Since the shock reveal that Seth Rollins was turning his back on the indomitable The Shield to join forces with the consistently trumped Authority, the WWE seemed a little bit flummoxed as to what reasoning it should give for Rollins betraying the “Hounds of Justice”. It’s still not really given an answer to this issue, so I think it’s safe to assume that it was due to RAW’s viewing figures dropping. Regardless, The Shield is no more and this week’s RAW was the first time we got to see them each embracing their new individual roles in the company.
As WWE heads into the Money in the Bank PPV, a Battle Royal was announced during this week’s RAW that would see the winner earn a spot in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match. Inevitably, Triple H said that both Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns would not be allowed to compete in the match, but Reigns managed to nuzzle his way in there anyway by way of Vickie Guerrero. I’m not really sure what kind of authority Vickie has over the, uh, Authority to put Reigns in a match that Triple H and Stephanie McMahon forbade him from entering, but que sera, sera.
The segments between Reigns and Vickie, which saw Reigns assuming a prankster role and spiking the coffees Vickie was taking to Triple H/Stephanie, seemed an attempt on the part of WWE to give Reigns a little more personality, which he absolutely needs right now considering neither Ambrose nor Rollins will be his mouthpiece anymore. Unfortunately, his acting skills are still not up to scratch, and the segments came off a little awkward. WWE clearly has a bright future planned for him, but he just isn’t ready yet.
Needless to say, Reigns won the Battle Royal (after a face-off with Rusev, which had the crowd going wild – a very good sign for the Bulgarian Brute) which puts him, Bray Wyatt and John Cena as the favourites to win the Money in the Bank match at the PPV. Personally, I’d like to see Wyatt take the championship as he’s the only one of the three men who would benefit from holding the title at this moment in time. Cena absolutely doesn’t need it, and it’s too early in Reigns’ single career for him to hold it. Bray Wyatt could actually do something with the championship, and it falls right in line with his plan to take control of the WWE Universe. While I’ve previously mentioned that I really want to see the Wyatt Family in a feud with the Authority at some point, it doesn’t seem like that’s on the cards at any point in the near future. A Bray Wyatt championship reign is, though, at least until Daniel Bryan comes back from his injury.
Alongside the disbanded members of The Shield now each boasting a different entrance theme and attire (Ambrose appeared on the show wearing a leather jacket and jeans, Rollins came to the ring with his decidedly more hardcore new theme and a Nike vest, while Reigns has kept his Shield outfit and still enters the ring through the crowd), Cody Rhodes has also received a major gimmick transformation as he has now assumed the role of Stardust. Essentially a more svelte Goldust, Rhodes’ new image took everyone by surprise and led to some Curtis Axel chants (Goldust and Stardust were in tag team action against RybAxel), presumably out of protest.
Honestly, I love the new look. Though Goldust is arguably better in the ring now than he ever has been, his gimmick was a lot better when he really played up to his absurd gimmick. Cody’s prancing around the ring really reminded me of a more lightweight Attitude-era Goldust, and I’m completely fine with that. This is a much more interesting solution to WWE just having Cody turn on Goldust as was predicted, and I’m excited to see where this new team goes. If Cody’s as invested in the role as he appeared to be, then this could provide some golden moments.
RAW concluded with Cena facing Kane in a Stretcher Match to determine who would be entered into the Money in the Bank World Heavyweight Championship match. Michael Cole noted that this was the first Stretcher Match to take place on RAW in 10 years, which is probably because Stretcher Matches are usually shit. This one was no exception.
The match concluded with Rollins and Randy Orton running in to take out Cena, before Ambrose came to his rescue. Cena predictably won the match, and if he wins the Money in the Bank match at the PPV we should prepare ourselves for an incredibly bland WWE World Heavyweight Championship picture until Daniel Bryan’s return. Come on Bray!
