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WWE Raw: Dragon Lee’s Momentum Stalled by Controversial El Grande Americano Segment – 3 Things We Hated & 3 Things We Loved
STAMFORD, CT – Monday night’s episode of WWE Raw featured a match between Dragon Lee and El Grande Americano that sparked immediate debate, highlighting both promising moments for Lee and continued concerns surrounding WWE’s handling of cultural representation in wrestling. The segment, featuring three iterations of the el grande Americano character, drew strong reactions, prompting a breakdown of what worked and what fell flat.
Here’s a look at 3 things we hated and 3 things we loved from the match and its surrounding context:
3 Things We Hated:
- The Tripling Down on El Grande Americano: The introduction of a third El Grande Americano was widely criticized as a lazy and uninspired creative decision.As writer Angeline Phu noted, “Why does WWE have these amazing performers (including the people underneath the costumey El Grande Americano masks), just to pedal uninspired, lazy triplet nonsense?” The proliferation of the character felt excessive and detracted from the potential of the match.
- Cultural Appropriation Concerns: The El Grande Americano storyline continues to draw criticism for its perceived insensitivity towards lucha libre. Phu expressed her passionate opposition, stating the storyline ”makes a mockery out of lucha libre, a revered Mexican in-ring artform.” The character’s presentation remains a point of contention for manny fans and observers.
- impact on Dragon Lee’s Momentum: Despite a strong performance, Dragon Lee’s potential push was overshadowed by the El Grande Americano interference. phu lamented that the match “could have been Dragon Lee’s kick back into the spotlight after a while stuck in catering,” but the constant interruptions ultimately hindered his ability to shine.
3 Things We Loved:
- Dragon Lee’s performance: Despite the distractions, Dragon Lee delivered a compelling performance, showcasing an ”edge to his moveset” that was fitting for the situation. Phu praised his in-ring work, noting he was “a pleasure to watch.”
- Lee’s Aggressive Presentation: The subtle changes to Lee’s presentation, specifically the “dark eyeshadow, a la Robert Pattinson’s Batman,” added a layer of intensity and aggression that enhanced his character. This visual detail was a welcome addition to his performance.
- Teasing a Potential Lee Push: The match included a surprising moment where Lee kicked out of the second Americano’s interference, leading Phu to believe WWE “are teasing a Lee push.” The potential for Lee to be elevated to a more prominent role is an exciting prospect for many fans.
Written by Angeline Phu
