becky are fruitless. There’s no need to make Lynch look like the typical dumb babyface.
- This is really gritty. Becky Matrixes out of a pin. Some camera angles really help Becky’s kicks, and some really hurt because they miss by a mile.
- HA HA HA HA HA JERRY LAWLER MAKES A GINGER SNAPS JOKE. SHIT MAN HA HA.
- Awesome counter from Kairi, a DDT out of a suplex. A little bit later she cracks Lynch with a spinning back fist that Lynch sells great.
- Lynch ends up tapping out Kairi Sane.
- Asuka mean mugs from a distance. This was a lot of fun.
Buddy Murphy defeated R-Truth
5/10 (short)
- R-Truth is in the ring and says Buddy Murphy isn’t his Buddy. He also got glasses to help him see the Singh Bros. better. Buddy Murphy cuts a promo about thriving on Raw and etc.
- Murphy starts out strong, but Truth regains some steam.
- Truth misses his Axe Kick and eats a combo, before
- The 24/7 dorks (not including EC3) are running around the ring.
- Truth gets distracted and gets pinned after a knee. Murphy didn’t need this to win, but it was harmless.
Crappenings
- Another AOP promo. I just think they’re waiting until this gauntlet gimmick Thursday to re-debut them.
- Because (act name) and (insert catchphrase) is such a lazy promo. Write better material for these guys. The Street Profits cut a lame, bad promo and go party into the crowd. Okay, man. It’s so counterproductive. They’re creative and talented and likable and just have that all taken from them.
Ricochet (w/ Hulk Hogan & Jimmy Hart) defeated Drew McIntyre (w/ Ric Flair) via DQ
6.25/10
- Flair and Hogan are out in the ring and I guess we’re running this one back. Okay then.
- Ricochet hits a great dive, and sells his ribs appropriately.
- We go through some of Drew’s signature spots, and these guys just work well together.
- Drew does the Hogan leg drop to taunt him and gets in Hulk’s face.
- Ricochet is up there with AJ Styles for guys who take back body drops best.
- Drew adopting the Crucifix Buckle Bomb is something I can get behind.
- Drew McIntyre and Ricochet just have that connection.
- I am all about Drew McIntyre countering the dumb Del Rio stomp spot with his Tossplex.
- Ricochet misses a 630 and Orton hits one of the FILTHIEST RKOS OF ALL TIME. Right on Ricochet’s head! ahhhhhhhhhhh!
Viking Raiders defeated Chicago Cubs
SQUASH
- Rizzo & Bryant is brilliant. Cubs are hated in St. Louis, etc, etc.
- Viking Raiders destroy.
- Ivar’s scream seems a little less momentous when nobody else is making noise.
- They kill these dorks.
Andrade (w/ Zelina) defeated Sin Cara (w/ Catalina)
5.5/10
- Did we need to see them run this AND Ricochet vs. McIntyre back? Sin Cara brings his Catalina with him. It can’t hurt.
- The action is great here, but the crowd isn’t into it. Andrade hits a great backbreaker.
- Sin Cara does a tornado body press and a head scissors driver.
- Catalina powerbomb swings Zelina into the barricade.
- Andrade rolls up Sin Cara and uses the ropes to win.
- This was short, but good.
Natalya & Charlotte Flair defeated The IIconics
5/10
- No reaction to this early, but it’s good to see the IIconics back in the ring. Peyton has underwent some hair changes, so it’s a bit of a different aesthetic. It’s always good to change it up, and a lot of other wrestlers could take notes.
- We aren’t given any reason why Charlotte and Natayla are teaming.
- Billie and Peyton are much improved in the ring.
- Natalya applies a Sharpshooter on Billie, and Charlotte hits a spear on Peyton. Submission win.
Falls Count Anywhere
Seth Rollins defeated Erick Rowan
6/10
- Rollins thankfully acknowledges Rowan’s history with Wyatt.
- These two brawl to the concourse and Rowan puts Rollins through a table for a two count.
- We come back from commercial and they’re back in the ring.
- They’re softballing some stuff, from suicide dives to stair attacks to kicks.
- Rowan powerbombs Rollins into a ring post and they go to the ramp.
- Rollins stomps Rowan on a ladder, then makes a guy crush Rowan with a fork lift.
- This was nothing if not fun and effective.
AJ Styles (w/ The OC) defeated Humberto Carrillo
6/10
- The OC say that Humberto should have made his debut against Styles last week instead.
- Carrillo is on his game and has some beautiful offense.
- Humberto gets run into the barricade, but we come back to him taking over again.
- Carrillo has really stepped up since being called up. The Aztec Press is ugly as shit, but it lands.
- Styles does his amazing reverse DDT. Carillo’s moonsault is beautiful but a little bit off.
- Calf Crusher taps out Humberto.
- AJ Styles fakes shaking Humberto’s hand, and Carrillo punches him
- The attack is on, but the Street Profits make the save.
DIVORCE COURT
- Lana says that Rusev just wanted sex with her.
- “Can you blame me?”- Rusev.
- Lana says that Rusev wanted sex everywhere and he’s a sex addict. The crowd erupts.
- She says Rusev wanted to knock her up. Completely on Lana’s side with the hating babies thing.
- Lana says that Rusev cheated on her, and Bobby Lashley told her.
- Rusev says “he’s talking shit!”
- I can’t hate this storyline anymore. I’m all in on in. They did it. They fuckin did it y’all.
- Lashley comes out and gets his ass kicked.
- Rusev feeds Bobby Lashley his wedding ring.
- Lana tries to attack Rusev with a kendo stick.
- Lashley attacks Rusev RIGHT IN THE KENDO STICKS
- Lashley and Lana make out to end the show.
Rating guide
10- Perfect, 9- MOTY Territory, 8- Excellent, 7- Great, 6- Good, 5- Average to above average, 4- Slightly below average, 3 or below: Poor
Each match starts at a 5 and slides up and down based on entertainment, execution, time, environment, reaction and stakes. The ratings are in no way an indication of a “star rating,” which is a completely different system. A standard, non-offensive “TV match” lands at a 5. The gap between 5.75-6 is generally the largest, with anything reaching 6 being recommended viewing.
These are opinions, and incredibly inconsistent ones that may change upon a second viewing, or sitting on the match for a period of time. Don’t take them too seriously, and have (and share) your own!