After a major brand shake up, Monday Night Raw is poised for an epic “Reboot” of sorts, and it may just be exactly what “The A Show” needs. With new superstars, rivalries, and even some gimmick changes, here’s all of the things that this week’s edition of Monday Night Raw got right.
Superstar Shake-Up Means New Match Ups
I absolutely love the new RAW roster after the Superstar Shake up. The show was in desperate need of fresh match ups after over a year of random SHIELD member vs. Corbin or McIntyre. Now we have matches like Cesaro vs. Cedric or the Usos vs. a whole new slew of tag teams waiting in the wings.
Tag Teams like the Bar, Roode/Gable, and Ricochet/Black have been separated by the shake-up, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Although great tag teams, these guys all NEED to pursue their singles career. This is fresh. This is new. This is different. This is EXACTLY what RAW needed.
Dream Matches
The dream match is actually Rey vs. AJ, but adding Joe to the equation makes this match pretty epic on paper. As expected, all three veterans delivered.
My only complaint was the four commercial breaks. Lots of reversals and signature moves in this one. Not to mention Styles landing on his head repeatedly. (Ouch) Highlights in this match included a double suplex from Joe off the top onto BOTH of his opponents and a fantastic ending with Styles using a previously styles Clash-ed Rey as a weapon on Joe for the win. This was a fantastic match and I hope to see a lot more like this.
Face HHH & Face Miz
After the massive support for NXT and the win over Batista, HHH pretty much has to be a face. I absolutely love his father figure role with Seth, and how you can always see how proud he is of his likely protege. That being said, I could almost see another Rollins vs. HHH match down the road.
As for the Miz, he is as over as he’s ever been with the WWE Universe. Little by little you can see him expanding his offense, while getting a bit more risky in the ring. I love all of it, and expect another big year for the Miz.
Roode’s Mustache
What can I say except ….It’s GLORIOUS!!
THE MAN
Has anyone else noticed WWE slowly getting a big edgier week after week? Becky 2 Belts drops the mic with this one: “I have made a career out of beating bleach blondes who have curried favors from management. So Lacey Evans, is just a newer version of an old approach. So while Lacey is in the back trying to further her career. I’m out here ready to fight to cement mine.” The Man can do no wrong.
Make-A-Wish Segment
This has always been one of my favorite things about the company and in my mind is what it’s all about. To find out how you can contribute to Make A Wish go to http://www.wish.org/wwe
Sami Zayn vs. The WWE Universe
Sure, heels have always gone after the fans, but I can’t recall an actual feud with the fans. Zayn is owning this angle, and is seemingly taking some jabs at management as well.
I’d like to think he is straying from the script a bit and wouldn’t be surprised to see some “Pipe Bomb” esque stuff in the near future. At this point he doesn’t even need to wrestle!
Firefly Fun House!
Having watched the Mr. Rogers documentary, Won’t You Be My Neighbor earlier today, I had to literally pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t having a strange dream. I’m not exactly sure what’s happening here, but I’m fairly certain it is BRILLIANT! I absolutely love how the toys and puppets from the earlier promos came full circle with this new segment. The icing on the cake is Bray referring to the children as the “Fireflies.” This has the potential to be an amazing comeback for Bray. Strangely enough, I’m excited for more. Only in the whacky world of professional wrestling…
AJ Styles vs. Seth Rollins
In the past WWE has slept on potential opportunities like this. I absolutely love the lack of hesitation on this. WWE is pulling the trigger on this one, and the real winners
are going to be the fans. This is going to be a fantastic match as the only time these two have faced off one on one has been on Woods’ UPUPDOWNDOWN Youtube Gaming Channel. Either way this one shakes out, I have no complaints. Expect a potential 2019 Match of the Year Candidate when these two “burn it down” at Money in the Bank.
