5 Burning Issues For WWE Raw Tonight (Oct 2)
Roman and Strowman Tackle Titleholders
Viewing figures may have reflected the mass turnover to Monday Night Football WWE now anticipates during Raw's laboured third hour, but it was tough not to appreciate the creative flair the company exhibited in last week's 'main event' segment.
With all matters of importance (Roman Reigns' reflections on No Mercy) and significance (Roman Reigns' next programme) tied up during the middle of the broadcast, Enzo Amore's intentionally half-baked Cruiserweight Title celebration took centre stage, as did anti-babyface barbs from the new Champion.
Just about pulling off a double turn in an era where fans are ordinarily too far ahead of the curve to care, WWE booked disparate ex-titleholder Neville to disregard the 'No Contact Clause' waved in his face and smash the sh*t out of the New Jersey nuisance. It subsequently cost him a shot at Enzo's strap, as it did every other Cruiserweight when they hit their own finishers on him after Raw went off the air.
He'd been annihilated by Braun Strowman too, as WWE looked to perform a transparent rehabilitation of the 'Monster Among Men' following his humbling by Brock Lesnar 24 hours earlier. Braun's bite had previously matched his bark, but has the company decided that there's only enough space in the yard for one 'Big Dog?'
5. Shielding The Inevitable
Roman Reigns will one day be considered the worst greatest wrestler ever. Between the ropes, he's more of a phenom than the man he retired at WrestleMania could ever hope to be, and with the right material he verbally comes across far more convincing than the long-standing 'Champ' he dethroned just eight days ago.
But as a heavily-shared meme highlighted, WWE's desperation to anoint him as the top man is becoming little more than a well-worn joke. For those that missed it, a photoshopped image did the rounds of Reigns receiving endorsement from The Undertaker, John Cena, Daniel Bryan and The Rock, as has literally happened at one point or another over the past two years.
A victim of Vince McMahon's stubbornness and a changing audience palette WWE have yet to truly understand, Roman's star shines no brighter for the forced redirection of superstar spotlight from his alleged contemporaries. The Miz won't be expected to raise an arm or discerning eyebrow on Raw, but when his Intercontinental Title defence inevitably ends in chaos, further calls for a not-that-impromptu Shield reunion will be channelled yet again into helping boost 'The Big Dog's profile.
Dean Ambrose could have done with some help from a formidable muscleman in his match against Braun Strowman last week. His tag team partner may require the same aid...