Quick News
Backstage Politicians are questioning R-Truth’s Push
I’d guess he was expected to flop in his role, so since he hasn’t certain people need to undercut him before he becomes a threat. Since he’s weak in the ring, that’d be my avenue of attack.
Flair, who’s doing every indy with enough cash, thinks TNA is a huge step down and Foley made a mistake.
Flair and Andy Wheeler apparently agree entirely upon this. Dixie Carter is still trying to contact Naitch for when his no compete ends.
In other news, JBL was planning to dress as Stan Hansen for Halloween, but decided otherwise for a righteous fear of LARIATOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
For more WWE news, including the latest ridiculous WWE name for wrestlers check This Week in ‘E.
Wrestling the Issue
This is the second instillation of the monthly feature where the week after a Pay Per View we look at each result, not merely for result, or even for match quality, but for what that result tells us about the WWE’s current mindset and view of their wrestlers. Joining me for the week to analyze the matches is our own Paul Marshall.
Match 1: US Title Match: Shelton Benjamin defeats R-Truth via the Paydirt
Marshall’s Take: Well, it just shows that the WWE wouldn’t do a title change on the internet. It’s nothing against R-Truth, and I can guess that the feud isn’t over by a long shot.
Glazer’s Take: Part of me wants to make nothing of this, but the win was totally clean by a heel. Above, it’s noted that some backstage are taking umbrage at Truth’s push. This is likely a symptom of those political issues.
Match 2: Rey Mysterio defeats Kane with a Splash in a No Holds Barred Match
Marshall’s Take: I don’t know what the WWE is thinking in always letting the little guy go over the bigger men all the time. It makes me sick to see how a guy like Kane, or even Snitsky on RAW, could lose to Rey. Don’t get me wrong, I like Rey…but he can only be the underdog so many times before it becomes stupid.
Glazer’s Take: Well, the fans predictably chose No DQ and Rey won, yet again, convincingly. There’s no reason for this to continue now. Kane had his brush with the upper card again and should go find someone else to wrestle, but with Rey vs. Bourne on Raw, it’s more likely that he’ll be a disruption to try and get Rey one more month of filler, going over Kane. Kane has become the “plug in a role†guy, where he will take anything, serious, main event, filler, or comedic, provide something inoffensive but forgettable and fill out a card. Rey has been put over strong here and should be about ready to move on to bigger and better things.
Match 3: ECW Title Match: Matt Hardy defeats Evan Bourne with a Twist of Fate
Marshall’s Take: Either the WWE has confidence in Matt Hardy or Mark Henry is going to tie this match as to why the WWE Universe are not intelligent enough to decide who faces Matt Hardy. I’m sure the match was great because Bourne is simply amazing.
Glazer’s Take: Testing the waters to see how Evan would be received and even if he would be chosen over the established Finlay turned out to be a success. He had no chance of winning a title this early, but his brush with the top of the card at ECW showed he could hand in one of the better matches of the night and that the fans supported this underdog by voting him here at all. In another few months, when a heel has the title, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get another shot and win, if he isn’t taken for the IC or US title by then. He’d be perfect to defeat Marella.
Match 4: Miz and Morrison defeat Cryme Tyme via the Moonlight Drive
Marshall’s Take: Amazing how an internet feud gains priority over a title contest. It makes me wonder if the voting was legit or if the WWE Universe was incapable of picking the better match. Oh, the match…doesn’t surprise me that M&M 2.0 won this bout because had Cryme Tyme won, the feud would had continued. What the hell am I saying? The feud continues regardless. Just as long as they stay away from the commentating booth, I’m fine with that.
Glazer’s Take: The fans chose this match over Dibiase and Rhodes vs. Punk and Kofi, but that isn’t a huge surprise. Dibiase and Rhodes were pulled apart from Punk and Kofi several weeks ago, killing the momentum for this match. Meanwhile, Miz and Morrison were featured every week in amusing segments and have their internet show, marketing them to the type of fans far more likely to vote. Hopefully WWE realizes this and doesn’t punish the non-chosen duo for not being voted in.
The result for the match chosen was obvious. Miz and Morrison mocked DX and get to face and likely be squashed by them at the next three hour Raw. That means they need to be kept strong for now, so they won on Raw last Monday and at the PPV.
