Live from Evansville, Indiana; Raw was a mixed bag in a lot of ways across the duration of the three-hour long show. While it was just another episode till the halfway mark, things really picked up steam once the Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe match began, but more about that contest later.
The show culminated with one of the best segments we remember watching in recent memory, and a massive heel turn that will have serious consequences over the coming weeks. What did we like and what did we dislike, across the stacked long episode? We bring you some notes in our post-show Raw recap!
#1 Best: A massive heel turn
It is but natural for fans to react to angles on a weekly basis, without focusing on the long term consequences of each segment. This is a story that was not told in a week, or a month, or even a year, but all the way from Enzo and Big Cass’ NXT days.
We always knew who the weak link in the pair was when the bell actually rang. Enzo and Cass never won the tag team belts, either in NXT or on the main roster, because while Cass was fine, Enzo was well, rather SAWFT. We’re certain Big Cass will have a great singles run now, while Enzo’s own future looks sort of murky, at the moment at least.
This was a brilliantly done segment, with every man playing his role well, be it Big Cass’ venomous promo, Enzo Amore’s tearful reactions to his scathing words, Kurt Angle playing the troubled General Manager, Big Show showing his dissatisfaction with everything that’s been going on, and Corey Graves establishing himself as a man who knows ‘some things’.
It was a great reward at the end of three hours, but that brings us to the first grouse we had.
#1 Worst: One hour too long
The first half of Raw was crammed with filler, even though the show was not lacking in genuinely good content. This is because producing a three-hour long show on a weekly basis is not easy.
In 2017, when attention spans are lower, it is almost impossible to get new fans to watch a three-hour-long show on a weekly basis, consistently. While this is a subject that has been oft discussed and debated, the third hour is hurting Raw and it can damage the brand, over the long haul for sure.
If this was a two-hour long show, it would have been absolutely perfect indeed.
#2 Best: Corey Graves' role
Everyone knows just how awesome Corey Graves truly is. WWE realised this too, and they are giving him a very important role within the company, as ‘the man who just happens to know certain things’.
We saw the first glimpse of this during a ‘shoot' interview with the Hardyz on the WWE Network, and have been seeing this almost on a weekly basis, with the mysterious Kurt Angle SMS scandal segments.
This week, Corey integrated himself into the Enzo-Cass storyline, and we believe this is only the beginning of really cool storylines featuring the immensely talented announcer.
#2 Worst: Roman Reigns and his yard
Is Roman Reigns slowly turning heel? He must be, right?
So wait! Roman Reigns can just name himself the number one contender, because, in his own words, ‘this is his yard’? Why did he compete in a Fatal Five Way Number One Contender’s Match at Extreme Rules, then?
Also, with his rather offensive demeanour, how is he still a babyface now? He shows more heelish tendencies than the rest of the roster combined! The booking of Roman Reigns will remain one of the biggest mysteries in WWE’s history, and unfortunately, we may never find the answers we seek in our lifetimes.
#3 Best: Braun saves us all
Braun Strowman returned to WWE this week, emerging from an ambulance and taking out The Big Dog. He went on to challenge Roman Reigns to an ambulance match at Great Balls of Fire, and we couldn’t be any more excited for the man.
The pace always picks up when Strowman is around and we are glad to see him back where he belongs. Can Strowman rain on Reigns’ parade and become the Number 1 contender for the Universal Championship? We cannot wait to find out, come next week.
#3 Worst: The fall of Finn Balor
From being the quickest champion in WWE history (27 days since his main roster debut) to having competitive matches with Bo Dallas, a man who has not been on TV in forever, the fall of Balor has been swift.
It looks like his next feud will be with Elias Samson, which is not a really good sign. It is clear that WWE does not see Balor in the same light that fans do.
#4 Best: Not just another Joe
Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe had a really competitive match this week on Raw. We’re glad that he was not beaten with a Spear, as Joe managed to get his foot on the rope in the nick of time and that he managed to choke Reigns out, even though it was the result of a distraction caused by ‘The Monster Among Men’.
He looks like a powerhouse now, and we are excited for his match against Brock Lesnar in just two weeks at Great Balls of Fire.
Let’s end by staring at this dominant Submission Machine, and well, this gorgeous interview machine, Charly Caruso. We encourage her to try some submission moves on us, as we are eager to learn the challenging art of professional wrestling.
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