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Many of you called SummerSlam the best WWE pay-per-view of the year. And when you look at it, it's hard to dispute the facts. As long as the show was, there were few points where WWE lost our attention altogether. Which brings us to the fallout episode of RAW, immediately after SummerSlam.
It was plain as day that the landscape of WWE has completely changed following the biggest show of the summer. There is an air of freshness about proceedings now. I wonder how it will reflect in terms of TV ratings, going forward.
I would, as usual, love to hear your take on how the show was this week, and how you think WWE should book Roman Reigns as champion. Also, what did you guys think of the big Shield reunion?
Here's what I thought of the events that transpired on this week's show...
#1 Best: A fighting champion
I know some of you may be disappointed that Finn Balor did not recapture the Universal Championship. I'm just glad that he had a chance to compete for the title, at such a high level. Brock Lesnar would not show up at most pay-per-view events. Roman Reigns put up the title for grabs on RAW, against anyone who was interested.
To me, this was a positive and significant development. It showcases how Reigns will be booked as champion and I am down with the Universal Championship becoming a more featured attraction on RAW. Also, the fact of the matter is that Balor and Reigns put on a pretty solid match.
Will there be more matches between these men, going forward? I certainly do hope so.
Maybe Balor can indeed recapture the title someday.
#1 Worst: Booking of the Demon character
So, let me get this straight. Finn Balor tapped into his demon persona to take on Baron Corbin in a meaningless match with no stakes. And when he went up against Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship, he didn't bring the Demon out. How does this decision make any kind of sense in storyline?
I know that wrestling is supposed to be silly, but some amount of logic would greatly serve the product. It's an obvious question that I am sure a lot of you had as well.
#2 Best: The Shield vs. Braun Strowman on RAW
It seemed as if Braun Strowman would become the Universal Champion after Roman Reigns and Finn Balor went to war. And then we would hear six familiar words and a familiar theme song. The Shield had reunited on RAW for another run.
This was certainly a mark out moment for the fans in attendance. It also means that we will see The Shield vs. Braun Strowman in the weeks that follow. And this is a mighty feud that I can buy.
Will Braun Strowman find some allies of his own? I'd love to see him align with The Authors of Pain someday.
#2 Worst: Ronda Rousey's promo skills
Listen, I'm really rooting for Ronda Rousey to succeed. But somehow the promos she cuts do not come across well. Especially if she's in the ring with someone like Stephanie McMahon who's a seasoned heel on the microphone.
Maybe a run in NXT would have done her some good. Maybe she will actually get better with time, as champion. Maybe she will be aligned with a manager someday.
I love her aggressiveness and think she'd be a fantastic silent killer. I just thought that she was way too awkward on the microphone this week.
#3 Best: Triple H on the microphone
Sometimes, I think that Triple H should be kept away from making appearances on RAW. Every time he cuts a promo, he reminds us how much better he is than the rest of the roster. His delivery was immaculate and his passion was real. Triple H took us on a journey back in time and got us excited for his next match against The Undertaker.
I wonder how much longer he will keep wrestling. I saw him compete in New Delhi last year, and he hasn't missed a beat!
#3 Worst: The tag team division's state
The B Team took on The Revival in two meaningless singles matches on RAW, as we all saw. The Authors of Pain and Titus Worldwide are in a meaningless feud lasting all eternity. I really hope that Ziggler and McIntyre enter this division to save it. They honestly seem like the only real hope!
How has the entire division become mere filler now? Especially considering the men in the division are so talented.
#4 Best/worst: General Manager Baron Corbin
I am generally not a fan of heel authority figures. Therefore Kurt Angle's suspension on RAW could be an absolutely terrible move, going forward. The Authority had made RAW almost unwatchable at one point, remember? Even today, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H's return brought back some bad memories.
That said, I'm keen to see what Baron Corbin does. This at least keeps him on camera, following the Finn Balor feud. Corbin can talk and act, and doesn't deserve to get lost in the shuffle, really.
Mind you, superstars like Bobby Roode and Kevin Owens did not make it to the show this week.
#4 Best/worst: Elias' current role
Elias performed a cameo on SummerSlam. He was in a nonsense segment with Curt Hawkins on RAW thereafter. Elias is supremely gifted and turned it to gold. Even Curt Hawkins did really play his part right.
But shouldn't he be higher up in the mix? Maybe competing for the Intercontinental Championship? It just feels like he is being underutilized.
Leave a comment and let us know your thoughts below. What did you think of this week's episode of the red brand?
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