Skip to main content

Matt's Monday Night RAW Recap - 2/2/2015

"Well, it's Groundhog Day...AGAIN..."

Andy PG and my friend, Jared Patterson both take credit for the notion that we're most likely gonna get the same show we've been seeing for the past few weeks -- DESPITE Triple H's "big announcement" that will shake everyone to pieces and kill every puppy on the face of the planet.

The speculation, of course, is that Triple H is gonna "fix" the main event at WrestleMania because, even with the brilliant Heyman/Lesnar/Reigns promo, it seems the majority of whatever's left of the fanbase of this heaping, flaming wreck doesn't really wanna see Fabio Cena take on The Incredible Hulk.

I'd like to think that after making the same mistake twice, WWE will put an upgrade patch on this thing -- and that they'll never repeat this ever again.

Then again, this is the company that continues to put Adam Rose out there in hopes that we'll somehow think he's cool because he's hanging with Tyson Kidd and Cesaro -- the latter character being one that they completely mishandled despite him being completely over since WrestleMania XXX.

Where will this all lead?

Well...it's Groundhog Day...AGAIN...

We are LIVE(!!!) from Denver, Colorado!!!

JBL, Cole and Booker are the guys manning the desk.

Triple H makes his way out to the ring with Steph next to him. Steph welcomes everyone to RAW. She wants to talk about the Super Bowl and hails the Patriots. They compare the ending of that game to the ending or the Royal Rumble because they're totally the same thing.

Triple H says that they really didn't want to upstage the Super Bowl, what with the #CanceltheNFLNetwork Movement. Steph says they listened to the fans about the Royal Rumble and they wanna do something about it. 

We get clips of the mess from the Royal Rumble.

Triple H says that Reigns and The Rock were "unsportsmanlike" like the Seahawks. For some reason, the Denver crowd boos that notion. Triple H says that everyone can cheer The Rock because he's one of the best WWE Superstars that ever lived. Triple H says The Rock abused the rules. Triple H says The Rock got away with it and that he did it first at Survivor Series with Sting. He says he is calling Sting out at Fastlane. They will solve their issue there. 

The crowd chants for Sting and Steph says they'll see Sting at Fastlane for $7.39. Triple H says that this brings us to Roman Reigns. Steph says there might have been a different outcome if The Rock wasn't involved.  Steph says that Reigns won the Royal Rumble -- but they're not sure he should face Lesnar at the Rumble.

That brings out Reigns who comes down in the ring and gets right in Triple H's face. Reigns says that he won the right to face Lesnar at 'Mania...and they're not taking that from him. Triple H goads him into a fight and tells Reigns to make a move. Steph gets between the two and separates them. Steph mentions The Maivia Family Tree...

...and that brings out Daniel Bryan to a huge pop. Steph welcomes him back. Bryan apologizes to Reigns, saying that he had to deal with this last year. Daniel Bryan says that the real controversy: he was stripped of the title and wasn't given a re-match. He wants that match. Triple H says that there was nothing out of the ordinary, so fuck him. He says that Bryan would have gotten his re-match had he not been so cocky. Triple H says, however, that Bryan being in the main event is not out of the realm of possibility.

And that brings out Rollins at the 17-minute mark...and we're actually going to a commercial.

We're back and Rollins says that this is getting silly. He can't believe Bryan wants a match for the Championship. Rollins says that Lesnar would eat him alive. He got stripped of the belt because he got hurt. Rollins turns to Reigns and says that he wouldn't be here if it weren't for The Rock. He says the only person deserving of going to the big match is himself. Reigns tells Rollins to back off or he'll get knocked into next week.

Triple H tells everyone to calm down. They listen to the fans. Steph says they're listening now. Everyone's listening. Triple H says that, tonight, it will be Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins. The winner faces Reigns. The winner of that match will face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Reigns isn't happy. Triple H says that he should just accept this. Steph drops names on the Maivia Family Tree of Doom to make Roman feel better.

Daniel Bryan says he's gonna win and tells Reigns not to listen. He wants to get in the ring with Reigns and see who the better man is. Rollins says that Reigns has no guts. Triple H and Steph tell him that it's decision time. Reigns says he's ready to fight either guy.

Triple H declares that it's official, then tells Reigns not to leave -- because he has a match right now. 

Big Show's music hits and it's Reigns and Show. Again.

MATCH #1: Roman Reigns vs. Big Show (w/ Seth Rollins & J&J Security)
Show has a bear hug on Reigns. Reigns breaks but Show headbutts him. Reigns rolls out of the ring. Show grabs him but Reigns slings Show's neck off the ropes, then hits two big clotheslines. Corner splashes by Reigns and then Reigns clotheslines him from the ring. Reigns hits the missile dropkick and goes for the Superman Punch but the J's distract the ref. Again. Show hits a huge Spear but Reigns kicks out. Show goes for the Chokeslam but Reigns breaks and hits a Superman Punch. He goes for a Spear but all three guys manage to annoy Reigns without the ref seeing one ounce of it and Reigns runs into a Chokeslam and loses at 2:43. Again.
WINNER: Big Show via Chokeslam
RATING: DUD. I'm tired of that match. I'm tired of the interference spot which wasn't remotely necessary.

