This is the 1100th episode of Raw. You may recall episode 1000 two years ago when CM Punk (I miss him) turned heel by attacking The Rock and hitting him with the GTS to end the show. They made a huge deal about that show. This time? They mentioned it briefly in the afternoon on Twitter. It feels like every other show, so with that in mind let’s get on with it.
Live from Washington, DC this is the Raw Deal for episode #1100. Follow me on Twitter @johnreport. That banner could have had a puke picture on it, but nobody likes puke except old man Vince McMahon.
Stephanie McMahon made her way down to the ring for the opening promo. There were ladders all around the arena to promote the two ladder matches at Money in the Bank on Sunday. Stephanie called out Vickie Guerrero because Vickie gave her coffee that made Stephanie sick, which we all saw last week.
It started with Vickie sucking up to Stephanie by saying it was Roman Reigns that spiked her coffee. We know. We saw it. At least they didn’t show a replay. Stephanie complained that Vickie let Roman Reigns enter the battle royal last week and Roman went on to it.
Stephanie said for 9 years Vickie has been riding the coattails of Eddie Guerrero. That’s insulting, but Steph’s a heartless heel. They allowed her to be a GM, but quite frankly she couldn’t do that right. There’s a chant for “Eddie” from the fans. Stephanie said Eddie deserved the respect, but Vickie didn’t. She was about to fire her, but Vickie said she’ll do anything, even beg. Stephanie asked her to beg for it. Vickie begged her. Stephanie told her she was pathetic. Stephanie said she’d let Vickie stay as GM of Smackdown if she can win her match tonight. Vickie said she’s not a competitor. Stephanie said that Vickie’s opponent is…Stephanie. The crowd cheered and started a “yes” chant for that. Vickie said that there is one name in the industry that is more respected than McMahon and that’s Guerrero. She said the one thing Eddie taught her was to lie, cheat and steal. Vickie ended the promo by yelling “excuse me” in Stephanie’s face. She left. The crowd cheered her.
Analysis: It was different to hear Vickie get cheered for a change, but I liked that added twist at the end of her promo. Both of them were very good on the microphone. The “Eddie” chant was great to hear.
The announcers for the show are Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield and Jerry Lawler. Later in the show we find out the other guys in the contract ladder match at Money in the Bank, we’ll see Barrett vs. Ziggler for the IC Title because Ziggler beat him non-title on Smackdown and a 4 on 3 Handicap Match main event that we saw on Smackdown: Orton, Del Rio, Cesaro & Wyatt vs. Cena, Sheamus & Reigns.
Analysis: This company loves rematches.
(Commercial)
Retro Raw Deal from five years ago: I’m re-posting my Raw Deal review columns from five years ago every Sunday, so be sure to check out the June 22, 2009 edition. I post the original version and I also add in comments. What a terrible show with Vince McMahon buying back Raw from Donald Trump, a Big Show vs. John Cena main event (ugh), yet another Randy Orton vs. Triple H match (at least it was pretty good) and then a whole bunch of other things that weren’t that exciting. I use a lot of sarcasm, so make sure you check it out.
This Sunday at Money in the Bank it’s The Usos vs. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan for the tag titles. That should be good. Here’s a singles match to set it up. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan entered to a new song that was and instrumental version of the “he’s got the whole world in his hands” song.
Luke Harper (w/Erick Rowan) vs. Jimmy Uso (w/Jey Uso)
Harper nailed an impressive dropkick early on, but Jimmy came back with a side kick. Jey took out Rowan outside the ring. Jimmy was distracted by that, which led to Harper hitting a spinning clothesline for the win after two minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Luke Harper
Analysis: * Just a short match. The distraction was a pretty basic way to set up the finish. We’ve seen matches end like that hundreds of times over the years. Nothing wrong with it once in a while.
Post match, Jey Uso grabbed a microphone and called Rowan to come back into the ring so he can kick his ass all over the ring. Jey hit a dive onto Rowan & Harper as the show went to break.
Analysis: That’s a great way to lead into a commercial.
(Commercial)
Erick Rowan w/Luke Harper vs. Jey Uso w/Jimmy Uso
Rowan hit a fallaway slam on Jey as we returned from the break. Rowan overpowered Jey in the corner of the ring. He missed a shoulderblock, so Jey hit a superkick to knock him down. Jimmy took out Harper outside the ring. Jey hit a top rope splash for the win after two minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Jey Uso
Analysis: * Just a quick match to get Jey a win over Rowan after Harper beat Jimmy. Good action and a hot finish.
