WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for May 1

Source: WWE.com

Austin Aries vs. TJ Perkins

Result: Austin Aries defeated TJ Perkins via submission

Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

Somehow, this match was simultaneously exciting and dull as dishwater. How is that possible?

I think it’s too much cookie-cutter booking here that makes it seem boring. Aries has devolved into a too much of a signature spot monkey. And Perkins is kind of the same way. In fairness to both guys, it’s the way of the business nowadays, I guess. But when you can kind of figure out what’s going on before it happens, the match is less exciting.

However, there was enough variety to keep things entertaining and exciting. The half crab on the turnbuckles was a nice touch by Perkins. Something you don’t see every day is a nice thing to add – but only every once in a while, otherwise they become signature spots, too.

The finishing sequence was beautiful, with Aries reversing the Detonation Kick into the Last Chancery. And the post-match assault adds another layer to TJP’s relationship with Neville, who watched the whole thing.

Ambrose Asking The Hard-Hitting Questions

If eating nerves and producing results gave someone abs like Finn Balor, I’d be eating a double helping of steely nerves every day. Donuts, too, obviously.

And is it any surprise that Ambrose is a Drifter fan?

Golden Truth Get a Shot

Looking at a win-loss record before blindly giving someone exactly what they want? Kurt Angle is the greatest general manager of all time!

It’s a little too “break the fourth wall” when Goldust talks about being a joke in the fans’ eyes. But logically, this was exactly how Angle should have handled this. Golden Truth are not contenders – right now. But there’s nothing that says they can’t work their way towards it. Angle gives them a shot to do so, and next week is a Tag Team Turmoil match.