WWE RAW 25th March - Top 5 Talking Points

With WrestleMania 29 just around the corner, this week’s WWE RAW took place at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There was a lot of scope for improvement in almost all of the feuds and a few additions to be made to the final card of the show. So, did WWE capitalize on the hype around WrestleMania? Here are the top 5 talking points of this week’s RAW:

5. Mark Henry and Ryback in handicap matches

Ryback delivering a double shellshocked to Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater

It is a rarity to see a handicap match these days. However, on RAW, we had two of them. First it was Mark Henry who made quick work of the Usos – Jimmy and Jey. Not to be left behind, Ryback made the three guys from 3MB look like dead-weights as he executed his shellshock finishing move on Jinder Mahal and Heath Slater simultaneously. With both men trying to one up each other, it will be interesting to see how the Weightlifting competition on SmackDown pans out.

4. CM Punk‘s streak promo

CM Punk continued to build the animosity between him and the Undertaker. Once again, he used the urn to get heat. After the ‘Urn’ Anderson mockery on twitter, Punk ridiculed the very concept of a urn. His brilliance and spontaneity came to the fore as he took a potshot at those who considered his actions as derogatory. Punk’s notion that the streak should’ve stayed 20-0 and Undertaker should’ve gone into the sunset with HBK and Triple H last year was that of a typical heel. But what followed that was arguable. Punk suggesting that he was against Undertaker coming back and pointing as his Wrestlemania sign was offending. It seems a little out of sorts in the whole scenario. Undertaker being kept away from responding to Punk’s verbal tirade is questionable.

3. Chris Jericho vs Fandango

The latest addition to the WrestleMania card. This feud has been written really well starting with Fandango trolling the crowd for multiple weeks and followed by Jericho mocking his name. It was something new to watch as Fandango danced with Jericho battered and bruised inside the ring. Fandango seems to have improved his in-ring ability from his previous Johnny Curtis avatar. Is it just a coincidence or deliberate that he is wearing a shiny jacket like Jericho in the past? This feud has really got the fans intrigued.

Fandango dancing, with Jericho down and out in the middle of the ring

2. The Rock – Cena segment

First of all, WWE has to be lauded for trying out something new while building up for a big match. The final segment with Bret Hart, Booker T, Mick Foley and Dusty Rhodes asking a few tough questions to The Rock and John Cena was the most intriguing part of the show. There were a few tense moments throughout this segment. Cena accusing himself for his loss last year and stating that he wants to beat the Rock just because he has to were controversial and has got the fans talking about it. However, one has to wonder whether this segment would’ve had more meaning had it been just Ric Flair and Bret Hart querying the wrestlers just as it was planned ahead of the show. Nevertheless, Cena and Rock did their best to hype their match. That final Rock Bottom to end the show would’ve been a treat to all Rock fans who haven’t seen him in the ring since Elimination Chamber.

1. Predictable segments / Lack of surprises

It has to be stated that this week’s RAW was too predictable. The matches were lopsided. Expect The Miz vs Wade Barrett match, all other matches did not even last 5 minutes. Even the interruptions and sneak attacks of the Shield, the Undertaker and Jack Swagger were predictable. The Triple H segment was bland and had nothing new to offer. This is a worrying trend for the WWE creative team. I’m sure most of the viewers would’ve been disgruntled by these predictable segments. Let’s hope we’re served with much better content in the coming days until WrestleMania.