Best and worst of RAW 25 (22 Jan, 2018)

RAW went old-school this week, to celebrate its 25th Anniversary
RAW went old-school this week, to celebrate its 25th AnniversaryT

To begin, let's congratulate WWE for successfully putting up a television show on a weekly basis for the last twenty-five years. That is certainly no mean feat. A round of applause to all the performers on screen and the key figures backstage. You are awesome!

As for this week's episode, there's no way one can call it a weak show. With everything that we were offered, it was a delight to watch. However, the show was far from perfect, and we will ponder as to why that was the case, on this list.

Anyone who's followed our post-show 'Best and Worst' recaps for any length of time knows how much we value your comments. Be sure to leave your thoughts in the section right below.

Let's cast our mind back over the last four hours (including the pre-show), and detail what worked and what aspects did not connect with us.


#1 Best: A super hot start

WWE recreated an iconic rivalry for our television screens
WWE recreated perhaps its most iconic rivalry for our television screens

When Vince McMahon first came to the arena, everyone was on their feet saluting the determination and gusto of the man, for entertaining us for so many years. In a matter of moments, the master heel would turn the audience against himself, with a great promo.

Everyone knew what was coming next. Stone Cold came out and stunned his former employer. For good measure, he even stunned Vince McMahon's son!

There couldn't have been a better way to start the show. The crowd was absolutely ecstatic at that point.

Sadly, thereafter, the momentum began to wane.

#1 Worst: An underwhelming appearance?

We all expected a little more from The Undertaker
We all expected a little more from The Undertaker's appearance

This was the first time that The Undertaker had shown up since WrestleMania 33. The crowd waited with bated breath to hear what the icon had to say, about his future. Here's the sad bit. He had almost nothing to say, really.

No, he did not challenge John Cena for a match at WrestleMania 34. He did not want revenge upon Roman Reigns for defeating him at WrestleMania last year either. The Dead Man did not even specify if he was retired or not!

To make matters worse, the lights did not even go out for his entrance. There was no smoke or special effects.

It was just a regular, underwhelming Undertaker appearance sadly!

#2 Best: The Jericho-Elias segment

Y2J got the biggest pop of the night
Y2J got the biggest pop of the night

Jericho is a man who's never rested on his laurels. He competes at the highest level all the time, reinventing himself at every given opportunity. Little wonder then, that the reaction he got, eclipsed everyone else's quite drastically. Even though he wasn't even at ringside for the show.

Jericho had a backstage run-in with Elias. The skit was short but very funny. Who wouldn't want to see the two men have a program in the future, based on their natural chemistry on screen?

Come back to WWE, Jericho. We miss you, dude.

#2 Worst: Not doing enough with legends

There was too much content for three hours of TV
There was far too much content for three hours of TV

How unfortunate was it that despite the fact that there were so many possibilities, with so many stars, WWE decided to not do almost anything special with them? Some of the stars appeared backstage for the APA card game. Others just smiled and waved for the camera.

It almost seemed as if there were far too many stars for three hours of TV. Honestly, this was quite unfortunate. Moreover, how could Lita be omitted from the segment about the female legends?

As good as it was to see the legends return, we wonder if they should have been written into more storylines. Had this been done, the show would have been far more memorable, really.

#3 Best: A really good match

Reigns and Miz tore it up
Reigns and The Miz tore it up

Amidst all the hype surrounding the legends, two regulars on RAW stole the show. The Miz reclaimed his Intercontinental Championship after a pretty good match. Roman Reigns brought his A-Game to this match, like he always does. We wonder why he still gets booed!

This was a great way for the current roster to assure the legends that the company is in really safe hands. The Intercontinental Championship scenario is far more exciting than the Universal Championship one, right now!

#3 Worst: Burial of The Revival

It was almost heartbreaking to see
It was almost heartbreaking to see

The report came out a few hours ago. The Revival was only part of this show, so as to get buried by the legends. The legends in question were The Kliq. This included The Revival's own NXT mentor- Triple H.

Wouldn't it have been better had The Revival attacked Triple H and the legends, to garner some heel heat? Not in the eyes of Triple H and WWE Management, we presume...

#4 Best/worst: The Universal Title Picture

This was an underwhelming sequel after last week's proceedings
This was an underwhelming sequel after last week's proceedings

Last week, we witnessed carnage from Braun Strowman. This week too, but almost a PG version of last week's proceedings.

Also the fact that Braun Strowman was standing tall at the end pretty much proves that he won't be Universal Champion, come Royal Rumble. This is just the way WWE books. Whoever looks strong on TV in the go-home show, loses at the pay-per-view.

Kane almost seems like a non-entity in this feud. WWE has done almost nothing to make him look strong at all.

They will still be forgiven, only because Kelly Kelly returned!

Still as gorgeous as she was during her WWE run!
Still as gorgeous as she was during her WWE run!

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