-Well, WrestleMania is in the books and the main event of night two was pretty much of a disaster thanks to John Cena not getting the heat he needs — amongst a slew of other things. Cena’s show opening promo to start the show this week didn’t fix anything. Just like at WrestleMania, it felt as if Cena was content with a 50/50 crowd response when more heat was there for the taking. He said the right things and things a bad guy would say, but didn’t sell enough for people to invest. By the end of the promo, the fans cheered him. Cena has to want more out of this.
Cena vs. Orton
-The Randy Orton RKO on Cena got a pop, so that’s good, but it’s still an Orton vs. Cena feud they’re building and I’ve seen enough of that to last a lifetime. Cena being a “heel” in it makes it a little more intriguing, but I don’t think they’ll find much that’s fresh this go around.
-Becky Lynch is a heel and Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez are tag team champions again. Let’s start with Lynch as a heel. Really? Look, Lynch can work heel. We all know that. The questions is should she work heel right now and the answer to that question is 100% a “no.” Especially opposite Lyra Valkyria. First of all, Lynch just returned after nearly a year away, so WWE will have to manage a crowd reaction that largely is excited to see her. Second of all, Lyra is about as weak of a babyface as they come. She’s got no connection with the crowd and therefore, I don’t see the crowd siding with her over Lynch, even as Becky does dastardly things to her. I hope I’m wrong, but we have a good sample size from Lyra at this point.
-It was good to see New Day get a little promo time to shine up their tag title win at WrestleMania. The tag division hardly ever gets that kind of attention, so this is decent sign — albeit a small one.
Rusev Day
-Rusev is back. Yay? He’s a good hand to have around and can play a lot of roles for Triple H, but WWE is not getting a main event talent at this point. As long as they (and fans) have tempered expectations and he stays at an appropriate level in terms of a push, he gives the Raw roster some important depth.
-Iyo Sky cut the best promo of her career in the ring this week on Raw. What a moment for that to happen coming off a huge title win at WrestleMania. Sky was likable and relatable — something neither Rhea Ripley or Bianca Belair were in the lead up to WrestleMania.
-Sky against Stephanie Vaquer was a nice touch for the show and an ode to Raw after Mania vibes. Appearances from Guilia and Roxanne Perez were notable as well. They all won’t be up instantly, but all those women in the ring together was a nice taste of what the very near future will look like for the women’s division on the main roster. It’s stacked.
A straight up celebration
-How about Jey Uso? A fun celebration of his world title win this week with Sami Zayn and Jimmy Uso. I’m glad there wasn’t a heel turn. Jey winning was a moment and because of who he is, that might be all it is. You have to take advantage of that moment for as long as you can and this was them doing that. Zayn vs. Jey is going to happen down the road and that’ll be a fun program when the time comes.
-I’ll make the same joke everyone else did. Gunther turned babyface!!! Look, beating up Pat McAfee is a babyface move at this point, but we all know that isn’t the story. I’m thinking this is how we get the big Goldberg retirement match. Gunther against McAfee’s guy who is … Goldberg. Not sure how exciting that is, but it’s coming.
-Hmm, it was surprising to see Dominik Mysterio not lean babyface after his babyface win of the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. He’s back with The Judgment Day now and things are all good? That’s what WWE wants you to believe. Balor on the outside looking in appears to be where they’re heading and that’s a strong match for as early as Backlash if WWE wants it.
Highlight of the night
-And now for the highlight of the night … Seth Rollins destroying CM Punk and Roman Reigns, while aligning with Bron Breakker. This was tremendous. Not only was it good from the perspective that it leaves open all kinds of opportunities for Rollins and Breakker, but it was compelling to watch and entertaining. Rollins was great as the faction leader and both Reigns and Punk were working to get him and the attack over. The elevation of Breakker made perfect sense and he’s the right guy for the spot. He’ll get a lot out of being next to both Seth and Heyman. When the time comes, he’s got a ready-made feud with Rollins waiting as his breakout moment way down the road. Smart, fun, compelling. Thumbs way up.
What did you think of this week’s episode of WWE Raw? Let us know in the comments!
Subscribe to the Brass Ring Media YouTube channel HERE and 1TS YouTube channel HERE.
Become a Brass Ring Media member HERE.