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I had a rather difficult time reviewing RAW this week. The show felt like a new beginning of sorts. So many new things commenced, that I felt like it would make sense to give these plotlines time to develop before they can be reviewed in a very impartial manner. Whether they're good or bad can only be decided when things finally run their course.
That said, I'm paid to write the 'Best and Worst' after every WWE show. So, that is what I will do in this article, as always. If you ask me off the record, I'd say that some of the topics in both categories fall into the Best/Worst category.
As always, I greatly value your feedback. Spare a moment of your time and leave a comment to let me know what you liked and disliked about this week's show.
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Presenting the Best and Worst of RAW, this week.
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#1 Best: Fresh new programs
How tiresome was it seeing the same Reigns vs. Mahal feud on TV every single week? The same can be said for the men and women from the Money in the Bank ladder match locking up in various permutations before the actual contest. Rousey and Jax coming face to face, week after week, did get a bit trying. Thankfully, RAW felt like a fresh new start.
I'm intrigued by what match will take place to determine who faces Brock Lesnar next. I like the fact that after weeks of seeming invincible, Rollins finally did come up short. I liked that superstars like Mojo Rawley and Chad Gable (more on him later) got TV time again.
The coming weeks will reveal if WWE continues to keep the new programs interesting or not. That said, this was an interesting first step.
#1 Worst: Jobber entrance for Gable
When Gable was brought on to RAW, it seemed like he would be pushed to the stars. And then, he upset Jinder Mahal. Just when it looked like he receive a massive push, he started missing TV. Gable's run ended before it even began.
I was glad to see him get TV time this week. What does not bode well for him is that he got a 'jobber' entrance, which means that his music did not even play on TV. This is the first sign that the company sees you as little more than mere enhancement talent.
#2 Best: Sasha and Bayley implode
Sasha Banks teamed up with Bayley to take on the Riott Squad. It was clear that their tensions would reach boiling point at long last, through the course of this encounter. And it finally did! Looks like we're finally going to see the long-awaited Sasha vs. Bayley feud!
There was a backstage brawl that followed. There was even a sequence with a frustrated Bayley trying to make amends with Banks as she drove away. These two women have been underutilized thus far and it finally seems like it's their time to shine!
Can the two women recreate their magic from NXT? I really do think they can if given the chance.
#2 Worst: Lashley on the microphone
The first encounter between Roman Reigns and Bobby Lashley should have been a mammoth affair. It was spoiled by Bobby Lashley's lack of promo skills.
I've had a chance to interview and interact with Lashley before. He's generally a well-spoken man who stumbles in a scripted environment, I suppose. It was painful to see him deliver his lines.
Surprisingly Roman Reigns showed how much he's improved as a promo when he mocked The Revival. Can you imagine being overshadowed by Roman Reigns during a promo segment?
#3 Best: The parody
When they were The Miz's assistants, we had no idea that they had such amazing comedic ability. Now Dallas and Axel have branched off and are showcasing just how funny they can be! They did a great imitation of Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt on this week's show. It's actually extra funny because Bo Dallas imitated his real-life brother, Bray Wyatt.
WWE doesn't often get humour right, but this week they certainly did so.
#3 Worst: No Authors of Pain
The Authors of Pain made a big debut on RAW after WrestleMania. Since then, they have simply disappeared. In an age where memories are short, this does them no good at all. They were even kept out of the Tag Team Battle Royal that recently took place. Were they called up way too soon?
They did wrestle on Main Event, so WWE has no reason to keep them off RAW. They can shake some life into a tag team division that should be a lot more interesting than it currently is.
#4 Best/worst: New Intercontinental Champion
Any title change is a big deal. I'm a fan of Ziggler's and none can dispute that he deserves a run with the Intercontinental Championship. He even put on a great match with Seth Rollins this week. The bad news- he brought 'Mondy Night Rollins' to a bitter end.
Rollins has been the best thing to happen to the Intercontinental Championship. I daresay he's even been better than The Miz. He may be the hottest thing in sports entertainment right now.
That said, I'm looking forward to the two men locking up on next week's show. The match should be pretty, pretty good!
#4 Best/worst: Ronda Rousey's suspension
Ronda Rousey's suspension is merely a way to keep her off TV. This will keep her fresh and interesting, and I also liked how it was done to kick the show off. I also liked how she showed no clemency for babyface or heel. She lay a beatdown on everyone.
I didn't like the shots she took at Kurt Angle. She seemed to not want to hurt him, out of the real life respect she probably has for the man. It took me out of the segment.
Overall, I thought this was a stacked show. I'm intrigued to see what happens next on RAW.
Here's a picture of Sasha Banks and Bayley from better times, long ago.
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