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WWE RAW was a solid episode as we continued the build towards Royal Rumble. The card is pretty much set up, and things are heating up for the start of the Road to WrestleMania 38.
Most of the WWE RAW episode went well, although there were a couple of questionable segments. The biggest one was how Nikki A.S.H. turned heel on Rhea Ripley - a fine idea that wasn't executed well. Fortunately, the red brand delivered much more.
We got some great in-ring action, a shocking title change, and a lot of interesting character development from the likes of Brock Lesnar and others. Meanwhile, Becky Lynch played a role in determining her next opponent for the RAW Women's Championship - a surprising name.
Let's take a look at five things WWE got right on RAW this week. Do share your thoughts on last night's episode down in the comments.
#5 Alpha Academy win the WWE RAW Tag Team Championship from RK-Bro
In the first match of WWE RAW, Alpha Academy challenged RK-Bro for the RAW Tag Team Championship. It seemed like a standard title defense for the superteam, but it wasn't. Out of nowhere, Otis bodyslammed The Viper and pinned him clean as a whistle.
The title change was shocking but also welcome. For starters, RK-Bro's title reign avoided ending on a predictable note. It also gives more time to build towards the eventual break-up between Orton and Riddle. Fans will keep guessing over when it will come.
Chad Gable deserves championship gold based on a combination of his in-ring prowess and character. Otis has just received the boost of a lifetime, with both members of Alpha Academy enjoying as much success now than with their previous tag teams.
Hopefully, this is the start of tag team wrestling being taken more seriously. Gable and Otis are a great duo to base the division around, with a few solid teams in the ranks. The Street Profits could eventually dethrone Alpha Academy, but that will happen later. But for now, RK-Bro has been slain on WWE RAW.
#4 Alexa Bliss and her road to recovery
For the first time since losing to Charlotte, Alexa Bliss appeared on a snippet of WWE RAW. She had a breakdown following The Queen's heinous act of tearing up her doll, which eventually led to her seeing a psychiatrist.
Still in her spooky gimmick, Bliss snapped after being made to relive the end of Lilly during the session. She poured a glass of water until it overflowed and smashed it on the wall before trashing the office and challenging the doctor about her problems.
This was an interesting start to what may be a character shift for Alexa Bliss. Hopefully, by the end of her therapy, she will return as The Goddess. WWE RAW would be a better place for it.
#3 Brock Lesnar is a comedian on WWE RAW
The show opened with Brock Lesnar displaying more of his personality. He and Bobby Lashley cut extended promos on each other, with a few insults being thrown around the place. After a couple of jokes, The All-Mighty said The Beast Incarnate should start doing stand-up comedy.
Lesnar eventually got the last laugh when he called Lashley a "Brock Lesnar wannabe," stating it was impossible to beat him. Seeing him in such a light is always fun, as it adds layers to the fighting machine.
Brock Lesnar has begun appearing on television every week and he seems to be having the time of his life. Sure, the match between him and Bobby Lashley will be excellent. But what everybody really wants to see is a stand-up comedy tour. It would be hilarious!
#2 Grayson Waller attacks AJ Styles on WWE RAW
AJ Styles is currently one of the busiest superstars on WWE RAW. His storyline with Grayson Waller in NXT 2.0 is also beefing up. Following a couple of heated promos, the two will square off in the ring on tonight's episode of NXT. Before that, Waller decided to pay a visit to The Phenomenal One.
Styles took on Austin Theory in a solid match on WWE RAW. The Australian then showed up and attacked him at ringside, causing a disqualification. This worked well as it furthered the story for NXT while protecting Theory from a loss. The 24-year-old star got his selfie and went to the back.
Meanwhile, Grayson Waller just keeps on improving. He has a bright future in the company, especially if he can topple AJ Styles tonight. It will be no mean feat to do that, though.
#1 Doudrop will face Becky Lynch at the Royal Rumble
The show ended with another shocking heel win as Doudrop defeated Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair to challenge Becky Lynch at Royal Rumble. This came after Big Time Becks cost Belair the match. It made sense that she would get involved to stop the biggest threat from getting a shot at her RAW Women's Championship.
Doudrop ended up pinning Morgan, which sets up a Heel vs. Heel clash at Royal Rumble. These matches are always interesting as they force WWE to get creative with both superstars' characters. Lynch sold the challenge perfectly after getting knocked out of the ring by Doudrop.
Meanwhile, this outcome allows Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan to have strong showings in the Women's Royal Rumble Match. The top two babyfaces on WWE RAW will be among the favorites to win, especially The EST of WWE.
