New set, new theme song, new stars, new era - it's all change on WWE Raw following last week's WWE Draft.
The flagship show set the bar for the brand war between Raw and Smackdown, as both brands look to compete for TV ratings and deliver the very best in-ring product.
Raw well and truly delivered in their first episode following the brand split, putting on a incredible and dramatic Women's Championship match between Charlotte and Sasha Banks, as well as instantly creating a main event star in Finn Balor following is call-up from NXT.
It was all about freshness from the off, WWE airing a new intro for Raw, comprising of the "Enemies" entrance theme supplied by Shinedown. A new logo, and a new set was also part of the many tweaks made for the first episode of Raw, which included a new announce team.
Regulars Michael Cole and Byron Saxton were joined by Corey Graves, the colour commentator fans have been crying out for. Former NXT superstar Graves was fantastic on commentary, with Saxton and Cole finding a new energy and enthusiasm in calling the action.
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The show started off with Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and General Manager Mick Foley in the ring, the two bringing out the Raw roster to address a couple of issues. With the WWE Championship belonging to Dean Ambrose on Smackdown, Stephanie stressed the need for a world title on Raw and announced the new "WWE Universal Championship".
No.1 draft pick Seth Rollins got a bye in the Championship situation, with both McMahon and Foley giving the roster and the WWE universe the lowdown - two Fatal Four Way matches, with the winner of each match competing in the main event for the right to fight Rollins at Summerslam for the new strap.
The opening four-way contest was imminent and featured a star-studded set of superstars; Cesaro, Rusev, Kevin Owens and Finn Balor, the Irishman making his eagerly anticipated WWE debut.
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And what a debut it was. Balor oozed confidence when making his way to the ring and carried that swagger into the match. Much to everyone's surprise, he emerged victorious with a brutal Coupe de Grace on United States Champion Rusev.
Even better, Balor went all the way and claimed a remarkable clean victory over three-time world Champion Roman Reigns, who beat Chris Jericho, Sami Zayn and Sheamus to progress to the main event of Raw.
Birthday boy Balor was propelled to stardom in his first night on the job, earning the right to face Seth Rollins at Summerslam to crown a new Champion on the Raw brand, in what is a mouthwatering prospect. You will struggle to find a more impactful debut in WWE history - not a bad first day at the office at all.
For fans in the UK, staying up till 4am for Raw on a week night can be a struggle but the show served up on Monday flowed wonderfully. Less silly, overly-scripted soap opera drama, replaced by an emphasis on the in-ring action in between the ropes. A joy to watch.
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We also saw two of Raw's draftees come off as absolute monsters in their respective matches. Braun Strowman, separated from his Wyatt Family brothers in the WWE draft, looked even more menacing with his new look and utterly destroyed a local competitor - as did Nia Jax in her Raw debut, making easy work of an enhancement talent herself.
Elsewhere, Newcastle high-flyer Neville dazzled fans in Pittsburgh with his unbelievably aerial maneuvers on his return, picking up a win over The fan favourite has been sidelined with a fractured ankle and slotted back in the mix seamlessly; he could be the one to really carry the Cruiserweight division on Raw.
At the start of the show, a Women's Championship match between holder Charlotte and Sasha Banks and the two produced one of the best matches in Raw history, changing the game in Women's wrestling once more. Challenger Banks channelled her inner Eddie Guerrero, with a bit of Lyin', Cheatin', and Stealin' and finally realised the dream she has had since she was 10 years old with an incredible Women's Championship win. Again, another shock result that blew the roof off at the CONSOL Energy Center, much like Balor's monumental win to close out the show.
If Raw can somehow manage to maintain the level of wrestling that they produced in their first episode of the "New Era", then fans are in for one heck of a ride.
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Smackdown, over to you...
All images via WWE
Words by Josh Lawless
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Raw, Finn Balor, WWE Raw, Wrestling, WWE
