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This week's episode of RAW was a huge improvement from the previous edition. Now that WrestleMania Backlash is behind us, the build to Hell in a Cell has officially begun on the red brand.
Unlike RAW post-WrestleMania, this week's episode was filled with big matches, important storyline progression, and an overall sense of excitement for the coming weeks. Here are the ups and downs of the latest installment of RAW.
#3 Best: R-K-Bro continues to be one of the best parts of RAW
We've only seen a few weeks of R-K-Bro now on RAW, but the odd pairing has been the best part of the red brand ever since debuting as a team. Fans love to see storylines with great character progression, and this is already turning out to be one of those instances.
At first, it seemed as though Randy Orton was quietly turning babyface while maintaining heel characteristics - similar to Sheamus in 2016 when he began his odd pair teaming with Cesaro. That may not be the case anymore.
This week on RAW, there was a backstage confrontation between The New Day and R-K-Bro, where the rivalry between Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton was mentioned. They even renewed it in a fun match that saw Kofi Kingston establish his supremacy over The Viper.
Looking at how RAW ended, we understand why Kofi Kingston picked up the victory. However, the loss didn't seem to affect R-K-Bro in a negative way. It should be noted that Xavier Woods' distraction caused Randy Orton to lose in the first place.
Post-match, Riddle shoved Woods much to his surprise. The two have been allies for a while now, but the shove indicated his loyalty to Randy Orton and the possibility of a heel turn for the first time in Riddle's WWE career.
The Original Bro turning to the dark side on RAW would be quite the twist, but everything that R-K-Bro has touched has turned to gold so far.
#3 Worst: The Alexa Bliss-Natalya-Tamina dynamic on RAW
On Alexa's Playground on RAW, we saw two guests for the first time in form of the new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions, Natalya and Tamina. They were with Alexa Bliss, and while The Queen Of Harts seemed a bit more open-minded, Tamina was creeped out from the get-go.
When asked about her favorite color, the Samoan star said it was black and blue - the colors she would make Alexa Bliss' face look like if she did anything. There was an overall eeriness about it, and not in an intriguing way.
The two Champions simply left, and during their Title defense against Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler on RAW, they were close to losing.
Alexa Bliss appeared with Lilly on the stage and was responsible for the Champions retaining their titles on this week's episode.
Lilly and Alexa Bliss have chosen the Tag Team Champions, but this could be a big mistake. Bliss' storyline hasn't been the same since post-WrestleMania, but unless there's a serious change that benefits Tamina, this association is a mistake for all parties involved.
#2 Best: The Sheamus-Ricochet match on RAW
We're not sure how he's done it, but in 2021, Sheamus is having one of the best runs of his WWE career on RAW. It's been 12 years since he debuted for the company, and he has racked up virtually every accolade there is to minus the Intercontinental Championship.
That won't be his focus now, since he's the United States Champion and is doing a great job of it. Given how Riddle is doing now with Randy Orton on RAW, the decision to put the US Title on Sheamus looks like it was a good one.
With Humberto Carrillo seemingly injured last week, The Celtic Warrior had a bone to pick with Ricochet - his WrestleMania Backlash opponent who stole his hat and jacket. While The One and Only wasn't particularly funny in his skit, he put on an incredible match against Sheamus.
It's safe to say that Ricochet vs Sheamus was the best match of the night on RAW. There seemed to be a botch with the referee hitting the three count and not calling the bell, but the US Champion closed the matter with a Brogue kick. Sheamus is improving every week and is consistently being one of the best superstars on RAW.
#2 Worst: Bobby Lashley getting pinned on RAW
Bobby Lashley opened RAW with women by his side and MVP hyping him up for his victory against Drew McIntyre and Braun Strowman. He issued an open challenge to anyone on the RAW roster, only for Drew McIntyre to come out and respond instantly.
While McIntyre might be Bobby Lashley's next PPV Title challenger, there's another new obstacle for the WWE Champion on RAW in the form of Kofi Kingston.
There were a few superstars who teased challenging Bobby Lashley on RAW, but it was ultimately Kofi Kingston who answered despite having faced Randy Orton.
Thanks to Drew McIntyre, MVP's attempt to get involved backfired and it cost Bobby Lashley the match as Kofi Kingston pinned the WWE Champion. Luckily for The All Mighty, MVP only revealed to Kofi Kingston after he came out that this open challenge wasn't for the title.
It would prove to be a mistake for WWE to have Kofi Kingston pin Bobby Lashley unless he's going to be a part of the WWE Championship match at Hell In A Cell 2021. Drew McIntyre's involvement seems guaranteed, but will Kingston get his way in?
#1 Best: Asuka being treated well on RAW
Asuka was pinned in the RAW Women's Title match at WrestleMania Backlash, which made many assume that she was written out of the Championship picture. Charlotte Flair made the case on RAW, demanding a singles match for gold because she technically wasn't pinned.
Adam Pearce refused to hand Charlotte Flair a free RAW Women's Title match, which is why he made her face Asuka in what seemed like an unofficial No.1 Contender's match. While Charlotte Flair beating the Japanese star seemed to be a certainty, things have changed in the past year.
Rhea Ripley was involved at ringside and was almost directly responsible for Charlotte Flair's defeat.
It was a chaotic match with the right result. WWE has realized Asuka's value during the pandemic era. Although Rhea Ripley was (rightly) handed the torch at WrestleMania 37, the company is doing its best to keep Asuka as strong as possible on RAW.
It helps in the long run, especially since the RAW Women's division is now centered around just three women. It's safe to assume that will change once Becky Lynch returns.
#1 Worst: The handling of the RAW Tag Team division
With AJ Styles at the forefront of the RAW Tag Team division, one would think there would be more focus and an overall improvement to things. That isn't the case at all.
Week by week, WWE continues to prove their apathy towards the Tag Team division on both RAW and SmackDown.
While R-K-Bro is an exciting team on the rise, it's doubtful they will be in the RAW Tag Team Title picture anytime soon. The ideal babyface team on RAW to challenge AJ Styles and Omos would be the Viking Raiders, but they were busy in the lumberjack match between Damian Priest and John Morrison.
AJ Styles faced Elias and it resulted in a DQ finish with Jaxson Ryker and Omos involved at ringside. The match did no favors to the division or the people involved in it.
This is a bad situation because it continues the underutilization of the Tag Team division and its stars. This also takes a top talent like AJ Styles away from the main event scene for no valid reason.
