Wrestling veteran and former WWE head writer Vince Russo expressed dissatisfaction with the latest WWE RAW episode featuring John Cena, delivering a critical John Cena WWE RAW review. This week’s show took place at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, where Cena addressed fans ahead of his upcoming match against Brock Lesnar. Other wrestlers present included CM Punk, AJ Lee, Seth Rollins, Becky Lynch, Jey Uso, and LA Knight.
Highlights and Underwhelming Moments of the Broadcast
During the episode of Legion of RAW, Russo described the show as largely a filler prior to the upcoming premium live event, Wrestlepalooza. He remarked that Cena’s promo came across as unproductive, serving mostly to use airtime without advancing storylines. Russo also voiced disappointment with a mixed tag team segment, in which four wrestlers spent an extended time in the ring but executed only a single impactful move. Furthermore, he criticized WWE’s ongoing buildup between IYO SKY and Asuka, which he said has dragged on with no satisfying resolution after several weeks.
“You had the promo with Cena, which was a big, fat nothing burger. Then you had the mixed tag, you had them four in the ring, talking forever with one move of heat. Then they did the flip flop with LA Knight and Jey. They did the flip flop of last week. The IYO SKY and Asuka thing has been going on for three months. This is just the absolutely easiest booking they can possibly do.”
— Vince Russo, former WWE head writer (quoted via Sportskeeda)
Setting the Stage for Wrestlepalooza
This edition of RAW served as the final episode before Wrestlepalooza, WWE’s historic premium live event scheduled for Saturday, September 20. The event will air on ESPN within the United States and on Netflix internationally, building anticipation for several major matches, including Cena versus Lesnar. Despite the event’s significance, Russo’s analysis suggests the current storytelling approach lacks energy and creativity.
The Implications of Russo’s Review on WWE’s Booking Approach
Vince Russo’s strong remarks highlight ongoing concerns about WWE’s creative direction, especially in the lead-up to marquee events like Wrestlepalooza. His description of the booking as “the easiest” possible points to a perception of stagnation in storyline development. While WWE rallies its roster of top talent such as CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Becky Lynch for upcoming shows, sustaining compelling narratives remains crucial for fan engagement. How WWE responds to this feedback could shape audience reception of Wrestlepalooza and future programming.
