The only storyline that even remotely interested me watching RAW this week was Ric Flair’s promo on Triple H this week. Everything concerning the JR storyline is in a bad taste (completely what I expected), but I can only hope that WWE will fix this situation, have JR come back and take the helm again because I know I didn’t enjoy Coach being Coach and JR at the same time. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Stephanie McMahon continue their comedy routine during the broadcast, I assume to give a new twist to McMahon versus Austin. McMahon was amused by the insults, which is different than how her father Vince McMahon would have reacted, he would have been pissed at the comments concerning his “balls.”
Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels and Mick Foley were all misused this week as well. Kurt Angle’s now a dog? Does that mean he has to get on his hands and knees and bark like Trish Stratus did a few years ago to appease Vince? What a complete miswrite of Kurt’s character. He should be out destroying everyone in his path and not having to wait around to be number one contender. I love “The Hurricane” Shane Helms, he’s a classy guy who deserves TV time but until WWE knows what to do with him then I’m not sure he needs to be the “go to” guy to get chewed up and spit out by the higher tier talent of the WWE. I felt Chris Masters would have been a better choice, since WWE wants to push him and he thinks the world owes him one anyway.
Taboo Tuesday is in two weeks and throwing together matches seems to be the order of the day. It seemed more organized and more built up last year, but I guess it’s more important to get rid of the best announcer in the WWE and put the McMahons in storylines once again.
JBL’s music playing during Edge’s match was a interesting twist that I wasn’t expecting. I’m curious with wha direction this will be going with Matt Hardy being moved to Smackdown and it’s strange how Smackdown seems to make more sense than RAW’s state of affairs right now.
Foley never really hyped up how he should get revenge on the Ortons because he has to work with Carlito so he can mention JR, why Linda McMahon’s heel turn was disappointing and bring Shawn Michaels into the picture for the night. Foley is comedy relief and does the best he can for what he has to work with for a less than okay show so far but it isn’t enough to turn the show around. I’m sure he can have a good match with Carlito and I’m glad Foley’s back, but it is all way too thrown together.
The man who can turn the show around is Shawn Michaels and he was stuck working a match with Carlito with everyone having to be distracted by Coach’s play by play announcing. I love watching Shawn Michaels work but I was just waiting for the show to be over.
The money moment of the night was Ric Flair’s promo on Triple H – recounting the infamous plane crash that he survived in my hometown, then a story how lightning bounced off his umbrella in Richmond, VA and killed a guy three feet from him, and how he’s not afraid of Triple H despite the 20 year age difference. Opening up his stitches himself, he smeared blood all over his face and shirt – pretty effective and attention-getting. I’m excited about this storyline because fans have been waiting for this for a long time and if done right, could be more than a one story match. Just keep telling the story and it will bring forth a lot of money if no one is burnt out on it.
The Battle Royal was so very obvious – mid-card talent versus Kane – it was just a matter of having Kane clean house so he could pull off the win. It made everything else of the night seem so much more important than Kane’s actual return. I definitely stand by my feelings that no matter what John Cena should lose the title soon, because even though he is undoubtedly the underdog, he no longer has a “I’m the main event” feel to him right now. Cena basically shows up, makes fun of everyone in a “pissing” contest sort of fashion, and maybe or maybe not defends the title on the show. I don’t believe Cena’s at the level that people will buy a PPV based on his name sake alone and that’s putting it in perspective. Thanks for reading and feel free to drop me a line at Bam@4sternstaging.com.
