And it's the final Raw on the Road to the Road to Wrestlemania. Starting next week it's the official Road to Wrestlemania and all the awesome sign pointing that comes with it.
And I'm definitely curious. If given a choice between seeing a Wrestlemania or a Rumble which would you do? Obviously WM is a fan's dream -- the pinnacle of wrestling cards here in North America. But the Rumble seems like so much fun. It's fan friendly and full of legitimate surprises. It's such a tough choice.
Anyway more on the Rumble later in the week. Until then enjoy the show and come out swinging but keep it clean!
And I'm definitely curious. If given a choice between seeing a Wrestlemania or a Rumble which would you do? Obviously WM is a fan's dream -- the pinnacle of wrestling cards here in North America. But the Rumble seems like so much fun. It's fan friendly and full of legitimate surprises. It's such a tough choice.
Anyway more on the Rumble later in the week. Until then enjoy the show and come out swinging but keep it clean!
Attended the Mania in Chicago, but for my money, I would do a Rumble 8 days a week.
ReplyDeleteIts the show of the year for me.
I've always been a Rumble guy, but I guess it would depend somewhat on the WM card in question.
ReplyDeleteI love nostalgia bits, so I'd go for the Rumble and the inevitable old/surprise entrants they pull up (unless they feel like doing a lot more gimmick battle royals at more WMs). Honky Tonk Man in the 2001 rumble is one of my guilty pleasures, and Mr. Perfect in 2002 was one of the best moments that whole year.
ReplyDeleteI thought the pull apart last week was a great way to end a show... Two guys that don't like each other trying to beat the piss out of each other. Hope they keep the intensity up this week. Rock and Punk should absolutely tear the house down at Rumble.
ReplyDeleteThat 2001 rumble was absolutely fantastic.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I loved the brawl/pull apart last week. Reminded me of some of those fun chaotic brawls leading up to epic matches like HHH/Austin, or Austin/Bret or others in the Hart Foundation.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy it while you can though. Once Punk drops the title and goes on the backburner, the buildup will probably be Cena trying to get more "poopy" to drop on Rock.
BUT WILL THERE BE A SIGN TO POINT TO THIS WEEK???
ReplyDeleteGotta go with Mania but it's close. Was going to say Summerslam third but it's probably been taken over by MitB
ReplyDeleteYay, the annual MLK edition of RAW, where Vince throws in a self-important tribute to MLK to give the impression he actually cares.
ReplyDeleteMy 1st PPV ever was the '02 Rumble (Atlanta). Have some friends who are going to WM this year but they're making a HUGE deal out of it (going up Thurs or so, going to some indy shows, HoF, etc)... will be dropping hundreds of dollars. Concerts are more my thing, so my money will be going towards those.
ReplyDeleteExpanding a bit on my post about my friends going to Mania... I think to get the most out of it, it's truly an endeavor, in terms of time, energy, money. I know part of it is the experience, but I've always heard that unless you have really good seats, you're watching the overhead monitors.
ReplyDeleteAnd to be honest, while WM is a spectacle, it doesn't feel special anymore. We see the same matches at some point in the year anyway, and it's not like anything changes permanently anyway. People always talk about how WM is the end of the "booking season" but it's just not true.
I think the Rumble has more of a potential to be just plain fun and enjoyable, while WM is much more of a happening, and that's not always enjoyable.
Never get tired of this open.
ReplyDeletecrowd seems jacked.
ReplyDelete.......
Paul Heyman is nothing if but a gentleman.
ReplyDeletethat's the closest a WWF PPV has come to my home (only 80 miles away), but I wasn't in the health to attend. I was sad.
ReplyDeleteBetter than nothing. Most shows ignore it completely.
ReplyDeleteBeen to SS and SurSer in the past, never to a WM or my personal favorite the RR. But since moving to Asia 10 years ago and settling down with a wife who has no love for wrestling, it's going to take something extreme for me to see one.
ReplyDeleteWhy is Vickie dressed like Rob Halford Batista?
ReplyDeleteActually, wouldnt shock me if Vince took a PPV overseas for better crowds. Would mess up the time change though.
ReplyDeleteI'm ready to go heel here...
