WrestleTalk Roundtable – WWE Raw – October 15, 2018

What was the worst part of last night’s episode?

Steven Lugo

Bobby Lashley versus Tyler Breeze. For the life of me, I don’t know why a talent like Tyler Breeze has to be buried over and over again. It’s sad that I was kind of surprised to see him in the first place. He’s worth more to WWE than they realize if you consider his huge connection with the New Day / UpUpDownDown fanbase.

While I’m a Lio Rush fan, and can get behind the right kind of heel version of Lashley, it’s clear that the act was annoying the live crowd – or perhaps putting them to sleep. So, Lashley beat up Breeze in a meaningless contest while Rush talked trash. Lashley also flexed his muscles like the Narcissist, as I groaned.

I say let Rush back up his smack talk once in a while; he’s as good an athlete as he is a hype man. Stop turning Lashley into Lex Luger. Allow Breeze a win once in a while, or at least a meaningful segment. You’ve only got three hours to play with.

Shane Love

Bobby Lashley vs. Tyler Breeze was my least favorite match. I understand that the powers that be want Lashley to be a heel, but putting him up against Tyler for a squash match is probably the laziest way to turn him.

I am sure most people who have seen Lashley can tell that he is incredibly strong. So using a squash match to showcase his strength and expecting that angle to deliver the message ‘therefore he’s a heel’ just felt empty. I suppose you could say I miss seeing substance in a good heel turn but who’s to say. The powers that be might yet do something memorable with him. Definitely my least favorite match.

JP Wood

Let’s face it. Most of the women’s promo stuff tonight was worse than you’d like it to be. Everything felt forced, wooden and stumbled through. Without exception.

So what was worse, The Bellas making the same point poorly sixteen or seventeen times? Or was it that the ‘Mild Civil Disturbance Squad’ struck viciously against Natalya’s locker room door using condiments? It was all bad. Tonight it was every women’s non-wrestling segment.

Do yourselves a favor WWE, and let the women sink or swim on their own merits. Because this whole scripted thing just isn’t working out. There’s a reason why the women chew the scenery: they’re forced into it with bad scripts and stories. But, I digress…

Sean Patrick Eckmann

We all know the controversy surrounding Crown Jewel and Saudi Arabia right now, but that didn’t stop WWE promoting the event at every given opportunity. And its not just the ‘what’s going on with Saudi Arabia’ issue, but there’s even another WWE pay-per-view BEFORE Crown Jewel, and it barely got mentioned.

With Evolution only two weeks away, why was more time spent on the build to Crown Jewel, and just a couple of nothing matches and a meaningless battle royal announced for the former?

And, by the way, treating Saudi Arabia like Voldemort, as the ‘country-who-must-not-be-named,’ won’t make us all suddenly forget where it’s taking place.

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