The RAW Truth Review for 4/1/13

It's the last RAW before Wrestlemania. All of the big stars are there. And the regular roster too. Expect a promo heavy show. One last hard sell job for Wrestlemania.

MY EYES! AND EARS!
RAW started with John Cena in his way too bright yellow shirt. Cena took in all the boos. He said he stands in the middle of a house divided, full of Cenacrats and Rockpublicans. He said it is no secret him and Rock don't like each other, but he respects him for being a global superstar. Last year he would have questioned Rock's allegiance to the WWE, and then Rock would crap on him and his personal life. But those childish games are over. The Rock has done every single thing he said he was going to do. This Sunday he steps into the ring with who he believes is the greatest WWE Champion of all time. The Rock is the great one but he will fall. Rock's time is up and his time is now. Cena said he had to deal with his Wrestlemania loss for a year. He watched Rock usher in a new era with a new WWE Title. Cena said at Wrestlemania he will end The Rock's era. Rock will experience failure and have to deal with the fact that the Title made for him will be defended by Cena. Boring chants broke out in the crowd. Cena said holding that Title will show that he is better than The Rock. Cena ended by saying "The Champ is here."

The 5 Worst Booking Decisions In Wrestlemania History

And I'm back again with another Top 5 List. This time, I look at the five worst booking decisions in Wrestlemania history. Again, these are my opinions on these and some of you may agree while some of you may disagree with them. Go ahead and read along and enjoy!

5. Wrestlemania XVIII: Y2J vs HHH Going On Last
-This Wrestlemania was built around one match: Hulk Hogan vs The Rock. While the Undisputed Title was important as well, it just didn't live up to the magnitude that or have the same importance as the Rock/Hogan Dream Match. I am usually an advocate for the WWE Title Match going on last on the show. It is the top prize in the WWE, and it should be treated as such. But under certain circumstances, there are just matches that are so big that they should go on last.

It was the case at WM26 with Shawn Michaels career on the line. It was the case at WM28 with the Rock/Cena match. And it should have been the case with Rock/Hogan at WM18. Two of the biggest stars in wrestling history were going one-on-one for the first time in their career. It should have gone on last. By having it go on where it did, it took away a ton of heat from the HHH/Y2J match. Both HHH and Jericho have said in interviews that Hogan/Rock should have gone on last, and by not doing so it affected their match.

5 Surprisingly Good Wrestlemania Matches

Hello everyone. It is time for another Top 5 list!

Today, I look at five surprisingly good matches from past Wrestlemanias. What do I mean by surprisingly good? Matches that many people probably didn't expect to be good but turned out to be rather entertaining. So this isn't a list that is going to include the likes of Shawn Michaels, Randy Savage or Bret Hart. It is a list full of wrestlers that aren't known for their in ring work, or weren't expected to put on a good match. But on the big stage of the WWE, they delivered a good match.

This isn't a list of the best Wrestlemania matches. It is a list of matches that exceeded expectations and should be given credit for it.

The RAW Truth Review for 3/25/13

We have two RAWs left before Wrestlemania, and the WWE really has to step up their game. The Rock will be there tonight, so I would expect the Rock/Cena program to get the majority of the attention tonight. Sit back and enjoy!

Heyman to Punk: TOUCHDOWN
CM Punk came out with Paul Heyman carrying the urn. Heyman threw a pass with the urn to Punk in the ring from the apron. Punk said everyone says the Undertaker can't be beaten at Wrestlemania. They say no one can stop the Deadman. But Punk said "they" don't know what they are talking about. But they are irrelevant. Punk said everything should have ended at last year's Wrestlemania, with Undertaker, HHH and Shawn Michaels walking into the sunset. But Taker had to come out on Punk's show and point at his sign. Punk said the urn means nothing to him and threw it on the ground. He said he knows he will beat The Streak and he has something Taker wants. And Taker is at a psychological disadvantage. Punk said Taker could have fought any other man and had his Streak continue, but he had to choose Punk. And Punk is the one to end the Streak. Punk said at Wrestlemania, the Undertaker's perfect record will Rest in Peace.

Suddenly the lights went out and Taker went to town on Punk, landing multiple punches in the corner before Punk escaped with the urn.

The 5 Most Disappointing Wrestlemanias

Hello everyone. I'm back again with another Wrestlemania list on the road to Wrestlemania. Lots of positive feedback from the last list I did. I'm sticking with a Top 5 list again because it is short and to the point. If you expand to a Top 10 list, I feel like you are reaching for points to defend your argument.

