GIVING IT TO YOU RAW…What Happened Last Night (Nov. 17th, 2014)

So, for whatever reason, we’re upon what’s called the “Go Home” showing of RAW before Survivor Series.  Go Home seeing how it’s before a pay-per-view but, does the WWE roster ever have a “home field”?   I would think it’s case specific and only pertains to when talent are in their given hometown.  But that's beside the point.  I went into this week's RAW hopeful that the momentum created on SmackDown would seamlessly carry over and unfortunately I was grossly mistaken. I probably shouldn’t have gone in with such high hopes.   Though it wasn’t a complete disaster, in comparison to SmackDown it read as mere child’s play.  Rumors are circulating the WWE Universe cyberspace that cuts are going to be made in the new year and though the speculation primarily surrounds talent, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a cleaning of house on RAW’s Creative Team, if they are in fact split into separate factions.  What’s becoming painfully clear is that they don’t know what they’re doing and either feel they don’t have to, given the genre of entertainment, or simply don’t know how due to unfamiliarity with the product.  Whatever the situation, if there’s an overhaul coming…it’s necessary and long overdue.

In any case, we begin the evening with Triple H leading The Authority charge with plenty to say about the circumstances that have brought us to now.  He challenges the audience to function in this WWE Universe without The Authority to guide them.  Yeah, you hate us now but didn’t you hate Vince McMahon when he’d play the Big Mean Boss each week?  But we gave him praise when he made his recent appearance.  WCW once made a go of self-governance only to implode upon itself due to lack of discipline and direction.  That what we supposedly hate most is what keeps the WWE Universe going.  Embrace them and know that to think they’ll gain anything other than victory is futile.  And given the team they’ve amassed in Dad/Kane, Rusev, Seth Rollins, Mark Henry and Luke Harper among whatever other heel stragglers they got lying around, Team Cena is looking a little paltry to say the least. 

I had no problem with Triple H setting the scene but again, here’s an example where I think they’re missing the mark.  H, of all people, knows how to be a Heel.  I trust him with that and he didn’t disappoint in his delivery but at the same time, again, how the audience is treated is paramount.  Because we’re the ones who have to be convinced that the product being sold to us is worth buying, right?  To question our mentality proves his point but at the same time, I think he’d be more effective in making it if he tried to win us over as opposed to tell us we’re stupid or don’t know what’s good.  If he’s in the ring to battle, on his own, then he can flip off the crowd all he wants but, if he’s going to play “Vince McMahon” so to speak, he should be more cunning about it.   Of course I hated The Corporation back in the day.  “Damn the Man! “ is a war cry anyone can shout in a capitalist nation but that’s not what Triple H is doing. He’s not the oppressive Man trying to keep everyone down so he can sit atop his throne.  He’s an older wrestler who needs a career and it can easily be argued that he merely fucked his way to the top so he could take the easy way out.  That’s what we’re looking at and he’s calling us stupid? Well, maybe those who pay for it are but the majority of the fanbase probably gets this shit for free.  This is why I think RAW Creative doesn’t get it.   Though Triple H can talk shit, he shouldn’t do it to us or at least I think it’s bad for business for him to.  I feel the best way for H to continue being a heel is being slimy in how he tries to garner favor.  He can be a dick all he wants to the roster, I actually think it would be fun and he’s been doing that more or less on SmackDown and sometimes when he loosens up on RAW  but to validate his rule because we wouldn’t know what to do with freedom is condescending.  Most of us are trying to remember why we watch this crap.  If Creative and Triple H are smart, they’d try to be our friends in more of a bait and switch attempt.  We can’t trust him but he wants us to because that’s good for business.  Stephanie McMahon actually does a good job of that and that may be the role she plays to his “Bad Cop” but I think he should join in on the duplicitous charm.

