Right Hook Review (2/3-2/7/2025)

This week’s review is brief. It starts with an interesting start to the WWE’s road to Wrestlemania. Then AEW, which, for one night won the internet, so let’s start this review with Monday Night Raw in Cleveland.

Monday Night Raw (2/3/2025)

Likes
Jey Uso’s in-ring promo was not just excellent. It was deeply emotional, which for a lifelong fan, these genuine moments in wrestling, especially Jey’s raw emotion, are exactly the kind of authenticity that makes pro wrestling special.

The main event featuring CM Punk and Sami Zayn was great. It was the culmination of a long-awaited match. The anticipation for this showdown was palpable, and they did not disappoint, earning them a spot in the Elimination Chamber alongside Cena and Punk.

At first, this would be a dislike, but I changed my mind.  Kevin Owens attacking Sami Zayn after his match felt a little obvious, but if this leads to another rivalry match in Toronto at the Sky dome, it will be incredible instead of at Wrestlemania with no title involved. Still, another chapter in this long-running feud is always good.

Dislikes
Not to my surprise, but the Charlotte Flair promo was not received well. I don’t know if it was rust or something else, but it was sort of all over. I tried to make her a baby face, which would not happen once we saw the return videos.  Like I said in the Rumble review, if she doesn’t challenge Rhea Ripley, then this could be a huge dud. especially if she is trying to be likable or in-between. We’ve got time to see how this shakes out, but it’s not a good start on Monday Night for the Queen.

Logan Paul has “go away” heat, which is not shocking, but it’s safe to assume he’ll probably find a spot in the chamber match.  Hopefully, they will listen to the crowd on this one and cool things off a bit for Paul. Now, while he is a good performer, especially as a heel, trying to force Paul into the main event scene for this year’s Wrestlemania is a bad idea. Maybe in his qualifying match or the chamber match, AJ Styles cost him the match for what happened at the Rumble, setting up a potentially fun match between them at Wrestlemania.

NXT (2/4/2025)

Likes
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jacy Jayne was a good match, a good showcase for Jayne, but Vaquer is ready to take the Women’s North American title away from Fallon Henley at Vengeance Day and see how fatal influence is presented from there.

Continuing with one of the best women’s divisions in wrestling with a tag match where the combination of Sol Ruca and ZARIA is a team I would like to see evolve to potentially challenge for the Women’s tag titles in the future.

Giulia defending her title against Bayley and Roxanne Perez is the best way to mix the past and future of this Women’s division, which started in NXT. Plus, the possibility of Charlotte Flair challenging Giulia for NXT would be a great wrinkle in this year’s Wrestlemania picture.

Dislikes
Ridge Holland getting another title shot at either the NXT championship or the Men’s North American title is a little blah. If Holland is going for the N.A. title, then it’s more palatable, but challenging Femi is a total no-go.

The Lexis King promo was ruined by the crowd’s goofiness and went a bit long. Fandango/JDC got a good reaction, but hopefully, a match against him will give King some positive traction.

AEW Dynamite 2/5/2025

Likes
Right away, I’m getting to the obvious—again, sorry, I’m a good red-blood American man, but Toni Storm imitating Mariah May was good and got the internet a little crazy because she was and looked amazing, but Storm mimicking May in-ring stuff was incredible. This next part of their feud may be one of the few bright spots on Dynamite as this continues.

The tag match where the Hounds of Hell faced Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher was good. I probably am falling for optimism, but maybe these teams can be good challengers for the Hurt Syndicate, beginning a much-needed new phase for that division.

The main event was another good match. Ricochet’s promo and presentation are subpar, but he can still have a solid match. Swerve is bulletproof, and there is something brewing with this feud. Hopefully, this doesn’t end like other potentially good feuds and helps validate the investment in Ricochet.

Dislikes
The Gunn’s return was very underwhelming, weird, and halfway thought through, which sucks for them because of their potential, but being in the ring with the Hurt Syndicate just looked foolish and should quickly bump in the road in the tag champs defending the titles.

The MJF and Dustin Rhodes segment was bad. It hurts to say that, but that’s the truth. Nothing stood out, which is uncharacteristic of MJF. The tease with Hangman Page was the only sliver of hope or intrigue. However, the recent attempts to present MJF have not been good again, leaving the question of whether MJF regrets resigning with AEW.

Friday Night Smackdown 2/7/2025

Likes
Everything involving the triple threat match between LA Knight, Jimmy Uso, and Drew McIntyre was among the few high points for this week’s Smackdown. The promo and their exchange in the match were great, but McIntyre came out victorious and will be heading to the elimination chamber along with CM Punk and John Cena.

The Street Profits promo was good. This potential new edgy version of them is promising and a much-needed refresher for them in the tag division.

Dislikes

Alexa Bliss winning a chamber qualifying match was a no-brainer, but her being on Smackdown is confusing. Unless the Wyatt Sicks are heading to Friday nights, this is a huge misfire to revive interest in the group potentially.

While the in-ring exchange between Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair was fine, if this leads to Flair challenging Stratton next week, it will be a bit of a waste having Flair win this year’s Rumble. This potential Wrestlemania match could have happened without the Queen winning, let alone having to be in the Royal Rumble.

Solo Sikoa’s return was fine. It’s nice to have him back around to see what is next for him. But attacking Rhodes was a little off. If this leads to a match at the Chamber instead of a match or confrontation with Jacob Fatu, then the fans will not receive it well.