5 Things We Learned From WWE RAW

For fans that watched all of SummerSlam and all of RAW that’s 9 hours of consumption in two days – surely WWE can send us a free t-shirt for our devotion.

Luckily, RAW was pretty good last night. Thanks to the volcanic Brooklyn crowd every moment felt like it mattered, even when it didn’t. With the WWE Universe still buzzing from SummerSlam WWE had to keep the ball rolling and give us something to talk about.

The chess pieces are moving as WWE has officially begun their long march to WrestleMania. So, as WWE can no longer afford to stand still, what did they teach us last night about their future direction?

Braun Strowman Is The New Brock Lesnar

Back in his rookie years, Brock Lesnar used to show up and punish things. He was bigger, more athletic and utterly terrifying to watch. I mean, he literally squeezed the life out of Hulk Hogan. Every time Lesnar appeared on WWE cameras we had to watch.

This is exactly what’s happening with Braun Strowman. Like Lesnar in 2002, Strowman is simply a different talent. It’s clear WWE knows this as they booked him like a mythological beast at SummerSlam only to have him come out a wreck Lesnar last night.

It’s so weird to see Lesnar as the physically inferior athlete in a feud and that’s why this No Mercy match is going to be a blockbuster.

Seth and Dean Need Competition ASAP

As emotionally potent as Rollins and Ambrose have been, what they do next is crucial to their success as Tag Champions.

Having matches with duos who pose zero threat to the tag team gold, like the Hardys, isn’t a great way to start. Sure it was fun and nostalgic, but Rollins and Ambrose need to be slaying dragons, not euthanizing old dogs. 

Cesaro and Sheamus will be getting their rematch at No Mercy at the latest, but it’s what follows that matter for Seth and Dean. Maybe a dominant run through RAW’s shallow tag team pool is a good way to establish them as a great team, but WWE needs to find some formidable rivals for them.

John Cena and Roman Reigns Will Happen…One Day

WWE made it known that John Cena and Roman Reigns will have their match. After spending the summer passively aggressively tweeting at one another, it was great to see them in the ring together. 

However, the electricity was a little dim. Was it the unique Brooklyn crowd that dulled the moment? I mean, they did chant “You both suck,” so that’s pretty hard to misinterpret. My guess is that as RAW hits other cities, fan will be hotter for this Cena/Reigns stuff.

For now, it looks like they’ll be playing the odd couple babyface duo at the top a RAW’s card. 

Jason Jordan on Hold

There’s an abundance of theories out there about Jason Jordan and his storyline. The most thoughful hinge on Jordan using his dad, Kurt Angle, to get him opportunities he doesn’t deserve – a la the ubiquitously hated entitled coach’s son. 

I don’t think WWE is this far ahead yet. But a heel run for Jordan seems like a good enough idea. Neither is having him eat pins on back to back nights. It’s one thing if this is going to be his gimmick, the favored son who sucks at sports, but someone who looks like Jordan does shouldn’t spend much time losing matches. 

So while his match with Finn Balor was fine, it left me asking – what’s the purpose of all this?

Elias Rising

It may be a little premature, but I think WWE has something in Elias. In just a few months, Elias has established a healthy, and consistent relationship with WWE’s audience. Sure, they hate him, but that’s the point. 

So while you may be rolling your eyes at him squashing poor R-Truth, just know that this dominant display comes with a plan. WWE likes this guy. How much, we don’t know. But by simply being the “guitar guy” he already has more character depth that Kevin Owens and Finn Balor.

Elias represents a quintessential WWE character, one that typically hits. Even further, he is profoundly muscular unlike his predecessors Jeff Jarrett and the Honky Tonk Man. He’s going to stick, folks.