The Raw exclusive pay-per-view Roadblock had some really high highs, and some really low lows! Live from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA; we witnessed six hard hitting matches over the course of three hours.
After a really hot start, the show just seemed to lose momentum at the halfway stage.
But then once again, the crowd came alive for the last two matches which were off the charts in terms of the performances. Of course, it was far from the perfect show as we will discuss in this analysis piece. Presenting the Best and Worst of Roadblock!
#1 Best: The Cruiserweight Division gets a star
Ever since the Cruiserweight Division began, we’ve been talking about how Neville could really be a big star here! His return was long overdue, but we’re glad it happened. Truth be told, nobody in the division was getting over and they really needed something to shake up the purple roster.
The interesting part about Neville’s return is that he was acting quite heelish. However, the crowd did not seem to think so and gave him a huge babyface pop. We’re interested to see how this whole thing pans out and if Neville’s inclusion can make the Cruiserweights relevant again!
#1 Worst: Sami Dane and Lack of Logic
Michael Cole made only one major botch today, but what a botch it was. During the Sami Zayn vs Braun Strowman match, Cole referred to Zayn as Sami Dane. We know that Sami Zayn is a Canadian wrestler with Syrian origins. Looks like he has ties with Denmark too!
Something that irked us through the show was the utter lack of logic through the entirety of the pay-per-view. Why did the ring announcer call Sami Zayn the winner of the contest for lasting 10 minutes against Braun Strowman?
Also read: WWE Roadblock Results 18th December 2016, Full Show Match Updates and Video Highlights
Since neither man was pinned, shouldn’t it technically be a draw? If Strowman not squashing Zayn in 10 minutes would have made him the loser, this stipulation should have been specified beforehand.
Crazier still was Chris Jericho interfering in the main event and hitting the Codebreaker on Kevin Owens. While it made for a great storyline swerve, why subject your best friend to a painful move if you’re still aligned with him?
As always, WWE logic makes absolutely no sense.
#2 Best: Best friends reunited
The best way to endure three hours of a hit and miss show on a weekly basis is with JeriKO. The awesome twosome, with their backstage banter, in ring skills and incredible chemistry make the red brand tolerable.
We saw both men separated from one another in best friendship, during the course of the last few weeks. Truth be told, nobody wanted them to split. We’re glad that phase is over and we can go back to cheering for the best heel duo in recent memory.
Yeah, we may not see a Jericho vs Owens feud, but we can live with that!
#2 Worst: Dead crowd
Oh Pittsburgh, how you’ve disappointed us! A good crowd can make or break a match. While there was little to complain about in terms of in-ring action, the crowd just did not seem interested. For a large part of the show, they were silent.
Even the very dramatic Iron Man match between Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair got a very tepid reaction until Sasha Banks was busted open towards the end. The only time they were entertaining is when they chanted ‘Delete!’ at Mick Foley during the Sami Zayn – Braun Strowman encounter.
Mr. Meekmahan, are you listening sir?
#3 Worst: Hottest stars on the pre-show
The reason WWE has to rely on part-timers like Brock Lesnar and Goldberg for ratings is because their new stars are not getting over.
The primary cause for this is them not building enough new stars in time. Big Cass and Rusev are hot on the heels of one of the most talked about segments in recent memory, Enzo/Lana’s hotel room angle.
Instead of putting them on the main show, they are relegated to the pre-show that nobody really watches. It’s a crying shame in a lot of ways!
#3 Best: The record is broken
How long did we have to sit through New Day’s long and laborious record breaking reign, simply to outshine some old timers McMahon has heat with?
With Cesaro and Sheamus picking up the tag team titles, the division is relevant again and serious once more. It’s a shame that we won’t remember the New Day’s reign more fondly, but the last few weeks were intolerable.
In conclusion, this was a pay-per-view which gets equal numbers of thumbs up and thumbs down! To close, let’s end with a warrior who has been removed from the title picture, but continues to rule our beating hearts.
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