6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE Raw (7 Oct - Results & Review)

5. Rollins Sets Up Feud, Hints At Another

Last week, Seth Rollins made his triumphant return by getting a measure of revenge on Bronson Reed by stomping his head into the ring steps, helping Braun Strowman win their Last Monster Standing match.

Monday night, Rollins returned to make it very clear that he was back to destroy Reed. Rather than doing his usual shouting and cackling, the Visionary spoke down the lens about how Bronson wanted to make a name for himself at Rollins’ expense, and that he was going to give the Aussie his 15 minutes of fame.

It was simple, expected, and well-executed. While you can make an argument for either outcome – Reed could gain a huge boost by winning the blowoff, but Rollins is a main event-level star needing to get traction – the important thing Monday was not coming off too hokey in his return, and Rollins managed that, wearing all black (still a Rollins-esque outfit though) and eschewing some of his usual antics.

Rollins also managed to put a thought in fans’ minds about another feud down the line. He walked out just as CM Punk was making his way to the back, allowing the two to cross paths, and for Seth to stick a shoulder into Punk’s chest as he walked by. Rollins wished Punk a speedy recovery – so he could hurry up and retire him for good.

Two feuds in one promo. With Raw cut back an hour, you need to be efficient and maximize your TV minutes, and this was an economical use of time.