Last night, I said that Jericho's World Championship win would get viewers to tune into Raw. While I cannot say for now if this is true, as it is a bit soon to check for ratings information, I can say that at least one person tuned into Raw for once: Me.
While I missed the beginning of Raw, I did catch Adamle's awkward-sounding announcements for the main events of Raw for tonight and next week. I probably missed a great introduction promo by Chris Jericho, but I have been entertained with nearly everything I have seen since the beginning moments.
I was surprised to see that they are continuing the Jamie Noble/Layla angle, because I tend to roll my eyes whenever I see it. However, every time I do see it, it ends up being quite entertaining. Regal picked up the win over Noble and I am curious to see where they will go from here.
Another very interesting moment was JBL versus CHL, or Charlie Haas Layfield, Charlie Haas's latest WWE Superstar impression, making his entrance at the same time as JBL—locked in the trunk of Layfield's limo.
The disappointment here was the lack of an actual match, (JBL walked out) but this was forgiven by Haas's goofy smiles during the pre-match promo, grinning and holding up bottles of JBL's energy juice. His post-match celebration was even better, as it was reminiscent of Kurt Angle's excessive celebrations.
The next extremely bright spot of the night was the tag team match between ECW's Miz/Morrison duo, and the Raw/ECW combination of Rey Mysterio and Evan Bourne. I admit I am a big fan of John Morrison, so it was disappointing to see him lose yet another match. However, these four men put on an excellent match with plenty of exciting high-risk spots.
As usual, the highlight of the match was Bourne's textbook Shooting Star Press. This ending was ruined by Kane announcing a match versus Rey next week on Raw on the video screen.
The following segment involved tag champs Dibiase and Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Manu (son of WWE Hall of Famer Afa). Orton began talking about how he took out Punk at Unforgiven, and the tag champs interrupted. After Rhodes, Dibiase, and Manu attempted to verbally put Orton in his place, Orton slapped Dibiase, in another mark-out moment.
I'm not sure if Orton is being turned face, or is "out-heeling the heels." Whatever they are doing, it sure is entertaining.
Following this promo, the three stayed in the ring to face Cryme Tyme and Kofi Kingston in a match that didn't impress me too much. Manu seems rather out of place in this group.
According to the Honk-a-meter, Santino Marella is 19 times better than the The Mountie (Jacques Rougeau). Santino faced Snitsky in a completely forgettable match (like most of Snitsky's matches) and Santino stole the quick win with a roll-up.
These quick, pointless matches do little for the product other than make the show drag on for longer than it should. However, Santino is a heel who is impossible to boo, because he is just too entertaining in his promos.
5 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Casey Emmanuel 9 months ago
I agree with you on the Manu thing. I was expecting a evolution-esque type stable to form with Randy, Ted, and Cody. I thought another young "pretty boy" was going to join the group. Because evolution was based on guys who had the look and body to match (HHH,Randy,Batista)... i suppose minus Ric cuz he was old but you can't doubt a legend. But with this group they kinda had the whole thing going with the first three: Randy was going to take the role of HHH obviously, Cody would be the new Randy, and Ted being larger than Cody would more than likely be the muscle like Batista. So I was surprised to see a heavy set, crazy haired dude to join the group. He doesn't quite fit the bill. But I guess him being another "multi-gen" wrestler they kinda figured they would just throw him into the mix. Maybe that's their gimmick, The multi-gens lol.
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Franny Zupancic 9 months ago
Yep. It's nothing against his look, don't get me wrong. I'm not from the 'only the jacked guys should get a push' school of booking. I just don't think he fits in with them. I hate to stereotype... but someone with his look should probably get the good ol' wildman/savage persona... unless they get lucky with a comic/fan favorite kind of gimmick like Rikishi... I don't know. Obviously there are exceptions; The Rock is from that family, but hey, he doesn't have that look.
I suppose Manu could be the Batista type since he's a beast... lol.. Time will tell I guess, at first impression he just looks like a generic version of Umaga, but I suppose in time his character will develop.
What they need is Nattie Neidhart and DH Smith... Get them in a Smackdown 2nd gen/Hart Foundation stable, then when both stables, separately, have picked up steam, have them 'jump ship' and aid eachother across the two brands--forming a 2nd gen army. It could be comparable to the WCW New Blood / Millionaire's Club stuff, I guess. I don't know. Doubt they'd do this but it's a cool idea in my opinion, off the top of my head.
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Casey Emmanuel 9 months ago
DH Smith ... I had forgotten about him lol. I like your idea but I think that HE should join Randy,Ted,and Cody since he fits more in, and Manu should go to smackdown and tag with Umaga haha.
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Franny Zupancic 9 months ago
That's what I'm saying-
They need to put DH with Ted and Cody but after a great delay.
You have Dibiase and Rhodes running Raw, and the New Hart Foundation running Smackdown. Just when you think it couldn't get worse (kayfabe of course, as this would be amazing) the two join forces to help eachother run the WWE. All four (or more) would appear on both shows and it could be the birth of a longrunning stable since all are so young.
I just don't think Manu gets a spot in it.
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Shane H. 9 months ago
i believe Smackdown will be doing a Hart Foundation thing as well so DH isn't going to RAW. He and Nattie will join TJ Wilson
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