WWE RAW took a entirely new pace this week with the Trial of Eric Bischoff as the main storyline as I’m now trying to figure out who exactly is writing the show right now. It was fun for what it was, however, there is one thing I haven’t seen addressed – why would Mick Foley be the prosecutor for a obvious biased Vince McMahon “case” after Linda McMahon turned on Foley? WWE has to watch out for their selective memory. Why wasn’t Shane McMahon on this week if the idea he was “born for” Eric Bischoff’s General Manager position?
Stephanie McMahon appeared a few times throughout the show, including a weird “moment” with her and Triple H with Vince “introducing” them, though storyline wise they are supposed to hate each other’s guts since she faked a pregnancy? WWE appears they want to have a ECW feel to the show again which isn’t a bad thing but you can’t pick and choose what you showcase as “real” when you have the Boogey Man running around like a jack in the box. The Chris Masters “that’s not his real name” line was out of no where and though I understand it was to have Vince discredit him but that could just be the call of the order for the day, it’s back to the promos where you’re called Adam instead of Edge, Amy instead of Lita just to show what a shoot feels like.
The Cutting Edge was interesting to have a bait and switch in Flair Country-South Carolina, no Ric Flair when they pushed his name at the beginning of the show, which is actually understandable for his legal issues but ironic to have Edge discuss people’s personal real life problems on national TV when in turn, his real life problems got him his status with the company now that supposedly he didn’t want exposed. Michael Hayes stepped up tonight in his role, representing the veterans well in the “you kids are spoiled” spirited comments. I’m sure that’s something he (and others like him) have been wanting to say out loud for years. I want to say this about Edge, he’s found his niche as a conceited heel. He’s made the most of his opportunities, more so than Matt Hardy has of late.
Kudos to the WWE’s Women Division for making the most of what they have. They may have the most compelling, slow building storyline on wrestling television today with the becoming complex relationship between Mickie James and Trish Stratus. Victoria holds her own as a incredible heel wrestler and each time I see her wrestle I’m reminded to how I miss others like her: Jazz, Jacquelyn, Ivory and Molly Holly. The WWE women never get enough props for their hard work in the ring and I want to say that I’m disappointed that Christy Hemme was let go. Though the reason hasn’t been disclosed officially yet, I felt Christy had a great deal of natural spunk to her, and a eagerness to stay with the company. If she ends up with TNA, it’s only another ace that TNA can take advantage of. Also, hilarious just how well spoken Maria is on point. The Moolah and Mae Young dropping in for the Eric Bischoff trial was fun for what it was, and they are living in South Carolina so it works out nicely. I wanted to forget I ever saw the PPV with Mae Young riding Eric Bischoff with a bronco buster but there it was for our viewing pleasure. Amazingly enough, unless I missed it, WWE never harped on Lilian Garcia being from South Carolina as well.
Vince McMahon body slamming Eric Bischoff into the Waste Industries garbage truck was a interesting Stone Cold touch to their night. Storyline or not, it’s impossible not to feel that Vince enjoys burying Bischoff anyway he can. It was a good pay off because Eric’s reign on RAW has been too long. Using John Cena in this particular instance worked because he’s the baby face “supposedly popular” WWE champion cheerleading what all WWE fans agree on, that Bischoff has to go, while Kurt Angle is used in a tag team capacity so Shelton Benjamin and Shawn Michaels can tease a feud to finally get Benjamin in some real direction. Cena has to drop the belt, eventually the boos will go louder unless they can keep him out of the ring with Angle. If Angle’s involved, Cena’s automatically discredited because the two are not even in wrestling ability. I’m thrilled they are finally doing something with Benjamin however, I’m tired of seeing him buried for no reason at all on TV.
The teasing of the Big Show in a future storyline with Triple H is fine based on the growing surge of popularity with the Big Show with the RAW audience. However, once again there is no tag team division as Kane and Big Show destroy mid card talent, as if Val Venis was never once the king of controversy himself earlier in his career. The tag team division has been almost non exist ant and the legacy embarrassing in the last ten years in wrestling, at this point, if they could just make the tag team championships a co-show effort, at least their would be some variety as MNM seems to be the only other consistant tag team in the WWE. When is WWE going to hire writers who understand the importance of building divisions and storylines for more than week to week? It’s not impossible but it’s hard to say how many more classic feuds you can possibly have with guys with limited move sets who are entirely dependent on their promos every week.
I’m trying to stay optimistic and hopefully their tour to visit the troops in Afghanistanwill bring morale up for all involved and that’s putting it in perspective. Thanks for reading, feel free to write me anytime at Bam@4sternstaging.com.
