Gotta be honest: I missed most of the opening segment, as I was checking out the end of "Prison Break." Looked like a good match from the little I saw, too....Another chapter added to the Mickie/Trish feud. Should be interesting to see where they go with Beth's character. Maybe Mickie copied Beth before she copied Trish?....
I'm surprised they gave the Spirit Squad/Snitsky & Goldust match so much time. It wasn't great, but a good effort was put into it....The Foley/Funk segment was awesome, except for Funk screwing up the beginning of his part and generally looking his age....Striker/Eugene was nothing great, but I do like Striker in the ring....
Another Umaga squash. Not much to say there, other than his new finisher where he throws them up and then "spikes" them is kinda weak....WWE is relying WAY too heavily on "babyface beats the odds" in main events of RAW, whether it's Cena or HBK. Tonight, HBK didn't "officially" beat the odds I guess, but the set-up and near-payoff was there.
I loved the Funk/Foley promo and thought both men played their part well. In the back of my mind when Foley began to leave I thought of what he said earlier in the promo about his wife and kids and thought "man, it'd be cool if Funk actually trash-talked his wife to get him to come back" and when it happened I enjoyed it immensely. As good as Foley has shown he can be as a heel, before tonight I thought he'd never be able to get the fans to turn on him, but I think he may have accomplished it. It was also a nice little touch to Mick's anti-ECW character that, though Funk called his wife a whore and his children bastards, it took Funk saying WWE sucks for Foley to actually attack him.
I also liked the trampoline bulldog onto Snitsky, but my God, the man looks so goofy as a bouncing, enthusiastic face.
EDIT: Nuclear Winter - I know what you mean; I was cheering out loud during the segment, and I don't do that very often.
I'll be completely honest: I loved every single minute of the Foley/Funk segment. The damn thing just kept getting better and better. It's been a while since I was actually compelled to lean forward in my seat and say, "Holy shit, this is great."
I'm 100% serious when I say that that was, for me, one of the most enjoyable segments I've seen in a few years.
Originally posted by Nuclear WinterI'll be completely honest: I loved every single minute of the Foley/Funk segment. The damn thing just kept getting better and better. It's been a while since I was actually compelled to lean forward in my seat and say, "Holy shit, this is great."
I'm 100% serious when I say that that was, for me, one of the most enjoyable segments I've seen in a few years.
Personally, that whole segment reminded me of this . . .
And very quickly, the Spirit Squad . . . sucks. Royally. They all look the same (which I get is part of the gimmick to an extent) and will be absolutely nothing once apart from each other.
They annoy me to no end and not in the "good heat-way," but in the "these guys remind of the monosyllabic, frat-boy douchebags I see walking around campus everyday and I want to punch them in the face so I never see them ever again" -way.
It's just a message board, people. Chill out. Now, go show your internet diapproval of me! YEA!
Originally posted by haydenI loved the Funk/Foley promo and thought both men played their part well. In the back of my mind when Foley began to leave I thought of what he said earlier in the promo about his wife and kids and thought "man, it'd be cool if Funk actually trash-talked his wife to get him to come back" and when it happened I enjoyed it immensely. As good as Foley has shown he can be as a heel, before tonight I thought he'd never be able to get the fans to turn on him, but I think he may have accomplished it. It was also a nice little touch to Mick's anti-ECW character that, though Funk called his wife a whore and his children bastards, it took Funk saying WWE sucks for Foley to actually attack him.
That whole thing was copied from an ECW segment they did before. Even the insults of Foley's wife being a whore and his children being bastards was the exact ones used before. The only difference is that this time, the insult that finally got Mick Foley to fight was that the WWE sucks. The first time they did this bit, the insult that finally got Mick to fight was that Eric Bischoff sucked (Mick was doing a pro-WCW character with the ECW angle).
I thought this show was terrible.
I was holding out hope that Mick Foley would make something out of his joining with Edge angle and that whole thing seemed flimsy to me, not to mention just recycled from an angle they've already done. He joined Edge to defend his hardcore legacy??? And, what about Edge? What's his motivation for stopping his chase for the championship to join Mick and go after Tommy Dreamer and Terry Funk?
Second straight week of not having the match that was advertised as the feature match. Although, this time I think most of us had to know there wouldn't be a full match with a clean finish between Cena and HHH. And, they did at least give us a match to replace it this week and the match was even good, IMHO. I still don't understand the logic or need for the Masterpiece in that match.
The same Umaga segment we get every week with Estrada insulting a new jobber and then Umaga squashing him.
Another filler match with Striker and Eugene.
A tag team title match that had the crowd looking dead and bored.
I hope things start getting better as we get closer to Vengeance, but I don't have much confidence in the creative team right now.
