As the WWE Universe tuned in for this week’s episodes of Monday Night Raw and the go-home SmackDown LIVE before WWE Backlash, expectations were extremely high. Fans were looking forward to some real entertainment, especially on Tuesday night, but things didn’t go according to plan.
Raw ended up putting on the better show with some unexpectedly great moments while SmackDown faltered on the home stretch to the first SmackDown exclusive pay per view after Wrestlemania 33. It was unexpected, to say the least, considering the trajectory of the two shows since the Brand Split in 2016.
There were some high expectations from the WWE Universe, and a lot of them were left unfulfilled by the WWE’s creative department, in particular on the blue brand’s side of things. As it happens week in and week out, many fans came away disappointed at the end of Monday Night Raw and more noticeably, SmackDown LIVE.
So, without any further ado, let’s get into 5 things we wanted from the WWE and what they deLIVEred for the week of 16th May 2017:
#5 What we wanted: An improved Raw mid-card; what we got: Some exciting heel turns to improve the Raw mid-card
Episodes of Monday Night Raw have been suffering because of the three-hour length of the show. Oftentimes the mid card feels like filler with no real sense of purpose or direction. Well, the WWE took the first steps in fixing that problem this past week.
There two unexpected – and much welcome – heel turns on the mid card to spice things up on Monday nights. Goldust decided to turn on his Golden Truth tag team partner, R-Truth and proceeded to beat the living crap out of former NWA World Heavyweight Champion. So compelling was the heel turn that the crowd started chanting “Thank you, Goldust!” and “Yes! Yes! Yes!”.
To add to this, we saw Apollo Crews take out Enzo Amore and turn heel himself, fully aligning himself with Titus O’Neil after the Titus Brand had lost a singles match to Enzo’s partner, Big Cass. This will hopefully lead to some improved storylines for Apollo.
#4 What we wanted: Rusev to make his return; what we got: No sign of Rusev at all
When clips of Rusev demanding a WWE Championship opportunity at WWE Money in the Bank started doing the rounds a few weeks ago, excitement levels started building amongst the WWE Universe. Here was a long-time favourite finally getting the push he needed.
Everybody was expecting the Bulgarian Brute to make his return this week and confront Shane McMahon to build that story and make good on his threats from weeks past, especially considering Shane showed no signs of granting Rusev his title shot.
Also read: Reason why Rusev didn’t return on SmackDown
Instead, we were left with no sign of the Bulgarian. This not only compromises his momentum from the past few weeks, but it also makes him look like someone who is all talk and no action. Come on, WWE. Don’t screw up Rusev’s big moment. He can be a top heel if he’s booked right.
#3 What we wanted: Progress in both Raw and SmackDown’s Women’s Divisions; what we got: The wrong sort of progress
Both Raw and SmackDown’s Women’s Divisions have been faltering of late, with only Alexa Bliss doing anything noteworthy on either roster. The WWE needed to pump some petrol into this tank but ended up pumping diesel instead, making everything worse.
On Monday night, the Raw Women’s Championship picture took a turn for the worse as a Kendo Stick on a Pole match stipulation was added to the title match between Alexa Bliss and Bayley at Extreme Rules. We all know how great these matches can be. Secondly, for some inconceivable reason, Sasha Banks lost to Alicia Fox of all people, completing destroying her credibility.
The following night on SmackDown, the whole Welcoming Committee BS went on yet again, with their de facto leader, Carmella, somehow picking up the victory over the SmackDown Women’s Champion, Naomi, completely undermining her credibility as well.
Sure, there was progress, but it was progress of the wrong sort.
Also read: 5 Mistakes committed by the WWE this week: 16th May 2017
#2 What we wanted: Something good to replace the injured Braun Strowman; what we got: An exciting Fatal 5 Way match for Extreme Rules
With Braun Strowman out with a legitimate injury, a new challenger must be selected to face off against Brock Lesnar. In another recent article I did about the same thing, I listed out Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, and Bray Wyatt as possible replacements.
Well, it seems like the WWE is of the same mind as Kurt Angle booked the five men listed above in an Extreme Rules Fatal 5 Way match to determine the Number 1 Contended at Extreme Rules. There was even some great build up for the match itself as all five men clashed in some way shape or form on Monday Night.
Expectations are high for this match and to see what comes out of it.
#1 What we wanted: Great build up for Backlash; what we got: Lacklustre build up for Backlash
With Backlash just around the corner, fans were expecting some great build up for the pay per view on the go-home episode of SmackDown LIVE, but the show just didn’t LIVE up to the expectations. The build up ended up being quite mediocre.
Kevin Owens cost AJ Styles his match against Jinder Mahal. Baron Corbin predictably attacked Sami Zayn in the backstage area. There was very little between Shinsuke Nakamura and Dolph Ziggler as well as The Usos and Breezango. Jinder and Randy Orton didn’t even clash in any way shape or form as Randy picked up the win against Corbin.
There was nothing on the show to write home about and get pumped up for Backlash, unfortunately.
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