Anyway, Team Authority eventually goes on to court the desirous Ryback by saying how Cena doesn’t even like him.  Remember that beef you had last year?  A clip runs of Cena making fun of Ryback, which I remembered actually, and I thought that was funny at the time.   Some good old-fashioned riffing never hurt anybody.  Nevertheless, Ryback holds firm and sticks to the only side he trusts, his own.  The Authority basically shrugs and says “Have it your way.”  But, in the meantime, Luke Harper, go fuck up Cena’s plans and battle Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Title.  And with little ceremony, they start the match for the Intercontinental Championship.

The match was well done.  I think both Luke Harper and Erick Rowan are strong technicians in the ring and I’m thankful for that.  I heard a rumor floating around that the WWE was thinking of cutting them but that seems stupid to me.  They know what they’re doing.  They could just be big brutes and throw their weight around but, they wrassle and wrassle well.  It was easy to see that this was a decimation match and that the dastardly Authority was out to burst each and every bubble John Cena was hoping to set afloat.  Though Ziggler fought valiantly, he fell to Luke Harper by a hard clothesline.  Luke Harper is now the Intercontinental Champion.  To be honest, I have no problem with this.  Put it on paper, it seems a likely outcome and seeing how Harper is no slouch in the ring, it’s at least still in the hands of a deserving fellow.  It also allows for future beef with Ziggler and maybe some jealousy/challenge from Rowan.  Here’s a place where the action is not a complete loss.

We then go into an up-and-comers match between Adam Rose and Tyson Kidd.  To be expected, The Bunny has our attention and Rose keeps him in his place for the bulk of the match which Kidd uses to his advantage in getting the win.  It’s hard to say where they’re going to go with this.  It’s fluff enough that it doesn’t really have to go anywhere so this is a place where just about anything goes.  There’s speculation that The Bunny is Darren Young but you can tell the skin tones don’t really match so The Bunny could potentially be anyone, like a Sin Cara I’d think.  I don’t think they should write off using The Bunny as a bit of jack-in-the-box from time to time but as for the Rose shtick, he either has to go solo or they have to box it out.  My vote is that they do both.

Moving right along, we come to Bray Wyatt as he continues his quest to “save” Dean Ambrose.  Well, Dean can implement some hocus-pocus of his own and uses the technology at his disposal to create a diversion on the “big screen” so that he can attack Wyatt from behind in the ring.  Well, the break in Bray’s rhythm is more than he can currently bear and he takes himself to the back to regroup and plan.  Here is where all my disappointment boiled over.  The sneak attack backstage last Friday was so much fun!  And then this is what I get, a lot of talking and some quick play-fighting?  I understand the lead in to Survivor Series but we don’t even have to pay for that unless we don’t have internet or streaming capabilities so, why not get down to it a little?  It can end in a bullshit kerfuffle of whatever sort, they don’t have to go full on but I was hoping that this battle wouldn’t be on the mic.  I’m glad they can get on there and talk all day but I don’t really need nor want them to.  I want them to lead me into an ass-kicking that’s adequately fueled and fun to watch.  Save the intricate "mindgames" for The Joker and Batman.  I’ll watch that sort of thing when I’m in the mood for it.  I don't doubt they can deliver, they just have to make sure they don't miss the point.

The match that followed was actually more entertaining.  Ryback and Cesaro throw down to see who’s the mightiest of them all.  Well, to look at it, you’d go with Ryback but Cesaro is pretty impressive with his lanky frame.   Cesaro was very believable with his tactic of using every power move he had to wear The Big Guy down and the fact that he was able to pull it off relatively smoothly was commendable. Yet, the bigger man won this one and once Ryback got Cesaro up for the Shell Shock, that was all she wrote.   I would like to see Cesaro get some wins since he has been doing the work and deserves something for all his efforts but I get putting Ryback over.  Both these guys kinda got a raw deal and it’s comforting to see that the WWE is trying to right this in some way.  I think the truth is just coming out when it comes to WWE as a brand and franchise.  They have to rethink their approach just in order to survive.  This happens, in entertainment especially.  Remaining current and relevant is something the Industry deals with in general on a daily basis.  I think the WWE is beginning to realize that they have to evolve just to remain in business.  And to do that, they have to get away from trying to create a superstar and try to develop one.  They have plenty of raw talent on the roster.  They have to quit thinking about what a wrestler should look like and represent and focus more on what they can do and then champion that in the most profitable way possible.  I understand that half of this is a popularity contest but at the same time, if a wrestler has something to offer that doesn’t have grand mass appeal, I’m sure a niche can be made or found for said person.  Cesaro is kinda bland as a personality, that I won’t disavow but, he’s an awesome wrestler.  He should challenge for the Intercontinental Championship again and get it.  Hold onto it for a bit.  Start some beef with whomever, he’s got a lot of mid-card company.  Let proving himself be his shtick.  Maybe in time he can be fully recruited by The Authority and become some secondary administer of pain as Dad/Kane is but all I’m saying is there’s plenty to work with.  Don’t limit yourselves by sticking to one path.

