But that is the best round broadcast on WWE Raw in recent years, and the art of blending athletic performance, engaging storytelling and high-quality production into one memorable episode.
Consistency is the key in professional wrestling, and the Raw of this week documented the reason why WWE continues to be the industry leader. Each of the segments was intentional, and it served to move the story forward without allowing the fans to leave after the last bell.
John Cena Sets the Tone
The evening began with the undisputed appearance of John Cena. I was not able to watch the entire segment because of an interruption, but the response of fans and the talk online proved that Cena again preconditioned the action with his usual charisma. Not many celebrities can get attention like him, and his comeback proved his enduring influence on the WWE.
Division of Women’s Sports Steals the Show.
The best performance of the night was the women’s division, where Roxanne Perez took on Lyra Valkyria in a match that was well executed. Both opponents demonstrated a quick, accurate in-ring narrative which emphasized their athleticism without losing safety or pace.
A twist was introduced after the match, the storming back of Raquel Rodriguez into the scene, after being sent away earlier. It was a rational, personality-based reservation that gave grounds to future disputes. That is what makes long-time fans interested in the WWE, their capacity to produce such sorts of organic, but well-thought-out moments.
A Signing of a Contract the Right Way.
The signing of the contract between Stephanie Vaquer and Iyo Sky has become one of the brightest examples of how structure can enhance the telling of professional wrestling. Each word was not in vain and created suspense and aggravated their competition. WWE also did not present the appeal to improvisation, such as in some promotions, but it is true that the writing experience created the benefit of disciplined, focused dialogue, which increases the tension and gives the veneration to tradition.
Kofi Kingston vs. Penta: Competitive Balance.
Another good in-ring action was the confrontation between Kofi Kingston and Penta. By inviting Penta to get the momentum rolling once again with a win, WWE intelligently kept the scorecard even, so that there is no risk of one man outshining the other, as the storylines can always be used in the future.
It should also be noted that the commentary team is worthy of mention here. Their passionate presentation and smooth catchphrases made the action better, which is how a honed announcing team can make the entire product shine.
Promo Perfection: Rollins, Lynch, Punk, and AJ.
The final advert with Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, CM Punk, and AJ Lee was television gold. And every song was so carefully done to strike the emotional and narrative notes fans wanted to hear. It was the art of storytelling, and it was done to perfection: four oversized characters trading verbal insults, each furthering their character lines and escalating the stakes.
Final Thoughts
This is the reason why the brand remains the leader in sports entertainment, as epitomized in this episode of WWE Raw. Whether it was the aura of Cena or the perfection of the women’s division, whether it was the balance in the booking or pitch-perfect promotions, the show showed that WWE was unrivalled in terms of its capacity to bring the combination of athletics and theatrical storytelling.
When writing, performance, and production are in harmony, the outcome is not only good wrestling but world-class television. Raw again reminded us as to why WWE was the leader of the industry: predictable, sensational, and never-ending.