Triple H is backstage with Steph and says that "nobody knows they can't take a match away from Roman". On camera. Again. They're confident that Rollins will beat Bryan tonight. Steph asks Triple H about his concerns with Austin on the Podcast after the show on WWE Network (ONLY $9.99!!!). Triple H says that he doesn't care one bit what Austin asks him.
And we go to our third break in 35 minutes.

TONIGHT, FOLLOWING RAW: The Stone Cold Podcast w/ Special Guest, Triple H.

Curtis Axel is out here with something to say: he was never eliminated in the Rumble match. He would have the match had he been in it. He wants justice. He gets up on the second buckle and points to the WrestleMania sign. He says he wants Lesnar. That brings out Ambrose who gets in the ring, beats him up, and tosses him from the ring. Ambrose: "Now, you're eliminated."

Ambrose says he's been reflecting on things. He says he looked at pics of past WWE Champions. And he thought his face would look great amongst all those pics. He says that he pinned Bad News Barrett and, now, he's on the Road to Fastlane -- and wants a title shot.

He drops the mic, Axel attacks but gets a Rebound Clothesline and Dirty Deeds. Nice spot.

Cole gives us the beginning of Black History Month: we honor Ernie "The Big Cat" Ladd. Again. Just like last year.

TONIGHT: Daniel Bryan vs. Seth Rollins to determine who will face Roman Reigns at Fastlane.

February on WWE Network is FREE.

MATCH #2: The Ascension (Konor & Viktor) vs. Gold & Stardust
Stalemate to begin this with twin takedowns. Counters on the next salvo but Viktor hits a huge clothesline. Gold comes in, attacks Viktor and drags Star to his corner. He tags himself in and uppercuts Viktor. Konor tags in but Gold hits a Reverse Atomic Drop. Konor takes over again and the two heels gang up and hit Fall of Man at 1:49 for the win.
WINNERS: The Ascension via Fall of Man
RATING: DUD. 

JBL STILL says they suck while Cole and Booker say they don't. Post-match, Star chides Gold and says that Goldust is dragging them down. He leaves the ring.

NEXT: John Cena welcomes back the Fired Three for some reason, in a spot based on congratulatory Twitter entries.

Star is backstage, murmuring to himself. Gold grabs him and calls him by his real name. Star tells him never to call him "Cody" again.

Out to the ring is John Cena. He says he's beat up, blind, and half-broken but he wasn't missing RAW in Denver. He says that, tonight, Triple H has to answer to Steve Austin -- and Austin isn't afraid of him. He's gonna make Triple H answer some questions. He says that he has questions of his own. He says Triple H has a whole stable of guys ready to come to WWE from NXT and take his spot. He says the one thing Triple H can't do is fire him because then he'd have to answer to the shareholders and advertisers. He says, instead, that Triple H fired three guys he liked, just to lower Cena's spirit and make him quit. And, because of Sting, he got Ziggler, Ryback and Rowan to come back. None of this makes any sense, but let's bring them out.

Cena starts the back-patting. Steph interrupts and says she's sorry for doing so. Ziggler says she's always happy to interrupt. Steph says that she's putting all three of them in matches:
  • Ziggler faces Bray Wyatt
  • Erick Rowan faces Rusev
  • Ryback faces Luke Harper
The latter starts after break...

MATCH #3: Ryback vs. Luke Harper
The announcers act like this is the most anticipated match of the year. Suplex and splash by Ryback. Splash by Ryback but Harper counters the next one, then boots Ryback from the ring. Harper brings him back in and slaps at Ryback's chest. Ryback breaks free and charges and gets a boot to his head. Two count. Harper hits a headlock but Ryback breaks the hold and moves away from a corner charge. He rolls up Harper for two. Ryback hits a press off a run and another Warrior Splash. Two count. Harper comes back with Winds of Change or whatever for two. Ryback ejects him from the ring but Harper gets back into the ring. Ryback trips him up and lays him out on the mat. Ryback goes for the Meathook but Harper greets him with a Superkick. Two count. Harper hits a front facelock but Ryback counters with Shell Shock. Harper counters with a Sunset Flip fro two. Ryback comes back with a Meathook and Shell Shock and we're done at 5:58.
WINNER: Ryback via Shell Shock
RATING: **1/4. Not a bad match at all.

