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I know that a lot of you were excited about this episode of RAW. Everyone wanted to see what WWE would do in response to the success that was AEW Double or Nothing.
Well, the answer is nothing. We saw three hours of nothing this week, by which I'm not referring to a Seinfeld episode, but to the fact that no effort was put into ensuring that the show was actually good.
It was almost like WWE does not care about the competition or the fact that the viewership has seen a steady decline over the years. Honestly, this is a worrying trend and I do hope that when AEW launches its television product, it forces WWE to up its game.
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I had a hard time searching for 'Bests' to fill this list with, but I did the best I could from this week's show.
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#1 Best: The main event match
Listen, when you put Seth Rollins and Sami Zayn in the main event of RAW, it's pretty much guaranteed to be the highlight of the night. The two men told a great story, with Seth Rollins selling a buckled knee, which played into the match quite significantly indeed.
Of course, the Universal Champion would pick up the win after a massive back and forth affair. But it was also a great showcase for Sami Zayn to prove that he can be absolutely awesome when allowed to be himself, an annoying heel who can have great matches with almost everyone.
Shortly before this segment, Sami Zayn held his own during what was called the 'Electric Chair', when the crowd addressed him with multiple questions. The segment wasn't the best really, but Sami Zayn's performance was quite convincing.
Sami Zayn is a star.
#1 Worst: The injury woes continue
WWE Superstars perform at a very high level and they do it around the year. One of the most worrying things right now is how many superstars are currently on the shelf.
We know that AJ Styles had to pull out of the match tonight owing to the fact that he's all banged up. We also know that Alexa Bliss wasn't on the show which forced Nikki Cross to team up with Becky Lynch instead of her.
Alexa Bliss has been prone to concussions in recent times and I can only wish the best for both AJ Styles and Alexa Bliss. Perhaps the most worrying thing, however, is the fact that Rey Mysterio has to relinquish his Championship as well, having suffered an injury during Money in the Bank.
Maybe there is something to AEW's policy of working fewer dates for the welfare of performers.
#2 Best: Bray Wyatt reveals his new persona
The Firefly Fun House is so different from the rest of RAW that it stands out from the clutter quite distinctly. This week, Bray Wyatt told us a variety of things during the rather interesting Firefly Fun House segment. His masked persona, his new character so to speak, will be known as 'The Fiend'.
Because of all the anticipation surrounding Bray Wyatt's debut, we're all curious about what he could potentially do next. Bray Wyatt is a creative genius and if he is allowed to debut in the manner that he wants to, he could be the next big thing. However, if WWE Creative has him doing comedy skits that they have scripted, the outcome could be quite disastrous indeed.
That said, I loved the Firefly Fun House segment as I'm sure you did too. The Fiend could potentially be a very interesting character.
#2 Worst: Lance Anoa'i
What kind of show are you running where you don't showcase your tag team champions for weeks on end but instead have Roman Reigns' family member, an unsigned wrestler, show up instead? I know what WWE was trying to do with the segment but I really thought it fell flat.
This is why so many Superstars are fed up and want to move on to greener pastures. When you have the likes of Rusev and Nakamura sitting on the sidelines when others who're not even on the show get TV time, there is a problem with the plot. Is it any wonder that the crowd showered the performers in the ring with AEW chants?
Also, Shane McMahon is a pretty bad wrestler whose basics are really poor. It would serve WWE far better to have actual competitors wrestle it out in the ring instead of sitting on the sidelines for weeks.
#3 Best: The incredible Cesaro vs. Ricochet match
Cesaro and Ricochet had no stakes to fight for and no reason why they should even be feuding. While this would have been a worst on most other weeks, this week was so lacking in action, it's a best.
The fact of the matter is that Ricochet's innovative offense is so exemplary, so out-of-the-box that he can do things that no human being should be able to. There were things that he did during this match that we haven't seen him do before, and I review his work every single week.
As for Cesaro, is there anyone in the roster who is as underrated as the man is? He kept pace with Ricochet through the course of the match and was a fantastic dance partner for one of the best high-fliers in the business.
We need more matches like these, Mr. McMahon.
#3 Worst: The current Women's Tag Team Title picture
Here's a very simple question, folks. Why can't The IIconics feud with an actual women's tag team instead of taking on makeshift alliances with Becky Lynch and Nikki Cross?
Why were these titles even introduced when the fact of the matter is that they've been irrelevant since The IIconics won them at WrestleMania 35 from Sasha Banks and Bayley? We did see the tease of a feud with The IIconics potentially taking on the Kabuki Warriors in a tag team clash that never actually happened.
Well, Naomi and Tamina did tease some kind of a potential alliance during the show. If not them, I guess we'll have to wait for Alexa Bliss to return and maybe team up with someone like Alicia Fox to challenge The IIconics.
The women's division is a mess at this point, much like the rest of the show is too.
#4 Best/worst: Baron Corbin as the Number 1 contender
Let's begin with the biggest thing coming out of this match. It was an elimination match when it began but by the time it ended, it had become a regular match again. Baron Corbin only pinned The Miz to establish himself as the Number 1 Contender.
I mean it's impossible to dispute the fact that Baron Corbin has earned his stripes. I've followed his career from NXT and he's a much better wrestler than he was back then and is also one of the most important characters in the WWE roster. He does his job without complaint and from all indications, people quite like him too.
But there's something about Corbin in the title picture that just doesn't feel right. That said, Rollins has had great matches with Corbin before and he can do so once again.
PS: The Goddess was missed...
