Ups & Downs: WWE Raw Review (May 13)

[@ALDO_GOODENS]

Gable yelling “I did not teach him that! I did not!” as Otis lost was hysterical! He is committing to the bit 100%, and I love it

[@cosmobrownslivingpuppetsshow]

Gunthers matches make sense. He attacked Kofis back the whole time, than won with the fitting submission move. Same with Sheamus knee last week

[@agoodday4pi]

Chad calling Maxxine ‘Taylor Not So Swift’ had me dying 😂😂😂

[@sy8jr80]

Iyo vs Shayna was an amazing match. My favorite of the night. They should have let Iyo cook like this during her title reign. The crowd was super in to this match.

[@bradevans449]

It was my favorite too and I'm not even a fan of Shayna. I want to see Iyo win the whole thing.

[@boutstaxx]

The Smackdown women roster to stacked though

[@unholyperiodza5442]

Chad Gable being the Goat at being a bully to his Alpha Academy mates.

[@tylertrainz4460]

I’ve been assuming Otis would stay with Gable.. but thinking about it, maybe it will be Tozawa actually dropping all of the goofy shenanigans and going all in on the vicious side. One thing I noticed was Tozawa did well against Reed until he did the shirt tear, then immediately got squashed. So he lost directly because of what Gable told him not to do 🤔

[@Bmxbandit261]

Drew's neighbor Dave should of gotten a Golden Up😂😂😂😂

[@paradoxr.n.o8688]

True

[@tomseville2345]

He's a nice guy... So he *should* be World Champion! 🤣🤣

[@DJDoubleCee]

I was kinda surprised to see Ilja lose, I wish the King Of The Ring final to be between him and Gunther.

[@GrimR3ap3r86]

They were on the same side of the bracket. That would be like having 2 teams from the same conference in the super bowl. It can't happen.

[@allenshadrick22]

That was a smart booking. They need to tease and build up to that. The payoff will be epic.

[@tris421]

long term story telling. Good call. And I think Jay winning matches helps him too. Their match either at Summerslam if they want to bide time before Gunther wins it in Berlin or wait until Gunther is WC and have Ilja be his first big feud.

[@INMATEofARKHAM]

The bracket was fucked up ilja losing is understandable but to "Lame Event" Uso..? Not so much.

[@eklipz3467]

@@INMATEofARKHAMif you think a call up from Nxt will win against Jay Uso this early you are sadly mistaken.

[@kadenroberson9705]

would love to see becky and lyra have a proper feud with bianca and jade for the women’s tag titles, would really elevate the belts

[@Terry-y1g]

Yes!

[@MasterManGod]

I could see it happen for sure. Maybe end it with a Jade vs Lyra singles match as well after the more veteran stars get taken out. It would fit with how Becky has made it her mission to raise the profile of every new wrestler in the women's division.

[@andersonweir11]

Would loveit

[@HighHeelKnight]

Hearing Lillian Garcia announce a match was like sitting down in one's favorite xhair with all your grooves set. 😁😁😁😁

[@peelonchas]

The otis thing made me so sad. Chad v gunther was the first actually fued I saw when i got back into wrastlin after like 13 years and I fucking lovveedd alpha academy so seeing that broke my heart

[@Underwearscares]

Them as tag champ heels was gold. SHOOOOSHH

[@tris421]

Damian feeling like a world champ this time.

[@MansoorAhmed-me5kf]

that promo was fantastic... in all his other promos up until now, he was stiff and boring but honestly this promo was gold and convinced me that he is a legit Champ and not bondage Undertaker hahaha

[@Gayngisconisgayngisconisgay]

​@@MansoorAhmed-me5kf it's a different type of Undertaker they've been calling him. Bondage isn't the word.

[@KaitoKiara]

Both promos were good, Drew's and Priest's. And they were way better than Punk's promo last week, which was really weird.

[@tris421]

@@KaitoKiara agree but I will let Punk off just for the awesome tracking shot to the ring.

[@KaitoKiara]

@@tris421 I don't know, it was weird. Punk is kind of presented as a coward, I don't know, if this is the intention. He feels to me more like a heel than Drew. I mean, I don't like Punk and I don't think, he should be on WWE and I was happy, he was injured and didn't ruin WM. But I trust Triple H that he has a plan, so my feelings are ambivalent right now.

[@GoodbyeAmerica1]

Thanks Simon, also, please bring back AEW "Collision" ups and downs, thanks!

[@kaerhoadss]

Simon 🐐 Miller early with the ups and the downs!

[@wstine79]

Gunther putting Kofi Kingston in the Boston Crab on top of Allen the Announce Table was cool.

[@thefakerking51]

I always think the sign of a true great wrestler is how good they can make their opponent look. And let me tell you, Shanna Bazler has never looked better than this week.

