4 Ups & 8 Downs From WWE Raw (Aug 23)

3. Grown Man Gifts Fellow Grown Man A Children's Toy

Riddle RK-Bro
WWE.com

RK-Bro is an over-as-hell act that has cemented Riddle as one of the most successful NXT call-ups ever and given Randy Orton something entertaining to do outwith the main event scene, though last night's Championship Celebration was the duo at their worst.

The goofball comedy is undermining any weight this storyline may have. When Riddle, wide-eyed with wonderment, presents Orton with a scooter that has had his name painted on it, he doesn't come off as a wacky, spaced-out stoner, but a man-child. He is a 35-year-old man playing a person less than half that age on television, which admittedly ticks a big portion of the crowd's boxes (and Vince McMahon's, apparently), but comes off as lightweight and makes it tough to invest in these guys as fighters.

AJ Styles' interruption cut RK-Bro down, as he scolded Orton and Styles for their antics and demanded to fight his way back to a Raw Tag Team Title rematch. This was a welcome break from the zaniness - and a functional bridge to the singles match.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.