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True to form, Raw disappointed. The "shake up" Vince McMahon promised proved to be empty words and platitudes, as is so often expected from the company. The show felt painfully thin, especially compared to the excitement we can expect on SmackDown tonight.
Who took the most and least out of last night's show?
Loser: Monday Night Raw
Vince McMahon's return proved a blind alley, didn't it? He and the rest of his family "took back control of Raw and SmackDown," but the last thing the shows need from a quality standpoint is more McMahon family drama.
The promos going into this show proved to be only hype, as we can, unfortunately, expect from WWE so faithfully these days. Ironically, what was meant to "shake up" Raw just outlined in dramatic form all the problems the show currently has.
Triple H talked about seeing new stars and concepts, but that certainly wasn't the case last night. The proceedings were interrupted by Baron Corbin, and we got to the next segment as a result.
Loser: Baron Corbin
Baron Corbin's fall from power was made complete last night, as he competed in a handicap match that ultimately handed power back to Kurt Angle. Though the move is correct from a quality standpoint - the abusive heel authority figure angle has long run its course in WWE - it's almost a shame because Baron Corbin's act has improved tremendously this year when playing such a role.
Hopefully, the company can find a way to keep these characteristics while putting Corbin in another role that is more palatable to the overall quality of the show? Perhaps a heel businessman gimmick?
Regardless, Baron Corbin is now directionless, even if that means the quality of the show improves dramatically.
Winner: Dean Ambrose
Dean Ambrose, flanked by a goon squad, issued an open challenge for the Intercontinental Championship last night, claiming that he was done with Seth Rollins. Tyler Breeze came out to answer the challenge.
The match wasn't anything special, but it did its job of establishing Ambrose as a menacing new champion.
Rollins wasn't done with the Lunatic Fringe, however. Disguised as one of the goon squad, he attacked Ambrose after the match, sending the new champion packing to the back.
We can expect a rematch at the Royal Rumble, but it doesn't appear likely that Rollins will get the title back. Hopefully, that rematch is a lot better than what we saw at TLC on Sunday!
In the meantime, if done properly, the proceedings can heat both Ambrose and Rollins up ahead of WrestleMania 35. The Show of Shows is certainly looming large in everyone's thoughts now.
Winners: The Revival
The Revival won a fatal 4-way match to become the new number one contenders for the Raw Tag Team titles last night. It's peculiar timing, coming only a week after Seth Rollins pointed them out by name as one of the more underused and underappreciated acts in the company.
After what happened with Becky Lynch earlier this year and Asuka over the past month, might WWE finally be taking notice of fan favourites that haven't been used to the best of their abilities?
Only time will tell the answer to that question, but this is a big step in the right direction for The Revival, who haven't even been appearing on Raw since the weather started turning cold.
Perhaps they just might be able to live up to their name and lead a revival of the tag team division, though there's certainly reason to be skeptical of that.
Winner: Natalya
Ronda Rousey is being cool about her coming heat with Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. Instead, her focus was on finding a new challenger. A gauntlet match was announced. Natalya wound up winning the gauntlet.
The match will take place on Christmas Eve, which is somewhat puzzling because it's unlikely to attract many viewers regardless. Credit to the company for trying, I suppose.
Ronda Rousey will certainly retain, and everyone's thoughts will then turn to the Royal Rumble. With Natalya out of the way, who is going to wait for Ronda Rousey there, assuming that there is a women's title match at all - recall that there wasn't last year. The Rumble match will need all the women it can get.
Regardless, WWE is teasing the coming confrontations with Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch. That's a wise move. There's no need to rush through things too quickly. The cross-brand drama can increase interest in both shows.
