WWE Raw featured a night filled with returns as The Game made a surprise return alongside many notable names. Who were the biggest stars from the night?
WWE Raw returned to the United States this week after their elaborate European tour. This was the final Raw before the upcoming Survivor Series PPV and as such creative pulled out all the stops to make sure the go-home edition was a hit. Roman Reigns made his anticipated return to complete the Shield and to issues a stern warning to the New Day.
Bray Wyatt, as well, returned to in-ring action and the fans were for sure all-in on him. The Eater of the Worlds looked vicious as ever. Then the WWE Universal Champion and his advocate returned to the scene to hype the upcoming dream match with AJ Styles. Finally, the Game, Triple H would make his return to claim the fifth spot on Team Raw, side-lining an injured Jason Jordan.
With so much happening around, the show was packed to the brim. Throw in a main event featuring Braun Strowman vs Kane and it was a decent outing for the Red brand. The ending was a bit confusing though. It almost felt like a movie that abruptly ended midway through its climax. Who were the biggest stars from the night though? Let’s find out.
WWE.com
5. Bray Wyatt
Wyatt’s spot would have been a lot higher had he been announced as Jason Jordan’s replacement on team Raw. However, as we know, Triple H is the one to do that. I have a questions for the WWE Universe that was cheering as Triple H announced his entry into the team though. What were you cheering about? Another veteran part timer takes a young star’s spot and all you do is chant ‘Yes’. The same people would later lash out about Wyatt/Rusev not getting the opportunities they deserve. So WWE Universe, what does that make you?
Anyway, back to Bray Wyatt. The Eater of the Worlds took a surprise pin in what seemed like a fluke win. These kinds of wins don’t normally help anybody. Especially Jason Jordan. However, the post-match beat down certainly did help Wyatt. He looked like an absolute monster, vicious as ever.
Fans chanted ‘Thank you Wyatt’ as he continued to attack and injure Jason Jordan. This is the way Wyatt should be booked. If at least ten percent of his televised losses were booked this way, Wyatt wouldn’t have been as stale as he is at this point in his career. He doesn’t have a direction or a spot on the Survivor Series card at the moment. Hopefully, creative gets their act together this time around.
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4. Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
These two men are regulars in this series of slide shows. I usually have a slide dedicated to each superstars. However, on this night, the amount of star power and star making performances were so high that these two share the same spot. Moreover, the two rivals teamed for the night to ensure they can work together, come Survivor Series.
Boy did they work together like a well-oiled machine? For a moment it seemed like Joe would turn on Balor. But surprisingly it was an entertaining tag match. I would have loved it even more had Balor taken a little less punishment. Again, I have to point out some continuity issues with WWE’s booking. When the New Day showed up last week, Balor was leading the charge alongside Anderson and Gallows. That was a mini Balor Club reunion right there for the whole world to see.
Yet, this week, they are fighting for no reason. Creative, please get your act together. Either ignore their entire history together or give the WWE Universe the Balor Club. The match was decent with both Finn and Joe looking ready to take on Team Blue. However, I still cannot shake off the feeling the Joe would turn on Balor come Sunday, whatever the repercussions are.
WWE.com
3. Braun Strowman
Remember when I said the ending of Raw seemed abrupt? Apparently, after the show went off the air, Strowman emerged from the rubble, unhinged, like a true monster. However, had that moment been showcased on live TV, Strowman would have been the number one entry in this list. At least his hand emerging from under the ring would have sufficed.
Regardless, Strowman had another impressive match tonight, against another veteran. His collisions with the Big Show were always fun. He has shown once more how far he has come along with regard to his ring game. Strowman’s matches aren’t about technique. But they aren’t simply about power moves either. Braun Strowman’s in-ring game is something the world has never seen before.
The match had plenty of spots but it could have gone a little longer. The ending was cool and showcased how impressive the Monster Among Men really is. Power Slamming someone so hard that the ring breaks is something else. He can now look forward to running towards the Blue Team like a freight train. Can you imagine Strowman taking John Cena to the limit? Or what about Nakamura? It would be a real clash of styles, those two. Let the bodies hit the floor.
WWE.com
2. Triple H
Triple H would make a surprise return to WWE Raw. This came totally out of the blue as the Game took matters into his own hands to ensure victory for the Red Team. Despite being the team captain, Kurt Angle’s role in the proceedings has diminished ten folds. Moreover, the GM is now clearly in peril.
Triple H would be replacing the injured Jason Jordan on Team Raw. You kind of have to feel bad for Jordan at this point. Poor booking aside, he is a phenomenal athlete and has produced some quality matches. This week was no different either. However, the crowd loves to boo him. Even when he tried to play the sympathetic yet gusty babyface, the fans chanted ‘No No’. To add insult to injury, they cheered on as a veteran part timer stole his spot and then pedigreed him.
The Game’s return has made Survivor Series even more star-studded. Think of all the World titles shared between him, Angle, Orton and Cena. If that doesn’t boast the level of star power this PPV boasts, then nothing will. Despite being a clear heel once more in his career, Triple H was cheered by the fans. Chants of ‘NXT’ echoed through. The fans’ reaction for the Game is more about his backstage personality rather than the character he portrays on-screen. Regardless, he is a clear winner from this night, with merely three minutes in the ring. Not many people can do that.
WWE.com
1. Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns was arguably the biggest star of the night. Some might question me for this decision but it was clear Reigns was red-hot this week. From the moment he joined alongside Rollins and Ambrose at the start of Raw, the cheers were loud. Additionally, this was a Reigns who was more comfortable on the mic than ever before. When have we ever seen him take the lead in a promo segment with Rollins just standing there?
Reigns played with the crowd a bit as well. He was still the same take-no-nonsense bad ass though. That was evident throughout their match. The crowd was red-hot for Reigns there too. Apparently, the Shield reunion has helped everybody redeem themselves and reinvent their spark.Hopefully, when the inevitable breakup happens, they still cheer Reigns the same way.
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Something else have to be said about Reigns though. So far, he is the only member of the Shield to remain true to the group’s original character. The Shield was never about pandering to the audience or doing the right thing. They were always in that morally grey area and they always did what they wanted. This is arguably the first time the trio has played the role of pure babyfaces. The last time around, they didn’t pander to the audience this much. Reigns is still maintaining that aura. But Rollins and Ambrose need to tone it down a notch. There is a difference between being a Hound of Justice and jumping around like Mojo Rawley.
Reigns clearly gets this. The result is a more polished character over all. The Big Dog looks rejuvenated ahead of Survivor Series. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Hounds of Justice invade SmackDown Live tomorrow night. But the biggest story of the night still is Reigns seizing the moment and delivering a promo like the star he is capable of. Because of that, Roman Reigns is the biggest star of the night.
Next: WWE Raw: Results and Grades for November 13 show
What are your thoughts on this week’s events? Are you glad to see Triple H back in the ring again? Or are you bothered about the number of veterans and part timers on this year’s card? Whatever your thoughts are, let us know in the comments section.