WWE RAW Weekly Thread

[Sepholio]

Edge gonna bring back Bray and pick up Alexa and start a new brood and feud with Judgement Day.

[drave]

Haha, that'd be the shit, actually.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I guessed they were writing Edge off for a bit. Maybe not. Seems odd just to move some of the parts around.

That’s possible.

[Sepholio]

Haha, that'd be the shit, actually.

I mean hypothetically I would be very entertained by Edge/bray/bliss vs Judgement Day. Can work Ciampa joining Judgement day into the feud by having him help JD win.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Edge shouldn’t form a group now, imo. He should just try and use this to be interesting an an individual.

Also, I could do with never seeing Bray or Alexa ever again.

[Sepholio]

So the rumor mill says the real reason Edge was removed from JD is because Vince wants to add some kind of supernatural element to the group and Edge wasnt even remotely on board with that idea so they replaced him with Finn who is willing to do it.

[drave]

but no demon, k? that's too hokey

[XL]

Haha. We’re about to get Demon Damien and Demon Rhea. Sorry drave.

[drave]

i hope they start speaking in tongues to mask their shitty promo skills

[Lock Jaw]

Dire Rhea

[Fignuts]

So the rumor mill says the real reason Edge was removed from JD is because Vince wants to add some kind of supernatural element to the group and Edge wasnt even remotely on board with that idea so they replaced him with Finn who is willing to do it.

Awful. I was really digging Judgement day too.

[Sepholio]

OMG MJF ON MIZ TV TO OPEN RAW

[Supreme Olajuwon]

OMG MJF ON MIZ TV TO OPEN RAW

Seph thinks all Jews look alike

Curious

[Sepholio]

Settle down Rhiannon.

[slik]

2nd time in a row I had no idea RAW was in my city (would not have gone anyway)

[slik]

Ciampa 'just another guy' in record time

The live crowds want to get behind Mustafa Ali but the booking doesn't seem to want that.

[xrodmuc316]

Haha the main event is Theory vs Lashley in a pose off???

I mean Theory is jacked, but Lashley is an absolute freak of nature.

[slik]

A pose down as the main event is certainly a decision

[slik]

RAW ends with Lashley blinded by baby oil, alright

seems weird to start a Lashley/Theory feud 2 weeks before Cena comes back given all the Cena/Theory SummerSlam rumors

[erickman]

well vince showed up again for another popcorn fart

[slik]

Rhea out w/ injury, replaced with Carmella

Carmella vs Bianca and Natalya vs Ronda sound like the worst two women's title matches in WWE in a looooooooong time

Vince announces Cena will return to RAW next week and commentary acts like this is new, despite WWE running ads for it the last month on tv

[slik]

Balor/Priest relegated to Main Event already this week

[slik]

Omos defeats Matt Riddle clean to qualify for MITB, yikes

[xrodmuc316]

Vince gonna keep coming out each show and have WWE pay him a per appearance talent contract until he makes his $3 Million back :rofl:

[XL]

:lol:

Where did you “borrow” that from?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Rhea out w/ injury, replaced with Carmella

Carmella vs Bianca and Natalya vs Ronda sound like the worst two women's title matches in WWE in a looooooooong time

Vince announces Cena will return to RAW next week and commentary acts like this is new, despite WWE running ads for it the last month on tv

Nattie/Ronda could potentially be really good. Nattie is a good worker who can play to Ronda’s strengths, and I think Ronda’s got a lot of respect for her — will probably bring her A-game.

Bianca vs. Carmella? Eh. It sucks, but it is someone for Bianca to steam-roll.

[XL]

Functionally Ronda vs Nattie will be fine. Nattie just isn’t interesting, and isn’t perceived as a threat so the angle is boring.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Don’t disagree. There’s stuff you could do, but then you have to wonder if it would be worth it to heat up a program that isn’t really designed to blow your socks off in that fashion. I’d be more inclined to hope it is a sleeper program.

I’d probably have Ronda win at MITB via roll-up when Nattie goes for the Sharpshooter too many times. That way you can get out of the match doesn’t light anyone’s world up, but if it does get people a little buzzed based on what it delivers, you can go to other matches based off Nattie really surprising and not being too definitively dismissed.

[xrodmuc316]

https://i.imgflip.com/6kf9rx.gif

[erickman]

cena better have a good max caster promo

[slik]

The Big Show and Daniel Bryan appear via video to wish Cena well on RAW

[xrodmuc316]

The Big Show and Daniel Bryan appear via video to wish Cena well on RAW

Just had Jericho on there as well.

