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Last night's WWE Raw was a poor, disappointing showing that often felt more like a random episode in December or May than one from two weeks before WrestleMania. Was there anyone that managed to come out of this episode looking better than they went going in?
Winners: Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns
What was the most despised match heading into WrestleMania has become the best built. We've seen hints of the brutal fight this match is supposed to be and it does leave us wanting more.
The crowd also seems confused about who to cheer and who to boo, with half and half reactions throughout the segment. That confusion is an unknown element that will make the WrestleMania match more interesting.
Loser: Nia Jax
Nia Jax was one of the losers on this week's Raw, even though she didn't look like it.
Her segment was a clear advertisement of her weaknesses both in the ring and in her character work. In no way is she championship material, and once she no longer has Alexa Bliss to contrast with, her flaws will be that much clearer. Unfortunately, Nia has to win her match, otherwise, she'll truly be "buried," and Alexa Bliss has held that title for far too long anyway.
Winner: The Miz
Though he wasn't standing tall at the end, Miz's cunning was on full display in a well-booked swerve that saw him lulling Finn Balor and Seth Rollins into thinking there was tension with the Miztourage.
Did he pull that trick too early? Should he have waited for WrestleMania to reveal that it was a front? It's still too early to tell. Regardless, it displayed that Miz will be a smart competitor in his triple threat match.
Winner: Asuka
Putting Asuka in a heatless jobber match at this point is a questionable decision. The crowd cared very little.
Its saving grace was in having Asuka end it with one kick. That's the Asuka that's been missing for over a month, after having been embroiled with the heat sinks known as Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax.
The advertisement of Asuka's power was clear as day to Charlotte. Thankfully, Asuka is starting to look like Asuka again.
Loser: Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey continues to look and sound awkward every time she goes inside a ring. Had Kurt Angle not been present, this segment would likely have been much worse.
Ronda is still benefiting from the novelty of her being in WWE, but that can only last so long. If things remain the same after WrestleMania, her prospects of success must be seen as questionable. Crowds are already not terribly enthusiastic about her and she gets a response comparable to other women in the company.
Winner: Elias
The Cleveland crowd was pretty muted all night, but Elias woke it up fast. He's a heat magnet and he beat Rhyno in decisive fashion as he should. He's had one of the best years of anyone on Raw, so let's hope he becomes Braun Strowman's tag team partner. The pairing would make for Raw's most entertaining act week after week.
Winner: John Cena
The match with Kane was bad. The promo afterward did its job of amping up the crowd and getting people further invested in seeing Cena go up against Undertaker, which the former did even more to build by using Undertaker's moves and mannerisms.
His desperation to be at WrestleMania has led to him acting villainous. Crowds are eager to see Undertaker return to beat him. I suppose that will be saved for next week, but it definitely felt like a letdown after slogging through such an overall boring Raw to not see the Undertaker.
