This Week In WWE

• Stephanie kicked off the show by saying how the night was all about Asuka, but really it was screen time for her. Rejoice. Sasha also thinks she is ready for Asuka. Nope.
• Braun Strowman qualified for the Elimination Chamber by beating Kane in a Last Man Standing match after he overturned part of the stage onto him. 
• Kurt Angle was furious that Braun had stopped Kane from standing, seemingly oblivious to the fact that he booked that exact stipulation. 
• Elias also qualified for the Elimination Chamber when he beat Matt Hardy thanks to Wyatt being Wyatt.
• The Miz faced Reigns in an IC Title rematch that went way too long to finish with a bullshit cheap finish. Don't ask me to get invested for that shit. The match was solid until that though.
• The Revival continue the slow climb to freedom with a win over Slater and Rhyno.
• The Dudley Boys are going into the Hall of Fame. Good decision.
• Asuka and Sasha had a very good match but unfortunately Sasha definitely died after messing up a suicide dive. That or she has a diamond skeleton. Asuka won to push one step closer to 200 straight wins.
• The Bar beat Titus Worldwide in a tag title match. There was a rough looking rana spot near the end but it was decent enough.
• Kane apparently crawled out of the local medical facility. Someone isn't doing their job.
• John Cena beat Finn Balor to qualify for the Chamber. The match wasn't as good as I had hoped it would be but it was solid. Cena's mannerisms were excellent though and he sold his increasing anger very well. 
• Overall Raw was alright. It has definitely been worse in recent times.

• Nakamura talked about his Rumble win but was interrupted by Owens and Zayn, and then Styles. They set up a tag match for the main event. It was okay I suppose.
• Rusev became the new number 1 contender to the US Title by winning a fatal 4-way. The world is a slightly better place. 
• Bryan books Owens vs Zayn in a number 1 contender match for next week.
• The Usos cut a promo about putting the division on lock. It's very good. 
• The Bludgeoning continues.
• Daniel Bryan announced a new concept called the Smackdown Top 10. I await further information.
• There was a segment where Charlotte talked about Rousey and WrestleMania. She was interrupted by the Riott Squad, who talked shit and beat her down. It wasn't particularly good. 
• Carmella tries to cash in but accidentally knocks out the ref.
• Nakamura trolls Styles about taking his title at Mania.
• Baron Corbin beat Tye Dillinger in a match that was pointless and crap.
• Gable & Benjamin beat Breezango in a quick effort that just felt rushed and poorly thought out. 
• The main event tag match was more match shaped angle than actual match. Considering the talent of those involved it felt like they were going through the motions.
• Smackdown returns to being an aimless ship floating listlessly on a sea of mediocrity. 

• The show started with Daniel Bryan announcing Drake Maverick, formerly Rockstar Spud, as the new GM of 205 Live. I like the move, he is good on the mic and has had success in similar roles in the past. 
• The new cruiserweight champion will be decided in a tournament, with the final taking place at WrestleMania.
• The first match saw Cedric Alexander beat Gran Metalik in a very good match. Alexander was the right winner here but I do wish that Metalik would get more exposure as he is a fantastic wrestler.
• Drew Gulak still wants a better 205 Live. 
• There are a number of interviews with people claiming they will be the new champion. 
• The main event saw TJP beat Tyler Bate to advance in the tournament. The match was very good, as you would expect. I do wish that Bate would have won here but that didn't take away from my enjoyment. 
• This week's 205 Live was surprisingly excellent. I am looking forward to the rest of the tournament.

• As is customary, this show featured the matches taped before TakeOver, with some highlights of the matches from that show.
• Nikki Cross beat Lacey Evans. Evans did some nice heel work here but she lost in short order. 
• There was a series of interviews that were filmed after TakeOver.
• The returning TM-61 beat the Ealy Brothers in a match that served as a rehab of sorts.
• The main event saw Roderick Strong become the new number 1 contender to the UK Title by beating Tyler Bate. The match was very good but had it been given a few more minutes it could have been great. 
• Overall the show was good for a post-TakeOver episode.

Show of the Week - 205 Live

205 Live was great fun this week. The matches were good, the promos worked and it never came close to outstaying it's welcome. I will be more than happy with more of this.