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. But was it enough?
It should be noted that there were a few more uploads aside from what you will see before. As always, we had both NXT and Superstars, which were reviewed elsewhere on the site. We also saw the entire fifth season of Total Divas added to the service. Additionally, we had Monday Night RAW episodes from 2004 and 2005 continue to to be added, with both years looking to be finished by the beginning of April. But what else was added? And how was it? Let’s take a look:
RAW Pre-Show
The RAW Pre-Show really delivered this week. While I acknowledge that with an already long three hour RAW, an extra half an hour of programming can be a bit much, the RAW Pre-Show does something special. The panel of hosts, Scott Stanford, David Otunga, Corey Graves, and Booker T discuss the happenings in WWE, but more importantly, they analyze what’s happening and makes it feel more realistic and adds depth to the stories.
And this episode? It featured a lot of talk of the upcoming brand extension, which is a lot of fun. My favorite part had to be David Otunga suggesting one brand have tag titles and the other have six man tag titles. I think that could be something really interesting. Give this show a chance, at least for background noise. It can actually help your enjoyment of angles or characters a lot.
WWE 24
This. This, this this. Watch this. WWE 24 is a documentary series that thus far has delivered every single time with something special, and this is no different. The Seth Rollins themed WWE 24 has to be one of the best yet, if not the best yet. And not only because of the story, but also because of the fantastic production behind it.
Watch Seth Rollins, his peers from the past and present, his family, and his doctors discuss his injury, his recovery, and his return. This includes footage of his career prior to WWE, childhood videos, and even a look at his wrestling school. While many feel keeping him a heel is misguided, this might not exactly help that notion as people are likely to come out of this even bigger fans of “The Man”. This is must see
Camp WWE
Well, this looks like the end. At least for now. The WWE advertised five episodes for season 1 of Camp WWE and with this being the fifth episode and no indication of another episode coming soon, it seems likely the season is over for now. Of course, there is no need to worry as other episodes were certainly recorded, and it seems likely out of the 10 or so episodes WWE ordered, five were split into season one with another split into season two.
As for the season finale, it really delivered. While the show is obviously not for everybody and viewer discretion is certainly advised, I feel like the show has only gotten better and better over time. And the good news is if you haven’t dove into the show already, you can really start at any point as there isn’t a regular story where you have to watch in order. So I say maybe start with this one to see the antics of Mr. McMahon quitting Camp WWE because of Steve Austin and Nikki Bella trying to “fix” Bray Wyatt. You even get some obscure or dated wrestling references. Fun!
Table For 3
Table For 3, which happens to be in the most recent poll for the best WWE Network Original Series, is consistently one of the best shows on the WWE Network. Three individuals sitting down and telling stories makes for a very fun 20-30 minute program, and honestly, we could probably have it last longer and it would still be excellent.
And this week was great with Edge and Christian making their WWE Network return along with Mick Foley, discussing some of the most fun moments of the Attitude Era, their goofy comedy. The one drawback to this episode is Mick Foley telling a story he told on the podcast just two days prior, but with this being taped almost two months ago, you can’t really blame anybody. Watch this.
This Week In WWE
This Week in WWE hasn’t changed much for the 383 episodes we’ve had thus far. This edition of the series took place after Extreme Rules. As a result, the focus on the program was on that event and the fallout that occurred on RAW. Most notably, that means the focus was on Seth Rollins’ WWE return. Beyond that, it looked at the Money in the Bank qualifiers. TWIWWE isn’t something I recommend, but if you skip RAW or have children, it could be a useful program.
Main Event
Main Event 189 took place on May 10th of this year and it was between Payback 2016 and Extreme Rules 2016. The most notable thing about this episode of Main Event is the very obvious NXT influence. With NXT talent in every match, the new era was very evident. I won’t pretend this was an amazing episode or anything, but it was solid enough. Still, the recap can be a bit much when you’re almost three weeks behind. I won’t recommend Main Event until we get it back to a more regular schedule.
Match List
Curtis Axel (with Bo Dallas) vs. Big Cass
Apollo Crews vs. Stardust
Baron Corbin vs. Zack Ryder
RAW
RAW 1196 aired on April 25th of this year and it was.. okay. It was the build to Payback and truth be told, the episode wasn’t particularly good or memorable. While the first three matches look like they’d all be quite good, nothing really felt stand out and the show was just kind of there. I’d say skip this, and it definitely isn’t worth re-watching if you’ve already seen it.
Match List
AJ Styles vs. Sheamus
The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso) vs. The Club (Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows)
Rusev vs. Sami Zayn
Apollo Crews vs. Stardust
Natalya vs. Emma
Alberto Del Rio vs. Roman Reigns
Smackdown
This episode of Smackdown was the 871st episode and it aired on April 28th of this year. The show featured a champion versus champion main event, but the big story had to be the end of a faction. It also had an episode of the Ambrose Asylum, if that interests you. While the show isn’t must see, I recommend watching this over RAW for sure. It probably isn’t worth re-watching, though.
Match List
The League of Nations (Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, and Rusev) vs. Kalisto, Sami Zayn, and Cesaro
Damien Sandow vs. Baron Corbin
Enzo Amore and Big Cass vs. The Social Outcasts (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel)
Apollo Crews vs. Stardust
The Miz vs. Roman Reigns
Closing Thoughts
This was a really strong week in terms of WWE Network additions. We had the season finale of Camp WWE, a great Table For 3, a great WWE 24, then a new collection, a ton of RAWs, Total Divas, and more
It is difficult to complain much, but this week might be slower. Or so you’d think, as we now know that the entire second season of Swerved is being added to the WWE Network next Monday. Add in, potentially, the start of a new drop, and we may very well have plenty of content still to come.
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!