Why Is No One Excited For WWE Roadblock?

WWE Roadblock is tonight, and you’d be hard pressed to find someone that is truly excited for it.

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Sure most fans will watch it, and there will undoubtedly be some good wrestling during the show, but for some reason, there doesn’t seem to be any fire to his pay-per-view, and it’s a bit perplexing as to why.

Okay, maybe not so perplexing actually. There are a few factors that leave this pay-per-view feeling a bit stale before it’s even had the chance to debut, especially when you compare it to a pay-per-view that just took place two weeks ago in TLC. By comparison, there was a bigger sense of momentum going into Smackdown Live’s pay-per-view that this Monday Night RAW pay-per-view simply doesn’t have.

The attempt to narrow that down has resulted in four reasons why no one is excited for WWE Roadblock.

Sami Zayn Is Being Wasted Right Now

NXT fans were elated when Sami Zayn was brought up to the main roster, but an unfortunate injury set him back a spell. After that though it’s been relatively smooth sailing, and he’s managed to win the crowd over with his athletic ability and genuine charisma.

Unfortunately, that talent is being wasted in a feud against Braun Strowman.

This is a feud that seemingly no one wanted, and feels more like offering Zayn something to do while others who match up better against him are finishing up their programs. It’s a survival match where Zayn has to last ten minutes in the ring with Strowman, but it’s going to be a miracle if the two of them can keep viewers engaged for that long.

WWE-Roadblock-Zayn-Strowman — (Photo: WWE)

Sasha And Charlotte Fatigue

The Women’s Championship back and forth between Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks has been phenomenal, so no complaints there.

Unfortunately for Monday Night RAW, they’ve not been able to develop (or even give much screen time) to the other feuds in the Women’s division, and it’s resulted in a bit of Sasha and Charlotte fatigue.

The Iron Man match has the potential to be amazing, and the two superstars haven’t put on a bad match yet, but without any other feuds to engage in, it makes it seem as if they’re the only game in town, and fans are starting to tire of the setup. It’s important that, at least for awhile, this feud comes to an end after Roadblock, leaving them both free to enter other programs. The RAW roster has plenty of talent, but no one will care if they don’t invest in it.

WWE-Roadblock-Sasha-Charlotte — (Photo: WWE)

Stale Championships

Speaking of Championships, the belts on Monday Night RAW just seem incredibly stale. Kevin Owens is fine as the Universal Champ, but it doesn’t legitimately feel like Reigns has a chance to win here. Aside from the back and forth of Sasha vs Charlotte, the belts feel firmly entrenched.

It would be fantastic if Cesaro and Sheamus took the belts from The New Day, but WWE seems intent on keeping the straps in their possession. The problem with RAW is that even if The New Day loses their belts, or Roman takes the Universal Championship off of Owens, they’ll just switch the belts back on the next night’s RAW thanks to their 50/50 booking.

There needs to be a sense that anything can happen in regards to the belts for these to succeed, and so far RAW doesn’t have that.

WWE-Roadblock-Tag-Team-Champs — (Photo: WWE)

Lack Of Real Weight

Actually, the real problem is that in comparison the RAW-centric pay-per-views just dont’ feel like they mean anything in the big picture.

So far the RAW pay-per-view experience just feels shock and awe for the sake of doing so, allowing the creative team to backtrack the next night. Someone might cost Owens the championship at Roadblock, but Monday Night RAW will just give it right back, never allowing anything to sit and marinate organically.

By comparison, even if belts or championships don’t change hands, Smackdown Live pay-per-views feel weighty, as if the characters evolve in some way or as part of an ongoing storyline. They feel like investments in the brand’s characters, and RAW needs to find a bit of that magic for themselves.

WWE Roadblock airs on the WWE Network Sunday night.