5 shocking things which happened on Raw this week (14 January 2019)
This week's episode of Raw started off as your average broadcast of the flagship show, as there was a promo to open the show, there were empty threats made, and there was a backstage chase involving Braun Strowman. But quickly fans realised the episode of Raw was going to be different.
And while this week's episode of the flagship show was somewhat of a hit and miss, there were many shocking developments made on the show, as superstars went from mid-card jobbers to main event contenders, while a champion lost his title, and WWE NXT standouts made their debut on the show.
So lets go through the most shocking things that happened on Raw this week.
#1 Sasha is being booked bigger than Rousey
Ronda Rousey is the future of WWE women's wrestling, and that isn't a statement from the WWE Universe's mouth, but it is a statement from the higher ups in the WWE. As there is no bigger star in women's wrestling than Rousey, and there is a good reason for that, as her successful UFC career and Hollywood stints have made her a recognisable star, and that is what WWE needs right now.
So it was surprising to witness WWE book Rousey as a bona fide rookie, and Sasha Banks as a world-beating badass on this week's episode of Raw.
No offense to Banks, but right now it seems logical for Rousey to be the alpha in this programme - as she conquered Triple H, dominated Nia Jax, and single-handedly cost Becky Lynch and Charlotte their chance at glory on TLC. Whereas WWE had Banks hanging around with Bayley and doing nothing of importance.
Banks is a great talent and should be booked strong, but Rousey's booking was a bit surprising.
#2 Lashley wins the IC title
Bobby Lashley saw the worst of WWE's booking last year, as the saga of his sisters, his losses to Roman Reigns, and his inability to ascend beyond the mid-card made him look like a man destined to end up back in TNA. But this week, WWE took a chance on the man, and gave him the chance to grow as a character.
Lashley is now the new IC Champion.
The match between Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Lashley was absolutely awesome, as WWE booked each and every bit of this contest with purpose, and the end result of Lashley winning was a shocker, as many expected Ambrose to hold on to the title, as his main rival Seth Rollins was moving on to the main event scene.
Anyone winning besides Rollins or Ambrose was going to be a shocker, and it was a pleasant one.