The Festival of Friendship, from beginning to end (or from throwaway segments early in the night that turned out to be foreshadowing to end) was one of the best things WWE has done in a while.
And the Samoa Joe interview and set up of his Fastlane match was pretty good.
(I didn't stick around for the main event, but it sounds like it was good too.)
I'm not sure if I would've preferred Owens attacking Jericho seemingly just by snapping (triggered by Jericho's "I had your back against everyone" comment, implying that Owens couldn't win on his own) rather than the pre-planned turn with the List Of Owens and chat with HHH. Still, great segment.
Charlotte really needs to stop having these Raw title defenses
George Michael weighed his options. Maeby had chastised him for not taking risks, and what would be a bigger risk than perpetuating a lie about software just to ignite the passions of a woman? Of course it would be a lie, and since Maeby wouldn't know it was a lie, he wouldn't appear to be taking a risk. Perhaps the bigger risk was to tell his father he was lying, that he came up with it because he wanted his father to leave so he could enjoy what remained of his senior year. After all, he wondered, wouldn't that be the course of action taken by an overtly sexual man, a man who owns a pair of matador pants? He had not responded now for 41 seconds according to his unfailing internal clock, and it was time to come clean.
The Festival of Friendship looked like it was going to be a knock off Rock and Sock, but they took it in another direction and made it so much better. Owens and Jericho play off each other better than anyone in the company and it made for a fabulous segment. I'm also glad to have the old Kevin Owens back. I was getting a little worried we may never see him again.
Oh and that freaking painting, Jericho isn't even wearing pants.
I hope Sasha didn't pop Charlotte's right implant with that crush shot.
He may not have had pants on, but he DID have his ring gear on. That is acceptable. KO didn't have pants on. Those looked like white tights to me. That is not acceptable.
Sounds like I missed a fun Festival of Friendship. I've only seen clips and gifs because honestly I couldn't make it that far into the show. When you start the show with a Stephanie McMahon promo and Reigns single handedly beating up your tag team champions you're begging for people to turn off the TV and I did.
It didn't help that I thought Bayley winning the title was obvious. This is what they do. Charlotte loses the title at Raw, wins the title at the PPV wash, rinse repeat. I don't think Bayley was ready for this either. I loved her in NXT but she's just been way off on promos and in the ring on the main roster. Maybe this match was great but if it was it would've been the first time on the main roster Bayley has done anything good. Like, Sasha this is pretty poorly booked too. The babyface should win the title for the first time at a big event. Sasha should have won at Summerslam, Bayley at Wrestlemania. Instead they win on meaningless Raws, why? To keep Charlotte's ppv streak alive? That's not a real thing that anybody cares about.
Also, I wasn't crazy about Naomi winning the title either, but for christ's sake at least have her hold the title for more than 24 hours before overshadowing her with Bayley winning too.
Oh yeah, and no mention of Emmalina's debut yet. Are we pretending it didn't happen?
(edited by Quezzy on 14.2.17 0432) Lance's Response:
Originally posted by QuezzyOh yeah, and no mention of Emmalina's debut yet. Are we pretending it didn't happen?
Emmalina was the single best prank I've ever seen, and I'm being completely serious when I say that.
Originally posted by QuezzyI don't think Bayley was ready for this either. I loved her in NXT but she's just been way off on promos and in the ring on the main roster. Maybe this match was great but if it was it would've been the first time on the main roster Bayley has done anything good.
I won't argue that Bayley and Sasha haven't been booked great since their call-ups, and the fact is that RAW's prescripted promos do not work to their strengths (whereas Charlotte's actually WAY better working scripted promos than she ever was doing NXT's freeform mic work), but I can honestly say that last night's Bayley/Charlotte match was the best match the two of them have ever had. They finally booked something that really plays to Bayley's in-ring ability to tell a story, and Charlotte was really on-point again as well. I could have done without the outside interference, but otherwise I don't have a single complaint.
Well, maybe just one complaint: would it kill them to announce her as "It's Bayley!"?
The Festival of Friendship only makes me wonder one thing: Why is WWE going with Goldberg/Brock for the title at WrestleMania instead of the match and feud that DESERVES to have it, KO/Y2J? Le sigh... hopefully reason will prevail between now and Fastlane.
smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Severe #CancelWWENetwork
Interested to see what the HHH-fueled reason for KO is. I could see before it being "You booked me in ANOTHER match" but this opens up the "I didn't want to do it, but HHH made me" angle. Maybe HHH is still mad about all the insults Jericho lobbed at Stephanie years ago? ;-)
Rumors have been talking about a Sasha heel turn to feud with Bayley. I'm guessing the announcers talking about "And Bayley didn't see it either" is meant to set up her complaining about Sasha helping and then Sasha flipping out about "that ungrateful bitch" or something similar.
Looking forward to the Strowman-Big Show match next week and how they're doing to demo Strowman's strength. I wonder if this is where the Shaq thing is going to start, too?
