J. Hardy-Michaels match steals the show on Raw
A fantastic match between Jeff Hardy and Shawn Michaels put an exclamation point on a very good episode of Raw last night. The show featured a good mix of wrestling and talking and did a fine job of building interest for Sunday’s No Way Out pay-per-view.
Hardy’s exciting, clean pinfall win over Michaels shows that WWE has not halted Hardy’s push after his loss to Randy Orton at the Royal Rumble. That defeat was just a temporary setback and another chapter in Hardy’s ongoing pursuit of the WWE title. It’s good to see that WWE recognizes that Hardy is connecting with the fans as well as anyone in the company.
Jim Ross, who did a great job calling the Hardy-Michaels match, once again put over Hardy as the hottest wrestler in the business. And speaking of putting people over, I hope I never again hear a fan or wrestling pundit accuse Michaels of not wanting to do business. That might have been true of Michaels over a decade ago, but not anymore. In the past three years, Michaels has put over Kurt Angle, Edge, John Cena, Randy Orton, Mr. Kennedy and now Hardy. He is doing exactly what a legendary veteran who is still in the top mix should do: elevate the next generation of headliners.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
Cena cut a good promo on Orton after he defeated Mark Henry. I also liked the video package that detailed the history between Cena and Orton. This is a story line that basically writes itself, and by keeping things simple, WWE has done an effective job in making people want to pay to see the match. It was refreshing to see the go-home show before a pay-per-view focus on the title and the competitors’ personal issue rather than on some third party and which side he is on (which then turns out to be an illogical swerve anyway). Sorry, I just couldn’t resist. …
Ric Flair delivered a strong promo, and he and Kennedy played off each other well. Flair was intense without going over-the-top, and Kennedy was convincing as the cocky, disrespectful up-and-comer. …
Chris Jericho and JBL had a good, hard-hitting match. I was a little surprised to see Jericho get the clean win, but I think he really needed it. …
I’ve thought all along that the choice of Hornswoggle to be Mr. McMahon’s illegitimate son was a terrible payoff to a potentially great angle, but I didn’t mind last night’s segments, which were highlighted by Hornswoggle delivering the tadpole splash to his “father” and pinning him after Finlay had knocked him out with his shillelagh. I’m actually looking forward to the McMahon-Finlay match that is likely to take place at WrestleMania. …
If someone else had said it, it probably wouldn’t have been funny, but I did chuckle when Santino Marella said, “Try having babies now, Melina,” after Maria dropped Melina stomach-first across her knee. Speaking of Marella, he must have some friends on the creative team, as he was scripted to make out with Jillian Hall and Maria on the same show. …
Paul Burchill looked good in his Raw debut. The fact that he was once a pirate on Smackdown was never mentioned, which probably isn’t a bad thing. He was accompanied to the ring by his “sister” Katie Lea. I’m just hoping that this brother-sister gimmick isn’t heading where it is rumored to be heading.
Comments
Shawn Michaels has changed for the better. He even put Hogan but there is one man you and I know he would never put over: Bret Hart. The WWE is teasing its fans into believing Jeff Hardy is really going to win the elimination chamber match and get another title shot. With John Cena back and Triple H rumored to win the title at wrestlemania, I expect Jeff Hardy to get his title shot alright... in 2018.
Posted by: Will | February 12, 2008 10:30 AM
I really like every episode with Jeff being put over but I wonder for how long can this man be that high without a major title on his waist, and people still believing in him.
Even Jim Ross has recognized his talent in his blog, saying that he knows "jeff has "it'" ".
"I’m just hoping that this brother-sister gimmick isn’t heading where it is rumored to be heading."
i know this is not a gossip-wrestling blog but...where is rumored to be heading?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: There has been speculation on wrestling Web sites and newsletters that it is going to be an incest angle.
Posted by: Gaston | February 12, 2008 10:49 AM
I would have liked to see Michaels win last night's match.
When was the last time he won anything big? Armageddon?
The match was really good. I liked how that match + Y2J/JBL both had clean finishes. Thats something you don't see too often in free TV matches with two big names in them.
I hope Hornswoggle gets whats coming to him in the steel cage next week. I think everyone except the under 12 demographic want to see the midget get it handed to him.
That Burchill angle isn't going to end well. The incestuous thing could work if he was still a pirate, but not now.
Posted by: John | February 12, 2008 11:04 AM
The one thing to take note going into the elimination chamber is the comments from the King about how Triple H must be delighted watching Hardy and Michaels beat the heck out of each other. It's all looking a bit familiar with Hardy having the 'momentum', only to lose somewhat easily to an RKO at the Rumble.
Kevin, I definitely agree WWE got a good balance this week between wrestling and promos. I suppose they were happy to book Jericho vs. JBL and Hardy vs. Michaels with the chamber match in the PPV. Let's see more of this WWE!
