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If you watch the entirety of the three-hour-long WWE RAW broadcast, chances are that you will find quite a few things that you will like. Unfortunately, staying focused on the narrative for such a long duration is the main challenge, however good (or bad) the show is.
Welcome to this week's edition of 'Best and Worst of WWE RAW'. Mind you, this is one person's opinion, so if you disagree, do not hesitate to let us know your thoughts and views in the comments below.
#1 Best: Keith Lee returns to WWE RAW and enters the United States Championship picture
Reports emerged prior to WWE RAW indicating that Keith Lee, who had been missing from WWE television since the 11th of January, would make his comeback on this week's show. What it did not, however, mention is that he would go on to have a great match against Riddle and be inserted right into the WWE United States Championship feud.
Also, because WWE Creative receives so much flak from the internet (guilty!), one certainly has to note just how wonderfully they have booked Bobby Lashley on the WWE RAW brand. He looks like an absolute beast, and one has to admit that they have wiped out any trace of the smear they left from the whole storyline that played out with Lana.
The match at Elimination Chamber, which pits Bobby Lashley against Riddle and Keith Lee, is, in many ways, a lot more interesting than the main event contest because there is no way to predict the outcome.
The only real negative in this entire feud is how Riddle keeps making dated references to movies that aired two decades ago, making him lose some of the coolness that is inherent to him.
#1 Worst: If Shane McMahon can leave midway through WWE RAW, why can't we?
So, just to get things straight, Shane McMahon showed up on this week's edition of WWE RAW and stood next to Adam Pearce, who made his Elimination Chamber 2021 announcement. And then, shortly thereafter, left the ThunderDome, leaving us hapless individuals to watch WWE RAW on television.
Why should any of us want to watch a show for three whole hours when the central authority figure on the show cannot stay backstage for the entire duration, even in storyline?
Shane McMahon would also not offer any kind of explanation as to why RAW Underground was shelved as a concept, even though he shared a moment with Omos, the same guy who guarded the door to the underground fight club.
There are such glaring holes in the product that fans can see through that it's a wonder that they can't be plugged by the vast contingent of writers employed by Vince McMahon. The loyalty of even the most ardent fans is tested often.
#2 Best: AEW star Miro jokes about his wife's WWE RAW win
This reviewer openly admits that he is a sucker for slapstick moments, but even then, who would have expected a match on WWE RAW between Lana and Nia Jax to make the 'best' list? This match was a lot funnier than anyone expected it to be, and it woke everyone up many hours into WWE RAW. What made this match even more memorable is that Miro from AEW put his wife over.
It's also great to see just how much the company has protected Naomi since her return, and she had an incredible showing against Shayna Baszler this week.
There was something Nia Jax exclaimed during the course of the match that cannot be repeated on this family-friendly platform that you will need to search the interwebs yourself for. Needless to say, when you find it, you will know what it is, and it will definitely make you giggle. Lana vs. Nia Jax was the match of the night, and it's not even close.
#2 Worst: No explanation for Alexa Bliss' absence on WWE RAW
It just makes no sense for Alexa Bliss, who's haunted Randy Orton on WWE RAW to no-show this week, especially considering that The Viper is in the main event match. Whether or not you're a fan of the supernatural element that she brings to the table, consistency is key. If there were no plans for Alexa Bliss to show up during the show, the announcers could have filled in the blanks.
Matt Black of SK Wrestling predicted that The Fiend would show up in the Elimination Chamber pod with Randy Orton, and we have to ask you, dear reader, if that is what you believe as well.
Alexa Bliss's booking on WWE RAW has been so hot and cold that it makes one scratch her/his head in amazement. One week she's in the WWE RAW Women's Championship picture, and the next, she's eliminated from the Royal Rumble in no time at all. What did you guys think of Sheamus' interference in the main event match?
#3 Best/Worst: The Elimination Chamber match that was announced on WWE RAW has a few shortcomings
Does it make sense for WWE RAW Superstar, The Miz, to be a part of the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view if you consider that he is the current Money in the Bank winner? Does it make sense for Jeff Hardy, who came up short against AJ Styles this week, to be on the show, when Braun Strowman has been left out of the mix?
Most importantly, shouldn't Drew McIntyre and Sheamus have played out as a singles feud? It was the hottest topic emerging from WWE RAW last week, and it deserved to play out, especially if you factor in how wonderfully WWE has told the story of two friends, each vying for the same prize.
That said, it's impossible to slot an Elimination Chamber match as a 'worst'. Do check out what SK's own Dr. Chris Featherstone and Greg Bush have to say about this week's episode of RAW by clicking on the link above.