This list looks at the five most disappointing Wrestlemanias in the WWE history. Now, this list doesn't necessarily mean the five worst Wrestlemania's of all time. I don't think many people had high hopes for Wrestlemania 9 going into it. This list looks at five Mania's that had a lot of hype around them that just either didn't live up to expectations or fell flat on their face. And at least one Wrestlemania on this list was slightly above average, but it could have been even bigger if the WWE had booked it differently. That also was taken into account when this list was made. Wrestlemania is considered the grandest stage of them all, and if the show does not live up to that hype, it is considered a major disappointment. I have a feeling if I did this same list next year, Wrestlemania 29 would be on it.

With that intro out of the way, lets take a look at this list.

Wrestlemania's Top Performers

Hello everyone. Starting with this write up here, every non-RAW Review piece I write from here on out will involve some type of Wrestlemania related history. We are getting into the heart of Wrestlemania season. There is only so much I can write about The Rock not being on RAW, another HHH/Brock Lesnar match and if CM Punk will be the one to end the Undertaker's Streak. It gets repetitive sometimes. Its something we pointed out on the Creatively Endeavored Pulsecast this week.

So I will be doing a handful of Top 5 lists in the weeks to come. I might stretch some out to a Top 10 list, but that would only be for the bigger categories I might do. Stretching a list out too far can be reaching sometimes. Getting it down to the Top 5 means you are looking at the very best for whatever it is that the topic is about. Plus it leaves room for more debate about who should and should not be on these respective lists.

The RAW Truth Review for 3/11/13

After attending last week's show, I'm back this week to give a live review. Brock Lesnar will answer Triple H's challlenge. And our WWE Champ The Rock? He isn't around to build up to the main event of the biggest show of the year. Talk about a great build!

#HEEL
RAW started with a nice Paul Bearer tribute video. After that, Undertaker came down to the ring where an urn was placed. Taker kneeled down and did his pose, but CM Punk interrupted. Punk said he came out here to extend his condolences for Taker's loss, at Wrestlemania. Punk said that to Paul Bearer, Taker will always be perfect. But in four weeks, he will be 20-1. And the night after Wrestlemania, they will be playing a video about him. And 20 years from now, everyone's children and grandchildren will be asking where they were when Punk beat The Streak. Punk walked away as Taker watched on.

Is CM Punk the Man to End The Streak?

It's Wrestlemania season. That means it is time for our once a year Undertaker appearance. While the Undertaker's career is not necessarily all about his Wrestlemania Streak, he has had a great overall career no doubt, his Wrestlemania Undefeated Streak is his crowning achievement. The last few years of his career have been all about The Streak, mainly because he doesn't appear on WWE TV outside of Wrestlemania season anymore. I really don't have too much of a problem with it. Taker is up there in years and his body can't handle a weekly schedule anymore.

But with The Undertaker's career more than likely coming to an end sooner rather than later, and with it again being Wrestlemania season, it is time to bring up whether or not The Streak should be ended. People will argue their point for each side. For those who want The Streak to stay intact, they say it is something special and unique to the character of The Undertaker. There really is nothing else like it in the history of the WWE. It's different. In the past few years, it has made The Undertaker's match at Wrestlemania almost seem like a co-main event. I would argue that in the last few years that Undertaker's match at Wrestlemania has been better than the actual main event on the show. A lot of that, of course, has to do with the opponent Taker has faced and the story told in the match. But if The Streak was not intact during those matches, they would not have felt as special.

Yes, I'm Talking About A John Cena Heel Turn

It is the age old question brought up by wrestling fans. I'm pretty sure it is brought up every month and about 30 times a year by wrestling fans. It is the one thing we would love to see in the WWE, but it never seems to happen. And of course, that question is: Will John Cena Turn Heel?

There are pros and cons to this argument. Lets look at the pros first. Obviously, it would bring a new dimension to John Cena's character. Cena has been stale for about the last five years. He hasn't changed anything with his character. He has the same offensive move set he's had. He's added the hurricarrana to his move set, but he can barely pull it off. I'm not saying he would all of the sudden become a better wrestler by turning heel. But heel's can work differently in the ring compared to faces.

The WWE RAW Truth Review for 2/25/13

Tonight's RAW has a lot of hype around it. We get C.M. Punk vs John Cena, Vince McMahon vs Paul Heyman, and the fallout from the Jack Swagger/Zeb Colter/Glenn Beck happenings. Expect the course for Wrestlemania to be set after tonight.