ReplyDeleteMy name is______. There is nothing more I'd like to do but say good things about my opponent, but I can't. He's ___(something bad)___...JUST LIKE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. Let's face it--people in __(your town)___ are nothing but losers/mouth breathers/uneducated common folk. DON'T BOO ME! (wait for boos).
Do you think the writers give this script to half their heels?
Man, those cops look indy-tastic
ReplyDeletelove the random metal detector set up there.
ReplyDeleteMy name is cultstatus. There is nothing more I'd like to do but say good things about my opponent, but I can't. He's a post count whore...JUST LIKE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. Let's face it--people in the BoD are nothing but losers/mouth breathers/uneducated common folk. DON'T BOO ME!
ReplyDeleteWell, at least Rock got through the metal detector.
ReplyDeletecop laughed. heh
ReplyDeleteHey Rock....It's called a monster truck, bro.
ReplyDelete- 3:16
It's just me or Rock is in self-parody mode?
ReplyDeleteIf Punk doesn't drop a "I have a dream!" I will be so disappointed.
ReplyDeleteI miss the old non yelling everything Rock. 98 -99 cool shirt rock.
ReplyDeleteAt least R-Truth did something good with it.
ReplyDelete"Don't boo me, you should be booing yourselves!"
Paul and Vickie together is pretty awesome. Both know exactly how to play off each others cues. I could get used to it.
ReplyDeleteI hope Cesaro Euro uppercuts' Orton's neck beard off.
ReplyDeleteHey, did you hear the overwhelming fan support for the Rock's joke with the cops?
ReplyDeleteNeither did I.
He seriously makes me embarrassed to be a wrestling fan sometimes.
or Aces & Eights!!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't agree more....
ReplyDeletePlease let this turn into a series of "Heenan" skits where Rock tries to sneak into the building.
ReplyDeleteFunny that Rock is starring in a movie with the guy John Cena ripped off of
ReplyDeleteAntonio Cesaro wins fatality.
ReplyDeleteI also had a dream. There were no authority figures, no matchmakers, and no one was having an argument interrupted by a guy deciding to turn the confrontation into a tag team match. It...was...amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhen is the 63 year old Lawler going to start wearing cardigan sweaters or polo shirts like people his age? I suppose I should be happy that he's no longer wearing a crown and should consider it progress.
ReplyDeleteI think he has stock in Just For Men as well.
ReplyDeleteI was actually waiting for them to pull the tazer on him.
ReplyDeleteWhen is he going to date 19 year olds like normal people his age too?
ReplyDeleteLet me guess... Cesaro looks like he has Orton right where he wants him, then Orton hits RKO out of nowhere.
ReplyDeleteHyperbole much? Has Rock lost a step? Sure. But he's pretty far down the list of reasons to be embarrassed to be a wrestling fan.
ReplyDeleteWhat a patriot. Such an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBased on the "already in the ring..." intro for Cesaro, you're probably right.
ReplyDeleteThey've been pretty good on protecting Cesaro. I say he gets DQed.
ReplyDeleteOrton in 5:16.
ReplyDeleteHoping Orton loses clean again and does some sort of thing where he snaps and goes heel
ReplyDeleteI like how Cesaro was in the background attempting to get past the ref to attack Orton as he posed for 15 minutes.
ReplyDeleteKing can stop saying winning the Rumble will have you headline WM
ReplyDeleteThey've dropped the rugby player gimmick. Why is Cesaro still wearing the thigh wraps?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they don't pick #27, or whatever the spot is that's had the most winners.
ReplyDeletecome crowd,cheer for Cesaro not randy.
ReplyDeleteI think Cesaro gets his gear at the same generic American flag tights shop that Del Wilkes and TNA era Kurt Angle do. And that shop is the create-a-wrestler mode in No Mercy.
ReplyDeletelet's make the beat the clock timer larger.
ReplyDeleteTHAT'S NOT IRONIC, COLE.
ReplyDeleteoh, he's not reading this?
Orton is looking bigger than in the past.
ReplyDeletea commercial break in the middle of a beat the clock challenge. this makes no fucking sense. i guess it will be longer than 5 and a half minutes
ReplyDeletego back to 2004 and see if you feel the same. but yeah, he's bigger than he was 6 months ago.
ReplyDeleteit's the new diet,you know.
ReplyDeleteI love how it's considered blasphemous not to gush over the Rock.
