The Showstopper does it again
As he has done so many times in his career, Shawn Michaels stole the show again last night on Raw. This time, however, he did it with his words, not his actions.
After a verbal confrontation last Friday on Smackdown between Michaels and Batista, the two raised the intensity level when both were guests of Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel. All three men delivered strong performances in the segment, which focused on Batista’s anger at Michaels for ending Ric Flair’s career at WrestleMania XXIV.
Batista did his simmering, man-of-few-words thing, and Jericho was the guy stirring the pot and pushing both men’s buttons. It was Michaels, however, who really shined. He was very believable as a guy who felt he did the right thing, but still was remorseful. During the segment, he went from trying to defend his actions in a respectful manner to becoming agitated at having to explain himself to finally losing his temper.
This came off less like a wrestling angle and more like a real-life heated disagreement. At the conclusion of the segment, which set up a match between Michaels and Batista at the Backlash pay-per-view on April 27, Batista received some boos, but it didn’t come across like a heel turn. I’m not sure if that’s where things are headed, but I think it’s more compelling to keep both as babyfaces.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
A fatal four-way for the WWE title between champion Randy Orton, JBL, Triple H and John Cena was announced for Backlash. I was expecting it to be Orton versus Triple H for the title, and JBL versus Cena with the winner facing the champion at Judgment Day next month. I’m surprised they are doing a four-way right after doing a triple threat at WrestleMania. …
I had a really hard time trying to figure out the logic behind everyone’s motives in the main event that pitted Cena against Triple H and JBL in a handicap match. It would seem like the three men who were already guaranteed a spot in the match would do everything in their power to keep Cena out and increase their odds of winning, but that’s not what happened. …
Stop the presses: Santino Marella won a match! He actually scored the pinfall as he and Carlito defeated Cody Rhodes and Hardcore Holly. Marella’s big moment was marred, however, by Jerry Lawler’s insensitive remark about Marella’s love handles. …
I enjoyed WWE’s video package on Ric Flair’s farewell. I know some people are tired of the tearful tributes, but I’m not one of them. …
Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch aren’t getting along. A couple weeks ago, it was Paul London and Brian Kendrick who had some dissension. I thought for a second that I was watching Impact. …
Having some time off didn’t make Cryme Tyme any funnier.
Comments
Two months ago, Mickie was in the locker room fretting about how she just couldn't beat Beth Phoenix. I think we have the solution for her. It appears that all you have to do to get over in the ring is pose for Playboy.Case in point..Maria, who 6 months ago would have been roadkill for the "Glamazon" now suddenly has the chops to actually give her a decent match on RAW. Mickie does end up winning a tag match last night, but notice she has to come out to Ashley's music. For the life of me, I don't understand. If this is all its going to be...the Playboy Bunnies division, Why not just do away with women's wrestling all together. Just send them out the way WCW used to send out the Nitro Girls...shake a little booty and get off the stage. If there is going to be real women's wrestling, please put female wrestlers out there, not pin up girls. If you need pin-up girls out there, I am sure there are some valet positions that could be filled.
Posted by: Lee | April 8, 2008 8:24 AM
Triple H needs to show Trevor Murdoch how to use a tanning machine properly.
I think Orton will retain at Backlash. They will set it up so he and Hunter feud from then on out.
It could also create a JBL-Cena feud if they do something to tick each other off at the ppv.
If this Michaels-Batista feud goes far enough, I'd love to see Flair be the special ref in the rubber match between those two.
Posted by: John | April 8, 2008 11:08 AM
The booking for the handicap match with HHH made sense- the two heels did their best but didn't mesh and HHH took advantage. The Cena handicap match, on the other hand, was silly. HHH refusing JBL's tag and Orton giving him the RKO were so detrimental to the cause of keeping Cena out of the Backlash title match that it made those two look stupid.
A little pet peeve: with the lesser titles defended so rarely (and almost never on PPVs), why were matches with the tag and women's champs made to be non-title? (especially with the women's, since the champ won anyway). If you ever want these titles to mean anything again, they need to be defended on occasion. It was kind of refreshing to see Raw try to re-establish some kind of tag team division last night, though.
And was i the only one who found Cena's promo about orton "beating" JBL and JR cringe-worthy?
Posted by: Glen | April 8, 2008 11:39 AM
I couldn't agree more on the fatal four way match being too soon after Wrestlemania. Will Rhodes and Holly finally lose the titles at Backlash? Or will it be a dark match with no disqualification? Please send Cody to Heat or Smackdown! Too bad Cryme Tyme didn't show up backstage at Wrestlemania. Could you see them trying to take some of Mayweather's Swag?
Posted by: wrzesien | April 8, 2008 11:46 AM
Man, Michaels is really showing that he is going to carry the mantle of best promo in the business that Flair handed him nicely. It all but ensures that I'll find a way to see Backlash now.
That's how you sell PPV's.
Posted by: Walter Hollman | April 8, 2008 11:50 AM
There wasn't much to last night's Raw, in my opinion. For sure, the Highlight Reel was very strong, but aside from that, the show was a letdown.
It's good to know that I'm not the only fan in the world who doesn't find Cryme Tyme to be entertaining.
Posted by: Christopher | April 8, 2008 2:54 PM
I am a little disappointed with the main event for backlash, mostly because JBL is in it. I was never really a big fan. I will be at backlash and am excited to see Batista vs. Michaels.
Do you know Cole Porter? He was a wrestling talk show host.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Yes, I am familiar with the Devious Doc.
Posted by: Brock | April 8, 2008 3:45 PM
In all honesty, I feel Triple H will not leave Backlash as champion and then as a result turn "heel". I really think that Triple H will turn on Cena and blame him for his championship troubles. Think about it, Cena got in his way at Wrestlemania to make the match a triple threat despite going through hell in the Elimination Chamber to earn his shot. Now, Cena is getting in the way of Triple H again by making his planned Triple Threat into a Fatal Four Way. I think it's perfect motivation to turn "heel" and if he does because of this I will be rooting for him the entire way.
Posted by: Howard | April 8, 2008 4:19 PM
The best part was when Regal told Orton that he'll be facing him next week, in a fashion that Regal expected fans to go nuts. LOL
Posted by: ATP | April 8, 2008 9:06 PM
I HATE Cryme Tyme !!! sorry i had to vent.
Posted by: dank | April 12, 2008 6:02 AM