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I thought that the episode of RAW that followed Backlash was a lot more exciting than the pay-per-view. The Bruce Prichard era in WWE has begun and I can see a lot more 'sports entertainment' in the presentation as compared to what RAW was, in the previous weeks.
That said, it was far from a perfect episode and RAW has so many glaring loopholes that can be remedied and made better, in my personal opinion. WWE did a commendable job, all things considered, but I genuinely think that there is a lot of room for improvement as far as RAW is concerned.
So, without further ado, I bring you the Best and Worst of RAW this week. Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of this week's show in the comments section below.
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#1 Best: The RAW version of The Dark Order?
While I wasn't too thrilled about the RAW Tag Team Championship match at WWE Backlash (or rather the prelude to it, because it never even got underway), I have to say that I am glad that WWE is doing something with Tozawa because he is a talented guy. Also, I love the idea of the giant ninja lurking in the background on RAW even though I feel that he should have come face-to-face with The Big Show.
The Big Show took a personal interest in Braun Strowman on RAW and helped put the big man on the map all those years ago. And now, Strowman is the Universal Champion and the top-dog on WWE SmackDown. He's clearly taken a personal interest in Jordan Omogbehin.
I think it's no secret that the faction is a take on The Dark Order from AEW, especially because of the many masked individuals in it. Did you spot the similarities too?
#1 Worst: Apollo Crews cheats to win on RAW
I genuinely think that Apollo Crews should not have cheated to win the match against Shelton Benjamin. The fact of the matter is that the WWE Universe supported him all the way on RAW and now, he is almost a man of the people, and while he has babyface sympathy from the RAW crowd, he should not tap into his heel side.
I love the idea of MVP going around like a top-tier sports agent and trying to recruit Apollo Crews into his faction because of the fact that he has been making waves on RAW. MVP plays the role of the sports manager to perfection and unlike Zelina Vega, who seems to have her clients in a state of turmoil, MVP looks like he has the situation on RAW well under control.
I get why Apollo Crews did bend the rules to prove MVP wrong but I think it's far too soon to even tease a heel turn, as Crews is someone who has a natural babyface connection with WWE fans.
#2 Best: Dominick Mysterio has a great showing on RAW
There is no doubt at all that the whole WWE RAW machinery will soon be behind Dominick Mysterio to establish him as a top-level performer very soon. He has the genes and the legacy, and there is a Latin American market that has been dying for its next breakout Superstar (Andrade and Angel Garza, along with Humberto Carillo are also being pushed in such a big way, for the very same reason). But you can be genetically superior, and still not succeed unless you have the drive to want to dominate RAW, SmackDown, and NXT, as say Charlotte Flair does.
I thought that Dominick Mysterio had a great outing this week on RAW and it was fantastic to see that Seth Rollins put him over in such a big way.
We are clearly building up to his big debut match and whether it happens on RAW or on pay-per-view, the expectations will be sky-high. However, the foundation has been set and it seems to be strong.
#2 Best/Worst: R-Truth and his current role on RAW
I think that R-Truth is just pure gold and every time he appears on RAW for any segment at all, I, like many of you light up. My only concern with him right now is how little chaos there seems to be with the whole 24/7 Championship because there seems to be nobody vying for the title at all. Remember how crazy RAW used to be, once upon a time, with the whole locker room running to capture the prized title?
I am also a little wary of adding him to the whole McIntyre vs. Lashley feud because it has already been diluted significantly with the addition of Lana. While I did pop when R-Truth went to RAW management and told them that he only the WWE Championship on the line on RAW, I still have to say that this element of comedy could have been avoided.
There is a place for comedy in the roster and I am just not convinced that the WWE Championship picture needs to have such light-hearted moments necessarily.
#3 Best: Christian returns to WWE RAW and the whole twist with Ric Flair
If you needed a reminder about why Ric Flair is one of the greatest of all time, all you needed to do was watch his expressions on RAW this week. Not only did he go from concern for Christian in the RAW main event segment, to a malicious gleeful look once he delivered a low blow to the man, but he also timed it in such a manner that nobody at all saw it coming, really.
I love the fact that Randy Orton has brought back the punt to RAW because there's something nasty and disgusting about the move, whereas the RKO is a lot more graceful and makes you pop for it. The closing moments of RAW with Randy Orton leaning over Christian's broken body are truly priceless, in my opinion at least.
I don't know if Edge's injury is a work but what a platform there exists for him for a heated comeback once he chooses to make a return, doesn't it? Also, does anyone remember Evolution?
#3 Best/Worst: The RAW Women's Championship picture since Becky Lynch's departure
My colleague Matty Paddock had a chance to catch up with Nia Jax, who has been an integral part of the RAW Women's Division and even the RAW Women's Championship picture in the last few weeks in the days leading up to Backlash 2020. Do check it out once you're done reading the review because it's been linked right above.
As much as I enjoy the 'sports entertainment' style of booking that Bruce Prichard employs, this has been the second time in two days that a RAW Women's Championship match has ended in a non-clean finish. I get that this keeps the feud going but, in the process, I wonder if it just makes Asuka look weaker as a champion as compared to Becky Lynch.
I am also glad to see Liv Morgan get screen time at long last but I am unconvinced of the direction that the storyline has been taking with Natalya and everything she said on RAW. Let's hope for the best.
Fun show overall though!
