WWE Raw: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades for April 23

Photo Source: WWE.com via Twitter

Mickie James, Alexa Bliss, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, & Sarah Logan vs. Bayley, Ember Moon, Natalya, Sasha Banks, & Nia Jax

Result: Mickie James, Alexa Bliss, Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, & Sarah Logan defeated Bayley, Ember Moon, Natalya, Sasha Banks, & Nia Jax via disqualification

Rating: 2.75 out of 5 stars

The reasoning for this match? Equal treatment from the general manager. Since last week’s episode had a 10-man tag in the main event, Kurt Angle decided to give the women the same shot. Admirable, and I like the seemingly random “justification” for a match, too.

The ferocity at the beginning was something that has been sorely missing from too many matches in the division. I don’t mean in terms of aggression, because every superstar is always aggressive. No, I mean the heavy strikes from Liv Morgan, and the rag dolling carried out by Sarah Logan. That kind of unbridled passion in the attacks is a welcome change of pace.

Of course, the big faux pas here by the production team is the in-match ad for the Greatest Royal Rumble. You know, the show this Friday that women aren’t allowed to compete at. It’s a classic example of WWE not thinking things through fully before executing — and they’re far from the only company in any business or industry that does this. Tone deaf is a mild way of putting it.

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Idiotic advertising aside, this was a great way to set the stage for various stories in the women’s division. I mean, basically the whole division was in this match, so it would have to do that. Jax getting the hot tag was a revelation; it’s not quite a Braun Strowman hot tag, but it’s still pretty good.

The biggest story is how Ronda Rousey factors in. It’s just a matter of time before Natalya turns on her, since Nattie is much better as a heel. But for now, Rousey coming to Nattie’s aid and just snapping arms left and right is a great wild card for the division. I like that Rousey caused the DQ, and feel like that’s going to be on Natalya’s list of reasons for her eventual turn.

Surprisingly, not much more on the Sasha/Bayley front. But setting up Mickie vs. Ronda, as well as planting the seeds for Ronda/Nattie, that’s more important. Lots of big things happening in the division for the foreseeable future.

Next: Natalya Perfect Post-Mania Feud for Rousey

What are your thoughts on this week’s episode of WWE Raw? Sound off below!