The WWE is usually known for not delivering things that the WWE Universe wants, and they end up being crucified for their booking decisions. This week, though, at WWE Extreme Rules 2017, they went against the fans’ wishes of seeing Finn Balor winning the Extreme Rules Fatal Fiveway match and were lauded for their decision.
Unexpectedly, Samoa Joe was given the victory and the honour of becoming Number 1 Contender for Brock Lesnar’s WWE Universal Championship. With one impactful decision, the company has created a dream match at Great Balls of Fire.
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As Vince’s bunch of merry men rolled into town for Monday Night Raw and Smackdown Live, expectations were at an all-time high as the fans waited with baited breath to see what the company had in store for them.
Thankfully, both episodes lived up to expectations with some exquisite action. So, what exactly were we looking for from the WWE’s creative team and did we get it? Without any further do, here is our list of 5 things we wanted from the WWE this week and what they delivered for the week of 07th June 2017:
#5 What we wanted: AJ Styles winning against Dolph Ziggler; what we got: AJ Styles winning against Dolph Ziggler
If there’s one thing to be said about the WWE, it’s that they know what a prized asset they have in AJ Styles. Every time they make a mistake with him, they immediately rectify it at the next available opportunity.
When he inexplicably lost to Chris Jericho at Wrestlemania 32, he was handed a Number 1 Contender’s spot the very next night on Raw. When he inexplicably lost to Dolph Ziggler in his home state of Georgia last week, the fans were hoping for instant retribution.
And, that’s exactly what they got as AJ picked up the victory with a beautifully executed Styles Clashing, avenging the defeat he suffered at the hands of The Showoff on last week’s episode of Smackdown Live. Good job, WWE.
Also read: 5 mistakes committed by WWE this week: 07th June 2017
#4 What we wanted: new feuds for the four losers from the Extreme Rules main event; what we got: only one new feud
When Samoa Joe was crowned Number 1 Contender for the WWE Universal Championship, fans were left wondering what would happen with the other four participants in the Extreme Rules Fatal Fiveway match.
All four men are elite-level performers who need strong feuds and programs to maintain their status as the very best the WWE has to offer. We certainly hoped the WWE would address the issues this week, and they did, albeit to a limited extent. Only one new feud was established between Bray Wyatt and Seth Rollins.
The Architect took aim at The Eater of Worlds verbally, and during the main event, Bray gained his revenge by distracting Rollins, thereby allowing Samoa Joe to lock in the Coquina Clutch for the win.
There were absolutely no signs of what was in store for Roman Reigns (who could have a program with The Miz) and Finn Balor, though, the latter of whom wasn’t even on the show as he was flown out to Japan for some promotional work on behalf of the company.
#3 What we wanted: improved booking for Shinsuke Nakamura; what we got: exactly that
The King of Strong Style’s debut on the WWE’s main roster has been a little lacklustre due to poor booking decisions both in terms of promos as well as in-ring action. While the promos will need time due to Shinsuke Nakamura’s tenuous grasp on the English language, the in-ring work needed massive improvement going into this week’s episode of Smackdown Live.
Luckily in his match against Kevin Owens, Nakamura looked every bit the hard-hitting strong style master he is. This was a welcome difference from previous weeks where he took a lot of punishment and dished out very little himself.
The excellent match has served to heat up The Artist after his lukewarm start to life on the main roster.
#2 What we wanted: something new in the build up for the WWE Championship match; what we got: more of the boring old stuff
Okay, enough of the foreigner vs. hometown hero shtick. Seriously, it has made the WWE Championship irrelevant. Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton need to come up with something special next week or there will no hype going into their encounter at Money in the Bank.
Just change something up and get the fans excited, WWE. This is supposed to be your most important title.
#1 What we wanted: Samoa Joe booked as a legitimate threat to Brock Lesnar; what we got: Joe booked as somewhat of a threat
You know right up until the end of his match against Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe was booked perfectly on this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw. He was threatening in his scintillating promo against Brock Lesnar, but the real treat came when Paul Heyman entered the ring.
After some back and forth, Joe cornered Heyman, threatened him and proceeded to lock in the Coquina Clutch on The Advocate as a message to The Beast Incarnate. It was the perfect example of how to set up The Destroyer as a legit threat.
Unfortunately, some of that hard work was undone in the main event where Joe needed Bray Wyatt’s shenanigans in order to pick up the victory. It’s a small blemish on an otherwise perfect sequence of events.
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