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

Downs...

8. Styles & Elias Slog It Out

AJ Styles Elias
WWE.com

"Tedious" and "hard to get through" shouldn't be applicable descriptors for an AJ Styles match, but here we are. Last night's clash with Elias was overlong and low on action.

This feud with Elias and Jaxson Ryker remains perhaps the least interesting way WWE could use its Raw Tag Team Champions at the moment. Here, Omos loomed over the match from the outside, trying to nullify Ryler, who still influenced the finish. The disgraced former Forgotten Son prompted the disqualification in Styles' favour by grabbing his leg, with the heels legging it after the bell.

Dragged down by Elias' plodding heat segment, this was a big waste of time for an unsatisfying finish. AJ and Omos' constantly hopping over the face/heel alignment scale makes little sense either. Shawn and Diesel worked better as villains - so do these guys.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.