Fresh off Bad News Barrett becoming King of the Ring which means...something, it's time for another edition of RAW.
Last
week saw a pretty decent show and a good tag match. Smackdown is also
starting to be consistently good as well. Hopefully, this means WWE is
starting to find their rhythm again. Rollins is good chicken shit heel
which is gonna equal a good payoff when the belt is finally taken off of
him.
Thankfully,
Creative finally came to the logical conclusion that Roman Reigns was
still doughy and needed some more baking -- and that's paid off. He's no
longer getting booed out of the building and the fans seem to finally
be getting behind him...though, whether that good will carries into an
inevitable championship push remains to be seen.
We're a couple weeks from Payback with a pretty good main event set up for that card.
I think split-screening this is gonna be the idea for me tonight. Madison Bumgarner has a no-no going into the 4th inning...
Let's see where this goes...
We are LIVE(!!!) from Montreal, Quebec, Canada for Monday Night RAW!!!
JBL, Cole and Booker are the guys talking.
Randy
Orton starts us off and gets a nice ovation and dim SUSPENSE LIGHTING.
Cole gives us our first Kane reference at about 34 seconds in because,
as everyone knows, HE is the REASON we have such a spectacular main
event at Payback! Orton says that the name of the next PPV is fitting
because he'll have "payback against Seth Rollins". At Payback, he'll be
champion. There isn't anything Reigns or Rollins can do about it.
That
brings out Reigns. He says that if anyone gets "payback", it will be
HIM. Orton begs to differ by basically saying "nuh-uh", then reminds
Reigns of how many championships he's won and how many Triple Threat
Matches he's been in. He says that Reigns has "catching up" to do.
Reigns says the last time HE checked, he beat Orton. He won't mind
breaking Orton in half one more time. The crowd doesn't care and chants
for an RKO.
The
New Day appears. Orton dances to the theme. Xavier Woods says that
they're the only "champions" out there right now. Woods says that Reigns
and Orton are negative and nobody cares. Woods says this is a NEW DAY!
Crowd: SUCKS!!! They joke around and preach positivity and tell Orton
and Reigns to clap with them. But, there's one more thing: Kane has
authorized a match between the New Day and Orton/Reigns. NOW!!!
Good opening here. New Day stole the show from the usual drab, "No, you" back-and-forth between the three top guys.
MATCH
#1: WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day (Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston
& Big E) vs. Roman Reigns & Randy Orton in a 3-on-2 Handicap
Match (non-title)
Woods
ends up in the ring with Reigns. Woods puts Reigns in a headlock but
Reigns breaks and runs him over with a shoulderblock. Woods goes for a
Leapfrog and ends up in a Samoan Drop. Orton tags in and stomps Woods in
the stomach, then hits a suplex for two. Woods crawls for his corner
but Orton yanks him back, stomping at him. Reigns tags in and stomps
Woods in the head. Both wrestlers stomp at Woods' stomach, splitting his
legs while they do it, almost in homage to the Sharpshooter. Orton tags
back in and the stomping continues. Woods finally fights back and tags E
who hits a nice belly to belly suplex on a distraction by Kofi. Kofi
tags in and starts working over Orton. Two count. Woods gets back in the
ring and applies a headlock. Orton breaks but Woods hits a dropkick for
two. After the break, we learn that Big E took over by shoulderblocking
Reigns to death. Kofi has Reigns in the ring and he dropkicks Reigns,
getting two. Tag to E. Punch to the chest. E hits a suplex and a belly
to belly and it's a two count. Tag to Woods who comes in with a flying
legdrop. Two count. Reigns fights back but Woods hits a Swinging
Neckbreaker. Two count. Tag to Kofi and he punches Reigns in the chest.
It's more Reigns peril with Kofi putting on an armbar. Reigns breaks so
Kofi tosses Reigns to the mat and we start all over again with Woods
coming in with a headlock. Crowd loves this so much, they chant, "WE
WANT RANDY". Reigns picks Woods up and just tosses him clear across the
ring. Hot tags on both sides and Orton is all over Kofi, who comes back
with a kick and flies at Orton. Orton hits a Powerslam in Stride and
it's a spot-fest with everyone hitting their stuff. The ring clears and
Orton hits the Elevated DDT. He calls for the RKO but Woods gets in to
interfere. Orton hits the RKO on him -- then goes for Kofi. Reigns gets
in and tries for a Spear on Kofi -- but hits Orton. E pulls Reigns out
of the ring and Kofi gets the pin on Orton (something I don't think I
have typed ever) at 13:14.
WINNERS: The New Day.
RATING:
***. Not a bad start to things and a good idea to arbitrarily book The
New Day against WWE's top guys. New Day worked well here and it was nice
to see them get a win without the usual "cheating heel" spot for a
change. Still, while New Day is hitting on all cylinders, Reigns and
Orton seemed to be mailing it in here.
And,
fuck, it's HEEL KANE. He knows that Orton and Reigns hate one another
so, hold on a second, playa: it's Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns in the
main event tonight. Cole reminds us that OMG: THEY'RE IN THE TRIPLE
THREAT SO THAT'S HUGE! Orton and Reigns leave the ring and stare at each other.
Backstage,
New Day celebrates and they tell Kane (who's walking by) that they're
so happy and tell him that they told him they would "win". Kane rolls
his eyes and walks past them, running into Seth Rollins. Rollins shoots
his mouth off at Kane, telling him that he's a spoiled kid. Triple H and
Steph will return and punish Kane. But, now, it's FACEKANE. Kane says
he wasn't much for being a kid. He didn't leave milk and cookies for
Santa. He waited in the chimney with a blowtorch to "burn his
chestnuts". He's making a match: Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins. Also,
J&J are banned from ringside. Seth is beside himself and, pretty
much stating the obvious, says that there's "no point" to having that
match since he already beat Ambrose. Kane tells him to complain some
more and he'll make life real hard for Seth. Seth storms off.
