Originally posted by squizSomething that struck me while watching the Benoit/Tajiri/Bischoff segment.
It seems to me that this could be setting up a Benoit heel turn at the PPV. Bischoff said that he'll be bringing his Raw volunteers to put a stop to the madness. Benoit could conceivably be in the main event of the show, only to turn on his ECW-mates and align with Bischoff in a brawl of some sort. Don't know exactly where it would lead, but they want to tie this show into storylines both before and after, it seems possible.
FAILURE OF WWE'S INTERNAL LOGIC:
Benoit jumped to RAW. As such, Benoit made RAW money as World Champion (and thusly, Smackdown lost potential money). So...why would Bischoff tell Benoit (more or less) that if he wrestled on One Night Stand, he'd be gone.
Benoit could very easily just so "I'm doing One Night Stand. You don't like that? I'll just go back to Smackdown."
So here's a question, since the original guess was that it would be one giant draft on one show, all the wrestlers would have to be at that show (just so it seemed like 'anyone could be drafted'), how are they going to do this? Still fly everyone to both tapings, or just announce the person and say they'll be there next week? Or maybe say that the decision was made before the show and the person will be there tonight?
I figure there's no real impact without announcing the person and having them walk out onto the stage for the first time in years. At least, not nearly the same impact, and really isn't that the point of the draft being over a month?
They could always film pre-tapes with the Smackdown talent "backstage" and only pull the 1 or 2 drafted guys from the Monday house show.
This format would have made more sense with the original draft where the GM's were actually making picks. This is just a month of picking lottery balls. I'd rather have them do half of it on RAW, half on Smackdown then allow 3 weeks of trades before a roster freeze.
"When did they pass a law that says the people who make my sandwich have to be wearing gloves? I'm not comfortable with this. I don't want glove residue all over my food; it's not sanitary. Who knows where these gloves have been?" - George Carlin
So much for the talk of Christian in the main event. Jobbed out to Flair, AND squashed by Batista in the same night?
My roommate's non-fan friend's favorite segment? The pillow fight. Although it's worth noting that even he thought Masters looks like crap. That segment can only redeem itself if it leads to a Stevie Richards push.
Pretty much by-the-numbers main event. Hell, Lita even color-coordinated her black/grey outfit with Edge!
Originally posted by Phantom Although it's worth noting that even he thought Masters looks like crap. That segment can only redeem itself if it leads to a Stevie Richards push.
I wouldn't bet on it. Their next match will most likely be Masters totally killing Stevie, and then Stevie will basically disappear from RAW again.
"This just got a hell of a lot better." - Stifler, American Pie
That was a really good show, overall. It looks like they're going back to what works.
Big Vis was obviously GOLD in his role -- give the big guy a world of credit for turning a shitty spot in the company into a funny, marketable gimmick. Even if it IS ripping off the old Mark Henry angle.
I'm glad to see they're giving the Christian-Flair thing some time to simmer, and Batista getting involved in the mix is obviously a way to bring HHH back eventually, but at least it hasn't been done to death (since the Sting-Four Horseman days of WCW, that is).
Eric Bischoff is the uber-heel ECW needed at its peak (and, in a weird way, they DID use him in that role, even though he was never actually with the company). Not sure if they're taping in front of any ECW-friendly towns in the next few weeks, but if so, that should play out quite nicely.
The main event wasn't exactly Vince Russo Swerve Theater™, but it didn't have to be. It was predictable, but it accomplished what it needed -- now all they need is to get the final party in place, and I think they could have a very successful run...
Originally posted by CANADIAN BULLDOGEric Bischoff is the uber-heel ECW needed at its peak (and, in a weird way, they DID use him in that role, even though he was never actually with the company). Not sure if they're taping in front of any ECW-friendly towns in the next few weeks, but if so, that should play out quite nicely.
That bit allowed me the chance to tell The Lovely Mrs. Tracker how Foley used Uncle Eric in his heel turn at ECW. And that MAY have been the angle that makes her curious enough to watch the Cactus Jack and ECW Rise and Fall DVDs.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
I must be in the minority, because I thought last night's Raw was pretty dreadful. I dug the opening tag match, but after that it was all downhill. Tajiri/Benoit was the standard WWE "hardcore" match, the pillowfight/Viscera segment went on way too long (close to 15-20 minutes?), Flair/Christian was awful, Hurricane/Rosey vs. Maven/Dean was a snoozer, and I actually fell asleep during the ME. I did like Stevie coming out to attack Masters, though. Last week's show was head & shoulders better, however.
Couple other things: -why have Christian get destroyed by Batista? Especially after losing to Flair. Wouldn't it be better to have Christian throw Tomko to Batista in order to escape harm, in order to build up Christian constantly escaping Batista until the fans are dying to see Batista finally get his hands on him? Maybe have the match ME a Raw for the title. Of course, that would mean building up Christian with some wins, which apparently isn't in the anyone's playbook, so I can see where the flaw in my logic is.
-what's the point of Viscera's "push"? What could possibly be the payoff? As it is, it's good for some laughs, but if there's no plan for it to go anywhere, it's ultimately pointless.
This all but confirms that Matt wants no part of this angle.
From TheMattHardy.com:
I don’t know about you guys, but in my opinion, the ending of Raw was tasteless and deplorable. It’s literally sickening to see a real life tragedy exploited as a wrestling angle.
n 1: an event resulting in great loss and misfortune; "the whole city was affected by the irremediable calamity"; "the earthquake was a disaster" [syn: calamity, catastrophe, disaster, cataclysm] 2: drama in which the protagonist is overcome by some superior force or circumstance; excites terror or pity [ant: comedy]
Columbine was a tragedy. The tsunami was a tragedy. Owen Hart's death is a tragedy.
