10 Things We Learned From WWE Raw In The UK (May 8)

9. Braun And Kalisto

The Miz Maryse Dean Ambrose
WWE.com

Away from the Miz/Ambrose niggles in the opening segment, Braun Strowman and Kalisto renewed their unintentionally (?) hilarious conflict when the former Lucha Dragon interjected himself into the show-opening segment with the 'Monster Among Men' and the warring guest General Managers.

Though cutting a traditionally heartfelt babyface promo, the diminutive Mexican was treat with similar disinterest that he's received despite the numerous indignities suffered at the hands of Raw's newest killer.

Challenging the injured Strowman again after reminding Braun that he'd actually won their match before hurtling off the stage in a locked dumpster, the pavlovian cheers that followed the announcement of their match seemed to indicate an audience wishing to see yet another mauling.

And for the most part, they got their wish. The one-armed Braun leathered his opponent right out of the gate with a huge boot, and continued the kicking to further cheers from the fierce live crowd before Roman Reigns made his own return.

Though completely by accident, Kalisto has become a curious by-product of the Braun Strowman push. WWE's wanton rejection of elevating stars the 'old' ways has created a vortex wherein ritual humiliation becomes an acceptable way to get television time, and the former United States Champion is at very least, maximising his minutes.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett