WWE Raw Review: More Talking. More Celebrities. Not Enough Wrestling.
WWE Raw had its moments this week, but by the time the show ended, it felt like another episode that spent far too much time trying to entertain everyone except wrestling fans.
What Was That Opening?
Since when does WWE do weigh-ins?
The opening segment immediately felt out of place. Wrestling has always blurred the line between sports and entertainment, but this leaned too heavily into the sports presentation without adding anything meaningful to the upcoming match.
Then came the fake police officers.
Can WWE please retire this trope already?
For decades, “security” and “police officers” have existed for one reason—to get thrown around by wrestlers. It was entertaining years ago because it was used sparingly. Today, it feels like creative simply grabs a dozen independent wrestlers, throws security shirts on them, and waits for the inevitable beatdown.
Once Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman—or in this case, Brock and Paul—made it to the top of the entrance ramp, there was only one thing I wanted to see.
Oba Femi should have walked through the crowd, ripped the door off the police vehicle, and dragged them out himself.
Instead, the segment played out exactly the way everyone expected.
Alpha Academy Continues to Build
The Vision versus Alpha Academy was a solid match.
Nothing spectacular, but certainly enjoyable.
More importantly, it continued building what could become one of WWE’s better tag team stories if creative follows through. I’m still hoping this rivalry reaches SummerSlam with Alpha Academy finally presented as legitimate threats instead of comic relief.
The groundwork is there.
Now WWE simply needs to capitalize on it.
I’ve Never Understood the L.A. Knight Hype
I know I’m in the minority here, but I’ve never understood the overwhelming popularity of L.A. Knight.
He’s charismatic.
He’s comfortable on the microphone.
The fans clearly enjoy him.
But I’ve never viewed him as someone who should consistently be in WWE’s main event picture.
That doesn’t mean he isn’t talented.
He’s just never connected with me the way he has with much of the audience.
Je’Von Evans Isn’t Ready
This might be my most controversial opinion of the night.
Je’Von Evans should not be on WWE’s main roster yet.
His athletic ability is undeniable, but athleticism alone isn’t enough to sustain a career.
The death-defying offense worked well in NXT because it made him stand out against developmental talent.
On Raw?
He’s simply another high flyer.
Even worse, I genuinely worry about how long his body can survive wrestling that style several nights every week.
I’d rather see Evans spend another year in NXT.
Put on forty to fifty pounds of functional muscle.
Develop more mat wrestling.
Learn to tell stories without relying on dives.
If he can blend that athleticism with a more complete wrestling style, he’ll have a much longer—and much more successful—career.
Enough With Celebrity Involvement
Then came another celebrity appearance.
Honestly…
I had absolutely no idea who the guy was.
I had to look him up afterward.
That probably says everything.
This isn’t meant as a knock on him personally.
It’s directed at WWE.
The company has become obsessed with inserting celebrities into wrestling stories under the assumption that it creates mainstream attention.
Maybe it does.
But as someone tuning in to watch professional wrestling, I’d rather spend those television minutes developing wrestlers than promoting influencers, musicians, athletes, or internet personalities.
Give me wrestling.
That’s why I’m watching.
Ethan Page Keeps Impressing
One of the highlights of the evening was Ethan Page versus Rey Mysterio.
Excellent match.
Excellent pace.
Excellent finish.
Most importantly…
Ethan Page got the victory.
Page remains one of the most underrated performers under WWE contract today. He has the complete package—confidence, personality, solid ring work, and the ability to connect with an audience.
I still believe he’s a future World Champion.
Raquel Rodriguez Needed That Win
Raquel Rodriguez and Sol Ruca also delivered a very good match.
Raquel deserved the victory.
The only complaint?
She didn’t need outside assistance.
Wins only mean something when fans believe the wrestler earned them. Raquel is physically dominant enough that she shouldn’t need shortcuts against someone like Sol Ruca.
Sometimes a clean victory is the strongest booking decision.
Stop Ending Raw With Talking Segments
And finally…
Can WWE please stop ending every Raw with extended talking segments?
It feels like we’ve seen the same closing formula over and over again.
Promo.
Interruptions.
Another promo.
Someone gets laid out.
Show ends.
Professional wrestling has always been built around conflict.
Sometimes the best way to sell your next Premium Live Event isn’t another ten-minute conversation.
It’s letting the wrestlers settle things inside the ring.
Final Thoughts
Raw wasn’t a bad show.
Far from it.
There were several strong matches, Alpha Academy continued gaining momentum, Ethan Page looked every bit like a future main-event player, and Raquel Rodriguez reminded everyone why she’s such an important part of WWE’s women’s division.
But the show also highlighted many of WWE’s recurring problems: too much talking, too much celebrity involvement, overused security angles, and an increasing reliance on predictable television formulas.