TONIGHT: Dolph Ziggler vs. Bray Wyatt

MATCH #4: Cesaro (w/ Tyson Kidd & Natalya) vs. Jimmy Uso (w/ Jey Uso & Naomi)
During the commercial break, there was some sort of "double date" set up by Natalya. And now Cesaro is mad. Even though Nattie and Tyson are "separated". Or something. Cesaro chops at Jimmy after breaking an arm lock. Jimmy slides across the ring on an Irish Whip counter. Jimmy starts hitting chops of his own. Jimmy hits a back elbow and arm bar. Cesaro breaks it but gets hit by an Enzuguri. Flying Uso at Cesaro but Cesaro moves out of the way and starts yacking at Jey. Jimmy hits the Flying Uso this time and tosses Cesaro back into the ring. Cesaro escapes out the other end, then drops Jimmy's neck on the ropes when Jimmy chases. Cesaro hits a double axehandle off the ropes and hammers away on Jimmy. The two counter each others moves after that and Jimmy goes flying into the top buckle on a charge. Cesaro hits the Spin, then hits a weak Half Crab to finish that off. Cesaro breaks and stomps on Jimmy's chest, getting two. Cesaro hits a nice powerbomb and gets two. Cesaro tries to club Jimmy in the face but misses. Jimmy hits a Corkscrew Splash and he gets two. Jimmy starts hitting clotheslines but Cesaro catches his Superkick and flings him out of the ring. Tyson threatens to attack Jimmy but the ref sees that. Cesaro goes outside and runs Jimmy's head into the announce table. He rolls Jimmy back in the ring and goes top rope. He leaps but Jimmy catches him with a Superkick. Rikish Splash time and the Superfly Splash -- but Cesaro jumps up and hits the Uppercut for the win at 6:21.
WINNER: Cesaro
RATING: ***. Pretty good match here. What's with the decent booking?

Post-match, Tyson jumps the Usos inside the ring and then runs like a chicken. The heels celebrate on the ramp.

Cole plugs the February deal for WWE Network.

TONIGHT: Daniel Bryan faces Seth Rollins

The Miz's are backstage, hitting the craft table for fruit. Miz tells Miz-dow what to scoop onto the plate. A producer wants an autograph. Miz sends him away. He says he wants Miz-dow's autograph and Miz-dow signs it. Miz rips the guy's paper up and tosses it away. Miz tells Miz-dow that he doesn't get it anymore. He made Miz-dow what he is today. Miz says that he's throwing everything away. He calls Miz-dow the worst stunt double he's ever seen. He fires Miz-dow and Miz-dow looks hurt. Miz says he will give Miz-dow a NEW job: personal assistant. Miz says he's facing Sin Cara. Miz yells at Miz-dow to stop mimicking him.

Cena sits in the dressing room, looking like somebody ran over his cat. Rowan stops by and says he's been treated like an animal and outcast. Nobody's stood up for him before. He thanks Cena. Rowan says he's gonna do Cena a favor tonight. Tonight, he takes on Rusev. Cena warns Rowan about Rusev being dangerous and tells Rowan not to take him lightly. Rowan nods and shakes Cena's hand.

MATCH #5: Dolph Ziggler vs. Bray Wyatt
The two are at each other's throats, punching away at one another. Bray gets the better of it and clubs Ziggler in the back. Ziggler comes back but runs into a Wyatt lariat. Ziggler gets up and punches away at Wyatt but Wyatt gets to the ropes. He hits a quick cheap shot on Wyatt, then chokes Ziggler on the middle rope a couple times. Ziggler comes back with a drop kick, then goes for the Fame-Asser but misses and Bray bails from the ring. Ziggler applies a side headlock when Wyatt gets back in the ring but Wyatt breaks and just slaps Ziggler, hitting the Reverse Senton for two. Wyatt puts Ziggler in a nerve hold. Ziggler breaks but Bray nails him in the back. He rushes Ziggler who hits an elbow and drop kick. Wyatt rolls out of the ring so Ziggler chases him. Bray hits him, grabs him and suplexes Ziggler out of the ring as we go to break.

Wyatt has Ziggler in a headlock when we come back. Ziggler breaks but Wyatt hits a hard running elbow and Ziggler's down again. Two count. Another long headlock and Ziggler breaks free again. Ziggler gets to his feet but Wyatt hits the post on a corner rush. Ziggler tries to get to his feet and does so, getting to the second buckle. Ziggler leaps but Wyatt nails him in the jaw, coming down. Reverse Senton misses but Ziggler can't get up. Both men get up at the same time and Ziggler hits running clotheslines, corner splash and neckbreaker. Big elbow drop gets two. Ziggler rushes Wyatt again and Wyatt just knocks his head off with a clothesline. Wyatt sets up for Sister Abigail but Ziggler counters into the DDT for a two count. Ziggler misses a corner splash and Wyatt hits one instead. He does the Hanging Spider, then sets up for Sister Abigail but Ziggler counters. Kick to Wyatt's stomach on a rush and it's another two count. Both men are down as the crowd chants that this is awesome. Both men begin exchanging blows. Wyatt absolutely jacks Ziggler's jaw but Dolph hits the Fame-Asser. He goes for the Zigg Zagg but Wyatt grabs him and hits Sister Abigail out of nowhere for the win at 14:51.
WINNER: Bray Wyatt via Sister Abigail
RATING: ***1/2. Really good stuff here. Booking staff is pulling out their non-bullshit show tonight.

EARLIER TONIGHT: Triple H sets up tonight's big match.

Backstage, Rollins is with Triple H and Steph. He wants to make sure that Daniel Bryan isn't going to Fastlane or WrestleMania. Steph says they were playing to the crowd. Rollins says he's gonna use tonight to prove that he's the better competitor. He will stomp out the YES Movement.

ON SMACKDOWN: The Bellas beat up Paige because she was a pale-looking vampire chick. And, so kids, don't be bullies.

