WWE Raw Review - 25th August 2008

After more bad than good last week I was hoping Raw could turn the corner this week especially with Unforgiven edging ever nearer.

Good Points

Build for Unforgiven

The creative team did well to get to more matches announced and built in to the storylines for Unforgiven. These two matches will be Chris Jericho vs. Shawn Michaels which we all expected and Cody Rhodes / Ted DiBiase vs. Cryme Time. So that’s three strong matches Raw are offering with the possibility to squeeze a few more out if needed with the most likely being something to do with Santino and Beth.

Shawn Michaels / Chris Jericho feud

I am more excited to see the unsanctioned match between these two at Unforgiven than the title match. Chris and Shawn have done an excellent job of building this up with great psychology without even having to lay a finger on each other to build the heat. This should be one of the most intense matches of the year but me personally I wouldn’t waste a match this good and this well built on Unforgiven I would have saved it for one of the big four. Shawn’s promo was great as he told Jericho it would be an eye for an eye at Unforgiven.

Bad Points

John Cena out indefinitely

Ok nothing the writers could have done about this one but it is a big blow to WWE. Love him or hate he drew numbers and got backsides on seats. With Batista and CM Punk left as your only major babyfaces at the moment the show looks weak which isn’t helped when you have the likes of Jerry Lawler and hacksaw Jim Duggan getting ring time on Raw.

CM Punk might as well not be there

CM Punk should be the main attraction and in the main feud on Raw instead this week he was first out and after his win against JBL wasn’t seen again for the whole show. Like I said last week please get the belt off CM Punk for his own good.

Rey Mysterio added to Scramble at Unforgiven

Because of John there was one space open in the Scramble which Mike Adamle announced had gone to Rey Mysterio who we still haven’t seen for some time. After his mask has been randomly used in the Kane storyline he is now going to comeback with no build and go straight in to the main event. It makes no sense added to this he is probably being rushed back because of the injury to Cena so may hurt himself again like he has done every other time he has rushed back.

Overall

Again if it hadn’t been for Jericho and Michaels the show would have been terrible. I think as soon as they have a marquee talent as champ again Raw will improve a lot as they won’t give the ball to any champ who isn’t marquee talent and let them run with it.