WE'RE GONNA FIGHT!!!
Vince McMahon walked to the ring on crutches. Vince said he likes to do things big, so why not start RAW with a fight. Paul Heyman came down the ramp. He said he's waited his entire life for this fight. Vince has always thought of Heyman as a wuss, but Heyman said he is all man. He said Vince has as much a chance of beating him as Tony Romo does the Super Bowl. Heyman asked Vince if he was sure he wanted to do this. But before Vince could answer, Heyman hit him with a Spear and then a crutch to the leg. Vince blocked another crutch shot and hit Heyman with it. Brock Lesnar suddenly came out. Before Brock could attack Vince, HHH came out. Hunter and Lesnar brawled on the outside. HHH threw Brock into the post and Brock got busted open hardway. HHH clotheslined Brock over the barricade. Lesnar came back and threw HHH on the announce table. HHH came back with a chair shot in the ring as Lesnar retreated,

The RAW Truth Review for 2/18/2013

We are officially full speed on the Road to Wrestlemania. Expect the path to it to get a lot clearer after tonight. My guess is that you will get an idea of what the majority of the matches will be after tonight.

Lose To The Shield? Who Cares, KEEP SMILING!
John Cena came out, smiling and happy as ever after losing to The Shield. John Cena said Wrestlemania is taking shape after last night. C.M. Punk came out. Punk said fighting The Rock at Wrestlemania was the easy way out. Punk said Rock beat him fair and square, despite having Rock down for an 18 count and striking a WWE official. Punk said Cena has never beat him. Cena said he wasn't talking about wins and losses, he was talking about Wrestlemania. Cena said sorry but this one isn't about him, so Punk will have to sit this one out. Punk said he was Champ for 434 days. He called Cena lucky for winning the Rumble. Punk said Rock/Cena was a rerun. Cena asked Punk what he wants to do. Punk said walk away. Cena said he isn't going to hand away a golden ticket to the main event of Wrestlemania. Cena said Punk does have a point. He hasn't beaten Rock or Punk. And he wants to silence those critics. Cena challenged Punk to a match. If Cena wins, Punk shuts up. If Punk wins, he gets to go to the main event of Wrestlemania. Punk said they will do it, next week. Cena agreed.

WWE Elimination Chamber Review

We are less than one hour away from the WWE Elimination Chamber on PPV. I'm expecting a good show, at least from a wrestling standpoint. We should also get a clearer look at the Road to Wrestlemania after tonight's show. Follow along!

The Rhodes Scholars vs Brodus Clay and Tensai
After a brief exchange between Sandw and Clay, Rhodes and Tensai came in. Cody caught Brodus with a Goldust upper cut and tagged in Sandow. After Sandow worked him over Cody caught Tensai with a Disaster Kick. The heels took turns working over Tensai until he began coming back. Tensai tagged in Brodus. He hit a splash on Cody but Sandow stopped a suplex with a dropkick. Tensai came in to even the odds. They hit double splashes, with Clay pinning Cody to pick up the win.

WINNERS: Brodus Clay and Tensai

After the traditional opening video package, the World Title Match was announced to start the show.

World Heavyweight Championship: Alberto del Rio (c) vs Big Show
After both men got in some quick offense, Big Show got a couple of chest slaps in. Show hit a bodyslam then another slap in the corner. Del Rio ducked a Show charge in the corner, then grabbed Show's leg and hit it with a kick. Del Rio hit a kick to the head for two. Show countered an early cross armbreaker attempt and hit a Spear on Del Rio for two. Del Rio tried fighting back but walked right into a Big Show boot. Big Show hit a Vader Bomb. Show took his time getting to Del Rio, allowing Del Rio to apply  the cross armbreaker. Show was able to get his foot on the ropes.

WWE Elimination Chamber Preview

This Sunday the WWE brings us the Elimination Chamber PPV. It is the final gear change before we go "Full Throttle" into Wrestlemania season. There's only been three weeks in between the Rumble and this PPV. That has definitely affected the build to the show. It also doesn't help when the WWE Champion isn't on one of the RAWs leading up to the show. But again, that's another story to talk about at another time.

Looking at the PPV card as a whole, it has the potential to be a good show. The wrestling should be good. The WWE usually does a good job with their Chamber matches, and with the people involved in this one I think it should be a good match. I kind of wish there were two matches like normal, but I get the idea of having a second Rock/Punk rematch. I like the idea of the Elimination Chamber being the last chance for a wrestler to sacrifice it all for a chance to fight for a Title at Wrestlemania.

The WWE RAW Truth Review for 2/11/13

We are headed into the last RAW before the Elimination Chamber. And rumors of a possible return tonight? stay tuned. I'm doing this Review less than two hours after getting a tooth pulled. The least you could do is follow along.

HUG IT OUT
RAW started with Paul Heyman. He said tonight is the last time you will ever see him. He said he will never play the victim in his entire life. He sacrificed everything in his personal life to bring us ECW. When he came to the WWE, he put all of his effort into bringing us Brock Lesnar. Then he saw a man he thought could eclipse Bruno Sammartino, main event Wrestlemania and who should still be WWE Champion today, C.M. Punk. Heyman said he can see into the future, and something really bad is going to happen. He said he has become a distraction, and the sins of him will come down on C.M. Punk. Heyman said you would think there wouldn't be a dry eye in the house, but there isn't. He said he won't miss the WWE Universe. Heyman said good bye and looked up.

