WWE Raw Discussion Thread

[Stevencc]

That was a really flat Raw sans Enzo & Cass and the main event. I found myself playing on ny phone while watching. Would have been a good Battleground lead-in.

That little qualifier the commentators gave at the start of the show was one of the most pathetic things I've seen them do.

Yeah, that was cringeworthy. It's not like booing Reigns is unique to a post-Mania Dallas crowd either so the warning meant nothing.

 

[Christian Slater]

It's just another reason for fans to rally against him. Don't treat the fans like idiots and use blatant propaganda. They're making it harder for themselves.

 

[TheMinsterman]

ryder being buried within 24 hours of wrestlemania - stay classy WWE

AJ Styles has gone from being "super buried forever, like really guys, it's cos he's ex-TNA, fucking Jerihog, screw WWE" to the number one contender for the biggest belt in wrestling.

 

[Libertine]

Pretty good show I thought, I hope Reigns keeps this attitude, I'd have him presented as a face but with these heel mannerisms and cockiness that hes the champion so he keeps getting booed as we all know if we were to genuinely turn heel he would actually start to get cheered. I didnt see AJ winning but can see Jericho being added for a triple threat match, Reigns beats Jericho for the win, AJ beats down Reigns with help of Bullet Club. Wyatts as a face is much needed, this is how Bray can finally get to the top, their whole against the regime attitude should be face anyway, he will also have great support. Great to see Enzo and Cass hopefully other crowds will know their entrance, Enzo is so good on the mic, tag division made even better. I had a feeling Ryder would lose but ultimately he got his big moment which is the main thing, a heel turn and repackage is the only thing to save him now. Heel Miz with Maryse in actual feuds can be very entertaining, actually looking forward to that. Crews is very athletic but not sure if he has enough to make it, may be a call up too soon, but we will see.

Reigns vs AJ vs Jericho
Owens vs Zayn
Wyatts vs LON
Dudleys vs Enzo and Cass

All look likely so far for Payback, not sure on directions for Ambrose and Cesaro, kind of hoping for a Cena return soon for some more star power and to be fair to him some good matches.

If Crews develops some sort of personality/character - he could be huge. He has everything else - moves, look, name and cool music. Was a surprise as like you say it seems a bit soon but he looks like he fits on the main roster IMO. We'll see once the initial buzz passes.

 

[Christian Slater]

Crews has already floundered on NXT. I can't see him getting over on a platform where character development and personality is presented by having matches and nothing else.

 

[White Army]

Bit gutted Bayley didnt turn up to be honest.

 

[Bluebird_Dai]

Bit gutted Bayley didnt turn up to be honest.

They'd have only had her job to Alicia Fox...

 

[Steady]

As with everything, post-Wrestlemania Raw became a bit shit as soon as WWE became fully aware of it and made a 'thing' of it. Was always brilliant because it was organic and crowd-led. Aside from certain parts (Enzo and Cass, basically), it just felt forced on WWE's behalf.

 

[SamScfc]

Gonna start watching WWE now Maryse is back. Absolute 10.

 

[Stevencc]

Shane is "in charge" of Raw again tonight.

 

[Christian Slater]

It's not often they do "big" stipulations anymore, which is good because it makes the matches that have them bigger. Yet, the last two they've had have either ended after a month (Authority loses power) or happened despite the beneficiary losing the match (Shane). Too much doesn't matter already for them to be diluting the whole concept of these stipulations as a selling point.

 

[Libertine]

It's not often they do "big" stipulations anymore, which is good because it makes the matches that have them bigger. Yet, the last two they've had have either ended after a month (Authority loses power) or happened despite the beneficiary losing the match (Shane). Too much doesn't matter already for them to be diluting the whole concept of these stipulations as a selling point.

I was hoping they'd come up with some overblown reason for Shane to still takeover Raw, but they seem to have just gone with Vince saying "Oh go on then..."

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

Good Raw last night I thought.

Tag teams are now in double figures (not including the Wyatt or LON factions) and you had a very strong looking Raw despite the injuries to Cena, Rollins and Orton with names like Ziggler, Ryder Kane, Big Show, Ryback, Neville, Stardust, Sasha, Becky Lynch and Paige not getting on the show.

A brand split is coming.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Shane in control and the tag division looking strong, the brand split will coincide with an Authority/Shane battle for control.

Piling that many teams on Raw is blatantly a hint at the split, showing they have the roster to do it etc.

 

[Leewilson]

The one thing I hated about the brand split was there being two World Champions. Please not again.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

The one thing I hated about the brand split was there being two World Champions. Please not again.

