Best & Worst of RAW: Reason why top star is getting a massive push, Unpopular last-minute change made to title feud?

This week's episode of RAW was a good one. It was nine days removed from SummerSlam 2021 and the fallout on the Red brand has admittedly been more enjoyable than usual.

However, some key superstars were missing from the show this week. WWE did enough to make sure that it didn't negatively affect the episode. Let's take a look at the best and worst parts of Monday Night RAW this week.

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#3. Best: Damian Priest's push on RAW

This is a REALLY good match to showcase Damian Priest in!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/o9iT78K5qr

— The God of Wrestling (@GodofWrestling) August 31, 2021

Damian Priest found himself in quite the situation on RAW. He opened the show deciding to hold an open challenge for the United States Championship. We've seen several US Champions attempts to rehash John Cena's open challenge from 2015, but none have been able to replicate it the way he did.

Priest is turning out to be a great investment for WWE as his popularity level is high as well. He had a big challenge in the form of Sheamus and Drew McIntyre.

It was for the United States title and he was possibly in a position to lose it. However, to the company's credit, they've done well with Priest on RAW - perhaps better than they have with 95% of the other stars on the roster.

What was truly surprising about this match, however, was the fact that McIntyre took the pinfall and not Sheamus. This match was so good that it could have easily been on the Extreme Rules pay-per-view and stolen the show.

Totally shocked that Drew McIntyre took the pin. Plus the handshake at the end, things are looking really good for Damian Priest. #WWE #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/TVrDrJnjB1

— GetTheTables (@GetTheTables_) August 31, 2021

Drew McIntyre took a Brogue Kick as well as the White Noise from the turnbuckles, managing to kick out of both. However, once Damian Priest hit the Reckoning on him, it proved to be too much.

McIntyre showed him respect after their match and The Archer of Infamy now has an incredible amount of momentum on his side. Given the way things are going, he could legitimately challenge Bobby Lashley soon, if not at Extreme Rules 2021.

Damian Priest has consistently been one of the best parts of the Monday night show.

#2. Worst: Nia Jax's win over Charlotte Flair

WHAT A WIN!@NiaJaxWWE pins #WWERaw Women's Champion @MsCharlotteWWE. pic.twitter.com/Iwvah6doIC

— WWE (@WWE) August 31, 2021

We're still not sure why Alexa Bliss wasn't on RAW. She was scheduled to appear to confront Charlotte Flair in their newly-started title feud. However, Nia Jax ended up taking that spot and defeated The Queen in a non-title match.

Jax was at ringside during the Rhea Ripley-Shayna Baszler match and she took out Nikki A.S.H. This was in preparation for her non-title bout against Charlotte Flair.

The Irresistible Force defeated Flair and although some might find that acceptable, it deviates from the Alexa Bliss feud. Nia Jax vs. Charlotte Flair isn't as exciting. Not to mention, the former's in-ring performance looked sloppy as well.

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#2. Best: The incredible opening segment on RAW

#WWERaw Tag Team Champions #RKBro take on @The305MVP & The All Mighty #WWEChampion @fightbobby in a HUGE tag team encounter tonight!Who ya got?! pic.twitter.com/KKZtZrP7JF

— WWE (@WWE) August 31, 2021

The opening segment on RAW was incredible. Damian Priest started the proceedings before Sheamus and Drew McIntyre came out. Post that, it was Bobby Lashley who came out with MVP.

Shortly after, RK-Bro came out, making it a gathering of all the male champions on the show. The segment served a good purpose - it set up the triple threat US title match as well as the RAW Tag Team title main event.

Not only this but the fallout of it all was perfectly done as well. It felt very different from the average episode of the Red brand.

#1. Worst: Doudrop vs. Eva Marie on RAW

"Eva Marie is unable to compete tonight."Hmmm... 🤨@DoudropWWE may have given @natalieevamarie more than she could handle tonight on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/bwIZWHW1g1

— WWE (@WWE) August 31, 2021

Doudrop faced Eva Marie in what was supposed to be a grudge match on RAW. It was only a week ago when Marie attacked the former from behind to send a message.

This week on RAW, Doudrop decided to give Eva Marie a taste of her own medicine as she attacked her from behind before the match even began. It wasn't a good look for her because she is the babyface here. Although it is revenge since Marie did the same thing, a more straightforward match would have helped.

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#1. Best: The main event of RAW

RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!@RandyOrton takes out The All Mighty #WWEChampion @fightbobby with a picture-perfect RKO on #WWERaw. pic.twitter.com/xAhpVxW4WM

— WWE (@WWE) August 31, 2021

The main event of RAW saw Riddle and Randy Orton (RK-Bro) defend their tag team titles against Bobby Lashley and MVP. One thing is clear - the WWE Universe loves RK-Bro. This could even be the ticket to The Original Bro's future singles stardom.

For now, WWE should keep going with it because they're one of the hottest acts in the company. It was another great main event for RK-Bro as they picked up the win over MVP and The All Mighty.

Lashley speared Riddle after he got the pin and win, but Randy Orton hit back with an RKO to end the night. All in all, the ending was great and one of the best parts of the show.