7 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE Raw (Mar 15)

Ups...

7. Setting The Table

It's always formulaic, the Raw opening segment, but good is good, and last night's was an effective table-setter not only for the night ahead, but Fastlane and WrestleMania 37 as well.

Preceded by news that Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Lashley had been booked for 'Mania, this began with The All Mighty and MVP hitting the ring, looking incredible in their suits. Lashley spoke on proving the doubters wrong and promised to destroy McIntyre at the Show of Shows when The Miz and John Morrison turned up, with Miz sucking up to Bobby in an attempt at securing a title shot. He wasn't 100% the last time they faced, he claimed, likening their rivalry to Austin vs. Rock or Hart vs. Michaels.

Cue: Drew McIntyre, who'd look a lot cooler if not for the dumb sword and kilt in his ring entrance. The former WWE Champion was angry! Drawing parallels between his and Bobby's roads to the top, he ripped Miz for sticking around like a bad smell, puffed out his chest, threw some bravado around, then called Lashley a big bald b*tch. Chaos ensued as Miz laid into McIntyre after Lashley had already jumped him, with Sheamus laying The Hurt Business man out on the ramp to close.

This was an effective way to keep all the players in the WWE Title scene moving forward. Lashley, McIntyre, and Sheamus is such a fun mix of hosses and the two announced singles matches should deliver huge, while Miz is strong in his weaselly, chickensh*t role, having reaffirmed his status as an all-time great utility player over the past few weeks.