Renee
Young brings Ryback to the ring. He goes off, telling everyone he
doesn't know why Bray's going after him while, somehow, killing a
"GOLDBERG" chant. Then he lists about 110 injuries and obstacles he's
been through. He just keeps coming out and yelling "FEED ME MORE". He
says that talking time is done. It's now "feeding time".
That
brings out Bray in his Backstage Boiler Room Set of Doom. Bray says
that Ryback puts on a good front but that he's a scared little boy. He
says that Ryback will lose everything he loves. In time, Ryback will
fade away, too.
This
feud isn't doing it for me. I kinda like Bray. I really don't care for
Ryback. I mean, they had potential with a Bray/Bo link...but we're not
seeing that.
MATCH #2: Cesaro & Tyson Kidd (w/ Natalya) vs. The Ascension (Konnor & Viktor)
Konnor
and Viktor ambush Kidd in the corner. Quick clothesline. Two count.
Viktor stomps at Kidd and tags in Konnor. Stomps. Two count. Tag to
Viktor. Stomps. Two count. Headlock by Viktor as Natalya frowns,
breaking every ounce of Botox forcing her to do otherwise. Konnor tags
in and hits a suplex. Two count. Tag to Viktor and he hits a dropkick
for two. Konnor tags in and misses an elbow drop, but tags in Vitkor.
Kidd tags Cesaro and he levels both of the Ascension with HUGE boots and
a seires of uppercuts to Viktor. Cesaro whips Viktor from post to post
with Uppercut after Uppercut, totaling around 8 to 10, then hits a Gut
Wrench. Konnor tries to save the day but Cesaro dumps him. Kidd takes
out Konnor outside. Cesaro hits a Swing on Viktor. Kidd hits the
dropkick to the head and we're done at 4:07.
WINNERS: Cesaro & Kidd
RATING: *1/2. Worth it for Cesaro having more worth than everyone else here. Speaking of: does The Ascension have anything left?
Seth
Rollins is backstage. Renee Young comes out of nowhere like a
Wallmaster in The Legend of Zelda to get his "thoughts" on the match
coming up. Rollins calls Kane a moron.
ON
SMACKDOWN: Rollins won his match against Ambrose because of Kane, which
Kane is gonna fix by barring everyone but himself from ringside.
Ambrose
and Rollins hit the ring...but Kane's music interrupts things. Kane
says that he's taking Rollins' sentiments to heart...so, if Ambrose wins
the match tonight, Ambrose will be added to the main event at Payback.
Crowd LOVES this.
Rollins
goes on a temper tantrum. Ambrose interrupts and says he likes this
idea. He asks if anyone here has an issue. Rollins grabs his mic and
yells some more, telling Canada that they don't matter. Kane says that
Rollins's thoughts don't matter. RING THE BELL, PAL.
MATCH #3: Dean Ambrose vs. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins (non-title)
Ambrose
tries to roll Rollins up but Rollins kicks out. After some chops,
Rollins bails from the ring. Ambrose follows and it's a fight outside
with Ambrose hitting the Rebound Clothesline and tossing Rollins back
into the ring. Ambrose locks Rollins's up and kicks him in the back of
the head. Ambrose hits a quick lariat and quick elbow drop for a one
count. Suplex by Ambrose. One count. All this while the commentary team
argue over this whole fucking stipulation. Rollins takes over, putting
Ambrose in the corner, punching at him. Ambrose comes back, tossing
Rollins into the corner and chopping him down like a tree when Rollins
comes back. Rollins regains control with a knee to the gut and slam. He
drops a knee to Ambrose's head and gets a one count. Ambrose manages to regain control and tosses Rollins out of the ring as we go to break.
As
we come back, Rollins is in control with a chinlock on Ambrose. Ambrose
hits a headbutt and tries to clothesline Rollins but Rollins trips him
and he goes flying into the second turnbuckle. Rollins goes for a
Springboard move but Ambrose moves and hits a Tornado DDT. Ambrose his
some shots and slaps Rollins in the face, then hits lariats and a
Bulldog. Ambrose goes to the top rope but Rollins moves and rolls out of
the ring. Ambrose flings himself at Rollins and hits him. He tosses
Rollins back in and it's a series of counters with Ambrose hitting an
Inverted Sidewalk Slam. Rollins counters and comes back with an attempt
at the Buckle Bomb. He can't hit it and Ambrose hits an elbow off the
top rope for two.
Crowd
is loving this and starts an OLE OLE OLE chant which JBL somehow links
to Star Wars. Rollins drops Ambrose's neck on the top rope and hits a
Springboard Kick to Ambrose's head. Two count. Rollins taunts Ambrose
who slaps Rollins. Rollins superkicks Ambrose in the head. TWO COUNT.
Rollins argues with the ref and then picks Ambrose up for the Buckle
Bomb. Ambrose kicks out and it's a fist-fight with Ambrose clotheslining
Rollins out of the ring. Ambrose misses a Rebound Clothesline and
Rollins hits a Buckle Bomb, dropping Ambrose on the crowd barrier.
Rollins gets back into the ring and the ref counts. He gets to nine --
and Ambrose breaks the count.
Rollins
flies at Ambrose with everything he's got, stomping Ambrose in the
corner and hitting a splash. Ambrose comes back with one of his own.
Rollins hits an Enzuguri -- but Ambrose hits the Rebound Clothesline.
J&J make their way down to the ring because fuck stipulations, they
no longer matter. But Ambrose dumps both of them! Rollins grabs Ambrose
but Ambrose elbows out and rolls Rollins up for the pin!
