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SummerSlam 2019 was a good show with far more good than bad, I felt. The episode of RAW that followed wasn't a good show per se, though there was little wrong with it.
It's extraordinary that the two biggest angles on television right now, namely the attack on Roman Reigns and The Fiend seem like they are scheduled for SmackDown Live. I suppose Eric Bischoff will have the big guns at his disposal as SmackDown's headed to FOX.
But that's not to say that this week's episode was a total bust. I quite liked more than one aspect of the show, although there were clear issues.
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I present the best and worst of the show...
#1 Best: Braun Strowman makes a huge comeback
As I have said time and again, it is impossible to keep someone like Braun Strowman off a SummerSlam card, because of the way he looks. He would have been a big star at any point in wrestling, even during the era of the giants. He is an anomaly in every sense of the word and not long ago, he was also WWE's biggest star.
Something went wrong along the way, and we were left at a stage when there wasn't a role for one of the biggest stars on RAW at the second biggest show of the year. I'm glad to report that he returned in the main event match, taking the fight to The OC. I wonder if this means that he will go after AJ Styles' United States Championship in the months that follow.
Another alternative to consider is that he could potentially be going for the Universal Championship that Seth Rollins now holds. Whatever the case may be, it was great to have a monster in the mix, at long last!
#1 Worst: The Stone Cold cameo
Stone Cold calling into RAW to discuss the SummerSlam 2019 main event just felt like it was a real waste of time to me. You want to see Stone Cold Steve Austin drink beer, not promote his upcoming show.
When you advertise a segment with Stone Cold, I think it is imperative that it is used to advance an ongoing storyline, considering the fact that Stone Cold cannot wrestle anymore. Just getting Stone Cold's review of a match and the plug for the upcoming show seemed like a buzzkill in many aspects.
He did attempt to put Seth Rollins over in the best way he could through this segment but the unfortunate fact is that he fell short with regard to achieving the same. I hardly remembered it until i looked at the Tweets in my timeline and suddenly recalled it again.
And that's the bottom line...
#2 Best: Elias is the 24/7 Champion
Elias was part of SummerSlam in two different roles. He was the special guest enforcer for the Shane McMahon vs. Kevin Owens match. He was also part of a segment in the Kickoff show, which was interrupted by none other than WWE Hall of Famer, Edge.
This week, he lost to Ricochet in what seemed like a pointless segment and I lost all hope. But then, he would pin R-Truth to become a 3-time 24/7 Champion and Truth vs. Elias should certainly make for some very entertaining television. Both men have an innate sense of comedy and I have a feeling that they can work some very entertaining angles.
This was the third 24/7 Championship of the night. The Revival actually pinned R-Truth to become co 24/7 Champions which R-Truth then won back, much to the puzzlement as well as the delight of the audience.
#2 Worst: The Viking Raiders continue wrestling enhancement talent
Sometimes, you can watch the same thing over and over again. Tom tries many a devious plan to catch Jerry and does not succeed, but the hilarity of every single episode has made it a timeless classic for many.
The Viking Raiders squashing enhancement talent does not have the same kind of timeless value. Moreover, I have a feeling that people are actually turned off at the sight of them approaching the screen to partake in the same kind of match every single week. I know that I'm tired of slotting them in the worst section week after week.
If The Viking Raiders had a point to prove, I think that they have proved it and then some, already. If anything, they should be stepping up to Gallows and Anderson, threatening a beat down and making a claim for the gold they possess.
#3 Best: Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch
The biggest piece of news to come out of SummerSlam weekend is the return of Sasha Banks. She has a new look and a new attitude and she is here to stay, and possibly even dethrone 'The Man' Becky Lynch!
There is a huge lack of heels in the roster, especially in the RAW side of things. SmackDown Live still has Charlotte Flair, but the biggest heel on RAW is probably Alexa Bliss, who's doing her own thing in the tag team division at the moment.
Becky Lynch has been cold ever since she became Champion because she's never had a strong heel to work with until Sasha Banks turned heel and took 'The Man' out. Now there's a feud that fans can sink their teeth into.
I have a feeling that this could be a feud that stretches many months and elevates both women involved in it.
#3 Worst: Not building the RAW tag team title picture
See, I like the fact that Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are finally getting some screen time. They were far too talented to be sitting on the benches for so very long.
But then again, they are little more than sidekicks for AJ Styles. The tag team titles were not even showcased on SummerSlam, and instead, we got a weird match between Apollo Crews and Buddy Murphy, just made for Rowan to interfere.
Even though they were featured prominently on RAW, I'm just a little baffled that WWE would not want them to go up against a formidable tag team like The Viking Warriors or the AoP. It just seems like a big waste of their talents, in my personal opinion.
Even The Revival, who should be hot on the chase for the gold was involved in the 24/7 Championship picture this week.
#4 Best/worst: Rey Mysterio gets defeated by Andrade
I understand that Andrade is the hot new star right now and he's the man who should be getting the push that he is. I just found it weird that Mysterio would be pinned in 2 falls, instead of 3. Mysterio's not been portrayed as a big deal at all, since his big return to action.
Andrade and Mysterio put on yet another low-key classic on WWE TV. But then, Mysterio came out on the losing end and cut a promo where he became quite emotional in the backstage area. I don't really know if Mysterio is the kind of guy for such a program.
At the same time, it is impossible to criticize the match per se, because of how well the two men worked. Let's just see where it leads from here.
Maybe a Goddess will light our path in the weeks to come.
