WWE Raw: Overall Review, Grade—Much Better Than TLC

After what I considered to be an extremely disappointing TLC pay-per-view, WWE responds with an exceptional Raw—one that might have actually been worth the money you spent on Sunday. Solid promos, intriguing angles and a very rare case of Triple H and Stephanie listening to the WWE fans. Plus, the matches were all-around better. 

Opening Promo

In an effort to both solidify Randy Orton as the champion of champions and to emphasize the increasing popularity of an undersized superstar, the opening of Raw saw the entire comic book cast of characters take their place beneath the titantron while Randy Orton slowly met Triple H and Stephanie in the ring. 

I liked this promo. It was easy for Orton to slam all of his colleagues, but doing it in front of the entire locker room was uber-effective. "There's a reason why you are where you are, and I am where I am"—fantastic heeling, beyond turning dreams into nightmares and all that apex predator stuff. 

Of course we had to hear from Cena, which was appropriate--after all, the two were just 24 hours removed from sharing one of the most underwhelming TLC matches to date. But what Cena did wasn't so surprising, at least not if you were on Bleacher Report reading all the content here. I saw this from Sharon Glencross, who saw it from Bryan Alvarez in the subscription-based F4W Newsletter regarding the ovation Daniel Bryan received on Raw in Seattle before TLC:

"

While the company knew that Bryan would be popular in Seattle, nobody had any idea that the fans were going to take over the show to this degree. Vince McMahon was very upset as it was going on, but John Cena was back there with him in the gorilla position telling him that it was OK and to let the fans enjoy themselves.

"

So when Cena said, "I actually listen to what the people want," I immediately thought about this anecdote. It's possible that there's a degree of truth in what Cena said, but regardless of whether factual or not, Daniel Bryan appears to be gearing up for a major push as we start down the Road to WrestleMania. 

Big Show and Rey Mysterio Defeat The Rhodes Brothers

I slammed this tag team yesterday, for several reasons: first, the Fatal 4-Way match at TLC sucked on rye. Huge opportunity for an explosive TLC four-way, ya know, at TLC, missed. A babyface hug-it-out party to end their match. And frankly, an overall unimpressive usage of prized PPV time. But last night was different, possibly because Show and Mysterio actually had room to demonstrate what they can do together.

First, remember this isn't the first time they've teamed up, so no booker is changing the game; however, the two demonstrated some really effective moves together, which is the kind of teamwork you want to see from a Jack and Giant tag team. Rey's makeshift frog splash from Big Show's shoulders was an effective, convincing finisher. 

I think this has the potential to be a great rivalry and the fact that Show and Rey won means it's probably happening. But the hugging it out post-match schtick needs to be finished. It's doing nothing to fuel what could be an entertaining rivalry. Neither team has to play heel, but the post-match kumbaya is becoming tiresome. 

Dolph Ziggler Defeats Fandango

Were Triple H and Stephanie reading all the comments from every TLC blog written? Just one night after burying Dolph and Fandango in the TLC dark match, the two have a rematch on Raw and fans get exactly what they wanted. Both seem on the fast track to jobber status, but it looks like they're going to stretch this "rivalry" out. Dolph Ziggler stole a victory on a quick rollup just 24 hours after Fandango stole a quick victory after Summer Rae distracted Ziggler.

I don't know how interested in this feud I am. Ziggler has a loyal following, but how far can a feud with Fandango get him?

Big E Langston and Mark Henry Defeat The Real Americans

In what has to be WWE's recognition of a lackluster Intercontinental champion (IC), they've paired Big E with a very similar Mark Henry, two massive intimidating individuals. The match with the Real Americans was one of the greatest demonstrations of strength we've witnessed.

We know Big E and Mark Henry can pretty much slam anyone. What was exponentially more impressive was the delayed gutwrench suplex Cesaro landed on Big E Langston. A pure demonstration of brute strength, executed flawlessly. It's a shame they didn't let Cesaro take Henry on the Cesaro swing, which would have been insanely impressive. 

Big E Langston eventually delivered the Big Ending on Cesaro and ended what was one of Raw's best matches of the night. The crowd was obviously feeling it, as their reaction indicated as much. The pairing of the two giants was a sound strategic move, but as I hinted at yesterday, Big E has not demonstrated an ability to captivate an audience with anything other than raging pectoral muscles and heavy slams, which of course is fine, but it does make you think about how long they'll let him carry the company's second-best belt around. 

How about the tag team division of late? Most intriguing it's been in years. I wouldn't be mad if they transitioned Big E from Intercontinental champion to tag team champion at some point, but I just need more from the guy toting the IC belt and there are frankly better personalities worth pushing.

Rybaxel Defeats Tons of Funk

It was a tag team kind of night apparently. Just one night after watching what we (thankfully) thought was the dissolving of this irrelevant tag team, we're greeted by Tons of Funk coming out as if Sunday never happened; however, I suppose the bookers wanted to leave little doubt about the state of this awful duo.

