People reading this post at first will think, get the fuck over it but anyways.
I'm a massive Punk fan and have honestly given thought to stop watching again, I gave it up to Mania to see if I could stay interested as I was struggling to stay interested before Mania.
But fucking wow, what a show. I was living in hope of a Punk return but what happened on Raw ended up being better then Punk returning, renewed hope and faith in the product.
That opening was elctrifying, crowd was rowdy as fuck and set the tone for what the night gonna be like. The heat HHH got was crazy but I liked it all, great way to start.
Bray Wyatt saying, "New Orleans, we're here" was actually spine tingling, the pop was fucking huge, the Wyatts were over like baby faces from the moment they walked in the arena till they walked out. Crowd booing every bump they took and cheering every move they hit was crazy, there intensity in the ring was awesome. Then the crowd started singing "his got the whole world, in his hands" and waving their arms was fucking brilliant, what a moment. Loved that match solely for the crowd, but thankfully they got the win, Bray was awesome all round as usual and the crowd were loving it.
Bad New Barrett got a pretty solid pop, good to see him wrestling back on TV again, the crowd went nuts when he said "I'm afraid I got some bad news", was really happy for him.
That fucking promo from Heyman was God like, he absolutely destroyed the crowd, the CEO, the commentators, past and present stars and pretty much anyone to do with the business, fucking brilliant. Sold his clients accomplishments like only he can and added his usual GOAT spin to it all. His honestly the best mic worker I have ever heard, he was on another level with that promo and easily one of the top 3 promo's I have ever heard. No one in the crowd knew how to respond to his amazing promo.
Good to see RVD back, always like returns and he got a solid pop like most did.
Rusev finally debuting was good, not sold on him yet. I think his gimmick will hold him back but his definitely a great athlete with great agility. Interesting to see what happens with him.
Great to see Warrior back on Raw.
Don't think I have been as invested in a Diva's segment like since the AE when Trish and Lita were doing they're thing. Even before Paige showed up AJ was brilliant on the mic, but was thinking that she may very well surpass Punk and get a longer reign then 434 days. Until Paige's music hit, what a fucking pop aswell, was so happy to see her debut here. The it was done was perfect IMO but maybe she should have been more of a badass. Nonetheless, the crowd was super hot for her, and she won the title, can't think of a better way to debut her, she has a big future and is only 21. Loved the whole segment now all of a sudden I actually care about the Diva's division due to one person debuting, she's gonna be great.
Hogan present Cesaro with the Andre the Giant trophy was awesome, loved how Zeb took over and laid claim to Cesaro being a proud "Zeb Colter guy". The way Cesaro informed on him becoming a Paul Heyman guy was so cool and causal, the pop for that alone was insane. Can't believe it has actually happened, Cesaro is destined for big things and Heyman will only enhance his chances and make it very certain that Cesaro will become a huge star, his getting an insane push and after doing something historical the night before on Mania to the night after aligning himself with the greatest manager of all time and the most hated man in the business was perfect. The booking was awesome, so excited to see his direction from here, can only be upwards. He will be in the title picture before the year's end no doubt IMO.
That ending was fucking amazing, so happy to see The Shield be the focus after a squash match at Mania. The whole segment was great, the pop was awesome, those face masks were bad ass and you could just tell the face turn was gonna be cemented here, the face off between them and Kane, Batista and Orton was fucking gold, is Evolution vs Shield really gonna happen? Loved seeing The Shield clean house the Reigns hitting HHH with the spear was awesome, top moment seeing them save Bryan.
This Raw is honestly the best Raw I have seen in a very very very long time. I wasn't happy with Mania but this has kept me more then happy and interested in the product. Such exciting times aheadand the future is so bright.
I think it's safe to say a new era is here. Crowd was raucous and show was amazing. 9.5/10 for me.