Who Will Win Their First WWE or World Title This Year?

For the first time in a long time, something didn't happen in the WWE last year. No superstar one their first WWE or World Title last year. C.M. Punk held the WWE Title the entire calendar year of 2012. On the World Title side, Sheamus won at Wrestlemania (had previously won WWE Title) and Big Show defeated him for it (previously held both WWE and World Title). Since the inception of the World Title in the WWE, this has never happened. Every year, someone has catapulted into the main event scene and won their first WWE or World Title.

So is this a sign of future booking from the WWE? Or just a one year anomaly? My guess would be the latter. Once The Rock announced his WWE Title Match at the Royal Rumble, you could almost guarantee that C.M. Punk was going to hold the WWE Title until then. On the World Title side, I expected Sheamus to drop the Title to either Dolph Ziggler or Wade Barrett eventually, and that did not happen. Instead Big Show got himself a World Title run.

The RAW Truth Review for 2/4/13

Our WWE Champion may not be on the show tonight. That doesn't help Rock's popularity backstage or with the fans. Does it affect your thoughts on him?

The Real People's Champion
C.M. Punk came out and brought Justin Roberts into the ring with him. He had Roberts call him "The People's Champion." Punk said he didn't overreact last week, because no one has held anything as important as the WWE Championship. Punk said he acted like a normal person would act because he was screwed. The WWE Title was stolen from him by someone who doesn't deserve it. And now Punk said he is getting questions after last week's video of Paul Heyman. Punk asked some fans and Michael Cole if they saw him in the video last week. Cole said he wasn't. Punk said if Paul Heyman says it wasn't him then it wasn't him. Punk said Vince has the cash to hire actors to make it a fake. Vince has the money to hire actors and make a video to his liking. Punk said Vince getting his hip broke is exactly what he deserved. Punk said in two weeks he gets back what Rock stole from him, the physical belt that Rock carries around while he continues day 442 of his WWE Title reign.

Booker T came out. He stumbled over his lines. He said the WWE Universe will decide who C.M. Punk faces tonight from his past Wrestlemania opponents: Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton or Chris Jericho.

The WWE, Wrestlemania, and the Need To Look At The Long Term

Well, it looks like my post from about a month ago will have some weight to it after all. The results of the Royal Rumble all but guarantee us a Rock/Cena rematch for Wrestlemania 29. As I stated earlier, the match does nothing for me. I just don't care about seeing it again.

The WWE will tell us all that the short term results from this will be great. Wrestlemania 29 will be a huge revenue gainer for the WWE. Most people believe that it will be the highest grossing gate Mania of all time. That is fine and dandy. I still don't buy the idea that this Wrestlemania will have the most PPV buys of all time. There are a lot of people just like me who do not want to see Wrestlemania headlined by two PPV matches that have taken place in the last year. Wrestlemania is suppose to be about big, new matches that haven't taken place before. Instead, the WWE has decided to take the safe route and book matches that have already succeeded for them. It is lazy booking at its finest. Why try something new when you can go with something that has already done well?

WWE Royal Rumble Preview

This Sunday the WWE will present us with the Royal Rumble. In my opinion, the biggest non-Wrestlemania PPV in quite some time. Some might argue that this PPV itself is bigger than any Wrestlemania in recent memory. It will set the course for Wrestlemania season and give us a glimpse into what the WWE has planned for the biggest event of the year.

The WWE RAW Truth Review for 1/21/13

It's the last RAW before the Royal Rumble. Expect a lot of promo work tonight. Looking forward to the final Rock/Punk showdown before this Sunday.

Hey Rock, Just Force Them To Watch The Tooth Fairy
RAW started with Vickie Guerrero and Paul Heyman in the ring. They said they were in the ring as a sign of unity because both were defamed by The Rock last week. Heyman called Vickie the sexiest GM in the history of television. Vickie replayed the song about Heyman. Heyman said it is one thing to pick a fight with him, but its another to pick a fight with a defenseless widow. Heyman then played Vickie's song. Vickie said she won't let that happen tonight. Vickie said she banned him from the arena, and if he does enter, he will be arrested.

A Tale of Two Pushes

Did you ever look at two similar things and wonder how they could be so different? That's what I thought of when I was watching RAW this past Monday. Of course, this is the WWE we are talking about. The fact that they could do one thing right and another thing completely wrong shouldn't come as a surprise to us. As wrestling fans, we should be used to this by now. But this past week's RAW had two different examples of what is good and what is bad with the WWE today.