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When RAW pulls out all the stops, it often delivers. This week, the show came to us from the Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore, and it was a delight to behold. RAW had a continuous thread that played out seamlessly at the end. This was awesome!
Of course, we had a few complaints with the show overall, but rest assured that the positives did outweigh the negatives across the entire three-hour duration. It's great to see that RAW is still motivated to put on a good show 24 years and 10 months later.
Let's hope that the quality spills over to SmackDown Live as well. The show could use a shot in the arm.
Here are our observations, both 'best and worst' from this week's episode.
#1 Best: The Daniel Bryan saga
During last week's episode of SmackDown Live, we saw the first seeds of dissent between Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon. This week, Daniel Bryan showed up on the rival brand to say to RAW General Manager Kurt Angle that he did not agree with Shane McMahon's actions.
For his efforts, he was met with a chokeslam from Kane after the lights went out. It's nice to see the dynamics between the two authority babyfaces on SmackDown Live change so drastically after the invasion the previous week. McMahon and Bryan were mostly on the same page prior to #undersiege.
We wonder if it will lead to one of the two men turning heel and change the dynamics of SmackDown Live. The show could do with a reboot, for sure.
How will the aftermath of the attack from Kane on Daniel Bryan play out on SmackDown Live? We'll find out soon.
#1 Worst: Another no show by Brock Lesnar
No, Lesnar was not advertised to be on this episode of RAW anyway. However, his absence does hurt the heavily mismatched contest between him and Jinder Mahal.
It's not a match that the WWE Universe has really been looking forward to, in any case. Everyone expects it to be a squash affair, honestly.
And well, the champion wasn't around to build any heat either. Jinder Mahal may have to create excitement for the big match, all on his own, on SmackDown Live.
Samoa Joe and Braun Strowman created interest in their respective matches with Brock Lesnar, as they hailed from the same brand as Lesnar and had made him look rather vulnerable prior to their matches. We don't see this happening with Jinder Mahal.
#2 Best: The return of Samoa Joe
The WWE Universe was elated to see Samoa Joe come back to the ring, following his injury. They let it be known by cheering him on. Joe shut the crowd up and turned heel on the WWE Universe, quite masterfully. Legend!
In the absence of Roman Reigns, Big Cass and Jeff Hardy, WWE needs all the big guns on board as Survivor Series approaches. Samoa Joe is certainly a big name and he can set the ring on fire if booked in a prominent program. He's a whiz on the microphone too.
Just check out how quick the man is:
#2 Worst: The return of Stephanie McMahon
Hey, we did pop for Stephanie McMahon's return. Our concern is more from a long-term perspective with her in the mix. Now that she's not allied with Angle, but opposed to him as General Manager, will we see the Foley and Stephanie saga rehashed? We don't wish to!
We think Stephanie's return, if booked right, may not be such a bad thing. However, in all her stints, Stephanie McMahon ends up playing the same 'authority' character, time and time again. Let's just be thankful that she did not slap Kurt Angle this week.
However, the next return more than made up for whatever reservations we may have had.
#3 Best: BRAUNNNNN returns!
The last we saw of Braun Strowman, he was dumped into a garbage truck, and it was believed that he would never be seen again in the world of kayfabe. This week, he emerged from the garbage again, supernatural being that he is, and made Curtis Axel regret the day he aligned himself with The Miz.
It is clear that Braun Strowman is the biggest babyface on RAW, at this point in time. Yes, he became a good guy and is heading into a confrontation with Kane (who has been booked very strongly).
Strowman has the potential to be a future Universal Champion if WWE books his babyface run strongly. Let's hope that he gets the push he deserves.
Moving on to our final grouse of the evening.
#3 Worst: The Trick or Street Fight
Remember back when The Club was the hottest new thing on the block? How far down the ranks have they fallen? The Trick or Street Fight is a concept that has failed in the past, and this week gave us more of the same. And that's despite the awesome Southpaw Regional Wrestling tribute!
Let's honestly hope that The Club do not follow in the footsteps of Emma, Summer Rae and Darren Young, considering that they were sideshow lackeys for Elias recently and are being booked in such silly matches. That would be a real waste of tremendous potential!
#4 Best: Team Captain
Stephanie McMahon announced that Kurt Angle would be leading the superstars of RAW into battle against SmackDown Live at Survivor Series 2017. This is a great way to book Angle, and yet make minimal use of him. He is still a big draw but probably cannot work entire matches.
This way, Angle could be tagged in, throw a few Angle Slams, put on the Angle Lock, and still look like a million bucks. We wonder if Shane McMahon will lead the charge for team blue.
Let's pray that Survivor Series is a good show, even if The Big Dog does not make it back in time. And whom do we pray to?
The Goddess of WWE, of course.
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