Triple H Has 1st Misstep with Raquel Rodriguez, Aliyah Win, More WWE Raw Takes

On the final WWE Raw before Clash at the Castle, new women's tag team champions were finally crowned while several major feuds continued to build.

Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah pulled off a shocking victory over Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai to become the WWE women's tag team titleholders.

Sami Zayn joined The Usos on the red brand where a miscommunication cost Jey Uso against Kevin Owens.

Seth Rollins and Matt Riddle had one last conversation before their showdown on Saturday in Cardiff, Wales, with The Visionary using several unforgettable lines to taunt his rival.

Kurt Angle appeared on Raw where he interacted with Alpha Academy, costing them in a memorable tag team match with The Street Profits.

It was not the best night for the red brand, but the build toward Clash of the Castle has made the pay-per-view a can't-miss event.

Raquel Rodriguez, Aliyah's Win Crushes Women's Tag Team Division Momentum

WWE has done some great work rebuilding its women's tag team division through the title tournament, but most of the teams set up by the competition have little history together.

Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah were one of those makeshift tandems, which is clearly a replacement for the more established pairing of Rodriguez and Dakota Kai from their time in NXT.

Aliyah is a likable underdog but cannot keep up with Kai, as proved by the interactions between them during Monday's main event. Big Mami Cool is doing the heavy lifting for her team.

While that works fine for a tag team still in development, they are an awkward pair as the new WWE women's tag team champions, especially as better tandems on Raw overshadow them.

Sky and Kai were ready to carry the belts for the long haul. They are connected to the hottest angle in the women's division, and it would have instantly elevated the titles to be associated with their group alongside Bayley.

The division does not have to fall into the background after this, but the booking here leaves WWE in a dicey spot where it will be a lot harder to keep these champions relevant.

Seth Rollins Must Win at Clash at the Castle

Seth Rollins may be the best overall performer in WWE today. From his in-ring work that includes multiple match-of-the-year contenders this year to his scathing promos, he makes an impression every week.

The 36-year-old lost his feud with Cody Rhodes badly, but that made sense. The American Nightmare was on the rise following his WWE return and needed momentum.

Matt Riddle, who had his first name returned to him this week, is a very talented performer with a high upside, but he is still not at the same level as Rollins.

WWE needs to establish a new hierarchy at the top of the card. If Roman Reigns can defeat Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle, Rollins would be a perfect next challenger given the history between the two men.

If Rollins loses again at the weekend, it will take him out of world title contention for the foreseeable future, and Riddle is not ready yet to contend with any current champion.

Kurt Angle Would Make Alpha Academy Special

Kurt Angle and Alpha Academy fit each other like a glove.

While The Olympic Gold Medalist may have had issues with Chad Gable and Otis on Monday night, it is just too right not to eventually pair them up together.

Gable has been fantastic in recent weeks, and that continued on Raw. He and Otis challenged The Street Profits in a wild tag team match that was the best of the night.

The problem is Alpha Academy need legitimacy to rise back up the ranks. Angle can be the missing piece to give the group a new air.

It is always good to perform at a high level in the ring, but it is more important to get back to title contention and pay-per-view representation.

Gable and Angle have rotated around each other for too long. It's time to commit to one of the easiest stories WWE will ever tell.

Eventual Reunion of Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens Will Be WWE's Best Story of 2023

Sami Zayn has been the MVP of SmackDown for much of 2022, holding down the fort when Roman Reigns is off TV. And the two men are now telling the most interesting story in WWE.

That tale gained a new wrinkle on Raw when Zayn interacted with his old friend, Kevin Owens, and an unintentional distraction set up The Prizefighter for a win against Jey Uso.

The Usos continue to question The Master Strategist, which will likely lead to Zayn challenging the WWE undisputed tag team champions. If he is going to go after the tag titles, though, he will need the best partner.

He and KO have been constantly connected over the years, and it's time to commit to what makes them special. They are among the best in WWE and can make any storyline work.

This is a story with The Bloodline that can be the highlight of Raw and SmackDown. Years of buildup connected to the biggest stable WWE has build in decades, it will be the story of 2023 when the time is just right.