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Just days away from the first post-WrestleMania pay-per-view of 2017, the overall buzz has been tame heading into Sunday's Payback card. 

The Raw-exclusive show hasn't felt exclusive (or all that exciting) at all throughout the build, which has featured a confusing mix of unexplained SmackDown crossover and a handful of recycled (hence the Payback name) feuds that have dragged on too long. 

From a go-home perspective, this week's episodes of Raw and SmackDown did little to light the match of intensity. After a week that was more filler than killer, let's look back at how we got here. 

But before we grade the highs and lows from this week in WWE, be sure to subscribe out our In This Corner podcast as co-host Adam Silverstein joined me to rant and rave on the latest developments, along with a detailed preview of Payback.

WWE report card

Time to reconsider Jinder: One week after justified cries over low-card performer Jinder Mahal receiving a sudden push to the main event level opposite WWE champion Randy Orton, the temperature has changed considerably. In fact, things have heated up. That's because "Hard Body" Mahal is a heat-seeking missile. Yes, the same Jinder of 3MB and "cut by WWE" fame. With the Singh Brothers as his henchmen, Mahal attacked Orton on SmackDown and left with the stolen belt, riding off into the sunset and screaming while hanging out through the sunroof of a limousine. This was old-school heel work at its best and provided plenty of reasons to withhold judgment on Mahal until the totality of the feud plays out after Payback. But one week in it's so far, so good for "The Maharaja." Grade: A

Who, what, where and Wyatt?: For all we know, Sunday's House of Horrors match between Orton and Bray Wyatt will provide answers to the many questions about how ridiculous the booking has been for "The Eater of Worlds" since WrestleMania. It's a long shot, for sure, but anything is better than what keeps happening (and I keep ranting about in this space) each week. Monday's episode of Raw made absolutely no sense as Wyatt delivered an early nonsensical promo threatening Orton before appearing in the final segment as The Miz's mystery tag team partner. The episode closed with Wyatt delivering finishers to Dean Ambrose, Chris Jericho and even The Miz.

It's not that booking Wyatt as an evil force who is hellbent on interrupting matches and delivering beatings to anyone he decides to is a stretch for his character. But Monday felt like WWE's creative team was literally pulling names and ideas out of hat, hoping they would stick once thrown against the wall. This one never stuck. In fact, it just stunk. Grade: F

Dumpster diving: Booking Braun Strowman and the diminutive and high-flying Kalisto in a dumpster match was a fine idea, especially considering what transpired between them the previous week on Raw. It's gimmicky as all heck but provides a platform for violence and storytelling that fits Strowman's character. But the execution this week was lacking. The finish was weak with Strowman losing, and the big man was too deliberate and predictable in his post-match attack. WWE has mastered the "flipped dumpster off the stage" spot in the past to perfection. Having Strowman push Kalisto off a two-foot drop simply failed to hammer the point home. As did Strowman allowed Kalisto's ambulance to leave without harm, just two weeks after threatening to break the internet when he attacked Roman Reigns. Grade: D

"Talking Smack" is back: There are weeks, when the script feels loose and WWE superstars are given room to freestyle and showcase their true personalities like the days of old, that "Talking Smack" is the best show that WWE offers. This week was a return toward the right direction. The debut of John Bradshaw Layfield certainly played a big role. JBL is not only a huge upgrade from the understated Shane McMahon during Daniel Bryan's paternity leave, his quick wit and heel persona offset sunny host Renee Young perfectly. But "Talking Smack" works best when there's a viral moment of some kind to closet the show, and this week delivered when Baron Corbin blindsided Sami Zayn and viciously tossed a referee to the ground. The attack felt much more real than typical WWE fare because Corbin delivered the kind of free-styling dialogue that one would actually use while attacking someone who spoke ill of them. Grade: B+

Good evening, Miss Bliss: The restructuring of the women's divisions after the WWE's "superstar shakeup" has been strong, including Charlotte making an instant beeline for Naomi's SmackDown title. But while that feud took a slight step back this week when an unnamed stable attacked Charlotte during her main event title bout, the Raw women continue to shine thanks to Alexa Bliss. The former two-time SmackDown champion's instant push has been strong with Bliss proving, without a doubt, she's the best woman on the microphone that Raw has to offer, complete with a stiff-arm of the crowd's annoying "What" chants this week. Bliss was just as strong when she willingly took a countout loss against Sasha Banks -- only to blindside Bayley moments later. Grade: B 

#NXTStrong: For as nondescript as his character has been since debuting with NXT late last year, former Ring of Honor and TNA veteran Roderick Strong has proven to be a strong hand inside the ring. But credit NXT for providing real-life depth to his actual persona this week when it played part one of a two-part video promo on his backstory, which includes overcoming a very difficult childhood. Strong, whose real name is Christopher Lindsey, grew up in Florida and was raised by parents who struggled with substance abuse. At one point, his mother shot his father in the chest with Strong inside the house during an argument. The incorporation of Strong's non-scripted story, and the redemption angle it portrays regarding his mother and the relationship they have today, helped give his character something to legitimately root for. In this day and age, where pure babyfaces have trouble getting over, Strong can only benefit from this push. Grade: A-

Best of the best

Wrestler -- Jinder Mahal: Hopefully things will only continue to heat up once Orton is finished with Wyatt this Sunday at Payback.

Match -- Neville def. Jack Gallagher: In a weak lacking from the standpoint of strong in-ring action, 205 Live delivered once again in the main event, where its top superstars are regularly allowed upwards of 25 minutes to tell a story. Neville and Gallagher delivered once again in this match, which kept building over time. The post-match melee, which included submission attempts on the ramp and a run-in from Austin Aries, was well-handled. 

Move -- Mustapha Ali's 450 splash onto Drew Gulak: If you're not watching 205 Live, one thing you're missing is how must-see Ali has become in terms of providing innovative and high-flying offense. He had a few memorable spots against Tony Nese on Tuesday and added one more after Gulak's distraction cost him the match. 

Promo -- Rusev demands title match at Money in the Bank: All things considered it was a somewhat tame promo compared to angry rants of days past. But it was great to see Rusev teasing a comeback from injury and calling out the powers that be on his new show SmackDown Live in the process. 

Show -- NXT: You could make an argument here for "Talking Smack," although you could make the same argument that it should be included as part of SmackDown Live. But the pick goes to NXT for a balanced effort during an otherwise poor week for WWE. Drew McIntyre looked strong in dispatching Andrade "Cien" Almas, and Gallagher pushed United Kingdom champion Tyler Bate in a spirited title match. Nikki Cross also turned up the heat in a brawl with Ruby Riot as NXT continues to evolve from the most recent talent purge to the main roster. 

Grade

Week of April 28: D+