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TV Reports
WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 1/12: Caldwell, Mitchell, Parks rate and review Jan 13, 2009 - 5:33:05 PM
This was an excellent edition of Raw TV in my estimation. The John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels match certainly stands out as the reason for my high score on this show, as I felt it outweighed the poor moments on the show. Cena and Michaels have this incredible chemistry in the ring that's either there or it's not. Throw JBL's great non-reactions into the mix and WWE delivered another classic in this series of matches between two of WWE's top stars.
The Chris Jericho firing was a surprise way to start the show. Barring this being one of the "write 'em off TV for a while" storylines for Jericho, it should be very interesting to see how he's brought back on TV next week when Vince McMahon returns. Jericho's promo on Stephanie was great, tense, and really set the tone for a hard-hitting rest of the show.
Ted DiBiase's return was inevitable and it was obvious once he walked out on stage that a heel re-turn was coming. Unless this is another complete write-off for Sim and Manu, they really need someone to help boost their credibility in a Legacy vs. SiManu program because no one cares about that team right now. Meanwhile, Orton's victory over Kane that preceded the DiBiase return looked very questionable. Props to Torch reader Art Blarr for pointing out that ref Scott Armstrong is a second-generation himself. Perhaps a heel ref angle in the works, or just complete WWE ref incompetence?
I despised the IC Title finish for the second week in a row, but I enjoyed the follow-up for Punk vs. Regal next week with one of those old-school storylines where you add another layer to the gimmickry/stipulations in smart fashion. DQ to save the belt? React with lose the belt on a DQ. Ref blows the DQ on the babyface? Make it no DQ next week. Good set-up for next week.
Bruce Mitchell, Torch Columnist (7.0)
The Legacy and Shawn Michaels/JBL intrigue carried the show. The Michaels/JBL stuff, with its subtleties between boss and employee were particularly well done. Chris Jericho, more than anyone else, knows how to play off Stephanie McMahon. The C.M. Punk-William Regal program over the IC belt has the right idea, but the wrong execution.
Greg Parks, PWTorch.com Contributor (5.5)
I could go as high as 6.0 for this show, especially with the main event getting four stars. The bookends of Raw (the Jericho segment and the main event) were awesome, but the rest was just there and didn't really work for me.
It's rare these days in wrestling when something really surprises you, but Jericho's firing did. I can't wait to see where it goes next week. Miz vs. Mysterio was fine, but too short, and Miz's second loss in a row. Morrison & Miz have fallen off the map in the last week or so. The Mike Knox attack was predictable (and made Rey look stupid for not knowing it was coming), but hopefully the end is in sight with next week's match. Punk vs. Regal was a disappointment again, but if it leads to a hot no-DQ match next week, I'll be fine with it.
Kane vs. Orton was really sub-par, not to mention the storyline that brought them to the match (Kelly Kelly) wasn't mentioned; instead, the focus was on The Legacy. And I was really digging the Kelly storyline too. I expected Dibiase to re-join Orton's stable, but they didn't have to make Manu and Snuka look even more like chumps while doing it. They're going to need to be majorly re-built if the plan is to feud them with The Legacy. The Women's thing was just kind of there. The main event though was great, and I liked the subtlety JBL displayed at ringside. Well done.
Not only did i think this was a great show,but i was impressed with the
brutality in the diva beatdown.I thought it stood out more than the legacy
beatdown of man-ure sim-ple snuka.I did notice that the crowd responded to
it kinda like they knew what legacy did was their first defining moment.If
you watch back youll see legacy soak it in.I would love for these guys to
do vignettes at their estates so we see what their family had already
provided them.Im hoping for a hollywood horsemen type group.A group they
could build on smackdown after mania and after orton wins the belt.Younger
demo on my network.
ralph furley
13 Jan 2009, 14:01
Here's an idea for you to think about for next week. McMahon will deal
with Jericho situation and I have a feeling that something big is on the
horizon. We can hope. Right?
Have Vince McMahon come out and offer Michaels a BIG contract to get him
away from JBL? Michaels vs JBL seems destined for Wrestlemania so let's
make it really juicy in the process.
Things have really changed since Austin was fired. Competent looking
security guards escorting Jericho out. Too subdued. More emotion from
Jericho after getting fired would have made this segment so much better
Craig
13 Jan 2009, 15:18
Here's a prediction. Kane will take Manu and Snuka under his wing and wage
war on Legacy. How Orton will find time to take part in this if he wins the
Rumble I don't know. Maybe KMS will deny him the Rumble win and on we go.
Dan
14 Jan 2009, 08:22
Can't see Vince buying Micheals out now when that angle is just getting
going. Plus that's totally out of character. And Kane leading a faction?
Uh, no thanks. Umanga is a better choice - maybe he took English lessons
while he was away. Or maybe a manager gets into the mix and recruits
Umanga, Sim and Manu. They would need a mouthpiece for sure. LOVE the
heel ref angle if that's what they're doing. Get DH Smith to Raw soon
though - any decent faction needs at least 4 active, male wrestlers.
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James Caldwell, Torch Assistant Editor (8.0)
