5 Biggest Winners & Losers From WWE Raw (19 Sept)
5. Loser: TJ Perkins
Okay, WWE: how do you debut a new division without even having the champion appear on the show?
TJ Perkins was nowhere to be found on last night’s Raw. After show-stealing performances against Kota Ibushi and Gran Metalik in the Cruiserweight Classic final, the champion’s Raw contributions were limited to a Skype call on the pre-show, and brief interview on WWE’s YouTube channel.
That’s it. No match, no promo, no staredown with his new number one contender. Nothing.
Him and Brian Kendrick will likely have a great match at Clash of Champions, but that’s beside the point. As the Cruiserweight Division takes shape, its champion should be immediately established in a position of importance. Mick Foley mentioned his name, but that’s all the exposure TJP got throughout the three-hour broadcast, and he’s made the coldest possible start as Cruiserweight Champion.
Perkins is a fantastic all-round competitor who should make a great division figurehead. Quite why WWE decided to undermine his status by not having him appear on Raw proper is anyone’s guess.