The 'Ask Stephanie' edition of Raw
I have to give WWE credit for trying something different to open Raw last night, as Stephanie McMahon provided a public forum for members of the WWE roster to ask her questions.
Stephanie – who pulls off the businesswoman look quite well in my humble opinion – basically blew off every question, regardless of whether it was asked by a heel or a babyface. She was good at playing a subtle heel, and it was refreshing to see an authority figure on Raw who is so smooth on the mic after all those weeks of the stumbling, bumbling Mike Adamle.
Santino Marella stole the segment by performing a hilarious rap about wanting a rematch with William Regal for the Intercontinental title. He had several people in the ring cracking up, even babyfaces. Marella was doing his rhyming thing because a rapper named Akon (referred to as Acorn by Marella) was in the audience. This probably will make me come off as extremely unhip, but I have to admit that I had no idea who this guy was, and until the announcers said otherwise, I thought his name really was Acorn.
Predictably, the segment ended with a pull-apart, as Shawn Michaels went after JBL.
I was a little disappointed that the wrestlers didn’t take full advantage of the rare opportunity to ask Stephanie questions. Here are five things I would have asked:
1. When your husband rinses after brushing his teeth, does he spit the water into the sink or up in the air?
2. Why do you think Randy Savage has yet to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame?
3. As head of the creative writing team, which decision do you regret more, green-lighting the Kane/Katie Vick story line or not hiring Kevin Eck when he interviewed with you in 2001. What do you mean, “Kevin who?”
4. Is it true that when you were a little girl and wanted to stay up past your bedtime, your father got in your face, snarled and yelled, “You’re tired!”
5. When you see your father exposing his buttocks in the ring and forcing grown men to literally kiss his butt, which of the following best describes your reaction: A) that’s embarrassing; B) that’s demeaning; C) that’s disgusting; D) that’s my daddy!
I probably just killed any chance of doing a Q&A with Steph.
Other thoughts on last night’s show:
The Randy Orton-CM Punk lumberjack main event was decent, although I am surprised that this feud is being played out on Raw rather than on pay-per-view. You would think Orton costing Punk the world heavyweight title would make for a heated program. Punk cut a very good promo before the match, and Orton has been awesome on the mic as of late. …
Speaking of nice work on the stick, Chris Jericho cut a good promo about his world heavyweight title defense against John Cena Sunday at the Survivor Series pay-per-view. Cena is making his big return just in case you might have missed it. ...
I liked the Michaels/Rey Mysterio versus John Morrison/The Miz tag team match, especially the finishing sequence. Morrison and Miz going over was the right call going into the elimination match at Survivor Series, but Miz getting a fall on Michaels still is hard for me to take. …
I thought WWE should have made a bigger deal out of the fact that two stars as big as Michaels and Mysterio were teaming for the first time. That backstage vignette – which included Michaels doing his “sarcastic DX voice” and an appearance by Dolph Ziggler – was more strange than entertaining. …
The Batista-Manu match wasn’t bad. I’m surprised that it wasn’t acknowledged in commentary that Batista was trained by the Wild Samoans. Or perhaps it was and I missed it. …
It’s encouraging that WWE seems to realize it has something special in Evan Bourne. His first appearance on TV since suffering torn ligaments in his ankle was preceded by a highlight package on him. It looks as if his first program when he returns will be against Mike Knox, who, like Bourne, has the potential to make an impact. …
I couldn’t believe the announcers said, “What an upset!” when Kelly Kelly defeated Victoria. Maybe it was at one time, but Victoria hasn’t won a match in forever, and Double K has scored two wins over Beth Phoenix recently. …
I like the fact that the women’s elimination at Survivor Series is brand versus brand rather than faces versus heels. It should be more interesting that way. …
The Matt Hardy-William Regal match was short and disappointing, but it was understandable considering Hardy was working on an injured knee. He said on his myspace page that he hyper-extended the surgically repaired knee while on the recent European tour, and also was diagnosed with a slightly torn posterior cruciate ligament and stretched ligaments in the back of the knee. …
It was nice to see WWE Hall of Famer Chief Jay Strongbow make an appearance, although the crowd didn’t seem to know who he was. Then again, his prime was about 30 years ago….
Am I the only one who was hoping someone would cut Cryme Tyme’s mic during the “Money, money, yeah, yeah” bit that seemed as if it was never going to end?
Comments
I know HHH isn't on Raw but for some reason I was just waiting for him to show up either in the ring or the jumbotron. I had a hard time taking the segment serious and figured somehow he would be in it or mentioned.
Posted by: Dean | November 18, 2008 4:41 PM
I'm surprised I haven't seen anyone at the wrestling sites I frequent play the Sarah Palin card concerning Stephanie's new glasses.
That's where the comparison would being and end, though. Steph's not winking at anybody.
Posted by: Jim | November 18, 2008 4:45 PM
Cena is finally going to turn Heel on Sunday. Jericho was saying that the return of Cena would turn the WWE upside down, or something to that effect. My take is that Jericho gets the upperhand by some cheating way and Batista comes down to help Cena. Then both beat down Cena.
