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While this won't be an episode of RAW that others will discuss for years on end, it was still a pretty solid show. Very little of consequence happened during the show, but there were few weak moments across the three hours.
There were things we liked, and things we did not like as much. In the following pages, we shall give you a rundown of the best and worst of this episode from the Century Link Center in Omaha, Nebraska. Let's get right down to business, in that case.
#1 Best: 405 Live
Some say that The Big Show is wrestling better than ever before. However, we have a slightly different viewpoint from the WWE Universe. Braun Strowman brings out the best in Big Show and makes him go the extra mile, even during the twilight of the former WCW standout's career. Big Cass could not.
This match was much like the other two contests that these beasts have had. This could have been a match at No Mercy, and the audience would have loved it as much. The Big Show delivered an elbow from the top rope and Braun Strowman broke the cage, following the match. It was just as explosive as it was advertised to be.
We wonder if the clash at No Mercy between Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman will be nearly as good. Speaking of No Mercy, we have one major grouse.
#1 Worst: Too many cooks spoil the broth
At the conclusion of RAW last week, we expected WWE to move towards a Nia Jax-Alexa Bliss storyline. This week, we learned that Sasha had invoked her rematch clause for No Mercy, which was fine as well.
However, it turns out that Emma and Nia Jax will take on both Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss, because of the developments that transpired this week. This just muddles everything up and takes away the heat that was built between Jax and Bliss last week and between Banks and Bliss over time.
If there's any consolation that can be found from the program, it is that Emma has won matches two weeks in a row. Her burial is now officially over.
#2 Best: Hot start
We are glad to report that RAW did not begin with yet another lengthy promo that went nowhere, but instead started with a match this week. This was a star making performance for Jason Jordan, who put on a great match against John Cena.
As long as he does not have a microphone in his hand, Jason Jordan looks, behaves and wrestles like a star. This week, we saw him under the spotlight at long last.
We saw complaints online that Jason Jordan got buried by John Cena, but nothing could be further from the truth. Jordan had a chance to shine in a singles environment, and he lost to a 16-time world champion. Roman Reigns also protected Jordan by highlighting the fact that he hung in there for 20 minutes against John Cena on such a big stage.
#2 Worst: Two performers, one theme
This was just lazy on WWE's part. Both Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose came out, as a tag team, to Ambrose's music. The least WWE could have done when they put 2/3rd of WWE's most dominant faction back together is give them their own theme song. Even Rollins' theme would have been a step up because the crowd did not get to scream 'Burn it Down' like they usually do.
If that wasn't bad enough, we saw Ambrose and Rollins collide into one another while making their entrance together. The choreography was certainly off. Moreover, Ambrose tripped and almost fell when he was tagged into the match. It was a comedy of errors.
#3 Best: Enzo as a Cruiserweight
As fantastic as the performers on 205 Live generally are, the crowd is usually silent while they put on a clinic. Enzo is nowhere near the performer that those men are, but when he has a microphone in his hand, the world listens.
With Enzo in tow, the Cruiserweight match did not feel like the mandatory snack break that it usually is. Enzo is adding his own dose of entertainment to the 'sports' aspect of the division, and hopefully, he can pick up a thing or two inside the ropes from the talented men he is surrounded with.
The quality of matches may go down now, but at least, we'll all pay attention to them henceforth.
#3 Worst: The return of Booker T
Let's face it. Booker T is just not a very good announcer. Jerry 'The King' Lawler proved during his absence last week, just how much of an improvement he was, when Booker had to miss the proceedings because of personal reasons.
His insights make no sense, and more often than not, he contradicts the announcers who are generally all making valid points. Despite the enthusiasm he injects into the show, he brings it down.
Both men may be kings in their own right, but only one still rules the roost!
#4 Best: The sequel
We wonder if the verbal sparring between Cena and Reigns will actually be better than the match at No Mercy. Both men got far more personal this week, as things went below the belt, quite literally.
Roman Reigns alluded to his 'Big Dog' and John Cena spat fire once again. This confrontation did not have the shock value of last week, but it certainly did keep us hooked. We could watch these two men trade insults on a near weekly basis.
That concludes our review this week. Let us know what you think in the comments. If not, The Boss may get in your face, like she does here.
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