Well, that was rather a lot.
I believed Raw’s important storyline for the week revolved solely round CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Sami Zayn. Punk made his WrestleMania needs recognized and mainly stated Paul E. is the Ace in his again pocket that assures he will get the primary occasion spot that’s alluded him all through his profession. They brilliantly tied that into Seth’s ongoing beef with Punk, which is barely magnified now because of Punk serving to Roman Reigns win at Survivor Series.
That alone can be sufficient. There’s a lot actual emotion between these two that I’ll watch them argue with one another about something. Tying Seth’s emotions about Punk to Roman and ensuring Punk doesn’t get his Mania dream was completely accomplished. It made sense for his or her characters and it solely heightened every little thing between them. Like I stated, that may’ve been sufficient. But out got here Sami and Jey Uso.
This is the place issues acquired very attention-grabbing and the place this part’s title got here from. Seth stood throughout from Sami in that ring and instructed no lies. Not right here:
And not right here both:
The level that actually hit is when he acknowledged (pun) Roman’s lack of apology to Jimmy Uso, Jey, or Sami. That’s extremely actual. The OG Bloodline is having a kumbaya second whereas the man who saved them underneath his thumb for years hasn’t uttered something that resembles an apology. Sami, Jey, and Jimmy stepped to one another and buried their respective hatchets. But what in regards to the Tribal Chief? That goes an extended technique to proving every little thing that Seth’s stated for years, and the explanation he appears at Sami sideways. Seth struck a low blow when he famous it’s comprehensible why Jey fought at Roman’s aspect since they’re household, however Sami has no excuse. That was the start of the top and Sami demanded a match.
At this level, there’s greater than sufficient right here on which to chew. Sami and Seth’s relationship getting examined attributable to Sami working with folks Seth despises. One of these folks, Punk, needs to rise above the fray however Seth gained’t let him. Oh, after which somebody jumped Jey minutes earlier than the primary occasion, which put Sami in a foul and accusatory temper. For the document, I by no means thought Seth laid a finger on Jey as a result of that’s not his battle. One extra reality Rollins spit this week is that the Canadian let his feelings get the higher of him with out considering something by way of. That’s why he virtually acquired DQ’d throughout their match and why he misplaced. Seth didn’t assault Jey. Neither did Punk, who Seth threw proper underneath the bus.
It was Drew McIntyre, again from the useless.
Talk a couple of third act twist I by no means noticed coming! Why did he do it? Why did he assault Sami? The easiest rationalization is that they’re cool with Chick Magnet Phill. I’m positive we’ll get an evidence down the road and hopefully a battle on that fabled Saturday evening. Until then, I’m marveling at how properly accomplished all of this was. It flowed superbly and labored like a Swiss watch.
The greatest takeaway was Seth’s truthfulness. He was proper about letting Punk slide for too lengthy. He was proper about every little thing relating to Roman, together with his personal faults. And he was 1000 % proper about Sami’s coronary heart giving folks the house to play in his face. However now that Drew is again, there’s now a reality Seth should face: He gained’t get to Punk with Drew lording over everybody. And that’s an enormous downside for him, Sami, Jey, and yeah, Punk.
The reality hurts.
B-Sides
All We Got Iz Us
When is a breakup not a breakup?
Big E exhibiting as much as the New Day’s 10-year celebration didn’t shock me contemplating his poignant, well-written, and emotional Player’s Tribune article dropped hours earlier than Raw went reside. It was solely a matter of time earlier than he confirmed up on this story and righted the great ship New Day. Based on every little thing Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston stated to one another final week, and the announcement they virtually made through the celebration, it appeared like E picked the right time.
Yeah, about that.
