WWE Monday Night RAW took place in the Gateway City of St. Louis, and the promotion is already rolling toward its time in the spotlight at WrestleMania in Hollywood
This week's episode of WWE Monday Night RAW came to us LIVE from one of the historical meccas of pro wrestling, St. Louis, Missouri, as the Road to WrestleMania rolls on. We're now just two weeks away from the Show of Shows, and the promotion has been on fire recently.
Obviously, The Bloodline has been dominating the highest levels of programming right now, with Cody Rhodes set to try and fulfill his destiny. His challenge of Undisputed Champion Roman Reigns is the top story in World Wrestling Entertainment currently, and rightfully so. It's been a year in the making, and it's the marquee match-up of the company's biggest event. And this RAW show was heavily dominated by The Tribal Chief and his family.
Having said that, there's plenty of excitement to go around this year, with Miz as the host, Logan Paul facing Seth Rollins, Gunther facing a double-pronged challenge for the Intercontinental Championship, and so much more. As has been an annual tradition, the folks in Stamford just know how to bring it all together this time of year. Whether you are a big supporter of WWE or not, there's just no denying: Nothing compares to WrestleMania season.
With the big event drawing near, here's a look at five moments that stood out on this week's Monday Night RAW:
#1 - The show kicked off with Zayn-O calling out The Bloodline
It's great to see Sami Zayn and KO back together. As Peaches & Herb once sang, they are reunited, and it feels so good. The WWE Universe was happy to roar their approval of the reconciliation, as well, in a great opening segment here.
These guys were over like Grover in that ring, and they made the most of this time on the microphone together. They expressed their mutual admiration and love for one another. Zayn expressed that the two were like brothers, and Owens told him that his feelings for his friend were why he agonized seeing him with The Bloodline.
It didn't take long for The Usos to come out to confront the two Canadian comrades. The longest-reigning tag team champions in WWE history decided that it was time to put up or shut up. The expected title match with the teams was then made official.
Many are expecting Zayn and Owens to win here, but there's a good chance of a screwy finish, too. It's likely that Reign's time on top is coming to an end soon, so WWE may want to stretch this tag team angle all the way to SummerSlam. However, the story doesn't QUITE end there...
#2 - Jey Uso remains in the (Big) Dog House
Continuing one of the more compelling sidebar stories in the promotion right now, Jey Uso still remains under the very watchful eye of The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Following the Usos confrontation with Zayn and Owens, The Bloodline was pictured in the back. As usual, Roman was leading the powwow.
He dismissed everyone, except Jey Uso, who he then questioned about his loyalty again. What makes this arc so well done is the animosity within the ranks (and between these two cousins) that has gone on since the inception of The Bloodline two years ago.
That level of storytelling is what will end up making this one of the most successful wrestling angles ever when it's all finally said and done. And with all the interweaving parts? Its ripple effect will be felt for years to come. So, we are seeing the foundations of the future being laid, as well.
In what appears to be a 'keep-your-family-close-and-your-enemies-closer' situation, Roman is giving Jey a little bit of a leash. At least for now. It should be intriguing to see if he breaks free from The Bloodline faction eventually - and possibly even at 'Mania.
#3 - Omos is being made to look like a monster ahead of 'Mania
WWE aired a great video package that hyped the match between Brock Lesnar and Omos. It was a great way to showcase the massive size of The Nigerian Giant, comparing him to athletes in other sports and comparing his amazing dimensions.
While the former basketballer has been maligned at times for his limited ability in the ring, there's no doubt that his physical gifts are staggering. His potential may be the only thing that matches his size because he's really starting to get the feel of things now. Omos has been improving slowly and steadily, but he's still a work in progress. So, it's wise of WWE to promote him in this way.
Having said that, he has shown some improvement as a performer and he's being considered much less of a 'project' now. His spot at 'Mania against Brock Lesnar should result in a victory of the mountain of a man.
Omos needs the win in Hollywood much more than the legendary Lesnar. It's looking more and more as if the Nigerian Giant is turning the corner, and hi getting this star treatment - followed by a convincing squash win - was the right formula here. When it comes to Omos, it appears the next few months be leading to something really, really... big. (pun intended)
#4 - 'IMPAULSIVE TV' makes its debut on WWE Monday Night RAW
As if WWE needed any more fake talk shows, Logan Paul launched one of his own here. The YouTube sensation and sports entertainment prodigy continues to get a reaction, but it's been quelled a bit recently. At any rate, this segment was dedicated to him harassing his WrestleMania opponent, Seth Rollins.
While Paul is disliked by some old-school fans, he should at least be respected for how well he has made the transition to the ring. A terrific natural athlete, his match with The Architect will be less about holds and more about high spots. That's just fine because these two will provide plenty of fireworks in LA.
As always happens in these segments, things broke down and got physical. Paul sets the tone and writes the latest chapter here, as he left Rollins laying with a knockout punch. Logan should also get the win at 'Mania, especially if WWE has designs on him being more than just an occasional attraction. He has the potential to be a featured player someday, but he needs to build his ring resume first.
#5 - There will be (more) Blood
The Bloodline was back for yet another segment in a program that spent much of its time on The Island of Relevance. Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Solo Sikoa came out, and St. Louis loudly acknowledged The Head of the Table.
Without a second to spare, Cody Rhodes' theme music played, and he joined the proceedings. WrestleMania champion and challenger were now together in the ring, standing two weeks away from history.
The promo battles between these two have been great, and this was no exception. These two lit into each other, with Roman taking Cody to task, saying that he 'ran away' from the Stardust character, WWE, and eventually his 'new promotion'. It was biting, but it was perfect.
Cody countered by saying that once he takes the title from Reigns, then all the members of The Bloodline will begin abandoning The Family. Then, The American Nightmare added, he will have no belts and be left as a 'chief without a tribe'.
Ten years ago, if anyone would have told you that Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns would be having incredible mic match-ups on their way to the main event of 'Mania? You would have called them crazy... but that's the reality of wrestling in 2023.
Some fans soured on this match for a while following Elimination Chamber, because the love for Sami Zayn was at a passionate pitch. But now, it's looking like WWE made the right decision to stick to their original plan. Rhodes and Reigns have set the stage for a scintillating story.
In the meantime, the two sides cornered off, with Reigns holding back Sikoa and saying he could take on Rhodes next week. That should be Cody's final tune-up before Tinsel Town. That's when we'll finally fond out if The American Nightmare is the blockbuster smash that we all think he can be.
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