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Whenever WWE decides to go to the United Kingdom, somehow the shows are never as good as they can be. But this week, WWE pulled a Ramblin' Rabbit out of the hat and actually put on quite a show for its fans.
Very surprisingly, RAW had few moments where I was cursing myself for wasting three hours of my life. Instead, it was a well-paced and interesting show that made me wonder why WWE slacks off ever so often when they have the ability to deliver fantastic episodes like this one.
So much so, that I even had trouble identifying three 'worsts' from the show at first, but I did so with the help of my colleague Rohit Nath. But I'm always curious to hear your opinion, so I invite you to voice them in the comments.
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Here is what I thought about this week's show.
#1 Best: Wyatt goes dark
There is a certain section of fans on the internet who believe that Bray Wyatt's character was being wasted as part of the Firefly Fun House. I've been adamant in my belief that not only is this the best thing to happen to him but to happen to anyone in WWE for a very long time.
This week, Bray Wyatt assured us that he was channeling his darkness for good and also showcased a side of his personality that is twisted and demented. I'm really excited to see how he goes from the promos to the ring because the stage is set for the debut of his new persona at last.
Let's hope that he has a lot of creative control with this character because WWE cannot afford to muck this one up. The gimmick has the potential to be gold.
#1 Worst: Underwhelming Universal Championship build
Last week, we saw AJ Styles accidentally hit Seth Rollins with the phenomenal forearm and thereby spark off the seeds of dissent between the two babyfaces. I just thought that the follow-up this week was extremely cold.
Sure, they did show footage of the two men battling it out in the independent circuit. But at the same time, I would have liked to see them slug it out backstage because of the mistimed move from the previous week.
Again, while the topic was brought up in backstage interviews, it just felt like WWE did not deliver with regard to the premise that was set up the week before. The ladder match feels like a big deal thanks to the build, but the Universal Championship picture does not feel like it even matters.
I know for a fact that the two men will have a great match, however.
#2 Best: Sami Zayn replaces Strowman
On paper, Sami Zayn vs. Braun Strowman seems like a very weak main event for RAW, because of the depth of the roster. However, both men put on a great match in their Falls Count Anywhere encounter. I loved how Baron Corbin and Drew McIntyre got involved in the fracas too, considering they want the biggest threat gone.
I love it when WWE is logical and they booked this match logically. Zayn is someone who'll be much more at home in a Money in the Bank ladder match than someone like Braun Strowman. There is clearly some heat on Strowman as well, as things stand at the moment.
I think that Sami Zayn could also be a brilliant candidate to become the next Mr. Money in the Bank. His character is a lot more suited to the idea of a sneaky cash-in, than someone like Braun Strowman.
#2 Worst: Not showcasing the Tag Team division at all
Very honestly, we've reached a point where the Tag Team Championships don't mean anything really. I hope Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan change this perception on SmackDown Live but at least on RAW, it just seems like the whole division is just an afterthought. The RAW Tag Team Champions were not showcased at all during this episode.
The Viking Raiders defeated the RAW Tag Team Champions last week and should have challenged the Champs to a match at Money in the Bank. If you look at the card right now, the fact of the matter is that there isn't a single tag team match scheduled for the show. How disheartening must this be for the entire tag team division?
Why wouldn't tag teams like The Revival want to move to AEW and work with The Young Bucks? They know for a fact that they'll get their due in the company.
#3 Best: Rey Mysterio vs. Cesaro
I loved absolutely everything about Rey Mysterio's mini-feud with Cesaro this week. It began in the backstage area when Cesaro implied that Rey Mysterio's son probably wasn't his, because of the difference in height.
It went to the ring where us in the WWE Universe had the fortune of watching two of the very best in the business slug it out in an absolutely incredible clash. My favorite part of the match was when Cesaro attempted to deliver the 619 to Mysterio, to the delight of the crowd.
Honestly, this wasn't the only good match on the show. I also really liked the Corbin vs. Ricochet match and I'm glad to see how far the former GM of RAW has come when it comes to putting on good performances.
I also thought that the multi-woman match ahead of Money in the Bank was actually a solid affair.
#3 Worst: Apollo Crews fakes a knee injury
Mojo Rawley has been teasing a new character for a while and he finally strode out in his brand new avatar this week. He took on Apollo Crews in a match that did not go on for long.
Crews sold his leg from the very start and pretended that he had an injury that allowed Mojo Rawley to pick up a big win. I just wonder if it increased Rawley's stock at all to defeat a man who wasn't at 100%.
I also wonder why Apollo Crews' character is being protected so much when he has been used as little more than enhancement talent in the past. I really think that there is more value to building Apollo Crews than Mojo Rawley at the moment.
Maybe the two men will end up in a tag team unit in due course of time.
#4 Best/Worst: Alexa Bliss teams up with Nikki Cross
WWE tried an Alexa Bliss and Mickie James alliance in the past with mixed results. They also tried it with Nia Jax and the results were pretty much the same. The one with Alexa Bliss and Alicia Fox did not work out at all.
I wonder how Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss will fare as a unit and just how long they will last, to be fair. It's a great opportunity for Cross to shine and show the world just how good she is. Their characters are so different that it could make for some interesting segments.
I wonder if Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross will work as a cohesive unit at Money in the Bank. Could Cross be the reason Alexa Bliss becomes Miss Money in the Bank for the second time in two consecitve years?
Does WWE have big plans for The Goddess?
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
