Stomping Grounds, which is the next pay-per-view of WWE, is set to take place on Sunday. The anticipation was high for the last RAW before Stomping Grounds. It was a good edition of the red brand after an ordinary show last week.
Baron Corbin toiled hard to find a guest referee this week and the wait continues until Sunday. The Women's Tag Team Titles were on the line against Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. Ricochet overcame four other Superstars and will face Samoa Joe for the United States Championship at Stomping Grounds.
Roman Reigns dismantled Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre, while the New Day defeated the team of Baron Corbin, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn. The Viking Raiders beat two local competitors and The Usos pinned Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
We saw an action-packed episode of the flagship show with some stupendous segments, however, it could have been better. Here we discuss three mistakes WWE made on RAW this week.
New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE
#3 Too many Wild Card entrants
Vince McMahon introduced the Wild Card Rule after Superstar Shake-Up. Only four Superstars are allowed to show up on the other brand through Wild Card Rule but the reality is different. Since introducing the rule, more than four Superstars have been appearing on the other brand regularly which diminishes the idea of the brand split.
Eight SmackDown Live Superstars showed up on the red brand this week which is double the allotted number of the Wild Card Rule. Apart from the WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, the SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions Erick Rowan and Daniel Bryan were the notable names on RAW. Kevin Owens, Big E, Xavier Woods, and Roman Reigns were the other Superstars to appear through the Wild Card Rule. Judging by the scenario every week, the company might end the brand split soon.
#2 No RAW Tag Team Championship match was announced for Stomping Grounds
The Tag Team division of WWE is in serious jeopardy. The Revival won the twin belts on RAW last week when they dethroned Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins. The Usos were also part of the match but they fought Anderson and Gallows this week. On the other hand, the new Tag Team Champions were seen with Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre.
The Usos and the Viking Raiders were two great additions to the RAW Tag Team division but the company hasn't been able to utilize them. The Viking Raiders were impressive after their debut but they have not been on TV until this week. It is ambiguous who will be the next challengers for the Revival.
The twin belts of the red brand have not been defended in a pay-per-view after WrestleMania. The former Champions Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins were not part of Money in the Bank, similarly, they also skipped Super ShowDown. After having new holders of the titles, the scenario is unlikely to change.
#1 Drew McIntyre looked weak before the big clash at Stomping Grounds
Some blockbuster matches are set to take place at Stomping Grounds and the match between Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre is certainly one of them. It will be a rematch of WrestleMania where the Big Dog pinned the Scottish Psychopath. McIntyre will be aiming to avenge his previous loss at Stomping Grounds, while Reigns will be eyeing to get back on track after a shocking loss against Shane McMahon at Super ShowDown.
Reigns skipped RAW and SmackDown Live last week but he made his presence felt on the red brand this week. The Big Dog looked laser focused for redemption as he decimated Shane McMahon and Drew McIntyre. After McIntyre provoked Reigns by mentioning his family, the latter stormed into Shane's VIP room. The former Universal Champion took down The Revival, subsequently, he proceeded to put McIntyre through the table before mauling Shane in the squared circle.
Though the segment was extremely impressive, it made McIntyre look feeble. The Scottish Psychopath is a force to be reckoned with and Reigns has a colossal challenge to overcome at Stomping Grounds. A massive brawl between the two men could have made it more interesting.