Last night provided the WWE Universe with the best Raw of the year so far as the 'New Era' following the brand split delivered several memorable and historic moments with plenty of fantastic wrestling and smart booking, so what are the 10 things we learned from the show?
10. New Era, new set, new ideas
The positive changes to Raw began before anything had even happened last night, right from the start we saw a brand new intro featuring a new song (finally) and interestingly Sasha Banks as the final image, a big moment for women's wrestling as that is a spot usually reserved for the likes of John Cena or Roman Reigns.
Not only that but the WWE finally changed the set of the show, no longer do fans have to look at boring LED screens, the look was changed and it was fresh and a major improvement. As well as that the commentary table was moved from ringside back to the top of the stage as it was in 2003, a new look that was needed.
There were other changes throughout the show too, with new camera angles, different coloured ropes, interviews pre and post match in the ring and a general focus on wrestling rather than long promos that lead to nothing, it was a great start to the show and a change that now sets Raw apart from SmackDown.
9. The Shining Stars are still employed
They're back! After having weeks of terrible vignettes and one match on TV the Shining Stars have been MIA in the WWE, other than appearing in a backstage food fight, where have they been? They must have gone back to Puerto Rico, this writer heard it's the shining star of the Caribbean. But, in all seriousness it was good to see the tag team finally be used as Epico and Primo are talented workers.
With the brand split dividing the tag team roster it is important for the WWE to use teams such as the Shining Stars and even though they were comfortably beaten (due to a Pokemon Go distraction by R Truth) hopefully this is a sign that WWE will be using them more.
8. Brock Lesnar's return date
Whilst this didn't directly impact this show, the WWE announced that the Beast, Brock Lesnar would be returning to the WWE for the first time since WrestleMania on next week's episode of Raw. This is a huge deal for the show as it is also his first public appearance since he was caught by USADA for two separate drugs incidents. Of course, Lesnar will be around to promote his upcoming match with Randy Orton but given that the Viper addressed the issue at Battleground fans will certainly tune in to hear Lesnar's side of the story, or see him send someone to Suplex City.
With Lesnar only part time his dates are going to be very important to Raw if they want to be the better show as the WWE Universe will tune in especially for him as he is a special attraction. Even though that is the only information we have at this point regarding next week's show, it is already off to a bright start.
7. Two monsters dominate
Last night saw the return of the squash match, where WWE hire local wrestlers to be subjected to an opponent's move set to sell and make them look as strong as possible. This is usually reserved for larger superstars who are portrayed as giants or monsters and this was no different.
First up was the main roster debut on Nia Jax, she's not like most girls (so her theme song tells us) but so does her look and in-ring style. Jax made short work of her opponent and if she is booked strong and dominant for several months there could be a fun feud with Sasha Banks down the road.
Second came Braun Strowman's first appearance as a singles star after being split from the Wyatt Family and he came out with a new look and song before crushing his opponent showing he is going to be a force to be reckoned with on the Raw roster.
6. The Club make a statement
Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson certainly made a point on Raw this week as they interrupted the New Day's championship celebration by taking out the trio leaving them laying before ripping their shirts and throwing them at a fan. Now they are away from AJ Styles will The Club be able to make a serious move for the tag team titles? It would certainly be a huge feud to have in time for SummerSlam.
5. A new voice for Raw
One of the best improvements made by the WWE for this week's Raw was the change to the announcement team, with NXT's own, Corey Graves making his main roster debut in his hometown. Graves provided a fresh voice and new opinions to the commentary booth and they were certainly a positive change as he brought his unique style from NXT to the main roster.
4. Neville returns in style
The man that gravity forgot, Neville made his return to action following his ankle injury that sidelined him for four months as he faced Curtis Axel who is now working under a "Mr. Irrelevant" gimmick due to being drafted last. It looked like Neville hadn't missed a beat as he worked his high flying style, finishing off with the Red Arrow. Neville could certainly be in for a major push in the WWE with the new cruiserweight division set to take place on Raw.
3. Finn Balor takes over
We saw the main roster of NXT favourite, Finn Balor this week, on his birthday (happy birthday Finn) and he certainly made an impact as the company made him look like a star right from the get-go.
Balor was instantly placed into a fatal four-way to qualify for the main event which provided him with a chance to head to SummerSlam in Raw's main event match and after winning the match he moved on to face Roman Reigns in the main event. If anybody wondered whether or not the WWE were going to make Balor a star, those queries were quickly answered as he would defeat the Big Dog to claim his spot at SummerSlam against Seth Rollins for the new WWE Universal Championship (more on that soon).
The post match interview with Reigns announcing he hopes Balor wins his SummerSlam match and that he has respect for him goes on to show that the company isn't going to waste any time in pushing him to the top of the card and it was refreshing to see the WWE taking risks and backing the former NXT star.
2. The WWE Universal Championship
Monday Night Raw kicked off with a huge announcement in regards to SummerSlam and the future of Raw in general. Mick Foley announced that they would be creating a new championship due to the fact that SmackDown has the WWE Championship and it would be called the WWE Universal Championship.
The name has been met with mixed reviews as most thought they would just bring back the classic World Heavyweight Championship, but a new belt goes with the 'New Era' and whilst the name isn't the best it does allow for anyone to hold it, no matter what the weight class.
It was then announced that Seth Rollins will be competing for that championship at SummerSlam and after two fatal four ways and a singles match his opponent would be none other than, Finn Balor, creating a blockbuster main event match for SummerSlam from Raw's perspective.
1. The Boss is champ
Without doubt, the biggest moment of the night featured the Women's Division as Sasha Banks faced Charlotte for the Women's Championship and after an incredible, show stealing match the Boss walked away as the new Women's Champion.
This was a huge moment for several reasons as most had predicted that they would wait until SummerSlam for this title change, but the fact it took place on Raw means that anything can happen on the show and fans shouldn't find it predictable. The fact that the women's division has been so heavily featured since the draft is also a very positive sign that the WWE will be focusing on it a lot more and the emotional moment for Banks after the match was one to remember for fans, she deserves it.
The match itself was brilliant, it was well paced and had several major spots that a title match should feature, from Banks' risky dive over the ropes to Charlotte's moonsault from the top rope to the outside these women went all out to put on a show. The Boss showing her inner Eddie Guerrero was also a cool moment as she got Dana Brooke eliminated in a way that would have made him proud.
It was a surreal moment for Banks and her emotions were clear to be seen, it is a step in the right direction for women's wrestling and for WWE in general. Raw was a fantastic show, SmackDown, over to you.