Next up we have Heath Slater serving himself up for the slaughter in the name of America against Rusev.  This match was about as quick as you’d think it’d be.  It’s like some little kid challenging his older cousin from abroad only this fight isn’t for play-play.  Well…yeah it is but, my point is what’s Heath Slater? Is he just a jobber?  Bring him in so someone else can win?  Not that I mind that but, what’s the point of a match like this given the Survivor Series backdrop?  Does it even need to happen?  It serves no purpose other than to give Rusev and Lana time to gloat which isn’t necessary to drive any story.  Word on the street is that the plan is to set Rusev and Roman Reigns up for feuding upon Reigns’ return.  The angle would be the US Championship but…is that really wise?

If you’ve read my blog at all, you’ll know that it all started because of how the WWE was so poorly executing Reigns’ push.  I say that because they knew, full well, he wasn’t ready but the feeling is that they need someone at the top other than Cena, a year ago.  With Daniel Bryan out ‘til whenever, the race is on to find the New Babyface.   Well, looking for the next big thing is fine but as I stated earlier in this post, the focus should be on development not just placing the crown atop whomever’s head and then saying, “You’re It!” Now, we who follow this stuff have an inclination that the WWE hasn’t really veered off course from whatever the plan is actually with the 2 of them but, if they’re gonna do this, it must be done right for it to take.  Rusev I don’t think has as much to lose if this angle falls flat but regardless, the rivalry could be interesting but I think the less it has to do with patriotism, the better.  I can’t be the only one who feels this angle is a little out of date.  Why don’t we rally the Allied Forces against the Krauts while we’re at it?  Neither one of these dudes are even 30 yet and you’re gonna bring up Cold War shit?  We are not at war with Russia.  You can get all Orwellian with it and say we’re always at war with East or Eur-Asia but, please.  Both of these guys were barely cognizant of the Cold War along with a good cross-section of the fanbase and those who are old enough to get the reference are probably feeling like I do and are going, “Still?” If you wanna go that route, Terrorism is your best bet but that’ll get more racist allegations than the “Big Bad Russian” will.   Rusev is a power-tripping Heel at the moment and Reigns would be the recovered warrior returning to battle.  Best thing to do is have a hankering to take the wind out of Rusev’s sails.  Their last match wasn’t bad but didn’t have anything fueling it other than let’s see what happens.   Drop the whole “this is for America” thing and just have it be about taking Rusev down a peg.  Even then, I’m not sure Reigns should win.  Unless he proves he can wear the proverbial “crown” it should not be bestowed and we’ll be the judge of that.

Yet, if they must make this mistake, easiest way is to have Jack Swagger win the title first and have Reigns win it off of him.  Rusev and Reigns can beef just not about ‘Merica. Doubt anyone will really buy that.

Any-way, next on the schedule is more promo time with the night’s host Grumpy Cat.  Here's another reason why I think RAW writers kinda phone it in at times.  I don’t expect them to have A-Listers.  I know what this isn’t but, at the same time, Grumpy Cat? Really? Even the cat seemed to have that sentiment.  I would say it probably would be more fun, effective and just make more sense to have WWE “used-to-was-es” come on and fill those spots than random passing fancies that don’t really have anything to do with anything in the WWE Universe.  What did I say about thinking too much?

