WWE Raw Review: March 28, 2011

Hey there, bleachers! Guess what? I thought Raw was good this week! I know, I know, I’m as shocked as you, but let me tell you the reasons why I think this show surpassed anything Raw has done this year.

The show started with CM Punk sitting in the middle of a darkened ring, with a spotlight on him and the crowd chanting his name.

He began a heel promo against Randy Orton and did a good job of making the crowd react to his every word. He said he didn’t care that his Nexus group was punted in the head and his main problem is Orton. The Randy chants started as Punk, using Randall’s full name to make a point, explains that Orton never should have punted him two years ago.

Orton came out to respond with an extremely intense look in his eyes and a limp from last week. Just by his face you knew business was about to pick up. Punk attacked Orton as he entered the ring before Orton took control and delivered his patented DDT, and set up for an RKO before realising Punk was in punt position.

He went for the punt, but his leg gave way and Punk escaped the ring. He returned, gave Orton a dead leg and a GTS for good measure.

The opening segment of this Raw was better than the whole of last week’s show. It was engaging, and a perfect way to create some excitement for the match at WrestleMania. It is just what Raw needed to pull it out of the bottom of the barrel it hit last week.

A backstage segment between Edge and Christian explained how Edge has been given the all clear to lay his hands on Del Rio at Raw as the GM has allowed it. Sounds like a retcon if you ask me.

Edge and Christian were teaming up next but still didn’t come out together. They had a chance here to rectify the mistake they made on SmackDown but failed miserably.

One of the greatest tag teams in “entertainment history.” Pathetic. We all know they are one of the greatest tag teams in professional wrestling history, so who are you trying to kid, WWE?

Edge and Christian started off the match with some exciting double team but Christian’s aerial assault was thwarted by Brodus as they cut to commercial.

Alberto was in control when we returned and in what was an almost identical finish from SmackDown three weeks previous, Del Rio prevented a spear and was attacked by Christian, allowing Edge to deliver an even more thunderous spear than he would have done.

Seemed a bit weird to me that Edge can touch Del Rio on Raw, makes the limit on SmackDown pointless. He might as well have just grabbed a chair and laid into Del Rio. He wouldn’t have got in trouble on Raw apparently.

Del Rio then gave the armbreaker to both men (my signal was funny here, so I didn’t catch it all).

The Raw GM chimed in and set up a match between Jerry Lawler and Jack Swagger.

I can’t believe that eight-man tag I predicted is going to happen. Never have I been more disappointed to be right.

Justin Gabriel vs. Santino Marella. Heath Slater tried to distract Santino but paid for it with a classic uppercut from Kane. Santino picked up the victory with the Cobra. Kane did the trumpet celebration in the ring. Is this what it’s come to?

Undertaker came to the ring to confront Triple H and just before The Game could do his usual spot on the side of the ring, Undertaker’s gong interrupted and the arena went dark! By the time the lights came back on, they were just staring at each other, reminiscent of a month ago. The difference this time was that HBK showed up!!

HBK asked, “What in the world makes you think you can do what I couldn’t?” Good line to create a buzz but the more intelligent amongst us would have realised that he’s already answered that question himself in those promos for the match. Triple H has no emotion etc.

Undertaker and Triple H say how much they respect each other (to try and make whoever wins look even better at WrestleMania) and Undertaker remarked that he humbled HBK as the conversation became heated. HBK responded with an attempted Sweet Chin Music but it was caught and reversed into an attempted chokeslam, prevented by Triple H wading in.

HBK left the arena with the crowd chanting “one more match” as Triple H angrily asked him to tell Undertaker why he will win. HBK mimes he can’t do it. Undertaker tips his hat and smirks before leaving.

Another excellent promo, which made the other ones look even more embarrassingly boring than they already were. Raw pulled out all the stops Monday night!

Swagger was in the ring with Cole doing their ridiculous dance before Lawler arrived to new entrance music. I don’t know why it has suddenly changed—let’s just say the WWE works in mysterious ways.

After approximately 30 seconds of action, Jerry picked up a chair and levelled Swagger about four times with it before running after Cole. Cole soaked him with Coke all the time protected by his security.

Vicky Guerrero came out next and mimicked the entrance of Morrison.

Sheamus has dropped the King of the Ring crap! Even off the TitanTron! If Raw hadn’t redeemed itself already it did right there. Raw, consider yourself forgiven for the horrendous programming over the past couple of weeks.

Dolph and Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan and John Morrison. I had no idea who would win this match, but it reminded me of what Raw used to do. Combining two feuds into one tag match to create excitement. To say Raw was on a roll this week would be an understatement.

Bryan got the LeBell lock in on Ziggler but Sheamus made the save, brogue kicked Bryan and then Morrison made the save. Bryan tried to lock the LeBell...lock in on Sheamus but couldn’t and Sheamus won with “Pale Justice”. I could have sworn that was called “High Cross.” Nevermind.

Orton cut a short promo backstage saying he will end Punk’s career at WrestleMania.

Anticipation grew for me as I just wanted the adverts to end so I could see the arrival of the Rock.

The Rock was shown backstage on the TitanTron before his music hit and he entered the arena to a deafening Chicago crowd, millions and millions chanting his name.

Any mentions of John Cena’s name were met with a chorus of boos. The Rock moved on from Fruity Pebbles this week! Another win for Raw! Instead he named Cena a homeless power ranger! Excellent. I thought it was extremely funny.

I didn’t write any notes when Cena arrived, because I was so engrossed in the promo, but he managed to make the Rock look childish by picking on Cena for being different. He made him sound like a bully.

The Miz came out to address “the ‘O brothers.” Overhyped and overrated! This resulted in an attack from behind on the Rock by Miz and Riley. Rock got the upper hand and ejected them both by laying the smacketh down on their candy asses! IF YA SME...he walked right into an attitude adjustment from Cena! Who would have thought it!

Looking at this from a backstage perspective I’m glad Rock didn’t mind taking Cena’s finishing move as it has created an endless excitement for the main event at WrestleMania.

The show ended with Josh or Cole (I can’t remember) reminding us it is just “six nights to the biggest night in entertainment.” Really? Really? I think they meant the biggest night in wrestling. Something tells me my idea of EntertainMania isn’t far off being used...

Please leave comments in the comments section below! I do my best to reply to all comments that warrant it. Thanks for reading.

Also if you missed my SmackDown review this week, please head over and check it out!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/646514-wwe-smackdown-review-march-25-2011