[slik]

Cena/Theory begins


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[slik]

The guy in the audience constantly and loudly whistling at the women in the main event is obnoxious.

Also, if the crowd wasn't dead I wouldn't be able to hear him...not sure why they thought Tamina, Doudrop, Nikki Ash, Shayna, Xia Li would be over in the main event...crowd only cares about Becky.

[Bad News Gertner]

It must have felt weird for Big Show, Daniel Bryan and Chris Jericho to be on a show that people actually watch

[xrodmuc316]

It must have felt weird for Big Show, Daniel Bryan and Chris Jericho to be on a show that people actually watch

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:rofl:

[Mr. Nerfect]

So many people would have been stoked to have caught glimpses of their retired faves.

[Lock Jaw]

Haven't seen Jericho in a while... just based on his face looks like he has slimmed down considerably again

[Mr. Nerfect]

He had to audition for this cameo.

[Sepholio]

Miz and Paul beating the crap out of each other as RAW comes on the air.

[Jordan]

I am here for a tryout!

[xrodmuc316]

Hell yes, Tribal Chief!

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A new era for WWE tonight ⁦<a href="https://twitter.com/TripleH?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TripleH</a>⁩ <a href="https://t.co/ahBs0v8Syr">pic.twitter.com/ahBs0v8Syr</a></p>&mdash; Brandon Ross (@BrandoLightShed) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandoLightShed/status/1551707907133145089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Sepholio]

ahahaha Paul yesssss

[slik]

Hot open so far

[Sepholio]

lmao the cheapshots at Vince yesssssssssss

[Sepholio]

Daddys gone chant

[xrodmuc316]

Roman is a savage!

[Jordan]

Roman so good. Theory too. Tired of Heyman.

[Sepholio]

Theory being taller than Roman is throwing me off

[slik]

Give Theory his first name back

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sounds positive so far.

[Sepholio]

lol @ everyone disrespecting Theory

[slik]

Commentary sounds better w/o Vince screaming in their ear all night

[Mr. Nerfect]

It’s going to lead to Theory snapping and become Stone Cold Austin Theory.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Commentary sounds better w/o Vince screaming in their ear all night

That will be the immediate change.

[Sepholio]

It’s going to lead to Theory snapping and become Stone Cold Austin Theory.

So he's gonna become scat?

[Sepholio]

oh boy a run-in DQ clusterfuck in the first match lol

The more things change the more they stay the same

[Sepholio]

OH SHIT WHAT DO YA KNOW ITS A TAG TEAM MATCH PLAYA

[slik]

So far nothing cheesy/corny so far...so far....

[Supreme Olajuwon]

The Theory/Bloodline stuff was great.

The Theory/Drew match being restarted as a tag match is lame. Still got dem camera cuts too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

So he's gonna become scat?

Vince will be at home loving it.

[slik]

The Theory/Bloodline stuff was great.

The Theory/Drew match being restarted as a tag match is lame. Still got dem camera cuts too.

I think it will take a few months before we get to see some of those changes...creatively I can't see any big changes until after Clash at Castle ppv....hopefully Dunn gone as soon as possible tho

[Supreme Olajuwon]

AEW Dynamite style backstage promo with Alpha Academy interrupting AJ Styles interrupting Dolph Ziggler

It’s a tag match baybay

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Raymond Stereo is here for his 20th anniversary celebration!

[slik]

Dominik for sure gotta turn on his papa

[slik]

Emo Mysterio in Judgment Day incoming

[Jordan]

Fun match with Rey and son vs Judgement Day. Rey is a God.

[Jordan]

They hit that duel 619 so perfectly

[rez]

It's not your anniversary...it's my birthday!

[Jordan]

Good segment with the Mysterios and then Judgment Day. Judgment Day very evil and Damien Priest looks like Kevin Nash and that makes it really cool.

[slik]

lol @ Rhea Ripley abducting Dominik

[rez]

go go power rangers!

[rez]

How many Lily dolls does Triple A own?

[Mr. Nerfect]

AJ & Dolph vs. Alpha Academy? I can dig it. I’m just waiting for Bobby Roode to screw Dolph out of a big match and begin the Dirty Dawg fight.

