Final Raw before WrestleMania accomplishes goal
There were no wrong turns Monday night on Raw as the road to WrestleMania nears its destination. The three main WrestleMania matches – Randy Orton versus Triple H, The Undertaker versus Shawn Michaels, and John Cena versus Edge versus The Big Show – were all built up well.
Orton cut yet another fantastic promo, as he filled in the blanks on his saga with Triple H and the McMahon family. The segment ended with the return of Vince and Shane McMahon and a pull-apart brawl between Triple H and the McMahons and Legacy.
One of the key points of Orton’s promo was his admission that he knew exactly what he was doing the entire time he was wreaking havoc on the McMahons, and that his claim of having IED (Intermittent Explosive Disorder) was all a work.
Michaels, whose match with The Undertaker might be as anticipated as any at WrestleMania, once again got the better of “The Dead Man” with his mind games.
The lights went out during Michaels’ promo and The Undertaker was in the ring when they came back on. Michaels, however, was nowhere to be found. It seemed obvious that Michaels was hiding in the casket that he had brought out as a prop. After a few seconds, Undertaker figured it out. He had a great look on his face as he slowly turned to face at the casket. When he opened it, Michaels wasn’t there. As a frustrated Undertaker began to walk away, Michaels appeared from under the casket and took out Undertaker with a superkick. Great stuff.
As for the Cena-Edge-Big Show program, Raw picked up where Friday's Smackdown left off, with the focus being on the title rather than the soap opera with Vickie Guerrero. WWE did a good job of making Big Show seem like the favorite to win the match, as he scored a decisive win over Cena. It was a smart booking decision, because Big Show isn’t as big of a star as either Cena or Edge, so he needs the boost.
Other thoughts on Monday night’s show:
Vince and Shane making quick work of Orton’s security and then standing toe-to-toe with Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes was a little hard to take seriously. By the way, did DiBiase not get the memo about wearing the new Legacy T-shirt? …
Orton said his motive for targeting Triple H’s family is to get revenge for a jealous Triple H turning on him five years ago. It’s interesting that WWE would focus on that aspect of their history, because it doesn’t make Triple H a sympathetic figure and Orton seems justified for seeking retribution. Theoretically, that would make Orton the babyface in this feud, but the fact that Orton “crossed the line” by physically attacking Triple H’s wife and in-laws makes him the heel. …
It looked like Chris Jericho and Jerry Lawler were tagging each other pretty good. I’m surprised there wasn’t a greater tease of Mickey Rourke being at WrestleMania. I thought there was even a chance that Rourke would send in a taped promo. …
Normally, I would say it’s incredibly stupid to give away a WrestleMania match on TV six days before the event, but in the case of the JBL-Rey Mysterio match, I don’t think it was a bad idea. There was no interest in this match, and now I think there is at least a little interest. …
What was the point of having 18 divas out there when only a handful of them were actually going to get into the match? Out of all those women, I would never have guessed that Tiffany would be the one to score the winning pin. …
Santino Marella was funnier than he has been lately. I loved his Jack Tunney reference, although I don’t think the live audience got it at all. And did Marella say he was a modern-day Davy Crockett or David Crockett?







Comments
Randy Orton said that he eliminated HHH and then went on to win the Royal Rumble, except he didn't go very far because HHH was the last man eliminated.
I wonder if the guys make fun of each other when they misstate the little facts like these?
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | March 31, 2009 2:02 AM
Only one comment on the HBK / Undertaker feud. I love it, and can't wait for the match as they are my two all time favorite wrestlers, but the Undertaker has always come up short in their interactions. That automatically means he's going to win the match.
While I'm a big Undertaker fan, the fued will be a lot more interesting if Micheals actually wins at WM 25, then wins the title, then and loses a rematch with Taker at Summerslam. I'm bored of the "streak" story every year for WM with Undertaker and HBK is the only one who deserves to break it. I think the biggest impact at WM is for Taker to lose.