Nikki and Brie are at ringside. Cole announces that Nikki will defend the Divas title against Paige at Fastlane.

MATCH #6: Alicia Fox vs. Paige
Nikki says if she called the last play, the Seahawks would have won. This, coming from a woman who "doesn't know big words". Alicia beats on Paige and hits a Northern Lights Suplex for two. Chinlock by Fox and then a headlock. Paige breaks and Fox grabs her, hitting a backbreaker. Paige just rolls her over and gets an arbitrary pin at 2:43.
WINNER: Paige
RATING: DUD. Yes, the woman who got her ass kicked all match, then simply pinned Fox out of nowhere, is looking so strong.

Post-match, Fox puts Paige in a Surfboard, which is totally unbelievable considering Fox was as subtle as a Mack Truck doing it. The Bella Twins spray Paige with tanning spray. Because she's a goth chick.

Miz is on USA's Sirens, playing a trainer. The director stiffly says, "Wow! Miz is funny! Ha ha!"

MATCH #7: The Miz (w/ Damien Miz-dow) vs. Sin Cara
Miz removes his sunglasses. Miz-dow imitates Miz but Miz tells him to knock it off. Miz puts Sin Cara in a headlock. Sin Cara reverses it, runs around the ring and hits a diving body splash and Fallaway Slam. Cara goes top rope but misses the flipping dive. Miz gets to his feet and goes top rope. Miz-dow imitates Miz. Miz tells him to get down again. Sin Cara attacks but Miz counters, dropping his neck on the ropes. He runs back into the ring and just boots Cara in the head. Two count and this match is already 2 minutes too long. Another boot. Two count. Cara breaks and counters a side suplex. Miz hits a clothesline. One count. Miz taunts Cara, kicking at him and then putting him in a chinlock. Miz-dow just stands there, staring off into space. Miz converts to a side headlock. Cara fights out and Miz hits the back/neckbreaker combo. He celebrates and plays to the crowd. Miz-dow jumps on the mat and the crowd cheers. Miz angrily tells Miz-dow to get down. Sin Cara grabs Miz and rolls him up for his first win in months at 5:38.
WINNER: Sin Cara
RATING: *. This was a long way to go, in order to get to no place at all. Creative needs Sandow to turn face immediately. This act is long since DOA.

Bray does another goofy promo and tells people to find him.

Rusev attacks Rowan before he can get into the ring, then tosses him into the ringpost. Finally, he tosses Rowan back in and hits a kneelift...so, this match ain't happening because the ref is waving it off. Rusev stomps Rowan and chokes him with a boot. Rusev hangs Rowan off the bottom rope, headbutts him and hits a Superkick. Elbow drop, stomp, Accolade. Cole calls this a "message to Cena" and it's a good thing Cena's out here to save his new bestie, isn't it???

Rusev breaks the hold and Lana grabs a mic. She invites everyone to a special movie premiere. She says the movie will not only show the destruction of Cena, but of UH-MEDI-KUH!!! We get a pretty swell movie trailer/promo for Rusev.

Rusev celebrates with the Russian flag.

Backstage, Reigns is hanging out with Daniel Bryan. Bryan says he doesn't approve of what Rollins did. Reigns says he saw it, too. He wants his revenge. Bryan says that Reigns won't get that chance, because he'll be facing Bryan, not Rollins, at Fastlane. Reigns asks if that's a threat. Bryan says it isn't. Reigns says ITDOESN'TMATTERWHATITWAS!!! Only, kinda quieter and far more reserved. He wants Bryan out of the locker room. Bryan does.

MATCH #8: Seth Rollins (w/ Jamie Noble & Joey Mercury) vs. Daniel Bryan
Bryan works on the left arm of Rollins after an initial back and forth. Bryan hits a forearm and then hits a beautiful Cross Arm Breaker. Rollins manages to get to the ropes. Rollins gets a hold of Bryan and flings him out of the ring. Security jumps Bryan and Rollins hits a Suicide Dive. Big Show comes to ringside during break and Rollins hits a neckbreaker. Two count. Rollins beats on Bryan in the corner and then backs off. Show makes for Bryan but the ref sees it and backs Show off. Rollins misses a corner splash. Bryan starts hitting punches and uppercuts. He goes for a rush but Rollins trips and Bryan hits his head on the middle buckle. Rollins stomps Bryan in the corner and Security attacks Bryan when the ref's back is turned. Rollins climbs on Bryan and yells that it's HIS WrestleMania. Bryan escapes the corner and hits a running clothesline. YES Kicks by Bryan and a nice running kick to finish it off. Two count.

Bryan hits an uppercut and knees Rollins, then hits a sitting dropkick. He sets Rollins up for a Frankensteiner but Rollins reverses it and rolls Bryan up for two. Wow. The two men get up and hit shots at the same time. Bryan locks the arm. Security climbs the mat and Bryan dropkicks them both, then sends Rollins into them. Then he hits a Flying Goat on Rollins, sending Rollins and the boys over the announce table. Bryan rolls Rollins into the ring and goes top rope but Rollins knocks Bryan off the top buckle. Rollins sets for a Superplex but Bryan wriggles out of the corner and sets up for the Side Superplex, hitting it perfectly. CLOSE two count. Bryan gets to his feet and goes for the Flying Knee but Rollins hits the Buckle Bomb and Superkick. CLOSE FALL.