ReplyDeleteGorilla would say that "he really bulked up for this one." My favorite way of covering up someone getting fatter or roiding up.
ReplyDeleteThis was noted on last week's thread. Got to be back on the gas.
ReplyDeleteDuring the steroid trial era it was "he trained lean for endurance."
ReplyDeleteHey, Antonio Cesaro was once one of those cops.
ReplyDeleteLol. Exactly.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we've missed more than half the match.
ReplyDeleteMan, the Rock-Punk build is already almost over. And it feels like they just got started.
ReplyDeleteThey should go in to a break at like 1:20 and come back after a five minute commercial break at 15:10 just to fuck with people.
ReplyDeletewelcome to WWE booking.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first ever "Beat the clock Ironman match"
ReplyDeleteNo, it's blasphemous to say the guy makes you embarrassed to be a fan. No one is more embarrassing than John Cena and Hornswaggle.
ReplyDeleteAs an Orton fan,I too hope this happens immediately.
ReplyDeletenice timing, director, on that replay.
ReplyDeletehe's a face? what makes him a face, exactly?
ReplyDeleteCesaro needs to do the video game cheat, bring him outside the ring, beat him up, irish whip towards the titan tron at the count of 8, and sneak in the ring at the count of 9. He would have won in 30 seconds.
ReplyDeletethat's backfired on me once or twice...sometimes the AI will reverse something fierce
ReplyDeleteI smell what the Vick is cooking... dog.
ReplyDeleteOh, sorry... wrong Vick.
That's a shame. Royal Rumble 2001 overall was a fantastic event.
ReplyDelete"setting the pace" "turning point in the match" "building momentum"
ReplyDeleteSTOP IT.
dammit,super orton survives the SHORYUKEN
ReplyDeleteThis is the longest match of Cesaro's career.
ReplyDeleteYeah, this commentary is fucking terrible.
ReplyDeleteA heel competing in a beat the clock match should just have an ally pretend to attack him seconds after the bell rings.
ReplyDeletealright, who called it 12 minutes ago?
ReplyDeleteThat was me... and anyone else who has watched WWE in the last several years
ReplyDeleteThought that last week and have thought that in the past but then just like that he goes back to being small(ish)
ReplyDeleteIs Jerry Lawler the T-1000?
ReplyDeleteThat AJ bullshit earlier this year made me embarrassed to watch.
ReplyDeleteSomeone has to beat that, right? I mean, there's no way we're getting a whole night of 10min= matches.
ReplyDeleteI need to find a support group or some place I can admit to having a huge man crush on Cesaro and not be looked down on.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone cares "Have a Nice Day" as a book on tape is up on youtube
ReplyDeleteCenas comes out against dolph again,5 moves of doom,AA and that's it.
ReplyDeleteokay, I've seen WWF scratch logos on TV. I stand corrected!
ReplyDeleteI would guess Big Show. Then they get to spend the whole Rumble talking about how he has to win, even though he never does.
ReplyDeleteI'll help you found it.
ReplyDeleteBefore or after he embarrasses Big E and AJ?
ReplyDeleteIf they're having trouble filling out the HoF class this year, they call always induct all the faces of Foley too.
ReplyDeleteis it the "Shield of Justice" or the "Shield from Injustice?"
ReplyDeletenah, they've got a plethora of Koko B. Ware-types they can call up for a payday.
ReplyDeleteWould have been better if Joey Styles read it.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, and let's not forgot about the litany of "to the skull" and "from out of nowhere" phrases to come.
ReplyDeleteSo... no one else sees that irony in how the Shield always attacks people 3 on 1? Seems kinda unjust for them to me...
ReplyDeleteHow exactly did the clock beat Cesaro, King?
ReplyDeletethis is a sports ENTERTAINMENT,son.
ReplyDeleteBecause they would look like assholes for just throwing up a Did You Know bumper in the middle of a match without the break...
ReplyDeletewell, the director & cameramen don't help with that. I miss when I could see performers prepping for a big move off the top or to the outside, building anticipation. now, you just see a few pounds of flesh bounce into and out of frame. it sucks. not to mention the shaky-cam bullshit.
ReplyDeleteSo you want them to cut to commercial mid-sentence?
ReplyDeleteI hate commercials during matches. Out of all the shitty things promotions do that's the one that pisses me off the most.