Posted by: rob | March 31, 2009 3:07 AM
1. I agree that Santino Marella was pretty funny last night..I almost fell out of the bed when he mentioned Jack Tunney. 2. I have never seen anyone get into the head of The Undertaker the way Shawn Michaels has. I can't wait to see this match. 3. I, like alot of people are thinking that Chris Jericho is going to get his cumuppance against the Geritol-holics. I am interested in seeing how this all plays out.4. Despite what some folk have said concerning the combatants in the MITB laddder match...I think that it will hold it's own as usual.5. normally don't care if Triple H wins...but I can't think of a better way for a man to defend his wife's honor that takin out the man who deliverd a *SICK* DDT to his wife. and last but not least . I think that the Triple Threat match will be better than most folk think. Can't wait til SUNDAY!!
Posted by: Michael | March 31, 2009 3:34 AM
was it just me, or was the go home show a lil boring... up until the last segment, which really BROUGHT IT HOME.
18 divas? no point. unless the point was making gail kim's raw return as uneventful as possible. also looks like she's going to be a face. which is too bad since the two best female workers are already faces. (melina, mickie)
santino was funny. not excellent. (his funniest promo to date was still the one with 'ray mastrio')
also, im as big of an hbk mark as anyone. but my excitement level for his match with 'taker just went DOWN a notch. especially since i was expecting 'taker to have a little payback before 'mania. but alas, michaels was over on ALL the shows. which makes it painfully obvious that 'taker will be going over at mania. i agree with the previous person when he says that the honor SHOULD go to hbk some time in the future. not jokesters like van hansen.
no one cares about mysterio/jbl. even though this is the first time IC title will be defended at mania in years!
when orton was recapping everything, it was also boring. because the clips dominated the promo.
i was in the middle of thinking to myself what a lousy go-home show it was.
up until the lights went down and 'NO CHANCE, THAT'S JUST WHAT YOU'VE GOT. Terrific go-home segment. The crowd pop was tremendous. very very refreshing for mr. mcmahon. so refreshing for the show overall. and got me excited for 'mania.
now i dont read any spoilers (mainly cuz their sites induces spyware) but im hoping there's gonna be a jack swagger swerve at 'mania. there has to be. the guy is on a fast track and wwe will drop the ball if he is at least exposed a little in the biggest show of them all. he's not even a lumberjack for god's sakes. so im thinking there's gonna be something.
WM PREDICTIONS ANYONE?
Orton wins title.
Big Show wins title.
CM Punk wins MITB
Undertaker beats Michaels
Mysterio wins IC title
Miz/Morrison unify titles.
Matt beats Jeff. (not clean)
Mickie James wins Miss WM
Chris Jericho gets beat down.
Posted by: The Natural | March 31, 2009 4:29 AM
I'm also a massive HBK and Undertaker fan, but I'd like to see Taker lose this one. The WM streak is beyond boring and I struggle to show interest in it.
What is exciting is the prospect of these two legends going at it on the grandest stage of them all. I agree with Rob that it would be best for the feud to run on after WM, but I think it's time Taker took the loss. It seems that WWE take more pride in his WM record than his legacy of title wins and great matches.
Few of Taker's matches at WM have been classics. This one has the potential to be a legendary match.
Posted by: Andrew Anderson | March 31, 2009 4:33 AM
I must have missed something because I thought last night's Raw was awful. The opening of the show set the tone for the night with the divas and Santino. The only thing I liked was the HBK segment, but the problem is that they have made it so obvious to me that Undertaker is going to win. I'll still get the ppv, but I'm just disappointed.
Posted by: Sean Kilkelly | March 31, 2009 8:44 AM
When did WWE Diva "Stable" become the NWO? I can't even name all of them anymore.
Posted by: Micheal Deff | March 31, 2009 9:06 AM
Kev, I thought the show was LAME from beginning to end. The 18 girl tag team match and the clown Marella was a waste of air time. I'd say Undertaker wins since he has had to job to HBK 3 times on National TV. Undertaking jobbing doesn't come without a price. In these hard financial times there is NOTHING that excites me about this WrestleMania. Vince looked good. WOOOOO
Posted by: Ric in Baltimore | March 31, 2009 9:31 AM
I agree that the show did a better job than most of promoting Mania, but that's compared to a pretty low standard. HBK/Taker is the only compelling stuff and it's basically a rinse and repeat of their last feud (except Michaels came out in the black garb and Taker's music that time instead of the white).
