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How Triple H Is Screwing Up Raw's Road To WrestleMania 41
Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

The Road To WrestleMania should be the most exciting time of the WWE calendar, and after a super hot few months last year, fans had high hopes for this year too. However, aside from John Cena’s huge heel turn, things have been lackluster over on the RAW brand. Triple H has made several missteps on the Road To WrestleMania on Monday Night RAW in recent weeks, and we will assess some of the biggest negatives.

There is still plenty of time to steady the ship and ensure a more exciting build, but thus far there are numerous ways in which things are simply not going all too well for both fans watching at home and those paying big prices to view the product in the arena.

Cody Rhodes Vs. John Cena Is Already Repetitive

A Hot Feud Is Gently Simmering

  • John Cena and Cody Rhodes had the same segment two weeks in a row 
  • The Rock has had no mention whatsoever 
  • This feud needs something, and fast 

John Cena’s wild heel turn was enough to make this the most interesting storyline in WWE today, and Cena’s first heel promo came in front of a wild Belgian crowd in a memorable segment. Cody Rhodes emerged, offering some fighting words, before Cena left and walked to the back.

The follow up the next week featured Cena coming out for yet another promo where he ran down the fans, only to get interrupted by Cody Rhodes. Then, you guessed it, Cena left the ring as Rhodes delivered his own rallying speech. Having pretty much the same segment two weeks in a row was not ideal for this story, and Triple H really should’ve done something to put an exclamation point on the storyline, especially since Cena won’t be present on every show before WrestleMania. WWE have missed a trick in having this storyline develop at a slower pace.

The Women’s World Title Picture Is A Mess

Bianca Belair Vs. Iyo Sky Vs. Rhea Ripley Is A Bad Storyline

  • Rhea Ripley has been booked like a child 
  • Iyo Sky has looked weak as champion 
  • The storyline isn’t interesting and is very predictable 

On paper, a match between Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley is a salivating prospect. However, Triple H’s approach to their match has been a disaster. Ripley lost her title but has whined and complained, trying to force herself into the match, not looking like the badass she’s been built up to be. Belair also doesn't want Ripley in the match, making her look weak for not accepting the challenge. Lastly, Sky has been pushed to the side by both women for several weeks in a row, looking very weak too.

This is no way to build a world title match, especially between three women who are on their way to Hall Of Fame careers in WWE. The build has been damaging, and it has felt very predictable, as no one is doubting that a triple threat match will be booked eventually.

Jey Uso’s Momentum Is Getting Ruined

Uso Vs. Gunther Has Lost Heat

  • The story between Jey Uso and Gunther isn’t interesting 
  • Jey Uso’s uncertainty story is a repeat of Sami Zayn last year 
  • The feud doesn’t feel like a main event angle 

Weeks of Gunther choking out Jey Uso, narratives of Uso not being confident, some botches here and there, and a lack of being focused on in the main event, the World Heavyweight Title feud heading into WrestleMania doesn’t feel all too special right now.

The whole thing feels pretty predictable, following the same trend as Sami Zayn vs. Gunther at WrestleMania 40. This feud should be focused as the main event angle on RAW each and every week, but instead it is being booked like a midcard feud, and this is a mistake on Triple H’s part. Uso’s entrance is still over and keeping him above water, but if a lack of a spark continues before WrestleMania, this feud could disappoint massively.

RAW Doesn’t Feel Hot Due To Lower Card Feuds

RAW Is Lacking Big Angles

  • The focus on the IC Title has been nice 
  • More wrestlers are getting spotlighted
  • The Road To WrestleMania feels like the wrong time for these sorts of RAWs

The last few weeks have seen a heavy focus on the Grande Americano vs. Luchadors feud, the Judgment Day serving as central figures on the show, and the Intercontinental Title headlining. All this is well and good, but not when WWE is trying to build a hot Road To WrestleMania.

It is very nice seeing more wrestlers get a chance to shine, but these shows should have interesting angles, big twists, massive brawls, personal promos, and more involving the main event stories and major Mania matches. Instead, the shows have been limping along and relying solely on the hot European crowds to create a sense of quality.

This article first appeared on The Sportster and was syndicated with permission.

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