ReplyDeleteHe looked at it and an RKO CAME OUT OF NOWHERE!!!!1!!1
ReplyDeleteIt would be England though, and an off-PPV if so.
ReplyDeleteYes, b/c talk about Twinkie Tits and being too fat to see one's penis is oh so representative of wrestling being as good as it can.
ReplyDeleteVince in Gorilla: "OK Cole, even though this match went forever, and we stuffed a bunch of commercials in it, we need you to REALLY sell the Orton win, and act like the 12 minutes has a chance of hell in holding up".
ReplyDeleteThis is where I feel sorry for Cole and Lawler.
what's "Facebook?"
ReplyDeleteIf it's a Cena or Miz promo, then yes.
ReplyDeleteHere is the problem. the SECOND you go to a commercial the idea of Orton/Cesaro winning the challenge is dead. So why even watch the rest?
ReplyDeleteRock has ALWAYS done corny jokes.
ReplyDeleteUgh, and now, The World's Largest Argument For Delayed, FF-able Viewing
ReplyDeleteI just think it's their philosophy to hook viewers. For me, it has the opposite effect. I see a match between two upper mid carders, I know I have a 4 minute starter segment and 3 minute commercial break to kill before we get to a finish. So, I normally channel surf or take a smoke break during that time.
ReplyDeleteEarly leader for line of the night.
ReplyDeleteBig Show is awesome.
ReplyDeletethis is funny, booking team.
ReplyDeleteIn b4 Ryder bitches on Twitter about jobbing.
ReplyDeletePoor Ryder
ReplyDeleteGenuinely thought that was a fan jumping over
ReplyDeleteThe Mad Ox!
ReplyDeleteApparently Vince is in charge of Brad Maddox's wardrobe.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to Squashville, Mr. Ryder.
ReplyDeletePopulation: JTG
ReplyDeletePretty sure he moved in months ago.
ReplyDeleteActually some kick-ass bit of improv there Show.
ReplyDeleteI thought he was the Mayor?
ReplyDeletehe hates Steve Austin right now.
ReplyDeleteWHAT? was over 10 years ago! wow...
there's at least one WHAT chant every show...
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, when Austin first started doing it, it was awesome. "You're going to beat me up?! What?" a great dick heel thing, but once it caught on so much that it started destroying the flow of promos, I'll pass.
ReplyDeletehe def has a better look than the other two, and we know how vince has a hard on for looks.
ReplyDeleteShow not just ignoring it isn't going to help the problem.
ReplyDeleteI would love nothing more than a return to the Jack Tunney style of governance.
ReplyDeleteSaw In Your House set is coming out soon. Pretty darned pump for that. Maybe they'll show the Jeff Jarrett concert
ReplyDeleteI love that it happened a month after his "I'm a serious NWA wrestler who hated being a country singer" gimmick.
ReplyDeleteDid...did he just offer to blow Paul Heyman?
ReplyDeleteI loved that his tweet about not being Raw flashed across the screen last week.
ReplyDeleteYou're being a bit hyperbolic with your use of hyperbole. If someone I didn't know walked in on me while I was watching the Rock concert, 1st I'd want to know who the hell he was and how he got in, and then I'd be embarrassed that the Rock concert is what he saw.
ReplyDeleteI thought the NWA thing happened a couple years later, after Jarrett was in WCW for a few months.
ReplyDeleteI think the studio Maddox was talking about is where they've kept Mooney all these years.
ReplyDeleteEven Ryback knows that RAW is boring; he's always yelling "WAKE UP!" when he makes his entrance.
ReplyDeleteWish Show would have started over with the 10 count after being interrupted with the "WHAT" chants. Would have been a nice heel move.
ReplyDeleteYeah, he came back, did the NWA thing, bitched about being a country singer, then went back to being just that with Tennessee Lee.
ReplyDeleteThere were two Jarrett concerts. The first was at II (the Roadie lip synch) while the second was at Unforgiven '98 (with Sawyer Brown)
ReplyDeleteDoes this feel like the least-buzzed about Rumble match in recent memory to anyone else?
ReplyDeleteI mean, even when a Rumble has no buzz and the projected winners are all people who have no business winning it, I still get excited. Because it's the fucking Rumble. But the buzz on the actual match feels kind of anemic this year.
