10 Thoughts: WWE Raw 1.21.13 (CM Punk, The Rock, Dolph Ziggler, John Cena)

Reviews, Shows, Top Story, TV Shows

Raw 2012 - 2

1. A “Beat The Clock” challenge for the Royal Rumble seems completely contrary to everything the Rumble is about. The Rumble is unpredictable, exciting, fast-paced and unexpected. Having a “Beat The Clock” style of tournament in order to distinguish entry placement defeats all-purpose of the “random” drawing!

2. While CM Punk vs The Rock is a damn important match, so is the Royal Rumble but this Raw is diminishing that immensely. I am absolutely loving what Punk is bringing to this feud and The Rock is being as entertaining as usual but the Rumble is suffering. And the match that determines the #1 contender for either WWE or World titles should not be overshadowed by anything. It should at least be placed at the same pedestal.

3. Why do I feel that if Dolph Ziggler is going to win the Royal Rumble, he’ll beat The Miz, choose the #1 entry and win the entire Rumble?

4. It must be a really young crowd tonight in San Jose because there should obviously be a “Randy Savage” chant anytime that music plays.

5. While I liked The Rock’s promo a bit more than the previous weeks’, he STILL didn’t give us his reasons WHY he wants to be the WWE Champion again. I read online today that in the new WWE Magazine he addresses this issue by saying it’s part of his family’s legacy and no matter what else he does in his life, the WWE Title is the ultimate trophy. Now why couldn’t he have said that on TV. Those few lines would have been HUGE in this feud especially expounding on CM Punk’s “respect” angle.

6. I DID like The Shield’s involvement though. They have yet to be shown as being vulnerable and therefore their attack held emotional weight for the audience and provided a shadow of doubt in The Rock’s chances for Sunday.

7. If there was any doubt left about who the true WWE “champion” is, the only segment that’s been built up throughout the entire night has been an interview with John Cena. Just an interview. It may be vaguely related to the Royal Rumble. But he’s definitely going on after Sheamus, CM Punk, The Rock or any other big name the WWE wishes to promote this week. For an interview.

8. Looks like Ziggler is entering the Rumble as number one and is going to twist it into his time to “show off”. So far it looks like my predictions are right on track. So far…

9. I’m glad they’ve ditched the rental cars for the babyface Alberto Del Rio. He’s off to a great start in connecting with the audience (some of the that definitely has to go to Richardo Rodriguez) but he still needs to make a lasting impression that will KEEP the audience on his side. I always knew his offense would be more crowd-friendly if he was allowed to break out the babyface moves and that may just be what he needs.

{Side Note: How many others out there thought Bob Backlund was already in the Hall Of Fame?}

10. Too little too late with that clusterf*ck of a Rumble segment. Obviously haphazardly thrown together and ended with the way that these segments ALWAYS ends, with a battle royal brawl. It’s as if they realized they needed to promote the Royal Rumble halfway through tonight’s show, THE GO-HOME SHOW FOR THE PPV! I’m always excited for the Royal Rumble but this year’s PPV left a lot to be desired.

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