See there was a part of me that really liked it. Daniel Bryan's run as heavyweight champion as he gradually turned heel was fantastically entertaining and was the making of him in terms of Vince etc believing he could be a main event draw.

Saying that I certainly don't want two sets of tag or women's champs again - I think the best course of action would be for the all the champions to be eligible to appear and defend their titles on both shows.

 

[Luke]

Best Raw in a long time, let's hope this is a sign of things to come and we are not back to the drivel Authority bollocks next week.

With a show like last night and with Cena/Orton/Rollins/Neville still to come back along with them who didn't even make the show who can be useful (likes of Ziggler/Sasha/Becky/Paige) it could be good times ahead if booked correctly.

 

[Christian Slater]

See there was a part of me that really liked it. Daniel Bryan's run as heavyweight champion as he gradually turned heel was fantastically entertaining and was the making of him in terms of Vince etc believing he could be a main event draw.

Saying that I certainly don't want two sets of tag or women's champs again - I think the best course of action would be for the all the champions to be eligible to appear and defend their titles on both shows.

It was good because the belt was booked to be prominent. There's no reason the US or IC title couldn't do the same. Having two main champions is daft.

 

[Luke]

Bray Wyatt is injured now, not sure how serious, did it in his match against Roman last night in Milan and they had to stop the match.

Hopefully nothing serious.

AJ Styles also landed badly when Del Rio botched a move on Smackdown tapings but he's meant to be okay.

 

[Libertine]

Anyone going to the live network special in London in September?

Got my tickets the other day. Will be my first 'proper' non-house show so hoping there's some interesting feuds around that time.

 

[Eamonn]

I didnt even realise that was happening but for Raw in London this Monday!

I thought it was a fantastic Raw from start to finish, some fresh matchups, every segment had a purpose, more backstage stuff going on, Miz/Maryse stuff could be pretty good actually especially with the hollywood "takes" gimmick Gallows and Anderson debut,AJ/Zayn was very good, Jericho/Ambrose segment was good and Wyatt as a face is very refreshing and much much needed. And next week should also be good, usually is in the UK shows, Bryan and Taker advertised for Smackdown but probably not on the show although gutted I wont see them on Raw.

 

[Luke]

I don't think Bryan is going to be there any more, I'm sure he got taken off and wanted a break.

I'm sure you will enjoy Raw, see how much crowd noise is edited before its broadcast!

One thing that bugs me, why can't they show Raw live in the UK like they do when its in USA? I understand for Spoilers, but lets be honest it's not that hard to find out if you wanted to anyway before the broadcast.

Bray has been pulled from the European tour due to the injury picked up.

 

[Stevencc]

 

[Christian Slater]

A bit bland this week, although there have been big improvements post 'Mania. They're laying groundwork on multiple feuds and are progressing them with talking segments in the ring and backstage, a real win in my view.

They just need something big to happen, and for once I think they're going to pull it off. This show dragged towards the end, and I think they should have finished with Gallows and Anderson taking out Reigns an AJ'S reaction being ambiguous. That said, I can stomach and off show when there's a clear direction.

They need to stop Reigns saying his new catchphrase at the start of every promo, it's making him look silly. It worked the first time and they've done their usual trick of taking something good and burning it into the ground.

 

[T.A]

Amazing pop for New Day!

 

[Luke]

Another decent Raw I thought, Payback is shaping up very nicely as well.

Roman/AJ is building up quite well with Gallows/Anderson taking him out, be intriguing what happens at Payback with that one as you get the feeling something is going to happen and it wont be a straight clean victory.

Not sure about anyone else but I think they are slowly turning Roman heel, hope so anyway.

No idea where this whole Shane running Raw is going but does seem pointless his match with the Undertaker but I'm sure the Authority will be back soon to make things dull again, unless it is building to some sort of Shane V Authority storyline. Certiaintly not missing HHH/Steph waffling on at the start of every Raw.

 

[Libertine]

Chyna has died.

Can't say it's a major shock but still sad.

 

[Stevencc]

Shitty news.

 

[Oaf]

Well, Raw and Smackdown in London were fun. Only, The Undertaker was advertised for Smackdown... but for whatever reason, he never showed up. Pissed quite a few people off.

Also, it was the first time I'd ever actually been to a Smackdown. Was better than I always thought it'd be, but damn, there were sure a heck of a lot more kids in that arena for Smackdown than I'd ever seen before. Kalisto was about the most over person on the show

 

[The Fack]

Chyna has died.

Can't say it's a major shock but still sad.

Sad indeed. In a man's world, in the most popular WWE era (Attitude), she was a big trailblazer. She was to women what Ron Simmons was to black wrestlers.