Best and worst of RAW- 10th December, 2018

RAW was a distinctly different episode from start to finish
RAW was a distinctly different episode from start to finish

I say this as a WWE fan and not one of the million detractors of the product on the internet that hurl abuses at the company, every week. For the last two weeks, RAW hasn't really been a good show. Therefore, I loved the fact that this week felt like a fresh start once again. RAW was much better than usual, in my opinion.

Of course, it did begin to drag across three hours but can you sit through anything for three hours? Most movies these days are under three hours long, and they're written after months of creative brainstorming. So, it wasn't the perfect show by any means.

Let's just give them the benefit of the doubt because it's clear that the lack of star power without Braun Strowman and Roman Reigns is hurting RAW. RAW is trying their best to get back on the right path and for what it is, it's a start.

So, let us analyse the good, bad and ugly from this week's show.


#1 Best: The reset

Seth Rollins was absolutely scathing and vicious in his opening promo
Seth Rollins was absolutely scathing and vicious in his opening promo

When the ratings came in last week, I'm guessing those in WWE realised that the product wasn't as good as they thought it was. They knew that it was time for a reset. And because of this, they acknowledged their error at the top of the show. Only they pinned the poor booking of the weekly show on Constable Corbin.

Rollins was put in the position of the man leading the charge, to make a big change. This was a breath of fresh air. His feud with Ambrose had grown a little cold.

This would lead to a TLC match in the main event. But more importantly, across the show, it seemed like WWE took the pain to put in the extra effort.

Thumbs up, guys!

#1 Worst: A cancelled segment

My ears are still ringing from Nia Jax's scream
My ears are still ringing from Nia Jax's scream

I'd reported about this only a few hours before RAW. WWE announced that Alexa Bliss would be in charge of a Press Conference segment. And Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey would face off in this segment ahead of their match at TLC. This certainly did sound intriguing.

Bliss could not get a single word in, during this week's show. She looked as gorgeous as always, but Jax came in and cut a promo. And then she screamed into the microphone and shattered my eardrums forever.

Jake Roberts once said that the secret to cutting a good heel promo is to lower your volume so that the listener leans in. Nia Jax quickly needs a crash course from the master on the art of cutting a good promo.

I would have personally preferred the Press Conference to what we got!

#2 Best: The main event

I loved all the individual components that led us to the main event
I loved all the individual components that led us to the main event

The opening segment led us to the main event and the incidents in the middle of the show played a big part in the grand finale. This is basic television writing and it's a shame that it took low ratings for WWE to stick to the basics. I especially loved Heath Slater and his moral dilemma.

Slater was a referee during the Elias vs. Rush match this week, and he helped the heel win against his will. As Renee Young pointed out, the look of dismay and annoyance on his face was absolutely believable and saddening. He sucked us deep into the story and played a big part in the main event.

Not much needs to be said about Seth Rollins and General Manager Elect Corbin. I thought the two men put on quite a solid match.

#2 Worst: Balor's absence

Finn Balor was the leader of the resistance against Corbin on last week's show
Finn Balor was the leader of the resistance against Corbin on last week's show

PWInsider just reported that Balor is out with an illness and not an injury. He is expected to make it back in time for the TLC match against Drew McIntyre on this weekend's show. But he missed the proceedings this week and it felt like a massive void to me.

If you remember last week's episode, Balor was responsible for much of the assault against Corbin's team. One wonders if Balor would have been in the main event against Corbin in a TLC match, had he been healthy. To be fair, Seth Rollins could have been a last minute replacement, all said and done.

As for Crews, this could be just the break the man needs with Balor effectively stepping out of the Mixed Match Challenge. Based on the number of injuries, can we just call it the cursed match challenge?

#3 Best: New champions

Congratulations to two deserving contenders
Congratulations to two deserving contenders

I know that not everyone was a fan of the title switch on RAW this week. Everyone wanted Roode to turn on Gable, and for him to become a heel. This could still happen down the line. But I think this title change could make the division relevant.

Ever since Ziggler and McIntyre lost the RAW Tag Team titles, the division has just felt like an afterthought. Gable and Roode now have a long overdue opportunity to become the faces of the entire division. Considering The Revival are heels, imagine the kind of matches we could all potentially see.

In my opinion, even the AOP could potentially benefit from a Tag Team Division that is taken more seriously. WWE has the chance to build credibility by having Roode and Gable lead the charge into the future.

Hence, I liked this title switch!

#3 Worst: TLC match before the pay-per-view even airs

Has WWE already given the audience a taste of the pay-per-view?
Has WWE already given the audience a taste of the pay-per-view?

Like I said before, I quite liked the main event match. I thought Seth Rollins was just as great as he always is and that Corbin brought up his game to, and seemed like a credible challenger for the current Intercontinental Champion.

I'm just a little surprised that WWE gave away a TLC match before Sunday night. It would have been more special, had the match been reserved for the event.

As it is, there is a lack of excitement around the pay-per-view, stemming from the lack of a Universal Champion. Imagine having a Hell in a Cell match on RAW right before the pay-per-view takes place. I somehow thought that this was a decision that did not make a lot of sense, to give away the main reason why people are watching your pay-per-view prematurely.

#4 Best/worst: Trading victories between themselves

Dolph win does not mean anything anymore
Dolph win does not mean anything anymore

Dolph Ziggler became the first man to defeat Drew McIntyre and end his undefeated streak. He took on McIntyre in a rematch this week. Ziggler lost the match and somehow all the momentum he'd gained over the past week. But I suppose this was meant to be.

The idea right now for WWE is to protect McIntyre and position him as a top star. He has not had any hiccups along the way except for his big loss last week. And this is a positive development in my books...sacrificing Ziggler to make McIntyre the guy!

Could he become the face of the company in the weeks, months and years that follow? I don't know yet, but I certainly think he could be in the running.

In any case, here's a pretty picture of Alexa Bliss to end my article, as always.

The Goddess
The Goddess