[Mr. Nerfect]

A Rey vs. Dominik feud needs to be done very carefully.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’d have Dominik turn on Edge in a tag match between Edge & Mysterio and Judgment Day. Edge wants to kill Dominik and Rey keeps stopping him because he loves his son. Edge and Rey end up fighting as Dominik metaphorically rubs his hands.

Eventually Rey can realize Dominik is beyond a little shit and he probably should have had him earn the Mysterio name.

[Jordan]

Logan is dying on the mic.

[Jordan]

Looks like Maryse has a dick and balls in her hand with the mic and those balls. LOL

[rez]

Can't say I've ever measured by balls.

[slik]

how did montez ford get busted open

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sounds like a pretty good show in all honesty. Nothing that sounds ridiculous. Alexa Bliss doesn’t seem to be working as is, and the Logan Paul talking segment sounds like it didn’t come off as well as it was intended to. But overall? It sounds like pretty good wrestling and some common sense storytelling.

[Jordan]

I tapped out for the 3rd hour but the first two were pretty decent. Because of the long show angles and matches are stretched so thin. Theory was on screen for over 40 minutes in the 1st hour. The matches were good, but they felt forced to go long from my perspective.

I think with 3 hours it would be better to have a bit more roster to display. The long show with so many recap videos really slows down the experience.

Not sure that I will ever get over 3 hours of weekly Raw but I can dip in if there is interest for me.

[XL]

I didn’t expect massive changes tbf but it did feel mostly like business as usual.

I liked the hot open but Jesus that camera work. Then they followed up with the usual long-winded promo. We had the old tropes of the show booking itself as it goes along and DQ finishes leading to tag matches. Seems like there were less replays though which was nice. There was also a lot of SmackDown guys on the show. I know it’s “special” because it was at MSG but did they explain that? I also know that the brand split is far less rigid now but I’m not a fan of it.

[Evil Vito]

Didn't see much in the highlights that interested me. I don't expect big changes, certainly not right out of the gate anyway.

But Dunn really needs to be gone before I'd seriously want to sit down and watch a full episode. The camerawork has been a meme for so long, it's legit nauseating.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Kind of interested to see how “changes” manifest themselves over the next few weeks. SummerSlam set up a few things:

* An AJ Styles vs. Ciampa match is likely. They could tear it up.

* I can see a Street Profits split. Maybe they have one more match against Alpha Academy and lose before it happens. But they could also drag this out for weeks. We could get Drew & SP against The Bloodline with Drew getting the hot tag instead of the other SP, but they might not want to telegraph it too much.

* We’ll learn about Bayley’s group. Unless they’re SmackDown and just picked the fight with the Raw girls because…SummerSlam and heels. But I imagine they are Raw. Looking forward to Asuka joining the faces and some matches with Io.

[Jordan]

I am planning to watch at least the first hour to see how it goes. I am totally available to JUMP SHIP from AEW and back to WWE if the product becomes really good again. AEW does have blood though almost every week which appeals to me!

Whoever ends up saying SHIT the most also will get my watch!

[xrodmuc316]

I am planning to watch at least the first hour to see how it goes. I am totally available to JUMP SHIP from AEW and back to WWE if the product becomes really good again. AEW does have blood though almost every week which appeals to me!

Whoever ends up saying SHIT the most also will get my watch!

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[Lock Jaw]

Turned on RAW cause I have nothing better to do today..... Becky Lunch out looking hot.... wish I saw the match at Summerslam, looks good...

[slik]

Here we go, save us H

[slik]

Turned on RAW cause I have nothing better to do today..... Becky Lunch out looking hot.... wish I saw the match at Summerslam, looks good...

It was a good match, best on the show after Brock/Roman imo

[slik]

Becky looks like she is in a lot of pain while talking

[Lock Jaw]

Becky face turn, but hope she keeps some of the flashiness.... but seems like she will be out for awhile, damn...

[slik]

This is already the most prestige they've treated the US Title with in years

[slik]

Good finish to that, you know it's the HHH era because Mustafa Ali finally got to wrestle for more than 3 minutes with big name talents

[Jordan]

Yeah that finish with the Styles Clash was awesome.

[xrodmuc316]

AJ and Ali have AMAZING chemistry, more please!

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DO YOU KNOW HOW BRILLIANT THIS IS?! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERaw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AJStylesOrg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AJStylesOrg</a> <a href="https://t.co/8e3AiPAJuz">pic.twitter.com/8e3AiPAJuz</a></p>&mdash; WWE on BT Sport (@btsportwwe) <a href="https://twitter.com/btsportwwe/status/1554263596841975810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Sepholio]

That combination was fucking sweet.

