5 Ups & 8 Downs From WWE Raw (May 17)
Downs...
8. Styles & Elias Slog It Out
"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.