7 Things WWE got right on RAW this week (27 August, 2018) 

This week on Raw, WWE decided to reassess their terrible booking of the last few weeks and book an episode that was not as terrible as their previous instalments, but one that got the job done. And while some may still feel like Raw this week was not a show worth mentioning as great, you would be lying to yourself if you didn't think WWE made some improvements with their booking with regards to the flagship show.

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And as wrestling fans, we have to take every instalment of Monday Night Raw one episode at a time, because no one expects the red brand to put on a better show than Smackdown, and no one expects it even to touch the quality content that NXT puts out every week, so just being a show that moves narrative forward is good enough. While the show was far from perfect but did set up a whole host of future narratives, and that's what made this Raw bearable to watch.

#1 Strowman vs Reigns at Hell in a Cell

Dream match stipulation right here.

Roman Reigns kicked off Monday Night Raw this week, and immediately cut a promo on Braun Strowman addressing his actions last week, Strowman then came down to the ring to question Reigns on his use of The Sheild to escape from a Champiosnhip match.

After a back and forth heated conversation, Strowman and Reigns agreed to settle their differences inside a Hell in a Cell match at the pay-per-view.

Even though WWE trying to justify a Shield reunion at Strowman's expense is some of the worst reasoning you will hear, it did set up the reason for Strowman wanting to cash in inside a structure that Reigns "Shield buddies" cant interfere.

#2 Making Baron Corbin the power drunk heel

Corbin is fantastic at his job

Baron Corbin has gone from Money in the Bank winner to corporate weasel, and if you followed his career long enough, you would immediately realize which one has been a fit for the man. While many feel that Corbin is nothing more than a temporary Authority figure standing in for Stephanie McMahon, the truth is the man has made the role his own, as this week on Raw, Corbin's first abuse of power came via a surprising way.

Corbin took on Finn Balor in a singles match to show he is better than the former Universal Champion. And when things were not going Corbin's way he got himself disqualified and then made the match a no disqualification match, this was a perfect way to demonstrate how Corbin could abuse his newfound GM position. While Balor losing is never good, Corbin was well highlighted here.

#3 Teasing the end of Titus Worldwide

Brooke got squashed by Banks this week.

Dana Brooke returned to in-ring action this week, and WWE made the goal of her match with Sasha Banks to highlight that her time with Titus Worldwide has earned her ring rust in the ring. While the match was nothing special, as Banks completely ran circles around Brooke, it was apparent that the working relationship between Titus O Neal and his clients is seemingly coming to an end.

While many might not give a crap whether O Neal losses Brooke and Appolo Crews, it was nice to see WWE give these superstars a storyline to work with, as all those squash matches that Titus Worldwide have lost, might finally come back to bite Titus in the ass. Moreover, if Crews and Brooke are unhappy about losing another match, it does make wins and losses in WWE feel important to these superstars, which is refreshing.

#4 Open Challenge Rollins is back baby

Rollins and Owens stole the show.

Seth Rollins showed up on Raw this week and claimed to be a fighting champion, and you heard Rollins promo a million times in the past, but what did stand out here was his reinstatement of the IC Title open challenge.

And guessed who answered? Kevin Owens of all people, Owens came down to the ring to deliver a promo that was better than anyone else did on Raw this week, and claimed he is not leaving without a title. While KO wasn't going dethrone Rollins at this stage in his title run, their match was exceptional, as both these men threw everything at each other in an IC Title match classic.

The ending of the match could go down as one of the best closing moments this year, as Owens hit a freaking moonsault from the top rope only to miss and be a victim of a curb stomp. This was Raw's best match, and it should have been the main event.

#5 Everything KO did on Raw

We will

nevr

know who threw the pie at him now.

Owens is Raw; the man showed that he could build a narrative, carry the narrative and leave fans wanting more if Owens isn't a babyface soon, WWE is clearly missing the mark, as everything Owens did last night on Raw was as heroic as anyone would expect from a top tier face. From delivering a fantastic promo on why he deserves to walk out of Raw as a champion to making fans actually afford him sympathy, this man is a legend.

After losing to Rollins in their amazing IC Title match, Owens sat in the ring with tears in his eyes, and quit Batista style. While it was sad and hilarious at the same time, it did leave a huge question on how WWE could revive his career from here. This was great booking from the creative team, and hopefully, they won't screw this up.

#6 The real top tag team speaks

The Top Guys have spoken

You don't need an expert to tell you that tag team wrestling on Raw is worse than Bobby Lashley's booking, and all of that can be attributed to WWE's just plain terrible plan for the Raw tag team division.

But this week on Raw, it seemed as of WWE were still intent on giving the fans the same old crap they book every single week, as The Revival took the B Team in another freaking tag team match. But this time Dash and Dawson destroyed the jobbers and cut a badass promo that should light up the division.

Dash and Dawson went through the names of legendary tag teams and compared them to the B Team trash that in their opinion has ruined tag team wrestling. The Revival is right, as The B Team have no business being tag team champions, and their pomo possibly sets up their run in the division as top guys.

#7 The real Braun Strowman

Finally.

Fans might be angry that last night on Raw, Braun Strowman turned Roman Reigns, but ask yourself one question, do blame the man? Last week on Raw, Strowman told everyone in advance, that he would cash in his contract after the winner Roman Reigns vs Finn Balor was decided, and he came down to the ring to just that. But what went down, Ambrose and Rollins came out of nowhere and assaulted the man for wanting to cash in his contract fair and square.

This week on Raw, Reigns reason was that Ambrose and Rollins saved him because they know how hard it is to be champion, and if fans find that excuse lame, in kayfabe terms how would an irate Stroman feel?

Therefore, the main event of the night was set up earlier, Strowman and Reigns vs Drew Mcintyre and Dolph Ziggler, Reigns fought a good match but 'betrayed' by Strowman last minute, as he aligned with Ziggler and Mcintrye. Strowman aligned with Mcintyre and Ziggler because he has no other option once again, as The Shield tried to save Reigns from their own doing, but this time Braun had a backup.

While it would have been better if WWE let Strowman walk alone in his feud, this entire setup is confusing, as fans don't know who cheer and who to hate, as Strowman is justified in his actions but he is the heel, while Reigns and his buddies are the faces, but come off as heels. With all the mixed booking WWE is implementing one thing is for certain, heel Strowman is the best Strowman, as no more comedy or corny catchphrases and consistent smiling, as there is only one Strowman catchphrase fans need to know, "I'm not finished with you."

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