Best and Worst of Raw: 31st July, 2017

A decent start with an underwhelming third hour

The PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA was hot for the first hour of this week's episode of RAW, but as the show went on, the crowd kept losing interest. The show in itself was not bad, and set many things in motion for Summerslam.

Where it lacked was the pacing and the order, because while the show started off strong, the third hour lacked intensity. Let's revisit the show and re-examine what worked and what did not, on the road to Summerslam. Here is our post-show 'Best and Worst' critical analysis.

Let us know if you agree with our assessment in the comments below.

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#1 Best: The ultimate price

Looks like the writers were watching UFC 214 closely

Jon Jones defeated Daniel Cormier to become the current UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, last weekend. At the conclusion of the contest, Jones called out Lesnar for a fight. The question on everyone's mind was whether or not Lesnar would return to the octagon. The answer is still unclear, but WWE made an angle out of it, this week.

Paul Heyman was infuriated about how Lesnar did not have to be pinned to lose the Universal Championship. He alluded to the word 'ultimate', obviously referencing UFC, and threatened that Lesnar would leave the company if he lost his Universal Championship.

This makes us wonder whether the Jon Jones fight is in the works, and whether this means that Lesnar drops the title at Summerslam. When all the answers aren't obvious, is when the best kind of television happens. We could not be any more excited about the coming weeks, leading up to the biggest show of the summer - Summerslam.

#1 Worst: The main event

This certainly was no Big Show vs. Strowman

The match between Big Show and Big Cass on this week's RAW was an okay match, anywhere else in the entire RAW card. This certainly wasn't worthy of a main event match. Especially when it had been preceded by a brawl between Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman and The Samoan Submission Machine only an hour prior.

The crowd was disinterested and the utter stillness made this match very awkward to watch. There was no ring break or other gimmicks either, like we had seen during the Braun Strowman-Big Show match and this made the whole affair seem rather tepid.

The booking failed these giants because if they'd fought before the crowd was drained out, it may have been more entertaining.

#2 Best: Ride alone

These two men can set the tag team division on fire

It is not often that WWE tries to tell a story, so we must treasure it when they attempt to do so. The reunion between Ambrose and Rollins has been a treat to watch, and their incendiary relationship gave us many memorable moments across the show.

Yes, unlike most segments on RAW, this was a multi-segment angle and the inevitable clash between these men and the RAW Tag Team Champions, Cesaro and Sheamus (possibly at Summerslam) should be a joy to watch for fans of sports entertainment. Maybe they can even recruit another member down the road?

Also, plus points for the 'Ride Alone' joke to the RAW tag team champions, Cesaro and Sheamus. Their jokes don't set the bar, they deserve to be treated inside a bar for their humour.

#2 Worst: Not quite supernatural

A man in a jacket is not really very scary

The first problem with the Wyatt-Balor feud is that while Wyatt's promos were impressive when he first made his debut, they sound very repetitive now, even when he does not repeat himself. This week, we learned of the second problem with what could have been a dream feud for fans!

Think back to all the men who have appeared in the middle of the ring when the lights go out, to play mind games with their opponents. The Undertaker, Kane... heck, even the deranged Wyatt Family. Each of them is a real creepy, sadistic gimmick.

This week, Balor appeared, not as a demon but as a man in a jacket. The effect was far from scary and in fact, it was almost comical. The crowd does not really seem invested in the program and this week did nothing to help matters in that very regard.

If Balor has to be seen as a supernatural entity, he has to tap into his dark side and show up as the Demon King on RAW, before the pay-per-view event! Bear in mind, nobody has seen The Demon avatar in over a year!

#3 Best: The real main event

These three men had, easily, the match of the night

What happens when three massive bulls collide in the middle of the ring? We learned the answer this week, in a preview of the big Summerslam main event.

Each man was impressive to behold and for once, the crowd did not even mind Roman Reigns going over at the end of the big match. Braun Strowman has improved manifold and is one of the best workers on the entire roster.

Roman Reigns was always great, and brings his A-Game to every big match on RAW. Samoa Joe has been one of the world's best wrestlers, and his fluidity in the ring is a sight to behold and cherish. Summerslam is certain to have an amazing main event.

#3 Worst: Jason Jordan's promos

Jordan seemed like a novice on the mic, compared to The Miz

If Jordan is to get the push he is meant to get as Kurt Angle's son, he really has to step up his mic game! As good as he is in the ring, he is just as green on promo segments.

Even The Miz couldn't carry the segment, because Jordan seemed nervous and thrust into a position he didn't feel comfortable with.

Jordan has a chance to break the glass ceiling and for the same he needs to hit those promos and backstage interviews out of the park, every week.

#4 Best: Strong booking for Elias

Elias gets the best reactions every week

Elias may have dropped his last name, but he is faring much better on the main roster than he did in NXT. While there is utter silence for many segments on RAW these days, Elias almost always, invokes a reaction.

He may not be Cesaro in the ring, but he is certainly a good hand. We were glad to see him pick up the win over Kalisto, this week. This man has a real future in the company!

Speaking of people who are better off on the main roster as compared to NXT, we end, as always, with The Goddess. Bow down, you lowly mortals!

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