'%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)
It is impossible to retain someone's attention over three hours on a weekly basis in 2017. That being said, there were enough high points interspersed through RAW, to make us give this week's show a thumbs up, and call it a success, if only just about.
The Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado hosted a very enthusiastic crowd who actually cheered for the babyfaces and booed the heels. They added much to the show and enhanced the experience for those watching on television. We must admit that they were one of the better crowds this year.
Let's fast forward to the review then, and examine the peaks and valleys from this week's episode. Tell us your own assessment of the show, in the comments below.
Let's begin with the most polarizing man in WWE.
#1- Best: A much-improved Reigns
Roman Reigns seems like a very different performer following his program with Cena, and the audience feels it as well. The WWE Universe treated him like a babyface for the first time in an eternity, based on just how confident he seemed in the ring this week!
Reigns is in the position that he is in, because of the reactions (positive and negative, mostly the latter) that he gets from the WWE Universe, on a weekly basis. Thankfully, this week, with the Shield reunion looming like a reward for the audience in the Pepsi Center, the crowd treated Roman like a hero! The atmosphere during his match with The Miz was absolutely electric.
Kudos to The Miz and Roman Reigns for a great match as well. We gasped at the near falls and would have even liked to see a finish based on the amount of heat that had been generated. We're certain that we'll get a match of this magnitude, some another week.
#1 Worst: No Michael Cole
Tom Phillips filled in for Michael Cole this week, who missed RAW for the second time in twenty years, owing to his son's wedding. Phillips is not the same guy he was in NXT and is only a shadow of his potential on RAW.
Phillips tried his best but he did not exclaim at the right moments like Cole did, to make the segments stand out and appear larger than life. Add the fact that Booker T kept hijacking the narrative like he always does, and this week's commentary was rather underwhelming.
There were only a few Corey Graves quips of any real significance that piqued our interest. As for Phillips, he's another example of those who shine in NXT, being terrible in the main roster.
#2 Best: Sister Abigail
As unenthusiastic as we are about the extension of the program between Finn Balor and Bray Wyatt, for what seems forever now, the addition of Sister Abigail just adds a whole new dimension. It could be a great way to debut someone like Nikki Cross from SAnitY in the main roster.
It could also really heat up the women's division, to have a 'character' as opposed to a vanilla talent. There is a distinct lack of genuine surprises in modern day WWE, and the addition of Sister Abigail could change that.
#2 Worst: No continuity for the RAW women's division
Make no mistake about it, guys. We are all for WWE championing a great cause such as Breast Cancer research. What we did have a problem with, however, is the point in the show, when it was telecasted.
It was aired shortly after a heated segment and match between Mickie James and Nia Jax, which led to James being announced as the number 1 contender for the championship currently held by Alexa Bliss. While the women were at odds there, here they stood side by side, united for a common cause.
It distracts the audience from the show at hand. The problem could have been easily solved by just telecasting the very same segment that was shown here to follow the Susan G. Komen in-ring segment. We won't even mention the fact that Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax are fast friends now when we saw Nia turn on Alexa, not very long ago.
#3 Best: Far better opponents than The Miztourage
Thankfully, at least from what we've seen thus far, we will not be getting The Shield vs. The Miztourage. We mean no disrespect to Axel and Dallas, but it is impossible to imagine that they would pose any kind of real threat to three top guys, like The Shield.
This is a pairing that actually makes sense, considering that each of the men has heat with the others. We loved the fact that they got together to deliver the Shield Triple Powerbomb to Roman Reigns, adding a deft little touch, leading to the big reunion.
Full marks to The Miztourage for doing The Shield's entrance as well. It's small touches like that, that add value to the show.
#3 Worst: A massive anticlimax
We have to admit that Enzo Amore has made the Cruiserweights seem like a far bigger deal than they have ever been. However, despite everything, we were just a little taken aback when we discovered that the big reveal for Enzo's next opponent was Kalisto.
No offence to Kalisto, but except for the three weeks when he was in a feud with Braun Strowman, he hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire. It did not help that big names such as Rey Mysterio were being discussed before Kalisto was revealed to be Enzo's next program.
#4 Best: Hot start
Braun Strowman simply cannot have a bad match, right? This week, we saw him against Seth Rollins, one of the world's best wrestlers, and as one would expect, it was a great showcase of moves. Strowman won the match as he should have, and RAW got off to a great start.
It will be interesting to see where Strowman goes from here. We hope that WWE protects the beast, and he captures the top prize currently held by Brock Lesnar, in the near future. If not, let's hope he doesn't succumb to just one F5.
That concludes our weekly post-show 'Best and Worst' recap, for 2nd of October. What did you think of our assessment, reader?
Think carefully before you answer, otherwise, you may anger Alexa Bliss!
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
