WWE Raw Results: Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for May 8

Tag Team Turmoil

Enzo Amore & Big Cass vs. Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Heath Slater & Rhyno vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. The Golden Truth (Goldust & R-Truth)

Result 1: Sheamus & Cesaro defeated Enzo Amore & Big Cass via submission

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Because half of their identity is based on their pre-match speech (inexplicably about pooping their pants, but I’m not touching that one), Enzo and Cass really had to be the first team to enter. For them, entering first pretty much precluded any hopes of them winning.

Cass getting to overpower Sheamus is, to me at least, a clear sign that he’s seen as a big star down the road. Let’s not forget that he was one of the four men in the match for the vacant Universal Championship back in September.

But Cesaro and Sheamus fight dirty, so they prevent Enzo from tagging out, leaving him alone in the ring to tap out to a Sharpshooter.

Result 2: Sheamus & Cesaro defeated Heath Slater & Rhyno via pinfall

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

The way SheaSaro attacked the next challengers before the bell speaks to their strategy. The way they’ve been working together of late is commendable, and having a game plan adds to their evolution.

With Enzo and Cass, Cesaro and Sheamus had to have known they’d be the favorites. Former tag champs, two hosses on the team instead of just one – they had the clear advantage. But against another team that previously held gold, a change was needed. So the element of surprise came into play.

And it worked – Rhyno never made it into the ring, and Slater got isolated and had no hope. A Brogue Kick later, and Sheamus and Cesaro were one step closer to running the gauntlet.

Also: Kudos to the UK crowd for the “No More Kids” chant at Slater. Bravo.

Result 3: Sheamus & Cesaro defeated Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson via pinfall

Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars

I know some people don’t like deadlift suplexes, because it’s illogical when compared to a standard suplex. However, Cesaro deadlifted Gallows into a vertical suplex, and it made perfect sense. Gallows was also trying to perform the same move, so for Cesaro to succeed it would have to look like he was struggling, but his superior strength allowed him to win the battle.

This was definitely the best segment of the entire Tag Team Turmoil portion of Raw. What makes it suffer is the complete nothing Gallows and Anderson have been booked as. This could have had a bigger impact if there was any kind of heat left on The Club.

The finish of this fall made up for it a bit. Cesaro saving his partner from the Magic Killer, and Gallows basically stumbling into a Brogue Kick was nice.

Result 4: Sheamus & Cesaro defeated The Golden Truth via pinfall

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

A decent little match, but pretty much what would have been expected. The likelihood of Golden Truth getting a title match against the Hardys right now was remote, but this match will go a long way towards rehabbing their team for the future.

A wonky finish knocked this down a peg or two, though. R-Truth hit the Lie Detector, but Cesaro kicked out – that I can live with (it’s Cesaro, man). But for the actual finish to be a rebound rollup – with the tights maaaaaybe getting held, but we wouldn’t know because of shoddy camera angles – is weak.

But we’re set up for SheaSaro vs. The Hardys again, which is nice. If it’s at Extreme Rules, just let all four guys go crazy.