They took a surefire thing like MITB and made the biggest question "how's that not going to suck as much as I think?" I think it could work, but I've also thought the illegitimate son angle was actually going to have a real payoff.
I thought the JBL/Mysterio match was a disaster. I mean it was good, which in a way was bad, since there's nothing left to want to watch. The IC title isn't even mentioned as meaning anything and if JBL is retiring afterwards, I feel bad for him since half the stadium will be in the concourse.
The Hardy match at least got mentioned during the Mania promo I guess. I agree with "less is more," but that's a bit much for what should've had major heat. Bad promo skills aside, the writing just flat sucked. Matt's big reveal that it was him behind the attacks was about a month past when anyone remembered what he did and they might as well have said Rikishi came back and did it. Only a Lita appearance/swerve saves that match.
Speaking of what it would take to save matches, what would it take to "save Y2J?" In a perfect world Jericho would run through them all and come out as one of the most hated men in history, but he'll prob flop around for everyone and take a stunner for his troubles. Basically getting neutered.
The title matches were promoted well tho, and I actually liked the close. Even if Vince gives the term "working stiff" a whole new meaning with his punches. It did kind of add a "where does it go from here" twist. Can't say anything else has that feel since it seems everything is running on bare bones until they can sort it out in the draft.
Posted by: James C | March 31, 2009 9:51 AM
Did Orton lose his temper towards the end of his address? After each of his remarks, the crowd responded with the usual (and annoying) "WHAT" chants. Frustrated, he told the fans to stop it. It appears he went off script and uttered some "nasty" words that were censored by the WWE…the audio was cut-off for about 5 seconds as he was forcefully speaking into the mic; the veins in his head bulging. The "LIVE" logo disappeared from the screen as well. I thought that was interesting. I wonder if stars get into trouble by creating havoc for the production crew -- epecially given WWE's new "tame" product direction.
Also, does anyone else find it annoying that they mention the word "WRESTLEMANIA" so many times during the broadcast! It's like Cole/Lawler get paid every time they utter the phrase. They must have said it like 100+ times last night.
Have they sold out the tickets in Houston? I wonder if this year the buy rate will be over 1 million. And where are the celebrities??? I like WWE, but given their financial resources, and the magnitude of the occasion, WM25 isn't looking very special.
Posted by: disappointed2 | March 31, 2009 9:55 AM
I totally plotzed myself when Santino stated that he went over the divas' heads straight to WWE President Jack Tunney. I didn't think most folks in the audience got the reference, but it was still hilarios nevertheless.
Posted by: Ashley | March 31, 2009 9:58 AM
Did anyone watch the previous raw. what happened to Vicky. I think she deserve it. She is a little fool.
Posted by: Mutinta Pretty | March 31, 2009 10:09 AM
With the McMahons on Triple H's side, does that make them faces?, wow when was the last time Vince turned face
Posted by: The Blob strikes again | March 31, 2009 10:39 AM
I think last night's Raw was actually a pretty poor turn, especially being the last one before WM. Jericho-Lawler ended way too quickly, and it was building enough heat to make me wish it was the match we were going to see on Sunday, pointing out even further how disappointing the Legends' angle has culminated.
As for JBL-Mysterio, it's a good point that no one really cares about this one yet, but the only source of heat it has had has been JBL's "most definitive victory" rhetoric, a notion that just gets completely obliterated by his loss. Why have this match end clean instead of JBL getting a DQ out of frustration? JBL goes into Sunday even more neutered than he has been due to this loss.
Finally, I understand "violence is the true vengeance" has been the WWE's mantra for years now, but Orton just admitted on television that his disorder was a fake - why not have Vince make some sort of reference to that when he comes out for the first time in months? An extra stipulation on the title match, perhaps? The beatdown was fun, however.
Posted by: TheDerridaDrop | March 31, 2009 11:51 AM
I wonder how many people in the arena actually did get the Jack Tunney reference. That had me cracking up, but the crowd was dead silent. Probably too old school for most of today's WWE fans.
