7 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE Raw (17 June - Results & Review)

1. Kiana James Is Already Struggling

IYO SKY Kiana James Zelina Vega
WWE.com

Sorry, but people on social media have ever right to expect more of a plan for Kiana James. She was called up from NXT amidst some fanfare during the 2024 Draft, but hasn't done much of anything since landing on the flagship. It'll take more than one win over Natalya to convince fans that Kiana is worth paying attention to.

A lot more.

Perhaps Zelina Vega eating the pin from IYO SKY would've been the better call. The LWO member had her day in the sun as Rhea Ripley's one-off rival last year, and she's very-much a bit part player who's more valet/stablemate than outright in-ring threat. Meanwhile, Triple H is supposedly trying to build James as one.

You wouldn't know it. It'd suck hard if Kiana turned into a women's division version of ex-SmackDown flop Cameron Grimes. It's early days, sure, but every single NXT call up should come armed with a clear purpose. There are zero excuses for this sort of meandering, directionless fumbling in the dark.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.