The E did a fine job of building up the main event tonight, even adding Dean Ambrose to the proceedings, which should get some Spidey Senses tingling. I can't possibly imagine a Shield reunion would be on the table, but...it's hard not to look at the participants and raise an eyebrow or two. If nothing else, Payback has me interested...mostly for something that probably won't happen instead of what more than likely will happen (Rollins retains via shenanigans).
The other big development from tonight's show was that Sami Zayn made his triumphant debut in front of his home Montreal crowd. He immediately turned heads by coming THIIIIIIIIIIS close to knocking off John Cena and Cena giving him time to soak in the hometown pop after the match. I don't know if this is a permanent thing (doubtful, since there are some loose threads over in NXT), but Zayn's going to fit in like a glove with the main roster. If Daniel Bryan is on his last legs, Zayn's going to slide right into the lovable underdog role. He's got "superstar" written all over him and I'm not even going to qualify that with the normal caveat. He is the very definition of a "can't miss" and he WILL be a big-time star, barring any major injuries. The "It" factor was just radiating off this guy tonight.
But if this show belonged to anyone tonight, it was New Day. From interrupting Orton and Reigns to getting the fluke (yet semi-clean) win, that would have been enough. But the fact that they kept the post-match celebration going THROUGH THE ENTIRE SHOW was nothing short of marvelous. I am ALL in on these guys and I can't wait to see what they've got for an encore.
I don't know if there's been a mixup with the creative team or what's going on, but this was probably the best top-to-bottom Raw I've seen in almost a year. I immensely enjoyed this one.
I'm torn. I thought and still think Kidd/Cesaro are all-around amazing lately, but New Day is doing some next-level stuff. So really, this is a great thing to be torn about.
Speaking of next-level stuff, how 'bout that rub for Zayn? Great match, great moment pre/post match, Bret introducing him. The Torpedo DDT. Helluva introduction.
It does seem like they are angling for a Shield Reunion.....except Rollins has surpassed it, he's the #1 Heel int he company now. Could see an Ambrose or Reigns heel turn interesting, though.
Originally posted by It's FalseThe other big development from tonight's show was that Sami Zayn made his triumphant debut in front of his home Montreal crowd. He immediately turned heads by coming THIIIIIIIIIIS close to knocking off John Cena and Cena giving him time to soak in the hometown pop after the match. I don't know if this is a permanent thing (doubtful, since there are some loose threads over in NXT), but Zayn's going to fit in like a glove with the main roster. If Daniel Bryan is on his last legs, Zayn's going to slide right into the lovable underdog role. He's got "superstar" written all over him and I'm not even going to qualify that with the normal caveat. He is the very definition of a "can't miss" and he WILL be a big-time star, barring any major injuries. The "It" factor was just radiating off this guy tonight.
Jason Powell in his coverage over at http://www.prowrestling.net is reporting that Zayn may have injured his shoulder. I can't stress enough that this is far from official and I missed it at first, but looking back, it looks like he did something to his left arm when he was throwing his arms up during his entrance. If this is true, then it has to be the freakiest/dumbest shoulder related injury since Orton crocked himself punching the mat setting up the RKO a few years back.
Count me among the fans of this week's show. Other than JBL's always noisome commentary and Kane constantly flip-flopping on whether he's helping Rollins or not, everything was pulled off pretty well. I loved New Day celebrating for a solid two hours before Cesaro n Kidd came by to rain on their parade. Funny that as ironic heels they're really coming into their own, and they barely needed to change a thing from their face act.
Interesting that the Fatal 4 Way is a SHIELD reunion match, plus RKO. We could end up seeing Ambrose and Reigns go at each other for the first time ever in WWE, I think. Unless of course WWE books them onto opposite sides in the next few weeks.
Zayn was freaking awesome tonight, even if I was just waiting for the LOLCENAWINS. Not that it would make a bit of booking sense to take the US belt out of the Cena/Rusev match and put it on a guy who hasn't even fully transitioned to the main roster yet, but still.
I noticed the ref making an "X" with his arms early on, and while I'm sure they occasionally work one of those, that usually means he's actually hurt. He fought past it (or, alternatively, sold the injury) quite well, though. The Thunder Bomb or whatever that's called looked devastating. I had no idea who Bret was coming out to introduce, and was just glad Slater's antics were just a sideshow and not the whole deal. When Zayn came out, I could tell this was another U.S. Title Open Challenge to watch. Damn if Cena hasn't stepped up his game lately. With guys like Neville and Zayn, he's gonna have to.
While Kane playing both 'Authority figure protecting the corporate champion' and 'angry demon who's been taunted way too often by an arrogant champion' is rather schizophrenic, I'd rather have him doing this job that StepHHH any day. At least ol' Isaac Yankem spares us the 20 minute self-absorbed promos. He makes a few one liners, then waves his demon wand and matches happen. Efficient.
