Raw the Long Game Vs. The Short Game

I had mentioned last week that I felt like there was a lot at stake on Raw this week.  Coming off a great finish the WWE needed to follow up the HHH story.  I feared they would not because they have a history of doing that.  With the NFL starting up this week the WWE needed to hook fans into a big angle and they again passed.  They are apparently playing the long game with this story.  Something they too often choose to do with the wrong angles.

The WWE is apparently going to drag out the HHH against Seth and Roman stuff for months.  Rumors are going around that Seth and HHH will actually meet at next years WM.  While I'm a big fan of long draw out wrestling stories the WWE often gets these wrong. There was some passion on Raw for the first time in a long time and the WWE needed to capitalize on it this week, but they did not.

If I'm telling that HHH versus Seth story I'm addressing it this week on Raw.  I'm having HHH explain himself and his actions last week.  All we got this week was Rollins claiming that Owens has always been HHH's favorite.  That leaves me with the question, why?

I think that all roads probably have to lead to Seth and Owens, or Owens and Roman, but I thought that should happen at Survivor Series.  I would have built Owens up the next two months with two solid PPV title wins.  Instead the WWE went right back to it giving Seth another match and probably tossing Roman in there.  Overall last night really took the sting out of the big moment that WWE achieved last week.

I'm of the belief that you play the short game by telling the HHH story last night.  Then you play the long game by creating a match with Rollins and Owens that is put off for a while.  That wets the appetite created by HHH's explanation for something we all will want to see down the road.  The WWE is doing the total opposite.  They are giving you a match right away before Rollins has really turned face all the way and Owens has really gotten over a legit champion.  We are all probably going to forget about the HHH thing if it isn't addressed soon.

Oh yeah and Roman is just there.  I'm not sure what he's doing, but he's there.  More on that in a second.

So what were the highlights last night.  Foley was on point in that opening segment.  I thought that promo was actually very good.  I also liked the slow transition for Seth into a face, if that's what they are doing.  Owens was good as well, but he didn't inspire fear or disdain.  Stephanie continues to be one of the most confusing characters on the show.  What's the direction with her?

The Rollins Jericho match seemed like a clear indication that Rollins is turning face.  I'm not sure why Jericho is losing a match one week after he was put over Neville.  I though they were trying to build him back up again.

The Bayley Charlotte match was a confusing mess.  The lack of pop for Bayley last night indicates that the WWE needs to tell her story a bit more.  They should have never put her in a match with Charlotte this soon.  If anything Charlotte should be putting roadblocks in front of Bayley not giving her matches that will get her a title shot.

There is zero value in beating your Champion.  All that does is make her seem beatable in the eyes of the fans and less intimidating.  She can slap Dana Brooke around all she wants, she has to be protected while holding the belt.  This is 50/50 booking at it's best.

I can't figure out why Bayley worked the injury.  My assumption was she would use that as the reason she lost a title shot at Clash of Champions, but Sasha is apparently coming back for that shot.  I think last night did nothing to help Charlotte.  The stakes seem low in all cases.

Sheamus and Cesaro was decent again.  I think booking Sheamus up 3-0 was smart, but that probably means we get 9 matches between these two.  That's probably 7 too many.  I'm not sure either guy will come out of this all that strong.  I think the 7th match will probably be the night after the next PPV naming the winner the #1 contender.  Assuming Owens stays Champion it will be a refreshing change of pace from Rollins and Roman in the title match.

Cass and Enzo cut a nice promo, but why in the world are they losing ever to the Shining Stars?  They barely got cheated out of that win.  I know WWE is trying to make a reason for them to fight at the PPV, but there were far more creative ways.

The Gallows and Anderson skit was just too much Tag Team comedy for one show.  This is when the show started to feel long.  The 3 hour format once again reared it's ugly head.  Gallows and Anderson are capable of so much more.  Sadly they are being held down in this feud.

Nia Jax continued her push.  I think she's finally going to take on a legit competitor in Alicia Fox who rarely wrestles on TV.  Their segment was a confusing mess.  Why have Alicia act like a crazy person?  Just have her being upset that Nia took liberties with her jobber friend and have a match on the PPV that lasts no more than 5 minutes.

Braun is Braun.  It was good to see they stepped up his competition, but where is he really going without any ability to cut a promo.  I liked the idea of HHH being Owen's defacto manager and Braun being their muscle.  I don't think they see it that way though.