WINNER: Dean Ambrose at 16:31
RATING:
****. THIS is the push Ambrose needs. This is LONG overdue. What a
match by both guys. Why weren't we doing THIS instead of having Ambrose
jobbing to holograms and TV sets?
EARLIER TONIGHT: The New Day beat Roman Reigns and Randy Orton.
MOMENTS AGO: Ambrose beat Rollins.
AT PAYBACK: It's a Fatal 4-Way.
Rollins
shows up at Kane's "office" and starts threatening to kick his ass.
Face Kane says that Rollins just keeps lashing out...so, he could just add more people
to Seth's match at Payback. Kane says that this is all about overcoming
adversity. But worry not, Suddenly Heel Again Kane says, he has a plan...
MATCH #4: Fandango vs. Rusev (w/ Lana)
Rusev
kicks Fandango and knees him in the stomach, sending him outside. While
out there, Fandango flirts with Lana...who, surprisingly, does the
"Fandango". Rusev knocks Fandango down and screams at her, sending her
back to the locker room. Fandango attacks Rusev and sends him into the
ringpost. In the ring, Fandango hits quick dropkicks and punches
Fandango in the corner before Rusev pushes him off. Superkick, Stomp,
Accolade. Done at 2:12.
WINNER: Rusev via Accolade
RATING:
n/a - squash match. Even still, I liked this match. Imagine WWE
Creative actually advancing plotlines by humanizing Lana...so strange.
I'm not used to this.
We get an ad for ESPN's E:60 WWE Special.
Cole takes us through audition videos for Tough Enough.
MATCH #5: R-Truth vs. Stardust
Stardust
has a bag with him. Cole calls him Cody, so we're off to a great start
here. Truth his a hard shoulderblock and tries for a suplex but Cody
breaks and hits a reverse suplex instead. Star keeps lunging for the bag
but Truth won't let him get to it. Truth tries to access it but Star
attacks him and hits a legsweep. Crowd chants "CODY" as Star starts
slugging away at Truth. Both men fly at each other and collide, hitting
the mat. Truth comes back with dropkicks but the crowd couldn't care
less. Truth hits a falling front suplex for two, then goes into Star's
bag, only to find a bunch of plastic spiders, which prompts Cody to roll
him up like we're in an Ambrose match for the win at 2:55.
WINNER: Stardust
RATING: DUD. First one of the night. Nobody was into this and this angle is lame as they come.
THIS
THURSDAY AT SMACKDOWN: All the participants in the Fatal Four-Way will
sign the contract for the main event. PLEASE LET THERE BE A SHIELD
REUNION AT PAYBACK...
The
Canadian fans welcome John Cena with the usual "John Cena sucks" chant.
Cena: "I quit." The fans cheer. Cena talks about overcoming adversity
and how he always does. He actually asks the crowd to stop their OLE
chant -- but says that's not gonna happen. He asks the crowd if they'd
quit. They say "NO". Cena asks some guy in a pink tank what he thinks
and that dude holds up a sign that says "PUSH ZIGGLER" and glares at
Cena like the Angry Miz Kid. TL;DR: Cena offers his usual
challenge...and it is...
Bret
Hart. Hart makes his way down. Hart says he's not fighting...he's here
to introduce a great wrestler...and that brings out Heath Slater. Slater
tries for the Foley Cheap Pop and can't even get that across. Slater
enters the ring and Hart clocks him in the head. Hart introduces...
Sami Zayn!!!
MATCH #6: John Cena (champion) vs. Sami Zayn (challenger) for the WWE United States Championship
Zayn
gets a MONSTROUS pop. Initial run around ends with Cena taking a
dropkick and rolling out of the ring. Cena gets Move #3 twice and gets a
two count. And, now, something's not right with Zayn's left shoulder
and a trainer comes in to examine him. After about a minute, Zayn
continues. The two raise their fists and, finally, Cena kicks Zayn in
the corner, then hits Moves 1 through 3. He goes for the 5KS but Zayn
rolls him up and gets two. Zayn gets up and hits a cross body, getting
two. Cena rolls out of the ring, so Zayn hits a Flying 360 Splash into
Cena's face. Back in the ring, Cena hits the STF. Zayn gets to the ropes
and it's a break. Cena attacks him but Zayn hits the Koji Clutch! Cena
counters with an AA but Zayn counters that with a German Suplex for two.
Zayn charges Cena but Cena clothesline Zayn, then tries an AA. Zayn
lands on his ass, not his back, then gets up and the two men run at each
other. Both of them clothesline one another and roll out of the ring.
Zayn runs at Cena, flies THROUGH the corner of the ring, grabs Cena, and
hits a Tornado DDT! Back in the ring, Cena grabs Zayn and immediately
hits an AA! 1...2...NO. Zayn kicks out. Zayn hits the Blue Thunderbomb
AND NEARLY GETS THE PIN. The two men start trading shots and Cena hits
the Springboard Stunner and AA to wrap this up at 10:43.
WINNER AND STILL CHAMPION: John Cena via AA
RATING:
***1/2. A good debut for Zayn but the match just was really slightly
above Cena/Ambrose, post-WM. I understand why Cena won and I understand
why Zayn lost...but I see no reason why it couldn't have been reversed.
The stipulation at Payback really overrides any title. It's about pride
and guts, not so much gold. Either way, this was a really good match.
We're being spoiled tonight.
The
Bellas are backstage and run into The New Day who's lost their shit and
celebrating at the top of their lungs, lifting E up in the air.
Renee
Young is waiting for Sami Zayn -- but The New Day interrupts and goes
nuts. The do the NEW DAY ROCKS chant. Cesaro, Kidd and Natalya shows up.
