Tuned in for RAW and NXT this week for the first time in a while. It was a real step up from what I remember. It looks like Triple H taking over creative injected some serious energy into RAW – everything felt bigger and more polished. There's a wave of freshness with a bunch of new faces.
The standout match for me on RAW had to be Bronson Reed vs Ivar featuring Valhalla/Sara Logan. Initially, it seemed like an odd match-up, and the crowd was quiet. But by the end, they were absolutely losing it. I think wrestling crowds are getting a lot better. RAW, in particular, has this newfound magnitude, a real return to form.
Now, NXT was solid, don't get me wrong. It's just missing that early-years vibe, that underground exclusivity when Asuka, Ember, DIY, and we’re on the scene. The matches delivered, but I can't help but feel the show's a bit stretched at two hours. I miss the days of the split between UK and US rosters, two punchy one-hour shows.
And that CM Punk pop over the weekend? Megaton! The whole thing felt way bigger and more serious than his debut at ADW.
Next I’m gonna need to catch up, though – as I said, lots of new faces, I barely recognized half the people on RAW. Less so on NXT than RAW where I only recognized Pillman (who I mainly recognized because he had his father’s hairstyle), Chad Gable, and Gargano. And this was first time catching a Steiner match – I was a big fan of his uncle in WCW and Bronson Steiner has some of that energy.
Exciting times in the WWE this year. Everything's clicking back into place, and it all feels fresh again.
Looking forward to Smackdown, and I’m wondering about NXT Level Up.
I describe myself as a little dose of toxic masculinity.
