RAW 1000: Highlighting the Good, Bad & Ugly from WWE's Historic Episode

With the 1,000th episode of RAW out of the way, the WWE Universe has plenty to think about coming out of the company’s latest crown jewel.

The fans got the egregious nostalgia pops left and right all night, but there was surprisingly more substance to the show than most of the WWE Universe had anticipated. That was a very good thing.

For as stellar as this show was, there were some equally terrible moments that left the fans wondering why WWE felt the need to include it.

Whether you loved RAW 1,000 or not, this list will provide you with the good, the bad and the ugly of the Monday night extravaganza. Enjoy!

The Good

Examples: CM Punk’s heel turn, Undertaker’s return, Triple H and Brock, The Miz

While many jaded wrestling fans were ready to call this show a complete failure, the WWE did some great things that make the fans want to tune in for RAW 1,001. That was something I was very skeptical that they could pull off.

With CM Punk retaining his title and smashing The Rock to turn heel, it capped off a night that already featured the Undertaker’s return, Triple H and Brock Lesnar agreeing to fight with help from Stephanie McMahon and Paul Heyman and The Miz winning the Intercontinental Championship.

It was a pretty great night.

The best moment of the night, though, was when Mae Young showed up outside AJ and Layla’s dressing room with her full grown son, The Hand. Big thanks to WWE for bringing that storyline full circle.

The Bad

Examples: Degeneration-X, Daniel Bryan and AJ’s Wedding, Lita and Heath Slater

Like it or not, there were some aspects of RAW that should and could have been great, but instead came out flat and didn’t resonate. This is the stuff that would’ve been seen on a normal RAW.

Starting from the very beginning, everything that Degeneration-X did was fun, but it wasn’t that funny or memorable. If it wasn’t for the New Age Outlaws, no one would have cared; we’re tired of seeing Shawn Michaels and Triple H reunite the band.

In another disappointing segment, what could have been a great moment for the RAW 1,000 scrap books with the Daniel Bryan and AJ wedding turned into one of the oddest decisions in WWE history; AJ is the new General Manager.

As great as having The Rock, Punk and Bryan in the same ring was for everyone, it doesn’t make up for the blown off storyline between AJ and Bryan. That wasn’t a very good payoff.

Just when we thought the mediocre was over, Heath Slater’s music hits and we’re flung right back to reality. While the WWE Universe expected this segment to be the huge payoff, Lita came out with APA and were fine, but not RAW 1000 worthy.

The Ugly

Examples: No Stone Cold Steve Austin, Jim Ross on commentary, Charlie Sheen

There was no bigger issue coming out of WWE’s 1,000th episode of RAW than the lack of an appearance by the biggest superstar in the company’s history, Stone Cold Steve Austin.

The fact that Austin wasn’t there in any way—minus a video package they played earlier in the night—no matter what the issue was, was the biggest botch of the night.

Even worse than Undertaker’s hood botch.

As for the other ugly moments of the night, the triumphant return of Jim Ross was buried in a six-man tag match that featured seven minutes of the most awkward commentating in WWE history.

I was honestly glad when good ol’ JR was kicked off the mic.

The worst thing of the entire night, though, was the presence of Charlie Sheen. As much as the mainstream exposure this could possibly get Daniel Bryan is great, my hatred for all things #winning made this unbearable.

There were some great spots Monday, but there were some very obvious flaws.

Check back for more on the World Wrestling Entertainment as it comes, and visit Bleacher Report’s Wrestling Page to get your fill of WWE/TNA. For more Wrestling talk, listen to Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics you just can’t miss (some language NSFW).

Follow @Donald_Wood

Listen to internet radio with RingRustRadio on Blog Talk Radio