WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for February 27
By Bryan Heaton
Akira Tozawa vs. Noam Dar (w/ Alicia Fox)
Result: Akira Tozawa defeated Noam Dar via pinfall
Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
It may be time to wrap Tozawa up in some bubble wrap or something. That spill he took off the turnbuckle was nasty. Get your hands out in front, man! Protect your head!
It seemed to affect him for the remainder of the match, too. Most notably, it looked like he felt some kind of discomfort after the hurricanrana. He didn’t really get over cleanly and it looked sloppy – to be expected when you fell six feet onto your face like two minutes before. Even on the tope suicida, it looked like he wasn’t at 100%.
When @TozawaAkira is coming at you full speed, don't be like @NoamDar... #RAW #205Live pic.twitter.com/D82QlcOteg
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) February 28, 2017
The match itself wasn’t bad, but like all cruiserweight matches, there wasn’t a lot of time for it. There also wasn’t a great connection with the crowd. Bless his heart, Tozawa tried – and got some response from the crowd, who apparently like saying AH AH AH AH. But aside from a little pop on the snap German suplex, nothing.
"Lesson No. 3 @WWEGraves: Don't turn your back on @MrBrianKendrick!" - @AustinAries #RAW #205Live @TozawaAkira pic.twitter.com/hJryyjMRgk
— WWE (@WWE) February 28, 2017
The match exists for the post-match activity, though. The Brian Kendrick continues his attempts at “mentoring” Tozawa by beating him from behind. As a former teacher, I gotta say it’s a unique way to teach someone. But with a tag match coming up at the Fastlane kickoff show, there has to be some kind of rationale for it.