What We Learned from Monday's Edition of Raw

So, Monday night saw the first Raw following the Survivor Series pay-per-view, and with some buildup already starting to be put in place for the TLC show in three weeks, things are moving on at a steady pace in the WWE.

Monday's show, in all fairness, really wasn't the best, but we have new storylines to take from the show—even if they aren't the most exciting or innovative.

There were some moments that caught the eye, though, including yet more momentum for an ever-growing Superstar and an interesting twist to an existing rivalry.

But what did we learn from the show in Long Island Monday night? Lets take a look and try and find out how the WWE can move forward from a distinctly average Raw show this Monday.

Is the Miz a Heel? Is He a Face? Do We Really Care?

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Even though they've been going at it for a couple of weeks now, the feud between The Miz and Kofi Kingston is one that is in limbo at this moment in time.

Who is supposed to be the heel in this rivalry? Is there supposed to be one? After The Miz turned on Kingston on Raw last week, many people believed this to be the start of a heel turn. That looked to be well in place when he and Titus O'Neill cut a promo on guest host Michael Strahan on Raw last night.

At the end of the segment, though, Miz, O'Neill and Strahan finished the angle as best friends, leaving Miz looking like a babyface once again.

The match between Miz and Kingston was equally as confusing in terms of who is supposed to be portraying which role.

It'll be interesting to see if creative try and spice things up by having a definitive bad guy in the coming weeks.

Why Are Ryback and Curtis Axel Still Teaming Together?

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When the WWE takes Paul Heyman off TV, does it think we just forget everything that he has ever done?

His two most recent "Paul Heyman guys," Curtis Axel and Ryback, were again thrown together haphazardly for a match against Mark Henry and Big E Langston on Raw.

Whilst Langston and Henry impressed, the fact Axel and Ryback were teaming up again seemed peculiar, to say the least. Creative could have a good thing going in putting Ryback up against Henry—he seems to be scratching around for opponents of late, and the returning Henry would be a useful feud for Ryback.

As for Axel, I'm not quite sure what the future holds for him now. He certainly won't be picking the strap up from Langston any time soon.

Sandow and Ziggler Impress Yet Again

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When Damien Sandow cut a promo before his match with Dolph Ziggler, he uttered some words that most wrestling fans could believe to be true.

"I'm better than this."

Gimmicky, pathetic "fan-voted" matches are really beneath Sandow—and Ziggler for that matter. However, once again, they managed to pull off an entertaining spectacle in the middle of the card.

In fact, it probably had a claim for match of the evening. Both men used the stipulation to their advantage, with Sandow ultimately picking up the victory.

Even though both men are marooned in the middle of the card right now, they are serving up an interesting rivalry for the fans. You're guaranteed some entertaining wrestling, at the very least.

The Wyatt Madness Continues

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In my Raw preview yesterday, I suggested that CM Punk and Daniel Bryan would go on to continue feuding with the Wyatt family. It seemed like the only logical place they could go at the moment, and that looks like it will happen.

Their handicap match Monday night was an enjoyable match to watch, and it even finished under interesting circumstances.

Although the Wyatts were disqualified at the end, their kidnapping of Daniel Bryan added a new, unique twist to this pretty cool rivalry.

It'll be interesting to see where they go next with it.

If the Unification Goes Ahead as Planned, There Can Only Be One Winner

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And that man is Randy Orton.

Many people will undoubtedly be split on whether unifying the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships is a good thing.

If Orton and John Cena's planned match at TLC actually is completed without any interruptions or bizarre endings to keep both titles alive and kicking, Orton is the only man who can win.

He is beginning to thrive in his role as face of the company and is once again excelling as a superb heel.

His momentum must be allowed to continue right on through into WrestleMania season. Cena can generate reactions from the crowd no matter whom he fights. This is not the time for Cena to be a unified champion.

Giving Orton the straps would open up the opportunity for some of WWE's best faces to step up and challenge him.

Roman Reigns Is Destined for the Very Top

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As if having him as the last man standing at Survivor Series wasn't enough, WWE once again signaled its intentions for Roman Reigns by having him clean up again during Monday's edition of Raw.

Reigns is going places, that cannot be denied. However, it may not be in the near future.

Although The Shield was supposed to be splitting, the group is once again stepping up to the plate, and it continues to grow as the best stable in the company.

The difference is, Reigns is now at the forefront of The Shield. For the majority of this year, it has been Dean Ambrose who has occupied that role.

Whether the split happens imminently or further down the line remains to be seen. However, Reigns once again displayed his talents with a ferocious number of spears on Raw.

The future is bright for Roman Reigns.