PWP Nation’s Caden Moran details six things we learned from the February 4th, 2019 edition of Monday Night RAW
The February 4th edition of Monday Night RAW is in the books, and it was, well…bad.
The last few weeks appeared to show the tides changing for the red brand, but after last night, it appears we are back to square one. Last night’s episode of Monday Night RAW was absolutely terrible. I had to ask myself if I wanted to watch RAW or continue Game of Thrones. I obviously chose the wrong option.
I have been a supporter of the red brand ever since WWE claimed they were beginning a “new era”. However, after last night, I can not support what we all watched. Even in the three hours of awful television, we did learn a few things. Here are six things we learned from Monday Night RAW last night.
#6 – RAW’s Tag Team Division is a Joke
Last week, I praised Smackdown Live’s tag team division. This week, I rain on RAW’s tag team division.
I really do not understand how this division is so bad and so uninteresting. Last night, there was a four-corners tag team match to determine who will challenge Bobby Roode & Chad Gable for the RAW Tag Team titles. Once again, The Revival will have another chance to claim the gold. It is not that the tag team division is bad, it is that RAW apparently does not care about them as much as Smackdown does.
With little to no investment from creative and from the WWE Universe, RAW’s tag team division is essentially not important. It is a shame because The Revival and Roode & Gable are capable of stealing the show. As for the rest of the division, there is essentially little to no prominent teams.
If The Revival consistently winning number one contender’s matches is just a ploy to keep them from leaving the company, it will take more than that. Eventually, they have to either win the belts, or we will be seeing the last of Dash & Dawson.
#5 – We Need More of Lio Rush
One of the very few highlights, and possibly the only highlight of RAW, was Finn Balor vs Lio Rush. In only Lio’s second match for the red brand since he debuted, it is safe to say we need to see more from the “Man of the Hour“.
Lio put on a strong performance in a losing effort against Balor. However, in only his second match, the hype-man for Bobby Lashley proved he has what it takes to hang with the big dogs. As Lio Rush is a part of the 205 Live roster, I think it would be a great idea to have Lio compete more consistently on RAW. Having him be a “warm-up” before Lashley takes over would be a strong dynamic, in my opinion.
With very few positives from last night’s episode of RAW, Lio Rush was definitely one of them. Hopefully, we see more from the guy on Monday nights.
#4 – Heel Elias is the Best Elias
Last week, I was scratching my head at the decision to turn Elias heel once again. However, after last night, I now understand why. Elias simply works better as a heel than a babyface.
Although I was enjoying Elias as a babyface for a couple months, he reminded me just how good of a heel he is last night. Before going up against WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett (yeah…that happened in 2019), Elias called out Road Dogg. One of the best lines of the night was Elias asking Road Dogg why he was not on Smackdown and “taking their ratings”. Obviously, RAW’s ratings are sure to be terrible this week, but it was still a good and effective line.
Even Elias’ cheap shot at the lack of football in Portland was able to draw instant heat. Elias was born to be a heel, and after his brief run as a babyface, there is no going back. Heel Elias is the best Elias.
#3 – There are no Plans for the NXT Call-ups
Out of any set of NXT call-ups, this recent round has been the absolute worst. There is clearly no direction for a majority of these talents, as they are seen on both brands and are virtually doing nothing.
Even as we have seen Heavy Machinery, Nikki Cross, Lacey Evans, and finally, EC3, there is clearly no plans for any of them. I have never understood why you would call up NXT talent, and not have anything planned for them. WWE can not even find plans for their current talent let alone new ones. After three weeks, EC3 finally competed in a match, defeating Dean Ambrose, but what is the direction for the guy? Or for any of them?
WWE is clearly figuring it out as they go along, and for a company that plans well in advance, you would not think that would be the case.
#2 – Becky Lynch is Not “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
I have heard a lot of ridiculous comparisons over the years, but this one takes the cake.
After Becky Lynch confronted Stephanie McMahon and went on to beat her down, social media was flooded with comparisons of Lynch to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. I am here to tell you that is not even close. Becky Lynch is good, but she is nowhere near Steve Austin’s level.
Think back to Austin’s rivalry with Vince McMahon and what he was able to pull off against the boss. Steve Austin hitting Vince McMahon with a Stunner in Madison Square Garden is not the same as punching, a weak punch that is, Stephanie. I get it, though. We are seeing a red hot Becky Lynch take a stand against the McMahon’s, but that does not automatically make her comparable to the Hall of Famer.
You are delusional if you truly believe otherwise.
#1 – They Still Don’t Get it
The biggest thing we learned from Monday Night Raw is that WWE simply still does not get it.
WWE still does not know how to make new matches, rivalries, and show that they truly care, even when they promised it. Last night’s episode of Monday Night RAW felt like it was rushed and nobody behind the scenes truly cared about it. Even when the last few weeks have been strong, this week took us back to the very start.
When you claim there is a new era and we still see the same stories from 6 months ago, there is a problem. I have stood behind WWE over the last month because I believed they were trying. However, after last night’s bomb, I do not know how much longer I can stand behind them.
I will still watch, but do not expect me to take it easy on them. They still do not get it. They do not know what “the fans want” and I have no idea if that will ever come to fruition. We will see, but I am doubtful.
The February 4th edition of Monday Night RAW is in the books and it was not pretty. We can only hope that they can turn this around quickly. If not, I expect there will be more backlash from the fans.
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