I personally thought they did a poor attempt at Mick's heel turn tonite.
Funk calls Foley's children bastards and his wife a whore....and Foley makes a great point about Funk demanding money to appear at Mick's hardcore tribute, and Foley is supposed to be the heel in this situation ? Other than the quick ECW and West Texas dig, Foley practically came off as a face.
On a side note, it was absolutely painful to watch Terry throw those weak punches.
"Oh it's on like Donkey Kong." - Stifler, American Wedding
Could someone please explain Foley's explanation? He says that he doesn't want some ECW scumbags to tarnish his legacy (and to run a match 2 weeks later after the 'greatest hardcore match ever') and to basically soil a WWE ring. What ECW scumbags is he talking about? Didn't he invite Dreamer to the match? His explanation made zero sense. Plus Funk didn't look believable in his comeback with Foley.
I thought this was a real bad RAW.
Kevin Kelly: "Mr. Austin, would you like to comment on Wade Keller's Take that endorsing the XFL hurts your anti-authority character?"
Steve Austin: "Oh shit, he actually said that? I thought the boys in the back were ribbing me!"
Kelly: "No, he really said that. Did they tell you the part about you sitting in the stands, looking all skeptical?"
Austin: "AHAHAHAHAHAHA. Yeah... oh man that was too much."
Originally posted by DirtyMikeSeaverCould someone please explain Foley's explanation? He says that he doesn't want some ECW scumbags to tarnish his legacy (and to run a match 2 weeks later after the 'greatest hardcore match ever') and to basically soil a WWE ring.
Yes. He doesn't want ECW to come back. Because it would take away from him. He's come to believe his own hype about being the greatest Hardocre wrestler ever. And that any hardcore match he's in will be the greatest, simply because he's in it.
Originally posted by DirtyMikeSeaverWhat ECW scumbags is he talking about?
The one's participating in One Night Stand, as well as the new ECW.
Originally posted by DirtyMikeSeaverDidn't he invite Dreamer to the match?
He invited him, so he could destroy him. It was a planned double-cross, a set-up.
Originally posted by DirtyMikeSeaverHis explanation made zero sense.
Actually, it made perfect sence. Unless your the type that can't read between the lines and need everything spelled out for you.
Originally posted by DirtyMikeSeaverPlus Funk didn't look believable in his comeback with Foley.
I'll agree with you there. The Funker's comback looked weak.
Originally posted by WhattaburgerAnd very quickly, the Spirit Squad . . . sucks. Royally. They all look the same (which I get is part of the gimmick to an extent) and will be absolutely nothing once apart from each other.
They annoy me to no end and not in the "good heat-way," but in the "these guys remind of the monosyllabic, frat-boy douchebags I see walking around campus everyday and I want to punch them in the face so I never see them ever again" -way.
Man, I totally disagree. They're all starting to develop distinct personalities, and they don't really look alike at all...well, I still have a little trouble with Johnny and Nick, but their in-ring styles are unique enough.
Was the line about Terry wanting money to appear at Foley's Hardcore legacy night a shoot? If not, it was really out of place to throw in there, since Funk is supposed to be the face. I suppose this is WWE's way of making sure that the company isn't portrayed as totally heel against ECW, sort of like Joey's "and I hate all you fans for liking it!" line at the end of his killer promo a few weeks back.
The tornado match was exciting, if kind of rushed. Umaga's offense is actually really good, though it's time to program him against someone stronger than 'the toughest man in Texas.' Striker looked fantastic as well; boy, good in the ring, good on the mic, WWE really lucked into this guy. See what happens when you sign someone out of the mold, Vince?
"He looks like a perverted roofer who knocks off early on warm spring days to drink beer and ogle teenage girls at the river, but wrestles like a man who actually cares about his job." ---DVDVR's Raven Mack on "Gigolo" Jimmy Del Ray
Originally posted by Big BadWas the line about Terry wanting money to appear at Foley's Hardcore legacy night a shoot? If not, it was really out of place to throw in there, since Funk is supposed to be the face. I suppose this is WWE's way of making sure that the company isn't portrayed as totally heel against ECW, sort of like Joey's "and I hate all you fans for liking it!" line at the end of his killer promo a few weeks back.
That was pretty strange. Between the Hardcore legacy night and Mic actually standing up for WWE it made it seem like he was the face and I think the fans were a little confused about who to cheer for until Edge came out. The rumor is that at the ECW match they are going to have a tag match Foley/Edge vs. Dreamer/Funk, so I guess they don't really care who is face and heel in the WWE fans' eyes but are just catering towards the ECW fans and want to make sure Funk and his anti WWE comments are face while the anti-ECW Foley is heel.
