Hey guys and gals! Thought I would try something different for my next post. Going forward, I will be doing weekly Raw reviews, usually on Tuesdays. Note that this isn't quite the traditional "play-by-play" review as it is just me giving my thoughts on the segments and matches with a little commentary thrown in. My personal thoughts will show up in italics. Let me know if you like/hate/can't stand this format in the comments below. Enjoy!
Live from Corpus Christi, Texas, this is Monday Night Raw episode #1127...
Raw finally gets an opening intro and pyro for the first time in forever? Well, at least that's one good thing about this show...
John Cena/Authority Promo
John-boy basically cuts a promo apologizing to the fans and the wrestlers in the ring for bringing back The Authority last week, and says that 2015 will be a tough year. The Authority shows up to mock Cena and claim that everything has been made right again thanks to one man...Seth Rollins. Rollins walks out to the ramp. Triple H announces that Cena v.s Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble is now a triple threat match with Rollins added to the mix.
Very intriguing that Rollins is added to the match. I still think that Lesnar retains the title at the Rumble, though.
Cena Appreciation Night is announced, and Trips makes Dolph Ziggler defend the Intercontinental Title against the man who never lost it, Bad News Barrett. That match is next.
I've got a bad feeling about this...
Formal ring announcements are done for the challenger and champion.
Intercontinental Championship: Dolph Ziggler vs. Bad News Barrett
Barrett tries to go for a slam, but Ziggler counters with a rollup for the three count.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Barrett attacks Ziggler from behind doing such things as throwing him into the steel steps, the steel ring post, and other things. Kane then appears on the stage and says that he forgot to mention that the match is a 2 out-of-three falls match.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Bad News Barrett (Fall #2)
Barrett hits a boot to the face and hits Wasteland for the three. It is now 1 all.
Winner: Bad News Barrett
Dolph Ziggler vs. Bad News Barrett (Fall #3)
After six minutes of action, Kane distracts Ziggler long enough for Barrett to hit the Bull Hammer for the win and his fifth IC title.
Winner and New Intercontinental Champion: Bad News Barrett
While I am ecstatic that BNB won the IC title, couldn't they have waited until the Rumble for the title change? The IC title is slowly turning into the "hot potato title" again, and I don't like it one bit.
Renee Young introduces Roman Reigns backstage. He says that Big Show can expect a beating later on tonight, and he also made Superman references, complete with theatrics and his own sound effects.
Didn't the writers get the memo that they need to make Roman's promos sound strong? Seriously, who writes this shit?
Bray Wyatt cuts a promo stating that tonight is the end of his journey with Dean Ambrose. He says the devil is real and that he walks beside him. Run!
At least Bray is around to give me a nice palate cleanser.
After the break, The Ascension makes their entrance for a match. They cut a promo comparing themselves to tag teams such as Demolition and The Road Warriors.
Horrible idea for them to mention the Road Warriors. They really don't need that comparison at this point.
The Ascension vs. Who Cares
Basically a squash that ended with the Fall of Man after a minute.
Winners: The Ascension
Worth noting here that JBL absolutely buried The Ascension on commentary after the Road Warriors comment. Dude, I know that comparison is ridiculous, but don't bury new NXT talent that are trying to make it on the roster! Come on man. Be better than that.
Rusev and Lana get a little promo time. Rusev isn't actually that bad of a talker, I hope they'll let him speak a little more in the future.
After a Cena Appreciation Night video and a commercial, we get our next match...
Big Show vs. Roman Reigns
The story in this match is that Big Show is working over Reigns's ribs as the announcers mention his recent hernia surgery. Show uses punches and also utilizes a bearhug. Reigns tries a Superman Punch, but Show sends him to the outside. Show then hits Reigns with the steel steps, causing a DQ.
Winner by DQ: Roman Reigns
Afterwards, Show tried to hit Reigns with the steps again (slowly, mind you) and gets met with a spear.
I don't know how many more of these Big Show-Roman Reigns matches I can take. Can't they get a more convincing heel to put Reigns over? The only heat Big Show gets at this point is library heat. (Hi JP!)
