For weeks now, the WWE has been hyping up the 25th anniversary of Monday Night RAW, adding WWE legend after legend to their promo videos (and the show), creating a ton of hoopla around the milestone event. I know I was doing a little happy dance all day yesterday; for the first time in a long time I was genuinely looking forward to Monday night. I love these celebration shows, they are always funny, entertaining, light, with a flair of drama.
And in many ways, RAW 25 did deliver. It was certainly far better than an average Monday night and despite somethings not working on the show, a lot did.
What Worked
Bringing back all the legends and WWE Hall of Famers that helped to build Monday Night RAW was awesome. The opening segment that included the McMahons (Vince, Shane, and Stephanie) along with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was a great way to launch the show, and I can’t remember the last time we’ve heard a RAW crowd pop the way they did when Austin came out and delivered those Stunners to both Vince and Shane. It was nostalgic, it was wonderful, it was entertaining. The poker playing segments with APA backstage was great; seeing DX reunited in the ring (with the Balor Club joining them) hit fans in all the feels; and while The Undertaker’s promo did leave RAW audiences questioning his message, the goosebumps were there thanks to his presence and video package. I also enjoyed seeing the Dudleys show up, but felt bad for poor Heath Slater being the chosen one to go through that table (he’s got kids after all). I also personally loved all the video montages, highlighting the memories of RAW over the past 25 years. It makes one feel like they are part of that history, like they are part of the show. When it comes to matches, the real winner of the night was the Intercontinental Championship bout and The Miz becoming an eight-time IC champ was a nice surprise.
What Was Alright
I liked the idea of two venues and I get where the WWE was coming from on this one. While it would’ve been nice to run the entire show from the Manhattan Center, where it all began for Monday Night RAW, the venue simply couldn’t hold a grand celebration of that caliber or the talent backstage (I’m assuming). RAW turning 25 is a big deal, so why not having two venues in the Manhattan Center and Barclays; this concept not only offered a ‘then and now’ idea, but added to the nostalgia that I’m sure the WWE wanted to create last night. Bringing back Jerry “The King” Lawler and Jim Ross to that announce team added to the feels and it was cool to flip back and forth between venues from the point of view of a fan sitting at home watching the show. However, according to reports, it might not have been an ideal scenario for the live crowd themselves. Turns out, the fans within the Manhattan Center weren’t too thrilled with set up, as it seemed most of the action took place at Barclays. So much so, they started a “bulls—t” chant at one point during the night. NoDQ.com even snapped a shot and tweeted a photo of what appeared to be Jerry Lawler taking a snooze while RAW 25 was going on.
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler appear to be falling asleep at the Manhattan Center. pic.twitter.com/vigtA8zMBA #WWE #RAW #RAW25
— NoDQ.com – WWE News (@nodqdotcom) January 23, 2018
As for matches, the eight-woman tag could land in this spot, wasn’t the best match of the night, certainly wasn’t the worst.
What Didn’t Work
So many legends, not enough time … literally! It seemed almost, that there were too many legends slated for RAW 25 that some of the segments simply didn’t make any sense. The backstage promo that involved Kurt Angle, Jonathan Coachman, Brother Love, Brooklyn Brawler, Harvey Whippleman, and the Boogeyman could have been cut; the former RAW general managers segment didn’t make sense, especially having Daniel Bryan there (other than the showdown between Daniel Bryan and The Miz, wonder if that is going anywhere); and the former great women’s wrestler brought back for the show could of, and should of, be used a little bit better. Speaking of being used better, a big fail for me was Bray Wyatt versus Woken Matt; on so many different levels. First off, this is a big match involving a current program between these out-of-the-box characters. People have wanted to see Wyatt and Matt clash since before Hardy returned to the WWE last year. The first time these men are set in action (on television) and no real promotion leading up to the big match? Having the bout at the Manhattan Center was a nice touch; however, Lawler and Ross dropped the ball on commentary. Also, the match wasn’t what it could’ve been, and it seemed rushed and flat. Speaking of, for whatever reason, RAW’s close seemed rushed and far too predictable, with a same old/same old feel to it as Braun Strowman made Brock Lesnar and Kane look like rag dolls. To boot, I’m wondering why the legends were brought down to the ring to help separate all the participants in the Universal Championship match at the Royal Rumble? Seemed redundant. What could Brother Love do at the end of the day? Smother all three of them with loving words?
Lastly, where was Randy Orton? He’s a huge part of RAW’s history and a current WWE superstar on the SmackDown LIVE roster, so I’m puzzled as to why he did not participate in the festivities last night. The Legend Killer should have been there, and it makes no sense why he wasn’t. Huge fail there.
These are my thoughts, WNZ fans … I’d love to hear yours! Did you enjoy RAW 25? Leave your comments below!