As for the Spirit Squad, personally I think disliking them in the "these guys remind of the monosyllabic, frat-boy douchebags I see walking around campus everyday and I want to punch them in the face so I never see them ever again" -way IS the "good heat-way". That is the characters they are portraying and they're obviously doing a good job if you feel that way.
I watched the show but I haven't been able to sit and type because last week I didn't feel like it and this week I was the middle of getting involved a new Hero on City of Heros.
Anyways, I liked the retread angle with Funk and Foley. Love it but then again I don't remember the first one.
The ending with Vince cradling Shane just seem bizarre. May be I've seen to many sledge hammer shots.
The womens story with "Beth" was darn interesting thing. Wow she has a really square/blocky face. Still good looking for woman.
Overall: Didn't seem like a really good show. The Spirit squad has become the Monday Night fixture.
Originally posted by QuezzyThat was pretty strange. Between the Hardcore legacy night and Mic actually standing up for WWE it made it seem like he was the face and I think the fans were a little confused about who to cheer for until Edge came out. The rumor is that at the ECW match they are going to have a tag match Foley/Edge vs. Dreamer/Funk, so I guess they don't really care who is face and heel in the WWE fans' eyes but are just catering towards the ECW fans and want to make sure Funk and his anti WWE comments are face while the anti-ECW Foley is heel.
The way Funk was moving around the ring I hope they have a good stand in for him. The knees just look to be totally shot.
Snitsky is looking a whole lot smaller these days. He's still a big guy and all, but he looks even creepier now.
Funk seemed like he was getting his head together the longer he was out there, but I think the fact that he started the segment obviously confused really hurt the angle. Some people have already said that the angle didn't make any sense to them, I think Funk is why. I think he was supposed to be telling more of the story, but he just couldn't do it. I liked the angle and promo in concept, especially the idea of them redoing a 10-year-old ECW angle, but watching Funk out there was just painful. I mean, you could see Mick interjecting himself trying to bail Funk out.
The Foley angle would've worked a LOT better had Funk been the guy on the receiving end of a beating last week. Had Foley "invited" Funk to a Triple Threat only to beat him down, there'd be motivation behind all of Foley's actions. He was still hurting after Funk no-showed his Hardcore celebration, and was just waiting for the right time to take revenge on Funk and, by extension, all those too-good-to-pay-him-respect ECWers who saw him as a sell-out or a phoney. He brought hardcore wrestlign out of the bingo halls and became the greatest hardcore wrestler ever, and he proved that again at WrestleMania, so he's bigger, badder and better than the disrespectful, braindamaged lumps of ECW, blah blah blah.
To those who say people wouldn't look; they wouldn't be interested; they're too complacent, indifferent and insulated, I can only reply: There is, in one reporter's opinion, considerable evidence against that contention. But even if they are right, what have they got to lose? Because if they are right, and this instrument is good for nothing but to entertain, amuse and insulate, then the tube is flickering now and we will soon see that the whole struggle is lost. This instrument can teach, it can illuminate; yes, and it can even inspire. But it can do so only to the extent that humans are determined to use it to those ends. Otherwise it is merely wires, and lights, in a box.-Edward R. Murrow
Well, if anyone is wondering what the WWE will do with Samoa Joe when they eventually sign him, look no further than the Umaga angle...
The crazy-violent-savage-Samoan character has been a wrestling staple for decades, but I sorta think that Joe's success in TNA is having something to do with the current Umaga push.
I was actually excited going into Raw. You knew Mick would deliver a good promo, plus it seemed to have that "Big Fight" atmosphere with HHH/Cena. Then when I heard HBK would take on Kenny, it sounded even better. Then they IMMEDIATELY take the wind out of my sail and change the title match to start the show. While the match was ok, and had a clever ending, it killed the hope I had for the show. There were some highlights: Mick's promo, Funk's rambling/interrupting, and the trampoline bulldog, but the show never recovered after the bait and switch to start the show. It smacks of booking on the fly, and that is too WCW. Again, not a bad show at all, but nothing like what I had hoped for five minutes before it went on the air.
I was flipping between '24' and Raw, so I actually saw the clips of the "See No Evil" premiere before I watched the rest of Raw this AM on the DVR. When I saw the clips last night, I definitely noticed Foley with Melina after the recent hub-bub.
So when I watched Foley's promo and he mentioned about the question on everybody's mind being about him and Melina at the premiere, well that just made the moment for me.
Otherwise, I'll second the comments about Funk looking ancient, Foley barely holding the segment together, and being confused as to who was really supposed to be the heel in that matchup.
I *LOVED* the trampoline bulldog. Rewound that a time or two.
I am thorughly enjoying Matt Striker and Carlito. I'll reserve judgement on the apparant build to a DX rehash, but i hold out hope that it is going to be used for development of some new guys.