Posted by: Jeff | November 18, 2008 5:24 PM
Hey Kevin , after reading that , I think you answered your own question (#3) ! (just kidding )
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | November 18, 2008 5:30 PM
The best part about last night's episode was Mickie James' shirt.
The Cena videos have already made me sick of him, and he hasn't step foot in a ring yet. He needs to turn heel. Until that happens more and more people are going to boo and be out off by his performances.
Why would the WWE have Matt Hardy take part in an ECW match, a Raw dark match, and a Raw match all in one night right after tearing his PCL?
Posted by: Elevation | November 18, 2008 5:45 PM
Well that explains why Matt Hardy looked more like Playboy Buddy Rose 9heavy around the mid-section) than his brother Jeff. Please tell me they aren't teasing for a feud between Stephanie and Shane with the end being Shane and HHH at Wrestlemania. John Morrison needs to get a singles push desperately. He can join Edge and Randy Orton as the best in the WWE.
Posted by: Matt | November 18, 2008 6:00 PM
Was it me or was Kane trying to make JBL laugh when he talked about what he does "for fun" i saw JBL crack the smallest of smiles and then struggle to get back to his serious face
Posted by: Sam | November 18, 2008 6:07 PM
As someone that does remember (Joe) Jay Strongbow , it was great to see him again . For some reason I thought he was deceased . Oops.
Posted by: the artist formerly known as jack in hebron | November 18, 2008 6:32 PM
Four Word's " MONEY MONEY YEAH YEAH "
Posted by: ChrisChris | November 18, 2008 6:35 PM
How sweet was that superkick by Morrison. This guy needs to be elevated and I think a program with Michaels is just the recipe.
Posted by: Kurt Royal | November 18, 2008 6:56 PM
Funny questions Kev.
Cryme Tyme's money, money chants needs some sort of punctuation. It kinda drags a little after a couple of go-rounds.
Please someone give Santino back the belt. Regal missed his time in the sun by comin' up dirty.
Why not give Morrison the pin last night so he can start a program with Michaels after this JBL non-sense is over. Since Jericho's side kick what's-his-name is gone, a Michael’s feud with a up and coming talent would be good.
Lastly, is WWE creative sure what it wants to do with Orton? So is the storyline Orton vs. Batista, Orton vs. Priceless, Orton vs. Punk, Orton deserves a title shot. Sometimes blended storylines work and sometimes they don’t.
Posted by: Rob the barber | November 18, 2008 7:23 PM
Miz and Morrison against Michaels and Midget was good, but what's with the announcers blasting Miz' getting the pin on Michaels due to Morrison's illegal interference, when the finishing sequence had just involved Midget offering some illegal interference via a 619 that would have led to Michaels pinning Miz? I know it's a heel thing, but come on...
The Strongbow bit was embarassing: they panned to an audience closeup shot, and literally three people were clapping, while most others sat with their arms folded. He may be an old-timer, but most of us have seen Adam Sandler's Big Daddy movie...
Boy, Michaels can't resist taking a shot a Hulk Hogan every chance he gets.
Posted by: Barney | November 18, 2008 7:31 PM
I believe you are missing a very solid point on Raw. We have been 2 weeks without a Charlie Haas bit. I don't know how much longer I can go without givinig up on Raw. Marella and Haas are the only two reasons that I am watching anymore...Oh, did you know Cena is coming back? They only advertise it about every 20 minutes.
Posted by: Josh | November 18, 2008 8:54 PM
Did you catch Sean Michaels' comment when he was walkingout with Mysterio? He mentioned his tag team partners. Included was Hulk Hogan even though he's not a celebrity -- a reference to Hogan's Celebrity wrestling TV show.
Maybe the announcers thought Kelly Kelly's win over Victoria was an upset because she kicked out of Victoria's new wicked move and pinned her with what, at first, appeared to be a harmless roll up.
Hilarious questions you had for Stephanie, Kevin.
Posted by: Bob Buscaglia | November 18, 2008 10:07 PM
The reason it was an "upset" to see Kelly Kelly get the win is because very few people take her seriously as a wrestler. The only thing worse than seeing Kelly Kelly wrestle was seeing Candice Michelle in the ring.
I'm hoping the women's match at survivor series is "sudden death," like the last all-womens match at the 1999 pay per view.
Why do I remember that fact? I also remember that Fabulous Moolah scored the pinfall.
Also, if you didn't know who Acon was, then you likely didn't get the joke of Santino quoting one of his songs (I'm noticing you, noticing me...).
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Yep. Went right over my head.
Posted by: Chris Slater | November 18, 2008 10:51 PM
Those Cryme Tyme chants really have to end. If only the WWE would future endeavor those guys ...
And RAW just didn't seem quite the same without Kane facing Rey Mysterio ... it seemed much better.
Posted by: Quin | November 18, 2008 11:14 PM
"Am I the only one who was hoping someone would cut Cryme Tyme's mic...."
