The go-home episode of Raw for WWE Payback was not the strong show we’d hoped for. Instead, it had several dull and underwhelming moments and questionable booking decisions through the entirety of the episode.
A shame really, considering how good Raw has been over the past few weeks at least. While we believed that Raw was finally shaking off the cobwebs that had accumulated over the last year with stronger episodes, it turns out that the red brand may just lapse into mediocrity once again.
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Let’s critically evaluate this episode of Monday Night Raw in our ‘Best and Worst’ recap, like we always do.
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#1 Worst: Did Strowman have to lose?
Unless Kalisto gets a Jinder Mahal like push over the coming weeks, he did not need to win this match. Sure, we get their idea- that an incensed Strowman, after his loss, would take his anger out on poor, hapless Kalisto, but there are better ways to book the monster among men.
Also, correct us if we are wrong, but doesn't the lid of a dumpster traditionally have to be closed for someone to actually win a dumpster match? WWE logic prevails once again.
If Braun Strowman has to be booked as a main eventer, he has to be made to look invincible. Losing to someone like Kalisto destroys his credibility, even if it is made to look like a fluke.
To be fair, it was a good match for what it was worth, but the eventual outcome overshadowed the actual contest. The two-foot drop that Kalisto fell from, which had him hospitalised in kayfabe, looked unbelievable too. Not the best week for the Monster Among Men, considering how much momentum he had.
#1 Best: Alexa Bliss shuts the crowd up
The crowd in Kansas tonight took Alexa Bliss’ segment as an opportunity to be heard by drowning her in ‘What?’ chants. We’ve seen several wrestlers in the past get disoriented and lose focus when this happens.
Alexa turned it around on the crowd and said, ‘Alexa Bliss is the best, say what?’ The crowd responded in the only way they knew how- with ‘What?’. Alexa Bliss, nonplussed, continued with the segment. Sadly, it brings us to a much bigger problem concerning such segments.
#2 Worst: Not knowing when to finish
SmackDown understands that brevity is the key when it comes to creating an impact. Unfortunately, Raw's approach is exactly the opposite. While the Jericho-Ambrose-Miz promo at the start of the show could have easily made our ‘best’ list if it had been shorter, it went on and on and just wouldn’t stop.
We wonder why Raw feels the need to kill time with such segments instead of telling actually compelling stories like SmackDown. The Alexa Bliss-Bayley segment too seemed like a real hodge-podge with the inclusion of Sasha Banks into the mix, diluting the overall story that was being told.
#2 Best: The ambush and Seth Rollins’ new finisher
There was much to like about this match, so we'll discuss them one by one.
The ambush at the start by The Club and Samoa Joe on Enzo and Big Cass make them look tough and calculating, a deadly combination indeed. We love the first interaction that Balor had with The Club, maybe indicating that they can also join forces someday and possibly face The Shield, all of whom are currently on Raw.
Moreover, it proved that Finn Balor can wrestle again and is not feeling the effects of the concussion he suffered at the hands of Jinder Mahal. However, we'll fast forward straight to the finish, where Seth Rollins first set up a Pedigree, then decided against it.
Instead, he finished the match with (no, not the Curb Stomp) a stiff looking NJPW style knee, a finish he's used at LIve Events before this. We could grow to like this!
#3 Worst: Dana Brooke is still quite green
Even the shortest Dana Brooke match is filled with botches.
Her in-ring work makes Enzo Amore seem as good as AJ Styles between the ropes. The finisher she delivered to Alicia Fox this week, looked atrocious. We genuinely hope she gets sent back to NXT, where the women’s division could actually use her well.
#4 Worst: The Miz's mystery opponent
We actually waited three hours to get Bray Wyatt for half a match? Why is Wyatt sending notes to The Miz anyway? Why was Maria Kanellis teasing her debut (and by association, Mike Bennett’s too) on Twitter then? Why was Raw such a disaster this week? Gah.
Let’s end on a positive note, with a picture of The Boss.
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