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This past week was a very eventful one in WWE programming as the Road to WrestleMania 37 continued. From major title changes to spooky supernatural segments, a lot happened on Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown.
We are just two weeks away from WWE Fastlane 2021, the final PPV before WrestleMania. There is still a lot of uncertainty around the match card for the Showcase of Immortals this year and while we did get a few hints of some major plans this week, WWE still needs to do a lot to get the fans hyped.
Let's take a look at three mistakes WWE made this week and three things they got right. Be sure to comment and let us know your thoughts on everything that happened on WWE programming this week.
#3 Mistake WWE made: Is the return of The Fiend being stalled for too long?
It is safe to assume that the WWE Universe is pretty much split about the entire storyline between Randy Orton, Alexa Bliss, and Bray Wyatt right now. Credit where it's due, as WWE is trying to do something new and innovative with all the supernatural elements in the feud, but the question is - are they stalling the return of The Fiend for too long?
For months now, Alexa Bliss has been playing mind games with Randy Orton. The same was the case this week as Randy Orton met with a possessed version of himself through a TV screen during a backstage segment. The entire visual of Orton speaking in the voice of The Fiend was intriguing, but it didn't really accomplish much. We are surely heading towards a WrestleMania clash between Randy Orton and The Fiend, but WWE needs to move the storyline forward and let The Fiend return.
#3 WWE got right: A massive WrestleMania feud in works for Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman is one of the major Superstars on RAW and WWE teased a massive WrestleMania feud for him this week. The Monster Among Men has been at odds with Adam Pearce and Shane McMahon recently and the same continued this week.
Shane McMahon made Adam Pearce and Braun Strowman team up this week to challenge the RAW Tag Team Champions, Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin. It almost seemed as if Strowman would win the titles single-handedly (like he has done in the past), only for Shane to force Pearce to tag in, who was rolled up and pinned by Benjamin. There are clear tensions between Strowman and Shane McMahon, and the two are likely headed for a massive WrestleMania showdown.
#2 Mistake WWE made: Seth Rollins and Murphy again?
One of the worst habits of WWE creative is the inconsistency in storylines, which has been evident on multiple occasions recently. This week on Friday Night SmackDown, Murphy returned after a long absence and teased reforming his alliance with Seth Rollins by offering him help.
There are just so many loopholes in this storytelling and it almost seems as if the company can't come up with new ideas to make use of talents like Murphy. It was not long ago when Murphy was in a relationship with Rey Mysterio's daughter Aalyah and helped them defeat Seth Rollins. The entire angle looks to have been dropped without any explanation. Thankfully, Rollins didn't accept his help but we might see the two reunite again.
#2 WWE got right: A new Apollo Crews is unleashed
For years, Apollo Crews has remained one of the most talented Superstars on the roster who hasn't been able to reach his true potential. Apollo is undoubtedly one of the most athletic WWE Superstars, but he lacked a proper character for fans to take him seriously.
Apollo Crews' heel turn on SmackDown has given him that extra edge and he's doing some of the best work of his career. He debuted a new gimmick last week, embracing his Nigerian heritage, and this week he unleashed his gimmick further with a new look, new accent, and even two bodyguards. As he said, he is no longer begging for an Intercontinental title shot, but he is demanding one. Big E vs Apollo Crews should be a good feud.
#1 Mistake WWE made: Keeping the suspense or annoying the viewers?
There's a very fine line between keeping viewers interested by delaying something big and annoying them. WWE almost did the latter this week on RAW. The Miz was set to defend his WWE Championship against Bobby Lashley this week and the match was originally scheduled to take place at "9 PM EST." Almost everyone watching RAW knew that The Miz would do some shenanigans and that's exactly what happened.
The match was then rescheduled to "10 PM EST" and this time, The Miz ran off with his WWE title as soon as the bell rang, losing via count-out, but retaining. The match then finally took place in the main event, in the final 15 minutes of the show. While it was a good ploy to make the fans watch the entire show, it almost came off as a "cheap trick" which annoyed many. It would have been better if the match was announced as the main event and all the drama took place in the final 30 minutes of RAW.
#1 WWE got right: Bobby Lashley wins the WWE Championship
Bobby Lashley has been one of the most dominant Superstars but has been a victim of poor booking for the last couple of years. That was until MVP returned and formed The Hurt Business. Lashley's WWE career has since drastically improved and he is back to being the beast that fans knew him to be.
While there was a lot of delay for the actual match on RAW this week, it ended the correct way, as Bobby Lashley dominated and defeated The Miz to win the WWE Championship for the first time in his career. Social media has been flooded with positive wishes for the Almighty. The WWE Championship scene has definitely become a lot more interesting heading into WrestleMania 37. Will Drew McIntyre challenge Lashley at the Showcase of Immortals or could a certain Beast Incarnate be lurking around?