Post match, Rowan and Harper overpowered them in the ring. Harper slapped Rowan in the face, then Rowan hit a splash and Harper nailed a big boot to the face on Jimmy. Huge clothesline by Harper on Jey outside the ring. Harper and Rowan posed with the tag titles.
Analysis: I don’t think The Usos are going to lose the tag titles on Sunday. It’s certainly possible, but I think they’re going to have a longer run with the gold.
Bray Wyatt appeared on the screen to say he was proud of Harper and Rowan. He did a promo about his victory at Money in the Bank to become the WWE Champion. He’s going to be the champion of all the needy souls he had to trample along the way. He spoke about his disciples as the tag champs and him as the WWE Champ as a way to continue to send their message. Follow the buzzards.
Analysis: That was solid. It was less than two minutes, so he didn’t say whole lot that we haven’t heard many times already.
(Commercial)
The Money in the Bank Kickoff Show is advertising Daniel Bryan. That’s all it says. I miss him.
There was a video of Lana and Rusev standing in front of the Capitol in Washington. She said they make law after law that makes America the laughingstock of the world. At the White House the President makes decisions that make America look inferior. She said the treasured landmarks are pathetic, the government is pathetic and just face it, America is pathetic. She told us to bow down and embrace Vladimir Putin. Rusev said at the end of it: “America: Rusev crush.”
Analysis: It’s the same thing they always say except it was done on location.
Paige joined the commentary team for this next match. Cameron joined them too.
Alicia Fox vs. Naomi
If you’re wondering, they are still introducing Naomi as from “Planet Funk” as her home. Maybe Brodus Clay went back there after getting fired. Naomi was aggressive early on. Cameron said Paige was lucky when she beat her. Why is Cameron so confident when she barely wrestles? Naomi gave Fox a headscissors that sent her outside the ring. Fox hit a backbreaker and then a nice Northern Lights Suplex for a two count. Stop talking, Cameron. Really annoying. It’s not a good heel. She’s a bad actor. Cameron just called Paige a rookie, which hurts my head. Fox dumped Naomi outside the ring as Cameron just kept on talking. Back to the match, Naomi hit a reverse DDT for the win after four minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Naomi
Analysis: *1/2 They worked hard, but it seemed like the cameras were on the girls at the commentary table more than the match. Cameron was very annoying on commentary. It was bad.
There was a staredown between Naomi and Paige, which led to Paige holding up the Divas Title in Naomi’s face. Paige extended her hand, which Naomi shook. Apparently the Alicia Fox freakout gimmick is over when she’s not featured in a feud.
Analysis: I was expecting Cameron to attack Paige. It seemed like that’s what they were going for, but it just ended like that.
Backstage in the locker room, Sheamus asked Roman Reigns if he was ready. Reigns said 4 on 3, sounds like they need more people. Sheamus reminded him that Money in the Bank is every man for himself. Reigns said he wanted to knock him out then he would be ready. Sheamus said he’d be WWE Champion. Reigns said he believes in himself and so should Sheamus.
Analysis: That was fine. I don’t mind promos like that. Reigns shouldn’t do long promos. Short ones like that are better.
(Commercial)
Prior to their match, Bo Dallas told Titus O’Neil to Bolieve.
Bo Dallas vs. Titus O’Neil
Fans were chanting for Dallas. Why are they booking him against a heel? Titus hit two backbreakers. Dallas avoided a corner charge and hit the Running Bodog for the win after less than two minutes. JBL said Dallas was 9-0.
Winner by pinfall: Bo Dallas
Post match, Dallas said “hey buddy I’m 9 and Bo.” O’Neil slapped the microphone out of his hand. Dallas called himself a butterfinger for dropping it. He told O’Neil: “Don’t stop bo-lieving.” JBL started clapping.
Analysis: Very short match again on a Raw filled with them so far. I like Bo’s gimmick. It’s inspirational and funny too.
Triple H promo to announce the competitors in the contract ladder match is up next.
(Commercial)
Triple H entered the ring for a promo at the start of hour two. He said he’s there to do what’s best for business. It’s not some catchphrase; it’s the truth. It is why this Sunday there will not only be a championship ladder match, but there will be a contract ladder match. There was a gold briefcase hanging above the ring. He said that briefcase allows somebody to write their own future. The first entrant in that ladder match is Seth Rollins. He’s there to announce the rest of the talent in that match.
