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After what was a Match of The Year candidate at SummerSlam 2017, we moved on to the third straight night of action from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. From beginning to end, it was a pretty good show, in every sense imaginable. Where it did lack came from factors outside WWE's control, something we'll get into in just a bit.
However, we begin our Best and Worst feature this week, by saying that overall, the action was far better than it usually is, making the show a very entertaining watch. Without wasting anytime, here's the best and worst of Raw from Brooklyn.
#1 Best: A compelling feud for the next pay-per-view
How often is it that we see Brock Lesnar on the back foot, heading into a big match? We can't remember the last time he had an opponent that completely manhandled and rag dolled him, from pillar to post. Braun Strowman looked strong last night at SummerSlam, and he continued his dominance on Raw as well. So much so that the main event for No Mercy could have been saved for one of the Big Four annual pay-per-view events, and it wouldn't have been out of place, really.
WWE has been booking Strowman well right from the time of the Superstar Shake-Up last year, and it shows just how much equity a superstar could have, if booked dominantly. We wouldn't be surprised if Strowman manages to even defeat Lesnar for the big prize, with the momentum he currently has.
#1 Worst: Encouraging a raucous crowd
It is pitiful just how hungry for attention the crowd at Brooklyn was. Trolls dominated the audience and they distracted from the attention in the ring for the duration of the show's final hour. Finn Balor and Jason Jordan put on a great match, that went off the track because the crowd had their own thing going. The main event match, that should have been a big deal in its own right, was a dismal affair because the crowd would be caught up in their own little game, while it was on. The worst part was how Michael Cole shrugged off their actions on commentary, calling it all fun and games.
We were many miles away from the arena, watching the show on TV. The crowd was disrespectful to the superstars who were risking life and limb for their benefit and spoiled the proceedings for everyone watching the action, from all around the world. It's all WWE's fault, making a big deal out of the 'Raw after Wrestlemania' crowd and setting a bad example.
#2 Best: Seeds of future conflict is the reason for Cena's jump to RAW
Yes, Cena and Roman did team up tonight. No, they did not come to blows even after the main event concluded. However, the most important aspect of the main event was how Reigns accidentally hit Cena with a Superman Punch, during the course of the big match. As a result of the same, we can see a match between the two men down the road. While the raucous crowd did not acknowledge it, it certainly is a very big, money match.
Cena's arrival on Raw is the real shake-up of superstars on the main roster. He can have awesome feuds with several top players in the red brand, and we are certain he could help take a fresh batch of Superstars to the next level.
Joe vs. Cena looks like the first dream feud on the cards and we just can't wait!
#2 Worst: Big Cass' injury
WWE got the split between Enzo and Big Cass right, but ever since then, things haven't really worked out the way they should have, ideally. Their feud has been disappointing, and this week, during a match between the two, Big Cass legitimately suffered an injury, forcing the referee to throw up the X sign, signalling the end of the said match. It was hard to see Big Cass writhing in pain, and Enzo not being able to show concern for his friend because he was in the middle of a program with the big man.
Here's wishing Big Cass all the best for his recovery. May you come back at full strength, rebooted and ready to conquer the world again. Big Cass is a young man, and it's not the end of the world, at least for him!
#3 Best: Match of the night
Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose work beautifully as a team and put on better matches together than they had been doing so in singles competition. They took on The Hardyz in a non-title match this week, and like Rollins' theme song suggests, they absolutely burned the house down. We hope to see more clashes between the two teams down the road because the chemistry they share is simply wicked. Jeff Hardy deserves a special mention for moving around like a man in his teens after so many years in the business.
So many veterans come back to WWE to just phone it in. Thankfully, Matt and Jeff are not in the same league as them. They are WONDERRRFULLLLLL!
#3 Worst: The constant burial of Emma
It is clear that WWE is punishing Emma for running her mouth off on social media and calling attention to herself. As a result of the same, she gets squashed on a weekly basis, on Raw. This week it was Nia Jax who made very short work of her between the red ropes.
It is disappointing to see WWE treat Emma in such a manner because of a mistake she made. In any case, we hope she comes back into the company's good books soon because she is extremely talented and definitely a very good hand in the ring.
#4 Best: Getting genuine heat
What Elias lacks in musical ability, he makes up for it in terms of heat seeking ability, on a weekly basis. Sometimes, it seems like he's far more over on the main roster than he ever was in NXT. We don't know if he will ever escape the mid-card, but we hope he does someday because he is just far too talented. We want to walk with Elias and see just how far up the ranks he manages to go.
We will see you again in twenty-four hours, for our 'Best and Worst' of SmackDown Live feature. Until then, say your prayers and worship your Goddess.
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