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I must say that I quite enjoyed last week's episode of RAW. It was a solid three hours of action packed with good storytelling, strong matches and surprises. This week just felt like a step back after the action from last week. I felt a little disappointed with the episode, honestly.
It wasn't the most memorable episode that I've seen in recent times. I felt every minute of the three hours and towards the end, was actually anxious for the show to get done, so that I could get to writing this very review. I must say that the payoff at the end was pretty good, truth be told.
However, one man's opinion does not make it a fact. If you thought of felt differently about this episode, do not hesitate to let me know in the comments below.
I would love to hear your own take about this week's episode of RAW, folks!
#1 Best: Strowman vs. McIntyre
The real test of a match isn't how many moves you can hit during the duration of the said contest. It honestly, according to me, is what story you can tell with those moves and spots. I thought the main event this week told a fantastic story of two groups with deep internal turmoil. And that has given us a feud that we all want to see play out in coming weeks.
McIntyre and Strowman had a miscommunication during the match. Strowman took out McIntyre's tag team partner, Dolph Ziggler following the contest, for taking the pin. McIntyre did not like this and hit Strowman with a claymore kick, kickstarting their feud.
There aren't too many superstars that seem like believable opponents for Braun Strowman. To me, McIntyre certainly does size up to the Monster Among Men.
#1 Worst: The Trish-Lita segment
How do you make a segment with Trish and Lita uninteresting, you ask? Well, you need look no further than this week's episode of RAW. I thought that the impressions from Alexa Bliss and Mickie James were not good at all. I felt that after this segment concluded, I was even less excited for this contest than I was, going into the said match.
The problem does not lie with the women, who're unmistakably doing the best with what they've been provided. It lies with the writers, who cannot create heat between the performers heading into a big match. Instead of trying to be funny and witty, these performers just needed to come across as two tag teams that have a problem with one another. Overall, I thought that it was not a very good effort.
#2 Best: Rousey vs. Bella
I know that not many of our readers were excited about a match between Ronda Rousey and Nikki Bella, as the main event of the Evolution pay-per-view. However, I thought that for once, WWE fed both women the right lines and they had an exchange that had the audience at the edge of their seats. Once more, it told the perfect story between two very different performers.
Ronda Rousey is the definition of what has been dubbed the women's evolution, blazing her own path to the very top. The characters of The Bella Twins have been portrayed in such a manner, that it seems like they role the coattails of their husbands/boyfriends. Rousey had some savage burns for The Bellas during this particular segment.
I am far more excited about this match now, than I was a week ago. WWE can actually create tension between characters when they so desire it.
#2 Worst: The American Cup
I know that I complain about this every single week, but it's such a glaring error that I feel that I must. In a company that employs superstars from all around the world, it is hilarious to see that everyone who's qualified for the WWE World Cup is an American. I am almost convinced that WWE is playing a joke on us and having a laugh at our expense.
I wouldn't have had a problem if the tournament was known as something else. But when you say 'World Cup', it signifies superstars from different nationalities. And imagine superstars like Finn Balor and Jinder Mahal sitting on the sidelines, while 6 Americans compete in the said 'World Cup'.
Even if Rey Mysterio of Shinsuke Nakamura qualify, it won't rectify the situation, I think. If it's a joke, it's a pretty lame one.
#3 Best: 4 massive returns
This was the official week for the big returns. It was great to see Tamina return to the fold and potentially challenge Nia Jax. This will be a cool feud to follow, over the following weeks. Both women have been portrayed as powerhouses and can have great matches.
I also loved the fact that both Singh Brothers are now reunited. I enjoyed the fact that Sasha Banks made her comeback from injury, after weeks of silence about her physical condition. Even Apollo Crews returned to action, challenging Elias and possibly kickstarting a feud with the man.
Does this mean that Titus Worldwide will cease to exist, going forward, as even Dana Brooke has been part of the women's division, away from the happenings in Titus Worldwide? Well, it was a good run while it lasted.
#3 Worst: Finn Balor vs. Jinder Mahal yet again
I keep saying this every single week, in case WWE has forgotten it. Finn Balor was one of the biggest stars to come out of NXT and also the first ever Universal Champion. Right now, he's competing against Jinder Mahal on a weekly basis in a feud that's going nowhere. A feud that is essentially based on just the Mixed Match Challenge.
Even Jinder Mahal is a man who has fallen down the ranks drastically. WWE had a chance to make him into the top foreign heel of the company, following his run as the WWE Champion. But somehow, he has transitioned back into the yoga instructor/spiritual guru role.
I certainly hope that this is the last time these two men face each other for a while. These matches are really getting no one over.
#4 Best/worst: The Lashley situation
I like the fact that they turned Lashley heel because nobody was getting behind him. However, I wonder if the pairing with Lio Rush will yield dividends. Lashley is a physical specimen and a monster for sure, as Rush keeps saying. But Rush's constant commentary makes me want to change the channel.
Yes, Lio Rush's 'hype' is supposed to turn the audience off Lashley and get them to cheer the babyface. Lashley is also playing the role of the heel well. He is posing and preening, and this makes the audience very angry indeed.
But I wonder if Rush has become far too annoying in the process. If this was not my job and my source of income, I would have changed the channel when Rush came on.
Does the Goddess agree with me?
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