Joining Seth Rollins in the Money in the Bank contract ladder match are Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, Rob Van Dam, Bad News Barrett (Triple H did a bad British accent) and that’s it even though there were seven images in the graphic they showed before. No Ambrose although that’s probably coming.
Analysis: Not too many of those guys have won matches of late, but they are there to fill out the field. Only Barrett and Rollins are winning matches regularly out of that group.
Seth Rollins entered the ring to shake Triple H’s hand. They showed the video of his heel turn again. Rollins said he took The Shield as far as they could go, but then he dropped the dead weight. He said he created The Shield and had every right to destroy them. It’s no secret that The Shield got him this far, but this Sunday he will climb the ladder to grab the contract. After this Sunday we’ll be calling him Mr. Money in the Bank.
Rob Van Dam showed up for a promo at the top of the ramp. He thinks they don’t take Rob seriously. Rollins made a joke saying he would take him seriously if it was 2005. Oh. That’s funny. Rob said yeah that was back when you were asking your mom and dad to stay up late to watch Raw. RVD mentioned he won MITB, he won WWE Title and that Triple H remembers that RVD crushed his trachea at the first Elimination Chamber (true story – it was in 2002). RVD challenged Rollins to a match right now. Hunter said that’s fine, so we have a match.
Analysis: That was actually a solid promo by RVD. They barely let him talk.
Rob Van Dam vs. Seth Rollins
RVD was really aggressive early on as he sent Rollins to the floor after a series of kicks and then hit a cross body block outside the ring. Moonsault off the apron knocked down Rollins, which led to the vintage floor to commercial break.
(Commercial)
Back from break, Rollins was in control in the ring as he hit three rolling vertical suplex in a row, which is a nice tribute to Eddie Guerrero. Really good neckbreaker into a slam by Rollins and then a clothesline. RVD tripped up Rollins using his legs for a nearfall. Standing side kick by RVD, then a spin kick and Rolling Thunder. RVD hit a really nice leaping DDT after leaving over the top rope. That was awesome. RVD went for a Frog Splash, but Rollins moved. Rollins hit the Powerbomb into the turnbuckle and then the Curb Stomp. He went for the cover, but Dean Ambrose showed up to attack him. The match went 9 minutes.
Winner by DQ: Seth Rollins
Post match, Ambrose continued the assault around ringside. Referees pulled him off. Ambrose looked like he was leaving, but he came back and nailed Rollins with a clothesline. The refs had to break it up again. Rollins ran up the ramp to get away.
Analysis: **1/2 The match was okay. It looked like Rollins was going to win when the interference happened, so it didn’t hurt him at all. Rob Van Dam hit his usual offense although I was impressed by the Tornado DDT. That was really well done. This show could really use a great match, but there are two of them later that could be good and I don’t mean Guerrero/McMahon either.
Ambrose had the microphone in the ring. He said they should put him in the Money in the Bank contract ladder match. Whether they put him in the match or not, he’s coming to Boston for MITB and he’s not there to play nice.
Analysis: They might as well add him to the match. He got his point across well.
Vickie Guerrero was shown stretching for her match later. Also later is Barrett vs. Ziggler and the 4 on 3 main event.
(Commercial)
Triple H and Seth Rollins were talking in the office. Rollins said he wanted Ambrose in the contract ladder match so that he can control him. Hunter asked him if he was sure. Rollins said yes, which led to Triple H adding Rollins to the match.
Analysis: That logic works well enough for me and the hot Rollins/Ambrose story gets added to the match. Good. The three favorites in the match are Rollins, Ambrose and Barrett. Maybe Ziggler. The other three have no chance.
Bad News Barrett talked about Dolph Ziggler’s fluke win over him in a non-title match last week. He said after he beats Ziggler tonight and then on Sunday he’ll be forced to change his name just like Washington’s racist, constantly losing NFL team. That’s a reference to the Washington Redskins and their Redskins name getting a lot of attention of late for being racist even though it’s been around for over 50 years. The IC Title match is after the break.
Analysis: Really good promo by Barrett. One of the better “bad news” promos he’s done. Pissed off the fans too. That’s a good heel.
(Commercial)
Dolph Ziggler entered for his match. As mentioned earlier, he beat Barrett on Smackdown non-title, so this is his title match. They get the in-ring intros treatment too.
