5 Ups and Downs from Raw last night (August 20)

This week's Raw felt like a new beginning for the WWE. After a Brock Lesnar championship reign that had grown stale a long time ago, the show benefited from having a new champion. With endless possibilities to be explored, it is hard not to excited as a WWE fan. That is not to say that the show did not have its usual shortcomings.

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Here are five ups and downs from the August 20th episode of Monday Night Raw.

#5 Up- Heel Stephanie McMahon

Over the past few months, Stephanie McMahon has juggled the roles of a heel and a babyface. While she continues to portray her evil authority figure role, at times she has also been pushed as the brain behind the women's evolution.

While her babyface character does fall flat at times, you cannot say the same thing about her heel persona. She is a genuine heat magnet. One of the last few left in wrestling today.

Taking credit for Rousey's win at Summerslam was a classic heel move from Stephanie last night. WWE should just give up on trying to make her a babyface. She is one of the best heels on the roster. Just let her continue playing that role.

#4 Down - Elias' lack of direction

Elias had a match with Curt Hawkins on Raw.

Elias gets one of the biggest reactions from the live crowd every week. Yet it seems that the WWE creative team cannot find anything to do with the guy. At this point of his career, he should at least be making a run for the Intercontinental Championship. Instead he finds himself on Raw in a match with Curt Hawkins.

It is only for so long that he can continue coming out and holding his concerts before the fans grow tired with his act. WWE is doing an injustice to Elias by having nothing better for him than a pointless match with Curt Hawkins.

#3 Up - The Resurrection of Finn Balor

Balor challenged Reigns for the Universal Championship.

Balor has had an extremely hard time since moving up to the main roster from NXT. Despite being the first ever Universal Champion, he had to vacate his title the night after winning it due to injury and has since found himself floundering in the midcard.

But the last two days have been eventful for the Irish superstar. First, he gained some much-needed momentum by bringing back his 'Demon King' persona at Summerslam.

Then he challenged Reigns for the Universal Championship on Raw. Things seem to be looking up for Balor once again.

#2 Down - Wasting Bobby Lashley

Lashley is yet to find his footing in the WWE.

This week on Raw, Lashley took out Baron Corbin. While not the worst feud to be in, it is hard not to feel that there is so much more that Lashley can do. He has already shown his ability as a legit wrestler during his time in the independent circuits and on Impact Wrestling. As of now, the WWE is just using him to fill time on television.

When Lashley arrived in the WWE for his second run in the company, there were many people who thought he was going to be the guy to take down Brock Lesnar.

Fast forward a few months and he has done nothing more than being involved in a few comedy angles with Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin.

Of course, he had that win over Reigns. But that was in vain since Reigns beat him a few weeks later when it mattered.

#1 Up - The Shield Reunion

The Hounds of Justice are backed. And they caused mayhem on Raw by sending Braun Strowman through the announce table and thereby ruining his chances of cashing in the Money in the Bank contract.

The Shield might be the greatest wrestling faction of this millennium. Them reuniting is always going to be a big deal. And the fact that their involvement now extends the storyline between Strowman and Reigns is just a bonus. This is the hottest the Universal Championship scene has ever been. And it is all down to the return of The Shield.

Edited by Alan John