John Pollock andWai Ting review the first episode of WWE Raw inside the WWE ThunderDome with the fallout to SummerSlam and the immediate turnaround for Payback this weekend.
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The post-SummerSlam edition of Raw was also the go-home show for Payback. The focus of Raw was Randy Orton’s continued attacks on Drew McIntyre resulting in a possible skull fracture! Plus, the Raw debut of Keith Lee, a Lumberjack Match for the Raw Women’s Title between Asuka and Sasha Banks, an Arm Wrestling Challenge between Apollo Crews and Bobby Lashley, more of Raw Underground, and Rey & Dominik Mysterio team against Seth Rollins & Murphy.
Holy crap, an RA The Rugged Man shout-out? Was just listening to “Uncommon Valor” earlier this evening. (Also, I still maintain that Ludacris’ “Area Codes” remains Vin-Mac’s workout jam nearly 20 years later.)
I was so happy John and Wai discussed the Raw Underground issues that I thought were going to be problems from day 1. What is the point of all of this? Who is it designed to get over? It’s a special attraction that isn’t special after 3 weeks. There is no storyline built for or around it and the guys they introduce using it are dropped soon after. The segments feature one person constantly and it’s Shane. That isn’t building stars and a cool concept should be used to create new talent, not highlight the boss’s son. Rough.
The minute I heard Keith Lee’s music I was repulsed. Then they ran white noise over his promo and he was D.O.A. One bad loss and he’s headed right down the same path of Pretty Ricky, The Man in the Dark, and The Extraordinary Demon. Guys who were can’t miss coming out of NXT who quickly fell victim to Main Roster presentation.