Big Langston galvanized his crew however not in the best way he thought. And it was implausible. WWE inverted the expectations that stated Kofi and Xavier would squash every little thing because of E’s presence. They’d rally round their pal, let him handle them, and watch the New Day rise again to prominence in a brand new type. Instead, he turned the main target of their ire. While Kofi declaring that Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, and Edge didn’t let damaged necks cease them felt like an ideal heel low blow, Xavier made an excellent level that any pal would make: E waited till they had been on the verge of dissolving earlier than coming to their rescue.
What stopped him earlier than? It’s not like he wasn’t round; we see the person doing desk responsibility throughout each PLE. What saved him from squading up with them months in the past? That’s an excellent query and one price answering.
But I’m undecided we get that reply nor do I believe we’d like it. After tearing down their former companion after what felt like an hour, Xavier and Kofi realized that it’s them in opposition to the world. They minimize E lose and now it truly is a brand new day for the trio turned duo. Is this the top of E’s interplay with them? I actually hope not as a result of I pray his profession isn’t over. Either approach, I can’t wait to see what this model of the heel New Day workforce appears like. E wrote in regards to the freedom afforded to heels and every little thing they did as unhealthy guys that finally acquired them over nearly as good guys.
Based on their demeanor, I don’t foresee Francesca, twerking, or any of the wildly obnoxious issues that had been too entertaining to disclaim. This workforce may be extra in keeping with Xavier’s preliminary Nation revival thought however with their very own twist. No, I’m not saying they’re going be the Nation, so chill on these feedback. What I’m saying is I can see them adopting the sting, perspective, and strategy that X had in thoughts 10 years in the past however underneath the New Day banner and minus the militant swag.
Whew, I acquired excited simply typing that. Fantastic section with an entire lot of promise.
Rarities
- Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez seems like the present vacation spot. Not the final word one, however positively one thing for Rhea to do earlier than she will get her arms on Liv. Raquel appeared dominant within the tag match in opposition to Damage CTRL the place she pinned Kairi Sane. Thankfully, IYO SKY escaped her wrath, at the very least through the match, however caught them arms after the match. And, in fact, that’s when Rhea got here by way of with nothing however throwing arms on her thoughts. Raquel tossing Rhea into the nook of the announce desk, on high of how she gained the tag match, made her look formidable. That’s all the time the trick with Rhea, proper? Putting her in opposition to somebody who appears like a reputable problem. Hopefully this continues as a result of it labored on me right here. I’m not an enormous Raquel fan however I can’t wait to see Rhea destroy her based mostly on what she did this week.
- GUNTHER gave Dirty Dom a shot on the champ to piss off Finn Balor. Finn believes he deserves a title shot as a result of GUNTHER is 2-0 in opposition to Finn due to him. He ain’t flawed. GUNTHER doesn’t need to reward Finn for taking one thing away from him. Another truthful level. So as soon as the champ defeated the Convict, Finn jumped him as a technique to “present Dom the way it’s accomplished.” It’s occurring at Saturday Night’s Main Event with the title on the road however there’s a slight twist Finn didn’t take into consideration: He’s in all probability defending his tag workforce championships the identical evening. That monkey’s paw is undefeated! Damian Priest is completely interfering in that match although, proper?
- The girls’s Intercontinental championship match begins! I recognize the triple risk matches right here because it probably offers extra visibility to wrestlers not often on tv. And, like this week, showcases some who’re usually tag workforce opponents. Katana Chance confirmed she’s acquired potential on her personal when she confronted Dakota Kai and Shayna Baszler. They labored a enjoyable match with a number of excessive danger offense because of Dakota and Katana. Dakota advances, which is the appropriate name. Katana remains to be a tag wrestler and Shayna is in no lady’s land proper now.
Fantastic episode. If I nonetheless graded the weekly product, I’d give this one an A. The first half-hour saved me glued to the display screen whereas every little thing with the New Day was highly effective. And the tales and matches across the edges delivered on transferring issues ahead and elevating my curiosity.
What say you? Does Drew go after everybody within the Bloodline or is that this about one thing greater than hurting individuals who helped CM Punk?
