I’m back again to talk about the one time beast of wrestling television now reduced to maybe the third or fourth best television program. When I signed on to do a weekly wrestling article I chose RAW over the other programs for two reasons. One, I think RAW has been the best wrestling show in the past twenty years and not going to abandon the ship quite yet. Two, once the writers or Paul Heyman fix this mess I want to be the first person who tells you I told you so. Let’s get down to business.
I may be in the minority but I like how RAW is setting up their show for the most part. Kevin Owens is quickly becoming the number one face on RAW so having him open with Seth Rollins makes all the sense in the world. The only thing I’m questioning is, just turn Seth heel now quit wasting time. Fans are not supporting Seth, so just let him earn the heat. I am very excited to see what the writers do with AOP and Seth. Seth needing bodyguards makes sense, look at the heat Ric Flair drew with hiding and using the Horsemen. A good stable could get great heat for all of them.
The next plan I liked was a heavy dose of Randy Orton. He is the most decorated wrestler on RAW so the more segments he is in the better. Drew McIntyre, and A.J. Styles had programs with Randy last night and they were both solid. Randy and Drew had quite a back and forth until A.J. Styles got involved. How can you wrong with Randy, Drew, and A.J.? The answer is simple you can’t. If you are going to stick with three hours you must lean on your best talent to carry multiple segments.
The ladies of RAW delivered again because there are not many feuds right now better than the Kabuki Warriors vs Charlotte. These three can be entertaining with their eyes closed, they are almost perfect together. The matches they have are high class with high drama. They are such great athletes and storytellers they deserve multiple segments as much or more than anyone. I am super excited if this handicap match leads to singles matches because they are the top three women in WWE right now in my opinion.
The final part of RAW I like is the showcasing of wrestlers against lesser competition. Drew McIntyre, Andrade, Aleister Black, Eric Rowan, and The Viking Raiders were given opportunity to show their toughness by blasting through their competition. Can’t call of the matches squashes but there was no doubt the winners after introductions. The formula is simple, take a heel and grow them match by match. Once you have that heel, grow your baby face then let the two collide. I heard that formula from a lot of wrestlers from the eighties and they are correct. RAW does not have to give away pay per view matches every week. Mix in squash matches that serve a purpose as well.
In my opinion RAW is heading in positive direction going into WrestleMania. They need to let the wrestlers I mentioned carry the load and they need to lessen the load of Humberto Carrillo and Bobby Lashley and Rusev. Humberto is too green yet to be believable and the storyline of Lashley and Rusev is the worst of the year. Let Buddy Murphy do his thing in meaningful segments. He is quietly becoming a total package both in the ring and on the mic. And as always the more women’s matches the better. I said it last week and I’ll say it again, the women should be the main event two out of every four weeks. Well that’s all for this week. Please feel free to drop your opinion on how RAW can once again claim top billing.
