[Cool King]

Overall, I enjoyed Raw.

It was probably the most I've enjoyed Raw in a long time. It actually felt like I was watching something new and fresh.

Starting from the beginning, I've already said I like the new logo, but I also like the new theme and the new opening. I like that Raw has a metal factory theme to it. Along with the logo, it's a slight nod to Raw's history.

The announce table being at the side of the set is good, but I'm not too keen on the fact that every time Cole, Saxton & Graves are on screen, they're standing. It comes across as somewhat awkward and more like they're presenters than an announce team. Also, I really enjoyed Graves on commentary. He's much better than JBL, but it's just a shame that Saxton is still there. I've never really been a fan of him.

I was so happy to see the return of the red ropes. They are miles and miles better than white ropes. I really hope we never see white ropes again as they're just terrible. However, I am expecting to see them at joint PPV's, but if I had my way, I would prefer to see the return of black ropes for joint PPV's.

I'm a bit disappointed in the set. I was expecting something completely different, but instead, we get an arch and a few more LED lights at the side. That's it.

Another thing I'm disappointed in is the name of the new Championship. "WWE Universal Championship" is God-awful. It sounds like an eight year old came up with the name. It just reminds me of TNA's "Legends Championship". Both are really bad names for championships, but I've got to give the "win" (if you can call it that) to "Universal Championship" when it comes to awful championship names.

I really hope the championship has still got to be created and Triple H and the rest of his crew are informed of the feedback for the championship's name and then they decide to change it.

Now on to the matches and talent.

The first fatal four way match was good. I enjoyed it, even with Kevin Owens in it, who I regularly skip. This was also my introduction to Finn Bálor and my first impression of him is not good, and I know a good few of you here won't like that.

I just found him to be quite boring and plain. Everyone joked when Cody Rhodes debuted by calling him "CAWdy Rhodes", but Finn Bálor is like a CAW himself. Even his jacket is plain. He could have at least put something on the back of it. Speaking of his jacket, what was with him constantly pulling on his jacket during his entrance? He was coming across as some sort of greaser, like Deuce 'n Domino.

His theme and entrance were pretty lame too and he takes such a long time doing it but I blame his theme for that.

I can't say I was surprised when he won, but the way in which he won was pretty weak. One of his finishers is stomping on a guy. I can't buy that. A man his height and weight, winning by jumping on the stomach of a man bigger and heavier than him is just something I can't buy into. It's a boring move, but is treated like it's something devastating. All he is basically doing is climbing to the top and jumping off again and landing on his feet. Big wow.

A move like that should be left as a finishing move or a signature move for guys like Spike Dudley. It worked for Spike because he was such a small, weak guy who had to throw everything he had at his opponent to win. A stomp is such a weak move and is only ever devastating if the guy who is doing the stomping is The Big Show, Mark Henry, Big Cass or is on a ladder.

The move can be enhanced though. For example, if Bálor ran towards the ropes, jumped on the top rope next to the turnbuckle and turned around in mid-air and stomped on the guy's stomach, that would be so much better than what he does now. Hell, even if he kept it the way it is, but added a flip, that would be better.

But enough of Bálor.

Next up is Nia Jax and she's already caught my interest. Even though it was a squash match (which by the way, I'm happy to see that they're back), I did like what I saw. I see a Jax/Banks fued coming up after Charlotte fails at her rematch. The other fatal four way was also enjoyable but obvious who was going to win. The only thing we didn't know was who was going to take the fall. The New Day skit was entertaining and we can now look foward to seeing them face Gallows & Anderson at SummerSlam, where I'm certain they'll lose the Tag Team Championships.

Next was Curtis F'N Axel.

I'm always happy to see Axel in matches, even if he is just jobbing. Sure, I'd like to see him win, but staying positive and remembering that at least he's getting a match is always important. The whole "Mr. Irrelevant" thing is also interesting. I would like to see this continue, hopefully by Axel setting out to prove that he's not irrelevant. Maybe we'll see if the writers can actually focus on and create storylines for talent that's "lower down" on the card.

I did like his short "saving the best till last" promo though. Seriously, the guy is great and he should be on TV more and winning more matches. I really miss the days when he was Intercontinental Champion. Let's not forget that he had a match against Triple H and won.

I actually missed the Women's Championship match but I did catch the end. It's cool that post-match interviews are back along with pre-match interviews, as was seen before the Braun Strowman match. Speaking of which, I like his new theme and his new look is interesting.

Also, what a jobber James Ellsworth was.

Enzo & Cass vs The Shining Stars was ok. It was good to see Primo & Epico actually have a match on Raw, two months after they last had one, it was just a shame that they lost due to R-Truth playing Pokémon Go.

Finally, Bálor vs Reigns.

The big talking point is Bálor actually winning, but it wasn't really that match of a surprise considering what Reigns has been through recently. However, I am expecting Reigns to make it into the match with Bálor and Rollins.

Overall, if it wasn't for the uploader of the copy of Raw I watched screwing up the Women's Championship match, it would have been the first Raw in about a year that I watched from start to finish, with no skipping.

But I'll claim it as me watching 100% of it anyway.

It was good that the focus was on the wrestlers and the matches, and not the McMahon's, along with promos and backstage antics being kept to a reasonable length. Last night's Raw actually felt like a wrestling show for the first time in a long time. I've got high hopes for Raw now. I hope this continues next week and beyond and now it's on to SmackDown, to see how that does.

Also, two final things I want to mention are that I was quite surprised when Micheal Cole said "professional wrestling" during Bálor's entrance, and some of the new camera angles/shots were great.