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Monday Night Raw has just rolled through Memphis and just like Elvis Presley, there were quite a few hits to talk about. Here is a look at some top takeaways from this week's Raw.
#5 Nia Jax to rival Asuka
Asuka has built up a continuing undefeated streak from her joining NXT back in 2015, through to her current participation on the Raw brand. Her dominance doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon, however, this week's Raw saw Alexa Bliss try to stir up some animosity between her "best friend' Nia and the 'Empress of Tomorrow'.
Before Asuka could compete in her scheduled match, Nia saw fit to attack Asuka from behind before issuing a beating to warn Asuka that the first ever Women's Royal Rumble match would not be plain sailing for the Japanese superstar.
#4 Samoa Joe keeps on getting pushed
After debuting on the main roster with an attack on Seth Rollins, and then being left off WrestleMania 33, there were thoughts that WWE had cooled on their interest in Joe being a main event guy. That seems to have disappeared with his match for the WWE title against Brock and now his continued pursuit of Roman Reigns.
However, it was his post-match interview after squashing Rhyno that caught the eye, when he mentioned John Cena as the man who he would eliminate first. These two first met in UPW back in 2000, and Samoa Joe had a hand in getting John hired by the WWE. Have years of resentment built up in Joe and now a ferocious attack is forthcoming?
#3 The Miz is awesome
The Miz has been using the 'I'm Awesome' moniker for years now and has always been tongue in cheek to a degree. Fans have never really been behind The Miz, even when he was main-eventing WrestleMania against John Cena for his WWE Championship.
Now, however, The Miz is consistently the best all-round performer in the company and has tremendous mic skills and causes fans to miss his performance even after only 6 weeks away. His comeback tonight with his Miztourage was great, and set up his renewed focus on the Intercontinental title he lost to Roman Reigns.
The WWE Universe loves to boo The Miz now for his great heel work, rather than for just not liking him. The Miz ended his first day back on the job by attacking Roman Reigns with The Miztourage after the main event tag match had finished, further setting up the IC title rematch at Raw in 2 weeks and having the closing credits all focused on him.
#2 New Age of the Stable
WWE currently seems to have reused the formula of stables by bringing back The Shield, reintroducing the world to the 'Balor Club" (Bullet Club original members), the New Day, Absolution, Riott Squad, Welcoming Committee, Miztourage etc.
The Shield were a big success back when they first debuted and The New Day have been top players for a couple of years now. Raw saw a main event of Reigns, Rollins and Jason Jordan vs The Balor Club, which Finn was able to pin Rollins in, via accidental miscommunication between Jordan and Reigns.
The crowd is fully behind the reunion for the former Bullet Club members and hope it seems Finn get back to the top of the card, and has Anderson and Gallows reclaim their former dominance from Japan.
#1 Braun Strowman
Wow. Paul Heyman delivered his usual promotional tirade about Brock Lesner defeating the other two superstars in the Royal Rumble WWE Universal Championship match and left the ring looking pleased with himself once again. Brock was jumped by Kane however at the top of the ramp and thrown through the curtain to the backstage area.
Before either had time to realise, Braun bulldozed his way into the area and threw Brock halfway across the room into some road cases and through a table. He then proceeded to do the same to Kane. Next, however, was another way to showcase Braun's monstrous strength. Throwing a grappling hook up to some 25ft high metal hoardings, Braun pulled the entire set down on top of both Brock and Kane, leaving them motionless and requiring Brock to be taken away in the ambulance.
WWE continues to make Braun look immense, and the WWE Universe looks forward every week to what destruction the 'Monster among Men' will cause.
