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The only problem with RAW is that it is three hours long. Most movies that take months and years to make aren't nearly as long. And the constant strain of filling those three hours with quality content can be quite a task. There are no off seasons unlike other 'real' sports.
I did think that I lost interest in this episode of RAW at certain points, during the show. But by the end of the night, I found myself entertained by what I saw on screen. I would even say that WWE gave us more positives than negatives, this week.
Did this episode of RAW get me excited for Survivor Series, though? 2 hours and 30 minutes of the show did not, but I have to confess that the final few minutes of the show did.
Here's my best and worst assessment.
#1 Best: Becky Lynch's crowning moment
Becky Lynch is, by far, the hottest thing in WWE right now. At a time when crowds are not nearly as electric as they were during the Attitude Era, they come alive when her music hits. Chants of 'Becky' echo through the arena when she steps forth. I thought this week did much to establish her as a top-tier WWE superstar.
I don't think Becky Lynch intended to be busted open. But with the blood running down her face, she stood tall and triumphant, ready to prove to the world that she was here to dominate the business. I think Ronda Rousey did her part too.
Rousey sold her arm like she's sold few other things in the past. I'm more excited about their match than anything else at Survivor Series right now.
Let's hope that the match lives up to the hype.
#1 Worst: Tamina Snuka
The Women's Division in WWE has come a long way since its inception, in terms of in-ring work. I just think Tamina Snuka is not nearly as good as some of the others in the division. I like the fact that she's getting a push. But somehow, she's not believable as a legit baddie.
She's got a great look and of course, the right genetics. Somehow, her work in the ring does not seem as good as it ideally should be. Her splash from the turnbuckle, in particular, does not look good.
There are many women in NXT right now that can do a better job in the ring than her. I do hope it's just a question of nerves and that she can get her act together soon.
The women's division is hungry and it's quite easy to get lost.
#2 Best: Two fiery promos
Drew McIntyre is destined to be the next big thing. Every week, it's becoming more and more obvious that he's being groomed to be the top dog on the roster and every week, he goes out and proves why he's earned the trust of the WWE brass. This week, he cut an impressive promo, building on his victory over Kurt Angle last week.
I even liked Ronda Rousey's promo on Becky Lynch. I thought that while Rousey is just as much of a millennial as Lynch is, she brought a fierceness to her words that's missing from other performers. I personally am kicked about Rousey vs. Lynch.
You know why I liked both promos? These two performers took two scripted promos and made them sound unscripted.The whole roster could learn a thing or two from them.
#2 Worst: Wasted appearance by Lesnar?
Brock Lesnar only shows up for a limited number of dates every year. It would have made sense for WWE to work an angle with him. I don't think what he did with Jinder Mahal really qualifies as an actual angle.
Sure, it's always fun to see Lesnar throw it down with someone in the roster, and lay a beat down on them. But I would have actually enjoyed a war of words between Paul Heyman and AJ Styles instead. Is it too much to hope for, to see Brock Lesnar on SmackDown Live in just 24 hours?
Even a staredown with Braun Strowman after his victory at Crown Jewel, would have been a more entertaining course of action for The Beast Incarnate. What was the point of the whole Mahal segment, I ask?
#3 Best: Elias
Elias and Bobby Lashley had a match that was okay at best, and that's being very generous. What I did enjoy was the lead up to the match. Elias was on fire as he made the crowd pop, making fun of Lio Rush, comparing him to a little kid. Why wasn't he a babyface, all this while?
Elias is one of those performers who's made a seamless transition into a babyface role. Lashley was the best antagonist for him, because he's just not gotten over with the WWE Universe. I think Rush also did his bit, boring the crowd with his drivel, before Elias eloquently shut up the hype man!
I'm just worried about Elias, when the bell rings, to be honest. He's not a bad worker, but not the most exciting one, I feel.
If he steps up his game, he could be a future Champion for sure.
#3 Worst: Burying the tag team division
Monday Night RAW opened without hype. There was a Battle Royal already in progress to determine who would be the Team Captain for RAW, going up against SmackDown Live at Survivor Series 2018. Doesn't sound too bad, you may think? Well, it was all fine until a Monster showed up.
Braun Strowman destroyed almost everyone in the match. The contestants would gang up against him, very honestly, to no avail. I thought that with his actions, Strowman already buried what is a particularly unexciting division.
SmackDown Live in comparison seems to have a much more exciting team with The Usos, The New Day and more, in their ranks. The RAW team looks like enhancement talent going up against a team of some legitimate superstars.
I daresay SmackDown Live has gone this one in the bag.
#4 Best/worst: The Dean Ambrose situation
Everyone wants to know why Dean Ambrose turned on his Shield Brothers last week. This week, we thought we'd get an explanation from Ambrose. Ambrose said a lot but did not make a lot of sense at all. I thought this just made the whole segment seem very confused.
What I did like about the whole segment was the sight of Dean Ambrose burning his Shield vest. It was a very powerful visual and a sign that the lunatic had moved on. When Ambrose and Rollins do meet after Survivor Series, they will definitely elevate the status of the Intercontinental Championship greatly.
But what's up with Renee Young not knowing what her husband is thinking or has been up to! They live in the same house, after all.
As always, we end with a visual of The Goddess.
