This week, Raw was live from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. You had The Undertaker AND Shawn Michaels appear during the course of the show, and of course, that’s always thrilling.
However, in our humble estimation, Raw did certain things right today and that helped it not step into the mire of boringness that had engulfed it during the weeks prior. As always, we bring you the best and worst recap of WWE’s flagship brand - Monday Night Raw.
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#1 Best: Roman Reigns takes a clean pin
It took two men to do it, but it was finally accomplished. John Cena brought prestige to the US Championship by defending it every week in the open challenge. It was assumed that Roman Reigns would do the same with this mid-card championship.
Unfortunately, that wasn't to be. We’re glad it is off his shoulders now, and that a man who’s never been US Champion before now holds the coveted title. A definite future Hall of Famer, Y2J Chris Jericho.
Once again we reiterate that we don't hate Roman Reigns, we hate the way he was booked. When instead of defending his championship regularly, he's going for the Universal Championship time and again, there is a problem.
The problem becomes more apparent especially when it is clear that the WWE Universe does not want to see him being Mr. Superman who can never be pinned, every single week.
#1 Worst: Roman to become Universal Champion?
Everything Vince McMahon does is for a purpose. Sometimes it seems that the dastardly heel he played on screen is quite similar to the kind of person he is off-screen and that he does not want fans to ever be happy.
Maybe we’re being paranoid, but somehow it seems that Roman Reigns losing one title means that he’ll regain the other one soon. Remember the shower of boos at the conclusion of the previous Wrestlemania?
That could very well be the case once more if Roman regains the top spot. In the words of Bray Wyatt- ‘anyone but you’.
#2 Best: Rusev’s comic timing
It was the big return of the Heart Break Kid and like a master, he controlled the crowd to the utmost degree as always. Rusev would interfere, and Enzo and Cass would join this fray soon, leading to some really funny moments.
Here’s the most shocking part. Rusev was probably the funniest person inside the ring of the lot. Not only did he want his wife Lana to be CGI-ed into Shawn Michaels’ new film, he described himself as the Bulgarian George Clooney.
When one of the jokes that Shawn Michaels cracked bombed in his face, the quintessential European heel said that it must be an American joke, because he didn’t get it. Peerless comic timing from the Bulgarian Brute. Plus, Lana looked simply ravishing!
#2 Worst: Drew Gallagher?
What would our countdown be without the presence of our dear and beloved Michael Cole? During the Cruiserweight Classic contest, Jack Gallagher was toying around with Drew Gulak with a variety of theatric moves.
Michael Cole would get so caught up in the action that he would mix up their names. In fact, he went one step further. He combined their names and called one of the two men Drew Gallagher. Both hilarious and careless!
Big Cass was brilliant on the microphone, but nowhere as good in the ring this week. During his match with Jinder Mahal, he messed up the East River Crossing and made it look shoddier than ever. We’re sure it was just an off night for him, and that he’ll be back in full force very soon.
#3 Best: New Royal Rumble entrants
This year, The Royal Rumble comes to us from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas which can fit upwards of 60000 people. What WWE needs to make the event special are big names.
With Shawn Michaels pretty much suggesting that he's better off watching the Royal Rumble from the side, it’s a relief to know that The Undertaker and Seth Rollins have joined the fray. The Undertaker's entry alone would have qualified as this week's ‘best’.
#4 Best: Changing things up
Raw has followed one format since the beginning of time. Stephanie McMahon comes out, makes a few matches and puts herself over for 30 minutes every week. Thankfully, this week was a departure from the format, as we began with a backstage segment and went straight into a match.
Let's bring back the unpredictable WWE, writing team!
In conclusion, this was a fairly entertaining episode of Raw with few complaints. So, here's an aww picture!
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