Highlights
- Key Takeaways:
- WWE Raw's main event scene is stuck in a repetitive loop, with the same factions clashing and predictable matches, leaving fans fatigued.
- The reliance on recycled storytelling tropes, such as the similarities between the Judgment Day and Bloodline sagas, hinders the originality of Raw's storyline.
- Raw lacks star power and fails to effectively capitalize on talented wrestlers like Becky Lynch, while Seth Rollins' World Heavyweight Championship reign is overshadowed by Roman Reigns' dominance on SmackDown.
There's no doubt that we are currently living in a boom era of professional wrestling. The business has never felt hotter, with big moments happening every day. From WWE to AEW to even lower promotions, wrestling is going through a rejuvenation that's gaining recognition worldwide. However, when it comes to WWE, the company's flagship show, RAW, is facing some significant problems despite its overall profitability and success. The reasons why RAW is not working even as well as SmackDown go very deep, and it's hard to point out one solution that can fix everything, ut before a deep recalibration can happen, it's important to acknowledge the issues with the red brand.
WWE Raw's Repetitive Main Event Scene
For quite some time, Raw has struggled with a main event scene that is stuck in a perpetual loop. The primary culprits in this recurring saga are two factions, the villainous Judgment Day and their opposition, who have failed to provide the fresh, engaging narratives that fans crave. The Judgment Day have continuously locked horns with their adversaries in a seemingly unending feud. On the opposing side, we have an alliance featuring Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes, and Jey Uso. While on the surface, the idea of these two factions clashing might have been intriguing, the execution has left much to be desired. The fundamental issue lies in the repetitive nature of their encounters. WWE Raw has showcased virtually every possible combination of matches between these individuals, from singles to tag team bouts, to the point where fans have grown fatigued.
Every week seems to bring another tag team match that feels more like a placeholder than a compelling main event. The matches have become predictable, with fans knowing that they will witness the same familiar faces battling it out once again. Adding to the frustration is the consistent hinting at tension within the Judgment Day faction. WWE has teased internal conflicts for months, but these hints seldom lead to any meaningful developments. Anticipation can be a powerful storytelling tool, but when it's drawn out excessively without a satisfying payoff, it becomes a source of irritation rather than excitement.
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WWE Raw's Lack of Star Power And Repeated Tropes
One of the most glaring issues plaguing Raw's main event scene is the reliance on a storytelling trope that fans have seen before, and quite recently at that. The Judgment Day's tensions bear a striking resemblance to the long-running Bloodline saga on SmackDown.While the idea of factions clashing and internal tensions brewing is not inherently problematic, the issue arises from the fact that the Judgment Day storyline feels like a recycled version of the Bloodline narrative. The similarities are uncanny, to the point where it's challenging for fans not to draw comparisons between the two. The only positive thing that has happened is now Bloodline is interacting with Judgment Day with Rhea Ripley and Paul Heyman striking a deal. Hopefully, this can introduce a new plot.
WWE Raw, despite its potential and a roster that boasts some of the most talented and charismatic wrestlers in the industry, has struggled to capitalize on its star power effectively. Several factors contribute to the perceived lack of star power, leaving the flagship show feeling less impactful than it should be. One of the most glaring issues has been the mishandling of Becky Lynch. A wrestler of her caliber and popularity should have been a cornerstone of the show. However, this year saw a puzzling trajectory for The Man. Becky's character journey took her to NXT, where she captured the women's championship, followed by her impressive run of defending the title across all WWE shows. She defends her NXT title on RAW too, but it's not exclusive to RAW.
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Seth Rollins Is An Overshadowed World Champion
Currently holding the World Heavyweight Championship, Seth Rollins is positioned as a fighting champion. This trope, often used to elevate champions and add prestige to their titles, should ideally make Rollins' reign a focal point of the show. However, it falls short of achieving that impact due to a significant factor - the presence of Roman Reigns on SmackDown. Roman Reigns, with his WWE Universal Championship, has firmly established himself as the top champion in WWE. His compelling character and strong booking have made him the face of the company. While WWE technically has two world champions, it's glaringly obvious that Reigns' title reigns supreme, overshadowing Rollins' efforts on Raw.
This dynamic diminishes the significance of Rollins' championship reign and leaves it feeling secondary in comparison. While Rollins may be doing everything a babyface champion should, including defending his title and facing formidable opponents, it often feels like he's swimming against the tide. Moreover, the lack of star power on Raw becomes even more evident when considering the return of wrestling legends like The Rock and John Cena, both of whom have graced SmackDown with their appearances. It's not just about the audience being fickle, the fact is RAW is being criticized compared to WWE's own product on SmackDown and NXT, which seem way better. It's time WWE looks into how its flagship show can also gain traction.
