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Clash of Champions wasn't the biggest show that WWE has done, but for what it was worth, it was a solid show. Unfortunately, RAW, the following night, was anything but solid from start to finish.
A few storylines were advanced, and some big announcements were made, but overall it was not a very memorable episode. In this review, we shall detail what aspects of the show we liked and the ones we did not.
Without further ado, here is the 'Best and Worst' of RAW. As always, feel free to air your thoughts, views and opinions in the comments section.
So, what did this episode of RAW from the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, RI have to offer?
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#1 Best: Fantastic return
Whatever you say about the current WWE product, it is hard to argue that Tag Team Wrestling is at its zenith as of right now, with The Shield, The Bar, The New Day and The Usos always pulling out all the stops, every time they step into the ring.
Let's just say that Tag Team Wrestling will get yet another shot in the arm, with the return of The Revival. Dash and Dawson may just be the best tag team unit in all of wrestling. These two men were the highlight of every single NXT Takeover event that they were a part of.
Of course, things work very differently in NXT and it is impossible to foresee just how far these guys will go in the RAW tag team division. Know this though...the sheer quality of their matches will be simply exemplary.
If you haven't watched their series of matches with American Alpha or #DIY, we recommend you log on to the WWE Network and do so right away!
#1 Worst: Absolutely dead crowd
The matches on this week's episode of RAW weren't really bad, honestly speaking. However, the crowd did not react to anything at all, through the duration of the show. Even when Hideo Itami made his debut, the WWE Universe remained silent and still.
It spoiled what could have been a good moment. The excitement of the people watching at home is directly interlinked to the enthusiasm of the people present in the arena. In this case, almost the whole show suffered because the crowd make any real noise at all.
#2 Best: Historic announcement
The main event 6-woman tag team match this week came to an abrupt halt, as Stephanie McMahon made her way to the ring to make an announcement. The announcement would rouse the dead crowd into celebration.
Let's face it, we all saw this coming when six women were called up to the main roster for no real, conceivable reason. However, it was still great to hear it announced. The first ever Women's Royal Rumble will take place in the year 2018.
Congratulations to the women of WWE. They certainly have done much to deserve this really massive accolade.
#2 Worst: Breaking character
Only moments after the women were at each other's throats, they arranged themselves into a neat semi-circle for the camera, while Stephanie McMahon made her historic announcement.
We're certain that viewers watching at home were disturbed by this development. It took way any element of believably from the ongoing proceedings. Far too many comparisons are made to the Attitude Era, but at least back then, feuding parties pretended like they disliked each other.
Can you believe that this picture is from moments before the announcement was made by the RAW Commissioner? Where is the believability?
#3 Best: The backstage skit
Enzo Amore may have been painful to listen to on the commentary desk this week, but in providing commentary, he furthered his own character. So did Drew Gulak (through the backstage skit, following the match), who's become an integral part of the Cruiserweight Division recently.
Even though Cedric Alexander won the Number 1 Contender's spot against Gulak, it is clear that big plans are afoot for Gulak. Maybe even a face turn, considering how much Enzo has been running him down recently (not a friend, but an employee).
Enzo has also kept Nia Jax in the mix. Even though she's a part of the Women's Royal Rumble match, this gives her something to do while Absolution takes centre stage.
Enzo may be the worst worker in all of WWE, but it's clear to see why he's the Cruiserweight Champion.
#3 Worst: No Roman Reigns
WWE has traditionally, always been a show focused around a central figure. Whether it was Hulk Hogan in the 80s, Stone Cold Steve Austin in the 90s or John Cena from the early 2000s to very recently, there's always been a face of the company.
All of the storylines are built around 'THE GUY'. Roman Reigns is the face of the current era. Keeping him out of the mix this week, just made the show feel very unimportant.
One can argue that he was never advertised for the show. We would have liked a kayfabe reason as to why he did not appear on the episode like they'd provided with Ambrose and his honeymoon.
Perhaps the actual reason is simply that Reigns needed some time off prior to Christmas week, where WWE will be in full fledged action
Let's hope he's back next week, and business picks up once again.
#4 Best/worst: Brock Lesnar's opponents
When there was no winner in the Strowman-Kane clash last week, we knew this would be the big title match for the Royal Rumble. At the same time, we wonder if this is a compelling enough program.
Kurt Angle announced that Lesnar would be wrestling against Strowman and Kane in a triple threat match. Considering how Lesnar manhandled Strowman the last time they clashed, this isn't an enticing affair. Kane is no longer the Kane of old, and we wonder what he'll be able to pull off in the ring.
Finn Balor would have been a far better opponent, honestly. He never even got a singles rematch for the Universal Championship, after he dropped the title because of an injury he sustained last year.
To conclude, happy birthday to perhaps the greatest male and female superstars in WWE history (yes, on the very same day).
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