WWE Raw Grades: Ricochet and Rhea Ripley are on the rise

Aleister Black vs. Eric Young [Grudge Match]

Result: Aleister Black wins

Grade: 1.5/5.0 Stars

Aleister Black delivered a Black Mass to Eric Young for the three-count and the victory. Inspirationally, he cut a promo after the match and asserted that people should be who they choose to be because that choice drives relentless competition. This is the same competition he wants from the Raw locker room every week on WWE Raw.

Analysis: This match was quick and rightfully so. Aleister Black needs a real opponent soon or else this will get old.  His promo was new and may be a sign of things to come. Hopefully, his road to WrestleMania 36 won’t be repetitive. Next up: Humberto Carillo vs. Angel Garza!

Rey Mysterio vs. Angel Garza (w/Zelina Vega) [Grudge Match]

Result: Rey Mysterio wins (by DQ); Angel Garza stands tall

Grade: 3.0/5.0 Stars

Zelina Vega introduced Humberto Carrillo’s cousin and her newest and hottest Latino prospect, Angel Garza. The match never begins between Carrillo and Garza. Zelina Vega slapped Humberto Carrillo in the face and Garza delivered a Wing Clipper to Carillo inside the ring. As soon as he was about to deliver a Hammerlock DDT to Carrillo outside the ring, Rey Mysterio ran in to save Carrillo.

Angel Garza gained control early on in the match, but Mysterio rallied back with his babyface combos. However, thanks to Zelina Vega’s distraction, Garza got aggravated and delivered a Hammerlock DDT to Mysterio on the concrete outside the ring to force a disqualification finish.

Analysis: It appears that Angel Garza got called up to Raw to do Andrade’s dirty work while Andrade is suspended for 30 days. The original match was supposed to be Humberto Carillo vs. Angel Garza, but Mysterio’s key save turns this into a match between Mysterio and Garza. Hopefully, Garza does not get the cruiserweight treatment on the main roster.

The style of this match was fun to watch. The disqualification finish was underwhelming but was good for the overall storyline and kept both superstars looking strong. Great debut for Garza. Bobby Lashley is then interviewed backstage to talk about his chances of winning the triple threat number one contender’s match later tonight.