Match 5: Intercontinental Title Match: Honky Tonk Man defeats Santino Marella via DQ when Beth trips up Honky
Marshall’s Take: I almost called the finish, but I never expected the DQ. Oh wait, I should had expected it because it would cause Santino’s unibrow to explode had HTM defeated him for the title. I bet Beth Phoenix done something to prevent the title changing hands. With the WWE changing rules for the heels, I eagerly await the rule that all titles will change hands on a countout or disqualification, so that way heels will have to work harder at being a heel.
Glazer’s Take: Well, this does Santino no favors, but given that Honky was too hurt to work, it makes sense. This turned into a huge comedy segment where the legends beat on Santino, which is always fun. Ideally, this leads into Haas and his gimmicks vs. Santino to combine the comedy on Raw, but Santino can go so many ways here, it almost doesn’t matter. They should have him badmouth an area and hometown wrestler on local radio, then headline a house show with him for the IC title to see how it does.
Match 6: The Undertaker defeats the Big Show via Gogoplata n a Last Man Standing Match
Marshall’s Take: Two men working the big man formula always makes for a decent match. It shocks me that the Undertaker magically brought back “That Move” (TM Michael Cole) that was banned months ago. We still have the rubber match since the WWE likes to do things in three’s.
Glazer’s Take: Training the audience that punches or a choke can finish a big match? Smart. Utilizing a choke to win a last man standing match? Smart. Deciding to do this with the Big Show and the Undertaker? Only in the WWE. The feud continues.
Match 7: Smackdown World Title: Triple H defeats Jeff Hardy via Pedigree
Marshall’s Take: They might as well abort the Jeff Hardy Title chase because you can book Jeff getting close to the brass ring so many times before it becomes redundant. At least we can either see some Trips v. Koslov or a Survivor Series classic tag team match.
Glazer’s Take: Well, Jeff’s finally out of the title picture for now, which isn’t a bad thing. If he gets the belt, it has to be at a big PPV like Rumble or Mania so they can make him seem a top wrestler for good. Jeff can feud with (hopefully) a returning Edge for a bit, leaving H to Koslov. We’ll see if Koslov can go at all through this and if he can, except the monster push to continue. If he can’t, he goes the way of Nathan Jones.
Match 8: Batista defeats Chris Jericho after Russo Style Overbooking
Marshall’s Take: Everyone thought that Jericho would retain in some way. Batista winning does more for the WWE right now than Jericho as champion did. With Batista as champion, we can see Batista v. JBL (again), Batista v. Orton (again), Batista v. Glamarella, Batista v. Regal, or even another round of Batista v. Jericho. It’s not a good idea to go Orton v. Jericho since both men are heels and history dictates a heel v. heel match tends to be the most boring from the crowd perspective. It’s a slight breath of fresh air, and despite the Batista haters out there…be a hater, but continue listening to the massive chants he gets on RAW each week.
Glazer’s Take: Short sighted to say the least. I don’t know what to make of this. Batista is being thrown a carrot for complaining, but now has no interesting direction to go in and it feels like he’s keeping the seat warm for Cena or Orton. Bad decision. There was much more to do with Jericho as champion.
The Smarkish Raw Ranty Short Review Thing for Raw, 10/27/08
An extended showing of Batista winning the belt comes before the Raw open. Man, that was some crazy Russo booking. I guess I’m fine with it so long as its kept to a minimum.
You’ll never guess who opens Raw. Yes, that’s right, once again, it’s Jericho. Lillian announces him as former champion, just as he demanded he always be introduced, as a nice touch. Jericho was jobbed out and it took an army to do it. Batista should be ashamed. Word ‘em up. Next week Jericho gets a rematch. He’s the lyrical gangsta.
Mike Adamle is out. That’s Mr. Boombastic. Next week’s match is in a cage. Simply fantastic. Jericho leaves, Orton’s out, naughty by nature, not cuz I hatecha. He’s mad about O P touching his P. He wants Adamle fired of he quits. Randy calls Adamle a failure, gets in his face and is all “Jump Around!†but Adamle does nothing jacks him in the jaw!, as we get an Unforgiven flashback to Randy beating up Punk.
Match 1: World Tag Team Title Match: Cody Rhods and Ted Dibiase © with Manu vs. Kofi Kingston and CM Punk
Once upon a time, not long ago, after people wore Adidas and lived life so, Punk was champion, and justice stood and the world was behaving like it ought to and should.
