Another week, another live RAW Review. Lets hope that this isn't as bad as last night's Royal Rumble.
Could This Be A Decent RAW Wrestling Show?
John Laurinaitis came out to start the show. He had a big smile on his face as he shook hands with fans at ringside. John Laurinaitis said a wise man told him that it is ok to make mistakes, as long as you don't make the same one twice. He said that he truly believes he will become the permanent GM of RAW. He complimented his performance at the Royal Rumble. Laurinaitis went over the WWE Championship Match at the "Elimination" PPV. That's what he said. The match is C.M. Punk vs Dolph Ziggler vs Chris Jericho vs Kofi Kingston vs Miz vs R-Truth. He then announced that tonight is Beth Phoenix vs Eve, Kofi Kingston vs Miz, Dolph Ziggler vs Randy Orton and C.M. Punk vs Daniel Bryan.
C.M. Punk came out and started the "Na, Na, Na, Na Hey Hey Goodbye chant." He went around ringside then did it in front of Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis said Punk owed him an apology for not screwing him out of the WWE Title. Punk said the only reason he came out was to see his face one more time before HHH 86's him. Punk called Laurinaitis a dork and that he is the only person who can suck and blow at the same time. Laurinaitis asked Punk to start a new and offered a handshake. Punk refused before Daniel Bryan interrupted.
Bryan said no one cares about Laurinaitis and Punk's problems. While they were arguing, he was busy winning a steel cage match. Bryan respected Laurinaitis for making an interesting match between him and Punk, but Punk is nothing compared to what he went through last night. Punk said he is the best wrestler in the world. Bryan said he is a role model and he doesn't eat meat! Punk asked what does he eat. Bryan said that if he makes anymore jokes, he will stick his pipe bomb where the sun doesn't shine. Punk said that lets just give everyone in Kansas City a show.
Sheamus came out. He hated to break up the love fest, but he just wanted to remind everyone that he was the winner of the two towsand and twelve Royal Rumble. Sheamus said with a little luck of the Irish, maybe he will be WWE or World Champion. Sheamus left as Punk and Bryan shook hands.
Segment Breakdown: Good opening segment that did a few things. It reminded people that John Laurinaitis could get fired later and to stay tuned in to see what happens. It made the die hard wrestling fans stay tuned in to see Bryan/Punk later, which should be a great match given time. I question it being on Free TV, but that is another discussion. It also showed Sheamus to the live viewers early. Sheamus needs a bit more exposure as we lead to the Road to Wrestlemania. Survey Says: 3.5/5
As Randy Orton made his way to the ring, Wade Barrett was shown in a skybox watching on. Apparently it is Orton/Barrett on Smackdown. After a quick leapfrog exchange Ziggler stopped himself with the ropes and strutted. Orton applied a headlock then a shoulder tackle. Orton mounted Ziggler in the corner with punches then a clothesline. Orton charged at Ziggler but Ziggler caught him with an elbow going into commercial.
Back from break Ziggler had Orton in a headlock. Orton backed Ziggler into the corner. Ziggler caught Orton with a kick. Ziggler then dropkicked Orton and did some sit-ups. Ziggler went to the top but Orton knocked him off. Orton hit some punches then a superplex from the top. Ziggler kicked out at two. Orton went into ORTON MODE: Clothesline, clothesline, scoop slam. He went for the middle rope DDT but Ziggler countered with a sleeper. Orton got out and scored a roll up for two. Ziggler hit a leg drop on Orton for two. Orton clotheslined Ziggler to the outside then threw Ziggler into the barricade and back in the ring. He hit the middle rope DDT then the RKO for the win.
Match Analysis: It was a good TV match, probably **1/2 stars. Ziggler continues to impress in the ring and Orton continues his hot roll since leaving the World Title picture on Smackdown. I was surprised Ziggler lost clean again after losing on the PPV as well. But Orton needed a win since he hasn't gotten one since coming back, and he couldn't look weak heading into his match with Barrett Friday. Survey Says: 3.5/5
They recapped the Kane/Cena/Ryder stuff from last week, then John Laurinaitis shook hands with William Regal and Curt Hawkins. Regal said he has conjoined twins he keeps locked in the attic. Ha.