Crowd is loving the match as Show yells at Rollins to finish Bryan. Rollins picks Bryan up. Bryan grabs him for the YES Lock. He finally gets his feet to the ropes and Bryan is forced to break the hold. Rollins rolls out of the ring and Show consoles him. Reigns comes out of nowhere and nails Show with a Spear. He tries to Spear Rollins but misses and hits Mercury instead. Reigns distracts Rollins who gets back inside the ring. Noble enters the ring with the MITB case but the ref sees it. With the ref's back turned, Reigns nails Rollins with a Superman Punch while Bryan hits a Superkick on Noble. Flying Knee to Rollins wins the match at 17:11.
WINNER: Daniel Bryan via Flying Knee
RATING: ***. The over-booking and screwball end ruined an otherwise spectacular match. 

Backstage, Triple H says he won't comment on the match right now. He'll only talk about it on Steve Austin's podcast.

Cole runs in to congratulate Bryan who says he'll beat Reigns at Fastlane.

Bryan stands tall as we go off the air.

OVERALL: **3/4. This was a decent show, though that third hour continues to kill the momentum.

Er...that's it.

Comments

  1. Surely, theres no way they can book Daniel Bryan like this, with the promos telling the crowd that he's doing this for the people, and the announcers doubting Bryan's ability to make it to the top again and everyone laughing at the fact that he thinks he has a chance against Lesnar...all things perfectly designed to get people MORE in the Dbry camp, do they think that anyone...regardless who it is, can honestly be more LIKED? if they stop that dream in it's tracks? I'd like to think they are doing a proper 180 on the booking this year, because I can't see the logic (yeah right...) in booking Bryan so well and Reigns so badly and having Reigns go over, without some sort of heel turn or twist.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great review. Bryan vs. Reigns at Fast Lane is a nice surprise. This will definitely help Reigns get over, as Bryan can get a good match out of almost anyone. My guess is that whoever costs Bryan the match will be his opponent at Mania... Maybe they can have Ziggler run in to help out, but ultimately make Bryan lose.The follow up would book itself.


    Seth Rollins continues to be the MVP of WWE. He gives a solid performance every time, always looking good, even in defeat.


    The seeds for Rollins vs. Orton were planted tonight. It makes me wonder if the true plan for Mania is to have Rollins job on the second or third match of the night, only to swerve us at the end and have him cash in on Reigns.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sounds like there's pretty much no hope of a 2 hour Raw, though even HHH himself admits 3 hours is tough to do.

    It's a nice try, I guess, but nobody really believes Bryan will be main eventing WM.

    Steph actually called Roman eloquent. Hah.

    ReplyDelete
  4. The main event seemed designed to keep the crowd response low key. Creative has written themselves into a corner with Reigns.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you. This is how the show should've been booked a month ago. Sad it took a Philly crowd to damn near riot to make it happen.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well, I'm not sure it really makes sense, but I'm pretty excited for Fast Lane now and I didn't really think that was possible.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Meh. I really feel like they're absolutely convinced that they can get Reigns over as a bigger face than Bryan, and they're going to go all the way with it. It just feels anti-climactic as hell if Reigns wins, and it harms him if he doesn't.


    There was an interesting palpable disconnect in HHH's interview, though - he talks about being a book that never ends regarding the storylines, but that's completely incorrect; yes, you need to come up with NEW storylines, but each one should have the regular structure of beginning, middle, and end. One of the problems with Bryan's whole situation is that his ending wasn't written in any type of organic way. Should he have had a nice reign and jobbed the belt to Lesnar at Summerslam, this whole Reigns thing MIGHT have worked. Instead, the ending was taken and now the fans are demanding the natural ending that they didn't get.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This type of booking I can get behind where they actually react to a PPV and continue those stories rather than starting afresh every 4 weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I don't get it. They're still gonna bait and switch everyone on Bryan who's not going to take Reigns place against Lesnar either way, it's just going to further piss everyone off... Then the inevitable Bryan vs. Whoever at Wrestlemania is a filler feud while they bury the guy for the following six months... Ugh.

    ReplyDelete
  10. So when Reigns gets booed out of the building after beating Bryan what are they going to do? Because unless Reigns somehow turns into CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler or Ricky Steamboat between now and then that's what will happen...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Given everything that's gone on in recent months, Bryan vs Reigns is actually a match I'm really excited to see. I'm fascinated to see what everyone serves up (the wrestlers, the bookers, the crowd).

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's got two incredibly fresh matches we've yet to see in a meaningful way with Cena/Rusev and Bryan/Reigns. In an era where it feels like there aren't many fresh matches, two fresh ones have been booked for the PPV.


    And everything surrounding Reigns/Bryan is really interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Reigns is leaving 'Mania champion. Might as well make him look as credible as he can leading up to it and beating Daniel Bryan is a sure fire way to do it.

