[CaptainCrunch]

Ok, I'm going to do a half time review because this card is so long.



I didn't really watch much of the under card, I did see the Rusev Nak matchup though and watched the end of Rusev day. We also saw Lana get injured which would come back later in a nice bit of booking.


Asuka(C) def Becky Lynch


See the only problem with Becky Lynch and the man gimmick is she's become a bit too much of a talker without the results to back it up. However this was a very good physical match with a great pace to it. This match was extremely rough with a strong technical aspect to it. We saw some brutal spots including Asuka nearly killing Becky Lynch with a Fisherman's neck breaker from the ring apron to the floor. This match also featured a great sequence of exchanged submission holds, but the match finally ended when Asuka Bridged over into a really nice Dragon Sleeper and Becky had to tap

**** out of 5


To be honest from a booking perspective this was a impossible situation because both woman could have used the win. They're still trying to rebuild Asuka into a genuine top of the card performer and champion. With Becky Lynch losing by tap out made me feel like she was less of a man. I go back to the Stone Cold Bret Hart double flip where a bleeding Stone Cold passed out in the sharp shooter and it suddenly gave Austin all kinds of momentum. To have Lynch lose by tap out didn't help Becky Lynch's end result.



The Miz and Shane def The Bar (C)


I think the WWE can have all kinds of fun with the Miz and Shane as best friends, but I still believe that they're going to turn on each other sooner rather then later. I give Shane credit as he's a maniac he hit an aerial clothesline on Sheamus that was really cool. But I hate his mate offense, his punches and kicks look like garbage. I think people really under rate the Miz and his work rate. The guy is a tremendous seller and he understands story telling at a high level, and he really did a great job in this match. Seeing Shane in an extended swing was awesome. The match did end on a cool but awkward spot as Shane hit a 450 shooting star that only worked because Cesareo did an adjustment in the ring, but Shane still landed it a bit short.


*** out of 5


This wasn't a great match for a PPV like the rumble, but it was fun to watch. I get that they need to put the belt on Miz and Shane so that a turn by one or the other will make sense (Miz "I'm carrying you" Shane "I'm the best in the world and I'm carrying you)


Ronda Rousey(C) def Sasha Banks


This was a pretty solid match based around counters. For every move that they would pull off the other would counter. This match also had solid psychology as both girls sold arm injuries. When you watch Ronda you don't realize how powerful and explosive she really is. She hit a couple of snap suplexes tht shook the ring and her judo tosses are so fast. Banks really played the heel in this one, and she has so many little tips. Like kicking people while she has them in submissions and trash talking. When you watch this match, its still apparent that while Ronda is light and days improved from her debut that she's still fairly green. Her dive to the outside looked really awkward and some her her transition footwork still isn't smooth. However you can't help but appreciate her athleticism. The finish was a little rough as Ronda destroyed Sasha with a dangerous looking suplex/power bomb followed by a rolling lock into a equally dangerous Piper's pit for the win


*** 1/2 out of 5.


After the match they had the typical Ronda is a good sport moment, but it almost lasted too long as Sasha left and came back and flashed the four horsemen sign at Ronda. I think they could have simplified things on that ending but it sets up the start of the road to Wrestlemania.


The Woman's Royal Rumble. Becky Lynch wins



I really actually liked this rumble. But I'm just going to post some thoughts.



Lacey Evans really established herself on the main roster with her long performance.


I don't know what Liv Morgan has done to piss people off but really the Riot Squad needs to be broken up, even with a nice bit of booking where Liv and Sarah returned after their elimination to soften people up for Ruby, they're just a group that doesn't win.


I loved loved the booking between Mandy Rose and Naomi. First of all, I just really hate that Naomi's thing every year is a tricky return to the ring, but Mandy got some awesome heel points by costing Naomi her big moment.


Sonya DeVille needs to go on her own, everytime I see her, I love her ring work as it looks a lot like Baszler on speed.


Surprisingly no old Diva's returns but lots of NXT representation with Sane, IO, Rhea Ripley (I thought she was going to blow her knees out on her exit). Xia Li and Kacey Catanzaro who's someone to watch in the future and out did Naomi with a awesome return to the ring.


Alexa Bliss got a huge pop in her return, though its tough to see her as a face, she's just really over right now.


Zelina hiding under the ring and coming out to laugh at people getting eliminated good. Having Hornswoggle returning from under the ring to chase her off bad.



People tend to forget that Alisha Fox is actually a very good worker with an entertaining gimmick.



So going back to the Lana injury they had her come out with an obvious injury made worse by Nia Jax. So of course Becky comes out and convinces the officials that she should be allowed in the rumble.


I'm bored of Charlotte, she just has her old mans disease in that she's super repetitive, I'm also a bit resentful of her recent attempts to be more of a man then Becky Lynch.


Ok so the dastardly Nia Jax injures Becky who then channels Danial Larusso and manages to get back in the ring and destroys Charlotte with a crane kick sending Charlotte into the sun. Actually no that didn't happen, but I would have booked it that way. But Becky finally wins a must win match and eliminates Charlotte.


I doubt they put Becky against Asuka when the big pay day is Ronda.

**** out of 5.


I really liked this rumble. There were a lot of really good spots. And some nice reputation building. Lacey Evans came out really strong. Carmella surprisingly showed that she can work as well. But this was about rebooting the woman's division which has struggled on the Raw side.


Look for part two probably tomorrow.