RAWbservations is back – General musings on the WWE’s weekly flagship program:
*AJ Styles promo opening Raw? Still not used to that idea. I remember watching the guy at the Nashville fairgrounds when TNA was just a baby.
*Surprised to hear Roman getting boo’s in a Southern city. We’re usually pretty pro-face/anti-heel crowds.
*Not a bad promo by Reigns. This Club/Bloodline storyline continues to be some of the WWE’s best work in a while.
*Is there anything more tired in pro wrestling than the contract signing?
*The Miz & Maryse actually have a red carpet now. Shout out to MNM.
*Kevin Owens trash-talking Maryse in French is pure gold.
*”HE’S THE WORST ONE!” – perfect example of why Owens is a treasure of pro wrestling.
*Spent way too long explaining to my girlfriend that it’s Maryse, not Maurice.
*The Shane/Stephanie dynamic still seems weird given this is supposed to be a #NewEra
*Solid tag match – this fatal 4-way is going to be great Sunday. These 4 are really amping up the importance of the Intercontinental Championship.
*Jericho dropping “hit the bricks” like we’re watching an episode of Nitro in 1996.
*This Jericho/Ambrose feud could have been better – instead, it’s based on potted plants, scarves, and jackets.
*Crowd is dead for The Shining Stars, but I’m sold. Two proven workers – give it a chance, people. Also, we got some local jobbers and a good old fashioned squash match!
*John Cena has reached a point in his career where I’m actually happy to see him return. Legend status.
*Love Ambrose, but his promos are getting a little too formulaic. Come out, talk about how crazy you are, call out whoever you’re feuding with. This should’ve been much better than it is.
*An Asylum match? If I rolled my eyes any harder, they’d fall out of my skull.
*Big fan of Dana Brooke – hate that Emma was injured. Those two are great together. Dana has a lot of potential – hopefully, she’ll get there. The call up seems like a bit of a panic move. She could’ve used more time in NXT.
*People are complaining about The Shining Stars, but this Darren Young repackage is pure shit. So weird.
*Golden Truth getting the love story montage treatment. Finally, they’re together – too bad I care more about this Fandango & Tyler Breeze pairing.
*LOOK EVERYONE! IT’S TYLER! Breeze & Fandango get the win. Don’t laugh – but there’s a place for this program right now. It’s consistent storytelling and appropriate comedic relief in the wrestling context.
*Is R-Truth a WWE Hall of Famer?!?!
*Tyler Breeze & Fandango are even better – GoldenGirlsKEWL
*265+ days of STILL not being tired of New Day as tag team champs – love the Vaudevillians, too. I’d love to see them win the titles, but would love for New Day to break Kendrick & London’s record.
*Here we go – The Bloodline vs. The Club. Edgier Usos tonight – good. They needed something.
*Anderson/Gallows vs. The Usos was phenomenal tonight – felt like getting PPV for free. Hope you set your DVR.
*Styles finally giving in – delivering chair shot after chair shot to Reigns, followed up by a Styles Clash on the chair. He “crossed the line tonight” according to Michael Cole. This program is hot – absolutely cannot wait for Extreme Rules on Sunday.
*Big Cass with a bit of a rocky promo timing-wise, squashes D-Von Dudley with the East River Crossing. Pretty uneventful.
*Oh, goodness – the contract signing really is going to close the show.
*Kalisto vs. Del Rio….at 9:36…that contract signing really is going to close the show. Alright, I’m out, world. Good night.
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley,@PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo
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