Kurt Angle, Enzo Amore and How the Art of Mystery Is Making WWE Raw Fun Again

Kurt Angle and Enzo Amore's stories on WWE Raw are generating intrigue outside of the ropes with nary a superkick issued.

The red brand's general manager and its resident smack-talker are both embroiled in mysterious situations, unanswered questions swirling around them like flies. This bit of unpredictability on an often formulaic show has been a refreshing change.

Guessing what's up with Angle and who is out for Amore has been as fun as watching it all unfold.

Raw is at its best when it offers a variety of narratives—comedy and drama co-existing, tales of angry men standing side by side with more theatrical fare. We're seeing Raw embrace this approach with Angle and Amore bringing a touch of mystery to the product.

Amore has twice found himself out cold backstage in recent weeks.

An unknown assailant blindsided The Michael Jordan of Jargon. His tag team partner Big Cass has been quick to come to his friend's aid. The attacks have enraged the powerhouse and left fans wondering who is behind this.

Many pointed fingers at The Revival after the tag team was seen exiting the backstage area after the first attack. WWE has smartly stirred up that speculation by addressing it in an interview. 

It's easy to buy into The Revival as the attackers. The duo is notoriously vicious and has enjoyed leaving rivals lying be it in the ring or in a parking lot.

In fact, Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder attacked Amore last February at NXT.

But they aren't the only suspects. Hints that Cass may actually be the triggerman have emerged. Announcer Corey Graves has implied he did it, for one.

And the angry way Cass has denied the accusations may be a sign he's overcompensating.

Raw complicated things on Monday night when Big Cass apparently fell victim to an attack himself. A referee discovered him flat on his face under a pile of debris.

Cass silently showed his buddy an Amore-style gold chain he found next to him. The fast-talking babyface denied ambushing his tag team partner, but there was obvious distrust in the air at that point.

It's less clear who is responsible. The Revival remain suspects. Cass could have faked the latest attack. It could be someone else entirely.

Theories have popped up all over the internet, including this one from Matt Fowler of IGN:

This story has evoked the audience's curiosity. It's given Amore and Cass needed direction. And it entices one to stick around from week to week to see the truth emerge.

That's been the case with Angle, as well.

Ahead of the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, Graves leaped up from the announcer's desk in the middle of Raw. Something he saw on his phone clearly disturbed him. He hurried to the back to show Angle.

The two revealed little in their exchange, but the GM was obviously made uneasy about the situation before him.

PWP Nation was among those pulled in right away by this story:

Raw offered a unique moment here. We're simply not used to seeing announcers tear themselves from their duty in the middle of the action like that. Graves' sudden exit created a sense of urgency to this story.

Something serious and significant was happening. And that's not something one can always say about Raw.

On Monday's Raw, the mystery situation upended the status quo again. Angle pulled Graves from commentary to have a private conversation with him.

Angle spent much of the show in a daze, pacing around the arena with his eyes locked on his phone.

Could Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon be sending Angle upsetting messages? Could Graves be playing the GM in an attempt to usurp his power? Is this all about Braun Strowman threatening Angle and the Raw roster?

By revealing just enough to keep us interested, WWE has left fans brimming with questions.

An authority figure and an announcer have stepped out of their standard place in the red brand's landscape. Drama is building. It's unclear where this is all leading, and Raw is better off as a result.

In fact, the guys at The New Age Insiders podcast believe it's the best thing on the show today:

Both that story and Amore's tale have been different and purposeful. They have taken a patient route to their climaxes. WWE is offering its audience a trail of breadcrumbs that will eventually lead to the truth.

That process has made Raw a more absorbing product.

WWE must keep this up in the coming weeks, doling out clues and cliffhangers. The audience is hooked. The red brand is buzzing.