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This week's episode of WWE RAW has been different from usual. There's an air of freshness in the booking and it has also moved along at a very fast pace indeed.
From Seth Rollins taking out multiple prospective referees to Drew McIntyre engaging with Heath Slater in the back, it's been a great show thus far.
Perhaps the best moment until now has been the crowning of Ricochet as the No. 1 contender for Samoa Joe's United States Championship at the Stomping Grounds PPV.
Why was the decision made to choose him for the spot ahead of other prospective big choices like Braun Strowman, Bobby Lashley, The Miz and even someone like Cesaro? In this article, I will write up the prospective reasons why this decision was made.
Please chime in with your own thoughts in the comments section below.
#5 Not wanting to book a heel vs. heel program
Cesaro and Lashley are two otherworldly athletes, each gifted in his own unique way. Lashley is a freak of nature, ripped like few human beings on the planet are and if you've seen him in TNA, you know that when booked right, he can be quite the asset for the company.
In this very match, Cesaro displayed some incredible feats of strength against Braun Strowman, reminding us just how special he is.
But the fact of the matter is that the essence of WWE is good vs. evil. And because Samoa Joe is already a heel, there is no reason to book more heel vs. heel programs.
Sure, it's 2019 and people root for whoever they want to, but WWE is an old-school company and therefore, a heel vs. heel program goes against all the rules.
Hence, the two men weren't shortlisted for the Number 1 Contender's spot. It makes sense.
#4 Braun Strowman would turn Samoa Joe babyface
Sure, Samoa Joe is a heel and one of the best in the business at that, because of his ability to send shivers down the spine of the audience whenever he cuts a promo. But the fact of the matter is that he is one of those heels that the audience actually roots for. In 2019, when the business has been exposed, the WWE Universe does not necessarily always root for the bad guy.
Had Samoa Joe gone up against Braun Strowman, he would be the underdog. Remember what happened back when Samoa Joe went up against Brock Lesnar? He automatically became the underdog and the man that the crowd was rooting for, through the course of the match.
Therefore, it was wise to not have Braun Strowman square off with Samoa Joe. WWE does not want to risk a double turn, especially when Joe is doing such a great job as a heel.
#3 Vince McMahon's promise to the WWE Universe
Not long ago, when WWE's viewership reached record lows, Vince McMahon, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and Shane McMahon made a promise to fans. They said that they would listen to the WWE Universe and take steps to make the product better.
Therefore, if they were to book The Miz in a title shot, it would still be a known commodity instead of a new face. Even though The Miz has been kept away from the title picture for a very long time now, the fact of the matter is that he's a proven WWE Superstar who's received many opportunities through time.
With Ricochet in the mix, the US Title picture actually feels a lot fresher. Of course, I could only be speaking for myself, but I'd rather watch Ricochet matches than The Miz matches.
Bear in mind that I'm quite a big fan of The Miz!
#2 Ricochet vs. Samoa Joe is an incredibly exciting match for the WWE Universe
What does AEW have going for it that makes the audience gravitate towards it? The sheer quality of their matches is quite exemplary indeed. Even though WWE probably has a better roster at the moment, the wrestlers wrestle a watered down style that often pales as compared to the non-WWE style.
This disparity is also evident between NXT and the WWE main roster. However, two performers who are the caliber of Ricochet and Samoa Joe can potentially put on a contest for the ages, even within WWE's restrictions. And this is why Ricochet was chosen as the prime choice from among the contenders in the said match.
Ricochet also comes into the match as the underdog as has been discussed. And this makes him the clear-cut babyface in the David vs. Goliath contest at WWE Stomping Grounds.
#1 Singles push for Ricochet
Aleister Black and Ricochet debuted in the main roster as a tag team unit. While it made for a very surprising kind of pairing, the two men showcased their wares for the duration that they lasted with some incredibly solid matches.
It is clear that Ricochet and Aleister Black are no longer a team anymore, at least while they're on two different brands. Thankfully, actual tag teams like The Viking Raiders and The Club are getting screen time, and hence, Ricochet and Black can focus on the singles division.
Black is working a different sort of gimmick at the moment. He has challenged everyone in the SmackDown locker room to step out and pick a fight with him.
And as a restart of sorts for Ricochet, he is being given a singles push so that the short-lived tag team run can be erased from the minds of fans.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