One comment about Vince and Shane, is it really that hard to take seriously? After all, Shane did take out the entire Legacy alone a few weeks back...I thought the end to the show was fantastic...I'm still not too hyped for WM25 but the show did more to get me excited for it, so that's good.
Posted by: BHC | March 31, 2009 12:15 PM
My comment to my fiance last night at the end of the show was "What does it say about DiBiase and Rhodes that they're equilivent to a 40 and 65 year old man, respecitvely?" after Orton started looking unsettled about the #s being even.
Honestly, I'd like it better if *Orton* looked stronger going into WM25, he only looks strong when he has DiBiase and Rhodes to back him up and that's a mistake in my opinion. Still, the storyline entertains me and it's the match I'm most eager to see at Wrestlemania.
Posted by: Michelle | March 31, 2009 12:25 PM
I thought that was a great ending on Raw. You couldn't help but be excited by that one camera shot of the Shane, Hunter, and Vince all in a line walking down to the ring.
I have a feeling Rourke is either going to no-show Mania or show up totally wasted.
Posted by: Elevation | March 31, 2009 12:26 PM
I see the streak continuing as a reward for the Undertaker's longevity with WWE. We should also note that Michaels ended Flair's in-ring career last year. It seems a bit much to give him the accolade of ending The Undertaker's streak too. But, of all the contenders, Michaels seems to be the best fit for this. I am pulling for another Undertaker win though.
Posted by: Jerry | March 31, 2009 12:42 PM
I was a little disappointed in the Deadman last night. With The UnderTaker's rep in playing mind games, they should have had him do something big last night in terms of mind games in return for all the fantastic stunts and mind games HBK has pulling. Then I thought they were going to have HBK respond with something smart and outdo the Deadman but Taker didn't do anything but show up in the dark which is one of his most typical mind games. I think they should have had Taker be outdone like last night but not without a good fight. I mean, it's like Taker didn't even try to live up to his title as the "master of the mind games". He didn't attempt to top HBK with something just as classic as HBK has done lately in terms of mind games.
The Undertaker should have known HBK caught on to that. What has it been? 20 yrs now in the same business together. HBK even knew Taker was standing behind him several weeks ago when the lights went out and has been playing Taker's own mind games on him. So I am disappointed with Taker's response.
I think it's great that HBK can outthink Taker on a lot of mind games and be able to outdo them all because of how long they've been there together but for Taker to do something as simple as show up in the dark for a fight. He should have known he wouldn't be successful.
As for the streak ending, not concerned about it. I'm concerned about the quality of the match. The one who outperforms the other during the match is the true winner as far as I am concerned. Not a component of the match neither of the superstars really have any control over. This could be one of The Undertaker's best WrestleManias ever even if he loses and people are fussing about the streak.
Posted by: Tony Llewellyn | March 31, 2009 2:20 PM
again i think another good raw iwth some exception I think santino started out fun then I thought towards the end it was stupid and just wanted the glamazon to hit him and shot him up because it was just retarded and why did everyone hold her back then they all jumped him and then she saved him that made no sense at all to me your boy always 1 uping the taker is good but getting old I hope that taker finaaly catches him on SD togive taker some kind of momentum going in and im like you where was Dibiase's shirt and this whole angle where as orton knew tha HHH would break into his house and put his own freinds in family at risk if i was Mrs. Orton i would be asking for the divorce papers along with the mcmahons hanging with legacy is a joke the job almost every week how can their group be taking seriously when they have actually digressed under orton if you ask me without him they were 2x tag champs with him there just lackeys who get beat up all the time they need to make Orton & Rhodes more formable like give them back their tag belts and give them a push like they have been doing for Miz & Morrison for the last 6 mo.s. all of that being said i don't like Cena being flat out beat by Show it lets you know that 1 Cena's not gonna win because show would have to be #1 contender and their on 2 different shows since im guessing after WM everyone will start appearing on their normal shows till after the draft.
Posted by: frank | March 31, 2009 2:36 PM
Since Rey Mysterio pinned JBL I gather that JBL will retain the IC title on Sunday and "retire" as champ.
