WWE United States Championship
In a fight that kicked off WWE Raw for the United States Championship, Rusev and Roman Reigns did battle once more and took about 30 minutes of the show up. I really enjoyed this match and interaction, moreso than last night for a few reasons. WWE gave them time and gave them more creativity to compete. It was not just move after move and more of a story being told. Complain all you want, but Roman Reigns and Rusev are two physical guys who put on a hell of a match. Also, Rusev got his rematch and it was a good decision to do it now. Was it a good decision to have a no contest? That remains to be seen.
With a new champion, the story always is a rematch one or two times before a fresh feud. This should not be the case, however. Yes, the match was great but there needed to be finality at the end of it. I think WWE relies too much on continuous feuds that they THINK are not going to get boring. Let’s face it, these two men are not their best talkers. Tell me a storyline without Anti-America in it for Rusev. Tell me a storyline that Roman Reigns has carried himself outside of the ring. This should have been the final bout, not one that keeps a door open for ANOTHER match. If they do another, make it a stipulation or Hell in a Cell.
What is the Point?
A rematch for the WWE Tag Team Championships features another loss by Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. This match, like the United States Championship, was better tonight than Sunday. Why? More time and more focus on the bad guys getting the heat. It has been 400 days since The New Days have become champions. Anderson and Gallows, showing their great teamwork and fluent offense together, should have won the titles. More close counts tonight and more “on the edge of your seat” made this a dramatic and interesting rematch. The splash moves were there and the finish made me more frustrated again. Why is there this booking decision night after night after night with WWE allowing their best heel team to lose clean? Freshen up and give The New Day something to overcome, even if it is only a month or two.
This loss is frustrating to fans who want to see something new and a big moment. Speaking of big moments, Mick Foley announces that Sheamus and Cesaro both deserve championship opportunities and will get that…together. They pick up a win as a team and their storyline continues. I am actually alright with this. It adds more depth and I think both guys have gotten even more respect from the WWE Universe on Sunday night. WWE RAW needs more than 2-3 tag teams and if they can book them properly, I would love a feud with them, The New Day, Gallows and Anderson and Enzo/Cass. Let’s just hope the realization from WWE is that they ARE able to build more than one tag team at a time.
