Best and worst of RAW (15 January, 2018)

Not the best of weeks for Curt Hawkins
Not the best of weeks for Curt Hawkins, for certain

This week, WWE RAW came to us from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. To be fair, there were very few things to complain about, through the duration of the show.

If anything, this was one of the better shows in recent memory. Not only was it noteworthy, it was entertaining from start to finish. Not an easy thing to do, when WWE is programming three weeks of content, on a weekly basis.

As is customary, we will detail the best and worst of RAW, in this very article. We value your opinion as well and welcome your thoughts and feedback about the show in the comments.

Let's begin with the biggest talking point from this week's episode.


#1 Best: A monster on the loose

Ever wondered what it's like backstage, at a WWE RAW taping?
We experienced the true meaning of havoc, thanks to Braun Strowman

Ever wondered what the backstage area of a RAW taping is like? Braun Strowman gave us a guided tour of catering, the production trucks and the general backstage vicinity this week. Everywhere he went, he brought about utter carnage. The result was quite spectacular indeed.

Booker T, in a rare moment of genius, made a very brilliant point indeed. Kurt Angle should have fired Braun Strowman over the phone or through e-mail. If so, such carnage could have been avoided.

For fans of sports entertainment, not only was the carnage that followed Strowman's firing a treat to watch, it will remain etched in our memories as one of the highlights of the show in the year 2018. It was a great sequel to the set crashing on Brock Lesnar and Kane last week.

Braun Strowman is the best thing about WWE right now and we love him to bits because of the same.

#1 Worst: The unfortunate news

Admit it, even you thought there was some glimmer of hope when Paige showed up
Admit it...even you thought there was some hope when Paige showed up on RAW

Paige showed up on RAW like nothing happened. As if the news of her career coming to an end was of no consequence. The matter wasn't made public by the announcers either. We genuinely believed that things may be good to go for Paige.

Only minutes later it was announced via social media that Paige would not be able to compete in the 30 woman Royal Rumble match. This is unfortunate because this is a match that women like Paige paved the way for. One that someone like Paige really deserves to be in.

Oh well. Such is life.

Stay tuned to this website for more information about Paige when it becomes available.

#2 Best: The return of The Revival

Dash and Dawson made short work of their competitors this week
Dash and Dawson made short work of their competitors this week

Remember how we made a big deal about The Revival not being shown on TV for weeks on end? Looks like they're back. And they have a gimmick going. They are not sports entertainers...they are professional wrestlers.

When they had mic time, they made complete use of it as well. They took shots at Stone Cold Steve Austin and DX. It'll be quite interesting to see how their run does pan out. It seems as though the seeds were planted for them to get buried by the legends, similar to how The Ascension did a few years ago on RAW.

If they're kept in the limelight, they can have great matches with just about anyone. Let's hope that WWE can see past their height and build, or lack thereof.

#2 Worst: The burial of Sasha Banks

Banks was squashed by the Absolution member
Banks was completely squashed by the Absolution member

Sasha Banks took on Sonya Deville in a singles match this week. Everyone expected Banks to pick up an easy win. Except it was Deville who pulled off an upset. All it took was a kick to Banks' midsection.

Despite rumours that there is no heat on Sasha Banks for injuring Paige, we wonder if there is. There are other ways to pin The Boss and still make her look strong. The events on RAW seemed quite unnecessary.

We'll know if Banks has heat or not based on whether she gets pinned by Mandy Rose next week. If she does, it's an unfortunate state of affairs because we're sure that Banks is carrying the guilt of injuring Paige with her, in any case.

#3 Best: The Curb Stomp

Seth Rollins tried out a variety of finishers after the Curb Stomp was banned. The Pedigree was far too iconic for Rollins to ever become synonymous with The Architect. The Ripcord Knee seemed like it was ripped off from the Kenny Omega playbook. He needed his old move back.

We're glad to report that The Curb Stomp has returned once again. Rollins used it to defeat Finn Balor in the main event of RAW! We wonder how WWE okayed the move, having banned it some years ago.

#3 Worst: No feud for Elias

Nobody wants to walk or feud with Elias
Nobody wants to walk or feud with Elias

Week after week, Elias comes out on RAW and proves that he's amazing as a promo. He gets a better heel reaction than anyone else in the show. Unfortunately, there's currently no feud for him. He's just another body in the Royal Rumble.

How difficult would it have been, to have booked Elias in a program? It would have made his Royal Rumble appearance seem more special. In certain ways, the booking has been killing him, every single week.

#4 Best: Tom Phillips

We didn't miss Michael Cole, all that much
We didn't miss Michael Cole too much

Tom Phillips took over play-by-play duties when Michael Cole took a beating at the hands of Braun Strowman. To be quite fair, he did a commendable job. He did not yell cliches such as 'THE BIG DOG' when Roman Reigns entered. It was a breath of fresh air.

He has far better chemistry with Corey Graves than Michael Cole does. Graves and Booker T for their part are just a tag grating with their arguments, all the time. Enough already, guys!

Hear our prayers, Oh Goddess almighty
Hear our prayers, Oh Goddess almighty

All in all, this was a great episode of RAW. If WWE can keep this momentum going, we are in for a treat.

Let's pray to The Goddess with bless us with many more great shows.


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