At last, Raw is Jericho
After WWE teased and then failed to deliver Chris Jericho’s return on a couple occasions, his much-anticipated appearance on Raw last night almost was anti-climactic.
But even though we all knew it was coming and it had been drawn out perhaps a bit longer than it should have, the return of Jericho still came across as a special moment. Even my wife, who is not a wrestling fan, came into the room to watch.
Just as he did when he made his WWE debut in1999, Jericho dramatically interrupted a promo by one of WWE’s top stars. In ’99, it was The Rock, and last night it was WWE champion Randy Orton. This time, instead of a good back-and-forth verbal joust like Jericho had with The Rock, “Y2J” dominated the segment.
Judging by last night’s show, it looks as if Jericho will start right at the top by working a title program with Orton. I wonder if the injury to John Cena last month changed WWE’s plans for Jericho, since in the story line it was Cena who was responsible for Jericho having to leave WWE.
It’s a little surprising that the WWE landscape really hasn’t changed that much since Jericho left more than two years ago. When looking at the top stars on WWE’s roster, Mr. Kennedy is the only one that Jericho has never faced. While Jericho has returned as a babyface, I’m sure a heel turn will occur at some point, and it would be great to see him renew his rivalries with both Cena and Shawn Michaels.
Some other thoughts on last night’s show:
Jeff Hardy and Umaga had a pay-per-view quality match. It’s encouraging to see WWE listening to its fans in regard to Hardy. He may not ever be the world champion, but he definitely belongs in the mix. …
Every time I see Hardy in the ring with Triple H, I keep waiting for “The Game” to turn on him. It’s no secret that Triple H prefers working as a heel, and it has been reported in The Wrestling Observer that he will turn as soon as it makes sense story-line wise. Personally, I find Triple H much more entertaining as a babyface. …
Michaels and Kennedy started the show off on a high note with their impromptu brawl. Afterward, Kennedy cut an intense promo that was his best one yet. …
Perhaps I was wrong when I wrote yesterday that Finaly is better as a heel. While he’s not a full-fledged babyface yet, he showed more personality last night in his backstage vignette with Vince McMahon than he ever did as a bad guy. Maybe a Finaly/Hornswoggle babyface act could be entertaining after all. …
What in the world is the WWE creative team doing to my man Santino Marella? A second straight pinfall loss to the nearly 58-year-old Jerry Lawler? Mamma mia! Marella is clearly one of the most entertaining characters on the show, but fans will quickly lose interest if he is incompetent in the ring. It would be smarter to make him more of a threat, playing up the fact that he says and does humorous things, but in the ring he is dangerous. He would generate more heat that way, and fans might actually buy tickets to see him get his comeuppance. …
It looks like the reports of Carlito giving his notice and possibly heading to TNA might be true. Nothing says “this guy is leaving so let’s bury him on the way out” more than a loss to Hornswoggle. To make the humiliation complete, Hornswoggle took a bite of Carlito’s apple and spit it in his face. Hey, that’s not … ah, never mind.
Comments
Good Morning,
Well I'm sorry to say but Jericho's return was Flatter then a Pancake!!! The crowd had a very little Pop for the return of Jericho. It seemed as though his timing was off and he went off on a banter that didn't make a lot of sense to me. ( Boring ) Now onto Kennedy, the backstage interview possibly the best one ever done in WWE. This man is on his way to the top!!!!!!!! Carlito will be leaving soon and I think it will benifit him to to move to TNA and get some TV Time. He is very entertaining. I still can not sit and watch an entire TNA show . They have the names but just can't figure out how to write an entertaining show. Kevin Call Russo and give the man some help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: The Claw | November 20, 2007 7:26 AM
LOVED the Jericho promo. Didn't care for the marathon runner thing and teasing Jericho in the parking lot was kind of silly. But Jericho was so pumped to be out there and he looked rested and healthy and ready to take it over.
C'mon, now, though, didn't you want him to ask Randy Orton what his name was and just scream, "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR NAME IS." That's what I remember most about the 1999 promo - it would have been fun to reverse the role this time around.
Regardless, ridiculously fun promo, the use of the old Jericho music. It got me fired up and the WWE again.
Overall, the RAW was kind of blah...considering it was big to hype Jericho and the midcard was dull save for Hardy.
Posted by: JTK | November 20, 2007 8:54 AM
ok, i really really enjoyed Raw last night. However, I was actully MAD when the Umaga/hardy match had a run in! it was like COME ON! a match that good needs a win or loss. i really felt like all the work and story that went into that match, the "Hardy is so beaten up this has to be all!" and subsequent comebacks from pinfalls would have been HUGE to get the win. but no. another run in....
Santino. poor guy. Mic. Skills, personality, good apperance and generates decent heat from the crowd has so much potential to be something other than a mattress.
im still mad about the Hardy match....
M
Posted by: Matt | November 20, 2007 9:17 AM
Raw is Jericho? More like Raw is BON JOVI. I don't think he dressed like that during a Fozzi concert. The Pearly Whites, the Zoot Suit Chain?. At least he was in shape to compete. Just wondering if he copied the "Ayatolla of Rock N' Rolla" from the movie, Mad Max?
Posted by: Anonymous | November 20, 2007 9:57 AM
I thought Carlito was going to drop Vince McMahon when Vince told him he was going to wrestle Hornswoggle. Jobbing to a midget? Vince can be soooo cruel. The match itself was one of the worst wrestling segments I have seen in 10 years. Let Carlito leave with a little dignity.
Posted by: nestee | November 20, 2007 10:35 AM
Actually when Triple H saved Hardy, it seemed like he was going to turn on him - when he was standing just a little bit behind him I kept thinking - here it comes. If he turns, I hope they turn Shawn also - I dont want to see these guys face each other again.
Carlito, sad, great talent and not on Steroids that is rare in WWE these days.
I think Santino is going to snap or hire someone to be his bodyguard,
The creative needs to wake up, wrestlers are a vindictive bunch - you don't RKO legends and hardcore guys and then have them sit at ringside or in the back like it was okay. Holly, Rhodes or King should have attempted to break up his ceremony and THEN Jericho should have shown up.
For a main eventer Kennedy, sure looks like a mid-carder how many losses to Jeff Hardy? Now he gets the superkick.
Posted by: excelsior | November 20, 2007 1:25 PM
Oh, go ahead, you can say it.
That's not cool.
Trip MUST turn heel. He might be more ha-ha entertaining as a face, but he's ultimately most effective as the bad guy.
As is Jericho.
Posted by: M.S. | November 20, 2007 6:50 PM
Personally I loved seeing the King get the best of the entertaining Santino. If people can still make a big deal out of Flair and even Hogan, they can still let Lawler win. He is a bonafide legend.
Posted by: Sandy Scott | November 23, 2007 9:45 PM