[slik]

Seth wants the Tribal Chief

[Supreme Olajuwon]

They’re trying to Jannetty my guy Dawkins and I’m not here for it.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">One hour in and I think we've already got twice as much wrestling than entire episodes of Smackdown.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERaw</a></p>&mdash; ���� Las Vegas Fight Shop ���� (@LVFightShop) <a href="https://twitter.com/LVFightShop/status/1554269590389006336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

They’re trying to Jannetty my guy Dawkins and I’m not here for it.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Montez teasing the heel turn is leading to Angelo Dawkins actually turning. Classic HHH booking.</p>&mdash; David Dennis Jr. (@DavidDTSS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidDTSS/status/1554269164050812929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Still doing the faggy camera cuts for the beat downs

[Sepholio]

I imagine as long as production has been doing those camera cuts that its gonna be a hard habit to break. Hoping they get that worked out before I have another seizure.

[slik]

Kevin Dunn the WORST

plz fire him immediately HHH/Steph/Nick

[slik]

I bet Ciampa wins this

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Ziggy Gable and Ciampa is a technical masterclass

Hope this gets some time

[Sepholio]

Sitting here waiting for Theory to attack the Zigglemeister here and ruin this great match up.

[slik]

So far no stupid 'comedy' segments once again

[Sepholio]

Speaking of comedy segments, they should forget about the 24/7 title and then in like 7 years march out whoever has it and announce them as the longest reigning champion of all time. That'd be a great comedy segment imo.

[Lock Jaw]

Tuned out for awhile.... tuned back in to see Ciampa win.... weird brightly coloured gear now, and seems like his theme got changed somewhere down the line too.... damn

[slik]

I bet Ciampa wins this

H said Ciampa vs AJ to main-event RAW fam

[Lock Jaw]

Glad Balor is a heel now... he's always looked "slimy"

[Lock Jaw]

Edge Classic is back.... wish Christian was here instead.....

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Edge hasn’t made a single dead dad joke in years

[Lock Jaw]

Oh damn, the LWO is back

[Sepholio]

Please don't put the tag belts on the Mysterios tonight. Thanks in advance.

[Lock Jaw]

Glad I tuned back in just in time for the womens match.... honestly enjoy the womens division way more than the mens....

[Lock Jaw]

Dakota Kai saying that they know how to "play the game".......

Is a Triple H hush money scandal incoming?!

[Lock Jaw]

IYO SKY the genius of the sky

[Sepholio]

Thank God Asuka and Bliss came out to help Bianca because I was expecting Sasha and Naomi. Sticking them with Bianca would have been typical WWE.

[Lock Jaw]

Does Alexa Bliss have any sort of character now or did she just come back and is "just there" with her doll but not creepy

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Faggy camera cuts again

[Lock Jaw]

BEDLAM

[Lock Jaw]

Miz with a "Hello, My Balls are Massive" T-Shirt..... wonder if he used that line on Maryse.... if so, maybe I need to rethink some strategies....

[slik]

Can someone give the crowd in Houston some caffiene plz

[Lock Jaw]

Ciampa's voice disappearing.... Rey's voice was bad earlier too..... probably Covid going through the locker room...

[Lock Jaw]

Miz coaching Ciampa into "a star" would be a good story for a return feud for Daniel Bryan....

[Lock Jaw]

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW HERE WE GO! Booker T on commentary!

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Booker T tie/shirt/suit combo is a 10

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Imagining Ciampa and Styles on a Takeover

WOW!

[slik]

If I were booking this thread I'd have Lock Jaw 'turn heel' on Supreme and cut a Dark Jaw promo with lots of eyeliner and a black cape with a hood

[slik]

DaveWadding defeats xrod in his return from injury with the patented WaddingBomb

[Sepholio]

That knee from Ciampa to AJs face was a thing of beauty. Absolutely perfect. *chefs kiss*

[slik]

great knee by Ciampa to AJ

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tommaso Ciampa has the nastiest bicycle knee in wrestling right now. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERaw</a> <a href="https://t.co/2Hqzgo1drN">pic.twitter.com/2Hqzgo1drN</a></p>&mdash; ������ �������� ��������������•�������������� ❌ (@TranquiloSZN) <a href="https://twitter.com/TranquiloSZN/status/1554292860907929601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Sepholio]

If Ciampa does end up getting the US title I hope his first feud is with AJ. I want more of that right there.

