WWE Raw: 5 things we learned from this week’s episode (24 December 2018)

Christmas has arrived, and the pre-taped episode of Raw on Christmas-eve was a gift for WWE fans.

The episode had some decent matches, especially the one for the Raw Women’s Championship between Natalya and Ronda Rousey.

A few matches misfired, like the Elias and Bobby Lashley match, and the main event match between Baron Corbin and Seth Rollins.

The biggest revelation of the night was made by Mr. McMahon himself, as he announced the much-awaited women’s tag team championships. He even announced a steel cage match between Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre for next week, and the return of John Cena to both Raw and SmackDown.

After watching this week’s episode, there were a few things we learned. Check them out and share your favourite moments in the comments.

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#5 Elias and Bobby Lashley will have the worst matches

At Tables, Ladders, and Chairs, Elias and Bobby Lashley had a ladders match which required one superstar to climb up the ladder and unhook a guitar hanging above the ring and smash it on the other superstar.

This week, the two men had another obnoxious match in the form of a Miracle on 34th Street Fight to open up the night.

The match allowed the two to use any weapon/gift around the ring on each other, and was eventually won by Elias.

These two are extremely strong and talented superstars who have been booked in the worst matches of the year thus far. After Lashley’s feud with Sami Zayn, this is definitely another feud that will further hurt his career. Elias' career hasn’t really kicked off either, even though his popularity is on the rise.

All we can hope is that the creative book both men better going forward, and increase their value in the ring.

#4 Four top wrestlers are messing it up

The Revival is definitely the best pure tag team in WWE today. They are not just extremely talented and skilled, but also look like two men who can carry the tag team division on their shoulders.

Bobby Roode and Chad Gable have been thrown together as a makeshift tag team who are now the Raw tag team champions.

Together these four men have the talent to put on A-grade matches night after night. However, their bout this week was an extremely weak one considering the talent on display.

A roll-up victory was an insult to injury, as a decisive move should have ended the match to make one team seem more dominant.

We know that this feud isn’t over yet, and this could be the way to take it forward, but making the two teams compete in a better way is what’s best for business.

#3 WWE might use Heyman to help Strowman’s mic-skills

Paul Heyman and Braun Strowman met in the ring once again.

For months WWE has been trying to improve Strowman’s mic-skills, and it has surely gotten a bit better over the past few weeks, but is surely far away from that of a champion. Without a manager, Strowman needs to improve his skills further, and Heyman is the best there is who can help him get better at it.

As the two men spoke about Strowman and Lesnar’s match at Royal Rumble, it surely seemed like Strowman will stay away from in-ring action until his match with Lesnar, to ensure this storyline isn’t interrupted.

Getting some good time on the mic against the best is surely the path WWE is taking to make Strowman a better promo-cutter before he can actually win a title.

#2 Raw is falling short of storylines

Drew McIntyre was the hottest prospect when he made his return to Raw. However, a few months later, there is no set feud or rivalry for him, which hurts his image. He ignited a feud with Braun Strowman which was immediately watered down, and he came out short in his feud with Finn Balor.

It seems like his next assignment is with his former partner, Dolph Ziggler, which is surely a step-down.

On the other hand, Seth Rollins took on Baron Corbin to close out the night for no real reason. Rollins is already in a feud with Dean Ambrose, and there is no reason for him to compete against the man he beat right before TLC.

The two have already had their best match yet, and this week’s match was again a step down for both superstars.

The six-woman tag team matches continued on Raw this week too, which makes it obvious that the creative are just throwing matches together, and not building up storylines.

#1 Rousey vs Natalya should have been a pay-per-view

Ronda Rousey and Natalya came face to face in the second championship match of the night on Monday Night Raw. Natalya is one of the most experienced wrestlers in the WWE today, and used that to her advantage in the match.

Giving a tough match to Rousey so early in their little rivalry was great to watch, as most wouldn't have expected Rousey to be given tough competition on Raw.

Rousey reversing the sharpshooter into an armbar was definitely a work of art, and made the match even better, and the ending even sweeter.

Overall, both these women have the potential to put on one hell of a match, and they did just that on Raw this week.

Considering the talent these two women possess, it was definitely Rousey’s best title defense to date, and should have been a pay-per-view match, rather than on a weekly episode.

However, this rivalry could surely go forward, and also turn into an even better affair in 2019, which will surely lift the women’s division even more.