Best and Worst of RAW- 27 August, 2018

By Riju Dasgupta
Modified Aug 28, 2018 17:49 IST
This week's episode of RAW had its ups and downs!
This week's episode of RAW had its ups and downs!

I personally love it when WWE goes to Canada for their shows. The audience is always enthusiastic and they lap up all the action in the ring. Therefore, I did not feel my interest wane throughout this week's RAW episode. The audience was loud and that's always half the battle won.

But then again, I did have a few issues with this week's show. I will detail them for you in this article, as I've done on a weekly basis thus far. Overall, I thought this week's episode was quite solid.

Then again, I know that you may have an opinion that is contrary to mine. I invite you to write in and share your thoughts about what transpired this week.

Here is my take on the good and bad from this week's episode of RAW.

#1 Best: The Intercontinental Championship open challenge match

Owens and Rollins put on the match of the night
Owens and Rollins put on the match of the night

Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens stole the show in Canada. And when I say this, I do not just mean their fantastic back and forth contest in the squared circle. Kevin Owens came out, addressed the crowd in Toronto, and despite the monstrous reaction he got in the beginning, got them to boo him. It was masterfully done and certainly got me to pop quite hard.

And then, we were treated to a fantastic contest in the middle of the ring. At certain points, it even seemed like Owens would become the Intercontinental Champion before a Canadian audience. Rollins picked up a win, if only just barely.

I would really love to see more contests between these two men down the road. They are exceptionally gifted and never phone it in when the bell rings.

Maybe Owens will even become Intercontinental Champion, down the line.

#1 Worst: No Kurt Angle

Corbin cannot command the audience like McMahon or Angle can
Acting GM Corbin cannot command the audience like McMahon or Angle can

RAW always got off to a great start when Kurt Angle's music hit. When he spoke, even if he fumbled his words, the crowd would listen. It's early days for Acting GM Corbin yet, but he certainly does not have the same command of the crowd that his predecessor did. Somehow, when he made matches, it felt less important.

For all her faults, even Stephanie McMahon can play the crowd like a fiddle, getting them invested in what she has to say. Baron Corbin can grow into this role, but I don't think he's ready for it yet.

#2 Best: Kevin Owens quits

This could certainly lead to some very interesting possibilities
This could certainly lead to some very interesting possibilities

The best kind of stories are told when the audience is kept guessing. I think Kevin Owens quitting is a step in that direction, and can lead to him reinventing his character and making it fresh again. I loved the setup too, with Owens saying how RAW hasn't been the dream run that he had imagined it would be.

I do hope they don't do a Ziggler with Owens. Remember how he relinquished his title to return with no fanfare? Kevin Owens deserves better and this story has possibilities.

Twitter has been abuzz with speculation about how this storyline may resolve, in time. Post your own speculation in the comments section below.

#2 Worst: Anti-climatic cash in

I would have honestly preferred the drama of a cash in
I would have honestly preferred the drama of a cash in

The thrill of the Money in the Bank contract comes from the fact that it can be cashed in by the challenger at any time. This drama keeps us invested in the proceedings on screen. It adds a layer of uncertainty to an otherwise highly predictable product.

In my honest opinion, Strowman cashing in his Money in the Bank contract for Hell in a Cell was a real anticlimax. Yes, this match will be good, but I wish Strowman had cashed it in at an unexpected time. The uncertainty is now long gone.

#3 Best: Trish Stratus returns

What a fantastic war of words with Elias
What a fantastic war of words with Elias

When Elias was badmouthing Toronto, one resident couldn't take it. Out came Trish Stratus, to the amazement of the WWE Universe in attendance. The audience was thrilled to see their local hero return to WWE. Their war of words was supremely entertaining.

She looks great and I'm sure she can still go in the ring. I'm really excited for her match at Evolution now.

#3 Worst: Alicia Fox

The one constant in WWE has always been Alicia Fox's wrestling skills
The one constant in WWE has always been Alicia Fox's wrestling skills (or lack thereof)

Alicia Fox simply isn't any good in the ring. Natalya tried to make her look okay, much like Sasha Banks did with Dana Brooke, but failed. Fox looked confused and out of sorts during the match with Natalya. She's just a step behind the rest of the women's division.

I was glad to see Mickie James return to action, however. I would love to see her mix it in the ring, perhaps replacing Fox as Bliss' assistant.

#4 Best/worst: Shawn Michaels' return

This would have been great, but we already know it won't
This would have been great, but we know it won't

Shawn Michaels will never wrestle again. He has said so on numerous occasions already. Therefore, I have mixed feelings about his return next week, quite honestly. At best, we'll see him hit a Sweet Chin Music.

Maybe he will give some young talent the rub. Maybe the move is designed to just have him booked as a special guest referee. Whatever the case may be, it won't be anything special.

But then again, it's always great to see him back in action, isn't it? I look forward to next week.

What do you folks think The Goddess will do, next week?

Does she have a plan for Ronda Rousey?
Does she have a plan for Ronda Rousey next week?