    Reigns losing to Big Show was just a sympathy getter so the audience does care when Reigns overcomes the odds.

    I look forward to the Reigns vs Bryan rivalry once mania is done, or at least a rematch.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Two things:


    1. Unless I missed it, HHH and Stephanie somehow managed to get through that entire opening promo without mentioning Rusev's name once.


    2. That's Reigns' first pinfall loss in a singles match in WWE, and it's to Big Show in under three minutes.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Reigns/Bryan will be interesting, even if the outcome is inevitable, and that's definitely a positive coming off the last few weeks.

    It sort of feels like they make an effort with the booking in the free months.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I wasn't pissed at the Royal Rumble because Daniel Bryan didn't win. I was annoyed because the match itself was the most uninspired shit again just handing the win in the most predictable of ways, just like last year and that they booked Kane/Big Show to try and put over Reigns rather than having a more worthy final four.

    Daniel not winning is a non factor for I.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Sooo, are they doing a semi tweener act with Roman? That's.... a really good idea, actually.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I was the same. It was a pretty lousy Rumble from start to finish. Badly booked. Booked in such a way that unless Reigns was SUPER over, the crowd was going to be über deflated for most of the match. The early elimination of Bryan and the ultimate treating of Ziggler and Ambrose like jobbers sucked the life out of everyone. The booking was so blinkered.

    ReplyDelete
  19. "In an era where it feels like there aren't many fresh matches [...]"

    but that's really more perception than anything else. there would be TONS of fresh matches (that we at least haven't seen on ppv before), it's just that they often decide to put the same two or three guys in the same spots.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Put Bryan over, have Rusev go over Cena first, and give Paige the title back over Nikki, you have a lovely show. Just a lovely show.

    *remembers how excited he was for the Rumble and what happened there/pushes thoughts away*

    ReplyDelete
  21. I was someone who was very excited and optimistic about the Rumble. Not making that mistake again!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Actually I think that's exactly what this whole thing is designed to mitigate. By roughening up his character, making it so he doesn't give a damn whether the fans like him and making him less of a traditional face the reaction will be less jarring, his character will be more clear, and ultimately (and paradoxically) he'll slowly get more of a positive response.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Fuck finish for a three way? Then everyone's happy! Until Wrestlemania. Where it all begins.... again.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Letting Bryan over Reigns will kill the poor guy's career dead. think Del Rio after Edge match.
    Reigns had good support tonight and even Bryan was booed when he said he's going to beat Reigns at Fast Lane. It's going to be intriguing at the PPV.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'll check out the 5 vs 5 for sure. I'm missing Suzuki-Gun being in NJPW, although I get their reason for doing this angle.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm going to be that guy..the guy who says we got worked but got what we wanted last year and until Reigns is standing on the turnbuckle being showered with confetti and boos...Bryan will be in and win at Mania

    ReplyDelete
  27. 1. Right? They were so trying to work the audience that they were making zero sense. They were talking controversy controversy controversy but were editing out all the audio (the real controversy) and only showing the kane,show, rusev stuff but never brought up Rusev. If you didn't watch the show you would have no idea what the hell is this controversy is. A couple eliminated guys got involved after the match and the rock helped clear the ring and then show, kane, and rock were out of the ring before rusev came back in so none of that really effected anything.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I remember when Benoit beat Sid in WCW 2000, and even though the plan/hope that night was for Benoit to stay and be champion, they made sure to put Sid's leg under the ropes during the crossface (I think that was the finish) just in case they needed an out. That was WCW. Forward thinking from WCW of all peoples. WWE really should have given themselves more of an out at the Rumble.

    ReplyDelete
  29. No chance in hell. Even if Bryan is caught with a live boy or dead girl, they are cheering for him.

    ReplyDelete
  30. If Vince is so set on Bryan not being a top guy, he should just give him a run as the top guy. Creative can kill the fans' interest in anyone if they take a hands on approach.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I got the impression that Wyatt was addressing Undertaker in his last promo, but that's only because I've heard the rumors that Wyatt-Taker is happening at WM31. Not sure what it would've sounded like to somebody who's not following the rumors.

    ReplyDelete
  32. See, Chaos doesn't seem like a real stable to me, just a loose association of heels. Bullet Club, well, I understand they've probably added Omega and Dorada knowing that SG are going to NOAH, but there's so much dead weight in there that I'm not a fan.

    ReplyDelete
  33. You know, even if Bryan (or Ziggler) is in the final four, and Reigns wins very shortly after one of them is tossed, it at least keeps the crowd booing to the very end of the match, with loud music playing.

    ReplyDelete
  34. I've wondered about that if they just ..well did their WWE thing with him could they squash the fandom

    ReplyDelete
  35. Yeah, they'd be 3rd at best in NJ, behind Chaos & BC. But dammit they're already #1 in NOAH. Awesome..

    ReplyDelete
  36. Why would they need an out..Reigns it he future..look at how big he is...and that hair...MY GOD THE HAIR!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Theberzerker Von HUSSingtonFebruary 3, 2015 at 6:27 AM

    HUSSHUSSHUSSHUSS HUSS HUSS...HUSS......HUSS..........HUSS..................
    OK...OK...I think I'm finally coming down from Biff's stash...