[Sepholio]

Honestly they could have ended the match on the Ciampa knee and it would have been the most believable finish in wrestling in years. Just incredible.

[slik]

Vince rolling over in his grave at this Ciampa push

[Sepholio]

They should have just left AJ laying there for the rest of the show after that knee. Have everyone else just work around his corpse.

[slik]

Good RAW so far

[Fignuts]

God damn it, its a tag title match Rey, match your gear for fucks sake.

Embarassing.

[Triple A]

Watching Raw... h8 the Usos

[Triple A]

Does this commentator always say "the WWE"

[Fignuts]

First time watching raw in a while.

The USA channel really doesnt want me to vape.

[Fignuts]

Triple A hating on good tag teams

WHAT ELSE IS NEW

[Lock Jaw]

Usos win with a 3D.... feel like this is a shot at having to face the Dudleyz in Spilchuk's tournament....

[Lock Jaw]

Now Rhea Ripley wrapping her legs around Dominik's head post-match...... Edge in for the save but Dominik just like "nah, I'm into this"

[Fignuts]

GOOD SHIT HAITCH

[Tom Guycott]

Vince rolling over in his grave at this Ciampa push

I'm picturing the video for "Land of Confusion", but instead of Ronald Reagan, the puppet is of Vince. He's still doing all the tossing and turning in his sleep and sweating enough to make an ocean of the bedroom, but he mutters "... but he's just so TINYYYYY!!!" about all the guys that will get the nod in his absence.

[Lock Jaw]

I remember when Rhea Ripley debuted in the Mae Young Classic and looked so "wholesome"..... I did think I saw tons of potential in her at that time even...

[Tom Guycott]

Now Rhea Ripley wrapping her legs around Dominik's head post-match...... Edge in for the save but Dominik just like "nah, I'm into this"

To be fair, does that really warrant a save?

[slik]

Good RAW, HHH starting to change course quicker than expected

[Sepholio]

Gonna leave this here too:

https://i.imgur.com/Os2Mnnh.jpg

[Mr. Nerfect]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">DO YOU KNOW HOW BRILLIANT THIS IS?! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERaw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AJStylesOrg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AJStylesOrg</a> <a href="https://t.co/8e3AiPAJuz">pic.twitter.com/8e3AiPAJuz</a></p>&mdash; WWE on BT Sport (@btsportwwe) <a href="https://twitter.com/btsportwwe/status/1554263596841975810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 2, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Ugh, that is such AEW shit. Why would Mustafa Ali get himself into position like that? I get that they want to show off their wrestling, but do it better than the shit-the-bed promotion.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Show sounds good. Feels like there’s creative vision. Obvious stories being generated. We’re building to matches that I think people will want to see. You could almost break Clash at the Castle into two nights worth, with Raw offering:

* Edge vs. Finn Balor
* Seth Rollins vs. Matt Riddle
* Bobby Lashley vs. Ciampa for the US Title
* Bianca Belair vs. Bayley for the Raw Women’s Title
* Asuka vs. Iyo Sky
* Alexa Bliss vs. Dakota Kai
* Montez Ford vs. Angelo Dawkins
* The Usos vs. AJ Styles & Dolph Ziggler for the Tag Team Titles
* The Miz vs. Mustafa Ali
* Chad Gable vs. Rey Mysterio because Chad Gable should be on every show

Would be a tremendous fucking show. Realistically, the top four or five matches have a chance of happening. My prediction is that Edge vs. Balor, Lashley vs. Ciampa, Riddle vs. Rollins, a six-woman tag and The Usos defending against AJ & Dolph makes the show.

[Jordan]

What I saw on Raw was good, not spectacular or truly compelling but good, especially considering its WWE and they have had such a rough run the past few years creatively. My bottom line will always be it's 3 hours long, plus two hours of Smackdown, which do I watch? I can't watch it all and when I do I never enjoy it. It's really really hard for me to enjoy a full 2 or 3 or 4 or more hours of WWE. I enjoyed Wrestlemania for the most part, but when I watch anything else it's really hard to get into it.