Posted by: Ryan | February 12, 2008 11:44 AM
In response to Kevin Eck's response (re: incest) ,this is why i continue to have a problem with wwe & vince mcmahon. i've been a wrestling fan for many years and i guess i'm depriving myself of watching alot of good talent. but this would just re enforce my distain for him .
Posted by: jack in hebron | February 12, 2008 1:27 PM
I actually stopped watching the WWF/E product awhile back when the Kane/HHH necro. angle was happening. it was just uncalled for. so is the incest angle. guess i will just have to watch my new Steve Austin DVD that im buying today.... until it blows over.
Posted by: Matt O | February 12, 2008 3:41 PM
Haven't they brought up the incest thing before and teased at it in story lines? I could see them finally landing this awful storyline. Thanks, Vince!
Posted by: JTK | February 12, 2008 4:33 PM
When I saw BIrchill come out with his "sister" I too immediately thought of the rumors. I admire McMahon for what he has done with WWE but I think he has some serious personal issues to come up with such perverted storylines. What possible good could come from such a storyline? Anyone with half a brain will be offended by it. Hopefully he gets the message sooner rather than later.
Posted by: kate ramunni | February 12, 2008 7:58 PM
Is it me or did Paul Burchill look twice as big now, compared to when he was the pirate on Smackdown????
It's funny how a real promotion uses nearly every segment of their show to build and drive home their PPV.....
Posted by: God of Rock | February 12, 2008 10:10 PM
To Kevin Eck,
I want to thank you for taking time to give us an entertaining and well written article to discuss every couple of days.
To Jack in hebron,
The best way to deal with stuff like that and diva matches is to use TiVo or dvr to record and fast forward to the good spots. Otherwise Raw would be unwatchable.
Posted by: mr. bronson | February 12, 2008 10:16 PM
I think this Paul and Katie thing will be all innuendo, and they will be oblivous to why they are freaking out everyone. Then, someone will finally confront them about it, and the two of them will react like, "What?! No, we're not lovers!." Or, instead, they will admit they aren't brother and sister and were acting like this to attention and to mess with the wrestlers' minds. Just like Goldust, as well as Billy & Chuck.
On a side note, Maria, Kelly Kelly, Michelle McCool, and Layla seem to be improving every week. It would be great for WWE to have a larger number of Divas who are both beautiful and can hold their own in the ring.
Posted by: chris | February 13, 2008 2:27 AM
Its disappointing that michaels lost the match.But dont forget that he is the SHOW STOPPER.He is gonna steel the show in the elimination chamber.Already he did it in the first ever elimination chamber where he won the world heavy weight championship defeating TripleH.He is gonna do it again.
Posted by: Balasubramoniam | February 13, 2008 7:13 AM
re: mr.bronson's comments to myself.. thank you.but i think i'll stick to my only somewhat unwatchable TNA.
Posted by: jack in hebron | February 13, 2008 9:49 AM
Kevin McMahon Jr strikes again! Putting over another lousy edition of Raw. Let's see: overexposed Vince in boring segment?Check. Necrophilia?Check. 2 guys who should have stayed retired? Check (BTW, somenone tell JBL there is an invention called a GYM) Lame women't match with an ending so stupid even PWInsider can't figure it out? Check. The World's strongest man jobbing out to steroid freak with no wrestling talent? Check. Should I stop now McMahon Jr or should I go on???? I hope WWE hires you so you can stop insulting us with this drivel. Can't wait to read your "unbiased" take on TNA Friday morning.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN MCMAHON, ER, I MEAN KEVIN ECK: I must have missed the necrophilia segment.
Posted by: eric | February 13, 2008 1:05 PM
i think eric had it right the first time Mr.Kevin (Eck) Mcmahon. ...just joking
Posted by: jack in hebron | February 13, 2008 4:47 PM
Sorry McMahon Jr I meant incest. Necrophilia I'm sure is on next week. I can't keep it all straight. I'm waiting for the Midget tossing competition after that. Maybe Big Dick Jones and Dr Heinie can participate.
Posted by: eric | February 13, 2008 4:58 PM
Eric,
If you hate WWE so much, why did you sit through all 2 hours of Raw?
Posted by: John | February 13, 2008 6:51 PM
John: It's gotten to the point that I watch just so I can comment on McMahon Jr's nonsenical takes. I tape it and with fast forwarding it usually only takes me a half hour to watch it all. I can't watch a single match they have in it's entirety. Even the "great" main event was mostly filler of headlocks and armbars mixed in with 10 seconds of action here and there.
Posted by: eric | February 14, 2008 8:48 AM
Wait, so Kevin is McMahon's son? Does that mean we don't have to be assaulted with Hornswoggle on a weekly basis now?
Posted by: Alvaro | February 14, 2008 9:29 PM