![]() Pushing that argument to the side (because a compelling story is a compelling story and I don’t care who’s involved as long as it’s compelling…couldn’t help myself) exploiting the relationship between Zayn and Foley proved to be a clever device to further the respective journeys of each character. I know, I know – nobody cares about the people running the show, they want to care about the wrestlers on the show. Since becoming Raw’s general manager Foley’s character arch has been one of the more compelling stories to unfold post brand split. I would have liked to have seen more of that psychology implanted into Zayn’s character as it would have allowed the audience to better understand his state of mind in pushing Mick Foley for this match. Since winning his feud with Kevin Owens earlier this year, Zayn’s character has been wondering aimlessly through the WWE universe this while his defeated rival has resurrected to new heights eventually leading him to the Universal title. I honestly think this program has more to do with Sami Zayn’s creative direction than Strowman’s. Put differently, what happens when Strowman is inserted into the 50/50 booking rotation and becomes more of a paper tiger and less of a dangerous beast? Of course this question is largely rhetorical in nature (see Big Show, The Great Khali, Ryback, etc.). Strong booking notwithstanding, the looming question since July has been: what happens when Strowman is paired with someone further up the roster than a James Ellsworth-type (boy did that take an unexpected turn). Months of squash matches have successfully established Braun Strowman as Raw’s new resident monster. Cesaro and Sheamus really need a victory after multiple unsuccessful attempts in a short period of time if the team is here for the long run then it’s hard to think of a good reason not to put the titles on them. ![]() Cesaro continues to exhibit why he is among the most talented members of the WWE roster, while Sheamus has all but erased the go-away heat associated with his WWE title run around this time last year. Furthermore, the chemistry between these two has steadily improved to the point where I am fully invested in their quest to win tag title gold. The story of rivals transforming into flourishing partners is one that Vince McMahon has told very well since the 1980s it’s one of the few remaining themes that is both in his creative wheelhouse and in line with modern wrestling storytelling. That realistic depth to characters is something underappreciated by too many fans these days.Īs far as Cesaro and Sheamus are concerned, the evolution of this team has been one of my favorite aspects of Raw’s weekly offerings. I find myself rooting both for and against New Day at different times. Still, forcing myself not to blindly accept the status quo has allowed me to find this unique role intriguing. Opportunistic babyfaces are somewhat of an oxymoron, and most definitely contradict a century of engrained pro wrestling psychology. As the challenge to retain their titles progressively increased so too has the team’s willingness to once again win by less than honest means. The team started out as opportunistic heel champions before transitioning to the babyface side of the roster. If I could be serious for a minute though….New Day has come full circle during this historic run as tag champs, sort of. Ok, I’ve acknowledged the important plot point and will know ignore it for the rest of this preview as I wallow in the denial stage of the grieving process. The New Day has surpassed Demolition (the team that spawned my love of tag team wrestling as a child) and broken the record for the longest tag team title reign in WWE history. Big Cass is rapidly approaching Bray Wyatt status in my living room…which means the channel is in danger of changing when I see him sans Enzo. This is the second time Big Cass has been trotted out without his more interesting and capable partner. I don’t need to see Big Cass without Enzo by his side. This story is clearly creative filler so analyzing it too much is somewhat silly. Rusev continues to amaze me as a performer, he is proof that you really can make anything work if you approach it with confidence (It’s a fish!). I enjoy Lana’s ability to convincingly use her sexuality as a weapon it separates her from every other female on the roster and makes her appear just as dangerous outside the ring as her husband is in the ring. Rusev and Lana continue to prove that they are talented enough to turn the sourest creative material into sweet-tasting lemonade. Barry Hess: Voices of Wrestling columnist he’s still in mourning after Demolition’s record was stolen by The New Day.
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