Cesaro points out that the crowd thinks they suck. Natalya says TND
only won because Roman and Orton hate one another. They fight over the
New Day chant and New Day takes off.
Nikki
and Brie come out to ringside...until Naomi shows up with WWE HALL OF
FAMER JIMMY SNUKA'S DAUGHTER, Tamina Snuka and, together, they ambush
the Bellas. Naomi and Tamina pick Brie up and bully her, slapping her
around. Naomi grabs the mic and says that "family" is what they just
witnessed. Nice to see that Tamina's gone from being AJ's valet to being
Naomi's valet.
LAST TUESDAY AT KING OF THE RING: Barrett won the King of the Ring.
King
Barrett makes his way down to the ring with his "king" costume from
Party City. He says that he will "rule his kingdom with an iron fist"
and people who don't obey will be the victim of a bullhammer. He says
there are only four words everyone needs to know: "ALL HAIL KING
BARRETT".
MATCH #7: King Barrett & Sheamus vs. Neville & Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler
and Barrett start things off. Sheamus distracts Ziggler and Barrett
hits a cheap shot from behind. Barrett sets Ziggler on the top buckle
and kicks him in the chest. He gets two. Ziggler comes back with a snap
DDT and two count. Sheamus tries to get involved. Sheamus tries to get
in the ring but Neville comes in. Stalemate and a break. After break,
Sheamus has Ziggler in a side headlock. Ziggler fights out but ends up
in the Irish Curse Backbreaker. Sheamus taunts Ziggler so Ziggler hauls
off and Superkicks him. Hot tags on both ends. Neville ducks out of
three moves, then hits a nice Hurricarana, tossing Barrett out of the
ring. Neville splashes him outside, then tosses him back in and hits the
Standing Shooting Star Press for two. Neville misses an attack. Barrett
goes for the Bullhammer but misses. Neville hits an Enzuguri and German
Suplex for two. Sheamus gets in the ring. Ziggler boots him out and the
two fight near the barrier. Neville knocks Barrett down and goes for
the Red Arrow but Sheamus distracts Neville. Neville kicks him and goes
up top but comes down and hits the Bullhammer. Done at 8:38.
WINNER: Barrett & Sheamus
RATING:
**. Not bad, but nothing to write home about. Nice to see Neville and
Zayn getting some work tonight. Neville is supremely impressive and I
can't wait to see him progress through the ranks.
We
go straight from this to the main event -- which is a good thing,
considering it's 4 minutes from the scheduled end of the show. Before we
begin that, however, it's Kane, dressed for battle. Rollins follows
behind him with J&J Security. Jamie Noble says he's the "special
guest ring announcer" and says that Joey Mercury is the timekeeper. Kane
is an "enforcer". Seth is a "guest commentator".
In the words of Dwight in Sin City: "And everything was going SO well..."
MATCH #8: Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton
Seth:
"I trust Kane." Cole: "You TRUST him now?!" Reigns and Orton bickers
over current circumstances but finally start to brawl. Orton knocks
Reigns to his knee but Reigns comes back, tossing Reigns into the
corner. Orton comes back with a clothesline. Orton goes to pick Reigns
up but Reigns hits a Samoan Drop. Reigns dumps Orton outside as Cole
declares that he wants to see Buddy Rogers wrestle. This commentary is
DEATH. Noble gets involved. Reigns clocks him. Orton clocks Reigns and
tosses Reigns back in the ring. Reigns comes back with a quick
clothesline but can't capitalize. Orton gets up and hits clotheslines.
He tries a powerslam but Reigns stops himself on the charge. Orton hits a
nice backbreaker and Reigns falls outside the ring ropes. Crowd is dead
for all of this. Orton goes for the Elevated DDT but Reigns drops
Orton's neck on the ropes and hits the Missile Dropkick. Reigns goes for
the Superman Punch but misses. Reigns runs at Orton again and Orton
hits the In-Stride Powerslam, followed by the Elevated DDT. He calls for
the RKO but Reigns shoves him away and hits a Superman Punch. Orton
rolls out of the ring. Reigns goes for a dive but Kane trips him and all
four guys go to attack Orton. Ref calls for a bell but nobody's gonna
ring it because Mercury doesn't care about his post anymore.
WINNER: Reigns by DQ, presumably.
RATING: **. Eh. Barely passable. A shame, considering what we've seen tonight.
Post-match,
the mudhole stomp continues until Ambrose comes out to save the day.
The three Fatal 4-Way guys surround Rollins until Reigns hits a Spear,
knocking him out. Reigns celebrates -- until Orton RKO's Reigns. Orton
celebrates and Ambrose hits Dirty Deeds.
Ambrose celebrates and we go off the air.
OVERALL:
WHAT. A. SHOW. Why can't Creative do this more often? Even the mediocre
matches weren't as painful. This is the kind of show WWE needs to churn
out on a regular basis. I will go ***1/4 here.
And here is the best of Monday Night Open Mic:
Er...that's it.
Does anyone really feel that Cena holding the belt does ANYTHING for it?
ReplyDeleteThe match as good and all (so awesome seeing Zaynerico on the main show), but all I was thinking was "Cena is holding an open challenge for people to try and beat him". The US Title has very little to do with it.
Don't get me wrong. I like the open challenge. I just think they could have the same net effect if Cena just held an open challenge for people to try and beat him (maybe as "proof" to Rusev that in the US, we don't back away from challengers) while the US Title was held by someone else.
I'm kinda still expecting Cena to drop the title at the hands of a fed-up Rusev. That would make the PPV match that much more intense.
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope so. The pop he'd get would rival the entrance by Zayn tonight.
ReplyDeleteFor last year's Fatal Fourway, they did Neville and Zayn vs. Kidd and Breeze.
