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This episode was effin' awesome. I know that this site is supposed to be a family-friendly portal and as the resident Community Manager, it is my job to ensure that this rule is enforced, but I needed to voice how much I liked this episode through an exclamation right at the start.
A lot of times I'm told that for me, work must not feel like work, considering it is my job to watch and review sports entertainment. I counter by saying that on most weeks, it's a chore to stay awake for the duration of the three hours because of the content WWE serves up.
But this week, we saw a massive improvement and an upswing in quality and this is a very promising thing, all said and done! Paul Heyman is certainly leading RAW into a brand new era and the quality of the show is quite remarkable.
Almost everything about the show was good, but if you felt otherwise, please feel free to voice your thoughts in the comments.
#1 Best: King Corbin
Baron Corbin can take the 'King' persona and rub it in our faces until Kingdom Come. He's a much better performer in the ring, and can certainly allow this victory to propel him to the next level in time. I think he could even be a very worthy challenger for Kofi Kingston, somewhere down the line.
Corbin has excelled in every single role that's been allocated to him and this makes him one of the most underrated performers in the current roster. He elevated Gable too in a way by making him look absolutely fabulous during this week's match.
Let's hope this spins into a great new trajectory for Gable. Can he turn the Shorty G character into a winner?
See WWE RAW Results, Highlights of event, & more on WWE RAW Results page
#1 Worst: Strowman runs through the four tag team champions
Believe it or not, I get what WWE is trying to do with Braun Strowman, to an extent. He lost the match to Seth Rollins at Clash of Champions and so they want to make him keep looking dominant by running through the tag team champions.
But I honestly think that this does no favors to him at all. And it certainly does no favors to the tag team division, who seem like they're inferior to the singles division on RAW.
At this point in time, I'd be happy if The Ascension were to return and run through the tag team champions on RAW because it would mean that Braun Strowman would be removed from the picture and he could go back to feuding with others in the singles division.
He could maybe have a feud with someone like Rowan, following the upcoming draft.
#2 Best: Everything about The Fiend & Mayor Kane
One of the things that exasperates me about the wrestling world is how quickly they jump to conclusions. Twitter went mad when they saw the upside down graphics on RAW calling it a production botch. Little did they know that it was a genius move from the twisted mind of one Paul Heyman.
Simultaneously Kane would become the 24/7 Champion and then would lose the Championship to R-Truth. Everyone assumed that the Mayor of Knox County had done a few pre-tapes only and that his stint on RAW was over for the night. And then, little did we know that he would show up in the main event segment of the night once again.
Of course, he would eat a Mandible claw from The Fiend and RAW would close out with a messed up version of the Firefly Fun House theme. I loved every minute of the story!
#2 Worst: Rey Mysterio without his son
Rey Mysterio can continue to have great matches every single week. The issue is that his storyline with his son will be forgotten unless Dominick keeps on making appearances as well on television. If the plan is to launch him as a big star in his own right, people need to be reminded of him.
Rey Mysterio and Cesaro tore it up in the ring, but we always knew that they would be absolutely superb. It does not do anything for either man, however, as we remember storylines fondly and matches are often relegated to the back of the mind. Case in point, you are more likely to remember Baron Corbin than Chad Gable in this King of the Ring tournament, years down the line.
I just think WWE has no idea what to do with Rey Mysterio, honestly. That's why they just put him out there to have good matches and he delivers.
#3 Best: Authors of Pain in a new avatar
Akam and Rezar look like they're hired thugs who work for the mob and I love it. I think it's a far more believable persona than their previous avatar where they were led by Drake Maverick.
The fact that the two men speak in foreign languages adds to their appeal. They appear like they mean business and all the 'bad comedy' that was once associated with them is now thankfully long gone.
I would still like a manager for the two, or a mouthpiece in a sense because The AoP speaking in foreign languages can only go so far. We've seen how those who don't speak in English are treated by WWE Creative.
Akam and Rezar can certainly work with the likes of The Usos and The New Day and be a force to be recknoned with following the upcoming draft.
#3 Worst: The Lacey Evans vs. Natalya feud that's going nowhere
There's just something about the whole Lacey Evans vs. Natalya feud that just isn't clicking with me, at this particular moment. Lacey Evans has a firm grasp on her character and her gimmick overall, but this feud is just underwhelming.
Maybe it's because this was the only thing in the whole show that felt like a filler. Evans made a great entrance and the fan who tried to kiss her hand was in for the shock of his life, as she walked away in a huff.
Let's hope that this feud gets resolved very soon indeed with a match on WWE RAW. I wonder if the long-term plan is to turn Natalya heel and make these two women become part of a team in the coming months.
Maybe they can take on Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross down the line for the titles.
#4 Best/Worst: Too many Hell in a Cell matches?
I really do think that Seth Rollins vs. The Fiend should happen inside Hell in a Cell. I also do think that Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks need a way for their rivalry to continue and they can certainly do so at Hell in a Cell 2019, inside the monstrous and twisted structure. But we also know that yet another match will be added to the mix from SmackDown Live.
I just wonder if three matches will dilute the value of the special attraction. Hell in a Cell matches haven't seemed as special as they once used to. I suppose this is because far too many of these matches happen at the pay-per-view these days.
In any case, this was a fantastic episode of sports entertainment. Would you guys agree?
Let us know in the comments below and avail The Goddess' blessings for free...
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