The Memorial Day edition of WWE Raw has concluded, packing the show with plenty of noteworthy moments despite it being a holiday episode. Rather than recapping the results, this review dives into the emotions and atmosphere experienced throughout the event, which featured everything from important qualifying matches to high-profile battles between two of WWE’s major Irish stars. Now, the Wrestling Inc. team shares their highlights and low points from the show.
What We Loved: Certified High-Quality Matches
Among WWE’s reliable performers, Sheamus stands out alongside Drew McIntyre and Gunther for delivering compelling fights. Recently returned Rusev made an impact by decisively defeating Otis and Akira Tozawa, signaling that his next big challenge will likely be against Sheamus, aligning with their past rivalry and potential contention for the Intercontinental Championship. Their match showed promise of becoming a classic if given proper time, even if it remains uncertain if WWE will fully capitalize on this pairing.
What We Hated: WWE’s Mishandling of AAA
WWE spoiled the suspense for the upcoming AAA Mega Championship bout by revealing that Vikingo, who hasn’t even won the title yet, will defend it against Chad Gable at Worlds Collide. This premature reveal drained the drama from the May 31 match, and many fans worry WWE’s handling of AAA bookings shows an imbalance in the partnership, potentially sidelining the promotion’s interests and stories.
What We Loved: Clear Direction and Vision
Seth Rollins’ recent embrace of strength in numbers, supported by Paul Heyman and new allies like Bronson Reed, highlights a strategic leadership approach reminiscent of past Shield dynamics. With new recruits like Vision joining the fold, this faction has the potential to elevate emerging stars into main event players, proving Rollins’ vision for stable dominance is effective and exciting.
What We Hated: Women Entangled in Dominik Mysterio’s Storyline
Roxanne Perez, a young and talented wrestler newly promoted to Raw, finds herself caught in Dominic Mysterio’s underwhelming storyline that seems to revolve heavily around male-centered plots. This pattern, seen with multiple women including Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley, reduces their characters’ depth and sidelines their titles, often relegating them to mere accessories in male-driven narratives—an outdated and uninspired creative approach.
What We Loved: Finn Balor’s Influence on Judgment Day
Balor, part of the Judgment Day faction, continues to bring an element of delightful chaos, especially with his interactions involving Roxanne Perez and disrupting group dynamics. His playful yet impactful presence hints at intriguing developments and suggests Perez might flourish in a storyline beyond Mysterio’s shadow, potentially sparking fresh rivalries and growth for the women’s division.
What We Hated: Lacking Excitement in Becky Lynch vs. Laila Valkyria Feud
While a match between Becky Lynch and Laila Valkyria for the Women’s Intercontinental Title could be compelling, their recent verbal exchanges on Raw failed to generate significant anticipation or intensity. Given Lynch’s previous clean loss and the stakes of the upcoming match, the promos lacked the depth and heat necessary to emotionally engage viewers.
Fan Take:
For WWE fans, this episode reinforces the importance of solid matchmaking and creative storytelling in elevating both established stars and newcomers. How WWE shapes partnerships and storylines, particularly with external promotions like AAA and in the women’s division, will significantly impact not only fan investment but the overall direction of the sport going forward.
