Isenberg Reacts: WWE RAW “Welcome To The Future”

July 26, 2016

Looking at RAW Live in Pittsburgh

This article is going to be a little different this week, as I had the opportunity to watch it live in Pittsburgh.

The night was extremely important, seeing if WWE would be able to fill five hours of television time with a roster cut in half. We would see two squash matches, as Braun Strowman and Nia Jax picked up victories against two local talents. Although I am not against squash matches, I just do not see the point of WWE putting a 150 pound guy or 100 pound girl in the ring with someone twice their size. Establishing power and intensity is one thing, but becoming extremely outlandish is not interesting television.

Braun has a new(ish) look and I think he will get lost before he is found. Nia Jax has a better opportunity to be utilized quicker, especially with some younger and smaller women potentially needing a hand. I would not mind her actually working with a guy and establishing more of her dominant figure. I love her look and love how different she can become.

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The Mid Card Guys

Some of the mid card guys took place in two Fatal Four Way Matches to determine who would have the shot at fighting for a chance to face Seth Rollins at SummerSlam. Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Sheamus are three guys that could thrive more on Smackdown, but I like what they brought to the table tonight in their respected matches. Developing two 15-20 minute matches really helped push the show in a good direction, one that focuses on in-ring talent and skill. Where can these guys go from here? Well, I like Sami vs. Rusev could be a fun feud, one that helps Sami get legitimized and not viewed as the constant underdog. It is not like he is 175 pounds and needs to overcome all of the odds.

Cesaro is a guy that, albeit should be a world champion by now, is going to be stuck in this spot. He is really good and the crowd loved him tonight. He thrives and dies on crowd reaction. His speed and strength get him over. Sheamus is going to be tough because he has done so much already in his WWE career. He is talented, no doubt, and should be a higher profiled guy. He was the least interesting person, however, in these matches. I want him on Smackdown to get more opportunities.

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Josh controls most of the creative writing and ideas for the show on a weekly basis, as well as an on-air talent.
Aside from working with WrestleZone, Isenberg began his career in Broadcast Journalism interning at ESPN and worked with CBS Radio for three years. He has also had the opportunity to interview some of the best athletes and performers alive, including Andrew McCutchen, Ben Roethlisberger, Chris Jericho, Billy Gunn, Karl Anderson, Matt Hardy, Steven Strasburg and others.
Currently, Josh Isenberg works for Major League Baseball in their Advanced Media Productions. He grew up in Pittsburgh and went to Point Park University, which is where Chair Shot Reality is filmed each week.
His life outside of his obsession with wrestling include being a savant for Seinfeld, NFL, NBA, MLB and many television shows. He also has an undying love for musicals, which includes many shows he was a part of in high school. Some of his favorite wrestling moments can be linked to such superstars as Edge, The Rock, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and The Great Khali.

Follow @JoshIsenberg4