We get a replay of the Authority's promo from earlier (Why?!) and another reminder of Cena Appreciation Night later on (Seriously, WHY?!).
The Bella Twins are in the ring. Divas Champion Nikki has a match with Natalya up next.
Nikki Bella (w/ Brie) vs. Natalya (w/ Paige)
Yep, that's right. Paige comes down to the ring, hugs Nattie, and is apparently in her corner. Nikki hits the forearm shot on Nattie, but is distracted when Paige throws Brie into the barricade. Nattie then rolls up Nikki for the non-title win.
Winner: Natalya
So I guess Paige is a face now? Okay then. This match had "Total Divas promotion" written all over it.
Dean Ambrose cut a brief promo saying all he cares about is putting Bray Wyatt in an ambulance. (Good promo from Ambrose as always.)
The announce team acknowledges the passing of ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott, and they send their condolences on behalf of WWE. (He passed away of cancer at age 49. RIP Stuart Scott.)
Erick Rowan enters the ring for a match. His opponent is his former tag team partner Luke Harper. Before the match starts, Eden announces the special guest referees...Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury.
Erick Rowan vs. Luke Harper
Rowan hits a spin kick on Harper and goes for a pin, but J&J can't decide who will count. Rowan yells at the two, then Harper hits his spinning clothesline. Noble counts the fast three count win.
Winner: Luke Harper
Afterwards, J&J attack Rowan, Harper hits another clothesline, and J&J hit a double dropkick while Harper held Rowan's head up.
Yet another Harper/Rowan match given away on free TV. The Authority punishing Team Cena storyline continues. Whatever.
Another Cena Appreciation clip, this time it's from when he was drafted to Raw in 2005, nearly ten years ago. (Nearly ten years ago?? Oh the humanity. I feel old, yet I'm only 22.) Then another reminder of Cena/Lesnar/Rollins at the Rumble. The Usos & Naomi v.s Miz/Mizdow & Alicia Fox is later on.
Backstage With The Divas!
Every time there is a backstage segment with two or more divas, I'm putting it in its own heading, whether the segment is good or terrible. All you need to know about this segment is Alicia Fox turning Big Show and throwing Naomi into a table. So yeah, terrible.
Video package time to set up the ambulance match. It's next.
The ambulance drives into the side of the arena. Dean Ambrose makes his entrance first followed by Bray Wyatt.
Ambulance Match: Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt
This was a wild brawl, as was expected. They brawled over to the ambulance, where Wyatt would work over Ambrose's knee by closing the ambulance door on it, rolling the stretcher on it, and slamming it into the ring post. After more brawling around the ring and ringside, they made their way back to the ambulance. Ambrose would get multiple white tables with a red cross in the middle; he set one up across from the ambulance. He set Wyatt up on the table, climbed to the top of the ambulance and drove an elbow on Wyatt through the table! Awesome spot! Ambrose was still selling the leg, so he couldn't capitalize. Wyatt recovered and hit Sister Abigail on Ambrose on the ambulance doors. He tried to put him in the ambulance, but Ambrose would somehow escape. Wyatt hit another Sister Abigail on the floor this time, and Wyatt finally put Ambrose in the ambulance for good.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
One of the better ambulance matches I've seen in quite some time. Wyatt going over is no surprise, if you believe the supposed opponent he is being built up for for Wrestlemania. Great effort by both men.
The Authority's promo from earlier is replayed (Seriously, WTF?!) as well as another reminder of Cena Appreciation Night (FML...).
This Friday on SmackDown, it's MizTV with guest Seth Rollins. It's also the last SmackDown on Fridays as it moves to Thursdays next week.
The Usos & Naomi vs. The Miz, Damien Mizdow, and Alicia Fox
The divas started out, then Miz was tagged in while the fans chanted for Mizdow. Pretty much all the bumps Miz took Mizdow took as well. Mizdow was finally tagged in but only lasted a few seconds as Miz tagged back in and hit an axehandle smash on Jey to the outside. Later, Jimmy gets the hot tag and hits a Samoan Drop. Alicia tries to interfere, so Naomi hit a headscissors. Jimmy was distracted long enough for Miz to roll him up (What is with these damn rollups??) for the duke.
