Drew is showing more personality, not sure if he's technically a face yet but it's a massive upgrade over his "I WILL EVISCERATE YOU" promos.

Brock as #1 in the Rumble should be great. They'll probably have him maul some midcarders and then you can start moving up the ladder and get a taste of him vs. someone like Black, McIntyre, or Keith Lee that they want to move to the next level. They can eliminate Brock and get a big rub while also setting up a one on one match. At least that's how I hope they play it. There is also the chance they have him plow through everyone and then lose to Roman obv.

I'm really enjoying Raw the last few weeks in general. Feels like wrestlers are in the right roles and they're making a concerted effort to push a lot of different guys who have potential. I do wish the women's division had a little more going on but they're down to like three wrestlers somehow.

This sounds great!

This does not.

Did you guys know that standing in Rusev's corner against Bobby Lashley (and Lana) next week is something to Liv for?

Because I learned that this week watching WWE programming.

Sign me up for Beast vs. Fiend at WM. It will be the most beautiful train wreck ever and just about the only Fiend match I could ever get behind.

What about Fiend vs Black at some point?

Calling it now - Charlotte Flair wins the Universal Title before SS 2021

They need to use it as a launching point for someone. Have whoever is number two just shock eliminate brock immediately and then get decimated with F5s

Welp, #2 now locked in as Goldberg.

I got an email advertising Raw as having the first fist-fight in company history tonight. Bodacious Bart has officially been memory-holed.

A rare contract signing (did they even sign the contract) that was worth watching. They made me want to see Becky and Asuka fight.

Yes.

Sort of paying more attention to the football game than Raw, but did Murphy get legit KO'd with that kick, resulting in what looked like the botched kickout?

I think I actually liked the last hour or so of Raw. KO running up a wall like Spider-man was nuts and I love what they did with Murphy tonight. Guess he wasn't hurt after all.

I'm enjoying RAW more than any wrestling show right now, which maybe makes me uncool or something. So much talent and I think it's all being used well. The only dubious parts are King on commentary and the Viking Raiders/tag division.

Everything else is really good. They've built up a bunch of Rumble contenders with squash matches. Guys like Drew, Rey, Owens, Joe, Rollins/AOP are all cast well and showing more personality than they have before. I think Lashley/Rusev is fine as the one gimmicky soap opera angle. Becky is still the best and is doing a good job building Asuka as a huge match for her. Brock as champ can be an issue but he had great heat tonight and I thought the segment with R-Truth was fun.

Basically I'm watching the show and just enjoying it without being frustrated which is a big improvement. It feels like there is much more direction and logic to the show than before.

I actually agree with most of this. Truth seemed to legit pop Brock tonight. Those guys being in a group with Seth is going to elevate all of them. If they're smart, Drew is the guy who eliminates Brock. Lashley/Rusev is fine if it's a brawl and those guys act like they want to kill each other. I agree with the squash matches too, but we're getting to the point of overkill with Rowan. Curious to see what's next for Black...imagine if he were the one to knock out Brock?

I find it ironic the path their taking with the Miz.

Seemed he was flopping as a face for the second or third time, so they decided to flip him back heel again when Morrison showed back up because New Day needed a Mania opponent.

But it finally seemed that they were doing something that got the crowd behind him with the Fiend attacking his family, so the timing is strange. He also hasn't really done anything all that heelish either. It felt like New Day were instigating when he was all riled up about the safety of his family. But it's New Day, so I guess he's the heel.

Also cringed when Kane showed up to start SD this week, but it actually turned out pretty okay the way he was used.

Roode gets suspended for PEDs, returns looking even bigger.

I wonder if there's a mandatory test for them when they return from testing dirty.

Got this on in the background while I do other stuff.

I'm sure it's going to suck.

Dunno if anyone else is watching, but this should have main evented.

One of best matches on Raw in a long time. Amazing. This and Friday’s smack down have been great in general. Not sure if someone new has the pen but very entertaining.

Black follows his wife's segment once again.

The guy who started the "USA" chant after the Martin Luthor King video...perplexing.

I like how they brought out a Black guy after the MLK video.

Also never forget (MLK day 6 years ago):

Read a disturbing rumor about Brocks Mania opponent:

Anyone catch Orton scream watch out grandma before he dropped drew on guardrail? Classic. And then the production guy gets destroyed like the timekeeper at WrestleMania 8. **** is above the rim tonight.

Lately Raw and Smackdown have been pretty ... good?

Seth being a heel helps a lot. He's just perfect as a smarmy douche that hides behind backup until there's an open spot to do damage.