Raw Rewind: Christian, Sheamus, HOF, New Tag Champs, & Much Much More

First off, GREAT opening for Raw. Sure, they ripped off the NASCAR car stunt that they did from before, but nice cheap pop for little Horny. These are the kind of segments I’m ok with having him in. As long as he isn’t wrestling in the Main Event and doing something silly like pretending to drive a car, this is something I’m ok with and totally support.

Then we have Carl Edwards come out. Now, I know who he is, but outside of Dale Jr and Jeff Gordon, I really don’t know much about the stars of NASCAR. He really didn’t come off to have much charisma, but I did enjoy having Sheamus come out at the beginning and seeing the guy get time on TV. For weeks I’ve been wondering why they haven’t shown him more on TV, being the WWE Champion and all, so it’s nice to see him open the show and be the spotlight of the brand.

Now, the reason I call this a great opening is because of the Captain, Christian. The segment seemed to drag during Christian and Sheamus’ banter, but Christian showed his charm and gave out little cheap jokes, typical Christian style. The other BIG thing, he promoted the new show so that the millions of people that don’t watch ECW, well, they know a new show is coming and that ECW is dead.

Another bright spot is we now know that everyone on ECW will be free agents. It’s already heavily rumored that Christian is going to Smackdown (he’s booked on SD shows with no mention of ECW/NXT) so we now know what will happen to everyone else. I expect some of the guys on ECW to stay, like Abe and Yoshi, but someone like Jackson and Regal can go on to create decent feuds over on the big brands. Maybe Zach Ryder can become a real threat for the IC Title over on SD. Now we don’t have to wait for a draft and maybe some of those ECW guys will crash SD and Raw over the coming weeks to present entertaining television.

A great treat was Christian versus Sheamus. Christian is a legitimate threat and has had the ECW Title for most of 2009. If I’m not mistaken, he picked up a big win over Chris Jericho on Smackdown when Jericho was on quite some roll. So Christian is no pushover. The match was entertaining, but dear God, the crowd was just AWFUL. I understand that people aren’t really behind Sheamus, but that was good chain wrestling. But just like his match with Jackson, the crowd was dead and gave a few cheers for a couple of Christian’s signature moves. Forget about the crowd and it showed Sheamus can hang with the big boys and also got over with one of the hottest wrestlers of the past year (though WWE will never give credit to Christian). So for finally giving Sheamus a clean win over a superstar like Christian, I applaud you WWE, I really do.

Next segment was with DX. Finally, no more stupid little games or humor. Straight to business. I like it. The thought of having a DX WrestleMania would be smart and create HUGE cash revenue. But HHH put an end to that by saying he has won the most chamber matches and is going to do what he does best. Nice way to create tension and thoughts of a HHH vs HBK match at Mania. I’d be willing to order WM for that, especially if one would turn heel (I’d like Hunter to go heel, but it seems like it might be Shawn).

Next segment is with Legacy. Cody and Ted are talking about the chamber with Legacy whining and talking about the only reason Ted is in is because he fought Mark Henry (put down on Henry) and Cody had to fight Cena (guess they feel they are not worthy of beating Cena). They talk about who is better until Randy Orton walks in and they all complain about who is better than one another. Ted’s movie is brought up a few times and Orton looks at Rhodes, telling him, his heart was in the right place, but says so in a crazed look way. It is then revealed Ted will fight Cena tonight and Orton is going against Cody. Here is hoping that Cena allows Ted to go over to make him a legit threat in the chamber.

The crowd was letting CM Punk have it. CM Punk is the heel of 2010, hands down. Hardly any other heel gets as much heat as he does, besides, maybe Chris Jericho or yes, Batista. His promos are awesome and he knows how to push the right buttons. Glad to see him get the time to work this storyline and gradually allow his character to grow.

Strange to see the Subway Guy on WWE TV again. But I like how Punk was going to make an example out of him. Now it’s like you don’t even have a choice joining sXe anymore, they make you. That’s what makes a great heel. I love the days of when Ted DiBiase got the audience to do crazy things for money. This is what Punk’s society reminds me of. Great television.

