I don't have much to say, except I wanted to cut off the "what, no RAW thread" post before it happened.
This wasn't good fast forwarding through large chunks. The early preview of Payback looks a lot like Extreme Rules - Evolution/Shield (probably good!) and Kane/Bryan (probably not!) For all they could be doing better with Bryan - and they could be doing a lot better - they are still doing everything right with the Shield. It took both the Wyatts and Evolution (and a referee deciding that people running in the ring doesn't count as a DQ as long as they get in a move) to cost them the main event. Ambrose lost the US title, but he did without actually taking a pinfall loss. (Roman even almost made a comeback to escape the beatdown.) I'm still surprised to see faces so protected, the standard is usually the other way.
No John Cena was the other big thing of note; you have to watch the Network's Main Event to find out what he thinks of what happened at Extreme Rules.
Sheamus did pick up the US title and had an interview teasing a heel turn, but it was subtle they could still drop it. (It's actually too bad he picked up the US title, because now I'd really like to see that Bryan/Sheakus match.) He's got no obvious contender, though they hinted at figuring one out Friday. Barrett is also looking for a challenger after beating Big E again.
I don't know if the announcing seems extra bad when the shoe stinks or if the announcing is just extra bad.
Bryan's story arc must have seemed like a clever horror film on paper with Steph's Heavy Hand and all... I'm not sure how but it must have. The only thing missing was Zach Ryder showing up with a way to stop Kane only to get a knife in the back (or chokeslam) before he can execute his plan.
The bookends of the show was fine, but I might start skipping some of these again if shows like this become a trend.
Wasn't Bo Dallas supposed to debut? Does Cena not appearing on-screen support the theory that Bo will get involved with the Cena-Wyatt story right off the bat?
Match four of the ongoing "This Is Awesome" series between the Wyatts and The Shield was the weakest, in part because of interference, in part because it was more of a sane wrestling match. That's not to say it wasn't Awesome, because it is always Awesome.
There was the briefest glimmer of hope that the end of that match was building to an Evolution/Shield/Wyatts three-way that would tear the freaking house down.
If you pretend "World Goes Wild" never existed as a theme for Adam Rose, then the one he uses now is actually pretty great.
What makes The Accolade one of my favorite finishers in wrestling today is how Rusev's face just becomes expressionless when he locks it in, as if he was exerting no effort at all. This key feature was sorely missed last night. Though I do really love the added stomp on the back prior to execution.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoI don't know if the announcing seems extra bad when the shoe stinks or if the announcing is just extra bad.
The announcing during the Bryan/AdR match was absolutely horrendous. It's almost as if they needed the match to go a lot longer than expected to fill time, and the announcers had no idea what the hell to talk about. They just kept repeating the same things over and over and over...
(edited by Mr Shh on 6.5.14 0736) You askew my mirror. I askew yours. Behold, my plunger. Anagrams posted to http://twitter.com/​paragonSMASH
ADR would have been pretty good as a corporate pawn of the Authority for Bryan to fight. He's really got nothing else going on right now. Speaking of nothing else going on, I'm glad they put the US title on Sheamus. It was doing nothing for Ambrose (he usually has bigger things to worry about), and Sheamus, if you watched the pre-show on Sunday, was clearly so sad about not being on the show. The title switch balances things out.
This was basically a good show when matches were happening, and not so much the rest of the time.
Originally posted by thecubsfan This wasn't good fast forwarding through large chunks. The early preview of Payback looks a lot like Extreme Rules -
Considering the PPV is called "Payback" I figured we would be able to expect some rematches. Otherwise the opponents in the matches would have no reason for getting payback.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLoco The bookends of the show was fine, but I might start skipping some of these again if shows like this become a trend.
I agree. I liked Extreme Rules enough that this was the first full Raw I watched since the night after Wrestlemania. After this show I'm going back to fast forwarding through stuff.
Originally posted by Mr ShhWasn't Bo Dallas supposed to debut?
I don't think so. They've been advertising last night as Adam Rose's debut for a few weeks but Bo's promos have never had a date for his debut. I like Adam Rose vs. Swagger if they are going to feud. I thought maybe they'd debut him against Sandow because that feud makes sense but I like what Swagger can do in the ring and what Zeb can do on the mic. It should be a good first feud for Rose.
I liked what they did with Cesaro last night. Heyman has moved on to calling him "King of Extreme" so they don't keep reminding the fans that he has that swinging move that everybody likes and Cesaro attacking RVD after the DQ is the first time Cesaro has gotten heel heat for a while.
No Paige? Hopefully they start a feud with someone better than Tamina. AJ would make sense for Payback.
I might be in the minority here, but I'm already starting to get tired of Bray Wyatt ... I love the character, but it seems like a bit of overkill with him now.
Originally posted by SchippeWreckAnd has anyone noticed 3MB now has 4 men, negating their name? (Not 3 1/2 men, unless you're insensitive.)
I take that in the same vein of Douglas Adams' 5-book trilogy.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
Sheamus did pick up the US title and had an interview teasing a heel turn, but it was subtle they could still drop it. (It's actually too bad he picked up the US title, because now I'd really like to see that Bryan/Sheamus match.) He's got no obvious contender, though they hinted at figuring one out Friday. Barrett is also looking for a challenger after beating Big E again.
(please-please-please-please start the Sheamus/Barrett program now. use the "unify the us/intercontinental titles" excuse if you must. i want to see them fight it out for a couple of months.....)
I must first appluase insignia for the first and probably only post where I wanted to rip-off my shirt and say "Whatcha Gonna Do, Brother?" Good on you, mate. As for what to do with Hogan, I think GM would be better.