The main event was fine, but talk about squeezing all the juice out of the grape.  Owens and Zayn have a special feud, but because WWE is trying to fill time they have now twice used this match on Raw.  They never fully communicated this story to the main roster crowd and have not allowed Zayn any space to get over.  I think this would have been better served as the main event of the next PPV.  You sell the match as Zayn got the win in July.

Foley could have easily said that Rollins and Reigns had used up their chances and it was time for someone else to have a shot.

I think your show close was proof of two things.  The WWE views Roman Reigns as much more than he really is and fans are just not going to get behind this guy.  This crowd was pretty straight forward all night, but they were as loud as any booing Roman when he came out.  I have to say I had not realized he had not made an appearance all night.  It would have actually been ok.

Owens insulted the crowd, beat up his friend, and has spend his entire WWE exsistence as a heel, but Roman got zero love confronting him last night.  Roman Reigns vs. the Crowd is a personal thing that the WWE needs to address.

It was an utter waste for Foley to create the chance for Roman to get in the match at Clash, which I would favor him to do.  Now it's likely that Owens who needs to be built up is going to take a loss as Champion just like Charlotte.

If I was booking the show close last night I would have had Owens and Jericho attack Zayn post match and work on his ankle more.  Then I would have had Rollins run out to make the save furthering his face turn.  I would have allowed Owens to get away gracefully and look strong.  I would have kept Roman away for now.

I think this show started with some promise, but it felt like it was going through the motions and very little was well thought out in the end.  The WWE creative continues to get low marks.  I'm left wondering what are we supposed to be rooting for on this show?

DANIEL BRYAN THOUGHTS

Daniel Bryan has had the midas touch as of late.  He's on the CWC and it's been great.  He's on Smackdown and it's been way better.  He's on Talking Smack and from nothing that show has become must watch.  I hate the interviews the WWE does on ESPN, but of course DB talks about how he wants to come back on there and makes it must watch.

Right now Bryan is total gold for WWE as a non-performer in the ring.  As the teases continue to come from him about a return you have to wonder the impact he could have leaving WWE and going somewhere else.  I don't see WWE pulling the trigger unless they realize at the end of his contract he's going to go somewhere so they might as well pony up.  I just wonder if he will stay loyal to them if that is the case.

People have been talking about what to do with HHH now that he has returned.  I think it's pretty easy.  Rather than just force feed him down our throats the WWE needs to take the time and apply logic to his recent actions and then use him to catapult Owens.  First I would have him rip Reigns for beating him at WM32 and hitting Steph with that Spear.  Then he should run down Rollins for being a whiny baby that never truly lived up to the Authorities standards.

HHH should also claim the Authority is dead and move on from that angle.  He should get in a heated exchange with Seth Rollins that turns him face.  He explains his reason for backing Owens is that he saw in Owens someone that followed the same path as him.  He turned on his friend Zayn and battled for a spot when he wasn't considered to be the top guy.  Owens has followed HHH's road map and HHH rewarded him for it.

If you tie in the history and use logic people will accept the angle.  Owens and HHH need to be heels and they need to dominate heels.  Owens should probably get a bunny in his first defense and take out Big Cass, which will send Cass back to the Tags, which is totally fine.  Then he should feud with Jericho in a jealousy angle.  At Survivor Series the quality needs to go up.  I like him in a three way against Reigns and Rollins, but I haven't totally decided yet.

Roman is in a tricky spot now.  HHH cannot get Roman over as a face and nor can Owens.  They are too easy to root for as heels.  Roman had been doing better against Rusev, but they moved away from that.  Rusev is also off TV for a week or two.

The heel turn is still best, but now it's a challenge.  Owens is a top heel, how can HHH turn face after helping him?  Roman is going to be against them so it's hard to see those two ending up as the faces.  I think WWE has no intent of turning Roman at this time, so that's why the logic is hard.  I think he can't turn right now.  The bloom might be off the Rose by the time he ever does.

Speaking of heel turns AJ Styles has been amazing as of late.  I've talked about it before.  Just imagine if Roman had turned a year ago after the WM31 debacle.  If executed correctly he could be the true top draw in the company.  AJ is proving that a heel turn works, and when he does flip back to a face it will be easy.  Poor Roman is just making others unpopular like the USO's.