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Rumours have been swirling that this week's episode of RAW had the heaviest influence from Paul Heyman yet. If this is true, I doubt fans would be all that surprised.
We were treated to a briskly paced, action-oriented show that was sure to satisfy even the most jaded of followers. There was little to complain about and the Red Brand could be making a turn for the better if things stay on course.
Between the upped tempo in matches, segments that made sense and newsworthy appearances, this felt like the kind of show that is building towards a Big Four pay-per-view. Which is just as well, seeing as SummerSlam is right around the corner.
Here are five major improvements RAW made this week.
#5 More Wrestling, Less Talking
A common criticism of RAW's structure, for what feels like forever, has been in regards to in-ring action (or lack thereof).
We've grown accustomed to the show being broken up by long, repetitive segments where Superstars will hurl schoolyard insults at each other rather than, you know, wrestle.
This wasn't a problem this week. Matches happened frequently and had real meaning to them. Each bout was separated by some backstage antics as a palate cleanser, but it wasn't long before we were back at ringside to enjoy some more physical confrontations.
When working with a three-hour show and such a massive roster, you'd think filling that time with matches would be easy. WWE demonstrated as such by booking plenty of big names in matches that weren't randomly thrown together.
They all built on pre-existing rivalries and progressed stories in the ring rather than on the mic.
It might seem like a given that a wrestling show should have more wrestling, which just goes to show how low the bar has dropped in the last year with WWE programming.
#4 The Matches Were of Consistent Quality
It's all good and well having matches, but they have to provide entertainment. Thankfully, they weren't lacking in that department either. Our lust for simulated combat was more than satisfied as WWE's elite performers gave us memorable moments.
Two matches of note were the US Title No.1 contender Gauntlet and the Triple Threat RAW Tag Team Championship match.
Some of the best wrestlers on the planet got to let loose in these contests and thrill with daring, intricate sequences for our viewing pleasure.
We got to see Andrade and Rey Mysterio rekindle their old rivalry and produce the goods in a high-octane, Lucha libre-Esque exchange, and three top-level tag teams effortlessly craft an epic battle that made the tag straps feel meaningful. It was a cut above what any of us have come to expect from an episode of RAW in 2019.
#3 Brock Lesnar Stole the Show
Any accusations of The Beast Incarnate being a lazy performer were not confirmed this week. Brock Lesnar made a surprise appearance and spared us from his usual, "Stand around and jump about a bit while Paul Heyman talks smack" routine.
No, Lesnar simply beat the living hell out of Seth Rollins, hitting him with F5's one after the other until Heyman himself had to beg him to stop. You know that when the Advocate himself is protesting his client's actions, thing have got serious.
Rollins was promptly wheeled out on a gurney, only for the current Universal Champion to stop the ambulance from transporting him to a local medical facility and continuing his heinous assault. Seeing Rollins getting F5'd onto an upturned stretcher was stomach turning TV.
Lesnar is at his best when he's destroying people, and that was exactly what he did this week. More of this please.
#2 The 24/7 Title Had its Best Week Yet
Despite all the negatives, most of us can agree that the WWE 24/7 Championship has been a source of solid amusement since its inception. Things really stepped up a gear this week with the sheer absurdity of the green belt.
It all started with a "Mixed Tag Team 24/7 mosh Pit" match. Long story short, R-Truth retained the title against Drake Maverick, before being piled on by a group of lumberjacks and losing his prize to Mike Kanellis.
It wasn't long before Mike's wife Maria Kanellis forced him to take a pin from her, declaring herself the first-ever pregnant champion.
It's a genius move on her part, seeing as nobody's going to attack a pregnant woman. The utter ludicrousness of this angle was campy, over the top and downright fun.
It sets up so many potentially hilarious scenarios down the road and only expands the reach of this division.
#1 Underused Talent Got to Shine
WWE's Roster is so deep that it's long been frustrating to see TV time filled by the same select group. This week saw a dramatic paradigm shift, as frequently overlooked talents got some real shine.
Gallows and Anderson won tag team gold in an excellent Triple Threat, guys like Cesaro and Andrade put in great showings, Natalya looked like a legitimate threat to Becky Lynch's title, and Cedric Alexander closed the show in style.
If the future holds more for these wrestlers and their peers, RAW could make for a diverse show in terms of characters and matches.
There's no excuse to have a roster so expansive and not use it, so to see it being dipped into more is refreshing. Whether this is a one-off great episode or a sign of things to come, WWE fans should be excited about the potential on display.
