This past week’s episode of Monday Night Raw was very low-key and didn’t get any major pops from the audience. This is most likely because neither Champion was present on the show. Brock Lesnar did not show up as WWE Champion, but he deserves some credit because he has been in every episode of Monday Night Raw except this past week. He also gave a performance in the Royal Rumble match that lasted over 25 minutes. The missing United States Champion’s (Andrade) presence is due to his violation of the WWE wellness policy and he is not eligible to wrestle. No one can be positive, but this may be his last to return to Super Showdown.
Becky Lynch defeats Asuka and is subsequently attacked by Shayna Baszler to set up what will be a Huge Clash come WrestleMania 36 in Tampa, FL
The rivalry between Becky Lynch and Asuka that lasted over a year has been a good example of long-term storytelling. It was an excellent idea to have it come to an end because the audience’s attention span could have started to grow thin since there are no real stakes anymore. This feud produced excellent matches while it lasted, but there’s no more story to tell.
Shayna Baszler has finally made her presence known on Monday Night Raw to build for a WrestleMania encounter with The Man, as has been speculated for weeks. Baszler’s loss of her NXT Title was not only to give the NXT universe a fresh Champion but also to free her of all ties to another brand so she could solely focus on building to a ‘Mania match with Becky. It was a good segment on Monday night with Baszler attacking Lynch’s neck in Hannibal Lecter fashion, except the blood was clearly fake.
A Baszler Title victory at WrestleMania could give the WWE universe a fresh face as Raw Women’s Champion. It would also free the engaged couple of Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch to each take a hiatus from WWE for a few months after ‘Mania to recharge. They are both workhorses for the company combined with the fact that Becky will have been the face of the Women’s Division in WWE for an entire year. Shayna has been booked to have a presence like a female Samoa Joe.
Seth Rollins, Murphy & The AOP Defeat Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe & The Viking Raiders
Seth Rollins and his disciples got another cheap victory… surprise, surprise! This result was never in doubt, but it did its job of gaining more heel heat for the stable. Vince McMahon has shortened yet another name. The latest man to have his name shortened is Buddy Murphy, as he lost his first name and is now referred to as just Murphy. It will be interesting to see if he ever gets his first name back like Erick Rowan and Mustafa Ali did.
Matt Hardy Questions Randy Orton
Matt Hardy more than accomplished his job on Monday night of garnering sympathy for Edge. He was able to do this so well because the WWE universe lost both he and his brother. One can only guess what Matt’s contract situation looks like. There was some speculation that he may be going to AEW, and there still is, but he continues to make appearances for WWE. No one can be sure, but this may be his last one – Randy Orton’s attack may have given him an avenue through which to exit WWE.
Ricochet Defeats Bobby Lashley
The “One and Only” proved to Lashley without much doubt that he is the rightful number one contender to Brock Lesnar’s WWE Championship for now. However, I would be shocked if there is not a highly anticipated bout between the two former MMA fighters. Lashley has publicly stated in the past that he believes the act of coming back to WWE for another three years would be a waste of time if he isn’t booked in a match with The Beast Incarnate.
WWE has a little time to build to this match before Lashley’s contract expires in April 2021, and there is not much doubt (from me) that this will ultimately happen. This potential match has money written all over it because of the sheer size of Lesnar and Lashley. Both men are in their 40s, but it seems it could happen.
Angel Garza Defeats Cedric Alexander
Angel Garza further established his name on Monday Night Raw as a force to be reckoned with, using his innate and almost nonchalant sense of charisma. The thing he does with ripping off his pants in the middle of matches is also a hilarious touch.
Aleister Black Defeats Akira Tozawa and Disposes of him Quickly
If WWE is interested in a long-term storyline with Black as I suspect they are, management may want to book him to continue his undefeated streak all the way through the year 2020. He’s a guy who Paul Heyman is extremely high on and is looking to give every potential opportunity to succeed, along with Ricochet, Murphy, and Drew McIntyre. However, he does deserve a competitive rivalry that will intrigue fans. This will also serve to get him over with the WWE universe. Fans are growing tired of seeing him squash opponents.
Perhaps a feud with the United States Champion Andrade and his real-life wife Zelina Vega would be appropriate. It would create an avenue for him to get to that next level of stardom because fans would feel more connected to him if they knew he had personal ties in the regulatory.
The 24/7 Championship has returned to obscurity now that it’s out of the hands of Mojo Rawley and Riddick Moss is the titleholder.