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The first WWE Raw of December was one that focused heavily on in-ring work for the first half of the show, but added solid storyline building throughout the second half of the show along with in-ring action.
Last night’s WWE Raw saw some impressive matches, storytelling, and the start of a character that was eight months in the making. With the red brand’s next pay-per-view not until the inter-promotional Royal Rumble pay-per-view in late January, there’s still a lot of time to build current storylines.
With that being said, let’s take a look at five key takeaways from the Dec. 4 edition of Raw.
5. 205 Live Finds Blueprint For Future Success
205 Live has had its fair share of detractors over the past several months. Many believe the show and division aren’t getting a good enough chance to shine and that the WWE doesn’t do enough to get fans invested in these cruiserweights.
And while that might be true, last night’s Raw showed the blueprint of how a cruiserweight match should go. In a Fatal 4-Way between Drew Gulak, Cedric Alexander, Mustafa Ali, and Tony Nese, the action was every bit as cruiserweight like as it should have been.
The four put on a clinic with countless big spots and up-tempo action before Gulak got the win. With the win, Gulak will now face Rich Swann with the winner of that match getting a Cruiserweight Championship match against Enzo Amore. From top to bottom, this was one of the most memorable 205 Live matchups in a long time and clearly showed the talent of each individual when given the chance to shine.
Fans have criticized the WWE for its treatment of 205 Live, and with good reason. But if the company would follow the pattern of last night’s match, more people would tune in and watch 205 Live on the WWE Network and be invested in the product.
Cruiserweight wrestling is an art form, and it’s about time the WWE starts realizing it and showcases these talents to their fullest potential.