3 Negatives From Monday Night Raw

As you will notice, there are only 3 negatives from Raw this week compared to the 5 positives I wrote about in a previous post. This just shows how amazing Raw was this week! Hopefully they can follow up with a great 'superstar shake-up' episode next week.

1. Roman Reigns

Now, don't shoot me down. Yes, if Roman Reigns is turning heel, this opening to Raw was absolutely perfect! But... I don't think he's turning heel. I think WWE (well, just Vince actually) still see Roman as the babyface of Raw and this was just a promo designed to make him look cool. After this face experiment has gone on for so long, I just refuse to raise my hopes that he is finally turning heel. Hence, I feel he is still a face unfortunately. But regardless of Roman being heel or face, what really makes my blood boil is the credit given to Reigns for this promo. I've read a lot of people online saying Roman had the crown in the palm of his hands; well I simply just can't agree! The crowd had Roman in their hands! This promo may have been great (if he's heel), but it wasn't down to Roman. He's only in the position to cut this promo because of how bad his singles push has been and he is benefiting from his and WWE's mess! It frustrates me so much how people are suddenly all for Roman. This was my biggest negative from Raw.

2. 3 on 3 Women's Tag Match

Bayley, Sasha Banks & Dana Brooke vs Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax & Emma. This tag match was a match with too many components that unfortunately leads to oblivion. Bayley was lost in the shuffle, Sasha needs to be drafted and Dana just doesn't connect as a face. On the heel side: Charlotte was great as usual, Nia was confusing and the returning Emma was excellent. Granted, this match had it's positives such as the return of Emma. This was the first time I've ever seen her wrestle and needless to say, I was mightily impressed! After the match, Nia hit an annoying Charlotte which hints towards a promising face turn. However, Sasha is in need of being drafted for fresh feuds and to get her away from Bayley as the crowd now expects a heel turn. I think that will be great further down the line, but I think she could do really well as a face on Smackdown Live. After this match, we still have no clear direction after WrestleMania and this women's division is in need of the 'superstar shake-up' next week.

3. Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman

Brock Lesnar came out as usual with Paul Heyman, however for the first time with his newly won Universal Championship. Paul delivered, what I believed, was a boring promo telling the crowd about a tale of a beast slaying Goldberg; he basically just stated Lesnar had beaten Goldberg at WrestleMania. Heyman then said the 2 in 23-2 (Undertaker's WrestleMania record) would clash before long; the 2 being Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. This sparked boos from the crowd and chants of 'we want Bálor'. Obviously the crowd were tuned out by the prospect of Reigns vs Lesnar as was I. Braun Strowman then interrupted Heyman and laid his intentions to face Brock. This didn't subside the crowd's chants for Bálor. Brock squared up to brawl with Strowman before Braun retreated away from the ring. This is my main gripe with the segment- why on earth are they making Braun freakin' Strowman a cowardly heel? It is so stupid- he's so huge and intimidating but they just make him look silly. Furthermore, I am really frustrated with Lesnar already as Universal Champion. It looks certain now that Lesnar won't be defending his title at Payback and instead the main event will just be Braun Strowman vs Roman Reigns in a No.1 Contendership match. Not only does it significantly weaken the card, it also gives us a match we only saw a couple of months ago. It is so boring...

Raw Rating: 8.5/10