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I genuinely thought that this week's show had very few segments that fit the 'worst' column and if you're going to watch the episode based on this article, I recommend that you go ahead and do so. For some reason, RAW felt fresh and it felt important from start to finish, to me at least.
Paul Heyman is a creative genius and when he is allowed to infuse his trademark creativity into the show, everything is always great. I am sure that he was supported by an able team of very competent writers who put the show together.
Feel free to chime in and let me know exactly what you thought about the show and if you felt like there was more good than bad on the show.
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#1 Best: Samoa Joe and Jinder Mahal return
I was glad to see Samoa Joe back at the desk and while he is no Bobby Heenan, I thought that he was a major step up from Jerry Lawler. While Lawler was one of my favorite announcers growing up, the fact of the matter is that in a restrained environment where he's not allowed to be his classic, outrageous self, he is not quite the same King we knew and love.
And I genuinely thought that he did a fairly decent job in the main event segment where he can be the Tony Schiavone of RAW, chairing special segments and adding star power to certain in-ring moments.
The other big news this week was the return of Jinder Mahal, with a brand new look and I loved just how dominant he seemed in the ring. Overall, these two returns pretty much ensured that this RAW got a thumbs up from me, in terms of quality.
#1 Worst: The Lashley and Lana breakup angle, while Charly and Garza tease a romance
Maybe the worst thing about pro wrestling in 2020 is how far WWE has pulled back the curtain so to speak, because of which we know that certain on-screen couples aren't really together such as Angel Garza and Charly Caruso. Of course, we all know that Lana is married to Rusev in real life and that the whole storyline with Bobby Lashley was a sham.
I just think that the whole angle of Bobby Lashley making excuses so that Lana doesn't accompany him to the ringside area is pretty weak. The two have been teasing a breakup angle for many weeks now and I really do wonder, the way things are going, if the Creative team really does have an endgame in mind or not.
Also, I am absolutely appalled at the lack of consistency with regard to the storytelling, especially if you consider that Lashley was flipping tires for no reason last week.
He should be in a feud with Brock Lesnar, not doing such (no pun intended) flippant stuff.
#2 Best: Pushing Liv Morgan
Sometimes, a performer is allowed to win in a big way one week, and then the subsequent way, he/she loses her momentum. We can take Liv Morgan's own example in this case, especially if you consider that she picked up a big win at WrestleMania but lost on the following night. It was a classic case of WWE determining that wins and losses do not matter when they certainly do.
But I am glad to report that Liv Morgan picked up a big win over Ruby Riott and it is clear that she will be pushed in a big way. Some of you may say that this is a bad thing for Ruby Riott but I genuinely feel that Morgan needed to win this feud and that scoring a victory over someone as talented as Ruby Riott is a meaningful thing.
Liv Morgan would have been a star in almost any era of WWE and she could potentially break out and become WWE's next face if they use her right.
#2 Worst: The contract signing
I would have been okay with this segment had it happened somewhere in the middle of the show. After waiting for three whole hours, the contract signing was quite a disappointment. I liked the fact that Seth Rollins and Murphy are allied once more, but overall, I don't even know if I'm necessarily excited about the upcoming match.
There is no way at all that Drew McIntyre is going to lose his Championship so soon after winning it. I think that his reign will be long and prosperous, even if WWE is trying to cast an element of doubt in our mind by introducing Murphy into the current mix.
I just think that WWE should do away with contract signing segments altogether because we've seen so many through the years that we can predict just how they will play out, even before they air. And once you know the ending to a movie, to use an example, would you still spend three hours to watch it? I know I won't.
#3 Best/worst: Apollo Crews to miss Money in the Bank 2020
I just think that once you get behind someone, you go all the way with him or her. Such was not the case with Crews, who had a great first outing in the 6-man tag team match but could not keep up with United States Champion Andrade who crippled him.
In case you haven't seen it already, do check out the slap from Crews to Andrade that resonated through the WWE Performance Center this week. I genuinely thought that this was the most 'personality' that we have seen from the man in a very long time and I was thrilled to see that side of him.
Unfortunately, the fact that he will be out of the Money in the Bank match is a major blow because this should have been Crews' moment, where he achieves the impossible and where the crowd can spur him on to victory from their homes. It would have made far more sense to do this, than say, bring AJ Styles back for another outing.
#3 Best/Worst: The tag team division
Is it wrong to be more excited about what is happening in the tag team undercard than in the actual Championship picture, I ask you?! I think that Ricochet and Cedric Alexander are the dream team that none of us expected but they have come together to form a better combination than peanut butter and jelly.
As for The Street Profits and The Viking Raiders, maybe it's just me but something about them just isn't clicking for me overall. I just think that WWE's tag team division is a lot less exciting than it used to be, with The New Day becoming Champions again and with The Viking Raiders going from Viking mode to Carpool Karaoke mode on a weekly basis.
Anyway, in conclusion, I do hope that you are safe and sound, wherever in the world you may be at the moment. We know that the times are tough, but thankfully as wrestling fans, we still have a product that we can enjoy.
Take a moment and let the WWE roster know how much you appreciate them, down below.
