Another week means more WWE Network additions are here! Like every week, we had several items added to the video on demand library, while we also had some original content. This time, we had a Beyond the Ring episode along with an episode of WWE 24 that replaced the weekly episode of the Edge and Christian Show we’ve been having.
As always, there were more uploads than just what you see below. This includes the latest episode of NXT, which was reviewed here. This also includes the latest edition of WWE Superstars, which was reviewed here. Also not listed are episodes of RAW from 2002 and 2003 which hit the service, with more expected throughout the week.
RAW Pre-Show
The RAW Pre-Show this week set up a RAW match once again. This time, a backstage interview led to an argument between Zack Ryder and Chris Jericho, which then led to a match for RAW. I won’t spoil what happened, but this was certainly meaningful if nothing else and I like to see that more often.
The usual panel for the RAW Pre-Show was here as well with Corey Graves, Scott Stanford, David Otunga, and Booker T as they discussed the latest happenings in the WWE and previewing the final RAW before Wrestlemania. The show isn’t must see, but it is good background noise as always.
WWE 24
This! This was emotion. I warn you, you may need a box of tissues when you watch this. This was just, amazing. WWE 24 as a documentary series is so well done. Fantastic television and the production is stellar. Quite frankly, it deserves a lot more attention than it gets as a whole. I assume it being so irregular is why it doesn’t, but it pretty much never lets down.
Daniel Bryan and his retirement is the subject of this one, and it is just so emotional. A man who put his entire well being on the line for wrestling. But this isn’t just a sad story. It celebrates Bryan. It thanks Daniel Bryan. There will be laughs and tears, but I highly recommend everybody go out of their way to watch this 40 minute documentary. You won’t regret it.
Beyond The Ring
WWE Beyond The Ring has returned after almost a year! And the DVD they added is a big one. Sting: Into The Light was the Sting documentary released last year that we had a First Look for on the WWE Network already.
Needless to say, this is pretty exciting for a lot of reasons. For one, it is a newer documentary that many still haven’t seen. Another reason? This hopefully will mean Beyond the Ring will become somewhat regular again as there are tons of DVDs yet to hit the service.
Regardless, this is a great documentary. I really enjoyed watching it last year and if you haven’t already, you probably should. It gives some nice insight on Sting and more than that it gives insight on his WWE signing and the build up to his Wrestlemania match. If you like Sting or just interesting stories, this is probably for you.
This Week In WWE
This Week In WWE is the same each week. It covers the latest happenings. This means if you watch the product regularly, the show likely won’t appeal to you much. However if you don’t, this show is a good way to be clued into the big events and stories. With Wrestlemania so close, a show like this is a great way to catch up on information you may not know.
This week focuses on Roman Reigns and his feud with Triple H along with The Undertaker’s feud with Shane McMahon. It is very McMahon-centered, which can be good or bad depending on your opinion of the three (four including Triple H). But it may be worth watching anyway, as it is well produced.
Main Event
Main Event for this week is from March 8th and it was the 180th edition. This episode of Main Event was solid. The divas feud going into Wrestlemania was worked on while WWE acknowledged the issues betwen Paige and Natalya. We had a Social Outcasts promo. And of course, we had a really good opener. Zack Ryder and Tyler Breeze both kill it when given a chance and they performed quite well out there.
Match List
Tyler Breeze vs. Zack Ryder
Bo Dallas (with the Social Outcasts, Curtis Axel, Adam Rose, and Heath Slater) vs. Ryback
Naomi and Tamina vs. Natalya and Paige
RAW
This episode of RAW was a big one, as it featured the return of Shane McMahon! Needless to say, this was a big deal and fans exploded for it. This episode of RAW was from February 22nd and it was the 1187th episode of the series and it is worth watching for that moment alone. The rest of the show was hit or miss, but don’t skip the beginning.
Match List
The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara) and Neville vs. New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods)
The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso) vs. The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor)
Chris Jericho and AJ Styles vs. The Social Outcasts (Curtis Axel and Adam Rose, with Heath Slater and Bo Dallas)
The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Erick Rowan with Braun Strowman) vs. Ryback, Kane, and Big Show
Naomi (with Tamina) vs. Sasha Banks
Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns
Smackdown
This episode of Smackdown aired on February 25th of this year and it was the 862nd episode of the series. Smackdown is such a good show and we had a special appearance by Triple H discussing Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. Beyond that, we just had some fun matches and stories. Smackdown really is better than RAW most weeks, I feel, so I will almost always say to give the show a shot.
Match List
The League of Nations (Sheamus, King Barrett, Rusev, and Alberto Del Rio) vs. Neville, Dolph Ziggler, and The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara)
Jimmy Uso (with Jey Uso) vs. D-Von Dudley (with Bubba Ray Dudley)
Kevin Owens vs. Big Show
Natalya vs. Becky Lynch
Heath Slater (with The Social Outcasts, Bo Dallas, Adam Rose, and Curtis Axel) vs. R-Truth
New Day (Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E) vs. AJ Styles, Chris Jericho, and Mark Henry
Closing Thoughts
Not a bad week, right? Sure, we only had one more piece of original content than usual, but Beyond The Ring being back is excellent! Add in a fantastic WWE 24 and the week was quite strong overall.
Looking ahead, next week is going to be stacked with more original content than you can likely handle, so expect an extra WWE Network additions post or two! Add in Wrestlemania, the WWE Hall of Fame, and NXT Takeover, and we are being overwhelmed with new content and it is fantastic! While that pace won’t be kept after this week, I do hope they keep an increased pace, either way.
Stick to WWE Network News for more WWE Network news, reviews, and previews! Also be sure to follow me on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/AWWENetworkGuy and to join in on the discussion with your opinions, predictions, and desires about the WWE Network!