Yeah I'm *really* hoping Sami's injury was a really good work, since he was selling it throughout the whole match. Not just because he's my favorite guy in the company right now, but I really would like to see him next week when I go to NXT in Philly.
If there isn't some kind of Shield reunion at least they might have figured out that these three guys should still be feuding.
Looks like being King Barrett officially ends the Bad News era.
Really solid show. I didn't pay close attention early on because WWE has sort of trained me not to. My Raw viewing habits have become very poor.
Edit: The transformation of Lana into just another Diva is kind of sad. It was nice having a strong female character, but I guess Vince figures girls just wanna have fun.
Cesaro's corner onslaught was fun and impressive. I look forward to his future singles push and hope it goes better than the last one.
I'm thinking the Ascension would better used as Rollin's security as J&J do nothing except remind us that Rollins is a weasel heel. But he does that fine on his own.
I think Reigns would be better served taking Cena's US belt and working that circuit for a while.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Sami looked like an absolute star. My first fear, naturally, is that they will mess that up somehow.
New Day are gold. I'm glad these three are finally getting to show some personality.
Speaking of which, glad to see Tamina back and showing a little personality. She's better than just the straight faced bodyguard, it was good to see her break out the beat down smile.
I think Reigns would be better served taking Cena's US belt and working that circuit for a while.
What? A former #1 guy transitions down the card in order to go to work breaking in new talent every week, and you can't even spare him a secondary belt?
Seriously though, mad props to Cena for playing this role. Nobody else would do this. Could you imagine if Vince came to, say, Orton with this idea?
I think Reigns would be better served taking Cena's US belt and working that circuit for a while.
What? A former #1 guy transitions down the card in order to go to work breaking in new talent every week, and you can't even spare him a secondary belt?
Seriously though, mad props to Cena for playing this role. Nobody else would do this. Could you imagine if Vince came to, say, Orton with this idea?
I think Reigns is getting lost, and a four-way dance muddles the main event more.
Cena's open challenge is no different than last year's proclamation that the future goes through him. But now, a belt is involved. It doesn't elevate the belt? It's about beating Cena.
I think Reigns beating Cena AND taking the US belt gives him momentum for hovering in the main event.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
Originally posted by Spiraling_ShapeYeah I'm *really* hoping Sami's injury was a really good work, since he was selling it throughout the whole match. Not just because he's my favorite guy in the company right now, but I really would like to see him next week when I go to NXT in Philly.
Originally posted by Blind_GuardianWe could end up seeing Ambrose and Reigns go at each other for the first time ever in WWE, I think.
I suppose the Royal Rumble doesn't really count. Ambrose was the one that busted Reigns' mouth open, though it wasn't intentional. Reigns literally ran into Ambrose's fist. Ambrose didn't even know he was there.
Man, I was gonna be so pissed when Sami Zayn did that jump through the turnbuckle into a DDT, threw Cena back in the ring, and Cena completely NO SELLS IT and gives Sami the FU. Thank goodness Sami kicked out which is rare for a non-WrestleMania opponent. The ending was weird, though... Cena was just hitting Sami and Sami wasn't hitting back, then Cena does a springboard Stunner into another FU, pin. Maybe his shoulder was bothering him too much.
Originally posted by oudomMan, I was gonna be so pissed when Sami Zayn did that jump through the turnbuckle into a DDT, threw Cena back in the ring, and Cena completely NO SELLS IT and gives Sami the FU. Thank goodness Sami kicked out which is rare for a non-WrestleMania opponent. The ending was weird, though... Cena was just hitting Sami and Sami wasn't hitting back, then Cena does a springboard Stunner into another FU, pin. Maybe his shoulder was bothering him too much.
I don't think that Cena no-sold it. They were out on the floor for a 7 count, before Sami was finally able to muscle Cena into the ring and cover him. That's an awful long time between the move and the pin. Honestly, that's also why I think that the shoulder injury is probably a work. It was such an instrumental part of why it took so long to get Cena into the ring, and why he didn't get the pin.
I gotta give props to Ambrose v. Rollins. I thought their rivalry ended abruptly when it was still hot, and their brawls/matches were always creative. This last match was really fun and is the reigniting of their rivalry for 2015.
I wonder if the shoulder injury of Zayn is a work to not only to keep him looking strong by fighting Cena through an injury, but also used as an excuse to lose to Owens on the rematch for the NXT title so he can officially move up to the main shows? His reaction was strong before he even came out and I honestly think he has been too big for Full Sail for a few months now. Him winning the NXT title and having another run as champion would be kinda pointless because he's the most over guy in NXT anyway and the title should be used to put over talent that need it.
Orton is boring as a face.
(edited by CruelAngel777 on 6.5.15 0518) Cole: "Yeah, thanks to Kane. You should buy Kane a Rolex watch for what he did for you." Rollins: "Oh don't be silly, Kane doesn't wear watches."
It was a Russo-written angle that would have led to a feud, from what I remember... I recall they were talking about bringing in Val's sister/Edge's wife Alannah for part of this...