5 Ups & 8 Downs From WWE Raw (May 17)

2. Asuka & Charlotte Do What They Do

In the fourth dirty finish of the night, Asuka pinned Charlotte Flair with a small package after Rhea Ripley had hopped onto the apron to break Flair's concentration (and control). The counter sequence leading to the pin was sloppily executed too, meaning the bout closed on a bum note.

Fortunately, the rest of Charlotte vs. Asuka was broadly great.

A pleasant surprise, this, as neither Flair nor Asuka has been in excellent in-ring form this year, seemingly regressing in line with dwindling creative. Their WrestleMania Backlash Triple Threat with Ripley over-delivered. It's impossible to say the same here, given the wrestlers' track record as opponents, but it was nice to be treated to roughly 17 minutes of rock-solid (the flubbed Spanish Fly aside) on this wonky show.

Carried by its physicality, this was a satisfying meaty battle between two wrestlers who have never been afraid of hitting each other hard. It felt tough, gritty, and like they fighting for something rather than going through the motions, despite the occasional clunkiness.