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Quite often, RAW becomes a tedious affair across three hours. I'm glad to report that this was not the case this week. In my opinion, RAW was a power packed show that had some fabulous moments. Even the weak points were not necessarily filler.
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In my mind, this was the strongest episode of RAW in quite a while. And I've been reviewing RAW every week, for this very column. This week did not feel like work and I genuinely felt like a fan, yet again.
So, as is tradition following RAW, I shall pick out what I liked about the show and separate it from what I did not particularly care for. And as always, I would very much like to hear what you folks have to say.
Therefore, I invite you, ladies and gentlemen, to leave a comment in the section right below!
#1 Best: The return of the lunatic
I think all the stars aligned this week for Dean Ambrose's return. Renee Young was at the commentary table (although she didn't say a word), the build-up was fantastic with WWE using Seth Rollins' real life China visit to explain why wasn't at the arena, and in my mind, Angle, Ziggler and McIntyre too, played their cards absolutely right.
We all had a feeling that Ambrose would show up and align himself with The Kingslayer, considering this segment was kept for the end and not the Reigns-Heyman bit. Even then, the pop when The Lunatic finally appeared on screen was massive! I particularly loved how Ambrose has changed up his look and to many, looks like a real 'lunatic' now.
How often is it that the payoff at the end of three hours of RAW is very genuinely worth it? This was one of those weeks.
#1 Worst: Mid-match promos
In 2018, attention spans are the lowest they've ever been. Especially if you are watching a three-hour show, there's a big chance that one may tune out and change the channel. The last thing you want to do is distract the audience when they're invested in an ongoing match. I thought the mid-match promos that advertised SummerSlam this week were very annoying.
They had nothing to do with the matches on screen. Especially during the match with Bobby Roode and Titus Worldwide vs. Mojo Rawley and The Authors of Pain, the promo seemed rather redundant. The performers did not even get entrances before the match!
#2 Best: Reigns and Heyman
Last week, Paul Heyman cut a passionate promo on Brock Lesnar. This week, he tried everything in his power to enlist Reigns and get him to become his next client. He even went as far as to speak in Samoan.
Of course, this was a massive swerve and we found out later that Heyman was using the distraction to mace Reigns in the eye with pepper spray. This allowed The Beast Incarnate to come in and beat on Roman Reigns. Brock Lesnar has now officially turned heel, beating on a hapless babyface.
Lesnar and Reigns have had three matches in the past. I daresay that this has been the match with the best build of the lot.
#2 Worst: Alicia Fox botches finish
This week on RAW, Natalya could not compete in the light of what happened to her father. Instead, Alexa Bliss took on Ember Moon in the opening contest. From the looks of it, Alicia Fox was going to interfere in the finish, and have Moon win through a disqualification.
And then she botched the finish. It was a total mess.
I genuinely think she needs yet another run in NXT. This was the simplest spot she could have been given, and she managed to mess it up!
#3 Best: Tributes to The Anvil
Having grown up as a fan of the Hart Foundation in the 90s, the death of Jim 'The Anvil' Neidhart was very disappointing to hear about. That said, I am glad how much respect was shown to him, through the show. Ronda Rousey cut a passionate promo on The Anvil, during the show. There was a pretty fantastic video package as well.
Perhaps my favourite part of the show, however, was The Revival paying tribute to Jim Neidhart, in their own, unique way!
#3 Worst: Where is Mickie James?
Mickie James and Alexa Bliss made a strange sort of pairing. They were at each other's throats not long ago and suddenly they were best friends. And now, it seems like James has been replaced as Bliss' sidekick by Alicia Fox. I really wonder why this decision was taken at all.
Logic is never WWE's strongest suit, but I would have liked some clarity on this particular front.
#4 Best/worst: Renee Young on commentary
Everyone expected Renee Young to be significantly better than the RAW Commentary Team. I'm sad to report that such wasn't the case. If anything, she came off as nervous and short on confidence.
However, she did show sparks of life. In a few ways, she was an improvement on Coachman. Maybe if she gets more time at the booth, she could develop her skills and eventually do a better job than this week.
Her performance this week was strictly average. It wasn't the history-making effort we all really anticipated.
Maybe she needs to pray to The Goddess for confidence!
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