It could be my imagination, but I feel like creative has been a little more cohesive, and booking has been overall improved across Raw and Smackdown. It could just be because we’re nearing the Road to Wrestlemania, but I notice some serious improvements.
I’m maybe the only one (please don’t come for me), but I’m really appreciating the way Giulia in particular has been being booked for the last few weeks. While I know her winning the title back from Chelsea Green (who I’m aware has defined the US title since its inception) wasn’t a popular decision, I think she deserves another chance at a first impression on Smackdown.
While getting the gold back on her was maybe not necessary for this to happen, I’m just glad it doesn’t seem like creative is actively sabotaging her anymore. Giving her actual matches is a great first step. I was jumping up and down in my living room when they booked her to face Alexa Bliss, but audience reaction to her is still lackluster.
Here’s where it gets weird, though…I was all about her having a feud with CharLexa, since having her face Chelsea Green made little sense with them both being heels, but I did not see them also entering the tag division. I don’t hate whatever is going on with the women’s tag division, I’m just surprised, and the number one contender’s triple threat had me totally gagged.
I’m not a betting woman, or I’d be broke, but I never thought in a million years that Giulia and Kiana would win against Lash and Nia, and CharLexa. If that wasn’t weird enough, Kiana being the total standout of the match, to the point that she got the pin was just insane. I was not expecting to come out of that match thinking more of her than of Giulia. Like? I don’t even know what’s going on anymore.
I was treated to the first real sense that the two had some team chemistry when Giulia tackle-hugged Kiana after the match.
If I hadn’t seen so many of Giulia’s old Stardom matches, I’d be convinced I imagined all of the star power she seemed like she had in NXT. I feel like she’s just going through the motions during her matches sometimes, and for my sanity I really need her to snap the hell out of it.
They also let her cut a promo in Japanese, which made me happy (I know this started as a discussion about booking across both main WWE brands and devolved into a shameless Giulia rant, and I’m not sorry). I just don’t understand why haven’t let her cut her own promos until now. I’ve heard her speak English plenty of times, and she’s no worse at it than any of the other Japanese women on the main roster. How’s she supposed to connect with the audience if we don’t hear her speak?
Ok rant done (for now). As for Raw, I’ve been really interested in some of the Men’s storylines for, like, the first time ever. Usually I find them pretty skippable, not because I don’t appreciate the guys, but because I felt like creative relied on the same old ideas week in and week out. I got tired of those aimless, meandering storylines that never freaking went anywhere.
Lately, I’ve been interested in AJ Style’s and his retirement storyline against Gunther. His impending retirement makes it feel like betting the remainder of his career is a real possibility. Even though I don’t think he’ll lose, it feels like there are real stakes to this matchup, without the need for a title to be involved.
I’ve even been enjoying the direction The Vision is headed in. I didn’t see it at first, especially with how repetitive their segments got at times, but I can really see this faction being a great way to build the next generation of male talent for the company (hopefully minus Logan Paul).
Things are even looking up for Finn Balor, who I’m hoping finally gets the push he deserves. I loved his match against Punk in Belfast, and am really hoping he has an arc that culminates in him leaving the Judgment Day. None of the plotting and scheming he’s done since he ousted Rhea and Priest has resulted in anything happening at all, and with Liv back, the stable would be fine without him. It’s time he went his own way, maybe even as a face. Seeing a glimpse of that side of his personality has already convinced me he would be super over. Or maybe we’ll get the Demon, who even knows?
Well, it’s late and I’m tired, maybe I’ll have more on this later. That’s all for now!
1.27.2026