This time out, WWE RAW moved to the picturesque city of Montreal, Canada and fans were expecting a decent show. WIth Payback just round the corner and hardly any matches finalized, Montreal certainly looked like the venue where new storylines would take shape and existing ones took a turn for the better. Much to our relief, certain segments of the show looked promising whereas the other ones yet again yielded to WWE’s usual routine of fitting in their ‘squash matches’ and useless promos.Let us take a look at five such instances that pretty much took the sting out of WWE Raw’s tail this week:
#1 Fake Spiders?
Cody Rhodes’ transformation as Stardust is indeed a commendable effort. From the make up to the mannerisms, Cody has nailed every bit to fit the Rhodes’ family routine. The WWE too gave him his due as his ongoing animosity with goldust looked like it would culminate into a Wrestlemania classic. But, that was not the case and Rhodes once again finds himself at the bottom of the rung.
This week he faced R-Truth, a superstar of similar stature in a meaningless bout on RAW. To top it all, he won the match after he freaked out his opponent using plastic spiders. The segment takes the cake for being one of RAW’s lowest points of the night. Fake spiders Cody? really?
#2 Unnecessary U.S title challenge
We all know what a big heart John Cena has. In an industry where superstars slog through the year to win title shots, you see Cena out in the open offering freebies to the first ones that walk out of the curtain. The Intention is indeed a respectable one, but the result is what is the point of discussion.
With Cena booking himself in a last man standing match against Rusev for the U.S title, why on earth do you think he will lose to whoever walks out to face him? It was Sami Zayn who grabbed the spotlight this week no doubt, but going into the match already knowing the result is what will cost the WWE.
#3 The Commentary team does it again
During Cody Rhodes’ match against R-Truth, the former brought a large bag to the ring. Everyone in the arena including a clueless R-Truth wanted to know what was inside it. So, as the match began, the focus of the fans and the commentators alike were on the bag.
JBL, often accused of using his slapstick humour a little too much commented saying that maybe Cody brought his daddy the ‘American dream’ Dusty Rhodes in the bag. Even though he maintains that this was said in good humour, Dusty’s son Goldust took to twitter to express his displeasure over JBL’s comments.
The last time Goldust expressed his opinions on twitter, he returned and feuded with Randy Orton. Where will this one lead to?
#4 Ryback - Wyatt segment
The WWE sure seems to have taken a bold move putting Bray Wyatt in a feud against the hard hitting Ryback. Wyatt’s transformation has been phenomenal and his eerie promos will give the best superstars out there a run for their money. Ryback on the other hand, has been bad with the microphone. He certainly reminds you of a certain Sid Justice.
So, in the build up to their match at Payback, Ryback was given centre stage to express what he thought of Wyatt and the segment certainly was one of the lowest points of the night. Quotes like ‘I eat my own fear’ certainly don’t build up enough momentum heading into the match.
Guess ‘feeding’ alone ain’t good enough.
#5 Bella twins get ambushed
The Divas division looked promising a couple of months ago with the likes of AJ, Paige and Emma ruling the roost. But, since the Bella fever has kicked off, the matches and the storylines have become more and more sluggish.
This week saw the return of Tamina Snuka, who along with her co-sister Naomi blindsided the twins to make a statement. This will in all probability end up being a filler at Payback and will go down as yet another bad effort to make the divas division look relatable.