Punk and Kofi were well built as a team, but shouldn’t get a shot since they lost last week. A quick babyface fire leads to Punk being stopped, dropped, then shutting ‘em down, open up shop. That doesn’t last and Dibiase takes over. The faces come back pre-break as Punk dives on the heels.
The heels are in control as we return, but Punk quickly makes the hot tag. Kofi has some nice offense, but is pulled to the floor as he tries to go to the top. Kofi’s turn for a beatdown. Good beatdown, good near tags and the crowd is excited for this.
Punk get sthe hot tag and the crowd explodes. Punk kicks the crap out of Dibiase and hits all his combinations. Manu takes a hit from Punk, and Kingston eliminates Rhodes. Dibiase goes for the finish, but Punk counters. Go the FUCK TO SLEEP! Punk wins!
CM Punk and Kofi Kingston defeat Dibiase and Rhodes (Pin, Go to Sleep, *** ½)
This ain’t funny so don’t you dare laugh, just another story about the right path; Straight Edge or your soul gets cast. Knock ‘em out the box, Punk. Okay, enough of that.
Match 2: Intercontinental Title Match: Santino Marella with Beth Phoenix vs. Charlie Haas dressed as Beth Phoenix
Piper, Goldust and Honky Tonk Man are on commentary. Santino cuts on them pre-match. He attacks Haas pre-bell, then slaps Honky. He takes a guitar shot for it. No match. That was fun.
Batista is out. He’s being interviewed by Michael Cole. His promo draws next to no response. That was easily Raw’s weakest segment.
Match 2: Kelly Kelly, Mickie James, and Sloppy McBotch vs. Layla, Jillian Hall, and Katie Lea
The women wrestle. I take this opportunity to list grammar terms for my girlfriend. Sue me. When I want women’s wrestling, I go to Shimmer where they aren’t models and can actually work.
Kelly Kelly, James, and Sloppy McBotch defeat Jillian, Katie, and Layla (Pin, Fame Asser, 18*)
JBL is mad that Shawn Michaels messed up his title shot at the PPV by not counting the 1-2-3 when Jericho had Batista beat.
Match 3: Evan Bourne vs. Rey Mysterio
They start with a lucha sequence, which Bourne wins. They do another and Rey takes that one. The next battle ends in a stalemate. That was fun! Commercials. If I said that this has a Neo fighting Morpheus feel, would you say my geek is showing?
Evan ends up controlling with a dive and is trying to slow Rey when we return, but Rey slingshots him into the floor, before taking a dive and ending up in the defensive… but only for a moment before going back to wearing Rey down. When he tries to speed it up, he’s in trouble as a dive meets a dropkick.
Rey is up first. Both men selling exhaustion, Rey is a step ahead of Bourne and hots the West Coast Pop, but the follow up takes an enziguiri by Sydal! A standing moonsault gets two for Evan. He goes up, but is caught and slingshotted into a 619. Bourne is up and avoids a diving Hurricanrana. He tries the Victory roll, but Rey reverses it for the pin.
Rey defeats Bourne (Pin, Victory Roll Reversal, *** ¾)
That’s how you mix lucha and WWE style! Me want More! That was great! That’s why Rey should wrestle smaller guys!
Kane comes out. Rey and Bourne do a running Total Elimination. Mark Henry comes out to even the odds and the heels beat the faces down. So much for the smaller guy idea.
The Miz and John Morrison are out to talk trash about DX. They will wrestle them next week and can tell DX and their fans to “Be Jealous.â€
Match 4: Shawn Michaels and Batista vs. Chris Jericho and JBL
JBL destroys Michaels backstage pre-match. Batista controls until the first break and we come back from break with him making a comeback. Batista does well for most of the match, taking a bit of a beating. Michaels shows up to his corner eventually and gets a hot tag…. Not seen. During the confusion Batista hits the Batista-bomb on JBL for the win.
HBK and Batista defeat JBL and Jericho (Pin, Batista Bomb, **)
Besides the Diva match, the main event is the weakest on Raw. 3 Hours of Raw next week. Hope it keeps the quality of this week!
Check back Thursday for my live Impact coverage and Friday for ROH Weekly where I discuss the huge release of head booker Gabe Sapolsky. Hire him Vince!
