Dear WWE Creative,
The WWE Universe has been buzzing lately. From last week’s superstar releases, to this week’s Roman Reigns remission announcement, Batista’s return, not to mention the fan reactions that Becky Lynch and Kofi Kingston are garnering; I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: it truly feels like the Road to Wrestlemania. For this longtime fan, I feel like the company is finally working hard to gain a connection they once had with their viewers. And it feels wonderful.
Interestingly enough, I was saddened to hear late last week that WWE Hall of Famer and backstage producer Arn Anderson had been let go. On the cusp of this shocking news came a report indicating that former WWE employee Bruce Prichard was back with the company. Some fans may remember him as an on-air WWE personality (i.e. Brother Love), and from the time he spent working backstage as a booker and producer, also offering creative insight. Regardless, he was rehired recently to help with creative and production, and his first major call to action was this week’s Monday Night RAW.
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“Do I have your attention now, @tripleh?” @davebautista attacked @ricflairnatureboy backstage! #Raw
New viewers to the brand may have noticed a different and far more fascinating tone to RAW this week, while older members of the audience could feel the touches to the show that was obviously heavily-influenced by Brother Love; and I mean this in the best of ways. That final segment, “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair’s 70th birthday party had Bruce written all over it, and it was so flawlessly executed with pomp and circumstance at the beginning, and perfectly timed with mere minutes to go on the show, and nothing happening. Dare I say, many in the WWE Universe believing that maybe everyone was all there to simply celebrate Naitch, his date of birth, all he’s accomplished in the ring, and everyone he’s touched along the way. This was especially felt since Becky Lynch was arrested earlier on in the program, which again seems quite Prichard-ish, who was the person we all thought was going to spoil Ric’s event (unless you read spoilers that day).
While everyone waited for Ric to come out, the flash to Batista first dragging the camera man along the floor (nice touch) with only two minutes before RAW was supposed to end, and then grabbing the two-time WWE Hall of Famer and sliding him across the same dirty floor was perfect. HHH ran to the back in hurry, and zero confrontation between him and Dave was a great way to close the show before our television screens went black.
Splash in a Shield reunion teaser, and Ronda Rousey leaving her RAW Women’s title in the middle of the ring, to boot.
Simply put, this Monday Night RAW was hands down the best of year, and the Red brand hasn’t been doing too shabbily since 2019 has started; however, Bruce Prichard’s influence in this week’s show was felt and in the best kind of way. We, as fans, now have a ton of questions; a reason to tune in next week; and an overwhelming feeling of excitement heading into WWE’s largest event of the year, Wrestlemania.
Knocking it out of the park on his big task is a solid start and proves that Prichard does indeed know how to make an impact. Moving forward and continuing with this momentum may be a harder task; however, if one can judge anything based on the initial wave that has been created, the WWE Universe is in for a good ride moving forward.
Signed,
Me.
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