WWE Raw: Vince McMahon Makes TV Return, Hits And Misses

The television return of Mr. McMahon highlighted this edition of WWE Raw, which saw predictable matches, but a great ending.

The Boss is back!

Anytime a dominant figure from the Attitude Era makes an appearance on current WWE programming, it reminds us of the glory years. That statement is magnified when Mr. McMahon makes a rare appearance on Raw.

It’s been some time since we have seen Mr. McMahon on Raw. While he’s taking more of a backseat role to Triple H and his daughter, Stephanie, it’s nice to see him come out and make an impact with the major storyline.

The meat of the show left a lot to be desired, but the ending made up for it.

Here are some hits and misses from Monday’s WWE Raw:

Hits

Vince McMahon returns

Will this be a regular thing for Mr. McMahon appearing on WWE programming? I don’t think so, but he should. Counting his video appearance on Smackdown on Friday night, this makes two shows in a row for McMahon. Keep it going!

The Boss came on to add a stipulation to the main event at Survivor Series, which is Team Authority vs. Team Cena. If Team Authority losses, they lose power.

I love the way Triple H and Stephanie sold the news. They didn’t whine or complain when McMahon made his announcement. They kept the cocky look, almost like they know something we don’t know.

But this makes McMahon look favorable with the WWE Universe. I prefer the evil Mr. McMahon. It’s more of his style and personality, but I’ll take a Mr. McMahon appearance any day of the week, good or bad guy.

Stipulation added to Team Authority vs. Team Cena match

This is interesting. The stipulation, mentioned above, adds some intrigue to the match. What is Team Authority losses? Who would be in charge?

Mix in the rift between Randy Orton and The Authority, and you have the higher-ups in the stable scrambling to find a team that will compete for them.

Also, this sets up Orton interfering at Survivor Series in the match, and costing the victory for Team Authority, setting up someone new to run the company.

Even though the WWE Network is free this month, it makes fans interested to watch the show later in the month and gives more value to the main event.

My early prediction: Triple H gets himself involved in the match.

Randy Orton delivers a RKO to Seth Rollins. (WWE.com)

Randy Orton now on his own

Rumors have been circulating about a possible Orton departure from WWE television, due to filming a movie. The ending to Raw was no surprise, as this sets up Orton’s absence.

The way they did was the best part of the show.

WWE is cashing in on the ‘RKO Out of Nowhere’ craze and makes Orton look crazy. They even teased a possible RKO to Triple H, which could happen down the road. I know. We have seen RKOs to Triple H before, but not as one of the authority figures.

Save that pop for later.

This also pumps up Seth Rollins and continues to feud between him and Orton. With Orton out for a few weeks, you could book Orton vs. Rollins at TLC in December in a gimmick match, saving a clean match for down the road.

All in all, a great ending to Raw.

Misses

Dropping the ball with Dean Ambrose-Bray Wyatt

The ending of Hell in a Cell saw the return of Bray Wyatt. While it made the show great and pulled in fans to watch Raw, WWE has dropped the ball so far with the storyline.

WWE has booked Ambrose as the lunatic. So why wouldn’t he rush the stage when Wyatt was sitting on the ramp? Why would Ambrose care about his match more than getting his hands on Wyatt?

Granted, you want to save a possible fight and build the feud up, but you could have saved it perfectly and kept Ambrose looking strong.

Ambrose could have rushed the stage and half way up, have the lights go out. When they come back on, Wyatt is gone and Ambrose is left alone.

Boom. You have Ambrose looking strong and crazy, yet saving the confrontation for later. But instead, they are dropping the ball.

The Celtic Warrior passes out in the hold, so Rusev is the new United States Champion. (WWE.com)

Why are Sheamus and Rusev working twice?

I get the WWE trying to push fans to buy the WWE Network and putting championship matches on after Raw. But why would you book Sheamus and Rusev during the show when they have a match after? What is the point?

Sheamus took on Tyson Kidd, who hasn’t done anything noteworthy in months (or years), and instead of booking Sheamus as a strong champion, Kidd gets a countout win.

Kidd got in way too much offense too for someone who should only be booked in a squash match. It makes the match later on in the night predictable. Of course Rusev is going to win. Why would anybody buy the WWE Network to watch that?

On Rusev’s part, it’s great to see him become United States Champion. But it doesn’t make him look that strong beating a guy who lost via countout earlier in the night and wrestled earlier in the night. What does that prove? And why would I think Sheamus is an actual threat to Rusev?

No mention of Brock Lesnar, your champion

We are getting used to not having the WWE World Heavyweight Champion appear on WWE television. But there has been no mention of him at all lately.

Why can’t the WWE put together a video package every week of Brock Lesnar at home or at the gym, building him up for a return and still having him featured on the show? I don’t understand the thinking of not having any mention of your champion during Raw.

Do they want us to forget about Lesnar so when he does make his return, we are shocked? Shocked for what? That the champion would come on the show that he’s supposed to be the best on? At least give me Paul Heyman.

Moore Thoughts: Nice to see Emma back on Raw…same with Zack Ryder…predictable matches bore me…anybody else see Kane trip over Orton at the end of the show?

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