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In many ways, RAW After WrestleMania was an even more fun show than the big event. There were so many highlights that we don't even know where to begin. All we can say at this stage is that we thought the show definitely delivered. In this article, we shall recap all the action from the show!
As always, we ask you to tell us your thoughts in the comments. Let's get a dialogue going and pick out what you liked and disliked about the show. No two WWE fans are the same and that's why these discussions are always so exciting.
Drumroll please! We present the 'Best and Worst of RAW' to you...
#1 Best: That zing about TNA
For years, WWE has pretty much pretended that TNA does not exist. This week on RAW, Kurt Angle, who is a TNA Hall of Famer dropped a pretty savage comment. When Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn came looking for jobs, he informed them that TNA is hiring. The crowd could not believe their ears.
Why this is significant is because except for a handful of occasions, WWE has never acknowledged TNA's existence. The crowd after WrestleMania is always a pretty 'smart' audience and they popped huge. We wonder if they made an exception as the company has changed its name to Impact Wrestling now.
For what it was, this moment will live on in infamy. We wonder what Jeff Jarrett thinks of the whole situation, now that he is in WWE.
We wonder if the folks at Impact Wrestling will revert with a segment of their own as well.
#1 Worst: Dumping the manager
We popped big time as The Authors of Pain came into the ring, accompanied by their manager Paul Ellering. They laid waste to Slater and Rhyno almost immediately. And then, they did the unthinkable. They dismissed their manager following their first win on RAW.
We were left with a sinking feeling in the pit of our stomachs at that point. As talented as Akam and Rezar are (they are made for the main roster), we wonder if they can succeed without Paul Ellering manning the microphone for the highly sadistic duo considering how neither is exactly 'The Miz' when it comes to cutting promos.
#2 Best: All the returns and call-ups
Fans were mixed with regard to whether or not WWE managed to actually deliver at WrestleMania. However, they are all in agreement about the fact that RAW after WrestleMania was a super affair. How could one not with so many names being called up or returning from injury? It was a night wrestling fans dream of!
Ember Moon, Samoa Joe, Jeff Hardy, No Way Jose, and of course Lashley (more on him later) all made us mark out. Even the Authors of Pain did despite the fact that we have reservations about them dumping Paul Ellering. Who could have asked for more?
We love the fact that Joe and Reigns will be at odds as well. The two men can work well with each other and we cannot wait for Backlash.
#2 Worst: Thank you for everything, Paige
We've all known that Paige can no longer wrestle again owing to certain injuries she sustained during a Live Event match. This week, she made it official much to the utter dismay of the WWE Universe. There was nary a dry eye as she delivered her extremely moving speech. It was classy of her to put over Daniel Bryan and Edge as well.
We wonder if Paige will stay on as an announcer, trainer or General Manager with the company. We know how much she loves wrestling and as the crowd informed her over and over again, WWE is certainly her house.
#3 Best: Lashley's return & possibilities for the future
It recently came to light that Lesnar has signed a new deal with WWE. The predominant rumor out there is that it's a one and done deal to face Reigns in Saudi Arabia. There's one more rumor that exists too. The Lesnar vs. Lashley feud will now finally transpire.
Lashley is a far better worker now than he was during his first WWE run. We are certainly very thrilled for the future!
#3 Worst: The Nicholas situation
We honestly believed that the whole Nicholas situation would have a great payoff on RAW. Sadly, that was not to be. This leaves us with the ugly truth. Nicholas took a spot from a wrestler who could have been on the card.
Had the idea played out more creatively, we would have been okay with it. Let's hope that the Tag Team Eliminator makes up for it with a good payoff eventually.
#4 The Very Best: The RAW After Mania crowd
The New Orleans crowd that attended RAW after WrestleMania were a loud bunch. They were thrilled at the number of surprises they were privy to, and really did enjoy the proceedings to the fullest. Superstars like Nia Jax, Seth Rollins (the 'Burn it Down' chant) and even heels like Elias were amazed. It was a great night of WWE action overall.
There's only one more stop on WrestleMania week. This will be the SmackDown after WrestleMania. We cannot wait for the action to unfold.
This has been a great week. We wonder what else is in store for us?
Stay tuned for all the latest updates, as they happen.
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