If you don’t want to know what happens on RAW, do not read my column until after Thursday.
There is no major interest for me with the Donald Trump/Vince McMahon storyline, but that’s the first thing you’re going to see when you watch RAW on Thursday. Trump and McMahon will each have “representatives” in the ring to fight for them. The loser loses their pride: their hair. As I tie mental images to who would benefit the most from the Stone Cold Steve Austin/Kurt Angle/Eric Bischoff type hair change, the edge goes to McMahon for already being a bodybuilder. Maybe this is another step of McMahon to prove he’s still cool.
The representative speculation begins, will Hogan come back and be involved? Will we actually use established stars or bring back past superstars? I have no major inkling or desire to really know, but I do wish that this had happened in the prime of one WWE legend: “Everyone has a price” himself, The Million Dollar Man, Ted Dibiase. The promos would have been amazing and the heat more incredible.
Legends were also used during the taping of RAW last night, including the return of Rowdy Roddy Piper and the announcement of the Hall of Fame induction of The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes (not a surprise). Of course, all this really meant was a nod to Piper’s thank you to the fans/WWE/the boys in the back for being there for him during his battle with cancer, a chance for Dusty to throw his famous promo at the crowd “if you will” and Umaga to come squash them both. Will this lead to the Legends vs Umaga? I don’t think they have a real concrete direction for Umaga, much less The Great Kahli.
What does look hot however is the main event title picture for Smackdown and RAW. The division among the faces: the RAW faces disintegrating with the Smackdown faces, works. Though I can’t see the crossover product onto Smackdown, I think enough will be explained through RAW’s platform that the feud won’t be lost on those of us who can’t see Smackdown on a regular basis. Since No Way Out is approaching this weekend, the eight-man tag was a good approach since the main event is the mixed main event pictures of both brands. There is speculation by the Wrestling Observer that we won’t get Orton versus Edge at WrestleMania and I couldn’t be more disappointed. They are building a great inner feud and it doesn’t matter if either are designated faces.
There is one blaring disappointment to No Way Out: the removal of the ladder match with the Hardyz and MNM. There is talk the two tag teams will be single competitors once and for all. There is another rumor, they want to save this for WrestleMania – some fans may decide to save spending their cash to WrestleMania too. I might be one of them.
Since most of the world has to wait for RAW on Thursday, please treat yourself to a entertaining read by James Hatton on making fun of TNA running on Monday.
Always remember, for things to change, you have to make movement. Thanks for reading and for all the feedback, feel free to contact me anytime at Bam@4sternstaging.com.
