5 things that should've happened on Raw this week (23 April 2018) 

This week's episode of Monday Night Raw was expected to feature groundbreaking action, scintillating storytelling and a step in the right direction for WWE’s flagship show. However, WWE once again delivered a monotonous broadcast that repeated many of its familiar booking strategies, underutilised many debuting stars and continued a World Title programme that has fans begging for a conclusion.

In many ways, the go-home episode of Raw before the Greatest Royal Rumble event featured more advertising for the matches on the card, rather than WWE building anticipation for it. This week WWE could’ve put together a much more entertaining show that would’ve had fans excited for next week’s edition of the programme.

Here are five things that should've happened on the red brand this past week.

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#1 Hardy and Wyatt recruit some new Woken Warriors

WWE could've introduced the newest Woken Warriors to the WWE Universe this week

Woken/Broken Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt are the most interesting dynamic on Raw, but the creative team have yet to fully utilise their immense potential. From constant laughter to their sarcastic rounds of appulase, these eccentric Superstars are not given new material to work with every week.

Moreover, their match with The Ascension was an uneventful affair that led to a predictable squash. Instead of WWE booking this likely scenario, they could’ve flipped the script and could have had Wyatt and Hardy recruit The Ascension as new Woken Warriors.

This is a gimmick that would fit the 'residents of the wasteland' like a glove, and it would've been a much better utilisation of them on Raw. This wasted opportunity would’ve added layers of depth to Matt Hardy’s Woken Universe and presented it as a legitimate threat to the rest of the roster.

#2 Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn host a different guest

The Sami and Kevin Show can be a unique part of Raw if the duo interview actual wrestlers who need the spotlight

When WWE launched the Kevin Owens Show, fans were excited to witness Kevin Owens' take on wrestling talk shows. However, when WWE introduced the Sami and Kevin show, wrestling aficionados did not expect the comedic gold that these two best friends would create spontaneously.

As the segment's only purpose was for the best friend duo to bicker with Kurt Angle to probably further set up a tag team match, WWE could’ve avoided the same by choosing a different guest to appear on the premiere of the talk show. That Superstar should’ve been Bobby Roode, as no other wrestler on Raw needs some major character development more than "the Glorious One."

Roode could've spoken about his failures, disappointments and terrible placement on the card, all while being persuaded by Zayn and Owens to turn on the fans and become the natural heel he indeed is. This would've commenced the of evolution Roode’s persona and kept Zayn and Owens away from authority figures for now.

#3 American Alpha reunites

Gable and Jordon could've made headlines this week

While Kurt Angle immediately shot down the prospect of Chad Gable and Jason Jordan teaming up on Raw, the not-so-subtle approach by the GM could very well lead to these former tag team partners reuniting. Therefore, it would’ve been refreshing if WWE had immediately put Jordon with Gable this week on Raw.

Even though Chad Gable’s Monday Night Raw debut kicked off with a victory over a former WWE Champion in Jinder Mahal, it felt mostly inconsequential due to Mahal’s standing as of late. Hence, Gable's arrival on the flagship show would've been much more impactful if WWE had him and Jordon tear Mahal apart to make a loud statement.

Jordon and Gable were one of the best tag teams in the company during their white-hot NXT run, and WWE could use their magic in the Raw tag team division. The duo can make for a white-hot heel tag team under Kurt Angle, who is the man that inspired their careers.

#4 Baron Corbin changes the landscape of Raw

Corbin could've started his main event push this week

From a failed main event push to a failed Raw debut, Baron Corbin has always been reported to be viewed in high capacity by the WWE management. However, his booking never seems to back that rumour up. Moreover, it is indeed disappointing that Corbin has the potential to carry a World Title in the company, but his terrible booking has ruined any credibility he has left, to do so.

That is why his debut on Raw was critical, as it was a new chapter, a new beginning and a new chance for "The Lone Wolf" to turn his failures into golden opportunities. However, taking out No way Jose is not going to do him any favours with getting over as a top player on the "A show." Therefore, WWE needed to debut Corbin in hot fashion and what better way for him to explode on the scene, than to take out the central player.

No Superstar is sitting higher on the company's totem pole than Roman Reigns, and Corbin laying waste to Reigns would not feel out of place, but would illustrate a man who is here to swim with the yop sharks of the brand. If Corbin has to be a main event player, WWE need to start booking him like one and this week they missed a huge chance.

#5 Balor and Rollins mix things up

Balor and Rollins needed to switch things up.

Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins with "momentum on the line"; Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins with "pride on the line"; Seth Rollins and Finn Balor team up "to analyze each other's weaknesses and strengths"; will WWE ever stop repeating the same old booking strategies with these two particular Superstars?

When fans tune into Monday Night Raw, they want to witness white hot wrestlers obliterating each other's ego on the mic, destroying each other in the ring and crafting a programme that feels pay-per-view worthy.

However, this week, WWE just presented the same old script with the same tired result, and what is shocking is that the creative team had a solid one-night narrative possibility with the fading Miztourage. Therefore, they should've utilized that angle to freshen things up.

This new perspective could’ve seen each member of the former Miztrouage team with Finn Balor and Seth Rollins in a tag team match. This unusual setup would’ve allowed Rollins and Balor to deviate from the typical “we are friends now, but enemies later” act that has been run into the ground, and this would’ve also used Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas in a better manner.