WWE RAW - Best and Worst - Major star to return after 30 months for a huge storyline; CM Punk to retire following Bad Blood?
Tonight's episode of WWE RAW was an absolute blockbuster, with several huge matches and moments. A lot of them were well done as well.
The show was so stacked that we couldn't mention everything in the review. IYO SKY defeated Bianca Belair in a brilliant match, while Bronson Reed and Braun Strowman broke the turnbuckle before fighting all over the arena. Great stuff!
There's a lot more, so let's get into it. Here are the biggest positives and negatives from tonight's episode of WWE RAW.
#3. Best: CM Punk gets serious on WWE RAW
It was out of necessity, considering what Drew McIntyre did to him, but CM Punk went to a really dark place on WWE RAW. The Voice of the Voiceless opened the show with a bang, sending an eerie warning to his Scottish rival.
Punk said that he is prepared for Bad Blood to be the end of his career, as he and McIntyre go one-on-one inside Hell in a Cell. He may have hinted at retirement, even if it likely won't happen. Regardless, this promo helped set up how violent their match would be.
We are also guaranteed to see CM Punk bleed, so that is another plus. The feud that has been going on since the Royal Rumble still feels relatively fresh. That is a testament to both men and their work this year.
#2. Best/Worst: Is this The New Day's big ending?
The New Day's World Tag Team Title match against The Judgment Day was pretty solid, albeit marred by a controversial ending after The LWO got involved. The real story took place after the match as Xavier Woods completely lost it.
After leaving Kofi Kingston in the ring, the New Day member went off backstage. The two had a heartbreaking argument and even brought up Big E. This could go one of two ways. Either The New Day finally splits for good, or this leads to E's big return after 30 months.
Woods has already become a compelling character, with this segment on WWE RAW making things even more interesting. All we hope is that the Power of Positivity prevails.
#1. Worst: It's not working
Unfortunately, WWE RAW's newest female faction isn't hitting like it should. Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, and Sonya Deville have been hamstrung by a questionable name and theme song. Add to that multiple recent losses, and that is a formula for indifference.
The Pure Fusion Collective's feud with the WWE RAW women's midcard has been average, at best. Zelina Vega got a solid few weeks out of it, but it feels like Lyra Valkyria's momentum has been compromised. Natalya's wins against them don't even feel big.
#1. Best: Everything is connected
The main thread of WWE RAW tonight was The Terror Twins' feud against The Judgment Day. Damian Priest defeated Dominik Mysterio in the main event of the show, following multiple backstage segments involving Rhea Ripley, Jey Uso, Finn Balor, and others.
The YEET Master seemingly had Priest and Ripley's backs, but his focus is elsewhere. Main Event Jey has an Intercontinental Championship match against Bron Breakker on next week's WWE RAW, following an incredible promo segment between the two tonight.
Just as Uso was about to save Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley from a vicious Judgment Day attack, Breakker speared him from out of nowhere. This is a basic but logical situation where the entire show feels connected.
So, this naturally led to The Terror Twins being laid out yet again. Will they stand tall at Bad Blood following weeks of being beaten up? Time will tell.