But that would be boring. Why not have Evan Bourn come out, challenge him and win the title? Then that could eventually lead to a program between Bourn and Mysterio with Mysterio turning heel.
Yes, it does not make sense to have 18-Diva tag team match except that it gets all the Divas out to the ring at once thus maximizing both the eye candy and also proving once again that Santino Marella is the luckiest man on the face of the earth.
I thought Jericho would eviscerate Lawler the way he did Flair. Yes, Jericho won but then Lawler slapped the taste out of his mouth and made Jericho look weak. I'm not saying the fans don't want Jericho to get his comeuppance but he should have been booked stronger.
Why does Shawn Michaels continue to insist he has never lost to the Undertaker when the Undertaker eliminated him to win the Royal Rumble two years ago? Yes, Undertaker didn't pin Michaels or make him submit but he beat him just the same. I'm just saying.
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | March 31, 2009 2:41 PM
My mom was in the room when santino was dancing. She just stood there with her mouth hanging open in shock.
Then she kept saying, "wow, he's in really good shape!" Santino's mankini turned my mother on. Weird.
Posted by: Andy | March 31, 2009 2:49 PM
The Undertaker/HBK feud is reminiscent of the HBK/Hogan feud a few years back. HBK pretty much did most of the leg work in the build up to the match and was at the top of his game on the mic and in character. He's doing the same thing again now. Thus, I'll probably be disappointed right after Wrestlemania when HBK goes back to the post 2002 HBK, like he did after wrestling Hogan. I wish the WWE/HBK would go with a 6 month run or so of HBK acting like the obnoxious and cocky HBK of the '90s. That would be awesome.
Posted by: Paul in Hawaii | March 31, 2009 4:53 PM
"I loved his Jack Tunney reference, although I don’t think the live audience got it at all."
When did Tunney step down as "president" of WWE (then WWF)?
Posted by: Christopher | March 31, 2009 5:10 PM
I've soured a lot on WWE programming in the last few years, but i'm definitely going to be ordering WM this year.
The build up has been excellent and for the first time in years, i'm truly excited about seeing a PPV.
It'll be a very well spent $30 ($20US), i hope.
Posted by: John | March 31, 2009 5:14 PM
Raw was very good last night. I keep laughing at Santino Marella. Its like a guilty pleasure.
Overall though I feel the Wrestlemania card is lacking something. Maybe its me, but this card can pass at any PPV. Wrestlemania is supposed to be a notch above.
Posted by: Mark MIgnini | March 31, 2009 5:23 PM
Pumped up for Mania, no doubt! Orton is stellar. Should be a great match with HHH. I was shocked that they made refrence to HHH kicking him out of Evolution years ago. WWE barley acknowledges what happened last month, let alone 5 years ago.I just can't help thinking how much better this would be if these two hadn't just feuded last year. That's probably why that didn't get mentioned.
I like how in the past couple years they've played up Undertaker's streak,it's almost like wrestling for a title.I mean knocking off UT at Mania would be more of an achievement than winning either the I-C or U.S titles at this point.Whoever made the post awhile ago about UT needing another make over is dead on.With HBK getting the best of him over the past couple of weeks it would be cool to see UT's character tweaked. It would be like"Shawn's gotten the best of the UT recently but this is an UT we haven't seen before!"
Question, is Shane McMahaon every going to throw a realistic looking punch?
Posted by: Andre The Midget | March 31, 2009 5:50 PM
I agree with Mr. Sarcasm. Undertaker taking a 'L' at 'Mania would be bigger than Shawn losing. They could continue there fued after 'Mania. 'Taker doesn't need the streak. Shawn getting the upper hand the last few weeks likely means 'Taker wins. I can't wait for their match though.
Santino, as always, was hilarious. When Santino first mentioned Tunney's name I couldn't believe he still worked for them. It would be nice to see Santino in the Divas match. I'm sure he'll be involved somehow, even if that just means escorting the rest of Glamarella to the ring.
I was so pumped when Vince's music hit. Then I figured that Shane and HHH were next and I got even more excited. Great segment last night and I hope WM closes with Orton celebrating as champion with Legacy. And I hope the next night they have a ceremony for Orton and present him with a real title.