Final Grade: B-
The wrestling carried the show.
The booking kept it from being better.
Since when does WWE do weigh-ins?
The opening segment immediately felt out of place. Wrestling has always blurred the line between sports and entertainment, but this leaned too heavily into the sports presentation without adding anything meaningful to the upcoming match.
Then came the fake police officers.
Can WWE please retire this trope already?
For decades, “security” and “police officers” have existed for one reason—to get thrown around by wrestlers. It was entertaining years ago because it was used sparingly. Today, it feels like creative simply grabs a dozen independent wrestlers, throws security shirts on them, and waits for the inevitable beatdown.
Once Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman—or in this case, Brock and Paul—made it to the top of the entrance ramp, there was only one thing I wanted to see.
Oba Femi should have walked through the crowd, ripped the door off the police vehicle, and dragged them out himself.
Instead, the segment played out exactly the way everyone expected.
Alpha Academy Continues to Build
The Vision versus Alpha Academy was a solid match.
Nothing spectacular, but certainly enjoyable.
More importantly, it continued building what could become one of WWE’s better tag team stories if creative follows through. I’m still hoping this rivalry reaches SummerSlam with Alpha Academy finally presented as legitimate threats instead of comic relief.
The groundwork is there.
Now WWE simply needs to capitalize on it.
I’ve Never Understood the L.A. Knight Hype
I know I’m in the minority here, but I’ve never understood the overwhelming popularity of L.A. Knight.
He’s charismatic.
He’s comfortable on the microphone.
The fans clearly enjoy him.
But I’ve never viewed him as someone who should consistently be in WWE’s main event picture.
That doesn’t mean he isn’t talented.
He’s just never connected with me the way he has with much of the audience.
Je’Von Evans Isn’t Ready
This might be my most controversial opinion of the night.
Je’Von Evans should not be on WWE’s main roster yet.
His athletic ability is undeniable, but athleticism alone isn’t enough to sustain a career.
The death-defying offense worked well in NXT because it made him stand out against developmental talent.
On Raw?
He’s simply another high flyer.
Even worse, I genuinely worry about how long his body can survive wrestling that style several nights every week.
I’d rather see Evans spend another year in NXT.
Put on forty to fifty pounds of functional muscle.
Develop more mat wrestling.
Learn to tell stories without relying on dives.
If he can blend that athleticism with a more complete wrestling style, he’ll have a much longer—and much more successful—career.
Enough With Celebrity Involvement
Then came another celebrity appearance.
Honestly…
I had absolutely no idea who the guy was.
I had to look him up afterward.
That probably says everything.
This isn’t meant as a knock on him personally.
It’s directed at WWE.
The company has become obsessed with inserting celebrities into wrestling stories under the assumption that it creates mainstream attention.
Maybe it does.
But as someone tuning in to watch professional wrestling, I’d rather spend those television minutes developing wrestlers than promoting influencers, musicians, athletes, or internet personalities.
Give me wrestling.
That’s why I’m watching.
Ethan Page Keeps Impressing
One of the highlights of the evening was Ethan Page versus Rey Mysterio.
Excellent match.
Excellent pace.
Excellent finish.
Most importantly…
Ethan Page got the victory.
Page remains one of the most underrated performers under WWE contract today. He has the complete package—confidence, personality, solid ring work, and the ability to connect with an audience.
I still believe he’s a future World Champion.
Raquel Rodriguez Needed That Win
Raquel Rodriguez and Sol Ruca also delivered a very good match.
Raquel deserved the victory.
The only complaint?
She didn’t need outside assistance.
Wins only mean something when fans believe the wrestler earned them. Raquel is physically dominant enough that she shouldn’t need shortcuts against someone like Sol Ruca.
Sometimes a clean victory is the strongest booking decision.
Stop Ending Raw With Talking Segments
And finally…
Can WWE please stop ending every Raw with extended talking segments?
It feels like we’ve seen the same closing formula over and over again.
Promo.
Interruptions.
Another promo.
Someone gets laid out.
Show ends.
Professional wrestling has always been built around conflict.
Sometimes the best way to sell your next Premium Live Event isn’t another ten-minute conversation.
It’s letting the wrestlers settle things inside the ring.
Final Thoughts
Raw wasn’t a bad show.
Far from it.
There were several strong matches, Alpha Academy continued gaining momentum, Ethan Page looked every bit like a future main-event player, and Raquel Rodriguez reminded everyone why she’s such an important part of WWE’s women’s division.
But the show also highlighted many of WWE’s recurring problems: too much talking, too much celebrity involvement, overused security angles, and an increasing reliance on predictable television formulas.
Final Grade: B-
The wrestling carried the show.
The booking kept it from being better.
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