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RAW is officially on the road to WrestleMania. Now that Elimination Chamber is in the rear view mirror, there are no more pay-per-views until the 'Grandest Stage of them All' comes around in just forty five days. RAW was an eventful episode and there is plenty to write about. In many ways, it was even better than Elimination Chamber was.
Welcome to our 'Best and Worst' post-show recap of the flagship WWE brand. We will segregate what we liked and distinguish it from what we did not, in this very article. Feel free to let us know what you thought of the show as well, in the comments.
As we've already mentioned, this was a thumbs up episode. If WWE continues this kind of momentum all the way to WrestleMania, we are in for a treat.
Presenting the 'Best and Worst' from this week's action!
#1 Best: Roman Reigns' shoot promo
What happens when you advertise a segment for RAW and find out you cannot deliver? You tell the truth about why it did not happen. We have no idea if this was a scripted sequence, or WWE just decided to shoot off the hip, with the Reigns promo. Whatever it was, it was entertaining.
Roman Reigns used some strong words during his promo. Words that would otherwise be frowned upon, in the PG era. He said his words with conviction, and appeared the most 'babyface-like' in a good while, as he delivered truth bombs.
Even the crowd came around and cheered for Reigns once he was done. We were thrilled to see WWE incorporate elements of 'reality' in their scripted promos.
As for Brock Lesnar, whether it is by accident or even a deliberate act, it's a shame that he's nowhere to be seen on the road to WrestleMania 34.
#1 Worst: Little advancement in storyline
Bray Wyatt is still calling out Woken Matt Hardy, and unless there's a significant change in storyline, incorporating elements from the Woken Universe, we really aren't excited. The same holds true for The Bar and Titus Worldwide clashing again, after their forgettable Elimination Chamber match.
We'd assumed that there would be fresh feuds and storylines, coming off Elimination Chamber. It seems that there are such feuds, but only for the top of the card. The mid card is still in a rut and a cycle of the same regurgitated storylines.
#2 Best: John Cena's big swerve
Everybody expected John Cena to come out and call out The Undertaker. Of course, he did so. However, the excitement was short lived as Cena said that the match was not happening. He mentioned that he'd be heading to SmackDown Live instead, on the road to WrestleMania.
We believe the real reason Cena will be on SmackDown Live is to add star power to the brand. We've seen the lack of excitement with regard to the blue brand's product. Cena's appearance will help bolster the brand, and sell Fastlane tickets.
Of course, the match with The Undertaker is bound to happen. The Fastlane cameo may just be a short lived thing.
#2 Worst: Mickie James' heel turn
Sure, we had seen Mickie James and Alexa Bliss team up for the purpose of the Elimination Chamber. However, it was strange to see James by Bliss' side, even after Elimination Chamber was done. As Bliss cut a heel promo praising herself, James stood by, looking on as a sidekick. It did not go with her character, quite honestly.
We understand that WWE had to put together a 6-woman tag, but James should have been transitioned better, into a heel role. Maybe some move or act during the Elimination Chamber could have explained her turn. Maybe she could have explained herself on RAW, in her own words!
#3 Best: Bayley refusing to tag Banks
Banks vs. Bayley seems almost like a done deal, at the moment. After all, Banks kicked her best friend off the Elimination Chamber pod, didn't she? Moreover, Bayley refused to tag in Banks, when the latter needed her help. There is trouble in paradise, in our opinion.
We commend the fact that Asuka still picked up the win, because her streak remains unbroken. Even if this was a multi-woman match, Asuka has never been in an environment where she's turned up on the losing side!
#3 Worst: Strange booking for the Intercontinental Championship
Why was The Miz booked in back to back matches against the two hottest babyfaces in the brand? Could someone address this flaw in logic, in the comments? Aren't babyfaces supposed to be booked in underdog situations? Why did Balor take on a Miz, who was already quite exhausted?
Unless The Miz is headed for a face turn down the line, the booking did not make any sense. Who's his WrestleMania 34 opponent anyway?
#4 Best/worst: An improved Ronda Rousey
Ronda Rousey is slowly becoming more and more competent as a WWE superstar. She still has a long way to go, having bypassed the NXT system. Her promo was better from last night's mess, but it was still not exceptional. Unfortunately, even Kurt Angle's promo abilities seem to have diminished.
Someone like The Rock would have been perfect, in terms of teaming up with Rousey for the upcoming months. Unfortunately, it seems like Kurt Angle will be her ally, going forward. The two of them seem a little under-prepared for the spotlight, at this stage in their life.
Mind you, we love both of them. We really want both of them to succeed.
Apart from those two, we also love the Goddess and as is tradition, will end our countdown with her picture.