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoThe Festival of Friendship looked like it was going to be a knock off Rock and Sock, but they took it in another direction and made it so much better.
Yeah, I would say it was a beautiful splice of the infamous "This Is Your Life" Rock 'n Sock segment with the glorious "I GOT A LOT LEFT IN THE TANK" Mark Henry retirement segment. Just terrific, how it went: playing off all those "Jericho and Owens pretend to break up but are just trolling everyone bits" as Jericho's hapless, creepy attempts to celebrate their friendship (not to be confused with Friendship, The Magician) make Owens fume and sputter until Owens seemingly shakes it off and embraces Jericho...and then comes the turn.
And man, what a beautiful turn that was. Jericho opening the box, being delighted by Owens' unseen gift of a new List, then that A+++ delivery of "...how come my name's on this list?" right as we get to see the LIST OF KO label on the back.
I mean, damn. Jericho sold the hell out of that. His hilariously dopey, gormless, smile through all his disastrous gifts. The genuine confused, slightly hurt read on "how come my name's on this list" like he's legit so caught up in the Festival of Friendship that he's still unclear of what's happening (and the audience reacting perfectly as they see it), and then that second where he gets it* and if you look closely, you can pinpoint the exact moment his heart breaks in two.
Owens is great throughout, too, especially that moment after he does the apron powerbomb and looks up, eyes closed, in beatific relief like he's just taken the heaviest weight in the world off his shoulders. They honestly don't need to have him cut a promo explaining himself, that look said it all: KO is a profoundly shitty human being who hates everybody and pretending to be friends with Jericho to stay ahead was killing him inside. It's a shame that, as a World Champion, they booked Owens into the ground as a prop in Year 3 of The Failed Roman Reigns Experiment, because Owens is amazing and if he'd been allowed to be the guy who trucked Cena on his main roster debut while still doing all this shitty, underhanded heelish stuff with Jericho, this great segment would have been somehow even better and would have made this feud a worthy WrestleMania headliner.
But anyway, back to Jericho. He's got the hat trick now, three all-time great non-wrestling segments that would define anybody's career (1,001 Holds, YEAH YEAH YEAH Light Up Jacket Return, Festival of Friendship) and this year's run has solidified him as truly one of the greatest sports entertainers that there has ever been. Of all the times he's successfully reinvented himself (which, I think, will be his true legacy when we really look at the scope of his career), this has to be the best and most fascinating reinvention given how cooked and out of gas he seemed at the end of last run and start of this one. He made himself into a sitcom character - the dorky sidekick of a bully on a '50s sitcom - and then invested himself so fully into it that he was able to generate genuine pathos while still playing a heel. Whatever the character's motivation was when the angle started, you bought that he genuinely loved being friends with Owens by the end and had his heart broken and that is how you do a goddamned face turn and make it count.
And to think, it all started with an improvised "I thought we had a good thing going?"/"I've soured on you!" exchange in a random backstage segment with the two of them and Alberto Del Rio, of all people.
I love you, Chris Jericho, you goofy-ass, Current Day Bon Jovi-lookin' dorkdad rock star pro wrestler. Thank you for your superhuman efforts in making the terrible, terrible TV show you're on worth watching.
Anyway, that women's division booking, though. What a wreck.
Originally posted by Dr UnlikelyThey honestly don't need to have him cut a promo explaining himself, that look said it all: KO is a profoundly shitty human being who hates everybody and pretending to be friends with Jericho to stay ahead was killing him inside.
And it's *exactly* what Sami Zayn warned him would happen.
Originally posted by Dr UnlikelyBut anyway, back to Jericho. He's got the hat trick now, three all-time great non-wrestling segments that would define anybody's career (1,001 Holds, YEAH YEAH YEAH Light Up Jacket Return, Festival of Friendship) and this year's run has solidified him as truly one of the greatest sports entertainers that there has ever been. Of all the times he's successfully reinvented himself (which, I think, will be his true legacy when we really look at the scope of his career), this has to be the best and most fascinating reinvention given how cooked and out of gas he seemed at the end of last run and start of this one.
I was beyond done with Jericho at the start of this last run. I thought he had nothing left to offer. He brought me back 100% with this reinvention - I'm torn as to whether this or "serious business" Jericho is my all-time favorite version of the character (which I'll allow probably puts me in the minority, but still), and while I'm still a little wary of the match itself, because Jericho's body didn't magically reinvent itself to the 20 years younger version, I'm probably still looking forward to the two of them fighting more than anything else RAW has cooked up for WrestleMania.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoThe Festival of Friendship looked like it was going to be a knock off Rock and Sock, but they took it in another direction and made it so much better. Owens and Jericho play off each other better than anyone in the company and it made for a fabulous segment. I'm also glad to have the old Kevin Owens back. I was getting a little worried we may never see him again.
Oh and that freaking painting, Jericho isn't even wearing pants.
I hope it's now a consensus that Jericho is the best in the world at what he does. It's obvious to US that he waits through the entire ad break to say "it" and that they bring out Gillberg, but how many times do they actually DELIVER? Last night's multiple segments delivered and the best part was they evinced the proper reactions for both men after it was done. Jericho sounding a li'l shooty as he was wrapping it up and proclaiming his love definitely didn't hurt either. I hope they can follow up while remaining at this high a quality level. I remain skeptical.
Originally posted by HokienauticInterested to see what the HHH-fueled reason for KO is. I could see before it being "You booked me in ANOTHER match" but this opens up the "I didn't want to do it, but HHH made me" angle.
I don't think they can go in the "But HHH made me" direction because Owens yelled out "I HATE YOU" as he was beating on Jericho.
That was a fantastic segment. All the way through it kept people interested, amused, and wanting more. Gillberg coming out was expected as we knew Bill wasn't there but was still funny, and he took a beating. Jericho's comments throughout were comical and kept it going. When Owens went out to get the gift for Jericho I wasn't sure where it was going and the next part was one of the best things I have seen on Raw for years. Jericho asking why he was on the list while lifting it up to see the KO on the back along with the look Owens had was perfect timing, and add the crowd reaction in then you have a moment that will be remembered. The beating after was brutal and I have no idea how the powerbomb to the apron doesn't severely injury you, and add in the monitor shot like the Rockers years ago it couldn't have been a lot better. With his look and expression as he walked away it made Owens what he was a few years ago. Absolutely brilliant from start to finish.
Looking back I guess HHH calling him on his own was a clue, but I didn't get it at the time.
That alone would have made a great Raw, so when you add in Bayley winning the title, Zayn winning and getting beat down, Joe's great interview before the beatdown and with the bizarre and confusing Emmalina 'debut' this was a great episode.
Actually the Emmalina thing was strange! And Enzo and Cass don't interest me at all, especially Enzo. Is he a McGregor wannabee? He can talk well, but just not funny and Cass doing the pointing while they walk down the ramp just looks bad. At least he can spell SWAFT without fail.
And Reigns was in it as well. At least he was beaten down by Strowman after playing with the tag champions. Probably the best reaction he has had for a while, but it didn't last.
Things are certainly open and interesting for the next PPV and Mania, and that doesn't happen very often.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoThe Festival of Friendship looked like it was going to be a knock off Rock and Sock, but they took it in another direction and made it so much better.
Yeah, I would say it was a beautiful splice of the infamous "This Is Your Life" Rock 'n Sock segment with the glorious "I GOT A LOT LEFT IN THE TANK" Mark Henry retirement segment.
A beautiful comparison. It also bridged the Michaels/Jannetty Barber Shop window to the Jericho/Michaels Jeritron smash to today. It was so many things. Aside from being wildly entertaining and then full of real pathos, it also,like CRZ said, got the 100% correct reaction. No Yes chants like Dolph Ziggler gets since fans empathize with how incompetently he's been handled. "No one gets the right response from the live crowd because they're troublemakers" as an excuse for Reigns and other oddities is proven nonsense when something's done right by the experts. And after last night it feels good to reaffirm that Jericho is a legitimate wrestling genius. One of the great Raw segments ever, like a Nexus level holy shit moment of a lifetime.
At the same time, almost as proof of the rule-proving exception, if they don't reverse the Bayley win next week with another threat from Charlotte's lawyers and overstep from Stephanie, these dingbats will still never do anything right.
Jericho is simply the greatest. I don't think there is a wrestler ever who can make segments work as well as he can - even lost ones - who is so willing to put over new talent, even when unwarranted (I am looking at YOU Fandango) and still keep himself relevant after lo these many years.
He cares about the product. Not about titles, wins, legacy and all that crap. He cares about the product and the fans.
I can't even rank which version of Jericho is best because I loved them all.
Life is hilariously cruel.
It ain't the six minutes... it's what happens in that six minutes.
The Festival of Friendship was perfect. Everything was played perfectly. The list reveal... perfect. Perfect, perfect, perfect.
The womens match was good, though I have the fear of Charlotte winning it back in a week or two and her hitting 16 title reigns by September. The Sasha heel turn is coming, which is good because she's a great heel. This takes us to WM with Bayley, Charlotte, Sasha, Nia maybe? Three heels if Sasha turns.
I'm over Enzo. He was funny for a while but it has just worn over for me and that botched toss over the top rope... man.
Hope we get Evil Emma back. Emmalina was a stupid idea, especially when you have Eva Marie to be that knockout already. Let Emma wrestle.
I love New Day, but we gotta get something going with these guys.
So Benoit and Angle go at it again this Sunday. However, the one thing I have to wonder is this -- unlike last time, there is no clear babyface in this feud.
Thread rated: 5.93
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