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

7. A Tedious Exercise

Kofi Kingston Randy Orton
WWE.com

There was some good stuff from Randy Orton, Riddle, and The New Day on last night's Raw, which we'll cover on the positive side of the ledger.

Unfortunately, that can't be said for Kofi Kingston and Orton's singles match. This was pure filler. Undermined by a botched spot before it could properly get going, leading to Kingston biffing Orton in the head, it was mercifully short at five minutes (sparing it from harsher criticism), but never broke out of first gear and ended with a dumb distraction finish.

Xavier Woods playing the trombone made Orton take his foot off the gas and eat the distraction roll-up. So not only does Randy coming out of this look like a dope, but The New Day, supposedly babyfaces, are *ssholes here.

Bad writing across the board.

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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.