I'm definently getting that Legacy shirt.
I thought they we're going to make their match a no-DQ affair. Maybe they'll do it like they did for Austin/Rock.
I hope Show wins the belt because I don't see Edge retaining. I wish Edge could have longer, more meaningful title reigns. He's held the belt, what, 8 times? His title reigns don't even add up to a year.
I'm so sick of Cena it's not even funny. I don't want to hear about his stupid movie and I damn sure don't want to see him win anything at 'Mania. He's been in a world title match since WM21.
The only good thing about Cena and 'Mania is that he'll get booed.
Posted by: Killer Tofu | March 31, 2009 6:15 PM
Got to admit, they sure are making DiBase and Cody Rhodes look weak. Never saw this kind of weakness from Evolution or the original Four Horseman.
If anyone deserves to end the streak of the Undertaker, it's HBK.
Time for the WWE to get rid of the Guerrero's,. The story line has gone as far as it can go.
Glad to see Big Show actually acting like a Giant in the ring.
Posted by: Shawn Patrick | March 31, 2009 7:14 PM
I'm glad someone mentioned how long some of these posts are. Like most people, I intently read the short posts and skim or skip the long ones.
Nevertheless, I'm not a big Orton fan, but I think the "WWE" should make Wrestlmania his to dominate, i.e. Orton beating HHH and even having Legacy beatdown the Legends after they take out Jericho. This would solidify them as the true wrestling "Legacy" and make them the top heel faction. This could also lenghten the storyline with the McMahon's (if he wins the title). Also, if Punk wins MITB we can finally have that top notch Punk/Orton fued and we will have a believable opponent for Taker next year. Next year Orton could claim that he was not the same person that lost to Taker in the previous wrestlmania.
Posted by: rob the barber | March 31, 2009 7:26 PM
I think JBL is going to retire from Wrestling after Mania and replace Tazz as the SD! color guy.
I also think JR and Cole will switch places again.
Posted by: Elevation | March 31, 2009 7:57 PM
stephanie mcmahon is gonna turn on hhh and randy orton will win the title. cena will win. undertaker has been made a fool of for a couple of weeks, so he is not going to lose. jericho loses. miz and morrison unify. i think matt hardy wins as that storyline will continue. mysterio wins i.c. title
Posted by: tim | March 31, 2009 8:09 PM
They made Priceless look weak because they are weak! Look at them - Cody Rhodes is a skinny loser who will never amount to anything and DiBiase has a goofy look that won't translate to main event status. Why they stick these jabronis with a fantastic wrestler like Orton is beyond me. I think Manu had the best look, but I guess Vince felt differently.
Anyway, I felt it was a good buildup show before WrestleMania. Wouldn't have put the divas in the opening segment though - that felt a little weird. A comedic bit should have been saved for later on and they could have inserted the Cena-Big Show match to kick things off and get people excited.
Anywho, I'm one of the few people who thinks WrestleMania has a great card this year - there's a few filler matches, but there are only two or three WMs that didn't. I'm pumped. The buildup for HHH-Orton and HBK-'Taker have been terrific, while I really expect The Hardyz to deliver.
Posted by: Ryan | March 31, 2009 9:09 PM
Jack Tunney and David Crockett in the same monologue. What, no Harvey Schiller?
Posted by: Matt | March 31, 2009 9:10 PM
Eck, what do you think about Tazz leaving? Who do you think is going to replace him?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I will address in a post later.
Posted by: Geckle | March 31, 2009 10:18 PM
If Santino were to get into the Money in the Bank match and win the briefcase, which champion would he target, Melina or Maryse? I believe I heard him say David Crocket, Kevin.
Wasn't the Evolution snub also used as the reason to get Orton to team up with Edge in his feud with DX?
I see the Undertaker Wrestlemania streak ending as a way to give a boost to an up and comer, perhaps Punk, Kennedy, Kingston, Bourne, or Swagger.
James C, recall that the illegitimate son was supposed to be Kennedy until he was suspended for drug use right before the payoff.
Frank, can you at least attempt to use proper English grammar?
