WWE RAW - Best and Worst - Shocking betrayal, end of The Judgment Day?
The period between WrestleMania and the WWE Draft is usually a weird one for RAW and SmackDown. The latest episode of the red brand proved it. While not bad at all, it was not as good as in recent weeks.
The lack of Cody Rhodes was evident, while a few uninspired decisions were made. Despite that, there were some good segments on WWE RAW to keep us entertained. A few strong promos were coupled with a major betrayal. We also got a battle royal to end the show. But, how good was it?
Let's look at the main positives and negatives from tonight's episode of WWE RAW.
#3. Best: Facelift for Imperium?
Gunther's return to WWE RAW was more than just a threatening promo, even if that was already big enough. The former Intercontinental Champion declared for the King of the Ring tournament, only to be interrupted by the former winner, Xavier Woods. This eventually led to The New Day facing Imperium for the final time.
The babyfaces won, leading to an upset Gunther walking out on his stablemates. Ludwig Kaiser then attacked Giovanni Vinci at ringside. The German star delivered a nasty beatdown, confirming the end of their multi-year partnership. Kaiser would then meet up with an impressed Gunther backstage.
This confirms that the Imperium is not finished. The European group will live on, with a new member likely to join the ranks. Who Vinci's replacement will be is anyone's guess, with many people hoping for Ilja Dragunov to take his spot if he gets drafted to WWE RAW.
#2. Worst: DIY... lose clean?
The Miz and R-Truth had an amazing moment at WWE WrestleMania XL, as they became the RAW Tag Team Champions. However, that is what it should have remained, a moment. Considering how stacked the red brand's tag team division is, Awesome Truth should not be the leader of it.
They should have dropped their belts by now, following the introduction of the World Tag Team Championship. DIY challenged them on WWE RAW and while the match got exciting towards the end, they lost clean to the veteran duo. That is not good for a team that needs all the creative help it can get.
Johnny Gargano hugged The Miz and R-Truth after the match, while Tommaso Ciampa simply left the ring. Whether this leads to dissension or a heel turn, a title change would have told a better story on WWE RAW.
#2. Best: Sheamus and Drew McIntyre pour their hearts out
Fans on WWE RAW collectively gasped as Sheamus interrupted Drew McIntyre. The two have gone through it all in the ring, as friends and enemies. However, they had not interacted since The Scottish Warrior turned heel and became CM Punk's biggest hater. What would a promo between them look like today?
It did not disappoint at all, as both stars laid into each other with the same fire as two close buddies would. Sheamus and McIntyre acknowledged their friendship before giving each other honest feedback. The Celtic Warrior told DM Hunk to stop obsessing over Punk, while The Scottish Warrior predictably cracked a fat joke.
This led to Sheamus facing Shinsuke Nakamura, with Drew McIntyre watching from ringside. They are still pals, but the future could be interesting for both men. If they are drafted to the same brand, another storyline between Sheamus and McIntyre would produce banger after banger.
#1. Worst: The Judgment Day is falling apart on WWE RAW
All is not well in The Judgment Day. Just one week after Rhea Ripley's injury, the ship is as rocky as ever. Dominik Mysterio is injured just like Mami and Damian Priest is looking down on everyone. Santos Escobar replaced Dirty Dom in his tag team match against Andrade and Ricochet, but it did not end well.
Escobar and JD McDonagh lost, following which Priest came to the ring. The current World Heavyweight Champion claimed he does not need any of them, but they need him. That is not the mark of a good leader. The Judgment Day's implosion should not come while Ripley is out. Mami is too important a member not to be involved in it. However, there is one thing that she will be involved in. It is not all bad.
While the overall Judgment Day story might be suffering, Dominik Mysterio had an interesting interaction on WWE RAW. He came face to face with Liv Morgan. While we do not know for sure what it may lead to, chances are Liv could become Dirty Dom's new Mami. Rhea Ripley needs to watch her even closer than before.
#1. Best: The Man stands tall
When in doubt, send for The Man.
Becky Lynch cut short her vacation to rescue the WWE RAW's women's division, as she won the title that Rhea Ripley vacated. The Women's World Championship battle royal was decent, with a few fun moments, but it truly came alive at the end.
An intense back-and-forth between Lynch and Liv Morgan ended with the veteran on top. The Man had been put through the wringer in this match, as Nia Jax sent her through the announce table. While it took a few attempts, there were some other fun spots in the battle royal.
Maxxine Dupri, fresh off a pep talk from Becky Lynch, eliminated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell. Meanwhile, Chelsea Green got thrown out but returned to the ring after the referees did not see it. A surprise or two could have boosted the entire match, though.
However, there is no doubt that Lynch was the right winner on WWE RAW. The new Women's World Champion needed to be an established name, with none better than Big Time Becks.
The Man can now raise the title's stock after it dropped due to Rhea Ripley's injury, before putting over someone else. A heel Liv Morgan with Dominik Mysterio by her side? Yes, please!