ReplyDeleteZayn played Ricky Morton, Neville did his cool flippy shit and got the W, and Breeze ate the pin.
Oh, and Tyson Kidd was there.
I hope that, unlike Mick Foley, he actually gets a serious top babyface run and the inside of his skull doesn't end up as a Jackson Pollack painting.
ReplyDeleteI honestly think that Triple H is just waiting for a lull in the card for him. Unlike Zayn and Neville, who can work with being "normal dudes" (Sami more than Adrian) Finn needs to be given the opportunity to take center stage.
ReplyDeleteThe dude is super charismatic in a way that none of the other call-ups are. He was always the "Mainstream American Wrestling" guy in Japan so they should play with that in his debut.
Much the same that Brock Lesnar was the shit-talking WWE guy in UFC, but then turned into the hyper-legitimate UFC guy in WWE.
You could even have a repeat of the Hideo Itami angle. Replace Itami with Neville and replace the Ascension with Barrett and Sheamus. Have Balor debut at a Raw and get the better of the big guys in a brawl, then have him debut the bodypaint at the PPV and give him the win. You have Brit and Irishmen vs. Brit and Irishmen and it plays off NXT history, Adrian's feud with the bullies and gives Balor an angle that already works (and to appease the NXT crowd, have Adrian say something like "I've seen Balor do this before, so why mess with a good thing?").
His appearance in WWE is overdue and it's just a matter of time and I like your take on the debut and angle, combining with Adrian...but wouldn't you want the body paint on TV? That would bring in some huge numbers, I'd think.
ReplyDeleteWasn't that the same year the Jaguars made the AFC title game? The weirdest season ever; most expansion teams suck for their first several seasons, yet we damn near had an all-expansion Super Bowl.
ReplyDeleteHuge numbers as in ratings or.....I don't see someone's body paint being huge numbers in any way. Ppv buy, tv ratings, live gate, etc Reys mask was cool and helped get him over and made him a lot of money on merchandise but it never helped any "numbers"
ReplyDeleteWe're talking a lucha mask which everyone's seen vs. a dude covered in body paint that makes him look like a man-eating beast thing. I think it would help bring aboard some casual fans. But, I don't know...Balor's gimmick is something unique.
ReplyDeleteI like Orton but also kinda hoping he gets removed from the match so we can get SHIELD EXPLODE.
ReplyDeleteI mean...A Shield reunion would be kick-ass and, probably ill-advised...but, dude...they'd be missing a frickin' GIMME if they didn't do something with the three of them.
ReplyDeleteEl Generico almost never won singles matches.
ReplyDeleteHis own compilation Dvd started with like 6 consecutive losses.
He's got experience in the role.
If Vince McMahon would have booked this, he would have brought in Mabel, just to piss off the fans...
ReplyDeleteUm....not seeing....it???
ReplyDeleteCouldn't they just splice in YouTube footage? They DO own it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good show. Will definitely be checking out Sami's debut and Ambrose/Rollins.
ReplyDeleteA number of WCW's themes came from other production music libraries. It wouldn't shock me if they decided not to re-license them in certain cases.
ReplyDeleteCrowd hate Cena.
ReplyDeleteCrowd repeat his catchphrase.
... wrestling fans are idiots.
Of course it does.
ReplyDeleteCena's actually defending the belt weekly. Name the last IC/US champ who defended it bi-weekly. He's raised the prestige of the title exponentially, and done so while making everyone he faces look good. All the while having a storyline with Rusev that allows Cena to fulfil the WWE nonsense AND have great matches weekly.
There's also the fact that he's clearly proud to have the title. He doesn't bury it, he acts like it means something. Dude gives no signs that he feels it's a demotion at all. And at this stage whoever beats him is going to get a monster pop and a big prestige boost.
I loved that Dean Ambrose got into the main event, he's got the goods and is organically over but sadly I just think he was added to the title match to eat the pin to protect Orton/Reigns and then be shoved back into midcard obscurity.
ReplyDeleteMabel dominating the WCW Title scene for years. Mabel headlining a major PPV against "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. Mabel seeing The Ultimate Warrior in the mirror.
ReplyDeleteFuck, now I'm sad. That would have been AMAZING.
Man, the US title segment and Rollins/Ambrose were so much fun. Clearly the two have worked together a lot, because that was probably the best match I've seen from Ambrose. He's getting a Nakamura vibe.
ReplyDeleteSami Zayn on RAW. Best RAW ever or Best RAW ever?
ReplyDeleteJust watched the main event. A gun belonging to one of the cops fell out of his holster and onto the mat as he rolled into the ring.
ReplyDeleteYou no-sold the gigantic "We want Flair" chants. Where was he, anyway?
Banging the bats on the stairs was the best part about the closing sequence. Sounded like gunshots, just added to the pandemonium. So, so good.
ReplyDeleteThe problem I have is that could have gone to anyone. Have Reigns if he's the next big thing. Have Wyatt to give the guy some direction. No need for lolcenawins running wild on the mid card brother.
ReplyDeleteYeah basically R-truth and his WM push.
ReplyDeleteHaha, you said "Wyatt" and "Direction" in the same sentence. That error has been noted, sir.
ReplyDeleteWrestling fans actually like Cena because they know how damn good he is. Its just cool to hate him.
ReplyDeleteReason number 96 to like Zayn. His music stands out from all the arena-numetal anthems.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'd keep building to it.....and do Rollins/Reigns/Ambrose for the title at Summerslam.
ReplyDeleteRusev isn't winning anything for awhile.
ReplyDeleteThis post could not be more right. Sami's attractiveness is his fight and determination to win, and then come up short, and claw again.
