WWE RAW this week was fairly low-key as it relates to the build for the WWE Elimination Chamber PPV, which is less than two weeks away. At this point in their push to the next PPV, WWE should be fully booking their flagship show in an effort to hook every viewer they can, especially since we are on The Road to Wrestlemania as well. Although we did get the surprised unannounced return of a former World Heavyweight Champion, this week's edition of RAW was lackluster as compared to recent weeks. Still, there are 5 things we learned from the RAW telecast this week, so let's take a look at 5 things that made headlines.
5. CM Punk Can Still Cut a Great Promo
WWE promised this week's show would open with a MizTV segment featuring a Paul Heyman interview. Much to my delight, instead we get an in-ring promo from CM Punk. Alone and without Paul Heyman at his side for the first time in months, CM Punk delivered another great promo segment showcasing why he is the best heel in the business today. Having the ring announcer introduce him as The People's Champion was a very nice touch as well. CM Punk continues to entertain every week, and this time, for the second week in a row, he's proven that he doesn't need the WWE Championship to still be the best in the business...and I didn't even mention the PPV quality match he had on RAW later in the night with Chris Jericho which was off the charts good.
4. Apparently The WWE Champion Isn't Needed on RAW
Very puzzling, this week WWE Champion The Rock was absent from the RAW program. For those of you unfamiliar with my WWE tastes, for me there is none better than The Rock. I find it intriguing that WWE would put the title on Rock as they begin The Road to Wrestlemania, and then not have him appear on their weekly flagship show, even as we are just two weeks out from the Elimination Chamber PPV. I'm sure they don't want to over-saturate everyone with Rock appearances, thus making his time on screen that much more impactful when he does appear, but if you're going to make him your champion, then he needs to be on RAW, hands down, no question, every single week.