Jericho vs. Michaels one more time on Raw
Even though Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho have been in a program together since all the way back in April, watching them wrestle each other never gets old. Last night on Raw, the two superstars engaged in what is most likely their last match with each other for a while.
The last man standing match between Michaels and Jericho was a very good television main event, although it was not at the level of their epic pay-per-view encounters. The finish was obvious to anyone who has been paying attention lately – JBL’s interference cost Michaels the match – but it took nothing away from the match and was the right call.
So the book is closed on Michaels-Jericho for now, as both guys embark on new programs – Michaels with JBL, and Jericho with the soon-to-be returning John Cena. It was definitely time to move on, but I certainly wouldn’t be upset if WWE decided to revisit the feud in the future.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
WWE pulled a bait-and-switch by promising a Randy Orton vs. Batista match at the start of the show and then not delivering. You could tell that the crowd in Manchester, England wasn’t happy about it, and I’m guessing a lot of viewers at home weren’t either. There is a method to WWE’s madness, however. It would have been foolish to give away that match on free TV, so the goal was to whet the fans’ appetites for the bout and then make them pay to see it. I suppose WWE’s thinking was: The fans will be miffed, but they’ll get over it. …
It’s interesting that almost every time Randy Orton’s music starts, the crowd gives him a babyface pop. Once he starts his promo, however, the fans usually jeer him, but last night the crowd began an “RKO” chant and booed Batista. Without even wrestling one match (until last week), Orton has become the most compelling character on the show.
You have to wonder if he is turning babyface at some point. I think it would be a mistake to do it anytime soon, but it could work down the line. Orton’s babyface turn in 2004 was a failure, mostly because it was rushed, but also because the tone of his character was all wrong for him. Orton should never be a “traditional” babyface. If he maintains his cockiness and intensity and doesn’t play too much to the crowd, Orton could get over big as a face. …
I think the Cena videos have been very well done, but this one had me scratching my head. What sense does it make to have guys like Triple H and Michaels pointing out Cena’s flaws as a worker? I guess the point they were trying to convey was that he has more heart and determination than skill, but I think it’s counterproductive. I sure don’t remember anyone – especially his fellow babyfaces – saying on camera that Hulk Hogan was a lousy worker when he was on top in WWE in the 1980s and early ’90s. Plus, Cena is a much better worker than he is given credit for. …
Nice job by Jericho trying to cover for Michaels’ creative misstep on last week’s show. Michaels, who was playing his sophomoric DX character, had made a sarcastic joke about Jericho punching his wife in the face and mocking his children. Instead of just ignoring the stupid line, Jericho referenced it last night before his match against Michaels. Jericho said that Michaels has to make light of those things because that is the only way he can deal with it. …
In addition to Jericho-Michaels, two other feuds seemingly were concluded last night: Rey Mysterio-Kane and Beth Phoenix-Mickie James. Mysterio’s win over Kane in a no-disqualification match was a little sloppy but still entertaining. I’m amazed that Mysterio wasn’t injured after Kane swung him like a baseball bat into the barricade. The premise for this feud was ridiculous, but the matches were actually pretty good despite the incredible disparity in size. The Phoenix-James match, which was won by Phoenix, could have used a few more minutes. …
Santino Marella actually got a babyface pop when he was doing his promo, but he managed to turn the crowd against him. I’m surprised – and disappointed – that Marella lost the Intercontinental title to William Regal. Nothing against Regal, but Marella was highly entertaining as a comedic champion. Plus, I figured that Marella would eventually drop the title to a babyface, not a fellow heel. …
OK, somebody’s lying. Former Raw general manager Mike Adamle (that has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?) said last month that Shane McMahon always turns his phone off during Raw, but Marella claimed to be talking to Shane during last night’s show. …
I’m glad to see Mike Knox on Raw. I know some people are going to jump all over me for this one, but I think the guy has potential. He’s got size, a menacing look (since growing out his hair and beard) and an effective brawling style.
Comments
Putting the IC strap on Regal simply because they were in England was pointless. If anything, a non-clean win by Marella would've put more heat on him, then making his character more interesting. Elevating Regal at this point is just silly.
No appearance from the Tag champions Punk and Kofi? Is there anyone to defend those titles against besides Cryme Tyme? Miz and Morrison maybe now that Raw and ECW do shows together?