[@Hmmm_B]

Iyo Sky is the shit and has a real case about being the best wrestler in the world. She’s up there

[@V12BenzAMG]

I was at the house show Sunday night in GA and the place was packed. Cody beat AJ Styles in a great main event...definitely top tier match...awesome to see in person Damian Priest beat Jey Uso in a HUGE crowd pleaser...Jey milked the "Yeet" chants with the crowd...letting everyone (even the announcer) join in leading a "Yeet" chant...really fun Kofi beat Rey Mysterio in a fun match...good match...mutual respect between the two Awesome Truth and Judgement Day (Balor/Mcdonagh) had a great opening match and really got the crowd into it...this was extremely fun and showed how much fun the crowd has when the show isnt based on TV time Liv beat Nia Jax in a street fight with the ending putting Jax thru a table....crowd loved Liv Bayley/Cargill beat Damage cntl...started out with Bayley vs Sane but after Dakota Kai interfered and Cargill came in for the save, Aldis came out and made it a tag match.. Baszler beat Maxine Dupri....great showing by Dupri as she is definitely getting better and the crowd cheered her even after the loss Atown Down under beat DIY (crowd loved this one as well)...Waller and Theory REALLY fired up the crowd and had great heat... It was a great night...packed house and the fans were really into it! really an almost PLE quality card

[@carlb5558]

I'm in Atlanta but couldn't make the show. Thanks for the report.

[@V12BenzAMG]

@@carlb5558 no problem....it really was a bigger show than I was expecting in Macon....probably because they knew they were going to use clips on RAW for the tournament qualifying matches

[@GLJosh]

@@V12BenzAMG When Aldis made it a tag match did he add 'playa'?

[@carlb5558]

@@V12BenzAMG AJ vs Cody was probably worth admission.

[@V12BenzAMG]

@@carlb5558 definitely!

[@jhonduran9424]

I was there live. LOVED the show. Also, that was the most resilient commentary table WWE has ever had.

[@luckymarino5028]

Caught the Last Match in Baltimore Sunday. I wasn't sure what to expect going into it but it was AWESOME. Golden up from me. Enjoyed it immensely!

[@douglaspackard3515]

Carlito breaking up JD and turning Priest heel is gonna be awesome

[@thewanderingprinny7124]

Just like in anime, you can't go wrong with a good tournament arc

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the review Simon

[@MRBIDZPOPSKI]

I dont watch raw or smackdown but i watch ups n downs religiously! Much more entertaining n Simon miller makes it so much better

[@jakeblack212]

Be better if 2 different camera showed 2 different wrestlers headed toward the ring LOL

[@johnbennett7863]

Very good raw Simon Miller have a good trip back home

[@daniel.s.ferreira]

You are a real wrestler, Simon! Don't tell yourself otherwise.

[@brandonnewby178]

I'm not going to come into your house. You're not there... 😂😂😂😂

[@drogusmaxwell6640]

The only thing missing from Drew's promo, was "tell me when I'm telling lies" 😅

[@tomseville2345]

Surprised Simon didn't get all "serious" about Drew comparing a wrestling angle to domestic abuse; lucky we didn't get Andy on the news today...

[@VBane]

I hope Otis turns on Gable. He's best when he's the ernest, kind-hearted big guy who the fan sympathize with and want to see happy. Before it was wanting him find love with Mandy Rose, now it's wanting him to get out of an abusive relationship.

[@Sd12sx23]

Definitely time for Otis to move on to a new chapter.

[@tomseville2345]

Ricochet was wearing the suit to look super-fresh... "...to sell me insurance"... 🤣🤣

[@40088922]

this K(Q)otR tournament is turning out wackier than many others, so many injuries, I wouldn't be surprised if a winner broke their neck leaving the ring. it's honestly kinda concerning, it's like it's jinxed or something, but of course, all these injuries are just a freak coincidence, but still, not a great pattern

[@dustymaxwell8305]

This was my first ever WWE event and it was absolutely awesome. Especially when Liv got involved.

[@coffeebean7340]

We need a Heavy Machinery reunion. Tuckyyyyyyy

[@tompatchak8706]

Could Tucker come back and challenge Chad Gable or some thing

[@dogatemybbq9180]

Im hoping for a Jay vs Tama Tonga final match lets do it

[@reggiemarshjr5356]

Simon Miller for President!!

[@wildberryjamultracosmic]

January 2, 2023 Raw in Nashville, Tennessee is the episode of Raw that has the most minutes of bell to bell ring time for the matches. (Rollins/Reigns/Cena gauntlet match 5 years ago might be about the same length)

[@bizzlelianpaw2916]

Thought this show was brilliant! DP sounding and looking like a champ. Jey coming across as Main Event and Gunther looking like a complete badass. The tournaments have taken centre stage, the crowns look amazing and not so waky(more like a trophy rather than goofy apparels) and the promos are more believable making the matches more tense and entertaining. Loads of stories that are still intertwining and yet the Night Bird still hasn't arrived... Fully stacked card. Fully tuned in! Could possibly over take the attitude era for sure.