Intercontinental Title: Bad News Barrett vs. Dolph Ziggler
Ziggler hit a nice dropkick early on, but Barrett sent him out of the ring. Ziggler came back with a leaping cross body block, then punches in the corner and a neckbreaker. Barrett avoided the Fameasser and hit the Winds of Change (Bossman Slam) for two. Ziggler hit the Zig Zag out of nowhere, but he wasn’t able to cover right away. He was selling as if he was hurt in a 20 minute match when it was only about four minutes old at that point. Barrett rolled to the floor for the vintage floor to commercial break.
(Commercial)
Ziggler hit his series of elbow drops for a two count. Barrett gave him a back body drop over the top to the floor. Barrett hit the Mick Foley-like elbow off the apron onto Ziggler on the floor. Back in the ring, Barrett nailed Ziggler with a stiff kick to the face for two. Ziggler hit the X-Factor off the top rope for two. Barrett slammed Ziggler down and he wanted a Powerbomb, but Ziggler fought out of it and Barrett hit Wasteland for two. That was an excellent sequence leading to another great nearfall. Barrett wanted the Bull Hammer, Ziggler moved and hit the Fameasser for two. The crowd bought that one too. Ziggler went for a splash in the corner, but when he leaped up in the air he was met with a Bull Hammer elbow shot by Barrett. He covered for the win after 12 minutes.
Winner by pinfall: Bad News Barrett
Analysis: ***1/2 That was a tremendous match. They really did an awesome job of having incredible nearfalls all match long. Both guys have a bunch of moves that are credible as signature moves that could be used as pinning sequences. It’s nice to see a title match on Raw too. That needs to happen more often. Listen to how the crowd reacted to it. Maybe in a week or two we’ll forget about it, but at this point it was clearly the match of the night. Kudos to both guys for doing a great job.
Backstage, Vickie Guerrero was interviewed by the lovely Renee Young. Vickie said she had no regrets for anything she has done. Randy Orton showed up. He said Vickie will regret the decision she made on Raw last week by helping Reigns get in the ladder match. Orton would say it was nice knowing her, but they would both know that would be a lie. It’s Vickie vs. Stephanie up next.
Analysis: It was a good way to show how nervous Vickie was, but she also showed confidence that made her likable too. Orton came off like a jerk, just like his character is.
Top of hour one: Stephanie promo. Top of hour two: Triple H promo. Top of hour three: Stephanie match. I guess you could say they have a lot of power huh?
(Commercial)
This week on Main Event: Ziggler, Kingston & RVD vs. Rollins, Swagger & Barrett. I guess Ambrose is too busy being crazy to be in a match.
Vickie Guerrero entered the ring to the music of her late husband Eddie Guerrero. It’s great to hear “I lie, I cheat, I steal” again. I miss Eddie a lot. He was a tremendous performer. One of my favorites.
Stephanie McMahon entered the arena to cut a promo on the stage to say that they are not having a regular match. She showed us a pool of mud or some substance that was by the stage. Steph said to lose the match you had to be pushed into the pool of mud.
Stephanie McMahon vs. Vickie Guerrero
Stephanie brought out some help, which led to Layla, Alicia Fox and Rosa Mendes entering the arena. Vickie ended up fighting them off as they got by the mud pool. The girls attacked her one by one like some ninja movie, so Vickie was able to avoid them and she shoved them one by one into the pool of mud. That led to Stephanie kicking Vickie into the pool.
Winner by pushing into pool: Stephanie McMahon
Stephanie: “Vickie: You’re fired!”
After it was over, Stephanie led everybody in singing “na na na nah hey hey goodbye” although most of the fans didn’t sing along with her. Vickie faced Stephanie as Stephanie realized she was standing in front of the pool. Vickie tossed Stephanie into the pool of mood and there she went crashing in her lovely pink and black dress.
Vickie did the Eddie Guerrero dance on the stage to end it as the Guerrero song started to play again. The crowd cheered.
Analysis: That’s the legitimate end of Vickie in WWE. It was going to happen around WrestleMania 30, but she stuck around so they could write a story for it and that was it. Give her a lot of credit for being a good performer for the last eight years or so. She was tremendous at drawing heat and pissing off the fans. Most people didn’t think she could do it when she started, but she really grew as a performer over the years.
Replays aired of Stephanie getting tossed into the pool of mud. Ref Chad Patton was trying to help Stephanie out of the pool, but she dragged him into it. She kept on comically falling back into the pool.
