Oddly enough, I thought Raw was pretty good this week. THe second hour plodded really badly but the first hour was really good.
The women's match was decent, but completely heatless. Trish juicing hardway was bizarrely disturbing. The pinned with the leg on the ropes finish is getting played out big time. Jazz is joining up with Teddy Long? Oh boy, Rodney Mack/Jazz vs. Trish/Jeff matches ahoy.
I don't care what anybody says about RVD's mic skills, that segment was GOLD. For all the talk of RVD getting repetitive, it looks like he's starting to mix his moveset up a little bit. It's amazing that he's still that over with the crowd. He probably shouldn't have jobbed if Kane was going to job clean along with the post match beatdown. That Lance Storminator was neato.
The problem with Jeff Hardy/Rock is that I wasn't able to suspend disbelief. I mean, really, what woman is going to pick Jeff Hardy over The Rock? Insane. Rock is getting too good at his role. I kinda figured at some point the crowds were going to start cheering for him again, because his character is just so awesome people can't help it. I think Goldberg will be over enough that its not going to hurt him, though.
I really couldn't care less about the whole Bischoff/JR feud. How is this going to lead to a match I want to see?
Test actually makes a decent straight man to Goldust. Test almost seems like he has actual charisma.
Victoria has red highlights. I love Victoria.
I dunno, the main event match seemed kinda lacking. It seemed like the 4 of them could have done so much more than they actually did. Well, it's now almost official that Booker isn't going over at Backlash, if he even gets a title shot.
Biggest Dissappointment of the night? Kevin Nash's hair. What the hell was that? That is not the impeccably dyed and conditioned hair of Kevin Nash. That was the hair of an imposter.
In case of nuclear radiation, stand directly behind your door, but do not open the door, even if the radiation knocks.
Originally posted by Underwater Biggest Dissappointment of the night? Kevin Nash's hair. What the hell was that? That is not the impeccably dyed and conditioned hair of Kevin Nash. That was the hair of an imposter.
Hey now, to be fair, he still has to shake most of the ring rust off of it.
I just think it's great of the WWE and Nash not to bust out his full moveset on his first night back. Way to leave them always wanting more, I say.
It's also always nice to see RAW's #1 face and heel square off. Bishoff/Ross is pure gold!
Seriously, I know people shouldn't damn a match before it even happens, but this HHH/Nash match could be real, real bad. And why do I get the funny feeling that more people will cheer the Rock in his match against Goldberg? And when Jeff and Trish kissed, does that qualify as HLA?
RAW just seemed really dull. The crowd seemed pretty silent most of the time (except for the Rock and JR).
By the way, Storm's gimmick includes 1.) telling the audience to shut up, and 2.) occasionally making everyone stand for the Canadian national anthem. You know they don't know what to do with a wrestler when he's making fans stand for a national anthem. It's like waving a white flag and saying, "This guy has no personality -- we give up."
Originally posted by cfgbCan we cease with the Kevin Nash is gonna get hurt posts? It's really not that funny.
He's wrestled for 15 years and suffered one NASTY leg injury.
Some nitpickery.
Nash has wrestled for a little over 10 years, and he's had over 20 surgeries on his legs.
Some more nitpickery for Screaming Head Guy. Nowinski was wearing golden garlands on his tights, not lightning bolts.
EDIT: Typo
(edited by Mild Mannered Madman on 7.4.03 2229) As the days go by, we face the increasing inevitability that we are alone in a godless, uninhabited, hostile and meaningless universe. Still, you've got to laugh, haven't you?
I'm amazed that the WWE is still playing up the Jericho/HHH rivalry. They are both heels now, and neither guy is going to turn soon. Why the hostility? I guess the real life rivalry is still there.
And I realize now that the WWE can't win with the Rock and the audience. If Rock is a face, the "cool" crowd will boo him because he is leaving for the movies before too long. If Rock is a heel, the "cool" crowd (and most of the mark crowd) will cheer for him because he is a cool heel and a charismatic performer.
