Monday Night RAW in Long Island was a show that had more positive momentum going into it than in recent memory. The WWE had just produced the best episode of Smackdown in probably a decade. The result of the show was a red hot angle with NXT. Personally, I sat down at my TV, ready for an absolutely unpredictable show.
However, RAW in Long Island did not live up to the hype. In many ways, it felt like just another episode of RAW, especially a RAW during the Survivor Series build.
What Worked on RAW in Long Island
The Brock Lesnar/Rey Mysterio angle is red hot. I’ve felt the recent Brock feuds have been rather bland, or repetitive. This one, despite an outcome we probably all know (Brock wins), has more emotion to it. We’ve got a fired up father who wants blood for what Brock did to his son. Anyone can feel that, and get behind it. Emotion sells tickets, and despite what looks like a total mismatch, you want to see Rey get his pound of flesh. Allowing Rey to clobber Brock really puts a bit of doubt into Brock’s chances. It makes things a little more real, and sign me up for this match.
Dio Maddin stepping up to Brock, albeit with an expected outcome, was smart, logical booking. Dio is a big dude, and he’s a wrestler. Him standing up for Lawler (who seemed to give zero F’s Dio stood up for him unless Vic Joseph reminded him) makes him a sympathetic character, and adds some dimension to him. Maybe he gets a receipt on Brock? I’m here for it, if he does.
Charlotte and Natalya vs. The Kabuki Warriors was terrific. Give me these four women doing battle until Survivor Series. If they want to interject an NXT team into the mix (e.g. Rhea Ripley and Teagan Nox), I’m here for it. This was one of the best matches of the night, and the Kabuki Warriors continue to produced really strong matches.
Adam Cole vs. Seth Rollins was really good. Did it have the same stakes, and intensity as Cole vs. Bryan? Absolutely not. I did not think for a second Rollins was winning the belt, but I do feel his role as “leading WWE against NXT” could be a really good fit for him. Seth needs to stay away from the title for a while, and get some good will back from the fans. This is a way to do it.
The Becky Lynch and Shayna Baszler face off was great. This was the most “unpredictable” moment. I liked Shayna getting in Becky’s face. I like how she pointed out she’s not Ronda. It was great and I am all in for Becky, Shayna, and Bayley at Survivor Series.
The Viking Raiders crushing ridiculous local talent is great. The East Hampton Polo Boys were hilarious.
Here’s What Sorta Worked on RAW in Long Island:
Triple H did a great job creating a “which way will you go?” mood — but let’s face it, Seth is going to lead RAW, and be Seth.
The OC vs. Street Profits & Humberto Carillo was a solid match. A standard six-man. I like the evolution of The OC from just being a team that’s being beaten constantly into a legit threat, and dominant faction. And also, a team that proudly reps WWE, and is willing to go head-to-head with NXT, and not be your typical heels.
NXT Invasion: This “sorta worked” because it was cool to see: Undisputed Era, Keith Lee, Matt Riddle, Pete Dunne, Ciampa, Dominic Dijakovic, Damien Priest, and others on RAW. However, it didn’t feel special at all. UE showing up felt “ho-hum” and expected. The fact Lawler and the announce team didn’t know half the talent that showed up undercut the crowd. Why not have Pat McAfee come out again and take Dio’s spot? Or Mauro? Or Nigel? Or Beth? Have some reminding the RAW audience who was out there. Or maybe make things more unpredictable? Have Ryder and Hawkins cuts a hometown promo and have some NXT heels like Priest and Dijakovic jump them?
Cedric Alexander and Buddy Murphy was good, but for some reason it didn’t connect with the crowd as much as I thought it would. Maybe the outcome was too obvious. Cedric has cooled dramatically since losing his feud to AJ Styles. He’s at the top of the card one day, back to losing constantly the next.
Here’s What Didn’t Work RAW in Long Island:
Seth Rollins “Doesn’t Have the Energy.” The crowd is not behind Seth Rollins. For him to come out and cut a Sad Boy promo did not help matters. He doesn’t have the energy to fight for the title? Then don’t be in WWE then. Every wrestler’s goal is to fight for the title. If you’re the supposed “best wrestler alive” how can you not want to go for it? Do I hate Seth Rollins? Of course not. Is he a great wrestler? Yes. But man, WWE has not given us a reason to care for Rollins, and are constantly putting him in a position to look lame as hell.
The RAW Commentary Team is not good. When Tom Phillips, Renee Young, and Pat McAfee who have never worked together have better timing, chemistry, and insight than a team that’s being doing this for about two months, that’s not good.
Rusev, Lana, and Lashley is absolute shit. Full stop.
Andrade & Zelina Vega vs. Carolina & Sin Cara was not good. First, is it Carolina or Catalina? Get it straight. Second, there’s ZERO investment from the crowd in this “feud.” Sin Cara has not been over, despite being a legit awesome human being, for years. He’s been positioned as a literal faceless member of the roster. Why should we even believe he’s going to beat Andrade? As for his partner, she’s unfortunately not ready for prime time. Her timing was super off. She looked slow, unsure, and looked like she injured Zelina at one point. Look, she’s 19, and was thrust on TV. This supposed “limited run” will end, and she’ll go back to NXT, and they’re going to make her great. She has potential, and this will the way of Luke Gallows’ “Fake Kane” and Kane’s “Fake Diesel” run.
Street Profits & Humberto Promo: There’s something not connecting between the Street Profits on the mic in front of the live crowd. When they were backstage they were the best part of the show. Now, it’s just catchphrase repetition, and things being said that aren’t making an impact. And Humberto on the mic? He’s not ready.
Rusev vs. Drew McIntyre, besides being mired in the dog shit angle, was a punch kick fest that dragged and the crowd did not care about.
The End of Show Brawl: No one was in place. Spots were obvious. Ricochet wipes out his own guys. People were overheard setting up the end spot. WWE TV barely caught Keith Lee’s plancha. Wasted opportunity.
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