Analysis: Give Stephanie credit for showing she is willing to do some ridiculous things to help a story. Last week she was puked on. This week she rolled around in mud. It’s important that heels get humiliated once in a while to make the fans happy.
The announcers plugged the main event 4 on 3 match.
(Commercial)
There was a replay of Stardust last week.
Goldust was interviewed by Byron Saxton in the locker room. When he said Cody’s name, Goldust corrected him saying it was Stardust and that led to Stardust showing up to sing “when you wish upon a star” while putting his hands together to form a star. Goldust did his chomp at Saxton to end it.
Zeb Colter was in the ring with Jack Swagger to tell the fans to say “We The People” although there wasn’t anything else to the promo.
Kofi Kingston vs. Jack Swagger w/Zeb Colter
From a logic standpoint, neither guy should be one match away from a WWE Title match because they lose so much. However, they’re both in the contract ladder match. Swagger controlled the action early on with a hard clothesline. Swagger Bomb out of the corner for two. They fought over some spot after a cross body by Kingston, but looked like it messed up a bit. Kingston hit a dropkick that sent Swagger outside the ring. Kingston with an impressive somersault dive over the top to the floor. Back in the ring, Swagger was able to overpower him and applied the Ankle Lock. Kingston tried to fight it off, but he couldn’t and he tapped out. It went about five minutes.
Winner by submission: Jack Swagger
Swagger got a cut on his nose that looked like it happened after Kingston hit his somersault dive over the top.
Analysis: *1/2 Just a short match to try to tell people that these two guys are contenders in the contract ladder match. They have lost so much in the last couple of years that most fans don’t believe in them at all. The work in the match was fine as Kingston showed his athleticism in the match.
It was announced that at Money in the Bank it would be Paige vs. Naomi for the Divas Title. It’s probably going to end with Paige retaining after Cameron costs Naomi or maybe Cameron turns heel after the match for the Funkadactyl feud that nobody really cares about.
Backstage, the lovely Renee Young interviewed Alberto Del Rio. She said she wasn’t expecting him. He said he’s one of only two men in the match to cash in Money in the Bank successfully (just him and Orton because Cena was unsuccessful). Paul Heyman showed up with Cesaro as Heyman mentioned that Brock Lesnar beat Undertaker at WrestleMania. He’s also “the one” behind Cesaro who will be the new WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Del Rio wondered if Cesaro talked or if he was just a puppet. Cesaro: “I only speak five languages and none of them are loser.” He walked away.
Analysis: Good promo exchange. Cesaro’s line at the end was mildly funny. Not that great, but not too bad either. It felt like it was from the George Costanza “jerkstore” trash talking handbook. Costanza’s the greatest.
(Commercial)
This week on Smackdown it’s Sheamus vs. Bray Wyatt.
Damien Sandow was in the ring doing a promo dressed as Abraham Lincoln. A year ago he won the Money in the Bank briefcase. Now he’s a comedy figure that dresses up in different outfits every week.
Big E vs. Damien Sandow
It was a short match that was done in about one minute after the Big Ending by Big E.
Winner by pinfall: Big E
Analysis: The poor booking of Sandow continues. I’m not really sure why he’s being punished.
Post match, Todd Phillips tried to interview Big E. Big E complained about Lana and Rusev mocking America earlier. He tried to fire up the crowd by talking about how great America was. There was a lot of pausing and heavy breathing in the promo. It was weird.
He was cut off by Lana, who appeared on the stage. She spoke momentarily and then Rusev attacked Big E from behind. He gave him a powerslam followed by a leaping kick to the face. Rusev applied the Accolade submission hold. Lana didn’t go to the ring to stop him, but he stopped anyway.
Analysis: This is probably leading to another match between Rusev and Big E even though we’ve seen it before with Rusev winning every time.
The 4 on 3 match is up next in the main event.
(Commercial)
The Money in the Bank kickoff show features Daniel Bryan in his first interview since being stripped of the WWE Title.
John Cena was interviewed by Renee Young. Cena said that at Money in the Bank we will see a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He did a fired up promo wondering what one of the magnificent seven will win on Sunday. He mentioned the show taking place in Boston on Sunday (his hometown). He ended it this way: “The champ is here. Bank on that.”
Analysis: He’s my pick to win. At least right now. The preview this weekend could have a different choice. I have plenty of time to change my mind.
Cena was the first one to enter the arena followed by Sheamus and Roman Reigns on the babyface side. The heel team started with Bray Wyatt, Cesaro with Heyman, Alberto Del Rio and Randy Orton. The match begins after the break.
