Match Ratings For WWE Raw 5/21/19, Podcast Notes From Sean Ross Sapp

Opening Segment

• New Day bring “Big E” out, but it’s some skinny knockoff. They kick him out and apologize to the crowd.
• The real Big E is out here in a knee brace to a big-time ovation.
• They clarify that Big E isn’t cleared to wrestle. They reference Big E’s great Twitter game.
• Kevin Owens is out, followed by Sami Zayn. WWE has to clarify the terrible wild card rule is in effect.
• Sami Zayn is complaining about Big E getting a celebration. Big E says they’ll get Sami the same thing KO got at MITB — nothing.
• Kevin leaves. Sami Zayn challenges Kofi to a match tonight. Kofi seems to accept.

Ali defeated Andrade (w/ Zelina)
6/10

• Andrade creams Ali with a big clothesline, but a reverse rana is sent his way. That’s a move we don’t see at all in WWE just a few years ago.
• Ali hits a satellite DDT back from the break, and they’re diving all over the place.
• This is a statement match for Andrade to prepare for the Demon Finn Balor, which is good.
• Ali is beaten within an inch of his life — a very impressive beatdown from Andrade. Ali barely makes it in for the count.
• Ali small packages Andrade for the win. Well, that’s definitely not good for the upcoming Andrade/Balor match.

24/7 Fun

• Carmella is trying to track down R-Truth, who is in a costume. Truth misunderstood the rules and wants Carmella’s help. This is great. Carmella hopes R-Truth with his bra.
• Carmella vs. Mandy Rose kind of happens.
• The match loses all control very quickly. The disguise doesn’t work.
• Tons of wrestlers chase Carmella and Truth out.
• Truth and Carmella accidentally run into the women’s locker room. We see Zayn looking on, smiling.
• Jinder Mahal tries to pin R-Truth, but Truth SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS.
• The B-Team fight with each other over who the champ should be, but Truth SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS.

Kofi Kingston defeated Sami Zayn
5.5/10

• Big E is found backstage holding his knee, he says it was Owens.
• Kofi goes off on Sami Zayn, but gets thrown into the steel stairs.
• We come back to see the superplex from Zayn.
• Kofi wins with a mushroom stomp and a Trouble in Paradise
• So much of this match was during a commercial. Why!?
• Paul Heyman is at Smackdown with the briefcase, but no Lesnar. That was a really good touch.
• Dolph Ziggler has returned to WWE. He’s been gone since the Royal Rumble. He attacks Kofi from behind.
• Ziggler totally destroys Kofi Kingston. This is a nice way to re-establish a guy who hasn’t been on TV for a long time. Now they have to keep it up and add something interesting to Ziggler.
• It’s a stretcher job. Kofi Kingston does an amazing job of selling this, while trying to get up.
• Dolph Ziggler says it should have been him that stepped up and knocked it out of the park like Kofi did.
• Dolph is jealous and says he’s going to beat Kofi Kingston at Super Showdown and will make everyone love and admire and respect him.

Bayley & Becky defeated Charlotte Flair & Lacey Evans
5.75/10

• Bayley says she’s moved past the hugs. Becky says backstage she’ll drop Bayley and come for her next.
• Bayley is beaten down big time. Lacey’s aggression works really well.
• Charlotte Flair and Lacey Evans are a tag team that I need. They’re such a great fit.
• Becky Lynch gets the tag and seems to have a more realistic offense this go around. There’s less jumping around.
• Charlotte pins Becky, but holds the ropes.
• Disarmher is applied on Charlotte, but Lacey cracks her with a punch.
• Bayley rolls up Charlotte for the win.
• This was good stuff.

Other stuffs

• Triple H/Randy Orton video package, and it’s really great.

Roman Reigns defeated Elias (w/ Shane McMahon)
5.5/10

• Backstage Elias is making excuses on why he lost at Money in the Bank, but says he’ll be there for Shane McMahon as best he can.
• Roman Reigns is outside by the trucks walking, but Elias is on TOP OF THE TRUCKS performing. Fantastic.
• Roman can’t help but to laugh.
• Shane is out with Elias.
• Elias kicks the rope into Roman’s nutsack, then posts him.
• Reigns is in control after the break, until a jumping knee. That doesn’t really slow him down, though.
• Shane puts Elias’ foot on the ropes, and Elias sends Reigns into the stairs.
• A flying elbow drop gets two on Reigns. At least this has the dynamic of Shane in here.
• Shane hands Elias a guitar, but SPEAR. WIN. That’s it.
• Shane attacks and gets a Superman Punch of his own.
• Drew McIntyre shows up and hits the Claymore on Reigns

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. Don’t take them too seriously, and have (and share) your own!