    ReplyDelete
  38. Was Bryan/Rollins really only ***? The review describes it as spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
  39. What were the crowd reactions to Reigns like to anyone who watched?

    Also, does anyone think Bryan has a chance in hell of being in the main event?

    YOU GO TO A PLACE WITH NO CELL SERVICE FOR A DAY AND ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Reigns reaction was women squealing before the boos took over

    ReplyDelete
  41. Theberzerker Von HUSSingtonFebruary 3, 2015 at 6:29 AM

    Hell it was probably going to happen last year anyway, as Brock was getting the belt at Summerslam no matter what.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Love how The Miz turns Super Smarks into marks.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Before I turn this on was the podcast worth it?

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh, so the show I didn't bother to record was actually decent. Great.

    ReplyDelete
  45. This is a crap comment.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I have a hard time seeing WrestleMania end on a cash-in. I don't know exactly why, it just seems like WM has a ... purity about it (as much as you can have in pro wrestling) that shouldn't have a gimmicky ending.

    ReplyDelete
  47. I know! So funny.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Call me when he's able to turn these super smarks into Super Marks. Turning them into just marks? Not the least bit impressive. Super Marks? There's a story.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Bryan has never been buried this entire "YES Movement" time. At whatever you consider the low point of his 2013-14 singles push, he was still main-eventing PPVs and the weekly shows and getting title shots left and right. Last night he got a relatively clean 1-on-1 win over Rollins, which hardly anybody does these days. Bryan isn't being handed the world, but he's definitely not being buried. You want to see buried, look at Adam Rose, Darren Young, Zack Ryder, etc.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Never give up on the WWE!

    ReplyDelete
  51. What about Super Saiyan Smarks?

    ReplyDelete
  52. We're all Super Saiyan Smarkzzzz on the Blog Of Doom.

    ReplyDelete
  53. The boos for Reigns didn't seem that bad from what I saw- seemed like straight-up cheers and then the crowd was like "oh shit yeah we're smarks we should BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Not as loud as I expected, though. Maybe the one week off for RAWs softened them a bit.

    ReplyDelete
  54. My ears might be playing tricks on me, but I don't remember hearing Reigns booed at all. At least not during the opening segment.

    ReplyDelete
  55. Aside from John Cena in the 2008 Rumble with the stunning shock factor I don't think "oh shit yeah we're smarks we should BOOOOOOOOOO" is a thing at all.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I watched none of this show. I'm cool with it.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I've seen this theory a few times. That crowds are booing Reigns "because it's cool" or "because they're smarks" but I don't buy it.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Man, the balls on these guys if they know people want Bryan vs. Lesnar and tease us with it, only to have Reigns walk over Bryan in order to become their champ.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Yeah, that just makes the whole situation worse IMO.

    ReplyDelete
  60. It's really about ethics in wrestling journalism.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Normally I would say "there's no way they'll do ____" but after the Rumble and how mistaken I was there's no way I'm thinking "there's no way..." again.

    I got no idea what's going to happen in that Bryan/Reigns match. No outcome will shock me.

    ReplyDelete
  62. After the podcast last night, I'm more than convinced they're currently done with the Reigns push.

    Shit, if you thought Cesaro got buried by McMahon, having the biggest star of all time say you aren't good and Triple H pretty much agree with him...

    ReplyDelete
  63. Yeah, he gets good crowd pops when he comes out, but then the reaction peters a bit. I definitely get the impression people are making a more conscious decision to boo him that having an immediate emotional reaction like they do with, say, Triple-H, who gets heat the second his music plays.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Let's say that they do boo because they're smarks.....why does it matter who they are? I can tell you this, a lot of smarks subbed to the network. I'm not sure why they would be adamant about making as annoyed and pissed off as possible, as there are just enough smarks to ruin Vince's "big moments" that he loves.

    ReplyDelete
  65. I tell you, if it is just smarks booing him for the sake of being smarks....those fuckers travel well.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Also, I'm reading that apparently Reigns got cheered but Bryan got booed?

    ReplyDelete
  67. I could actually get through reading this Raw report so that is a good sign.

    ReplyDelete
  68. I didn't watch the show or the podcast, but I still believe that Roman Reigns will be holding up the WWE title at the end of Wrestlemania. I will be the first to admit that I'm wrong if it doesn't happen.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Bryan got booed but it was mainly marks doing it because "it's the cool thing to do"

    ReplyDelete
  70. I just meant cheering is a more instantaneous reaction. "That's my favourite guys music, here he is, yaaaaaaay!" Whereas booing is something you do with the head, not the heart. Or something. Over analysing. I'm just saying the boos are real, not forced, just that booing is different to cheering.

    ReplyDelete
  71. Probably has nothing to do with Raw, and everything to do with Matt writing the review, and it not being filled with butterfly kisses and candy coated smiles.

    ReplyDelete
  72. How is booing Bryan the cool thing to do?

    ReplyDelete
  73. Those 8 guys chanting CM Punk at AJ to show insider knowledge? I guess that's smarks. Hundreds or thousands of people booing your matches and promos? That's just cos you suck, bro.

