The Raw the night after Wrestlemania has quickly become one of my favorite nights on the WWE calendar. It serves a barometer for what direction the company will be heading in. Debuts have become a staple on this night, with many of NXT’s best and brightest getting their first taste of the big stage. And of course, the crowd, the company’s most die-hard fans from around the world stay the extra night after Wrestlemania to create an atmosphere that is unmatched by any other.
This year’s edition was no different. There were plenty of debuts and seeds being planted for potentially some of the year’s hottest storylines. Looking up and down the roster of characters that made up the show, this fan has plenty of hope for in the coming months.
Let’s begin with three big debuts from NXT starting with Apollo Crews. It is impossible to look at this guy in the ring and not think he will be anything but a star. He has it all, from his unbelievable athleticism to his great look. With Crews, WWE strikes the perfect balance between what satisfies the hardcore fan and the type of physique Vince McMahon loves his stars to have. He works an extremely quick style for a man his size, capping off with his patented standing moonsault and the hardcore fans love him for it. But, the key word is also size; he has that desired look to get a push. Not many superstars are able to strike a balance between those two, but Apollo Crews may be able to do just that.
Next up we have Baron Corbin, another imposing figure who made quite the name for himself in NXT. He actually debuted the night before, winning the 3rd annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. On Raw he took on Dolph Ziggler in his singles debut. I really loved the finish of the match with Corbin and Ziggler garnering a double count-out as Corbin was beating up on Ziggler at ringside. Corbin’s reaction was perfect for the monster heel that he has been booked as in NXT. He screamed at the ref that, “THIS WAS ON HIM” before he proceeded to give Ziggler the End Of Days (his finisher) on the concrete floor. I loved this. I loved that Corbin was so engrossed in destroying Ziggler,that he did not realize he was getting counted out. I enjoyed even more his blaming of the ref, for what he did to Ziggler. Great subtle heel work. This call-up could be potentially huge for WWE on a main roster that really is lacking in menacing heels. If booked correctly, Corbin could have a great impact on the main roster.
Finally, we have the Raw debut of NXT’s most over tag team in it’s history: Enzo Amore and Big Cass. The pair burst onto the scene, getting the better of tag team legends the Dudley Boyz. These guys have the potential to be a modern day New Age Outlaws. Their extremely over pre-match schtick is akin to how over Billy Gunn and Road Dogg’s was all those years ago. I know it seems like they are going to feud with the Dudley Boyz. But, am I wrong in wanting to see them feud with the New Day in the coming months? I know it’s two face teams, but just imagine the verbal exchanges we would get from two of the better promo teams in recent memory. Either way, Enzo and Big Cass have finally arrived to the main roster and I could not be happier about it.
Moving away from the debuts, setting forth storylines for the coming weeks is also a staple of the Raw after Mania.
We might very well finally be seeing the Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens feud coming to a head. The two had exchanges all night including in their promo, as well as the fatal four way main event. When was the last time the WWE had a feud with so much potential juice behind it? They were the best of friends (and bitter enemies) while each was toiling on the independents. They seemed to have brought their friendship to NXT, before Owens turned on Zayn. Zayn was kayfabe put out of action by Owens and now he is back for revenge. The top brass will really have to try hard to mess this one up. The base is there they just have to let these two guys go.
That brings us to aforementioned fatal-four-way to determine the number one contender for Roman Reigns newly won WWE World Heavyweight championship, which pitted AJ Styles, Chris Jericho, Owens, and Cesaro (Zayn was attacked by Owens and taken out of the match) against each other. This was such an amazing visual. Seeing four of the best wrestlers in the world today facing off against each other in the business’ top company. The amazement did not end there when Styles ending up winning the match and become the number one contender. AJ Styles, Mr. TNA, will be fighting for the WWE’s top title. A guy who it was unimaginable that he would even be in the company just a few short months ago, is just a step away from the top of the wrestling business. Not only is it amazing to see, but it is good for the product. Styles is a fresh and qualified new face in the main event scene. Only time will tell how he will be booked against “Super Reigns”, but his involvement is a good decision for the company.
Raw definitely had its problems and the WWE will never be perfect. But, based on what I saw on Monday, for the first time in awhile, I’m optimistic about being a WWE fan.
