WWE is back to their old ways once more. While they put together a fantastic pay-per-view called Great Balls of Fire just twenty-four hours prior, they dampened our excitement with one of the weaker Raw episodes of the season, if not the whole year. With a succession of strong episodes recently, they proved that when they put their mind to it, they can deliver great shows if they desire.
Unfortunately, good shows are becoming the exception rather than the norm, and the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, couldn’t have been too thrilled with what transpired. Let’s examine the ‘best and worst’ from this episode and begin with the most blatantly glaring issue.
#1 Worst: Rewarded for being a sadistic monster
We expected Raw to begin with an incensed Kurt Angle, confronting Roman Reigns and punishing him for his dastardly actions. After all, running over another man (or monster, if you will) is no laughing matter, even in kayfabe.
Instead, Reigns justified his actions, and at Paul Heyman’s insistence, the Big Dog was awarded a chance to become the number 1 contender for Brock Lesnar’s Universal Championship. Let’s not forget that both him and the man he is facing, Samoa Joe, lost at the pay-per-view and therefore should be disbarred from title contention.
WWE logic is confounding, and they had an opportunity to turn Reigns heel, but they did not take it. Let’s hope this pays them some dividends in the long run. However, we must give credit where it is due, and this segment did deliver.
#1 Best: An MMA style unscripted segment
If one needed any more proof that scripted promos have hurt the product, one needs to look no further. Kurt Angle officiated a face-off between Brock Lesnar, Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns and the tension was off the charts. Lesnar even grabbed the microphone at one point and had to be censored by those watching from backstage.
Joe and Reigns played their parts very well, and the face-off between Joe and Lesnar gave us goosebumps. Samoa Joe was especially fiery here and carried the segment with his realistic fire and immaculate promo skills. We urge WWE to not give up on Joe, and if they don’t, he could be the next breakout star for the entire promotion.
#2 Worst: The same women’s mix every week
Alexa Bliss retained her championship at the previous night’s pay-per-view match through very dubious means indeed. It would have made sense for Sasha Banks to ask for a rematch and further the storyline by either winning back her championship or losing it.
Anything would have sufficed really but what transpired this week yet again! Yet another tag team matchup! Sure, Bayley picked up the win here, and WWE could do a Sasha vs. Bayley match to determine who becomes the Number 1 contender at Summerslam, but we’re just saying that watching the same women on TV every week, without a storyline or any sense of build can get very tiresome.
#2 Best: Thankfully, no 50/50 booking
When we first heard that Bray Wyatt was going to be facing Seth Rollins in the main event of the evening, we were aghast. This seemed like a way to give Rollins his win back after Wyatt pinned him at the last pay-per-view.
50-50 booking is the reason that very few superstars are looked upon as dominant these days because wins and losses stop meaning anything if victories are traded between the competitors, nightly.
Thankfully, Wyatt won this match as well, and can maybe regain the momentum that he once had, when he first made his debut. Can he have the whole world in his hands? Only if WWE books him right.
#3 Worst: Old is not gold
It is commendable that Goldust and R-Truth are performing at such a high level, at their advanced age. Unfortunately, wrestling is a lot faster, more dynamic and far more exciting, than the match that both men bestowed upon us.
It did not help matters that there was absolutely no heat for the match at all, as WWE has unfortunately waited far too long to kick this program into high gear. The audience was quiet for the duration of the match, and these two men deserve far better.
#3 Best: The Ambrose-Rollins dynamic is awesome!
Case 1: The Shield is reformed, and the most dominant faction of the modern era runs roughshod all over the Raw roster, dominating the division. Case 2: Ambrose goes heel and gives his character a much-needed reboot. We don't really mind either situation, and therefore, this was one of the better segments of this show.
#4 Best/Worst: The Revival vs. The Unbroken Hardyz
We’re glad to see The Revival return. We are glad to see them take on The Hardyz in what should be a real dream feud. Our grouse is that it’s not for the Raw tag team championships, considering Cesaro and Sheamus have no real opponents now. The only way to rehabilitate the situation may be an alliance between Ambrose and Rollins. Otherwise, while the matches between The Revival and The Hardyz may be pretty good, they will be absolutely meaningless.
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