If you’ve been following the news on our website, you must be well aware of the fact that WWE is touring Europe at the moment and blowing the roof off most venues by putting on great shows. Unfortunately, when it comes to WWE television, we aren't quite as lucky.
After what was the lowest rated Raw of the year, WWE brought us yet another watered down episode, once again. Raw is a show that is running with a part-time Universal Champion, with the Intercontinental Championship as the top prize, and hence does not feel as important as it should.
It did not help that the show was pre-taped because the live atmosphere adds a lot to the red brand. Let us tell you why we were disappointed with this episode of Raw, and also discuss some redeeming factors from the show.
#1 Worst: Comparatively weaker main event
We hate to admit it, but everything The Miz says about Dean Ambrose is true.
With him as Intercontinental Champion, the title does feel extremely irrelevant. It does not help that the IC Championship is the top prize on Raw right now. While last week’s episode wasn’t great either, it ended with a main event that was pretty amazing indeed.
This week, Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt tried to replicate the magic, and while they did put on an okay match, the reward after watching the show for three hours wasn’t worth it. The banter between The Miz and Michael Cole on commentary was far more interesting than this contest, at several times during the match.
Without dwelling on this tepid affair, we move on.
#1 Best: Teasing a swerve
Last week, Kurt Angle informed The Golden Truth that their win-loss record wasn't good enough to warrant them a title shot. This week, we saw the team toss their usual fun n’ games demeanour aside, and look all fired up for the Tag Team Turmoil match, to determine who will face the Hardyz.
Cesaro and Sheamus were exhausted by the time The Golden Truth made it to the ring, and at one point it did look like The Golden Truth would replicate the success of their fellow jobbers- Breezango, on the red brand. Ultimately, it was all a ruse, as the recent heel unit of Cesaro-Sheamus picked up the win, and the opportunity to face the Hardyz.
Nice tease, indeed.
#2 Worst: Too long a match
Taking nothing away from the efforts of the competitors in the match, the Tag Team Turmoil match just went on far too long.
This was the point where the crowd began to lose interest in the match, and except for the end, where the Golden Truth end was teased, they seemed disinterested in the contest at hand. The run-ins from the Hardyz did not help matters either, considering their opponents were exhausted, and The Hardyz did not even chase them out of the ring.
This was as safe as it got, and after the ratings debacle of last week, WWE needed to take chances.
#2 Best: Red hot crowd for half the show
Crowds in the UK are always loud, raucous, energetic and love their chants.
For the first half of the show, they were on fire and they made Raw seem like a genuinely big event. Unfortunately, Raw’s booking team phoned it in at some point during the night, and the second half of the show was quieter.
We wish WWE put more effort into their international shows because no storylines were advanced this week, really.
#3 Worst: Everything about Kalisto
We were not fans of Kalisto’s new ring gear and entrance theme.
However, that is the least of our problems with the Luchador. Why is he at odds with Braun Strowman, a man likely to challenge Brock Lesnar very soon? Kalisto could fare really well in the Cruiserweight Division, considering the division needs fresh faces quite urgently.
The Strowman-Kalisto feud reminds us of AJ-Ellsworth, which is a shame because Kalisto is a far better wrestler than James Ellsworth is.
#3 Best: The Reigns-Strowman saga continues
In last week’s Best and Worst countdown, we outlined how Raw has been built around part-timers such as Goldberg, Lesnar and The Undertaker and the how the remaining full-time roster, without Strowman and Reigns has just seemed mid-card level, at best.
With the return of Reigns and Strowman, the crowd came alive and we felt, momentarily, that business was about to pick up. We know Strowman is suffering a legitimate injury at the moment, so we wonder if he’ll be able to make it for TV next week.
#4 Worst: An ominous sign
The absent Kurt Angle appointed a babyface General Manager this week in Dean Ambrose. Stephanie McMahon, in her first act since WrestleMania 33, appointed a heel General Manager in The Miz.
We have a bad feeling about this. We hope we don't have to endure yet another year of Stephanie McMahon vs. a babyface General Manager after she returns from her kayfabe injury.
Let’s end our weekly countdown on a good note, this week. Here’s the beautiful and talented Boss, Sasha Banks. So gorgeous, isn’t she?
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