5 years since CM Punk gave that terrific promo and 14 years since John Cena made his memorable debut by facing Kurt Angle, WWE RAW kicked off with Seth Rollins talking about Reigns and his suspension, Dean Ambrose obviously interrupting this rant by a man who is being cheered and revered ever since he returned, Styles and Cena wanting to be in the championship picture and Stephanie McMahon making her intentions clear that she won’t let Ambrose’s reign survive that longer.
Quite a lot happened on this show that was worth noting. Many exciting feuds have continued and begun taking shape.
Here are the 5 points to note from this week’s show-
#1 The next great rivalry
The last great rivalry in the WWE was the one between John Cena and CM Punk and while Rollins and Ambrose have come close and The Shield brotherhood is a remarkable story, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s rivalry is something for the ages. It has legendary written all over it.
We have two compelling characters, two great wrestlers, and one terrific story. They’ve travelled and wrestled the world together. Their journeys have been intertwined in the times of yore and here they stand after the events of R:Evolution still at odds, still wanting to tear each other apart.
Zayn had a valid argument- their careers are at an impasse because they can’t focus on anything apart from themselves and whatever went wrong in the past.
They are sworn enemies and it’s going to continue that way.
#2 The Highlight Reel
Zayn and Owens made Jericho’s show the highlight reel of Raw this week. The tension seered between them. Zayn looked like tether anybody and everybody but nobody would be harmed as much as the man by whom he once called his best friend while Owens stood there trying to be nonchalant.
Zayn gave probably the best promo in his main roster career and he wanted Owens to tell Zayn to his face that Owens backstabbing was a result of his resentment towards Zayn getting signed by WWE first.
Owens cleverly tried to steer clear from saying exactly that. He maintained that attacking Zayn 2 years ago was a business move just like Zayn signing with WWE and leaving Owens behind was a business move.
There was a certain magic to this friendship gone awry between these men when they finally kicked Jericho out of wits. A magic equals to and different from when The Shield brothers seldom unite.
But this rivalry will continue at Battleground and it may end there for the time being but it is truly going to linger forever.
#3 Is Hope Really Dead
What an interesting feud! The New Day and The Wyatt Family are polar opposites. The New Day are those endearing clowns you want to root for. The Wyatt Family members are those cynical souls with a leader who is a great orator and will make a follower out of you. We’ve got the Power of Positivity take on the Buzzards of Negativity. One is a beacon of hope and the other thinks that hope is long dead.
The New Day mocked the Wyatts in the way only they can and Wyatt tore their unicorns and spirits apart in the only way he can.
Kingston and Big E were unmoved by this, but Woods was quite scared. This is a wickedly cool feud. The Wyatts are in dire need of a huge win. If that came at the expense of the most popular tag team in recent times, it doesn’t sound like a win-win at all, but it makes for a spellbinding rivalry.
#4 All in the Game
The Cena – Styles feud continued this week by both of them trying to make their way into the title picture. Stephanie McMahon made a match between Cena – Rollins and Styles- Ambrose with the stipulation that if Cena and Styles win their respective matches, they’ll be put in the main event of Battleground.
Cena lost because The Club caused a distraction. Cena returned the favor by stopping The Club from distracting Ambrose. That was enough for Styles to not take advantage and Rollins get his wish. The main event match for Battleground doesn’t have any new participants.
#5 Best Alliance
Hollywood Miz is a great character and Mike Mizanin is great at playing that character. He can talk on and on and on and be the most loathed heel, make ridiculous gimmicks seem awesome and also play a great supporting role for other feuds. He never really needed a team member but Maryse is just too perfect as his manager. Her presence has made his character must see as much as Mizdow did.
Here, she was ‘injured’ which caused the unfortunate title defence against Kane end abruptly. Backstage, Maryse revealed that the ankle injury was nothing. She was just acting. Brilliant!
