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RAW came to us from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas this week. It also came to us from the Hardy Compound, but more on that later. It was certainly an eventful show, but it did feel like a really long show. Especially if you consider how good last week's episode was.
As always we're here to separate the good from the bad. We'll end it with something we have a split opinion on. It's time for yet another edition of 'Best and Worst'.
You're invited to leave a comment and let us know if you thought the show was good, bad or ugly down in the comments section.
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#1 Best: Brock Lesnar turns heel
If you watched the Randy Orton vs. Bobby Roode match at Fastlane, you know what we're talking about. They put on a solid match, but the crowd did not know whom to root for. This week, we saw Brock Lesnar hit a man in handcuffs. This was to turn him heel, heading into the big match.
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WWE has been planning his turn for a while now. Reigns has been coming out and cutting promos about how he's a part-time champion, echoing the sentiments of the entire WWE Universe. It has even got him a few cheers, especially from the casual fans.
While there's no guarantee that even this action will get Reigns over as a babyface, we saw a more heinous side to Lesnar. A man who can legitimately defeat the toughest men in the world, within the octagon, had to wait for Reigns to be handcuffed, to come out and attack him.
Roman Reigns is the future, while Lesnar's future is uncertain, and we felt this move was really necessary indeed.
#1 Worst: Reigns suffers genuine injury?
Whatever your feels about Roman Reigns might be, we thought it was silly to have him take bumps at Brock Lesnar's hands so close to WrestleMania season, in a pair of handcuffs. Look at the bruises on his hands. They look absolutely terrible. We hope that he makes it back in full health when it's time to hit the big stage.
In any case, they can write Reigns off TV for a while with this injury. It fits right into the whole 'suspension' storyline.
#2 Best: The Ultimate Deletion
Let's say this before we review the match. We do not blame you if you did not like The Ultimate Deletion. Even within our own team of journalists, we could not come to a consensus about whether the match was any good or not. However, what everyone can agree on is the fact that it definitely was a fresh new chapter in a rather stale rivalry.
We loved the cameos from Vanguard 1, Senor Benjamin and Brother Nero as well. This is nowhere as cool as some of the TNA stuff that Matt Hardy was involved in. But it was a start, and a really interesting one.
It remains to be seen how Bray Wyatt will emerge from the Lake of Reincarnation. Whatever it may be, the effects should be WONDERFUL!
#2 Worst: Asuka selling way too much!
Asuka may have a streak, but she seems anything but dangerous when she competes in the ring. Alexa Bliss, a woman that has been booked as a coward, dominated her for most of the match. Asuka eventually picked up the win, but only by count-out. It was a sad performance.
It seems like Asuka will remain on RAW, heading into WrestleMania. It just seems a little silly to keep her in a brand when her opponent is on the other. Nia Jax vs. Alexa Bliss actually feels like a far fresher feud, despite the super cheesy promo packages.
#3 Best: Getting to know the MMA superstar
Ronda Rousey has achieved much in life. And her life has been an uphill struggle from the word go. However, she has overcome all the obstacles in her way and lived to tell the tale. We caught a glimpse of her human side in a promo package, on RAW this week.
This promo achieved more to get the crowd on her side than an appearance could. There were real tears at one point, and that was a touching moment for everyone watching in the audience.
#3 Worst: The wrong brother of Destruction
John Cena called out The Undertaker this week. Kane answered the call. Cena went right up to Kane and pushed the microphone in his face. We could see the Chokeslam that followed from miles away.
The match next week should be the prelude to The Undertaker's appearance for WrestleMania 34. It just feels like a forced and unnecessary step to get through Kane.
#4 Best/worst: The Miz's promo
The Miz is a homegrown WWE superstar in a company dominated by independent wrestling talent. Therefore, we found it great that he mentioned Tyler Black and Prince Devitt by name, which happens to be the indie names for Seth Rollins and Finn Balor.
He also made a snide comment about indie fans 'too sweeting' one another. What ruined the moment for us is how The Miz said 'Nevitt' instead of Devitt. Looks like he hadn't brushed up on his NJPW education, really.
In any case, this episode was a mixed bag. Thankfully, the Goddess is not. She is pure love!
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