SOMEONE CALL MY MOMMA!
Brodus got some punches in before Tyler Reks got in some offense. Clay "FUNKED UP" then hit some punches and a belly to belly before hitting the WHAT THE FUNK for the win.
Punk and Bryan exchanged words backstage. Punk said Bryan is no role model. Bryan then explained what a vegan is and said that we should hear the sounds of crying animals in pain every time we eat meat. Punk explained what Straight Edge is and said he is no role model, just the best wrestler in the world. Punk/Bryan is next.
Internet Favorite vs Internet Favorite, Interrupted by Internet Favorite!
Punk and Bryan shared a handshake before locking up. Punk applied a headlock then a shoulder tackle. Bryan caught Punk with a dropkick before stomping on Punk's legs. Bryan landed some kicks, then Punk landed some and applied a chinlock which Bryan got out of. Punk hit a bodyslam but missed a leg drop. Bryan hit a kick then shoved his knee into Punk's face. Bryan went for a kick but Punk caught himself in the ropes and tossed Bryan to the outside. The two exchanged blows outside before Bryan tossed Punk over the barricade.
Punk beat the count back in the ring but Bryan applied a headlock that Punk backdropped out of. Punk hit a springboard clothesline for two. Punk chopped Bryan a couple of times. Bryan reversed Punk but missed a dropkick in the corner. Punk tossed Bryan into the ropes, he ducked and both men cross bodied each other into the commercial break.
Bryan had control back from break and worked over Punk's left arm. Bryan went to the top but Punk kicked him off. Punk hit a hurricarana from the top. Punk hit a couple of clotheslines then a swinging neckbreaker. High knee to the face then a bulldog. Bryan backed out of a GTS to the outside then hit a baseball slide. Bryan caught Punk with a punch on a suicide dive attempt, then hit a missile drop kick from the top for two. Bryan hit some kicks. The two exchanged some great near falls then Bryan hit a hard kick to Punk's head for two. On the top turnbuckle, Punk head butted Bryan off and hit the Macho Man Elbow for two. Bryan countered a GTS to a pin attempt for two. Punk got out of a LaBell lock attempt, then catapulted Bryan into the turnbuckle. Out of nowhere, Chris Jericho came out and threw Bryan into the barricade, then hit a CodeBreaker on Punk. Bryan wins via DQ.
Match Analysis: Another good TV match, probably ***1/2 stars. The match started a bit slow but picked up its pace after the commercial break. Giving it away on TV, again, may have been a mistake. But the non-clean finish means that another match can happen down the line. Jericho interrupting starts his future program with C.M. Punk, and also continues his storyline of "hating on the Internet." Should be quite the interesting story down the road. I have no problem with the non-finish. Survey Says: 4.5/5
They showed a video package for Mike Tyson going into the Hall of Fame.
Miz Main Evented Wrestlemania?
R-Truth was on commentary for the Miz vs Kofi match. Miz said before the match that people were talking about Kofi's hand stand instead of his great performance in the Rumble. Miz hit a kick to Kofi's head then worked him over with more kicks. Kofi missed a dive in the corner and Miz caught him with a high knee. Miz hit his corner clothesline. Kofi fought out of a headlock, but Miz hit a DDT for two. Miz charged Kofi in the corner but Kofi hit a kick. High flying crossbody from Kofi for two. The two exchanged counters of their moves. Miz charged Kofi in the corner but he missed, and Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise for the win.
Match Analysis: It is hard to believe Miz was WWE Champ at this time last year. He has fallen mightily since then. Kofi was doing nothing and Miz jobs? I guess Kofi needs to look like he belongs in the Chamber match. It was a decent TV match, just a shade under **stars. The commentary with R-Truth was bad and distracted from the match. Survey Says: 2/5
Backstage John Laurinaitis asked David Otunga if he was trying to take his job. Otunga said no.
They replayed The Rock video package from last night.
Embrace the Hate? Na, Just Smile And PARTAAAY!