With AEW I can sometimes still feel like a wrestling fan, quite simply. WWE feels like a chore. But there is so much potential. My biggest hope is that Triple H can convince Nick to get an even bigger deal for two hours of Raw than three, so that they can justify cutting back. I don't know how they'd do it, but I'd guess if anyone can it's Nick Kahn.

[Mr. Nerfect]

What I saw on Raw was good, not spectacular or truly compelling but good, especially considering its WWE and they have had such a rough run the past few years creatively. My bottom line will always be it's 3 hours long, plus two hours of Smackdown, which do I watch? I can't watch it all and when I do I never enjoy it. It's really really hard for me to enjoy a full 2 or 3 or 4 or more hours of WWE. I enjoyed Wrestlemania for the most part, but when I watch anything else it's really hard to get into it.

With AEW I can sometimes still feel like a wrestling fan, quite simply. WWE feels like a chore. But there is so much potential. My biggest hope is that Triple H can convince Nick to get an even bigger deal for two hours of Raw than three, so that they can justify cutting back. I don't know how they'd do it, but I'd guess if anyone can it's Nick Kahn.

There is cogency to the idea that a 2-hour show is more prestigious, so tightening up Raw can lead to more popularity and invigorate the product. I don’t think it’s likely though. The most fans can hope for is for Raw to get “better,” even if 3 hours of greatness every week is too much to expect.

[XL]

They seemed to reduce some of the old tropes; less on-the-fly matches, less singles turning into tag matches (don’t think there was any of that this week tbf).

It felt like a show has already been planned before they went live with the 2 Triple Theats and winners facing off, and the ladies matches. They booked two DQs for the womens matches but they're establishing a new group so I’ll give them a pass. No Theory, which was strange given he’s been everywhere recently.

The only thing I wasn’t really a fan of was going back to Judgment Day vs Mysterios. Not sure how much juice is left in that story. Maybe Dom finally turns and Edge/Rey have to find a third man (Styles) to go against them?

A much tighter show.

[Fignuts]

Ugh, that is such AEW shit. Why would Mustafa Ali get himself into position like that? I get that they want to show off their wrestling, but do it better than the shit-the-bed promotion.

Momentum. RVD would sometimes pop up the same way after a frog splash.

A little suspension of disbeleif required, but I'm okay with that.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Momentum. RVD would sometimes pop up the same way after a frog splash.

A little suspension of disbeleif required, but I'm okay with that.

In theory, I can get behind that. But the execution of that was out of Ali’s control.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Gonna leave this here too:

https://i.imgur.com/Os2Mnnh.jpg

PLEASE don’t let them turn him into the Rated-PC Superstar...

[DAMN iNATOR]

Does this commentator always say "the WWE"

Dunno, but one of the dumbasses, probably that new guy, forgot his name at the moment, called Edge “The Edge” during a graphic promoting him on RAW...🤦

[Mr. Nerfect]

From the clips I’ve heard, Jimmy Smith isn’t horrible. Without Vince there hopefully he gets even better.

[Mr. Nerfect]

So I decided to give the Triple H era of Raw a chance. Here are my thoughts:

[Mr. Nerfect]

Becky Lynch can cut a promo. She’s confident. I like her wardrobe. I like the logic behind her face turn. It felt a little “performative” and went on too long, but I buy the respect between her and Bianca Belair.

I hate Belair skipping down like an idiot twirling her hair. She also twirled it running to the back! She’s nowhere near as polished as Becky, but I like that they are at two different levels when it comes to confidence.

I like Bayley’s group. Bayley is a good heel. Dakota Kai is hamming it up and looks alive. I am looking forward to Iyo vs. Asuka. I hope the group gets a proper faction name. Have we we had a genuine, serious faction of girls yet?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Liked the Logan Paul interview snippet. Him calling it a “sport” was a nice touch. I like that it went from that to Miz in the ring for the US Title match. I’m not sure this is exclusive to The Paul Elite Era, but I noticed a lot of the segments thematically tied into other things.

LOVE the video for the US Title history. JBL doing it is a nice touch. The Triple Threat kicked a lot of ass. AJ Styles still really fucking good. Mustafa Ali’s tornado DDT was insane. The Miz played his part well. I like that a guy who didn’t get an entrance won the match. Good little decoy there.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Good promo from The Usos. Having them bump into the Bayley faction was a nice nod. That’s a little Paul Heyman trick.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Seth Rollins knows what he is doing. I hate that fake laugh. I like that they were very clear to have him mention he wants the WWE Title. Very clear lines about who is a main r enter and who is in that US Division. For now.