Posted by: Bob Buscaglia | March 31, 2009 11:07 PM
Can someone please elaborate on who Jack Tunney is? I attended the show last night and Kevin is right no one around me knew who the great Santino was talking about.
I never thought the "what" chants were annoying until last night when I happened to be sitting in front of one of the dumb asses starting the chant.
By the way, the only thing more annoying than the "what" chants have to be the stupid "woo" chants that were going on until the show actually started.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Tunney was the kayfabe wwe president in the late 80s and early 90s
Posted by: x2dae | March 31, 2009 11:58 PM
I think they are having Orton take the title at Wm, that is why they need him to have a reason to go after triple h and mention him betraying him, the reason they are not turning him face when that is something a face woudl do is because Randy Orton is best as a heel, there is no one who can be evil the way he can, from his cool calm void, to his facial expressions to the way he can make you think he is one step from going crazy n killing everyone in the dressing room.
Santino Marella, he is definately underused at the minute, I love watching him whatever he does because it is guarenteed to make me laugh... any thoughts on where i could get one of those sexy mankinis btw?
One thing I am not liking is how the undertaker is being made to look stupid and weak to Shawn Michaels, if Shawn beats 'taker at wrestlemania then it will just make undertaker look even more pathetic, i mean seriously, turn him into Koslov why don't they.
The Cena - Big Show fight was good, but explain this, why does the WWE think we will believe that someone with the strength of Cena will bounce off the big show, when a runt like Mysterio can toss giants like Kane and Mike Knox around at will...
Spreaking of mysterio, why does he always take a beating the whole match then get in 3-4 attacks and pick up the win... reminds me of most triple h and shawn michaels matches too, take a beating do a couple moves then a pedigree/super kick for the win.
Also, do not know why you were surprised that most of the divas in the tag match were not used, they do that a lot in divas tag matches with more than 3 on each team.
Overall it was an entertaining Raw, but as i said I did not like the HBK part as it makes the undertaker seem useless.
Posted by: Wylsey | April 1, 2009 2:38 AM
I think that Lawler got way too much offense on Jericho last Monday. If Jericho struggles so much to defeat one single senior citizen, what will it be when he faces three of them, plus Flair and Rourke being involved somehow?
But I loved Big Show basically squashing Cena! Maybe this would make Cena think about Edge's proposal, and lead to a Cena-Edge alliance againt Edge, with a double turn of Cena and Show in the process?
Also, isn't it kind of strange that the WWE chairman has to fight against the security guys to get into his own ring? And now that Orton admitted that he lied about his IED, doesn't it mean that all his "lawyers and doctors" staff can't protect hi anymore from being fired, like Vince was planning to before being punted in the head?
One last thing: isn't it strange that the show abruptly ended when HHH and Orton were still fighting in the middle of the ring? Never saw that before...
Posted by: Axl | April 1, 2009 3:49 AM
I remember WWF President Jack Tunney as the spokesperson when so-called hard decisions had to be made. I know he stepped in when referee Danny Davis was making questionable calls during Hart Foundation matches which led to Danny donning the tights and becoming "Dangerous Danny Davis". I always considered President Tunney a comedic figurehead who usually appeared alone on screen making a major proclamation on how things would proceed. I always enjoyed his TV appearances. I believe he died in 2004. R.I.P. President Tunney.
Posted by: Mr. Eli | April 1, 2009 4:17 PM
How was John Cena versus Edge versus The Big Show built up well? This is a terrible match that was just thrown together b/c Batista is injured and can't fight Cena, b/c they can't just do Edge vs. Cena for 999th time, and b/c they have nothing else to do with Show. The three of them have wrestled each other in the weeks leading up to Mania so there is NOTHING special about this match. When have the participants in a Mania WWE/world title match wrestled in the weeks leading up to there match?? And it's comletely OBVIOUS Show will not be winning after knocking out Edge and pinning Cena the last two weeks.
The Undertaker looked STUPID in taking 5 minutes to finally think to look in the casket for Michaels. And if he is supposed to be this supernatural individual that can disappear, cause lightning to strike, escape flames, how can he not know that Michaels was hiding underneath the casket or that he was behind him
waiting to superkick him?? And speaking of the superkick, Taker has been over-selling them so bad that it looks silly. The first time Michaels got him on the ramp, he TOTALLY over-exaggerated it rolling over two times, and last night the way he kept stumpling trying to get up was pathetic. This is the same guy that used to "sit-up" after taking people's finishers?