Eve came out and looked quite frightened before her match with Beth Phoenix. Eve threw some angry punches, but Beth caught her with a clothesline then the GlamSlam for a quick win. Kane's music played and on the titantron, he said he will continue to cause as much pain and torment on Zack Ryder as possible until Cena embraces the hate. Until Cena stops rising above hate and lookig towards his match with The Rock at Wrestlemania, Kane will continue to punish Ryder, and tonight he will punish Eve. Kane appeared on the ring apron and looked ready to have his way with Eve until John Cena came out and they started brawling. Cena got the upper hand and hit Kane with the steps multiple times. Cena went for the AA on the announce table but Kane escaped and ran off.
Segment Analysis: Once again, this feud continues to make no sense. Cena smiling? Why? Kane now running away from Cena? Why? Because Cena was smiling and not embracing the hate? Just a whole lot of stupidness all around. Guess this is what we get for not having Cena in the WWE Title Picture. Survey Says: 1.5/5
Look At That, Laurinaitis Had An Unknown Supporter All Along
John Laurinaitis walked out. Before HHH came out, Laurinaitis said he isn't nervous because he knows the good job that he's done. Laurinaitis said every WWE employee must give themselves a self-assesment. He gave himself a 5 in a lot of those areas. As Laurinaitis rambled off all of those areas, HHH came out. Triple H said he's been watching Laurinaitis for a while. He called Laurinaitis spineless and gutless and said he was quite worse than anyone else. He didn't grab the power and tried to use the role of GM to make himself a star. Triple H said Laurinaitis puts himself on every week to be a star. He said Laurinaitis has let personal issues blur his decision making. Laurinaitis said he will do anything to keep his job. Triple H gave Laurinaitis the floor. Laurinaitis started apologizing. The crowd booed it pretty loudly. Triple H said he didn't buy his apology. Triple H said maybe he will make a Gauntlet Match for Laurinaitis. Triple H then suggested joining the Kiss My Ass Club. Laurinaitis busted out chap stick, and then ripped on him for actually doing it.
Triple H said that he put all of his personal demons behind him, and when he was ready to run RAW the Board told him that he can comeback and do it whenever he wants. Triple H wished John "The best of luck in his" and all of the sudden the Undertaker's gong hit and Taker came out to walk to the ring. Taker and HHH stared each other down. Taker looked at the Wrestlemania sign and did his cut throat sign. HHH put his hand on Taker's shoulder then walked away. Taker looked puzzled as the show signed off.
Segment Analysis: Well, we certainly didn't see that coming. I saw it the second Laurinaitis walked to the ring and I noticed the ramp having the dark tarp on it for normal Taker entrances. Then when HHH started mentioning putting his personal demons in the past, it became more obvious. I guess Laurinaitis still has a job. Obviously, this leads to the build for HHH/Taker at Mania. This year, the story looks to be HHH not wanting to let his personal demon of not beating Taker at Mania effect his job as COO. I'm sure we get weeks of HHH being conflicted before finally accepting Taker's challenge. It was a nice surprise ending to a very good episode of RAW. As much as HHH can be corny and unbearable at times, he sold Taker's entrance and everything else after like a champ. Survey Says: 4/5
OVERALL
This was a very good episode of RAW for multiple reasons. There were two very good matches on with Orton/Ziggler and Bryan/Punk. We haven't been able to say that in a along time. It was also a good RAW because it built to TWO PPVs in one show. There was focus on the Elimination Chamber PPV throughout, and then they threw a little bit of Wrestlemania build in at the end. Got to give the WWE credit for that. The only segment I absolutely hated was the Cena/Kane stuff. Even Miz/Kofi was tolerable, apart from the Miz losing again. The WWE's heels are lacking a bit, with Miz and Ziggler both losing again. But this was a solid episode of RAW that I am giving a very high score of 8. I didn't like the Kane/Cena stuff, and the lack of follow-up on Sheamus was disappointing. He should have been on the show again.
And remember kids, you never want to join the kiss my ass club. But sadly, most males join that club once they get married.
I will have my Super Bowl Preview up later this week.
Until Next Time,
Justin C
Follow Me On Twitter @JCWonka
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