[@mylesmartin6377]

Dude you were awesome in The Last Match! Proper heel 😎🔥 How much 90s-00s Rock footage did you watch for inspo 😆

[@tomseville2345]

Love Carlito's devil beard look coming back...

[@darnelljurden684]

Power of positivity braus strowman 😅

[@frankhoward6645]

The KOTR Qualifying Matches Were Predictable & it was Fun though plus it was nice to see Lilian Garcia overall Raw was a good one

[@tomseville2345]

LOL'd when Brutus caught his brother more with the Brutus Ball than AOP...

[@TDBerry1]

I saw Bron at the airport in Charlotte NC at like 9:30pm last night… how the hell he get there that fast

[@ArchyDelNacho]

Lillian Garcia was my childhood crush since I could remember, 20 years later and some feelings never change

[@jaqdax2401]

I love how P4V's in big towns have become overseas PLE's

[@Dan-oo8kg]

I think Pat Mcaffe has improved so much , I actually think the guy is hilarious and takes the piss just enough

[@jenniferkovalick2959]

I honestly wanted to see the Creed brothers or New Catch Republic win. I'm so tired of Judgement Day. I'd like to see new challengers for the tag titles.

[@wrathfuldemon3422]

The Damien promo and direction really makes me happy, I know he will lose that belt in less than a year... probably around summerslam or survivorseries but hey, they really did well with the money in the bank this time, I really want to cheer for him, loved the guy ever since the badbunny days and his finisher actually feels like a finisher compared to the most of the newcomers from the main roster.

[@pshit]

3:44 blud spent 3 weeks in America and is already making McDonald's references 😂

[@thetonytaleshow]

Bro how long is this damn wrestling tour. You been in the states forever lol. I miss the studio background

[@kwfranchise]

Gunther couldn’t remember what leg was hurt early 😂 he kept switching & grabbing both

[@RedHoodFH]

Look at all the possibilities of KOTR now. You can have Tama vs Jey In the finals. You can get Gunther vs Orton in the finals. You can get Hayes vs Gunther in the finals. This is peak

[@ronald-xs7sp]

Good morning, Simon!

[@edwardgreenjr167]

Not shown on camera for Raw: *1)* McAfee lead a birthday song for none other than Micheal Cole, who turned 60! *2)* A complete eerie musical bit and 'tech malfunction' between matches also hinting at the Wyatt family return. *3)* Jey Uso and Gunther post match: Jey riles up Gunther by continuing to get the Greenville SC audience to join in on yeets. Eventually the ref and even Samantha Irvin join in. All signs point to Gunther going for his own yeet, raising his arms with everyone... only to use the opportunity to take out Jey. Jey quickly recovers and spears Gunther again. Yeets had by all.

[@CypressItalian]

PRIEST is taller than DREW on paper. I've noticed the 6/5 McIntyre wearing lifts

[@rh9477]

That’s a Salzburg Crab!

[@RobHawkes-s8x]

Great Raw and an awesome review. Im glad Jay won because Draganov winning was a bit predictable. Lots of good storytelling and man Drew McIntyre is the absolute best on the Mic. Give that man a clap.

[@bobbybucklew7898]

Gunther was having trouble remembering which knee to sell lol

[@MDestron2282]

The Carlito and Dominik facial hair game is strong.

[@larryt34]

Simon, I was at the house show on sunday. House shows are super fun. Its more laid back and wrestlers can break character and have fun. I have a selfie with Cody. I had the best night. Worth every penny.

[@dylanogg347]

I guess WALTER Vs. Dragunov III would've been too much fun...

[@nakulsprakash1640]

Gunther is the onlyan who can end a match with any move, even with the blue thunder bomb

[@Chaoticoss]

You are a real wrestler Simon. ☝️YES☝️

[@MarkKnightSHG]

Simon, if you're a fan of single camera shots like you said at the beginning, you need to watch the movie One Cut Of The Dead... it'll blow your mind! XD

[@Blasey97]

Are Shayna and Ricochet forming a faction, joining JD or targets for Uncle Howdy as both said things need to change

[@Darthn0va86]

Simon how are you going to deal with that time zone difference when you get home?! Also Shayna flipping Iyo during her entrance totally took me out lmao!!

[@tompatchak8706]

A long nap?

[@dereklocke18]

I don't have a problem with NXT call ups losing for awhile before they gain some traction. They are at a new level after all, the lower tier main roster wrestlers should give them fits!

[@lobanaoz7863]

Was very impress by Damian holding up against Drew in promo, Lyra and Zoey's in ring but god did that Ilja loss finish the episode on a down note If KOTR final is Uso v Tama...