(Commercial)
Randy Orton, Cesaro (w/Paul Heyman), Bray Wyatt & Alberto Del Rio vs. John Cena, Sheamus & Roman Reigns
It started with Orton vs. Cena, which made people at home groan most likely. All the heels tagged in to go after Cena. Cesaro hit a backbreaker on Cena and then he tagged in Wyatt, who nailed Cena with a suplex into a slam for two. Wyatt with a one armed slam for two. Wyatt hit a running back splash on Cena as the show went to break. A commercial without somebody on the floor? That’s just crazy.
(Commercial)
Back from break, it looked like Cesaro was going for the Cesaro Swing, but instead it led to a Boston Crab, which Cena fought out of. Cena hit a back body drop to fight out of the Neutralizer. Cena made the hot tag to Roman Reigns.
Reigns nailed Del Rio with a leaping clothesline since Del Rio was legal. He slammed Orton’s head into the announce table and hit the running dropkick on Del Rio by the apron. Superman Punch by Reigns on Cesaro and then Orton, but Del Rio came back with a Backstabber for two. Wyatt tagged himself in and hit a running body attack to knock down Reigns. Cesaro delivered a gutwrench suplex on Reigns as the heels isolated him in their corner. The heels kept tagging each other in the match. Wyatt went running at Reigns, but he was met by a Superman Punch by Reigns.
Sheamus received the hot tag and Cesaro was also legal for his team. Sheamus was cleaning house as he threw Cesaro into Del Rio and then hit the ten forearm shots to the chest. Powerslam by Sheamus. Orton hit a backbreaker on him. Cena hit Attitude Adjustment on Orton and then he hit AA to Del Rio. Cesaro tossed Cena into the air and hit him with a forearm shot. Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick on Cesaro. He pinned him for the win after 15 minutes.
Winners by pinfall: Sheamus, John Cena & Roman Reigns
Analysis: *** It was a typical multi-man tag match. I thought they did a better job on Smackdown although this was still pretty good too. There were two babyfaces in peril for it, then Sheamus got the hot tag and win. I was actually surprised because I thought it would be one of the other two although it doesn’t really matter in the end.
Post match, Kane’s music hit and he walked to the ring. He sent Reigns into the barrier at ringside. He nailed Sheamus, then hit a Chokeslam on Del Rio and Cena.
Triple H appeared on the stage to announce that Kane was the 8th man in the Money in the Bank championship ladder match.
Reigns nailed Kane with a Spear. The music of Reigns played to end the show as he stared at Triple H and Orton, who were standing at the top of the ramp.
Analysis: They’re trying to portray Reigns as the favorite to win the match since he’s been on such a role. I think Triple H is going to personally cost him by interfering, which would set up Reigns vs. Orton at Battleground in July and then Triple H vs. Reigns at SummerSlam. My pick for right now is Cena, but like I said earlier that could change before I write the preview on Friday.
Three Stars of the Show
1. Bad News Barrett
2. Dolph Ziggler
3. Vickie Guerrero – A tribute to her. Did a lot of good work in her career.
The Scoreboard
7 out of 10
Last week: 6.5
2014 Average: 6.14
2014 High: 9 (April 7)
2014 Low: 3.5 (June 2)
Last 5 Weeks: 6.5, 6, 3.5, 4.5, 6
Final Thoughts
It gets a 7 out of 10.
It was an above average episode of Raw. I haven’t given a score a high as a 7 since April 7 (night after WrestleMania 30), so it’s been a while.
The IC Title match was an excellent TV match. They stole the show. No doubt about it. The main event was pretty good too. Add in the fun segment with Vickie Guerrero getting fired without totally being humiliated because Stephanie was too and it was a feel good Raw moment.
There were things I didn’t like such a Cameron’s commentary, but that’s a minor thing. It would be nice if they announced more than four matches for Sunday’s PPV although it’s not like anything else is going to convince people to buy. It’s being built on the two ladder matches. We know that.
I’ll save the rest for the PPV preview on the weekend although I did mention a bunch of my predictions throughout this review column, so you should know what I’m thinking.
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That’s all for me. Go check out my archive at WhatCulture.com for daily posts including the best reactions to wrestlers making their returns, things to forget about Goldust and examples of poor long term planning too. I write there every day, so check it out now!
Thanks for reading.
John Canton – [email protected]
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