Decent show tonight, using-the-war-as-basis-for-two-promos notwithstanding.
The Hurricane main eventing a Raw show? See, the WWE is listening to the 'Net. Well, they're listening to me anyways. Look for the next push to go to Molly.
It looked just for a second that Jericho was going to spray paint Michaels during the beatdown after the ME. Yeah, it was handcuffs(i'm blind), how does Jericho always get those anyway?
I hope they stick with Coach this time. It was so refreshing to have him end the show without screaming his head off like JR would've done. Coach was really in his element calling that Goldust/Richards Heat match before the ME.
I guess that Nash is back to being HBK's bodyguard again. ..Oh Hey Vince I got A GREAT IDEA. Since your in to all this nostalgia shit why not bring back the Godwins and stick HHH back in hog pen matches /wishfull thinking.
edited to say:
Will those of you still bitching about Booker please make up your minds. He got another clean pin on HHH and you call it worthless. I'd hate to see what you'd say if he'd jobbed. I know he lost the biggest match already, but Jericho went through the same thing before he got his title run. He couldn't win the big one and then he finally did. I think this is where they're going with Booker. I believe he's the only one to go over HHH on Raw since he's turned back heel. And Book's beat him multiple times. That's saying something. I really feel like it will pay off for Booker and he will win that title soon.
(edited by Santa Sangre on 8.4.03 0215) The Lightning won the division!!!!!!!!!!!
I wonder if Tony Schivaone (sp?) will be on RAW next week to take JR's spot. Trust me, that would be a holly s%$t moment for me. Is Tony still doing Braves broadcasts?
January 4th 1999 - The day WCW injected itself with 10 gallons of Liquid Anthrax...AKA...The day Hogan "Defeated" Nash to win the WCW title in front of 40,000.
There are some guys that deserve a rub from the Rock, and some guys that don't. Jeff Hardy is in the latter group. He blew nearly every single move he attempted tonight. I was really worried that Rock would job tonight to Ol' Painty Can Ned, but it looks like WWE has more sense than that.
I would watch an entire RAW of just Rock and Christian talking to each other. Comic GOLD.
Oh good, political commentary on a wrestling broadcast! Yeah, that isn't tasteless! Though the way I see it.... 1) Nowitzki went to Harvard 2) Harvard students are acclaimed for intelligence 3) Therefore, Nowitzki's opinions are more intelligent than that of the average joe. 4) Therefore, his opinion on the war is correct.
So WWE is really subtly supporting the anti-war movement! Right? Right? Right?
So now it looks like Goldust's new partner will end up being Test. Test as a straight man, I could possibly handle, since I've liked the skits so far. But if this means that Test gets a World title match at WM XX.....
I almost thought for a moment that they were going to turn Victoria face by hooking her up with Goldust.
JR being "fired" opens up an interesting possibility; why not try a heel play-by-play guy and a face colour man? It would be a major break from formula, just as long as Lawler is up to it. Bischoff could be the heel commentator.
I was really happy to see Booker get another pin over HHH. I'd like to see a "Booker beats Triple H every time except for the WM match where Flair cheated" storyline emerge from this, and have it driven into the fans' brains that Booker is better than HHH. But no, it's Nash time! Sigh....
At least Hurricane did a run-in on the main event. I can totally see a match coming up between him and Flair, as the Naitch puts over the young Carolinan. That's why Flair is the true man.
When Kev's music hit, did anyone else think the fat guy from Roseanne was going to walk out?
Flair: "Tonight, it's gonna be Austin, Bradshaw, taking on the NWO!
(Next Monday...)
Flair: I'm not trying to screw you Austin. Tonight, to show that I'm legit, I'll referre your match tonight when you and bradshaw take on the n..w..o!
(Next monday...)
Flair: You thought that was funny Austin? No one screws with the nature boy! tonight, it's gonna be you and bradshaw taking on X-pac and Big Show!
(Next Monday...)