ReplyDeleteI might actually have to watch this show after work. And here I thought I probably wouldn't be watching a new Raw until at least the day after Sumerslam.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best RAWs in a long time, loved it!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite part was the supremely in-form Randy Orton completely emasculating Roman Reigns in the opening segment. Reigns was STRUGGLING hard. I don't know what it's going to that guy to get even remotely comfortable on the mic
I haven't seen the segment yet, but I have watched Reigns on the mic, and I think they need to keep it short and sweet with him. They did that with Batista at first and he got increasingly better on the mic.
ReplyDeleteForget, Joe Gomez for just a second.
ReplyDeleteWhat was with the heat for Nelson? I enjoyed their attempts at somewhat listenable power ballads.
That's the thing I don't get, it's been long enough now and Reigns hasn't improved one bit whereas Rollins went from truly terrible to the best promo in the company within a month. Reigns was wincing at his own mic work last night - that's how bad it was
ReplyDeleteI love Rollins, but it wasn't a month. And he was actually never terrible on the mic, they just gave him terrible things to say.
ReplyDeleteI'm not saying Reigns will improve like Dave did. I'm just saying that when a guy is not comfortable on the mic, the less said, the better.
Starting the 90-minute version of Hulu, looking forward to a good show, and with the Orton-Reigns-New Day interactions, I'm already amused.
ReplyDeleteRandy Orton starting to dance to the New Day music was awesome. Xavier Woods wearing a tag title he never actually won amuses me as well. And Orton trying to get Reigns to clap! OK, first segment is a fucking win.
Hey now. Roman wasn't built in a day.
ReplyDeleteYeah I think Rollins just fully embraced his nasally, annoying voice and obviously as a heel it's more effective. He very quickly became more confident on the mic and can now talk comfortably non-stop, whereas Reigns can't say a single thing without looking like he's crapping himself. "You know that thing you just said? Yeah, it ain't going down like that!" Cringe central
ReplyDeleteI think it had to do with the fact that Ricky Nelson was their dad, so people thought they had an easy road to become stars. Not to mention the type of music they produced had a shelf life of 3 years.
ReplyDeleteThey didn't want him to get a babyface reaction on the show, so they left him off.
ReplyDeleteBOO THIS MAN!
ReplyDeleteThis open-challenge Cena has been so awesome.
ReplyDeleteSami Zayn blowing out his shoulder by pumping up the crowd might be the dumbest injury ever. They should invent an award for that one.
ReplyDeleteBut then what would Cena be doing? He'd be right back in the main event getting in the way of Rollins's momentum. This way Cena FINALLY has fresh match ups, adds prestige to a forgotten title, and actually makes the mid carders look pretty good because most of them have been hard-fought matches. Eventually someone's going to beat him and look massively strong as well
ReplyDeleteNot really. Cena's legitimacy and main event status make him holding the title mean something. Reigns/Wyatt have none of that credibility, nor a back catalogue of classic single matches.
ReplyDeleteDid he really blow it out? Is it that bad?
ReplyDeleteThe Randy Orton award?
ReplyDeleteWhat promo were you watching? Reigns more than held his own on the mic in that segment.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to pretend like I'm not the biggest Reigns hater around but come on man, the crowd drowned out everything he was saying and even Orton couldn't help but troll him throughout. He was embarrassing out there
ReplyDeleteAlright, let's play my favorite game: What does Hulu cut from Raw this week? Nothing cut so far, New Day-Reigns/Orton and then the Kane-Rollins interactions - vital to the show - all stay in so far.
ReplyDeleteGood review (needed more flaming piles of dog crap though) sounds like a good show, regret that I missed it.
ReplyDeleteThat is literally not what happened. He got his digs in on Orton and some funny lines. The crowd was actually going "Ohhhhhh" after them like it was a rap battle. It was a fun segment.
ReplyDeleteAnd Renee's interview with Ryback stays in, too! They really like the first hour here on Hulu Plus.
ReplyDeleteSo, all Ryback had to do to get rid of the Goldberg chants was acknowledge them? Brilliant!
ReplyDeleteWatch it again dude, Orton was masterful, Reigns was like a meek child. What funny lines are you referring to? I do remember "at Payback, I'M the one who's going to get Payback". A+ stuff there. The look on his face throughout the segment said it all
ReplyDeleteI have to give it up for The New Day. They were terrible as baby faces but the are killing at as heels. Fun stuff.
ReplyDeleteSomehow I'd like to see Bo Dallas worked into the New Day gimmick.
Hasn't Reigns had the best match on three straight PPVs?
ReplyDeleteYes it was. Living in Savannah, GA (essentially in between Charlotte and Jacksonville), I remember it being an even CRAZIER time than normal (you know, football being #1 in the South). Unfortunately my Falcons were still 2 years away from their Super Bowl run.
ReplyDeleteYeah that's fair to say (though obviously that has nothing to do with his mic skills...). Let's not forget though that two of those opponents were Brock Lesnar and Daniel Bryan and the other match was gimmicked
ReplyDeleteNot that I had to because I know I'm right, but I just re-watched it on youtube for shits and giggles and none of what you said is evident.
ReplyDeleteTIL Roman Reigns Truthers exist.
Probably just dislocated it and then it popped back in place.
ReplyDeleteYou rewatched it and still think that Reigns held his own while Orton crapped all over him and the crowd chanted RKO non stop? What about those funny lines you mentioned - any examples?
ReplyDelete"They don't fight for you" was a great line and immediately shut the crowd up and made them go "Ohhhhhhh". They were doing it all throughout the segment, the crowd was great last night.
ReplyDeleteI hope so. That would really suck for him.
ReplyDeleteKane is the Eobard Thawne to Seth's Wally West/Barry Allen?