I guess creative decided to go with a Batista-RKO program instead of RKO-Punk? I think that's a good move. Although i really am tired of Batista not adequately selling to ANYBODY. Isnt Rhodes suppose to be the future? Batista couldnt sell to him just a little? Couldnt he take a cue from Trips and HBK last week when they put Miz/Morrisson over even while getting the win?
Im glad to see that the wrestling fans in England are a little more in tune, and are what we call 'smart' wrestling fans. A decent pop for Orton and Marella signifies that those people had an appreciate for great in-ring work as well as great mic abilities.
Kev, dont you think they need to stop with the Cena videos? I liked the first two, but the overkill is exactly why the people get tired of Cena to begin with. I cant believe a wrestler can get overexposed without him even wrestling a single match. Look at the reaction he got at Royal Rumble. No word from Cena for months and he got a huuuge babyface reaction from MSG crowd which tends to be hostile towards Cena.
Posted by: The Natural | November 11, 2008 2:39 PM
Somehow I don't think Beth/Mickie is over - the fact Santino was distracting and Beth needed the ringpost to beat her gives Mickie an excuse to stay in the hunt.
Posted by: Steveweiser | November 11, 2008 2:45 PM
Hey Kevin,
Am I the only one that finds Randy Orton's new tattoos distracting? The guy has a natural clean-cut look, but has his arms completely covered in ink. It doesn't seem a natural fit for the wrestler as it does for guys like The Undertaker.
Thanks
Brad
Posted by: Brad | November 11, 2008 2:46 PM
Personally, I would be VERY aggrivated to see a Cena/Jericho main event at this year's Mania. After two years of Cena getting over on Triple H and Michaels, I don't see any reason to have him to continue to go over on veterans at Mania. He's established, if you want someone to job to him at Mania make it a contemporary like Orton or Batista.
Posted by: Mr. E | November 11, 2008 3:16 PM
For whatever it's worth, Raw will be shown live from Pittsburgh on
Dec. 15 and the advertised main event is a Triple Threat match for the title between Cena, Batista and Jericho.
Posted by: Bradley | November 11, 2008 3:17 PM
I only recently started watching Wrestling (july), and even before ever seeing Orton wrestle, his promos alone swayed me into becoming a fan
Posted by: Sam | November 11, 2008 3:18 PM
I'm a total Mike Knox mark since he has gone all caveman. i think of the late Bruiser Brody now when i see him. would love for him to wear a chain around his neck and just STORM the ring and the stands. set up a plant he could brutalize in the stands and make him a crazy barbaric madman!
i'm just sayin'....it would be cool and all.....
Posted by: matt | November 11, 2008 4:23 PM
Did Rey suffer an injuryto his rib cage or ab muscles? He appeared to be really (and not just selling) an injury. An abdominal strain is agonizing, as I had one in HS football and it felt like someone had ripped my stomach muscles.
Posted by: micheal deff | November 11, 2008 4:51 PM
Manu (?) should be released on his facial expressions alone. They're horrible. When he's mad, he looks like he just smelled a bad fart.
Posted by: ryan errol | November 11, 2008 5:21 PM
Jericho and Michales in yet another show stopper.I could watch these two wrestle every night and it wouldn't get old,but as you said it is time to move on.I think Batista would have been the more obvious choice to face Cena at SS but as long as Jericho has the title I'm happy.This should be a much better contest than the one they had at Summer Slam 05,Cena was still improving and Jericho was burnded out.So with Jericho's cooking on all cylinders right now and Cena being a much better worker than he was 3 years ago this should be a good one.It's just going to be hard to get excited about the match because you know Cena's not gonna show his face until SS,so it will be hard to build up.
As far as JBL/HBK goes,my first thought when JBL came out of retirement and on to RAW was I'd like to see him aganist HBK.JBL defenitly needs someone to help pull a good match out of him,he was so much better when he was champ and he was being pursued.Him being World Champ again I don't think is going to happen but a nice long run with the IC title would be welcomed.
Speaking of the IC title I was bummed when Santino dropped the belt,and to Regal of all people.I like Regal but the only reason he won is because they were in England,and he's not even getting the pop he use to get over there.It use to be Hoganesque.
I wasn't one of the people holding my breath for Orton and Batista to hook up,I would have been more upset if they had.This is a fresh match up between two main event guys and is not just to be thrown together on a random Mon. night.
Don't worry Eck you're not alone I to think Mike Knox has potential,but I also thought that of Snisky,let's hope he's not kissing feet in six months.