The Street Profits have both got something. Dawkins seems to have more charisma than I remember, and Ford did tremendous in the ring and looks great. Really good match between Rollins and Ford.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I liked the Triple Threat between Ziggler, Ciampa and Gable. It was a little much at times. An Avalanche Emerald Frosion? Get the fuck out of here. I get drowning out the “workrate” of AEW and making them irrelevant, but come on.

Is there an edict for guys to wear more vivid gear? I like it. For a while the wrestlers were looking DRAB. Like brighter colors sometimes.

Gable’s Ankle Lock is a thing of beauty. Ciampa winning is okay. I like the guy and he’s a good representative of a “Triple H era.” I like how the graphic earlier in the show promoted Dolph heaviest. A good little subversion for people paying attention.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Iyo Shirai didn’t really impress me…until the match with Bianca got going. Her strikes are a little pithy. But she does some cool stuff, and I’m not sure how familiar she is with Belair. It got pretty good and led to an angle to further the story.

Someone needs to cut the head off Alexa’s doll. Or steal the leg off her action figure.

Looking forward to Asuka and Iyo Shirai tearing it the fuck up on Raw one week.

Changing Alexa Bliss out the doll gimmick would be good. But now that she’s got this group, I think Bayley can move away from the Karen cut.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I’m not finished the show and there’s already a pretty clear potential card for next week:

* Bobby Lashley vs. Ciampa for the US Title
* Bayley, Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair, Asuka & Alexa Bliss
* Seth Rollins vs. Angelo Dawkins
* AJ Styles vs. Mustafa Ali
* Dolph Ziggler vs. Chad Gable

[Sepholio]

I'm on board for that card

[Sepholio]

The injury bug continues its rampage: Carmella believed to have a concussion after taking a botched back flip from Bianca that knocked her head first into the post.

[Fignuts]

Iyo Shirai didn’t really impress me…until the match with Bianca got going. Her strikes are a little pithy. But she does some cool stuff, and I’m not sure how familiar she is with Belair. It got pretty good and led to an angle to further the story.

Someone needs to cut the head off Alexa’s doll. Or steal the leg off her action figure.

Looking forward to Asuka and Iyo Shirai tearing it the fuck up on Raw one week.

Changing Alexa Bliss out the doll gimmick would be good. But now that she’s got this group, I think Bayley can move away from the Karen cut.

Yeah I don't know if it was nerves or what, but Io was not good at the start of the match. She bounced back though, and it ended up being a pretty good match.

I've noticed that all the japanese women who come in to american promotions have weak looking strikes, but you look at their strikes in japan and it looks like it could kill a panther. Maybe they're just going too easy because they know the girls here aren't used to working as stiff, I dunno. Even Asuka, who lays her shit in a little more than her peers has never shown me anything as hard hitting as some of her work in japan. The match against Meiko being a prime example.

[XL]

I’m not finished the show and there’s already a pretty clear potential card for next week:

* Bobby Lashley vs. Ciampa for the US Title
* Bayley, Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair, Asuka & Alexa Bliss
* Seth Rollins vs. Angelo Dawkins
* AJ Styles vs. Mustafa Ali
* Dolph Ziggler vs. Chad Gable

They’ve got Rey vs Balor planned. Which should be nice.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They’ve got Rey vs Balor planned. Which should be nice.

Ooh, that’ll be good.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah I don't know if it was nerves or what, but Io was not good at the start of the match. She bounced back though, and it ended up being a pretty good match.

I've noticed that all the japanese women who come in to american promotions have weak looking strikes, but you look at their strikes in japan and it looks like it could kill a panther. Maybe they're just going too easy because they know the girls here aren't used to working as stiff, I dunno. Even Asuka, who lays her shit in a little more than her peers has never shown me anything as hard hitting as some of her work in japan. The match against Meiko being a prime example.

Yeah, the Japanese girls working lighter makes sense. I hope if Asuka and Iyo work together, they can cut loose a bit. I also think I’m going to go and check out that Kana/Meiko match.

[Fignuts]

Forewarning, theres like a 40 minute entrance sequence and the whole match is under blue lights for some reason.

But its worth enduring, cause the match is fire.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Forewarning, theres like a 40 minute entrance sequence and the whole match is under blue lights for some reason.

But its worth enduring, cause the match is fire.

Thanks for the warning, lol. I’ve got no clue why promotions do that.