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I thought that this week's episode of RAW from Jacksonville was a mixed bag. Unfortunately, it wasn't an episode that really got me pumped for SummerSlam this month. At the same time, it would be unfair to say that there was nothing good on the show. Luckily for me, my job is to separate the best from the worst on RAW.
Feel free to chime in with your comments below. What aspects of RAW did you enjoy heading into SummerSlam in Brooklyn? What aspects could you have done without, this week?
There was no Brock Lesnar this week, of course. Lesnar will only make three more appearances as per reports- the RAW before SummerSlam, SummerSlam and the RAW after Summerslam is done and dusted.
So how did the rest of the roster fare this week?
#1 Best: Paul Heyman breaks down
Paul Heyman did not look his usual dapper self this week. Compared to the self-confident, flamboyant and boisterous man we're used to seeing, this week he seemed like a total trainwreck. He was unshaven, and his eyes seemed bloodshot. And then, we saw the man behind ECW break down on camera.
This was a fantastic follow-up to what transpired on last week's episode of RAW. Brock Lesnar turned on his advocate and informed him that Heyman was not his friend, pushing him to the ground to see the damage he had inflicted upon Kurt Angle with an F5! The possibility of a new Paul Heyman guy was also brought up and discussed.
I think this sets the stage perfectly for the events that should unfold at SummerSlam this month. In my opinion, Paul Heyman did more to get Roman Reigns over tonight, than Reigns did through his own solid match (which I will discuss later).
#1 Worst: Stiff in the ring?
Thank you to my colleague, independent wrestler Britanni Matthews (who writes as Phillipa Marie for Sportskeeda Wrestling), for all her help. I'm sure that some of you noticed that Ronda Rousey was a little stiff during her match with Alicia Fox.
Maybe it was nerves from being in the main event in front of a sold out audience. Maybe it was the fact that she did not have a real NXT run.
Whatever the case may be, the way Rousey worked Fox's arm could have legitimately injured her. I love how 'all guns blazing' she is, but she needs to be more careful in the ring, going forward.
That said, congratulations to Rousey on her RAW debut!
#2 Best: Two solid matches
Seth Rollins was part of a fantastic match against Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre. I would have liked to have seen Tyler Breeze thrown into the mix for variety but I was happy with what we got. I'm sure that Rollins and Ziggler will tear it up at SummerSlam.
I also loved the Reigns vs. Corbin match at the top of the show. It's amazing just how far Corbin as come as a performer, during his time in the main roster. I'm also loving the thread with Roman Reigns, where his tensions with Stephanie McMahon are reaching boiling point.
For what it was worth, I liked the Sasha and Bayley match against the Riott Squad as well. Of course, that match has been done to death!
#2 Worst: Babyfaces acting as bullies
Aren't babyfaces supposed to be fair and just? Why would Finn Balor come out after Baron Corbin had been through a gruelling match with Roman Reigns and launch an attack on him, like a heel? I thought this was a poor booking decision from WWE.
The same holds true for the cheapshot from Roman Reigns to Baron Corbin in the backstage area, after Corbin informed him that he could not compete in the big tag team match. It just does not seem like something a babyface would do!
#3 Best: The return of Ruby Riott
I'll be honest, guys. I was about to slot the Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. The Riott Squad match into the worst column, because it seemed like a tired and lazy repeat. Thankfully, Ruby Riott returned from injury at the end of the match to save the day and make it a 'best'. Her presence can really boost the women's division, leading into Evolution.
Let's hope Ruby Riott tears it up over the coming weeks on RAW!
#3 Worst: Going through the motions
The Titus Worldwide feud against The Authors of Pain is an example of lazy writing. Just book the two guys in a tag team in singles matches against members of the opposite team. The lack of interest from WWE creative translates into a lack of interest in the fans too. I was disappointed that WWE went through the motions with this promising feud.
It's a shame that a team full of writers can only come up with such supremely disappointing programming.
#4 Best/worst: The tag team division
The Tag Team Division on RAW is dead and gone. The Revival and the B-Team squared off in a match that could have saved the day for the division. But Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt interfered supernaturally, as only they can. It killed The Revival and the B-Team instantly.
Has Vince McMahon given up on the tag team division? It certainly does seem like it, as of right now. Too many gifted performers are currently being sidelined.
That was my analysis of RAW. Did you feel the same way or think differently about the action?
Be careful what you say, because there's a Goddess watching you!
