WWE Raw Review - 31st March 2008

The episode of Raw after Wrestlemania is a very important show. This show sets the scene for what we can expect in the upcoming year until next Wrestlemania. It is also a very hard show to book coming off the biggest show of the year as nothing can compare to it and many of the fans will ether be suffering from burn out or have unrealistic expectations on what is going to happen next.

Good Points

Freshness

The writers did a great job of using tonight’s show to change the direction of Raw. JBL has emerged as the new challenger for Randy Orton’s title, Matt Hardy came through the crowd to beat on Randy Orton, Batista was seen backstage and Cryme Time returned. Now you may think that JBL and Matt Hardy don’t deserve main event pushes but when you are trying to freshen the product up you need to slingshot people in to the main event scene that haven’t been there or at least haven’t been in the picture for some time.

The return of Tag Team wrestling

This week on Raw we were treated to not one but two tag team matches featuring four proper tag teams and not teams who have just been thrown together. I am looking forward to see how they continue to use the tag teams on Raw as in my opinion they need a couple more quality tag teams yet to make it in to a good division.

Ric Flair’s final address

As I said in my Wrestlemania review I didn’t think Flair got a proper send off after his match at Wrestlemana so I was glad this episode of Raw was being dedicated to him with the last twenty minutes of the show being his final address and farewell party. This was excellently handled by the WWE with wrestlers from all decades coming to show their support.

Bravery

The writers were brave not to book John Cena and HHH on Raw with their only involvement in the show being on Flair’s farewell segment. I think their decision paid off as the programme felt fresh. I have no doubt HHH and John Cena will be booked back in to the mix soon but for the time being I’m not missing them too much.

Bad Points

Handling of CM Punk

After the biggest win of his WWE career in The Money in the Bank match at Wrestlemania why the WWE creative tea had him lose to Chris Jericho I don’t know. Jericho may be a big star but to give someone a push at Wrestlemania and then not continue it makes no sense.

Battle of the Giants

After just coming off the most publicised match of his career Big Show has now been booked in what could very well be the worst feud of his career with Khali. Khali can’t speak English and can’t wrestle so this has the potential for worst feud of 2008. All I can hope for the Big Show is that its over quick.

Overall

Top notch, a very memorable night of Raw. To have something so memorable right after Wrestlemania is impressive. The WWE handled the Flair farewell brilliantly whilst still giving enough time to storylines that are going to continue on the road to Backlash.