'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The latest episode of WWE RAW struggled to maintain momentum during its overlong three-hour runtime. The show had some notable developments and a few decent matches, but suffered from the lack of hype heading into WrestleMania 37. While Edge is heading to the main event of the PPV, Asuka's booking as the RAW Women's Champion continues to baffle the fans.
Otherwise, the women's division lacks intriguing storyline that will leave the viewers excited. Though Alexa Bliss continues to shine, she's currently tangled up with Randy Orton. If WWE decides to put her in more feuds with the women on RAW, it could bring some desperately needed energy to the division.
With that being said, here's a look at the major developments from this week's episode of WWE RAW. Please share your thoughts on them in the comments section below.
#6 Edge defeats Randy Orton in the main event of RAW, thanks to interference from Alexa Bliss
In the main event RAW, Royal Rumble winner Edge defeated Randy Orton to seemingly end their rivalry. While the match was not like the epic encounter fans witnessed at Backlash 2020, it was a short, fun clash between the veteran stars.
The two rivals wrestled a fast-paced bout without any prolonged periods of stalling. Instead, they focused on fitting in as much offense as they could in the relatively short time they had. In the final stages of the match, Alexa Bliss distracted Orton and allowed Edge to spear him to win the bout.
With the win, "The Rated-R Superstar" can now shift his focus to the main event of WrestleMania 37. Though he confronted WWE Drew McIntyre on RAW, a battle with Universal Champion Roman Reigns makes more sense. This feud would feature a heel vs. babyface dynamic whereas a match with McIntyre would pit two heroes against each other.
On the other hand, "The Viper" continues to deal with Bliss and The Fiend as WrestleMania 37 nears. While another clash with Fiend seems imminent, it would be exciting to see how Bliss will be used once Bray Wyatt returns.
"The Goddess" can either face Asuka for the RAW Women's Championship or target Rhea Ripley, who eliminated her from the Royal Rumble match. Either way, Bliss should remain at the forefront of WWE RAW.
#5 Sheamus turns on WWE Champion Drew McIntyre on RAW
This week on WWE RAW, Sheamus finally turned on his friend, Drew McIntyre. In the opening segment of the night, The WWE Champion was confronted by the Royal Rumble winner, Edge.
"The Rated-R Superstar" asked McIntyre why he did not attack him, as the potential challenger could be a danger to his reign. McIntyre said that he's not that kind of a champion, and he wouldn't attack someone who has been a mentor to him.
Sheamus interrupted the segment, saying McIntyre carried RAW through unchartered waters and that the Rated-R Superstar shouldn't be questioning him. Edge leaves the ring by saying he better be careful of Sheamus, something that angered the latter.
When Edge left the ring, "The Celtic Warrior" struck the WWE Champion with a Brogue Kick. Ideally, this heel turn should have come months ago. Maybe this progression was put on the back burner due to the Goldberg match. But the turn doesn't seem as effective now as it could have if it came when the two stars were tagging regularly on RAW.
Nonetheless, this program looks like a transitional feud until WWE figures out McIntyre's WrestleMania 37 opponent. Though "The Celtic Warrior" winning the WWE Championship is practically out the question, the two Superstars can still have competitive bouts that entertain the fans.
#4 Alexa Bliss defeats Nikki Cross on RAW
In yet another head-scratching booking decision, Alexa Bliss defeated Nikki Cross on RAW. Bliss' quick elimination from the Royal Rumble match doesn't seem like it impacted her character whatsoever.
Still, Bliss was tremendous here, and she thoroughly destroyed her former partner. Bliss' transformation in the ring from one character to another is quite hard to execute. "The Goddess" and WWE management deserve credit, as they have ensured that this dynamic hasn't come across as cartoonish.
Cross also worked well here, and she sold the dilemma of wrestling her old friend well. Though it's hard to imagine her getting the spotlight anytime soon, she's a useful player on RAW. She could slowly find herself climbing up the ladder on the show.
The most intriguing part of the segment came after the match. Bliss encountered Randy Orton, but the latter didn't even acknowledge her presence. "The Viper" chose to focus on his opponent for the night, and he seemingly ignored how he attacked Bliss last week. But Bliss later her presence felt when she cost Orton his match. It's fair to assume that this feud isn't over yet.
#3 Naomi and Lana are the next challengers for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships because they won a Triple Threat Tag Team Match on RAW
Nobody knows how Naomi and Lana became a tag team on RAW, but it happened. Though they are good friends in real life, they were paired together for no rhyme or reason. But they won the Triple Threat Tag Team Match where they took on Asuka and Charlotte and the duo of Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke.
Naomi scored a pinfall victory over RAW Women's Champion Asuka, which instantly makes her a challenger for the singles gold, too. From being out of action for months to becoming a challenger for two titles, Naomi has done a lot in just a couple of days. The road to WrestleMania 37 suddenly look bright for the fan-favorite star.
Likewise, Lana is back on the red brand after her own absence. She was written out of a title match at WWE TLC, but she returned at WWE Royal Rumble. She has regained her status as a contender for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship on WWE RAW.
As for Asuka and Flair, their association is all but finished. "The Queen" walked out of this match by tagging in "The Empress of Tomorrow." She opted to chase Lacey Evans, who appeared on the stage. Flair will probably focus on this feud now, and Asuka's only priority is the RAW Women's Championship.
#2 Damian Priest defeats The Miz on RAW in his WWE main roster debut
After his impressive showing at Royal Rumble, where he eliminated four participants, Damian Priest made his RAW debut this week. He defeated Mr. Money in the Bank, The Miz.
Before the match, on Miz TV, the former WWE Champion and John Morrison invited Bad Bunny to be their guest. The two partners asked the Latino pop star if he wanted to exchange apologies, as they had a major misunderstanding at the pay-per-view. Bad Bunny refused to apologize and said he's on the show because his friend wanted to be on Miz TV.
The Archer of Infamy came to the ring, and he instantly took out The Miz with an elbow. The resulting match was nothing but a showcase for Priest's talents. But involvement of Bad Bunny suggests that this program could lead to the singer's eventual in-ring debut.
Is WWE setting up a tag match in which Bad Bunny and Priest take on The Miz and Morrison at WrestleMania 37? Fans will have to wait and see what happens next on WWE RAW.
#1 New Day's Xavier Woods defeats RETRIBUTION leader Mustafa Ali on WWE RAW
In a confusing booking decision, Xavier Woods defeated Mustafa Ali on RAW. In a feud where Ali is out to take revenge on Kofi Kingston for taking his spot in the main event back in 2019, this defeat was crushing. It pushed him further and further away from the main event scene.
That's not to say that Woods is a lesser player than Ali. But a win over the RETRIBUTION leader, when the latter had momentum on his side, doesn't make a lot of sense. A win here for Ali on RAW would have made his challenge to Kingston more credible. Instead, he looks weak after this setback.
Though WWE can still book Ali strongly on the road to WrestleMania 37, it will take a lot of work to build him back up after this loss. Still, Woods won by a roll-up here, so Ali can easily challenge him to another match. Ali can argue that Woods' victory was a fluke. Then, Ali can earn a decisive win to get back on the right side of this rivalry.
Ali and RETRIBUTION have been mishandled for a few months now. WWE is running out of time to salvage this faction on WWE RAW. This feud with the New Day could be the company's last chance to cement the stable's status on the red brand.
