The pecking order was finally re-established as the Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar appeared on WWE cameras. These 3-hour shows are getting harder and harder fill, so having Lesnar front load this episode seemed like an easy decision. Then again, maybe Brock visited Raw on the sole condition that he opens the program. That way, he could hit catering, shower, and get out of there before the 2nd hour of RAW started.
All in all, RAW was fine. We can feel the vibrations of SummerSlam and WWE seems to finally be stirring from its WrestleMania slumber. Not to mention WWE managed to put on a decent show without Roman Reigns and Finn Balor (a bold strategy).
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The great thing about RAW is that because it’s 180 minutes, we’ll always have plenty of material to cover. It’s a doubled edged sword though because of sometimes, WWE manages to produce a 3-hour show that has little worth discussing. But, today is not that day.
Everyone loved the Samoa Joe/Lesnar brawl, it’s closing in on 3 million views on YouTube. But after that, WWE stepped off the gas and as fans, we were forced to enjoy more subtle forms of storytelling. Here are 5 things that you may have missed from RAW:
Alexa Bliss’ Next Opponent
At this moment it looks like it could be Sasha Banks or Nia Jax. Either is a fantastic option. Remember at Extreme Rules, when Banks was relegated to being a valet for Rich Swan? Well, last night she was stomping out the Raw Women’s Champion. In Banks, WWE has a talent they can stick in a championship feud and no one will ask questions. Compared to Bayley, Banks will feel like the Rock.
Jax, though, may be the more interesting feud. The physical juxtaposition between Bliss and Jax immediately makes it a unique competition. Both women find themselves on to opposite end of the spectrum and this conflict had money written all over it. In a division where more competitors are all the same size and build, this is a feud that has blockbuster potential
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Maryse is Butt-hurt
With all of the bear antics and horrific puns, you may have missed the growing division between The Miz and his wife Maryse. For the second week in a row, RAW’s power couple shows signs of a split. Will WWE actually pull that trigger?
There’s no way. Maryse is far too important to us hating the Miz, but WWE would be foolish to not let this conflict continue to build. I’ll guess WWEย keeps pushing the couple apart only to let their love prevail in a highly dramatic moment.
Look for this moment of unification to reach its climax at SummerSlam, where Miz and Maryse reconcile their differences after a super heel victory.
The Mid-Card Stink Fest
Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt has trouble written all over it. They’re two slumping superstars who have no clear direction. Not long ago, Rollins and Wyatt were the most promising stars in the company. But after a poorly timed and flat babyface run, Rollins finds himself treading water.
Wyatt, on the other hand, stopped treading water a month ago and appears to be sinking. Due to aย long string of significant losses, Wyatt’s character is hard to take seriously. His smash cuts and archaic promos lost their novelty long ago and it’s time to freshen up the character. I just don’t think a feud with Almost Babyface Rollins is the answer.
The Titus Brand Expands
It may be a little silly, but the Titus Brand is one of the most coherent stories WWE has running. And now they just got more talented. In adding Akira Tozawa, the Titus Brand is officially a stable – a concept that has been absent for too long.
Most fans may see Tozawa as an inconsequential addition, but I beg to differ. Aside from Nevile, Tozawa is the most compelling Cruiserweight WWE has. And, don’t look now, but Apollo Crews is picking up speed.
Neville is the Best
I know for most, 205 Live means change the channel. But there’s something special brewing around Neville. Only few are allowed to be dominant in WWE and Neville has officially entered this hallowed ground of booking.
In size, presence, and promos, Neville is the undisputed jewel of the Cruiserweight Division. How close are we to a promotion for him? He’s considerably larger than Finn Balor, so him leaving the 205 weightless seems inevitable at this point.
Neville looks to have found his groove, and that typically is rewarded in WWE.