    ReplyDelete
  74. They would run the risk of turning Rollins face (at least for the night).

    ReplyDelete
  75. Nah man they're just haters and haters be hating!

    ReplyDelete
  76. You know what's also cool?


    Dem Nattie Champs, yo.


    O-H...

    ReplyDelete
  77. Yeah. The crowd was behind reigns and when bryan said he would beat him at fast lane he got booed. Though, everyone hates reigns so im sure they were cheering the talented popcorn vendor or a fight in the crowd or something.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Oh yeah, I have to watch that thing.

    If they're interested in building this guy up, then jobbing to Big Show in 2015 is not the way to do it.

    ReplyDelete
  79. I-O! Much like Tyson Kidd's chick them Buckeyes NATTIE by NATURE!

    ReplyDelete
  80. "Triple H has a whole stable of guys ready to come to WWE from NXT and take his spot. He says the one thing Triple H can't do is fire him because then he'd have to answer to the shareholders and advertisers. He says, instead, that Triple H fired three guys he liked, just to lower Cena's spirit and make him quit"

    That's good because it not only makes three guys look less important from a story standpoint, but also that the investors see no potential for them.

    ReplyDelete
  81. I think he's the new scapegoat for Bryan's lack of push (by lack of push I mean he's not in the Main Event Program and the Champion, since it's that or nothing with some fans at this point) more than anything. Reigns isn't that great, but this kind of reaction certainly wasn't close to happening when he was just Random Tough Guy Babyface a few weeks ago. Even his shitty promos weren't drawing boos.

    ReplyDelete
  82. So the guy who is supposed to be the future jobbed to Big Show in less than 4 minutes? ROFL

    ReplyDelete
  83. ADAPTING TO THE FANS

    ReplyDelete
  84. Allegedly delivered a hell of a spear though. I can't personally vouch for that but it's what I've heard.

    ReplyDelete
  85. He said it THREE TIMES motherfucker.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Didn't watch? Who is this guy Vince Jordan?

    ReplyDelete
  87. My favorite kind of respect. Begrudging.

    ReplyDelete
  88. Hello, my name is Wrestlemania IX. How are you?

    ReplyDelete
  89. Still more real than the following:


    "Reality" TV


    ... that's all I got this morning.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Would have been better if said spear led to a clean victory, though.

    ReplyDelete
  91. We should do it just to fuck with HHH

    ReplyDelete
  92. What IS happening?


    Indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  93. you are freaking me out man...FREAKING ME OUT

    ReplyDelete
  94. I can see the Network special in 10 years. The fall of Bryan gave way to the rise of an Empire: The Roman Reigns story.

    ReplyDelete
  95. The spear came at the end of the night during the Bryan/Rollins match. And it was indeed awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  96. But seriously dude, Batman would scrape Superman in a fight.

    ReplyDelete
  97. Bryan vs Lesnar will be like David vs Goliath. Only this time, David wins!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Ok, I gotta admit, I am laughing at HHH getting one more burn in on Punk on the podcast.

    "Honestly...I had never heard of him."

    ReplyDelete
  99. I wish I was Vince Jordan. To live in a world where HHH in 2003 was tolerable would be a lovely place.

    ReplyDelete
  100. I just show the people interesting in credibility The Canadian Destroyer. That shuts 'em up real quick.

    ReplyDelete
  101. If someone can't suspend disbelief while watching a match it hurts the product. I understand your point, but their point is equally valid.

    ReplyDelete
  102. You don't count. That was fate, brother.

    ReplyDelete
  103. And I don't deny that not everyone shares my opinion. I realize that every day being a Randy Orton fan on a blog where he's nearly universally disliked.

    ReplyDelete
  104. I saw Bryan beat Batista and Randy Orton once. And HHH in the same night. I saw HHH beat Brock. I saw Bryan beat Cena. I saw Cena beat Brock. I can see Bryan beat Brock.

    ReplyDelete
  105. But it's not believable though. It cannot be believed. It is not able to be believed.

    ReplyDelete
  106. Call John Edwards Vince McMahon because he thinks this is UNBEEEEELIEVABLE!

    ReplyDelete
  107. What are you, some guy talking on a filler segment? Get outta here.

    ReplyDelete
  108. Yeah, Bullet Club needs to thin the ranks a bit. It's too bloated. Kenny Omega seems perfect for them, but due to the bloat, he feels more like "generic American #15."

    ReplyDelete
  109. I'm kinda hoping this somehow gets to Marufuji vs Okada, although I don't see how they get there.

    ReplyDelete
  110. G1 perhaps? I can see that happening. Otherwise it doesn't fit into Okada redemption arc.

    ReplyDelete
  111. Yeah, assuming Jarrett doesn't count, the recent addition of Omega, Hall and Dorada are all interesting. It's the original guys like Tonga, Takahashi and Gallows who are the dead weight.

    ReplyDelete
  112. I can see that point, where Yano teaming up with Jado doesn't feel like a juggernaut posse. But damn, the CHAOS three of Okada, Nakamura, and Ishii is up there with the greatest trios of all time.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment