No full recap as I'm on vacation but I did see Punk vs. Morrison, Del Rio's attack on Kofi and Miz's promo. Looks like we'll be getting Taker vs. Hunter at 'Mania after all. Not sure I like the hot-shotting of the tag titles though.
No recap next week as I'll be live in Buffalo for the show, so feel free to start one without me!
Ladies and gentlemen, the following public service message is brought to you by your friends from D-Generation X, who would like to remind each and every one of you that if you're not down with that, we've got two words for you... You missed one of the best parts of the show: Cena's battle rap response to Rock's comments of last week. Go watch before the E nukes it:
smark/net attack Advisory System Status is: Elevated (Holds; June 18, 2006) While the switch from Cena to RVD should alleviate some complaints, the inevitability of the belt's return to Cena (note where Summerslam is this year) and the poor initial showing by the new ECW are enough to keep the indicator where it is for now. The pieces are in place, though, especially on RAW, for improvements to be made to the IWC's psyche in the near future.
Originally posted by geemoneyNot sure I like the hot-shotting of the tag titles though.
Was it really a deliberate hot-shotting tho? Sure seemed more like someone screwed something up to me, what with Cena cracking up, the very succinct GM chime in, and the finish making Miz look like a dork for deliberately costing himself a second championship title to look at his tears in (what a GREAT line that was).
Despite the lack of in ring action, I thought this was an excellent Raw. All 5 promo segments nailed it.
Originally posted by geemoneyNot sure I like the hot-shotting of the tag titles though.
Was it really a deliberate hot-shotting tho? Sure seemed more like someone screwed something up to me, what with Cena cracking up, the very succinct GM chime in, and the finish making Miz look like a dork for costing himself a second championship.
If it happened on television, it's a work, would be my guess. Although I did notice that Cena didn't look fully engaged in the first match at all.
How come Morrison and Punk were the only two who had to sell the brutality of the Elimination Chamber?
Taker/HHH at 'Mania, book it. Those two brought it at X-Seven. Wonder if it's Streak vs. Career.
I should add, though, that I'm still disappointed that the 2/21 guy wasn't Sting.
(edited by ekedolphin on 21.2.11 2347)
(edited by ekedolphin on 21.2.11 2352) "You are boring me to death, and I'm already dead. You're boring me back to death." --Zombie in a Starburst commercial
Fan of the Indianapolis Colts (Super Bowl XLI Champions), Indiana Pacers and Washington Nationals
Certified RFMC Member-- Ask To See My Credentials!
Co-Winner of Time's Person of the Year Award, 2006
Originally posted by Texas KellyYou missed one of the best parts of the show: Cena's battle rap response to Rock's comments of last week. Go watch before the E nukes it:
Great Raw after a great pay per view. We get the beginning of several intriguing and possibly money-drawing matches (yes, that includes a sports entertainment match featuring Michael Cole), and it didn't really feel rushed. It should speak to the nature of having so many ppvs where we don't always get these slower builds. But I digress.
I was a bit miffed at them making John Morrison look like a dork with that pretty quick loss. It looks like Morrison's reward for shining at EC is that he will get to be relegated to the MitB match (if they have one at WM this year).
"Put on your helmets, we'll be reaching speeds of 3!" "It was nice of you to give that dead woman another chance." "All right, look alive everybody...oh sorry Susan."- MST3K: Space Mutiny Click Here (myspace.com)
This was the best episode of RAW I've seen in a decade. Last week's show had the awesome Rock segment, but this show was hitting on all cyliders and was a better OVERALL show.
-I came into this show thinking that Cena would either have to turn heel, or would get turned heel by the fans if he acted face. Cena gave THE best promo of his career and it was up there with some of the Rock's greatest hits. Calling back to the battle raps was the perfect was to say "This ain't gonna be happy go lucky Cena". He was as ruthless in burying The Rock as Rock was in burying him last week. Plus, he gave LOGICAL reasoning. Rock left for 7 years, and I busted my ass. He ran down every one of Rock's movies and even turned his own jokes against him.
-Undertaker returns and gets a really cool entrace, but then is interupted by returning HHH and the proceed to go in the complete opposite direction of Rock/Cena and have a showndown that is every bit as hot, but without one word spoken. The look to the Mania sign, the throat slice answered by the crotch chop told you everything you needed to know.
-Cole interviews Lawler and brings up his just deceased mother. Huge heat. Then he answered the King's challenge with a glass of water to the face in a great throwback to the Kaufman days. I originally didn't want to see Lawler have a comedy match for Wrestlemania, but the stuff he did with Kaufman was great. Not that Cole has even a drop of Andy's talent, but it could provide some great moments. I can already picture Cole taking a piledriver and wearing a neck brace for the entire next year.
-Hacksaw Jim Duggan is HoF #2. Great choice and I figured it was coming since Mania is in Georgia. Even better is Dibiase inducting him. Duggan was always one of those guys that the crowd always loved to see even though he was far from the best worker in the company.
Originally posted by TorchslasherGreat Raw after a great pay per view. We get the beginning of several intriguing and possibly money-drawing matches (yes, that includes a sports entertainment match featuring Michael Cole), and it didn't really feel rushed. It should speak to the nature of having so many ppvs where we don't always get these slower builds. But I digress.
I was a bit miffed at them making John Morrison look like a dork with that pretty quick loss. It looks like Morrison's reward for shining at EC is that he will get to be relegated to the MitB match (if they have one at WM this year).
Looks like they'll be doing it with Sheamus, Morrison and Bryan, maybe Henry so far.
Originally posted by Texas KellyYou missed one of the best parts of the show: Cena's battle rap response to Rock's comments of last week. Go watch before the E nukes it:
geemoney, that's cool, you work hard around here... you deserve a break.
Now, for Jerry Lawler to agree to a angle like the one tonight so soon after his mother died..... WOW, I know I couldn't do it. Boy, did that deliver some heat to Michael Cole. Shame they can't give Lawler a LEGIT match at Wrestlemania.
And is the PG rating done? Cena's promo at the beginning wasn't PG that's for sure.
HHH vs Undertaker.... I'm assuming Shawn Michaels will be the guest referee to give HHH a chance to win this match. No way they can build HHH to be a threat otherwise.
And I guess Sheamus is buried for good just like Jack Swagger. Too bad really, I think Sheamus did his role well.
Originally posted by shawnpatrickAnd is the PG rating done? Cena's promo at the beginning wasn't PG that's for sure.
If ratings go up and Mania gets a good buy, it is dead. I still think they only did it because Linda ran for office, then convinced themselves it was a smart strategy.
If they'd just go back to TV14, but not feel like they have to be super edgy all the time, it would be the best way to go.
Originally posted by Texas KellyYou missed one of the best parts of the show: Cena's battle rap response to Rock's comments of last week. Go watch before the E nukes it:
A good show tonight! Undertaker's intro, credit the person who switched that Johnny Cash sounding music and put on the Dead Man theme. Still an epic intro. I actually look forward to the Triple H vs Taker at WM.
Originally posted by Texas KellyYou missed one of the best parts of the show: Cena's battle rap response to Rock's comments of last week. Go watch before the E nukes it:
I'll be happy to jump into the minority on this one. How dare they get me all amped up for the return of Rapping John Cena and give me THAT! I expected the Doctor of Thuganomics, but I feel like I wound up with Dr. Seuss. The lyrics were great, but Cena's dopey facials and smiley mannerisms absolutely ruined it. The delivery's every bit as important as the material, you know. But I will admit that I loved the Brokeback line.
I nearly bought into them giving us the Wacky Tag Team Champions That Can't Get Along, which would have driven me up a wall! The restraint is much appreciated. I still think they're missing the boat on exercising a different cliched idea and having The Corre defend the titles under Freebird rules. I thought it would have been neat if The Corre exercised their rematch clause with Barrett and Jackson.
Give Morrison and Punk a lot of points for coming out and competing tonight. I'd credit them for selling last night's Chamber match (as opposed to Sheamus), but those limps looked pretty legit. Punk's post-match promo was pretty good, too.
Ok, I've got to say that the buildup for 2/21/11 was top-notch and the countdown was a nice touch. It made up for what was a pretty obvious reveal...until the awesomely triumphant Return of Triple H! I'm absolutely SOLD on this match! And yes, I guess we ARE totally skipping the Sheamus feud and the Undertaker Revenge Tour...for now. It's not like anyone cares, anyway. That was a tremendous segment!
Seriously, Lawler's mother JUST DIED! Whether he ok'd it or not, bringing her up for a cheap angle is completely tasteless. Having said that, a Lawler/Cole match straight-up sounds like it could go ten-times worse than last year's Vince/Bret match. If the payoff is JR seconding Lawler and whacking Cole with a candy jar...well...no, it still won't be worth the last 9+ months of having a bunch of shows ruined by Cole tapping into his inner Schiavone/Madden sick hybrid.
I was hoping that Cena would invoke his rematch clause immediately after losing and then win the titles back himself single-handedly. (Or if Cena & Miz won the second match, that Santino would come down and invoke *his* rematch clause, only to be beaten in a matter of seconds.)
Originally posted by Scottyflamingo I still think they only did it because Linda ran for office, then convinced themselves it was a smart strategy.
Despite the fact that it's been stated that it was part of the deal with Mattel? And that Mattel were the ones who filed the complaint resulting in Daniel Bryan's firing?
Originally posted by CajunManthat Johnny Cash sounding music
That Johnny Cash sounding music was... Johnny Cash.
Originally posted by ekedolphinTaker/HHH at 'Mania, book it. Those two brought it at X-Seven.
I counter with King of the Ring 2002. As long as it's in between, I'll be fine. I think the fact that this match is so relevant 10 years after X-Seven says a lot. Reminds me a little of...Starrcade 1996.
Originally posted by ekedolphinI should add, though, that I'm still disappointed that the 2/21 guy wasn't Sting.
Yeah, it was Triple H! Remember I deciphered this in their code a couple weeks ago:
HHH? NO, A JEST!
The jest was on us, I guess. I should've recognized the pouring rain as HHH's water bottle spit. Nicely done, WWE. I got too cocky.
(edited by Mr Shh on 22.2.11 0105) You askew my mirror. I askew yours.
Loved the angles on this show. John Cena "owned" the Rock, word life. Rock talked about Frooty Pebbles and Barney, Cena said Rock was a dick-sucking sellout whose movies are terrible. CENA WINS, proves that Rock can't compare to the stars of today, WWE Universe destroys the Attitude Era. Nice try Rock but take your shit to Witch Mountain, the champ is here.
Which John Cena championship tag team was the greatest? The one with Shawn? Batista? Miz? Otunga? All of whom were his enemies. That guy makes the best of it.
Triple H and Undertaker had a silent movie. It was pretty awesome when Undertaker was like "bitch please I beat you already." Is ::throat-slash gesture:: wrestler-play semiology for "will you put your career on the line"?
Lawler vs. Cole might have the most heat at Mania.
Neither Sheamus nor HHH very concerned about the past. Shit happens. Words were said. Pipes were used. Moving on. Big Show and Daniel Bryan are some big steps down as WM opponents for Barrett and Sheamus respectively, but at least one of those sounds pretty good.
Originally posted by TorchslasherI was a bit miffed at them making John Morrison look like a dork with that pretty quick loss. It looks like Morrison's reward for shining at EC is that he will get to be relegated to the MitB match (if they have one at WM this year).
If there is a MITB, I don't see how it isn't laid out as the ultimate Morrison Adventure Ride which he would have a very good chance at winning. That would be pretty ideal for him.
If there is an MITB match this year, and it's won by a face, it'd be really great if he cashed it in the way RVD did-- signing a contract for a match to take place at a set point in the future-- instead of the way that literally everyone else has, which is wait until the champion's at his weakest and then take advantage.
"You are boring me to death, and I'm already dead. You're boring me back to death." --Zombie in a Starburst commercial
Fan of the Indianapolis Colts (Super Bowl XLI Champions), Indiana Pacers and Washington Nationals
Certified RFMC Member-- Ask To See My Credentials!
Co-Winner of Time's Person of the Year Award, 2006
Originally posted by Texas KellyYou missed one of the best parts of the show: Cena's battle rap response to Rock's comments of last week. Go watch before the E nukes it:
I'll be happy to jump into the minority on this one. How dare they get me all amped up for the return of Rapping John Cena and give me THAT! I expected the Doctor of Thuganomics, but I feel like I wound up with Dr. Seuss. The lyrics were great, but Cena's dopey facials and smiley mannerisms absolutely ruined it. The delivery's every bit as important as the material, you know. But I will admit that I loved the Brokeback line.
(edited by It's False on 21.2.11 2140)
I'll join you in saying that I thought Cena's 'rap' was pretty damn weak. In fact, I'll go one further and say I was a bit bothered by Cena going for gay jokes over and over again. It's not just lame, it's the type of stuff you think the WWE would eliminate or limit to avoid controversy from GLADD and other groups if they want to sell to kids like they so badly want to. But then I rather just have them pick a side and stay with it as far TV-PG or TV-14 goes.
Seriously, Lawler's mother JUST DIED! Whether he ok'd it or not, bringing her up for a cheap angle is completely tasteless. Having said that, a Lawler/Cole match straight-up sounds like it could go ten-times worse than last year's Vince/Bret match. If the payoff is JR seconding Lawler and whacking Cole with a candy jar...well...no, it still won't be worth the last 9+ months of having a bunch of shows ruined by Cole tapping into his inner Schiavone/Madden sick hybrid.
Again, I agree but not quite 100%. I know Lawler is used to using real-life stuff to get heat for his matches in Memphis and other locales, but it still left a bad taste in my mouth. There's already enough heat and story to the Lawler/ Cole feud to get the fans behind it without resorting to this.
As far as the match goes, I doubt it will be anywhere near as bad as Bret Hart and his family/Vince was last year. First off, I see this match being more of either a handicapped match between Alex Riley and Cole vs. Lawler, A-Ri against Lawler with the stip being if Lawler wins, he gets 5 minutes alone with Cole, or a tag match between Lawler & Daniel Bryan vs. A-Ri & Cole. Either way, I say Riley more than Cole will wrestle Lawler and that Cole will get a shortened beating at the end to satisfy the fans. Second, I am 100% sure it won't be as one-sided as Vince's beat down was. Lastly, I'm sure it won't last long as Vince/Bret was, period. Really, it can't be anywhere near as bad or as boring as Vince/Bret was. There are very few matches that were as terribly disappointing as Vince/Bret was. Lawler/Cole, however they plan on making the match, will be much better to watch.
Man, did Sting look different without the makeup. ;)
Tag Title thing was pretty pointless. But Miz looked strong again, which is a good thing.
Lawler/Cole was intriguing.
It will be interesting to see, where they are going with this whole Christian/Alberto/Edge-thing. It probably won't be a triple threat. But I could see Christian (finally) winning Money in the bank and then cashing in (the same night or later) on Alberto or Edge - which both would make sense.
And last, but not least: Cena totally owned The Rock with his promo tonight. (can't believe it either)
Thread ahead: Where's Randy Savage Next thread: NWA Championship Wrestling from Hollywood #23 - 2/18/11 Previous thread: Howard Finkel cuts a heel promo on Harvey Wippleman.
When the "entire locker room" came out and stood at the top of the ramp, my reaction was "Wow. THAT'S the RAW roster these days?" Not sure if it was such a good idea to showcase that in people's minds...