We were almost beginning to like Raw after some consistently solid back-to-back episodes over the last few weeks. Oh well, all good things come to an end. This wasn't the most awful episode that we’ve seen, but compared to the weeks prior, this was just an uneventful show in every sense.
Almost no development that happened on the show (except maybe for Enzo and Cass becoming Number 1 contenders) that has a bearing on Fastlane, WWE Raw’s brand-exclusive pay per view that’s coming up in just two weeks.
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Without jumping the gun, here we present the best and worst of Raw.
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#1 Worst: No show by The Rock
Last night, the internet was abuzz with the fact that The Rock would be a part of this week’s Raw. Well, he was, but just wasn't on the show. He appeared before the show actually aired, being there to shoot a sequence for the new film on Paige’s family.
We’re sure that a lot of fans tuned in just to see The Great One and they were disappointed.
Emmalina did not show up either, and neither did Emma. Maybe The Rock is the new Emmalina. Well, let’s be positive and just be happy he did not bury a current superstar with a Rock Bottom, this week.
#1 Best: Foley finally fights back
Until this week, Raw could have been renamed the ‘Mick Foley burial show’ and nobody would have batted an eyelid. As longtime fans, we were embarrassed at how much Foley put up with his boss Stephanie McMahon, as she mercilessly buried him, week after week on the show.
This was the first time he spoke up for himself and we were absolutely relieved. Sadly, man on woman violence is a strict no-no in today's politically correct WWE environment, or we'd have loved to see a return of Foley's old friend - Mr. Socko.
#2 Worst: Lazy Lesnar is back
It is amazing how little Brock Lesnar gets away with doing on a weekly basis. We had assumed that after his MMA retirement, he would take a greater interest in making his WWE appearances feel special. To give WWE credit, they did try. The environment was different.
However, Lesnar just looked menacingly at the camera, while Paul Heyman did his thing, cutting the same promo as he always does. While Lesnar’s look can give kids nightmares (and to adults like us too), we wish that he would try just a little harder.
#2 Best: Surprisingly good main event
We expected this match to be a complete disaster when it was announced. The Mark Henry-Braun Strowman match was certainly nothing to write home about.
This week, Strowman brought his A-Game against the Slim Show, who carried himself well through the entire performance. How often do we hear ‘This is Awesome’ chants for a Big Show match?
This was a symbolic passing of the torch too, and we suppose Strowman will take over the same role that Big Show has played over the years. It’s heartening to see him give it his all in the ring, unlike a certain Mr. Brock Lesnar.
We’re certain that the Roman-Strowman match will be pretty solid too.
#3 Worst: Nipping up and other botches!
While the show wasn’t exceptional, the commentary was actually on point this week (especially the quip by Austin Aries about Akira Tozawa’s teeth).
However, the announce team did make two hilarious botches through the course of the night. The ‘kip up' by Braun Strowman was referred to as ‘nipping up’ by Byron Saxton. We wonder exactly what he was thinking of at that point! Surely, it couldn’t be Charly Caruso’s rather low cut dress, right?
Corey Graves was great as always, except when he referred to Cesaro as Claudio, his real name. We are certain that Vince wouldn’t have been too happy backstage with that. As long as he doesn’t refer to The Undertaker as Mark, I suppose we are good for now.
Another botch really comes from the lack of WWE logic this week. So The Big Show and Braun Strowman were in the ring during the Royal Rumble with several other men and the ring didn’t have to be reinforced back then? However now, it does?
#3 Best: True heel
When Kevin Owens won the Universal Championship, fans were elated for the man. They cheered him on against babyfaces like Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns (of course they did). However, Owens’ betrayal of Jericho at The Festival of Friendship has finally made him a true heel at last.
The promo at the start of the show hit the mark immediately. Hopefully, Owens will finally be seen as a heel.
#4 Worst: No tribute montage for Nicole Bass?
The wrestling world lost George 'The Animal’ Steele, Ivan Koloff and Nicole Bass this week. Of the lot, Steele got a vignette, Koloff just the image shown above and Bass wasn't remembered at all.
We know she did file a lawsuit for sexual harassment, but her contribution to WWE should not be belittled. After all, Jimmy Snuka also got a tribute montage on Raw.
This show was just about okay, but Charly Caruso’s dress was absolutely sensational.
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