ReplyDeleteThe genius of that line must be lost on me. I think most would agree there was a STARK difference between Orton and Reigns in that segment, with one guy mega comfortable and confident and the other so uncomfortable that he was cringing at his own delivery. Orton might as well have put him over his knee and spanked him like a little child
ReplyDeleteI loved the show-long celebration over what was essentially a cheap win. And for some reason, Big E enthusiastically yelling "KANE! WE DID IT!" was hilarious to me.
ReplyDeleteNow this sounds like what the post Mania Raw should've been. Hopefully this show isn't an anomaly and i remains consistently good.
ReplyDeleteThe Sami Zayn match wasn't that good.
ReplyDeleteThat was a real rumor back then. Probably wouldn't have had them same impact
ReplyDeleteImagine all the homoeroticness that Bischoff had with Hogan, but replace it with Mabel.
ReplyDeleteThat's actually pretty funny, come to think of it.
DDP's theme and Public Enemy's themes, the only music changed on this show, were both written by Jimmy Hart specifically for them (PE even does the vocals for theirs). PE's theme is not dubbed over on the WCW PPVs on the Network, and WWE always left DDP's theme intact until the Network started.
ReplyDeleteHart also did the themes for Disco, Savage, and the Dungeon of Doom, all of which are on this episode.
I will not be part of a blog where we have to put aside joe gomez.
ReplyDeleteThis might be the first Raw in years where the 90 minutes isn't enough good content!
ReplyDeleteHe fucked up his shoulder pretty good before it even started and it was still at least ***.
ReplyDeleteI can't decide which New Day line is better - "POP, holding it down!" or "not only does Seth Rollins have your number, he's got it on speed dial!"
ReplyDeleteMaybe they're apologizing for the sloppy music edits.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of the status of a shoulder... it's an average match.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the **1/2 range but I could maybe see ***. Minor gripe but I'm seeing ****+ as ratings for that thing, which is just craziness.
both those themes were knockoffs of actual songs, weren't they? Maybe they feel they're too close for legal comfort or something
ReplyDeleteEgads do I ever fucking hate King gimmicks. What a waste of a good talent. Can we just let that shit die already? Winning King of the Ring is a double edged sword, because it just means you'll be the eleventeenth asshole stuck wearing a stupid crown and cape.
ReplyDeleteIf I watch Raw at all, it's on Hulu, and I have legit never seen Kidd and Cesaro together.
ReplyDelete#notallwrestlingfans
ReplyDeleteMaybe BEST raw ever
ReplyDeleteDDP's theme was, yes. Like I said, though, WWE always left it intact on WCW footage until 2014 when the Network launched.
ReplyDeleteThe Goldberg Limousine Window Punch Award?
ReplyDeleteI've seen that dude powerbombed through 4 ladders from 20 feet in the air and pop up like nothing was wrong. I used to wonder if he could even get hurt....
ReplyDeleteOrton punching the mat so hard he put himself out of action is much worse surely?
ReplyDeleteOh I'm not complaining--I was just surprised. I suppose it's because Owens is from Quebec as well so that made me think of it. I know they've never done NXT crossovers before but it doesn't mean they never will/would, right?
ReplyDeleteThey changed the expansion draft to ensure the Browns and Texans would suck in the beginning, which is a shame.
ReplyDeleteGlad someone else noticed that they're basically just doing Bo's gimmick. They're doing a great job with it, but it's the same damn thing.
ReplyDeleteHe was awesome last night, got the audience to do a complete 180*.
ReplyDeleteWWE must have lost a lawsuit to Ini Kamoze. How does McDevitt still have a job?
ReplyDeleteWow. I actually never knew Ricky was their dad.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, it wasn't the Cena/Bryan clinic that it could have been.
ReplyDeleteThat said, it didn't have to be and want supposed to be. No doubt that the injury hampered it, but it was also only supposed to be a short match to give the "rookie" a bit of a rub, not a well-built PPV encounter. If he had won, it would have been pretty hard to keep the momentum going; basically "all down hill from here".
Probably. Although Nash supposedly tore a bicep while cutting a promo, and we know of Orton punching the mat and Vince tearing his quads.
ReplyDeleteQuiet, confident Reigns is awesome. Sassypants Reigns is quite the opposite.
ReplyDeleteIt's great seeing tag teams actually get some development and backstage interactions.
ReplyDeleteEven better to see the Tag Team Champions win a match against a cobbled-together team of singles guys, even if it wasn't exactly a dominant win. It's still a step in the right direction. :)
And I actually think Ryback handled the crowd chants well - "If I ignore it, you won't stop..." - that got a big response.
Buying kamikazes at the bar with "Mean" Gene! Woo!
ReplyDeleteVince tearing his quads at the Rumble is still No. 1 on my list.
ReplyDeleteWWE knows how to pick 'em as far as injuries are concerned.
ReplyDeleteum, excuse me, that's MEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAN WOOOOO BY GAWD Gene, to you, kind sir
ReplyDeletecall her the Cocoa Banshee
ReplyDeleteThe Gus Ferotte award.
ReplyDeleteWe're in Charlotte and Flair didn't get insanely buried? What the heck?
ReplyDeleteWhy do you need a main eventer to make the title mean something?
ReplyDeleteRyback's underrated, interesting and unique look, interesting personality and can talk, not death as a worker and I think he can improve on that.
ReplyDeleteGomez only got one segment? Horseshit.
ReplyDeleteJOE GOMEZ got referenced on Jericho's latest podcast, the one with Sheamus!
ReplyDeleteWonderful ending to this show. You hit the nail on the head: "the kind of anarchy you don't get anymore." Wrestling, and specifically WWE, is missing this.