Clay refused to be tagged in by Tensai, who was getting worked over by Ryback. The Shell Shocked was delivered to Tensai, the match ended and Clay's metamorphosis to heel is completed after he hits a few splashes on his now former partner. The segment is mercifully ended when R-Truth and Woods dropkick Clay out of the ring and dance with the Funkadactyls. All is well, shoot me, commercial break.

Michaels/Punk Promo

Two of the best on the mic squared off in an entertaining exchange of words that ended with somewhat of a rematch between The Shield and Punk. But the promo was exceptional, minus a few minor moments. The crowd did not disappoint, as "Sell out!" echoed for at least a solid 30 seconds, interrupting a baffled Shawn Michaels. 

What was disappointing was Michael's uncharacteristically poor reaction to it. He waited for the audience to stop, then called them out for "not being able to carry it," as if they meant to do it until 11 p.m. Pretty weak cop out for a guy with those mic skills, but I digress.

The kick to Punk's face was brought up and Punk pretty much laid the gauntlet down to Michaels, telling him that if kicked again, he would "kick back." Reads cheesier than it actually sounded, but it was convincing and I for one am all for this rivalry, should they decide to pursue it.

The Shield Defeats CM Punk and The Usos

The WWE Universe selected Punk to team with The Usos to face The Shield. The Shield suffered an incredibly embarrassing defeat at TLC, one that frankly never should have happened unless bookers do plan on dissolving this team. They must have received the message because The Shield ended up winning, this time because of Reign's restored vision following (apparently) a night in which he almost lost one of his eyes. 

Punk called for the GTS but Rollins distracted him long enough for Reigns to be tagged and execute a spear on the proper guy this time. Another "do-over" from last night in the bag. But let's not fool ourselves. The Shield and Punk cannot match what could be an incredible HBK/Punk rivalry. It needs to move in that direction and The Shield needs to get a worthy focus. 

Wyatt Family Promo

The Wyatts shot a promo, which was fine considering Raw had already witnessed now four tag team matches. It focused on Daniel Bryan, which is odd because of Bryan's current involvement with Orton. 

Just purely my opinion, I think the Wyatts can be better utilized. Would anyone disagree if I said Bray Wyatt and company are the most convincing heels in the business right now? They have the evil, demonic demeanor that some of the best heels have had, and it works well. When you consider the IC belt is currently being held by a guy who frankly shouldn't be given a working mic, is it far-fetched to start moving Bray, or one of the Wyatts, toward meaningful gold?

Guess it depends on what you want. But if a superstar is going to wear gold, he needs to deliver in more than just in-ring action. Bray Wyatt is demonstrating real potential and I hope he's considered capable of doing more.

AJ, Tamina and Alicia Fox Defeat Natalya and The Bella Twins

Give it to the Divas. They put on last night in a very physical three-on-three tag match. Plenty of tag love to go around on Raw this evening. A highlight of the match may have been when Tamina delivered a brutal kick to Nikki, which stood out more than anything else. AJ hit the Shining Wizard to eventually capture the victory and end what was a notable physical match.

Randy Orton Interview

Look, for as good of a wrestler this guy is, his mic performances are sometimes (often) painful. I believe it was, what, a "sawed-off loser" he called Daniel Bryan? OK. Is there no one in the back who can actually write this guy something to say that doesn't sound like something a 10-year-old bully would say before demanding lunch money? This is the company's face. This dude is supposed to be the most hated man alive; he needs to be hated by more than just the elementary school demographic.

Daniel Bryan Defeats Randy Orton (DQ)

It's the match everyone wanted, and frankly, it delivered. In my opinion, this is the guy who should have headlined the main event at TLC. This is a guy who is not afraid to take chances, take risks. He's willing to leave it all out there, based on the constant energy and aggression he demonstrates. I'm partial to the suicide dive myself, and the diving headbutt is simply an ode to a former great wrestler worth modeling (at least his in-ring behavior).

It's precisely the kind of talent needed for a great TLC match. Not a good TLC match, which is what I was repeatedly told last night was. Fans can be content with "good" PPV matches I suppose, but last night was borderline great. And they weren't given the benefit of tables, ladders and chairs. Furthermore, it only cost you the amount of your satellite or cable subscription.

The match witnessed a ton of back and forth and a few notable kicks from Bryan. But when Orton saw the match in jeopardy, he did what any good heel does and got himself disqualified, which of course drew massive boos from a crowd that was involved the entire night. 

Cena emerged, cleared the ring, but was eventually hit with an RKO and the episode concluded with Orton standing alone above a fallen Cena and Bryan. 

Final Grade: B+

What a rebound for the WWE. They were obviously listening to the fans following what truly was a less-than-stellar TLC PPV and it looks like the Road to WrestleMania is going to be a bumpy one. 

Does a triple threat containing Cena, Orton and Bryan do it for you? Could this be the beginning of path that ends with these three headlining Wrestlemania? Maybe that's thinking too far ahead, considering the Royal Rumble is staring us in the face.