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Happy New Year! On the very first day of 2019, it's pleasing to note that the last Raw of 2018 was an improvement over the stuff we'd gotten used to seeing. Sure, some parts were still clunky, but at least an effort looks like it's underway to improve the quality of the show as 2019 dawns. The company doesn't really have any other choice.
We saw some big moments to close out the year and some hints about the Road to WrestleMania to come. We also saw, perhaps, the beginnings of some new pushes and what the upcoming women's tag team division could potentially look like. Unfortunately, there was also typical Raw filler.
So, without further ado, let's take a look at who got the most and least out of the New Year's Eve edition of Raw.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
This was brilliant.
After decimating Dolph Ziggler in a steel cage with two Claymore kicks, Drew McIntyre delivered a fiery promo, declaring himself the "king of the Raw jungle, and soon to be the king of the WWE jungle."
He was officially entering the Royal Rumble match and, to make his point clear, he decimated Ziggler some more after he had the nerve to get back up as his former best friend was leaving to the back. McIntyre took a chair and again kicked Ziggler's face in, making sure that it was against the cage to inflict the maximum possible pain on the "Show Off."
For once, WWE's hyperbole is right on the mark. Drew McIntyre must be considered one of the heavy favorites to win the men's Royal Rumble match on January 27th. This was a great way to make him look like the biggest threat in the match right off the bat.
Winner: Seth Rollins
What do you know, this was brilliant, too!
Seth Rollins wants a rematch with Dean Ambrose, but Triple H reminded him last night that the automatic rematch clause is thankfully dead. The old enemies had a tense standoff, and The Game reminded Rollins that he always believed in him, even when the Architect had to beat that belief into him.
Rollins obliged his former nemesis, declaring that if he wanted to see a Seth Rollins that would burn everything down to get his way, he'd do just that, even if it meant burning Brock Lesnar down because he was the one carrying the show all year, not the absentee Universal Champion.
This promo did a great job in turning our eyes toward WrestleMania. Rollins' Royal Rumble favorite status was affirmed by it. For good measure, he began that journey toward a new, improved Rollins as he decimated Bobby Lashley with a steel chair later on in the night.
Hopefully, he will move on from Dean Ambrose entirely as the signature match looms ever larger.
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Losers: Sasha Banks and Bayley
Sure, Sasha Banks and Bayley won last night, with assistance from Ember Moon. But the match was repetitive, and, even though they're probably the favorites to become the first holders of WWE's new women's tag team championships, does such an accolade do either of them any good?
The two are so dead as babyfaces. It's hard to care about either one of them or their team. One has to think that being stuck as a team together isn't going to do either one any favors, or the tag team titles themselves for that matter because we've seen them in so many repetitive tag team matches already.
Sasha Banks and Bayley are trapped in a mutual, self-destructive embrace. As long as they're within each other's orbit, they'll never be able to unlock their full potential.
Hopefully, the Superstar Shakeup after WrestleMania creates the separation that they both need and leaves room for others to take the tag team championship mantle.
Winner: Apollo Crews
After a breakout performance in the "fresh start" battle royal earlier in the night, Apollo Crews took Dean Ambrose to the limit. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to capture the Intercontinental Championship, but he opened a lot of eyes in this match.
Could this be the beginning of a bigger push for the long-neglected Crews? Or will it just be a flash in the pan as we've seen with so many other talents so many times before? The constant repetition of "fresh start" doesn't inspire much confidence. Hyperbole is what this company does best.
The follow up will be essential. Apollo Crews could easily fall back down the card after a hot night, or he could keep himself relevant in other ways. Only time will tell, but his performance last night ensured that he would start 2019 off with a lot of people talking about him.
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Loser: Monday Night Raw
The first few segments were very bad, so what does Raw decide to do? Make it a weekly series. Ronda Rousey being on inspires some interest, but she was never a good microphone worker.
Why Alexa Bliss needs to be constantly kept on screen in these segments, even though they've all been bad, is mindboggling. Better for her to nurse her injuries at home and then make a big return, possibly in the women's Royal Rumble match on January 27th.
All this does is guarantee that Raw will have weekly segments which will probably drag down the show. Some might be good, but the track record so far doesn't inspire confidence. Unlike The Miz, Alexa Bliss isn't good at making less talented microphone workers than her look good. Trying to give her a female version of Miz TV is a mistake we're all going to have to pay for.