Sadly, DX came out to stop the SxE society, which is really a shame. I mean, wouldn’t it be cool to see Jared with a shaved head? Anyways, it seemed like Shawn Michaels didn’t seem like his peppy self and was going through the motions, which Michael Cole pointed out (about time he does something right). No DX promo or fun little games and we are off to the WWE Unified Tag Team Title match, which seems quite early for the show.

A great back and forth match between DX, Punk/Luke, and Miz/Show. HHH is WAY over with the crowd, so I don’t see my hopes of a HHH turn happening. REALLY shocked that Punk and Luke lost. It would have been nice to see them get the titles and proclaim that they are champions because they don’t do drugs or drink. Also, really puzzling that Miz and Show got the victory. I liked how DX lost, which even adds more fuel to a match that should happen at Mania, but with Miz getting the win for his team, it makes Jericho look bad. I mean, Show was just champions with Chris, and now, he’s teamed with Miz and BAM! They did something Jericho couldn’t do with Show.

However, Miz has really improved. He is the future of the business, but now he has THREE titles. The United States and both tag titles. The dude is just total gold. People talk about how Morrison is the better of the two, but as of right now, Miz is holding lots of gold. Morrison, sure, is in the chamber for the World Title, but if he loses, which he probably will, looks like Miz’s stock is more than Morrison’s.

LOVED the Show/Miz interview. MizShow…I mean, ShowMiz, is really funny. And Show puts down Jericho, saying they did something JeriShow couldn’t do and they did it in their first time. Miz treats Show like an equal (guess that little feud a year ago to fight Cena is totally behind everyone’s mind). Everyone is talking about Edge vs Jericho at Mania, but what about Show vs Jericho? That’s a match that has a lot of history and can be good. Not as good as Edge vs Jericho, but storyline wise, there’s a lot to be played out of it. Don’t be surprised if this match happens.

Next segment (and this show is segments heavy, but they all have a purpose) is Shawn Michaels gone crazy, part 3. He goes on and looks for Teddy Long and demands a trade and to end DX while being put into the Chamber so he can win the title, give Taker his rematch at Mania, and retain and break Taker’s streak. The passion and mental breakdown is all there for Michaels. It’s gold. Teddy won’t do it, so Shawn shoves him against the wall, only to be saved by Triple H. He questions Michaels again, asking if it is worth having DX be thrown away and his career, for Michaels to answer that his career is already gone. Shawn then Super Kicks Long and walks away. Yeah, HHH vs HBK it is then.

Next up is a Divas match, which we get the answer as to when the Divas Championship will take place, at the Elimination Chamber. Gail Kim makes quick work over Jillian Hall by an impressive boot from Gail. Maryse comes into the ring and praises Gail once again and then Maryse speaks French in which no one understands. Probably a put down. All I can say is Maryse is looking HOT!!! A handshake happens and that’s it.

HALL OF FAME TIME!!! Always nice to see the videos for these things and the first guy into the HOF is none other than the Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase. Great promo video showing him paying off audience members (like I mentioned above) and screwing them over and how the Million Dollar Belt was created. Let’s not forget the hundred dollar bill down the throat of a loser. Glad that the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase getting his rightful due. And next week, we find out who gets the second induction.

We now know why Jared is here as he promotes Subway and the 5 dollar any regular Subway sandwich. Guess Subway is going back to their old ways. Santino walks in with Jared and Edwards. We see Santino’s new t-shirt, which is a Beware of the Cobra t-shirt and has Santino doing his funny finisher. Nice comedy and Santino wants Swagger, so Edwards gives him the match for Superstars, which is a nice plug on a show that isn’t drawing many viewers.

Kofi walks in and tells Edwards not to sweat not giving him a match, but to make the members of the Chamber to all fight one on one next week in different single matches. Edwards does, ask if he should make the matches or leave it for the next guest host. Santino says leave it for the next guest host cause the guest host might have class and respect…and then everyone but Santino shakes their head and Jerry Springer is plugged, along with his show. Funny segment to put over quite a few things.

Orton vs Rhodes is now up and it seems like we are getting the same type of match that happened between Orton and DiBiase Junior months ago, but out of nowhere, Rhodes drop kicks Orton after getting a verbal lashing. And this is now a match. VERY VERY VERY surprising match that was good and out of NOWHERE, Sheamus enters the ring, distracts Orton, and BAM! Cross Rhodes to end the match. Rhodes slides out of the ring, Sheamus comes in, and nails Orton with a big boot. Rhodes comes in with a steel chair to draw away Sheamus (a little late, buddy) and a staredown. Great way to put over Rhodes, gives more heat to Sheamus (damn the crowd again for being silent) but dang, I’m still pushing for Rhodes to align himself with Sheamus.

