5 Mistakes WWE Made On Raw This Week

A night to remember and forget at the same time
A night to remember and forget at the same time

The first episode of Monday Night Raw after the 2019 Superstar Shake-Up promised to be a thrilling ride of unexpected booking decisions with high octane action that kept fans on the edge of their seats, so did we get that?

The answer is yes and no, but first, let's just say that this week's episode of Raw seemed to be a fresh edition of the flagship show, which revealed that the WWE creative team is showing signs of improvement, and if you expected the growth to be rapid you would be slightly disappointed with this broadcast.

But if you just wanted to witness an installment of Raw that was watchable then this was probably the episode for you, as the in-ring action and certain booking decisions were exceptional from WWE.

However, as with every good thing the company does, they have a few hiccups along the way, so let us go through a list of mistakes WWE could have avoided on Raw this week, furthermore, hopefully, each week this list can get smaller and smaller.


#5 A Overdone Format

The Game on Raw is exciting but this booking is getting old fast
The Game on Raw is exciting but this booking is getting old fast

The format of any wrestling show is imperative to its success, and one of the most overused formats in wrestling history is Monday Night Raw's opening segment. Most of us know this format better than what we learnt back in high school, as WWE keeps repeating, reusing, and recycling their old material, and this week we once again were treated to this infamous segment.

Triple H opened the show and quickly introduced the Universal Champion in front of his hometown. Seth Rollins received a thunderous ovation when he stood in the centre of the ring taking in the cheers from the Iowan crowd.

However, Rollins' passionate promo (which is honestly getting repetitive) about how he will take on everyone at any place with the title on the line was interrupted by a sea of his potential challengers who begged to differ. Why in 2019 are we seeing the creative team book this type of worn out segment?

To be honest, the segment isn't a problem, it's actually the 'new era' we are in, many months ago WWE promised us that they will transform the product from its stale state to a fresh television show that changed the landscape of professional wrestling. Well, we are still waiting.

Moreover, this segment accomplished nothing, as the words these talented superstars spoke did not feel like a character building moment, instead it felt like filler, and that isn't the best way to set the tone for the show.

#4 An Iconic Losing Streak

You just can't hate this team
You just can't hate this team

When Billie Kay and Peyton Royce got the call to the main roster, many felt that they were the second coming of Laycool, a team that relied on old tropes to garner heat from a forgotten era. But the IIconics proved us wrong, as they have something many superstars don't and they display it on a weekly basis.

That is the ability to entertain. Wrestling is entertainment at the end of the day, everything from the in-ring work to promo wars is all geared towards entertaining the fans, which is something The IIconics do very well, but recently their booking has not been on par with their entertainment value.

WWE has basically jobbed out the Women's Tag Team Champions for the second week in a row when Billie Kay lost to Naomi in fairly easy fashion, and while many would say that this a team that doesn't need to be on a dominant winning streak to be credible, just think about their role in the company.

They are carrying an integral part of the women's division success on their shoulders, and by losing to Naomi, who is a superstar that has been so mismanaged over the last few years, is a mistake. Billie and Peyton need to be protected, as that will increase their value which directly increases the value of their titles.


#3 Start Him Off Hot

A wrestler that could be a hot prospect if WWE handled him right
A wrestler that could be a hot prospect if WWE handled him right

Cedric Alexander, this is a man that doesn't need an introduction for hardcore wrestling fans, as his pure athleticism and smooth in-ring work is enough to make him the highlight reel on any show in any promotion.

And when WWE put the former champion on Raw, many were delighted that Alexander was finally getting his chance to follow in the footsteps of fellow cruiserweights like Mustafa Ali and Lio Rush.

However, it seems like Cedric has a long hard road ahead which could see him flop on the flagship show, as this week Alexander took on the newly drafted Cesaro, who basically uppercuted him into oblivion.

WWE needed to give the youngster a chance to shine in his first bout, as losing was truly the last thing anyone wanted to see happen on Alexander's debut, but hopefully, the creative team can give him a chance to grow on the red brand over the next year.

#2 Losing Steam Fast

Repeat, repeat and repeat
Repeat, repeat and repeat

In wrestling, there are two ways for a superstar to succeed; either that star is hated by fans or loved by millions, but if there is one thing that destroys careers faster than the infamous "shovel", it's a wrestler being viewed as boring by fans. In the ever-changing landscape of wrestling fans move on quickly from one thing to another.

This why it is concerning to witness Becky Lynch's booking over the last few weeks, as her promos have been a rehash of everything she has said in the past, and while many would argue that she is still over with the crowds, that type of buzz doesn't last forever if WWE can't maintain it.

WWE is trying to make Becky into a Connor Mcgregor type champion, as her catchphrase, mannerisms and all round demeanor have felt more like WWE forcing the champion to portray someone else instead of being herself.

Becky only rose to prominence in her fued with Charlotte Flair because the WWE Universe could feel her frustrations as we witnessed how far down the ladder she fell all the years ago, but the connection seems to be fading, and that could be a mistake the WWE.


#1 Save The Best For Last

AJ Styles can thrive anywhere, and that is a fact. So, by WWE putting him in the main event is a waste
AJ Styles can thrive anywhere, and that is a fact. So, by WWE putting him in the main event is a waste

AJ Styles is the number one contender for the Universal Title, and that is something many did not expect to happen so soon, as Styles vs Seth Rollins is a match better saved for one of WWE's biggest events like Summerslam or the Royal Rumble.

While it makes sense that fans feel this way, the real reason why this match should have been saved is due to Raw not having that many big money matches in its arsenal. Name another match big enough to carry the brand over the next year?

While there are huge stars like Samoa Joe, Bruan Strowman and Drew McIntyre in the brand to lend their star power, Styles is still Raw's biggest acquisition, as he is pushed as the biggest star that is not named Roman Reigns.

Is anyone else tired of these big money matches being built up in a matter of weeks with no real heat involved? WWE needs to go back to the days when main events were layered narratives with two red hot stars fighting for a desired title, as Styles vs Rollins at the moment does not feel like that, which is a mistake.

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