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There was much to like on this episode of WWE RAW, in my opinion. And yet, somehow I felt underwhelmed at the end of the night because, in a lot of ways, it seemed like nothing really happened through the course of the show at all.
It really wasn't a good go-home episode if you know what I mean. For example, the 10-man tag team match at the end of the night was good, but that's what you would expect from 10 world-class performers of their caliber anyway, am I right?
Therefore, let's assume for a moment that every performer in WWE is a world-class athlete, and good matches are a given. So what else worked and what bombed in this episode of RAW?
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In this article, I shall separate the good from the bad, and invite you to do the same in the comments.
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#1 Best: Corbin in the finals
I genuinely don't think that we appreciate Baron Corbin to the degree that we really should, because he is simply awesome. He's the least flashy performer in the roster because he's a heel and nobody should cheer for the man. And yet, he holds his own in incredible matches, that invariably turn out to be the best one in the night.
I'm guessing that the argument about Corbin not being able to wrestle is an old one. Corbin is a fantastic wrestler who can do things in the ring that not only advance the story, but also make his opponent look good. Which is why I'm glad that he's in the King of the Ring finals.
This essentially also means that Chad Gable could go on to win the tournament this year, and become a breakout star in doing so. I would be on board for something like this.
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#1 Worst: Not advancing the storyline at all
I could always say that Rey Mysterio and Gran Metalik had a good match. But that would be like saying that the sun rises in the east because we know that there are tonnes of performers sitting on the sidelines who could all have good matches if they're given the opportunity to do so.
My central grouse with this is that Rey Mysterio's big comeback did not lead to anything. It was just another match, and even something as simple as Dominick Mysterio coming to the ring with Rey would have been much better.
But this was a by-the-numbers affair, a clash between two luchadors, where the crowd popped for the 619. Where are the compelling storylines that WWE used to write, that drew us in as fans long ago?
It almost feels like every episode of RAW is now a Live Event with some storylines thrown in.
#2 Best: Viking Raiders stop facing enhancement talent
For weeks on end, The Viking Raiders have been taking on enhancement talent from whichever town they're in and squashing them in minutes. It was a good idea at first, to get their skill-set and their finisher over with the main roster crowd, I felt. And then, it just became very tiresome indeed, when they continued doing this on a weekly basis.
I was glad to see them removed from the enhancement talent spot. I was gladder still to see them in the main event, even if it was a massive 10-man car crash match. The Viking Raiders are a talented tag team, and the sky is the limit for these talented men.
I'm guessing that Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman would drop the titles to Roode and Ziggler at the upcoming pay-per-view, leading to a feud between The Viking Raiders and Roode/Ziggler. I wouldn't really mind that.
#2 Worst: Sasha and Bayley are already losing their matches?
I have mixed feelings about the Charlotte and Becky vs. Sasha and Bayley match. I mean it was a fine match, as you would expect from these women. There were some spots that were a little sloppy, but that's just the way things go on live television at certain times.
What I did not care for is the fact that Sasha Banks and Bayley lose this big match. I mean this is technically a match between two friends and two women who've just come together for one match. There was a lot more equity in having Sasha Banks and Bayley go over, as they'll be a cohesive unit in the months to come.
I mean I get the fact that this is a likely indicator of the fact that Sasha and Bayley will triumph at Clash of Champions this weekend. But it still does not make things right with Becky and Charlotte picking up the win this week.
#3 Best: The push for Cedric Alexander
Lest you forget, Cedric Alexander was a part of the 24/7 Championship picture not very long ago, when he was one of the guys running behind the title that Truth now holds. With all due respect to R-Truth, this was a demotion for someone as capable as Cedric Alexander, who can do it all in the ring.
The fact that he pinned AJ Styles, even if it was in a multi-man match should speak volumes about just how far he's come since the beginning. I'm guessing that someone like Paul Heyman had a say in this, as he's very partial towards the 'good workers'.
I know for a fact that the two men will tear it up when they clash next, in all likelihood at Clash of Champions 2019. AJ Styles is the perfect opponent for Alexander, who's likely someone he's grown up watching as well.
Do you want to see Alexander as the US Champion?
#3 Worst: CM Punk chants again?!
It's one thing to express your displeasure when a match is on. It's another thing entirely to chant for someone who does not care for pro wrestling anymore.
CM Punk chants are, by far, the most annoying thing about pro wrestling today and the audience did not even give Natalya and Lacey Evans a chance to showcase what they could do, before turning on them at Madison Square Garden, this week. It was unfair to the performers and disrespectful to two women who're constantly on the road, trying to entertain fans.
AJ Styles had the chance to turn the 'What?' chants in his favor because he had the microphone in his hand. Natalya and Lacey Evans did not, and they had to soldier through the disrespect.
This was annoying to see on our television screens, so one can only imagine how annoyed the women competing in the match were.
#4 Best/worst: Stone Cold Steve Austin
The moment that RAW began with the sound of the glass shattering, we knew that it was going to be a very good show. However, I just wonder if it would have been better had The Fiend attacked Stone Cold Steve Austin like he's been doing with WWE legends.
It would make all the sense in the world for him to do something like this, and this was also something he addressed in the Firefly Fun House segment. The justification that was provided was not strong enough and I just wonder if this is a missed opportunity from WWE.
But that said, I loved everything that Stone Cold Steve Austin did during the show. AJ Styles sold the stunner like a star, and I must say that even the Lumbar Check looked vicious because of the selling.
No Goddess on the show, so that's definitely a 'worst'.
