The first RAW of 2022 was pretty solid. The wrestling-heavy show featured a lot of good storylines as we move forward to what is my favorite event of the year, the Royal Rumble.
Here are three things I loved about RAW and one thing I thought could be better.
The Evolution of Damien Priest
Damien Priest has had a significant build-up of his character over the last year. Besides having one of the matches of the year with Bad Bunny at WrestleMania, Priest has been a solid champion who at times can exhibit a big mean streak. But over the last few weeks, he has shown a complicated side where his emotion can cost him.
Priest’s “Damien Side” almost cost him his US title match vs. Dolph Ziggler. Faced with the odds of Ziggler & Roode going against him, Priest almost DQ’d himself, costing him both the match and his title.
HIT @HEELZiggler ONE MORE TIME!#WWERaw#USTitle pic.twitter.com/9QJAQwlzbZ
— WWE (@WWE) January 4, 2022
Priest was able to compose himself and come out on top. But I love complicated characters such as Priest. In an era of “shades of gray.” It will be interesting to see where he goes from here.
The Return of Beth Phoenix
THE GLAMAZON IS BACK, BABY!! I missed most of Beth Phoenix’s first run in WWE as I was in my “Wrestling is for kids and dweebs” phase (please forgive me). But going back and watching her, she was way ahead of her time in terms of physicality and skill. I’ve long hoped that she would make a comeback. While it seems, for now, she is just competing in a tag feud with Edge, I hope this will mean she makes a full-time comeback. I would love to see her go against Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, and of course, Charlotte.
THE HALL OF FAME COUPLE!@EdgeRatedR@TheBethPhoenix#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/uK6ZoB3uWS
— WWE (@WWE) January 4, 2022
Will they meet at Royal Rumble? I’m hopeful this match gets delayed to WrestleMania. I think this feud deserves to be finished on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
The GRIT Couple vs. the IT Couple at #RoyalRumble?!@EdgeRatedR @TheBethPhoenix @MaryseMizanin @mikethemiz #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/Vz3z11ZOpJ
— WWE (@WWE) January 4, 2022
Austin Theory and Mr. McMahon RAW segments
It is clear Austin Theory is being groomed for a big spot. His vignettes with the boss have been fun to watch. Vince sees a lot in Theory, and it is hard not to. He’s a natural talent with a great look and is probably the 2nd best heel character following Baron Corbin*
Courtesy of @VinceMcMahon … @austintheory1 is in this year’s #RoyalRumble Match! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/Gz6SXt1Fim
— WWE (@WWE) January 4, 2022
Two matches in one night = Lots of Selfies #allday pic.twitter.com/hsK4cvenqL
— Austin White (@austintheory1) January 3, 2022
*Corbin is the best heel in all wrestling right now because he isn’t trying to be cool with the crowd or the Internet. He’s there to be booed and hated and embraces it.
One Thing I Disliked About RAW
The Stagnant Women’s Roster
WWE’s women’s roster is at a crossroads. There’s never been this much talent, but at the same time, so little of that talent is featured in the spotlight. Heck, even Doudrop mentioned when she lamented how the same three or four women get title shots. The division on both brands needs a lot of new blood.
Here’s @BeckyLynchWWE full Raw Talk segment pic.twitter.com/Zh5hm9qfFu
— Sameeha (@becksreigns) January 4, 2022
Meanwhile, NXT is overflowing with a diverse and fun group of women. It will be interesting to see how the Royal Rumble goes. There are not 30 women on the main roster right now, not counting the champions Becky and Charlotte. There will need to be a lot of call-ups and surprises. We need a lot of main roster call-ups and probably some new signings from AEW, which has a criminally underutilized womens’ division.
What did you think of RAW last night? Let us know in the comment sections below.