[@karltongebler4286]

With them looking to set up a feud between The New Day and The Final Testament, could that mean Big E might be ready to return?

[@RaghavanN]

Drew is getting his moment at his hometown Glasgow for sure

[@tomseville2345]

Home country at least; it's closer than Cardiff, Wales, anyway... 🤣🤣

[@69mckean]

I fucking love Iyo. That lass is phenomenal

[@IamCamTaylor]

Simon. You would have loved the post-show shenanigans. Jey yeeted, then the ref yeeted, then Samantha yeeted, then Gunther yee-aww damn he tried to beat up Jey

[@DJDoubleCee]

I hope the Alpha Academy winds up turning on Chad Gable. He’s really acting like a complete jerk.

[@ronald-xs7sp]

I don't think he's acting.

[@Chipmonk619]

I hope its McIntyre challenging for the title at clash of the castle. Also hope he wins it too

[@kennyhall9117]

SIMON IS THE BEST, SIMON NUMBER ONE 👏👏

[@lazydays_77]

opposite front, fantastic

[@theonewhostandsaboveall6826]

Simon legit looks like a Wrestler. Simon vs Vinci book it!

[@IamCamTaylor]

Na brother. Tag Team “Bald N Beautiful”

[@tomseville2345]

He *is* a wrestler! 🤣🤣

[@jsdagenais8640]

Hello Simon, I absolutely love what you do, but I would like to help you with the way you say "coup de grâce". Coup = Coo (silent "P") De = The Grâce = Grass, but replace the "a" by the "ou" from House with a hard "R" (it is french after all) --> Grouss Coo the gr (hard R ) ouss Easy right? 😅

[@BobbyCrosthwaite]

Simon u are the greatest so u get the biggest Golden UP

[@tomseville2345]

Triple H's production has got me looking into the background for ANY reason in case I miss something during backstage interviews and skits; was that Nikki Cross and a tall dude with blonde hair talking to someone off-camera during Ludwig's promo? Or literally just production crew/writers/arena staff? 🤣🤣

[@bryanmorrison2396]

Zoey loosing surprised me but a think we going lyria turning on becks Irish v Irish

[@sirmlf]

Gable’s comments to Ivy didn’t feel like they were berating her. Felt like he actually respects her and would rather manage Creed Brothers and Ivy! Just my thoughts.

[@ProgrammedForDamage]

I'm wondering if he is going to keep buttering her up over the weeks so she turns and her and The Creeds become the new Team Angle.

[@heraclio1]

I Like Sports! Nice go mate!

[@RedHoodFH]

How are JDs and Brauns heads the same size?

[@edvinrosenqvist524]

WWE, please bring back Lilian Garcia. Samantha Irwin and Lilian Garcia could be a great annoncer couple.

[@tomseville2345]

Thankfully, she let Samantha do Gunther's announcement....

[@Saint_Svadhisthana_Sahasrara_1]

It was Damien Priests best promo so far 💪

[@cosmobrownslivingpuppetsshow]

I think we will get Iyo vs Bianca to close the EST - Damage Control Feud at Queen of the ring. Oh and Nia could join the bloodline in the Jade match, surprise defeat her.

[@chrisg3193]

i need ya'll to vote: Whats the dumbest table spot ever? * The Samoan spike (attempt) from Solo or Carlito with the backstabber the answer is both

[@BobbyCrosthwaite]

Can't believe Jay USO beat ilia draganov clean

[@tomseville2345]

Nothing about Pat ripping Michael a new *Cole* chute over calling JD "Mcdumbagh" during their entrance? I think it was a legit slip up...

[@Lane.Kiffin]

did they tweak valkyrias and iljas music or it’s just me

[@nightflame69]

That punch from Becky to liv looked so fake

[@treetrunk8794]

Batista is Drew’s neighbor confirmed.

[@TDBerry1]

Jey vs Tama finals? 👀

[@rubyhill5051]

Tribalism is alive and well in WWE. Kliqs left and right with Triple H, the man who thought Rock vs Roman Reigns for the belt at WW40 was a good idea, having the time of his life

[@tomseville2345]

Becky's "punch" was meant to be a kind of knuckle-slap warning shot; that's why Liv sold it like a slap... Because it's hard to tell in a wrestling environment, it seems to have turned the IWC into non-fans..."SHE DIDN'T REALLY HIT HER!! I'M NOT GUNNA WATCH NO MORRREEE!!" 🤣🤣🙄🙄

[@Dugga49]

Drew McIntyre is the best thing in wrestling right now lol

[@Dadpool5864]

When is Simon going to mention the spooky wooky things going on?? They finally mentioned it last night

[@steelpenpirate]

Hot Take: Jey is gonna win and we are getting Dragonov vs. Gunther at the PPV.