3 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE Raw (22 December - Results & Review)
3. A Neutered Showcase
Anytime a young, exciting, up-and-coming wrestler makes their way through WWE’s developmental system on the way to the main roster, the cynics say a silent prayer that the company doesn’t train the uniqueness out of them.
With Je’Von Evans, WWE has a bona fide, seemingly can’t-miss prospect who has youth (21), unique look, energy and excitement on his side. All the company needs to do with this diamond is polish him up and let him shine.
Monday, Evans had his second singles match on Raw, an opportunity to showcase his talents, ingratiate himself to WWE fans (who are distinct from NXT followers), and cement a place on the main roster. But for the second time, Je’Von fell short – or better yet, WWE booking shorted him.
Je’Von battled Rayo Americano (sources indicate that it might indeed be Pete Dunne under that mask) in a match where the outcome was never in doubt. Rather than being a platform for Evans to bounce around the ring and send fans into a frenzy, the seven-minute match was… a WWE match. The two traded offense, with Je’Von flashing some highspots before the other Americanos got involved. Evans would finish Rayo with the OG Cutter.
Fans reacted to Evans’ dive, his corkscrew kick and the cutter, which is a flashier version of Cody Rhodes’ top-rope Cody Cutter. But those flashes were spread out over seven minutes of typical back-and-forth WWE action. This should have been three minutes of Evans speed-running Rayo into the mat. Who cares if you job out El Grande Americano’s faceless henchman? Rayo and Bravo are under masks for a reason.
Even the announcers were of no help, spending as much time speculating on Rayo’s backstory as they did praising Je’Von. Again, why waste your time on a guy who was essentially a jobber-to-the-stars before he donned the mask and is even more of a cannon-fodder soldier now?
Dumb.