Winners: The Miz, Damien Mizdow, and Alicia Fox
I believe that's the third rollup win I've counted tonight. How creative. Another Miz/Mizdow showcase here, although I'm wondering how long they will last as a team. I expect Mizdow to break out on his own post-Mania.
Ryback v.s Seth Rollins is next. Ryback enters first followed by Rollins with J&J Security in tow. Kane comes out in his ring gear and announces it will be a handicap match with himself and Rollins v.s Ryback. (I do not need nor do I want to see anymore Kane/Ryback matches. Groan.)
Ryback vs. Seth Rollins & Kane
The heels spent most of the match getting quick tags and working Ryback over pretty good. Ryback gained some steam with a spinebuster on Rollins. He hit the Meat Hook clothesline and went for Shell Shocked, but Kane pulled Rollins off. He hit Shell Shocked on Kane instead. Rollins hit a Curb Stomp on Ryback followed by another one for the pinfall victory.
Winners: Seth Rollins and Kane
More of "The Authority makes life miserable for Team Cena" storyline. Whatever. Rollins continues to be the best heel in the company when Brock isn't around. I guarantee he becomes WWE World Champion post-Mania.
Cena Appreciation Night blah blah blah later on. Next.
Big E (w/ The New Day) vs. Adam Rose (w/ The Rosebuds)
After a little action, two rosebuds in black outfits attacked The New Day. They destroyed Big E with a powerbomb/top rope blockbuster combo. They are revealed as Cesaro and Tyson Kidd.
Winner by DQ: Big E
Can we get Adam Rose off television now? His character is stale beyond belief and he is just floundering right now. The New Day is not catching on at all. They should have done what they were going to do this summer and become a heel trio. Hopefully it will happen soon. I loved Cesaro and Kidd showing up and wrecking house. I am a fan of these two and I hope good things will come for them as a tag team.
The Authority is shown backstage. Cena Appreciation Night is next. (Yippie...)
Cena Appreciation Night
Stephanie McMahon and Triple H come out for the main event promo. After a few words, they bring out the guest of honor. Cena is out next with a morose look on his face. They spend some time sucking up to Cena saying they appreciate him. Cena asks if they are through, but Trips says that they are just getting started. He calls out Dolph Ziggler, Ryback, and Erick Rowan; they come out and stand in the ring with Cena. HHH says that all three men will have to face the consequences for being a part of Team Cena. He says maybe they will suspend Rowan for 30 days, Ryback for 60, and made Dolph suggest 90 days. Stephanie and Hunter walked up the ramp as they needed a moment to make a decision. Stephanie announced that all three men were fired. They said they could all thank and appreciate John Cena. Confetti and balloons fell while celebration music played in the arena. Hunter and Stephanie kissed while Cena, Rowan, Ryback and Ziggler looked sad as Raw went off the air.
15 minutes for all of this? What a weak ending. The "firing" angle has been done to death so much in WWE that nobody believes it anymore. I wouldn't be surprised at all if all three men are rehired before the Royal Rumble.
Final Analysis
This show gets a 4 out of 10. I am being very generous with that score.
When I started to re-watch this show, I got a nosebleed. That pretty much sums up how I felt about Raw tonight. With the exception of Ambrose/Wyatt and Ziggler/Barrett, nothing about this show interested me at all. The continuous pushing of Cena as the focal point of most shows is getting real old real fast. The first Raw of the year should have been loaded with fresh matches and a supposed "huge angle" to take place on that show. What the hell was that "huge angle?" Give me a break. WWE's next pet project, Roman Reigns, is sinking in a pond of quicksand and they need to find a way to get him out before it's too late. With Daniel Bryan returning live next week from New Orleans (Hometown Pop!!) hopefully there can be some added excitement for this show. The build to the Royal Rumble needs a major kickstart, and hopefully they do it in the Big Easy next week.
Until next time, thanks for reading and stay classy, everyone.
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