Ryback's song makes me laugh because it sounds like Dog the Bounty Hunter's theme. Replace Feed. Me. More. with Be. With. Christ. (brah)
ReplyDeleteThink Rock/Punk has gotten all the buzz.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah... I think he was talking about the concert he had just before he lost the IC title to Shawn though.
ReplyDeleteYES! I sing the Cartman rip-off song (when he's Dog the Hall Monitor or whatever) whenever I hear Ryback's theme.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I forgot there was another concert.
ReplyDeletewow i really think goldberg had better promo skills than this schmuck.
ReplyDeleteDidnt think that bar could be crawled under.
ReplyDeleteI totally forgot about the one you're talking about.
ReplyDeleteI would watch the shit out of WWE Update with Sean Mooney, even if it was just a short puff piece about Bobby Heenan and The Islanders.
ReplyDeleteHow have those cops not committed suicide yet after listening to an hour of promin' Rock?
ReplyDeleteLuke Skywalker > Rock
ReplyDeleteI don't like Rocky tonight.
ReplyDeleteSome would wonder how they haven't come already.
ReplyDeleteI think he'd be great if they let him do batshit crazy Ultimate Warrior-style promos.
ReplyDeleterock stop blowing yourself.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lifetime experience. A lifetime television for women experience.
ReplyDeleteLol. I'd like to think that in a kayfabe world, The Rock was doing nothing but promos to the cops for an hour.
ReplyDeleteif was 98-03,it would be awesome to listen to the rock,today is boring,and this is coming from a Rock fan.
ReplyDeleteI'm calling Ryback entering the Rumble at #3 or #4, clearing the ring and doing a Feed Me More bit. And 'protecting' him in their own weird way.
ReplyDeleteWait, what? How can Vickie suspend city cops?
ReplyDeleteeven in 2001 & 02, his schtick was getting old. 03 rock was awesome.
ReplyDeleteI think it would defeat the purpose of a guy like Ryback if they have him entering in at 30 in the rumble.
ReplyDeletewhich is what tells me it's going to happen :/
ReplyDeleteHey guys, SPOILER WARNING....
ReplyDeleteRock buys the cop's ticket.
Dear 5 hour energy: as if your Christmas commercial showing people fawn over crappy econo-packs of your product wasn't bad enough, you now expect me to buy your product by using the very definition of a douchebag?
ReplyDeleteOH MY GOD,this twist is bigger than the one from the sixth sense,ohhhhhhh.
ReplyDeleteStill better than the ad with the chick playing the guitar...
ReplyDeleteThe average fan knows who and what the Kliq is. It's still a stupid idea.
ReplyDeleteAdapting storylines from WWE videogames now!
ReplyDelete(Although, granted, the "banned babyface buys ticket" is an Attitude Era convention that might as well be back, if we have The Rock and all)
Eh, she was nice to look at and the song was catchy in a "only listen to it once or twice" kind of way
ReplyDeleteYeah, Ryback needs to be the designated "Bouncer" of the Rumble, or there's no real point. Like Brock Lesnar entering at 27 and then dumping Taker from behind to win. It just comes across as silly.
ReplyDeleteDid Brad Maddox just offer to give Paul Heyman head? And did Heyman just agree?
ReplyDeleteit's awesome to see the crowd actually fired up for punk.
ReplyDeleteMy deeeebuut albummmm.
ReplyDeletefeaturing auto-tune!
ReplyDeleteI know it's crazy to bring logic into this but shouldn't Vickie have been arrested when she hit that cop on the way out?
ReplyDeleteThen the other cops bust that cop for scalping...
ReplyDeletewhat says the Rock overpays for it?
ReplyDeleteThis is a pretty sincere "Well, it's been fun" speech.
ReplyDeleteBut, SWERVE, they set him up and were behind a criminal syndicate of illegal scalpers!
ReplyDeleteit was a little rusty,but there were some good moments.
ReplyDeletenice bags under your eyes punk.
ReplyDeleteI can almost feel him trying to change Vince's mind.
ReplyDeleteit happens when you work hard.
ReplyDeleteIs that a new piece on the top of the belt?
ReplyDeleteTake notes, kids. That's how it's done. Wow.
ReplyDeleteBest interview Punk's given in ages.
ReplyDeleteKind of hard to call yourself undisputed champ when there's 2 world titles.
ReplyDelete