The way this episode of Monday Night Raw played out seemed to make clear that Finn Balor is out in front as the guy who will be challenging Brock Lesnar for the Universal championship at Great Balls of Fire, Seth Rollins and Samoa Joe will continue their issue, and Roman Reigns will break off to reignite an old feud with Bray Wyatt.
This is fine.
Actually, there's great intrigue behind how they handled this. Paul Heyman showed up to run down Rollins, Joe, Reigns, and Wyatt but put Balor over as a legitimate force, one Lesnar has reason to both respect and maybe even worry about. Heyman was sure to say he's no underdog, and is one of the best in-ring performers in the world.
It was way over the top.
Which is why I'm hoping beyond hope that they actually allow it to give Balor the confidence he needs to continuing winning -- sure enough, he dispatched of old friends Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, and later demanded of Raw General Manager Kurt Angle that he get in on a big match against his fellow Fatal 5-Way competitors next week before relishing in the revelation he would be in a triple threat. Perhaps Heyman will continue heaping praise upon him, putting him over strong as the real top contender to his client's crown until Balor proves that true.
At which point it would be most delicious if Heyman revealed it was all a ruse, that he was acting in his client's best interests by doing what he could to ensure Balor would win not because Finn deserves it as the best in the division but because he's the easiest prey to pick off.
I'm veering off into fantasy booking, sure, but that's the story that sounds most interesting to me. Lesnar is at his best as the bully who doesn't respect his opponent because he doesn't feel threatened by him. We know Balor to be exactly what Heyman said he is, even if Heyman doesn't believe it, and the actually interesting story is in Balor proving it to him and, in turn, Brock.
Otherwise it's just "you're really great, so is he, this should be a great match" and then Balor loses before being pushed aside for the much bigger guy in Braun Strowman. The former story at least leaves room for recovery, and sets up a much longer story arc.
I'll just hope they're thinking ahead.
All the best to all the rest
Wyatt: This was a bit of Bray at his best, when his often meandering, aimless promos have a purpose and renewed focus. The idea that Lesnar is a beast who rules with a great power despite his distance is powerful, and Wyatt using the fans want for a full time champion to position himself as a (false) savior actually makes sense. It would be fun, if they went there.
The best Raw GM: There's something hilarious about Kurt Angle outright saying he's the best Raw GM because he's been booking all the members of a Fatal 5-Way match at the upcoming pay-per-view in various matches against each other based on their interactions on the show he runs. It's paint by numbers booking and here's my man thinking he's a genius. I love it.
WHO: WHICH ONE OF YOU BEAT UP ENZO?!?
Drift Away: I'm very upset Elias Samson wrestled on this show (thanks to Genius Angle) but then he got in the ring and tried to sing over the thunderous boos raining down on him. You're guaranteed to be hated if you attempt to sing in pro wrestling, especially lugging around a guitar. No one wants to hear your shitty music. I like that Dean Ambrose was his opponent, though, because that's the guy most likely to super enjoy a random idiot walking around playing a guitar.
So smart: The only one smarter than Genius Angle on this show was The Miz, who wanted to make clear he understands how to defeat Ambrose at Extreme Rules by demonstrating that he would forgo attacking Ambrose while interfering and instead go after his opponent because that would disqualify Dean and, of course, that would mean losing his Intercontinental title at the PPV, you see?!? Samson, for some reason, went along with this.
Titus Brand: Don't yell at poor Apollo Crews, man. Really, though, O'Neil as evil overlord doing anything to grow his brand is a great gimmick, especially in WWE.
Steel cage: Matt Hardy and Sheamus had a decent match and the Hardys revealed the tag title match will be held inside a Steel cage. Cool.
Foooooooox: It's good to see Alicia Fox getting some time in an actual program, where she's getting equal play alongside Sasha Banks. Noam Dar is a perfect little shithead who is a great enhancement for Fox's act. Forget 205 Live, keep him here as her manager and love interest, where they'll fight and make up constantly.
Brutal Bayley: Alexa Bliss gleefully using a kendo stick on Mickie James after already defeating her in short order is a real delight. It isn't just that she's better than you and never shy about saying that, it's that she's vicious when she wants to put a beating on you, even after already beating you. Bayley, then, is a perfect opponent for her because she wouldn't stoop to those levels. No, she would do it the right way, at the right time, in the right place. Oh, wait, Bayley has the kendo stick and is about to use it and Bliss is running away. Hmmm... okay. I guess this is just to prove Bayley can be vicious enough to win when they get to the match itself? This doesn't feel like the Bayley we first fell in love with.
This show had its moments, and there's potential, but too much of it is just standard wrestling fare.
Grade: C-
Your turn.