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If you listened to last week’s episode of Raw: The Day After, you heard Vince Russo and myself discuss how there were more positives than negatives on last week’s episode of Monday Night Raw. I’m not going to get into all the specifics here (the video show is available for any VIP member of The Brand), but I am going to cover a few things I think WWE needs to do tonight to keep the momentum of last week’s episode going.
Build for Battleground – With the next pay-per-view event four weeks away, WWE needs to make sure they don’t fall into their usual “stalling” trap as far as key storylines go. The worst thing they could do is be at the same position with storylines at the end of the show as they were at the beginning. A proper slow burn isn’t doing the same thing week after week to stall for time. It is slowly adding new story elements each episode. The writers need to make sure that when the viewer turns off Raw tonight that they don’t feel like nothing important happened and they didn’t even need to watch the show.
Roman Reigns/Bray Wyatt – I liked what we saw last week out of both performers, and I’d like to see that continue this week. The next step needs to be taken with the threat against Roman’s daughter. If Bray just shows the picture all night again, then it would be a waste of time. Whatever the next step is, we need to start to see it tonight. Instead of Bray cutting another promo from a hidden corner in the arena, let’s have some type of altercation or event elsewhere. Spice things up a bit. It isn’t time for Roman to get the upper hand. WWE is doing a good job putting roadblocks in his path, and this needs to continue until the PPV. The fans should be going into that show with the desire and anticipation of seeing Roman Reigns destroy Bray Wyatt. Don’t give it to them beforehand.
Seth Rollins/Brock Lesnar – As much as I hate to say it, I think the next step here for both individuals involves The Authority. While we got the main points last week as to why Brock Lesnar is allowed back, I think we need to see Lesnar’s point of view this week. He needs to make it clear that he isn’t here to do a favor for The Authority. I’d also like to see a Brock/Roman backstage scene talking about WrestleMania. As for Rollins, it is time for him to fully keep those brass balls that have come out every once in a while and tell Triple H and Stephanie off. They have treated him like a baby for the past few weeks, and if Rollins continues to grovel at their feet, it will deteriorate any progress they make with him as a fierce heel. Rollins needs to take the first step tonight in separating himself from The Authority, and it has to be his choice to do so.
Paige – Last week’s creative with Paige was awful. It was totally against what her character stands for. The “anti-Diva” isn’t going to beg all the Divas to help her – but that is exactly what they had her do. This needs to end quickly, so wherever they are going with this storyline as far as who is going to assist her needs to start as soon as possible. Vince had an interesting theory on Raw: The Day After as to who this will be. I hope he is right, because the rumored storyline on the dirt sheets is lame in comparison.
John Cena/Kevin Owens – Last week they made a good move having Owens say he wants the U.S. Title. The title has become an afterthought in this program between the two after all the work they did to make it mean something through the U.S. open challenges. I want to see Cena SNAP tonight. After what Owens did to him at Money in the Bank, Cena should be feeling foolish. I think Cena should destroy Owens in some fashion tonight, showing that he has had enough of this guy running his mouth and taking cheap shots. John Cena has been disrespected by Kevin Owens. A man can only take so much.
As always, tomorrow Vince and I will discuss tonight’s episode on Raw: The Day After exclusively for VIP members. If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so by hitting the red “Subscribe” button on the main page.
Follow Jeff on Twitter: @JeffLane22