I was thinking the same thing about DiBiase not getting the memo about wearing the new Legacy T-shirt.
As far as giving away the JBL/Misterio match on TV six days before Mania, they have basically given Cena/Edge/Show and the Money in the Bank match-ups already too (I know MITB will have a ladder, but the point is the match doesn't seem as "special" b/c you've seen all 8 men work against each other every week up to Mania). And with Misterio pinning JBL, it is now obvious - as with Show in the world title match - that he will not be winning the IC title now.
So now it's obvious who will win 3 of the Mania matches already.
- Triple H: b/c he's lost in his last 4 Manias, and he would look totally weak if he lost after Orton humilated him and his wife.
- The Undertaker: b/c Taker will not get made to look stupid for weeks only to lose his undefeated streak, he's lost to HBK every time he's faced him, and this is basically the same program HBK did with Hogan in 2005. Plus Taker's streak will go to a young star they are trying to get over big.
- JBL: b/c Misterio pinned him Monday.
For the world title match it's not obvious if it'll be Cena or Edge, but it's obvious it won't be Show.
Posted by: B-Real | April 1, 2009 4:41 PM
I posted these WrestleMania "predictions" on another blog for some April Fool's Day fun. I thought you might enjoy them as well....
WWE Title: HHH beats Orton cleanly in the middle of the ring to end the storyline on a happy note. Then, they'll continue wrestling for their respective brands going forward.
World Title: Vickie Guerrero -- John Cena will knock out Big Show and Edge when the referee is out, so Vickie lays on top of Edge to prevent Cena from hitting him with a chair and the referee recovers to count the three and awards Vickie the title.
Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker: HBK, obviously. What's Undertaker ever done for the company?
Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Hardy: Draw -- both brothers will beat each other relentlessly and the match will end with an uber-rare double-down ten-count.
Money in the Bank: Hornswoggle, because he came so close to winning it last year.
Chris Jericho vs. Snuka, Piper and Steamboat: Here's where the swerve will be -- Mickey Rourke will HELP Chris Jericho win. Rourke will say he has no business in the ring, just like all the past legends, and Jericho will have heat for a program with HHH after he's drafted to Smackdown!
IC Title: JBL wins, then retires as IC Champ in his home state.
Tag Title Unification: Carlito & Primo, they're the better team and their reign has been going on longer than M&M's current reign.
25-Diva Battle Royal: Jillian Hall, she's going to be the next break-out Diva star in the mainstream since she's done everything there is in WWE.
Posted by: Mr. Sarcasm | April 1, 2009 4:54 PM
"I remember WWF President Jack Tunney as the spokesperson when so-called hard decisions had to be made."
I best remember him for the convoluted title scenario which he cooked up after Bret Hart and Lex Luger simultaneously won the 1994 Royal Rumble. I don't remember all the details, but that scenario is why Bret wrestled twice at WM 10: once against Owen, and, on the other end of the spectrum, once against Yokozuna. It would have been simpler to have Hart and Luger square-off with the winner getting the title shot, but oh well. We got a superb Hart-vs-Hart match out of it.
Posted by: Christopher | April 1, 2009 10:32 PM
Lawler has one of the best worked punches in the business. Doubt they were working stiff out there.
Posted by: David | April 1, 2009 11:15 PM
Axl, if you will have noticed, lawler was no slouch in the ring, he still has some skills, forgot to put it in my post, but he actually impressed me for his age and weight he can put in a good preformance when he needs, I would rather see him have a good match competing well with superstars than either of the McMahon males, from what i have seen of them I would say Linda would give a better in ring preformance.
Posted by: Wylsey | April 2, 2009 12:57 AM
At Wrestlemania, Orton is going to RKO HHH cleanly in the middle of the ring...and HHH is gonna pull a superman and kick out. What can you do? Wife's the boss. Tell me I'm lying Kevin.
Posted by: jigga | April 2, 2009 8:57 AM