I missed Raw, so yes, you probably were.
Posted by: Christopher | November 18, 2008 11:19 PM
"The reason it was an "upset" to see Kelly Kelly get the win is because very few people take her seriously as a wrestler. The only thing worse than seeing Kelly Kelly wrestle was seeing Candice Michelle in the ring. I'm hoping the women's match at survivor series is "sudden death," like the last all-womens match at the 1999 pay per view."
It's an elimination match, unlike the 1999 and 2007 women's matches at Survivor Series.
Candice and Beth apparently had some great matches on the European as they were given more time than they get on TV (10-15 minutes as opposed to 3-5). Hopefully, this match will benefit from the extra time it will likely get due to being under elimination rules.
Posted by: chris | November 19, 2008 1:51 AM
Josh: I read that Charlie Hass did show up in a dark match before either Raw or the ECW taping. He came out as Michael "P.S." Hass. I would have like to have seen that!
Quin: WWE did "future endeavor" Cryme Tyme once before not too long ago. They need to do it again.
Maybe while DiBiase is out, WWE can work with Rhodes and Manu a little. Maybe call them "The A-Lispers" or something. I know it's not cool to make fun of people and things they don't have control over. But c'mon...listening to the two of them talk is like hearing Cindy Brady have a conversation with herself. How intimidating can Manu be when he sounds like that??
Posted by: Zane | November 19, 2008 9:43 AM
I have a list of things for this post...here goes
1. Barney...brilliant observation. I long for the days when Jesse Ventura or Bobby Hennan would have been around to call BS on Michael Cole's "stole one" during that match. That was a brilliant finish...Miz and Morrison have arrived, but Morrison is "stealing" the show.
2. What's next? A 30 minute John Cena informercial? I found Cena entertaining once upon a time, but I have suddenly found myself completely sick of him. As much as I dislike Randy Orton, I completely agree with him. Why should Cena walk right back into a title shot?
3. The only difference between Kelly Kelly getting over and Mae Young getting over is fewer wrinkles. Oh, and is there anyone on the roster they won't make Victoria job for?
4. Jericho is in elite heel status now. The only other heel elite heel in the WWE is Edge...
5. Speaking of Edge...where has he been lately?
Posted by: Lee | November 19, 2008 10:38 AM
Crime Tyme needs to go, they are terrible. I don't know why they were ever brought back. Either get rid of them or split them up and give them singles action with new storylines. Their wrestling skills aren't bad, but the gimmick is so lame, I turn RAW off as soon as I see them come on. Repackage them as heels, and send one to SD. PUT JTG an in angle where he feels he is looked down upon because he is black, build him up, and give him a title shot if his skills show he is worthy of it. With us now having our first black president, this would be a great time to run a storyline like this IMO. Then take Shad and work him in a storyline with, say Kane. The big man thing has been done before, but it could be a fairly good program if it was worked the right way. At the very least, you get to see what Shad is capable of on his own. If they both fail, then THEY'RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRE FIRRRRREEED.
Your questions 1 and 4 were "priceless" Kev.
Posted by: The Showster | November 19, 2008 10:58 AM
Eck,
Since Survivor Series is traditionally were some of the seeds for WrestleMania are planted are you willing to go out on a limb and make any WM match predections now?
As soon as I seen them walking to the ring together,I for one started to salavate at the thought of a HBK/ Rey Mysterio progam leading to a WM match.That's got MOTY written all over it.It's not that far fetched,they're both on the same SS team,and some problems could start there if the team doesn't win,they're both on the same show,Shawn dropped the fall Mon. night,and didn't seem to be taking it all that seriously to begin with,behavior unbecoming of a captian.I know they wrestled once before at the Eddie Guerrero tribute show but you know Rey's mind was elsewhere there is no telling how good that would be if both guys are focused on it.This would help make up for the fact that they never worked a Rey/Undertaker program while the were both on SmackDown together for all those years,that had MOTY written all over it as well.That's what I would do if I ruled the (WWE) universe.
Was it me or did HBK's eyes looked glazed over all night?
When was Orton badmouthing Batista and Evolutin for the past five years like Batista clamied to be?
What was up the King's shirt?
Posted by: Andre the Midget | November 19, 2008 9:30 PM
I find team priceless boring boring and very boring. Cena's return has been overkill to say the least. I didnt mind the guy but now I hate his guts because of the non stop coverage on all the WWE shows. Jericho and Santino are in my opinion the top stars on Raw right now.
Posted by: Seamus | November 20, 2008 1:19 AM
Do you get the feeling that Kane is set to do a "classic" Bad News Brown-style elimination from his match? Just leave his team captain high & dry after a miscue in teamwork.
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm ... Sarcasm | November 20, 2008 1:39 PM
Hi Kevin,
I loved your question 3 but I was wondering what your impressions were of Stephanie. Also, which position did u apply for?
Thanks for the LOL article. I'm surprised Santino didn't ask Q1...
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I interviewed for a writing job on the creative team.
Posted by: Davinder | November 20, 2008 4:14 PM