WWE RAW - Best and Worst - Major star out for 6-9 months due to injury in title match; why Seth Rollins' return was a mistake
The go-home episode of WWE RAW before Bad Blood 2024 was also the final three-hour episode this year. Triple H has done a great job in making the format work, with tonight's show a testament to how far we've come over the past few years.
As usual, almost everything was great. Multiple storylines were showcased, including The New Day's tale of contrasting fortunes. A lot more happened, too, as Gunther finally accepted Sami Zayn's challenge.
So, beyond that, let's get into the biggest positives and negatives from tonight's episode of WWE RAW.
#3. Best: Babyface Bron Breakker?
![Bron Breakker and Jey Uso in picture. [Image credits: wwe.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/c43db-17277542201567-1920.jpg?w=500)
WWE RAW kicked off with Jey Uso celebrating his Intercontinental Championship win. He delivered a heartfelt promo before Bron Breakker interrupted him. However, instead of things getting tense, the former champion showed respect to The Yeet Master.
Breakker and Uso showed some love to each other, with the latter mentioning there are "dogs" in the house. Oh, they will be barking like there's no tomorrow! A babyface Bron Breakker has a lot of potential, courtesy of his explosive in-ring style and abundant charisma.
He even teased a match against Gunther. Meanwhile, Jey Uso is set to defend his title against Xavier Woods next week on WWE RAW.
#3. Worst: The same thing every week on WWE RAW
It feels like we've seen The Judgment Day beating Damian Priest up almost every week on WWE RAW. The formula should be changed up at least a little, with The Punisher potentially getting one over the Finn Balor-led group.
However, Priest has endured quite a lot of wrath in the past month, with each beatdown similar to the last one. Additionally, Rhea Ripley going after Liv Morgan has been done to death. Things could have been more interesting had either of them had a match on the go-home edition of RAW before Bad Blood 2024, but that did not happen.
There is not anything else left for The Judgment Day and The Terror Twins to do to each other, which might mean both feuds will be over at Bad Blood 2024. For our sake, they need to end it.
#2. Best: Final words
![CM Punk inside Hell in a Cell. [Image credits: wwe.com]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/10/31f81-17277542897396-1920.jpg)
The WWE RAW segment between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre previewed their Hell in a Cell match at Bad Blood 2024 perfectly. Their words to each other were eerie and intense.
The Best in the World wore all-white, while McIntyre wore all-black. The Scottish Warrior claimed it was out of respect for AJ Lee, who he predicted would leave Punk following their Hell in a Cell match. Drew even brought up Roxanne Perez turning against him.
Meanwhile, CM Punk spoke about the rage he has built up over time. He blamed McIntyre for turning him into the "fictitious boogeyman" he has been accused of being. With five days to go, this was a fantastic final build to their Hell in a Cell match, where Punk will look to unleash his inner "devil."
#2. Worst: Ilja's injury
The worst news coming out of WWE RAW was the announcement that Ilja Dragunov suffered a torn ACL. The injury happened during his Live Event match against Gunther. While it is never nice to see a wrestler get injured, this stings a bit more as Dragunov's entire momentum is crushed.
The Mad Dragon will be out of action for up to nine months, which is sickening. His in-ring brilliance will be missed on WWE RAW, and multiple stars may look to take his spot in the upper mid-card. All we can do is wish Ilja Dragunov a speedy recovery.
#1. Best/Worst: Last Monster Standing, but was it?
This was almost done to perfection.
Following weeks of destruction and chaos, we finally got the definitive match between WWE RAW's two biggest monsters. Bronson Reed faced Braun Strowman in a hellacious Last Monster Standing Match.
Both of them crashed through tables, stacks of chairs, and barricades. The counts got longer over time with Strowman and Reed going band-for-band in the ring and around it. The Australian star hit multiple Tsunamis after wiping out the front row before a Superplex caused the ring to collapse.
However, before Bronson Reed could get back on his feet, Seth Rollins ran out and stomped him onto the steel steps. While it is always great to see The Visionary, Reed should have won the Last Monster Standing Match.
The 36-year-old star would have been elevated immensely by Braun Strowman putting him over, with Rollins returning next week instead. However, Bronson heads into his feud with Seth with a big loss on his record. Not ideal, even though the match was a huge success.