Give credit to the WWE cameraman who was able to find one of the contest winners in the stands very quick! Watching those EMT's just toss that money out the way was pretty funny as well, I was waiting for one of them to start pocketing it. Hey I would have pocketed it.
I thought the draft was effective in that despite what initially appears on the surface to be a disparity of Smackdown losing star power and RAW gaining all of it, it actually helps both brands. Smackdown is always going to be the B-show, and with Undertaker out and Batista taking time off sometime this Summer that would've left them in one Hell of a hole. Putting Jeff Hardy, Kennedy, and HHH on the roster gives them three legit main-event faces to chase Edge. That's smart money.
Of course, that's assuming HHH ends up going to Smackdown after all. And assuming that they do the smart thing and have Edge retain and HHH drop the title, which would be smart money to set up the perpetual chasing of Edge. Remains to be seen.
Umaga's a move that's been expected for some time, and one that needed to be made. He's got nothing left to do on RAW, though as "It's False" pointed out, I hope to God we don't see more of him and Hardy. Don't get me wrong, they work okay together, but we've been seeing this match for literally years and it doesn't help either guy.
As for RAW: moving Kane is moot at this point. My roommate Steve and I joked that they must've realized that Kane was actually winning matches of late and decided to rectify the situation. Also, our prediction that Punk will cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase for a shot at the IC title like a total mark is coming that much closer to fruition. Mysterio, like Umaga, has needed to make this move for awhile. As has been pointed out, unfortunately RAW now has very little heel star power.
KEVIN MARSHALL GUARANTEE: Hardy drops the US belt back to Chavo, who is a Smackdown guy...?
Kane and Big Show both being RAW guys fighting for the ECW title is moot, since the "talent exchange" ECW has with Smackdown is going to switch to RAW.
As for the show itself, the ending gave me flashbacks of the limo blowing up. I bet Paul London even smiled at McMahon backstage before it happened, too.
Originally posted by geemoneyCarlito was pinned by Hornswoggle, as if he’s not unhappy enough
Wasn't it Santino who got pinned (although maybe I'm "missremembering")?
Originally posted by kwik
Originally posted by crapshootdanRight! That's it! Its officially ridiculous! What the hell was that!?! I don't understand!!
It's how they're getting out of the giveaway:
Originally posted by WWE As a result of the tragic accident during RAW's closing minutes, McMahon's Million Dollar Mania is suspended for the foreseeable future. Stay logged on to wwe.com for more information, and breaking news on the WWE Chairman's condition.
Although I'm sure a quick Google search would answer my question, were the ratings affected AT ALL by this Million Dollar Giveaway?
I mean, the (ridiculous) idea was that this would entice old fans to start watching RAW again, and even get non-wrestling fans interested by dangling a lot of (not fabulous) moolah in their faces ... I have no reason to believe that this would actually work, so I'm curious if there was even the tiniest bump in the Nielsen ratings (perhaps that's the real reason why the contest has been "suspended", because Vince was - basically - throwing his money away for nothing).
Originally posted by Oliver The only ting that makes me think it was legit was McMahon calling for Paul. McMahon generally doesn't break kayfabe, right?
Not that I have any actual knowledge of anyone in the wrestling business, but I'm willing to bet that Vince calls him "Hunter" even during personal conversations ... That just seems to be how all of their minds work (like when all the old wrestlers continue to call Mick Foley "Cactus").
I thought the biggest part of the night was the sign in the crowd:
"Chuck Norris Can See John Cena"
Oh, come on. You know you laughed, too.
Speaking of signs, what was the deal with the dude a few seats to the right from ROH T-Shirt guy who kept holding that pic of that dude's face up? Who was that Drew Carrey-ish mug, anyways?
As soon as Batista got drafted to Raw, I had a feeling in my gut that HHH was actually going to SD. I call HHH winning this weekend and Batista bringing the real belt to Raw.
As soon as the light rigging fell and Vince just stood there looking at it instead of shitting his pants, and then, just happening to look over at that light rigging on the ground right as it started to topple over, along with with cheesy sparks thru the floor rigging, I was ready to hand the Oscar over to them. Nicely done. Has the lighting on the side been there all the time? (Before last night, that is?) I've never noticed it that close to the stage before.
I thought Vince calling out "Paul" was a nice touch, but the HBK at the very end getting "bleeped" out when he was supposed to be "injured", and Edge being the second person there to aid him, way to play us. Seriously, I am impressed.
I mean, the (ridiculous) idea was that this would entice old fans to start watching RAW again, and even get non-wrestling fans interested by dangling a lot of (not fabulous) moolah in their faces ... I have no reason to believe that this would actually work, so I'm curious if there was even the tiniest bump in the Nielsen ratings (perhaps that's the real reason why the contest has been "suspended", because Vince was - basically - throwing his money away for nothing).
