Title: Raw Is 30
Producer: WWE
Running Time: 191 Minutes
Certificate: 15
Number Of Discs: 1
Studio: Fremantle Home Entertainment
Released: March 6 2023
(Thanks to Fetch Publicity for arranging this review.)
This is our DVD review for Raw Is 30!
Description Of Raw Is 30
Raw 30 opens with Hulk Hogan introducing the show before we get to the Trial Of Sami Zayn. Honestly, while very compelling to watch at the time, it doesn’t translate well to a DVD replay. Because it lasts a long time, and without the wider context, it just feels like a protracted segment. But it does lead to The Usos/Zayn against The Judgment Day, which is a very exciting clash.
The next significant development sees The Undertaker appear in American Bad Ass form. His involvement with the Bray Wyatt-LA Knight form is worth watching but sadly doesn’t indicate that Taker will wrestle again soon. We should have then had a Steel Cage match between Bayley and Becky Lynch. But the Bloodline stuff overrunning meant that this was trimmed to a beatdown by Damage CTRL. This didn’t go down well on the night, but feels worse on DVD. That’s because we don’t get their actual Cage match from a few weeks later as bonus material.
Reunion
A DX reunion involving Kurt Angle somehow leads to Imperium facing Seth Rollins and The Street Profits. The segment does raise some laughs, and the six-man tag is as competent as one would expect. Amidst various poker segments backstage, we get a Ric Flair cameo as he introduces Charlotte Flair. A Charlotte-Bianca Belair stand-off ends up with Bianca battling Sonya Deville. This is filler, really, and it could have been cut to allow Becky and Bayley to have their showdown.
From there, a quick promo by The Miz leads to him taking a Stunner from Kevin Owens. Lastly, it’s Bobby Lashley challenging Austin Theory for the United States Championship. It’s a fun match but by no means a great one. However, it does lead to Brock Lesnar’s latest return as he destroys both men. Theory steals the victory, but the big story is Lesnar and the resumption of his feud with Lashley. Incidentally, the DVD has an extended bonus segment that highlights the most shocking Raw moment every year from 1993 to 2022. There are plenty of classics here, and it’s arguably the highlight of the entire set.
Analysis Of Raw 30
This is a strange one because I enjoyed Raw 30 on the night. But it doesn’t entertain me half as much when watching it back. There is the fact that I know what’s coming in comparison to watching this special edition of Raw live. But it’s also because a lot of the segments don’t really work as part of a show on DVD. For instance, the Hogan and Flair cameos are over and done with very quickly. Meanwhile, the Trial Of Sami Zayn, whilst compelling, is part of a much wider story. And a few matches are totally skippable too.
There’s also the issue that WWE’s nostalgia shows aren’t as appealing as they once were. And that’s mainly because of the legends getting older or, in a few cases, no longer being around. Take Raw Homecoming from 2005 for instance. That special featured Hogan, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Roddy Piper, and loads more. And while they were all still active or at least resembling their peak years. Contrast that to this show, where Taker is the only legend who still looks like he could “go”. It’s sad but inevitable, I guess. Either way, perhaps the next milestone show should focus solely on vintage footage. Not least because, as noted, I enjoyed the recap of classic Raw moments more than anything else here.
Summary Of Raw 30
On paper, this is a must-own DVD, because it celebrates a massive milestone in the history of Monday Night Raw. But in practice, it’s just another show with a few cameos from legends that are very unlikely to compete again. And even the run-down of great Raw moments from over the years is something that you could find on other DVDs. So, I would suggest picking this up at a reduced price, but otherwise, this is one to avoid.