Carl Edwards has decided to make himself special and not give Springer any decision for next weeks matches. So we get HHH vs Cena, Sheamus vs Orton, and DiBiase Junior vs Kofi all against each other just 6 days away from the Chamber PPV. And a couple of plugs for Edwards Daytona 500 race this Sunday.

Main Event time with John Cena vs Ted DiBiase Junior right now. Cena is hot and just assults Teddy as Cole points out he is upset about the Batista attack, so Ted is now the whipping boy. My guess is, Batista attacks Cena later in the match. But the match hasn’t started and Cena gets DiBiase Junior in the STF on the outside and DiBiase taps out. Way to depush Teddy, Cena.

Cena on the mic talking about he didn’t come for a match (don’t you get paid for that?) and wants Batista now for a fight. And no, Cena, he didn’t come to Raw to take you out, he came out to take Bret Hart out, self conceited prick. The world doesn’t revolve around you. Anyways, he calls out Batista and waits as a commercial break happens.

Cena still on the stick and calls Batista’s attack a business decision, so he says it is Vince’s call. Cena wants to talk to Vince. And here comes the Chairman and boss of WWE, Vince McMahon, coming out in his swagger and laugh. But, he’s not alone. Oh no, security team is out with him, with flashbacks of Austin vs McMahon going through my mind (ok, I won’t go that far).

Cena talks about the ten security guards, but says it won’t stop SuperCena…well, it won’t stop him and better next time to come out with a tank. Cena is angry, green hulk angry. So Vince steps inside the ring, calls Cena the Almighty John Cena. Vince calls himself the Supreme Alpha Male (he did have HHH job to him for the title, remember?) and talks about God’s creation and him being the best male or something. Vince enjoys spitting on Bret. But Vince had nothing to do with Batista to attack Cena. Cena asks why Batista attacked him. Maybe you came out to save Bret, Cena? Vince talks about how Cena threw out Batista in the Rumble and how maybe he didn’t like Cena and Vince personally, doesn’t like Cena, but Vince likes him business wise. So Cena snaps, talks about it is all about the money, and how Dave only cares about cashing checks and how he used to be a good guy. Hello, Cena, Batista turned evil because he wanted the title and Rey stopped him. Surely, Cena must not watch SD =/

Cena puts over the Saints and so he gets cheered. Cheap Mick Foley pop. Cena talks about why he wrestles, gets the crowd to finally cheer (about time, they must have finally woken up from their hang over cause they’ve been dead almost all night).

Finally, Cena gets to the point, talks about how he talked to Bret, how Bret wants another match, and how Bret wants his last opponent to be against Vince McMahon. Vince says Bret doesn’t want it, Cena says he does. This is Vince’s WrestleMania moment. Money or moment, what is Vince for. Vince is about both. Vince is cocky, tells Cena Bret wants nothing of this. Cena wants an answer. Cena talks a lot and Vince says SHUT UP! VINCE SAYS YES YES YES. It is on!

Cena thanks for telling it to everyone’s face, but he needs to tell it to one more face. Cena leaves, but Vince says Bret is in Canada and so he mocks Bret some more, shows why Bret wants none of Vince, another package of Bret Hart on WWE Raw last week is shown. Package is done, crowd cheers as Bret Hart comes from the crowd and starts going to town on Vince only to be stopped by some security and Bret goes to town on them. He is pissed. Vince leaves the ring, has the stick, and is back up on the top of the stage. Bret has a chair, changes his answer to no, claims Bret deserves to be screwed and runs away like a little girl. So Bret starts breaking things, falls over, but the fans still cheer Bret. Montreal breakdown all over again folks. Bret gets back in the ring, looks at the WM sign, panders to the crowd and the show ends.

Overall, besides the last segment with Cena and the destruction of Teddy, a really well written show. Nice builds for the PPV, putting over NXT and Superstars, Sheamus got a nice rub as did Cody, and we are rolling onto WM. Raw is getting better and better, which is a damn good thing right now. What did you think of the show?