10 Best Raw Segments Of 2017 So Far
Celebrations, interviews, and festivals - the best part of wrestling isn't always the wrestling.
2017 has frequently been a rough time for the non-athletic portions of Monday Night Raw. The increasingly notorious 'This Is Your Life' skit with Alexa Bliss and Bayley from the 29 May edition of the show is the perfect example of where creative decisions have so frequently gone wrong for the red brand in the last six months. It was far too long, the comedy inspired more cringes than it did laughs, and it completely failed to make the audience root for the intended hero.
But it's not all 'This Is Your Life' segments and endless Ambrose-Miz promo battles. Under the right circumstances, Raw is still capable of generating an absolutely electric moment that involves no wrestling whatsoever. With its bigger personalities and better stories being told, Raw always has the potential for a breakout moment - something that entertains, amuses, shocks - or even horrifies - when executed correctly.
It's worth celebrating the Raw moments in the first half of this year that have really, really excelled. When the programme has been at its best, it has been a joy to behold. Here are the year's highlights - so far.
10. Austin Aries Interviews Neville (6 March)
Though Austin Aries had been an enjoyable presence at the cruiserweight commentary table, his return to in-ring action was hotly anticipated. The beginning of this interview is evidence enough, as the crowd repeatedly chanted his name just for asking Neville a question. Aries exhibited masterful crowd control throughout the segment, casually incorporating the ever-present 'What?!' chants into his responses and stirring the audience into a cheering frenzy with simple actions like a smile or removing his sunglasses.
Neville has been continually fantastic in his bitter, arrogant heel role, and that was no different whilst being interviewed, sneering at Aries and dismissing his legitimacy as a potential challenger. The jab about his real-life orbital socket injuries only sold the hostility between the two of them further.
Aries' cocky, egotistical demeanour had served him well as a heel, but recognising the man's undeniable humour and charisma, this interview cleverly shifted those traits into the enjoyable qualities of a fan favourite. The building tension as Aries continued to imply his own superiority was enthralling, but the breaking of this tension, when Aries finished his interview with "not a question... it's more of a statement" and smacked Neville in the head with the microphone, was expertly played out. The crowd gave the biggest pop in the small history of the reinvented cruiserweight division, and the action set up a red-hot feud that continued for months. A dynamic return to action from Aries that also showcased his fantastic verbal gifts; it was a hell of a way to reintroduce his character to the audience.