Posted by: Andre the Midget | November 11, 2008 5:30 PM
I agree with your assessment of Mike Knox. His longer hair and beard and menacing manner reminded me of King Kong Brodie when he wrestled in the AWA in the mid-1980s when he terrorized the High Flyers and the late Crusher Blackwell. I'm not saying Knox is in Brodie's league but if he is packaged right he could be.
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | November 11, 2008 6:29 PM
Quite some squash by Regal. I think the crowd would have liked to see their man in a longer match or at least use one of his signature moves. I feel sorry for Santino because he is just a joke and made to look so weak even though he is apparently one of the true hardmen in the WWE. We all know that in any north american promotion guys from outside the US/Canada will only be pushed as comedic or derogatory
racial stereotypes but to make the guy look so weak as well just isn't fair on such a capable performer.
Posted by: Amos | November 11, 2008 6:47 PM
Great observation on Jericho saving for Michaels. I noticed it, and I think it just spoke to Jericho's brilliance as a not only a performer, but a student of the business. Could you possibly comment on why Shawn Michaels would make light of the punch? I just felt it that, as small as it may have been in light of DX's joking, it completely destroyed the legitimacy of the Jericho-Michaels feud. At the height of the feud, the hatred was palpable. HBK joking about it really stole the thunder from it all, even if the feud was over.
On a side-note, Paul Heyman provided a wonderful analysis in the Sun of the DX shtick in the face of current market conditions. Do you agree?
It's just creepy you remember when Adamle said Shane keeps his phone off...
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I think Michaels just made a rare bad creative decision.
I didn't read Heyman's piece.
Posted by: Dennis | November 11, 2008 6:49 PM
"Orton has become the most compelling character on the show."
Lord knows it ain't Batista (yawn).
I like the potential for Mike Knox on Raw also. He had been spinning his wheels in ECW long enough.
Posted by: AMC | November 11, 2008 7:08 PM
Andre the Midget your ABSOLUTLEY correct, Knox could be Snitsky part 2. I hope no one gets their hopes up to high.
Maybe Manu smells the stench of the layers of crap that the creative team has buried Team Priceless under. With so much great new, contemporary and veteran talent. WWE creative will really need to step it up and put their creative thinking caps on. Odds are they will blow it (we saw it with Santino last night). Even with the tag titles I can already see the ball being dropped with Punk and Kingston. I'm sure that the "powers that be" aren’t sure how to keep Batista, HBK, Orton and Cena all in the title mix without screwing up. What about Mysterio and Kane what direction are they going to go in now???
Wonder how the creative team during the Attitude Era was able to juggle so many stars back then and keep every star interesting?
Posted by: Rob the barber | November 11, 2008 9:35 PM
Yes, enough promotion of John Cena already! We know how tough and motivated he is. Too bad he can't figure out a way to be interesting as well.
Posted by: AMC | November 11, 2008 10:04 PM
Batista has gotten better on the mic, but he really needs to learn how to sell better. Then again, so could most wrestlers. I'm tired of seeing 2 wrestlers, no matter how good they are on the stick, talk to each other face to face with out someone or something to act as a buffer. Randy and Dave just looked like they had their thumbs up their rears out there.
Posted by: Rob Watkins | November 11, 2008 10:09 PM
"Quite some squash by Regal. I think the crowd would have liked to see their man in a longer match or at least use one of his signature moves."
What signature moves? You mean the move where he puts the brass knuckles on and blasts the guy? Please. Santino isn't a good enough wrestler to waste the illusion he is worth risking DQ for.
Posted by: Lee | November 12, 2008 8:01 AM
Ok i am confused. Was it me or did Vince pop up in one of those promos for Cena monday night? I thought the guy was still in a serious condition and I am sure that he had his "accident" before cena got injured at summerslam.
I was there on monday for raw and santino was as brilliant as ever, as was randy orton. didnt like the way they decieved everyone with the batista orton match though
Posted by: david Williams | November 12, 2008 9:56 AM
Yeah I saw Vince
Posted by: sam | November 12, 2008 8:12 PM
hello
as a canadain i can adgreed full heartly what you siad about the hit man bret hart one of the best wrestler but he a bitter ass ,can i remind me of kurt angle respect the man wrestling but the same coin great site ad it to my fav
Posted by: t-bird | November 13, 2008 6:22 PM