ReplyDeleteHe's almost as obscure as Rock Star Gary on BoD RAW.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the context?
ReplyDeleteI wonder if maybe they are holdovers from 24/7? There is enough inconsistency that I'd bet there are two or more sets of 'rules' out there. Some of this stuff is a direct 24/7 port as it is, which is very annoying considering how often the rules have changed (muting the 'F' and the like).
ReplyDeleteNope, nothing to do with Classics On Demand, as DDP's theme was never dubbed over on that.
ReplyDeleteWhatever it was that changed in 2014 affects WWE Home Video now, too. On the 2012 NWO set, DDP/Savage from Halloween Havoc 1997 was included with DDP's theme intact. On the Savage set released last year, the same match is on it with "Self High Five" replaced just like on the Network.
I noticed that the WCW themes WWE used to keep but now replace seem to all be Jimmy Hart knockoffs of real songs (except Jericho's heel theme, which is a Pearl Jam's Evenflow knockoff from a stock music library). The weird thing, though, is that Sid's 1999-2001 music sounds exactly like "China White" by the Scorpions (because that was the Skyscrapers' theme in 1989), yet it has survived WWE's purge of the ripoff songs.
Must be the same assholes who doubt El Dandy!
ReplyDeleteSheamus mentioned staying at Gomez's house when he first got to FCW, and Jericho interjected that Gomez's house is apparently a common lodge for wrestlers in Florida, particularly newcomers. "They just go to Joe Gomez's house, for some reason."
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. Maybe just tightening up their protocols.
ReplyDeleteHe was big enough to be the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th man.
ReplyDeleteWhat I caught from this show reiterates something that has been true for some time: The WWE can't write for faces. They don't know what a "good guy" is supposed to do.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like "go out there and smile!" is all the WWE thinks needs to happen for someone to be considered a face. (Except, of course, that most of their heels are smiling fools, too.)
Cena often comes across as a bully. Ziggler, including his insert promo before this show's tag match, wrestles like a face but promos like a heel.
Even Natalya (who knows if she's supposed to be a face or not at this point, but she was opposing the New Day who are clearly meant to be the heels), completely took me out of the Cesaro/Kidd vs New Day backstage segment when she started dancing to the "New Day Sucks" chant--although, that's a symptom of another WWE failing...they're shitty at co-opting things the fans do, almost always ruining a good, organic thing by forcing it on future crowds.
And I'm still not sure they've got a handle on what Roman Reigns should be like when he's on the mic.
Have the WWE EVER been good at writing for Faces?
Probably why Jesse had his voice removed again. I think once Hogan and Vince are on the outs again, Jesse will be welcomed back once again.
ReplyDeleteNothing has changed with Jesse since 2004. His voice is left in anything that's not a WWE Home Video release or video game (WWE Network, YouTube, TV, Classics On Demand when it still existed).
ReplyDeleteFor WWE DVDs/Blu-rays, whether he is cut or not depends upon how big of a presence he will be. On last year's Warrior set, he was on commentary for around 10 or so matches, so he was included. When it's just, say, 3 matches are so, his voice will be removed.
But he's ROYALTY!
ReplyDeleteI don't want the bodypaint for his debut because when he doesn't use it the week after it'll be a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteBalor is awesome without the bodypaint, he doesn't need it to get over. Let people appreciate the awesomeness of normal Balor and save the the bodypaint for his PPV debut or his first serious feud or something like that. Build it up as a cool trick.
Miz has his PPV coat, Undertaker had his WrestleMania tope...give Balor something different that he can amp up certain occasions with.
He's made for Raw, because losing constantly is a certainty for him.
ReplyDeleteThe Bill Gramatica Award.
ReplyDeleteThe ramps are much longer in WWE. That's where the real injuries occur.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right. I guess we won't really know how "elevated" it is until the person AFTER Cena holds it for a while and we see someone coming after their belt.
ReplyDeleteTo me, the problem is in your last sentence: 'And at this stage whoever beats him is going to get a monster pop and a big prestige boost.'
The title wasn't really even in that sentence, and it doesn't change the meaning one bit (I know I'm picking, and it clearly isn't what you mean, but bear with). I just feel like "beating Cena" is the prize more than the title.
Either way, it's a good start. I guess only time will tell.
Merch is most of WWE's income, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteIt's a big part but not even ose to most of their income. Tv rights,I've gates, etc are much more.
ReplyDeleteHah, freudian slip. But if beating Cena alone gave credibility, Tensai would be where Brock is.
ReplyDeleteyou suck matt perri http://www.bangbus.com/t8/?prg=pps&aid=comein&cmp=warningpage
ReplyDeletematt perri porn : http://kickass.to/avengers-age-of-ultron-2015-cam-x264-ac3-titan-t10558475.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bangbus.com/t8/latest-videos
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bangbus.com/t8/trailer/valeria-tries-a-dick-sandwich_3403535.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bangbus.com/t8/trailer/protestor-exercises-her-right-to-take-cock_3402493.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bangbus.com/t8/trailer/riding-the-bus-in-to-london_3402783.html
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bangbus.com/t8/trailer/alina-li-needs-lots-of-cock-now_118043.html
ReplyDeletehttps://www.fakku.net/
ReplyDeletehttp://www.realitykings.com/moms-bang-teens/bang_camp/home.htm
ReplyDeletehttp://cache.rk.com/rk/tour5/enterheaders/21/7.jpg
ReplyDeletehttp://cache.rk.com/rk/tour5/enterheaders/21/7.jpg vc
ReplyDeletehttp://cache.rk.com/rk/tour5/enterheaders/21/7.jpg ddfdd
ReplyDeletegfdgdf http://cache.rk.com/rk/tour5/enterheaders/21/7.jpg
ReplyDelete