Originally posted by geemoneyCarlito was pinned by Hornswoggle, as if he’s not unhappy enough
Wasn't it Santino who got pinned (although maybe I'm "missremembering")?
You might be right...I didn't see it so I gleaned the results from other recaps, and one made it sound like Carlito got pinned...I did read another after writing the recap that said Santino got pinned.
In MY perfect world (like that matters), HHH and Edge will win at NoC and both belts would be on Smackdown. For the next 2-3 months on Smackdown, HHH is bitching to Vicki how he wants off of Smackdown and back to RAW. Each week, Vicki says no and has HH face a tougher opponent for the belt, whch he always retains. Eventually, HHH realizes the only way to get back to RAW is to cost Edge HIS belt, so he inteferes in Edge's matches and almost causes Edge to lose the title. Eventually, CM Punk tries to cash in on Edge and HHH says to Vicki he will make sure Edge loses. So Vicki, in desperation, trades HHH and Jim Ross to RAw for Michael Cole and others. Edge retains over Punk and all is happy.
In the meantime, Jericho is on RAW proclaiming he is the only singles titleholder on RAW (I assume Kane loses to Big Show at NoC). After a while, everyone comes gunning for the IC - Batista, HBK, Cena, Kane et al. So Jericho decides at the next PPV, there will be a tournament for the IC belt and the winner gets to face him at the following PPV for the belt. Either way, the matches are awesome and mean something as no one wants to be left out of the title picture, Jericho gets elevated to the #1 heel on RAW and eventually pushed into the title picture, the IC belt is no finalyl valued again and when HHH comes back to RAW, there will be a lot of hungry wrestlers looking for a title shot.
Of course, most likely HHH will be back on RAW in a week, much like last time if I remember correctly.
"Marriage is like that show ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’, but it’s not funny. All the problems are the same, but you know instead of all the funny, pithy dialogue, everybody is really pissed off and tense. Marriage is like a tense, unfunny version of 'Everybody Loves Raymond', only it doesn't last 22 minutes. It lasts forever."
The more I think about it, perhaps moving JR and HHH to smackdown is the E's way of finally taking the brand seriously.
JR can sell just about anything, and maybe calling matches featuring a few new faces will light a fire under his ass a bit. Plus, his skills make any match more legit. Perhaps the "B" Show aspect will get overlooked with better announcing. Meanwhile, RAW can't really be devalued any, so putting Cole there won't hurt things too much, especially with him being able to play off of Lawler.
Originally posted by JR's blogAs many of you know, I was “drafted” to Smackdown Monday night in the “random lottery”. Obviously that means I will be leaving Monday Night Raw and my long time partner Jerry Lawler.
I am not happy about this surprise development.
I also contemplated calling it a career Monday night and not going to Houston to tape SD.
After speaking with my wife and thinking on this matter until 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, I have decided to do the right thing for the fans who care and the talent who care and begin my new assignment.
It has been explained to me that the WWE’s Smackdown tenure on My Network is a high priority within the corporation. Allegedly, my presence is needed in that effort.
Many are speculating about when I learned of this development…the same time those of you were watching at home. I should have detected something with the demeanor of certain individuals either thru their plastic, poker faces or the perceived smirk that I thought I might have seen on some of their faces during the day.
As far as going to Connecticut each week to do Smackdown post production, that’s not going to happen. Either Mick Foley can handle it or the WWE can install a DSL line in my home to facilitate the work.
I will miss working with the King as the wrestling biz is one in which a guy can count his legit friends on one hand…even after a 30 plus year career. King has been like a brother to me….albeit an “older brother”. We will remain friends no matter that our team has been corporately imploded.
I believe that I have been strongly loyal to the WWE no matter the hands that were dealt to me over the years. In my tenure there I have earned a good living of which I am thankful. I will fulfill my commitments that I have made because unlike many in the business, my word is still my bond.
I can’t predict how long my Smackdown tenure will be, but I can promise that no matter how long or short it is that I will do my utmost best while sitting at ringside. I am not the kind of man who will “phone in” a damn thing.
My sincere thanks to all of you who have supported me on RAW over the years. I hope I was able to provide you a memory or two. Hopefully, we can create new memories now on Smackdown.
Based on my professional experiences, I look at each broadcast as potentially my last, which helps keep me motivated. So with that said we begin another chapter in my crazy life in the unpredictable world of ‘rasslin.
I still plan on attending RAW in my home market of OKC next Monday and I hear that tickets are still available. Any one have any extras?
