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It's not every week that we praise an episode of RAW, really. This week, we will. WWE did a pretty solid job of the show, and the episode deserves a thumbs up rating. As always, it was not without its share of faults, however.
So, we bring you a comprehensive analysis of the best and worst of this week's show, as always, in this very countdown. Feel free to chime in and let us know what you thought of the show, overall. Your comments make our efforts seem worthwhile.
So, here's a lowdown on what went down at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. This was one of the major pit stops on the way to the Elimination Chamber.
Of course, on the road to WrestleMania 34 too!
#1 Best: A hilarious musical faceoff
This was a great follow-up to the action from last week's show. Elias shocked the world when he pinned John Cena, after Braun Strowman did all the work for him. He will now enter last in the Elimination Chamber match. Braun Strowman was out for revenge, on this week's episode of RAW.
When Elias drove the audience into a frenzy with his guitar, Strowman retaliated by unleashing an upright bass of his own. He matched Elias in terms of musical prowess (which isn't too much for either man) and delivered one of the more entertaining segments in recent memory. This was awesome!
And did we forget to mention that he brought the upright bass crashing down on Elias as well? That is one image that will live on in infamy.
Strowman's getting the push of a lifetime and we hope he gets the Universal Championship around his waist, very soon indeed.
#1 Worst: Kurt Angle's botchy promos
Remember back to when he first made his debut and won us all over with his promo skills? Kurt Angle is still as likable as ever, but his promo skills have deteriorated and how!
Not only did he stumble his words during the opening segment, he did so in the second segment he was part of as well. Angle is only a shell of the performer he used to be. Sadly, age, bumps and bruises have taken their toll.
Maybe Angle just does not fare well in a scripted environment. Maybe WWE needs to let him off the leash a little bit, in the coming weeks?
Whatever the case may be, Kurt Angle wasn't good at all.
#2 Best: The overall quality of matches
There was not one weak match through the course of the show. Maybe the match between Alexa Bliss, Mickie James and Absolution wasn't at par with the rest of the evening, but it served its purpose. The rest of the matches were just exemplary. They kept us thrilled and entertained.
The match between Sasha Banks and Bayley deserves a special mention. As does the main event. Both of the contests told different stories but intriguing ones.
Special marks to Sasha Banks for not taking unnecessary risks. We do not want to see her dive again!
#2 Worst: A missed opportunity?
The Sasha Banks vs. Bayley feud has been simmering for months now. It all came to a head during the last episode of RAW, when the two women had a confrontation. Some speculated that the two women would have a match at WrestleMania, come April. Unfortunately, their big blow-off match happened on RAW prematurely.
We wonder if this match should have been saved for a bigger stage. Even if there's a repeat of this match hereafter, it'll still be a repeat in the grand scheme of things. Did WWE jump the gun with these two women?
#3 Best: Rollins revitalized
Remember Seth Rollins' championship reign, when he was the best thing in wrestling? After he got injured, he seemed to fall back a notch or two. Sure, he was not bad in a tag team environment, but it seemed to be a demotion for this talented performer. This week proved that he was ready to be the Seth Rollins of old!
The audience did get behind the new, amped up, babyface Rollins when he turned down Kurt Angle's suggestion of a tag team partner. If WWE books him right, they could have a brand new top guy, to lead the charge over the next year.
#3 Worst: Determining the Chamber spots beforehand
Last week, we found out who'd be entering the Elimination Chamber last, thanks to the Triple Threat match. This week, we found out who'd be entering the Chamber first, after John Cena pinned The Miz.
While some spots are still a 'surprise', these matches to determine the two most important Elimination Chamber spots have ruined half the excitement for us. Let us hope that WWE does have some aces up their sleeve during the actual match.
#4 Best/worst: Teasing the Undertaker's return
During the opening segment, John Cena uttered some ominous words. They were:
WrestleMania can bring a legend back from the dead!
The crowd naturally responded to the veiled message from John Cena. We wonder though, if The Undertaker's return is really imminent or if it's just a tease. After all, John Cena did mention that if he lost at the Elimination Chamber, he had no way of getting to WrestleMania.
Could he call out The Undertaker as a last ditch effort? Should The Undertaker return, considering he's far past his prime and his retirement last year, was so, so perfect?
Only time will tell if this was just a tease, or if this line will escalate into a full-fledged angle!
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