Flair:That's it, you have pissed of the nature boy WHOOO for the very last time Austin!! Tonight I throwing your ass in a special tag match against the NWO. And your partner is gonna be.........Bradshaw!
Originally posted by Mr Heel IILANCE STORM GETS TWO SEGMENTS and an awesome top-rope variation on the Van Terminator! That was equally as cool as Morely selling that sick landing he took on his head.
Good show.
Just wanted to correct you, from a fellow Storm mark here, I think we should just refer to it as the Storm Wicked Fresh Springboard Dropkick...or something like that. ALWAYS mark for the Lance dropkick. Also, no big black elbow pad. It's a miracle!
Overall, not a bad show but not a great show. The first hour was entertaining with most of the backstage stuff. I saw the Jazz joining Mack and Teddy Long from a mile away. But RAW always tends to drag abit more in its second hour. I don't know what it is.
Also, I was pretty hyped for that Sylvian Granier and Renee Dupree promo. Very reminiscent of the RNN promos. I'll save my thoughts for this group though for the proper thread.
I don't really have much to say about Nash's return...sorry.
With Raw lately, I have to savor the little things. While they go ahead and screw the Pooch(ie) in the main event, I find sheer joy in those tiny moments in every show, moments that make my inner mark smile.
That moment in tonight's show?
Victoria's "Where's my belt?" routine. That was golden! Then, when she brought the chair in, thinking it was her belt, (At least, that's how I saw it...) I was absolutely sold on her nutjob character. Too bad she's gotta take time off for knee surgery.
Try this next week. Look for the little things. It'll make the show A LOT better.
After all the jokes here about how a Nash "run-in" would take ages and all, having Nash actually *walk* to his "run in" was just hilarious. I almost want to believe it was an intentional shout-out, although I know it wasn't.
All I thought when the limo pulled up is that Lawler should have asked Coach what sort of fuel he thought it had, so Coach would say gas, and later Lawler could say, "See, Coach, you were wrong. It didn't have gas--it had DIESEL!!"
Not only are they recycling the Bischoff/Ross thing from two months ago, but two months ago it was because Austin wasn't there, so Bisch was pissed at JR, and now it's because Austin isn't there, so JR is pissed at Bisch. So I think they're managing to repeat themselves and contradict themselves at the same time.
I can really, really do without all the xenophobic/pro-war storylines, but that's me. I did dig that they didn't just throw HHH and My Role Model And Paragon Of Virtue out there as a team, but instead had Flair backstage talking about them putting their past conflicts behind them. Actual continuity, what a concept!
Tangent, but I sure ain't starting a thread for this: in the Observer's report on the dark matches, the correspondent mentions a Shark Boy sign that says "Fish=Pop", and then disses it because a shark isn't a fish. Um, you're thinking of whales--sharks ARE fish, dumbass! Sorry, had to vent.
Gotta get the chance to defend my main man here, being freakish enough to be a Nash fan and all.
-Nash has wrestled for a little over 10 years, and he's had over 20 surgeries on his legs.-
Wrestling for 13 years. Many surgeries occured before his wrestling career.
Gawd did I mark out. Yes, like a sissy school girl. Fuck what anyone else says, it really didn't matter tonight. Nash looked AWESOME. In shape, dark haired(the look on him I prefer:)), healthy, tough, almost like nothing had ever hit the guy. Yeah he took out your precious little Jericho, but its not going to kill his career people! I mean, what are you all complaining about? Book and Jericho were in the main even for Christ's sake, and got the win. Better than being in the opener or feuding with someone from Heat. And no, Nash is not getting a run with the title. He just isn't, they wouldn't put it on a guy his age and with the kind of liability he's proven to have. If they somehow do, it'll be temporary like Hogan's. I just don't see him becoming as dominant as you all claim. He's just there to do what he loves, not to destroy the company and all the younger talent.
Ofcourse if I do turn out wrong, you can all rip me a new one. But I'm standing by my position.
