Parts Unknown #76: Raw

This episode of Raw probably left a lot of people scratching their heads, but I loved it. It focused on the low-to-mid carders. Sure, most of the matches didn't advance storylines, but that's how it was back in the day. Bob Backlund versus Papa Shango didn't need to have a meaning; it simply established two characters and entertained the target audience. Is Air Boom limited to wrestling one tag team per month? Of course not.

PROS

~ The tag match between Air Boom and Eastern Winds (that's what I'm calling the fearsome duo of Jinder Mahal and The Great Khali). I dug Mahal's offense. The champs pick up a clean win, proving that they deserve the titles. They still need matching ring attire. It may seem trivial, but it bothers the shit out of me.

~ Del Rio playing mind games with his fellow heels.

~ The Punk/Truth match. I'm okay with Miz/Truth challenging for the tag titles, but shouldn't there be a Number One Contender's match or something?

~ Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins, huh? Why not? I'm curious to see where this goes.

~ Zack Ryder's day in the sun. Plus, this keeps another tag team in the spotlight, even if it leads to a premature burial. I'd like to see Otunga/McGillicutty attack Jerry "The King" Lawler next week. Flesh them out. Give them a chance to spread their wings.

~ The match pitting Randy Orton against Heath Slater. It didn't make any fucking sense, but every once in awhile, you need to remind the WWE Universe that a signature move can be executed without being countered or reversed. The big dogs need to be dominant from time to time. Don't underestimate the importance of reintroducing (and in turn, putting over) a deadly finisher.

~ The main event. It was actually the best match of the night, as it should be.

CONS

~ All of the Nash/HHH/Punk material. It's beginning to feel like the same segment week in, week out. Punk could have delivered that promo in his sleep.

~ Why can't Eve and Beth Pheonix work together? They have wrestled twice in the past month, and both matches were terrible. Individually, they are competent performers. I don't get it.

Good show, good show. This is how you utilize a full roster. Ideally, you want every single talent to be involved in an angle. Granted, we didn't see Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan or Sin Cara, but I'm sure that they will feature prominently on this week's episode of Smackdown. Bring it on, I say!