JR's thoughts in regards to the surprise move to Smackdown:
As many of you know, I was “drafted” to Smackdown Monday night in the “random lottery”. Obviously that means I will be leaving Monday Night Raw and my long time partner Jerry Lawler.
I am not happy about this surprise development.
I also contemplated calling it a career Monday night and not going to Houston to tape SD.
After speaking with my wife and thinking on this matter until 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, I have decided to do the right thing for the fans who care and the talent who care and begin my new assignment.
It has been explained to me that the WWE’s Smackdown tenure on My Network is a high priority within the corporation. Allegedly, my presence is needed in that effort.
Many are speculating about when I learned of this development…the same time those of you were watching at home. I should have detected something with the demeanor of certain individuals either thru their plastic, poker faces or the perceived smirk that I thought I might have seen on some of their faces during the day.
As far as going to Connecticut each week to do Smackdown post production, that’s not going to happen. Either Mick Foley can handle it or the WWE can install a DSL line in my home to facilitate the work.
I will miss working with the King as the wrestling biz is one in which a guy can count his legit friends on one hand…even after a 30 plus year career. King has been like a brother to me….albeit an “older brother”. We will remain friends no matter that our team has been corporately imploded.
I believe that I have been strongly loyal to the WWE no matter the hands that were dealt to me over the years. In my tenure there I have earned a good living of which I am thankful. I will fulfill my commitments that I have made because unlike many in the business, my word is still my bond.
I can’t predict how long my Smackdown tenure will be, but I can promise that no matter how long or short it is that I will do my utmost best while sitting at ringside. I am not the kind of man who will “phone in” a damn thing.
My sincere thanks to all of you who have supported me on RAW over the years. I hope I was able to provide you a memory or two. Hopefully, we can create new memories now on Smackdown.
Based on my professional experiences, I look at each broadcast as potentially my last, which helps keep me motivated. So with that said we begin another chapter in my crazy life in the unpredictable world of ‘rasslin.
I still plan on attending RAW in my home market of OKC next Monday and I hear that tickets are still available. Any one have any extras?
I cannot fathom that the company legitimately dropped this on him like he claims (and they claim) they did, considering everything he's done for the company and the fact that he is THE voice of RAW.
Then again, I can't fathom them doing half the shit they've actually done to him over the years.
All I can think is that I remember hearing that JR doesn't want to know what's going to happen over the course of the night, so that he can react with genuine surprise. Lawler gets told the basics of what is going to happen, IIRC.
But you'd think he'd make an exception for something as important as this regarding his own personal life.
If it's true, then I think Vince just thinks he can treat JR however he feels like and JR just has to put up with it.
Originally posted by Mr. BoffoAll I can think is that I remember hearing that JR doesn't want to know what's going to happen over the course of the night, so that he can react with genuine surprise. Lawler gets told the basics of what is going to happen, IIRC.
But you'd think he'd make an exception for something as important as this regarding his own personal life.
If it's true, then I think Vince just thinks he can treat JR however he feels like and JR just has to put up with it.
From what it sounds, WWE doesn't tell even the wrestlers (with some obvious exceptions) ahead of time that they're going to get picked. So I don't think it was JR's choice that he didn't know.
Originally posted by Mr. BoffoAll I can think is that I remember hearing that JR doesn't want to know what's going to happen over the course of the night, so that he can react with genuine surprise. Lawler gets told the basics of what is going to happen, IIRC.
I thought it was the other way around: Lawler doesnt wanna know what's gonna happen, but JR sits in on booking meetings.
Either way, it's odd that WWE wouldnt tell wrestlers OR announcers that they're moving shows.
Also, didnt JR's blog entry sound like he's planning on leaving WWE when his contract is up ("I will fulfill my commitments...", "I can’t predict how long my Smackdown tenure will be...", etc)?
Originally posted by Deputy Marshall KEVIN MARSHALL GUARANTEE: Hardy drops the US belt back to Chavo, who is a Smackdown guy...?
Kane and Big Show both being RAW guys fighting for the ECW title is moot, since the "talent exchange" ECW has with Smackdown is going to switch to RAW.
Chavo wore an ECW t-shirt during the battle royal and he and Bam wrestled on ECW's behalf during last night's show.
Big Show wore a Smackdown! t-shirt during the battle royal last night.
Having said that, WWE may not respect our ability to remember enough to keep non-drafted guys aligned with the shows they wrestled for last night; but if they do - they'd have to explain why Chavo wrestled for ECW instead of SD! and why Show didn't wrestle for RAW.
With CRZ's blessing here are the results from tonight's taping at MSG. Opening Match: Batista & Kane Vs. Finley & Khali Third biggest pop of the night for Batista and the crowd was pretty flat for Khali.