Matt Hardy's girlfriend cheating on him with Edge is not a tragedy. Matt needs to get over it and himself.
Originally posted by Spaceman Spiff-why have Christian get destroyed by Batista? Especially after losing to Flair. Wouldn't it be better to have Christian throw Tomko to Batista in order to escape harm, in order to build up Christian constantly escaping Batista until the fans are dying to see Batista finally get his hands on him? Maybe have the match ME a Raw for the title. Of course, that would mean building up Christian with some wins, which apparently isn't in the anyone's playbook, so I can see where the flaw in my logic is.
You’re surprised to see the WWE’s inability to push a smaller, blonde-haired, loudmouthed Canadian who nonetheless can play the crowd like a fiddle with his promo work and can work a solid match? Or that they would job such a wrestler out to Ric Flair? I’ve said it once, I’ll say it again: Christian is evolving into the second coming of Chris Jericho.
Originally posted by hhhgamewmx7This all but confirms that Matt wants no part of this angle.
From TheMattHardy.com:
I don’t know about you guys, but in my opinion, the ending of Raw was tasteless and deplorable. It’s literally sickening to see a real life tragedy exploited as a wrestling angle.
Matt
It’s entirely possible that this comment is intended to “work the smarts,” but right now I’d probably go about 80/20 against it. It’s possible that he could come back, but right now the more realistic program in the “WWE Universe” will be for Kane to act as his surrogate and screw Edge out of his title shot next week, setting up a feud to last them through the draft lottery.
With that in mind: the man actively encouraged the “You screwed Matt” chants. Did he actually think the company wouldn’t try to find some way to turn a dime from those?
Next week, we can all probably expect the shoot promo from hell, since there’s no longer going to be any sort of shackles on them that would prevent them from addressing it.
I'm just guessing that the reason Christian lost is a way to team up with Edge against Batista and Flair.... paving the way for the inevitable Triple H return three or four weeks from now. If Christian went over Flair, there'd be little reason to continue the feud.
Keeps everybody busy until the end of the draft, with either Batista and Cena switching, or Christian switching, so that we'll have that Cena-Christian title match.
I'm beginning to think that I just don't really like tag team wrestling anymore. I've just watched so much and I'm so sick of the formula. Even though I like all four guys in the opening match last night, I could barely pay attention to it. It's all just gravy until the hot tag anymore, which only has much meaning if they really work the psychology of it. Which is something I haven't seen done intensely or well in quite a while.
I'm fine with the Lita turning on Kane thing. It seems a necessary evil, at the moment, and maybe Lita the heel will be somehow re-energized. A heel turn certainly freshened up Trish.
Flair is awesome because he's just Flair. Heel/Face labels don't really need to apply. It's perfectly in character for him to be beloved by the fans, respected by his peers, and still be best friends with the most hated heel on the roster. That's what being an actual character will do for you, give you that flexibility.
I'm glad Orton's definitively a heel. After the sympathetic surgery clip after his injury, I was afraid they were going to somehow keep him a face. I just love watching Vince strut.
While I have nothing against those who are entertained by it, I am definitely NOT into the whole Big Vis thing. I just find the whole thing boring, and I'm not really comfortable watching women being aggressively hit on by someone they find threatening. Call me crazy.
"Never piss off a hawk with a blowgun" - Conan O'Brien
If they really want to make this Viscera thing work, they need to have him study tapes of Pepe Le Peau and work on his timing. For her part, Lillian seems to have nailed the role of "Black cat with a paint stripe."
Opening tag match - either Hassan and especially Daivari have improved their selling ability, or Benjamin/Jericho made them look better than they are.
Benoit/Tajiri - a couple of nice kicks, Benoit has done much better in recent weeks. Not a bad use of Coach, and Bishoff's banning the letters ECW is a sure way to get the sheep chanting, I hope it helps the buyrate.
Pillow/Vis - this went on long, but Vis is carrying the ball they're letting him run with. First, who knew he could act. Now, who knew he can sing, too. Move over American Idol winner Reuben Studdard, there's a bigger man with a voice. Even though they gave him a lot of time, he filled it well enough by keeping it moving. Sure, this is the same angle Sexual Chocolate tried, but Mark Henry couldn't pull it off nearly as well as this. Stealing food from fans is perversely amusing. Lillian is the hottest Diva on TV now that Molly's gone. Who will stop Vis? Maybe Rosey - nah. Kane - nah. I vote for William Regal to prevent the fair maiden honor from being besmirched by the predator.
Masterlock challenge - the poor jobber didn't even get his name mentioned. Stevie deserves more ring time.
Orton appearance/and Vince's strut - does this guarantee Taker moves to Raw or Orton goes to SD!. If Taker moves, then Kane might have to move too.
Hurricane/Rosey/Legs vs. Simon/Maven - another really nice dropkick by Maven, and Simon sure draws heat, but is it Xpac heat?
Flair/Cpt Charisma - not bad, but not the best work either of them ever did. This at least gives Batista an excuse to get in the ring in a tag match where he's best. Although the BatistaBomb of Tomko is an awesome visual. And backstage Batista's Wooo tribute to Ric was on the Lita level of bad acting.
Speaking of Lita, I am looking forward to the Why Lita Why signs, more stumbling over lines, and of course the possibility of JR calling her a Jezebel...
Edge's backstage sell of the choke when Kane threatened him was great facial expressions - he turned three shades of purple.