Following that, we have the Big Show come out in hopes of a match and Mrs. Stephanie McMahon saunters out with a proposition instead.  Fortunately, it’s not as cringe-worthy as the last time she did this but it’s the same sort of thing.  Look, Big Show.  You know whose house this is.  You do me a solid and dump Cena, you get your Hall of Fame induction signed, sealed and delivered.  Again, kayfabery should be used a bit more shrewdly.  We all know that Big Show will probably end up there anyway and so, the threat of loss is minimal.  She’s better off threatening his job in this respect.  Yet, she’s done that already so, I would say the temptation of riches would be a better ploy.  In that instance, Big Show can look even more the hero in turning it down, especially with word of cuts going on.  Instead of some stagehand having to go look for work, he’ll remain happy with what he gets and maintain his integrity too.  Regardless, Big Show says no thank you and Sheamus comes out to say, he’s proud to fight beside Cena, in case everyone was wondering.  Stephanie, seeing how they’re like 2 peas in a pod, figures the 2 should fight.  Let’s see how friendly you are after that.  Well the 2 large gentlemen face their duty in sportsmanlike fashion and have themselves a well-executed match until Rusev and his new partner in crime, Mark Henry, make their way out to mess everything up.  Henry gets his hands on Sheamus and Strongest Slams him into the announce table and Rusev gets himself atop of Big Show to administer The Accolade.  As you’d think the match ends in no-contest due to this interference but I suppose we should be thinking about what’s gonna happen to Team Cena.

         

Next in line for action are the Bella Twins and AJ Lee joins in on commentary.  Yet, there’s something different this time around.  It looks like Brie Bella decided to become a part of AJ’s fan club for she is decked out in AJ garb and doing a pretty decent impression.  The Twins are gonna have themselves an “exhibition” match that I guess is supposed to be a preview of what’s to happen at Survivor Series in Nikki’s head but AJ in her mischief distracts Nikki and Brie gets the win for once.  Yet, their mild dig at AJ doesn’t go unnoticed and AJ decides to take them both out because she can. Them's the breaks.

We then have my buddies in my head, The Usos and Los Matadores take on Gold/StarDust and The Miz and Damien “Mizdow”.  As far as matches go, it was pretty much what you’d expect from them.  I hear there’s a Fatal-4-Way slated for Survivor Series for the lot of them but nothing really gets you jazzed about it.  If you like this sort of stuff, you’re not disappointed but if you’re pretty neutral you’d just as soon go to restroom or get something to eat.  Nothing of real note goes down so we’ll move along.

This brings us to the closing spectacle.  There wasn’t really a main event, per se.  It was more The Authority showing that they have a team and Cena, well, not so much.  Well, that’s all right!  Cena will take ‘em on himself if he has to because he does what he has to do.  He’s not gonna hide or make excuses.  Hell, he’ll pull some jokers out the crowd if he has to.  Have ourselves a PR nightmare of a match.  Well that prompts Stephanie to show what she thinks of him and his horrible idea and she slaps him across the face.  That’s the line.  Cena de-shirts and is ready to box.  Well, Team Authority is all about boxing and they get ready to roll when Dolph Ziggler makes his way out.  His beating wasn’t so bad.  Then Big Show and Sheamus appear, little smelling salts and they’re fine.  Even Erick Rowan decides to join Team Cena because everyone else is playing.  And Cesaro teases some camaraderie but then goes “psych!” and sides with Team Authority.  Well, we just about have a ballgame when Ryback decides, “You know, if I gotta be on a team, I choose Cena's ‘cause you guys are getting on my nerves." And there you have it.  The brawl ensues and the standard chaos erupts.  Who will be left standing?  Well, Triple H has had enough and enters the fray to issue out some real authority and finds himself in a staredown with Ryback who seems down to party but what’s this?!  Cena says it’s been a while since you’ve had a taste and in a blatant display of insubordination, dumps Triple H onto a table.  My goodness!  Guess we’ll have to see how they follow this up on SmackDown (^_~)

See You Friday,

-Nicole Alexis.