But otherwise, Raw for me was ok--until it became spectacular at the end. Rocky-Christian = PURE GOLD. Maybe a push for the Born Again Dude(wonder if HBK would be offended by that?). Test-Goldust: HYSTERICAL, despite being a segment with Test.
I couldn't stay focus of the show it was boreing. I don't care anymore for Nash all he's going to do is get hurt and be gone after a month or 2 of trying to wrestle. Oh and Goldberg can kiss my ass, I never like the guy and think he's bad for the business. He made it clear that he doesn't care about the business so care for him. Hell all he'll do is hurt Rock and make him one step closer to retaireing (might be good or bad , depends on how you see it ). Anyway I was flipping to other channels , so the way I see it they need new writers.
Originally posted by Big BadThere are some guys that deserve a rub from the Rock, and some guys that don't. Jeff Hardy is in the latter group. He blew nearly every single move he attempted tonight. I was really worried that Rock would job tonight to Ol' Painty Can Ned, but it looks like WWE has more sense than that.
I would watch an entire RAW of just Rock and Christian talking to each other. Comic GOLD.
Oh good, political commentary on a wrestling broadcast! Yeah, that isn't tasteless! Though the way I see it.... 1) Nowitzki went to Harvard 2) Harvard students are acclaimed for intelligence 3) Therefore, Nowitzki's opinions are more intelligent than that of the average joe. 4) Therefore, his opinion on the war is correct.
So WWE is really subtly supporting the anti-war movement! Right? Right? Right?
So now it looks like Goldust's new partner will end up being Test. Test as a straight man, I could possibly handle, since I've liked the skits so far. But if this means that Test gets a World title match at WM XX.....
I almost thought for a moment that they were going to turn Victoria face by hooking her up with Goldust.
JR being "fired" opens up an interesting possibility; why not try a heel play-by-play guy and a face colour man? It would be a major break from formula, just as long as Lawler is up to it. Bischoff could be the heel commentator.
I was really happy to see Booker get another pin over HHH. I'd like to see a "Booker beats Triple H every time except for the WM match where Flair cheated" storyline emerge from this, and have it driven into the fans' brains that Booker is better than HHH. But no, it's Nash time! Sigh....
At least Hurricane did a run-in on the main event. I can totally see a match coming up between him and Flair, as the Naitch puts over the young Carolinan. That's why Flair is the true man.
Also the average Harvard student tends to be more liberal than the average American, but Nowinski was a football player and more often then not football players are conservative, so either way... he got some amazing heat I guess?
Rorschach: "None of you understand. I'm not locked up in here with you. You're locked up in here with me."
br>Some more nitpickery for Screaming Head Guy. Nowinski was wearing golden garlands on his tights, not lightning bolts.
EDIT: Typo
(edited by Mild Mannered Madman on 7.4.03 2229)
Sorry. I had the closed-captioning on last night. All that reading made it hard to pay total attention to the little details. And the text kinda' covers stuff up, too.
I am a very penitent Fashion Reporter.
(edited by ScreamingHeadGuy on 8.4.03 0706)
Fashion Reporter Extraordinare
Wisdom is learning from one's mistakes. Greater wisdom is learning from the mistakes of others.
If nothing else came out of last night's Raw, it allowed the millions(and millions) of online wrestling fans to bring out the "Big Book Of Kevin Nash Hair Jokes" that had been collecting dust since last summer. I don't know if I could have gone another day without hearing a witty comment about Nash's 'do.
Was it just me, or did anyone else notice that Nash looked he was at least in good shape last night? Maybe the Grecian Formula did de-age him a bit, but I thought the guy at least *LOOKED* the part of 1995 Diesel now.
"Triple H, The Rock says they didn't keep you at the bottom of the barrel just because you wanted to say goodbye to your roody poo friends in Madison Square Garden. No! The Rock says, they kept you at the bottom of the barrel because you absolutely suck."
Terrific. A wife-stalker, a guy who thinks he's a superhero and a guy who eats nasty stuff are the only three guys people supposedly identify as being WWE guys.