WWE Raw 1001: Chaos, Confusion, Calamity and Comebacks

WWE Raw 1001 was an unsuccessful attempt to continue the steam that developed from the previous episode. While this is most likely due to all of last week's guest appearances, it still had something to work with to make this first regular three hour edition a stand-out.

Here are some of the issues that made this episode lackluster:

The Pyro Mishap

OK, something happened with the pyro before the show, but is there really a point of over-emphasizing it throughout the entire show? I can see mentioning it once, maybe even twice, but continuing to mention it was a waste of program time.

In all actuality, there have been Raw episodes that have not started with pyro, and the only spot that would have had pyro was Jericho's entrance, so we could have been spared the multiple moments of recollection.

Santino Must Be Dethroned as U.S. Champion and Fast

Don't get me wrong—I'm a fan of Santino. However, I'm a bigger fan of the prestige of the US Title. Since he won the title in March, he has made a mockery of the title, and I'm sure Sting, Dusty Rhodes, Lex Luger, Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat wouldn't be so happy about where their paved roads to the legacy of the title have led.

There are so many other Superstars that would be a better option than Santino to hold that championship. Heck, even Heath Slater could bring back more prestige to the title than Santino is right now.

Did We Really Need All the Psych Exam Segments?

The first segment where Daniel Bryan talked to little Jimmy and then kicked him outside the ring just to criticize R-Truth for talking to an imaginary person was contradictory, but funny. Even the men in white were fine for the sake of Daniel Bryan being looney.

But did we really have to see the multiple psych exam segments?

It's a classic case of a time-filler. If all this led to Kane attacking Bryan, it could have been done with one segment.

I surely hope this isn't a sign of what to expect within the three hours of future shows. If so, it is going to be rough.

What Happened to the Tag-Team Division?

Earlier this year, we saw a potential revival of the tag team division, with more of a spotlight on the very good quality matches exhibited by the likes of R-Truth/Kofi Kingston, Primo/Epico, Hunico/Camacho, Justin Gabriel/Tyson Kidd and the Usos.

While it seems like the Prime Time Players were a great addition to the tag scene, they may have just halted it. Yes, they are probably the most charismatic team right now, but what we see every week regarding the tag title picture is starting to get boring.

There is a chance for the momentum to come back, but it doesn't seem like it is a huge concern for the WWE to do so right now.

AJ as GM Is Just Not Going to Work

If anything, AJ's role as the new general manager for Raw has tamed the zany character that grew on most of us. Her interactions with Daniel Bryan and CM Punk throughout the show weren't even a shadow of what we have seen throughout the past few months.

One must consider how long this GM tenure will be, because it just doesn't fit her. She is trying to blend serious professionalism with calculated but child-like unpredictability—oil and water.

Raw 1001 was not a good start for AJ as GM. Although is wasn't an epic fail, someone else must replace her in that position.

Paul Heyman, anyone?

On a lighter note—the Randy Orton return was well-written, and the Chris Jericho/Christian vs. Miz/Dolph Ziggler as well as Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan matches were very good.

What are your Raw 1001 thoughts? Comment civilly below.

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