WWE Raw: 10 Things You Might Have Missed (2 Oct)
Komen Empire
There are few cases where treasured flagship Monday Night Raw isn't the centrepiece of Vince McMahon's WWE empire, but it undeniably loomed in a lofty shadow this week.
The biggest storyline on SmackDown Live! will culminate this Sunday inside the company's most fearsome structure. More importantly, Shane McMahon is in a match, guys! In case you weren't aware, the most athletically sound, technically proficient, street-fightin' father-of-three is ready to grace audiences with his diverse skillset just months removed from taking the best performer in the world to wrestling school in a narrow WrestleMania 33 defeat.
During another one of his recent egotistical skips through the sacred ropes, he had little problem dispatching The Shield. The Bar should perhaps give 'The Money' a call before it's too late - in attacking 'The Big Dog' alongside The Miz, Sheamus and Cesaro may have finally triggered a reunion for the 'Hounds Of Justice'.
WWE's slow march to the Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view continued in earnest, albeit on the backburner this week with the launch of their annual philanthropic endeavour. Devouring the aesthetic and attitude of the broadcast as usual, Susan G Komen's continued involvement remains a sour distraction - both from the deadly cause it purports to combat, and the company's product at large.
In an effort to keep wheels spinning en route to the event, Raw did at least offer intriguing storyline progression all fronts, albeit without the usual bombast. Maybe father-of-the-groom absentee Michael Cole adds bluster after all?
10. Rainmaker
Seth Rollins' knee...thing was finally named last week, as WWE dived deeper into the television and film well to christen the quick strike as the 'King's Landing', which makes just about enough sense in a universe where a fella screaming 'BURN IT DOWN!' was only added to his theme because Vince McMahon one day apparently got annoyed with the split second of silence in the tune.
He'd pinched the set-up from Kazuchika Okada's Rainmaker, a move which has achieved particular acclaim this year following the IWGP Champion's incredible trifecta of matches with Kenny Omega. The audience have remained sympathetic to Seth's plight though, having already lost his Curb Stomp and Pedigree in the last two years along with a great deal of his upper card momentum in the process.
That said, after weeks of him unconvincingly driving his knee forward following the arm-wringing set-up, it was ultra-satisfying to see the 'Monster Among Men' nearly take his head clean off with the conclusion the build-up truly deserves.
The BraunMaker was a thing of beauty, flipping Seth inside out to leave him prone for a match-winning powerslam. Rollins best be wary of losing yet another move...