GIVING IT TO YOU RAW…What Happened Last Night (June 8th, 2015)

Greetings Enthusiasts!  By the looks of things, it would appear that the WWE is trying to embrace some semblance of change. We saw plenty of the same but perhaps in a different order or with less emphasis to sticking to the script.  Whatever the case, I found the push for invigoration encouraging. We the Audience have voiced over recent years our collective displeasure but have somewhat resigned ourselves to never being heard. Perhaps someone, somewhere is in fact listening.

We open in New Orleans, Louisiana with John Cena to greet us.  His purpose?  To talk about his match with Kevin Owens scheduled for Money in the Bank this Sunday.  It’s simple to Cena. Yeah, Owens and NXT are the hot-shit right now and so, naturally Owens has earned some respect. Yet, what Owens has to understand is that there’s a difference between NXT and the WWE.  Yes, Owens got Cena at Payback and Cena has much respect but, Owens has to recognize that the game is played differently in the “big leagues”.  The only thing that counts is if you deliver or not.  Owens is unfazed.  He’s quite sure that most of the current audience is bored with Cena.  He’s been “The Champ” for over a decade. He feels that it’s time for us to all move on.  And at Money in the Bank, it’ll certainly be out with the old and in with the new.  Well, as promos go it wasn’t a bad one but I’m personally a bit lukewarm about this feud.  Perhaps Owens’ words are true (^_~) yet, I do like the NXT infusion.  It certainly makes it interesting, this new generation of wrestlers.

For the first match of the evening, we have the now, “NXT Open Challenge” as Neville shows some defiance and decides he’ll choose to battle Owens.  Cena had made a challenge of his own to get the US Title back but Neville says he wants a shot at victory and glory and Owens says, let’s have at.  This is a fast paced match.  Owens continues to be ugly in the ring but I kinda like his “his back alley bar fight” style. It’s not pretty but it’s effective.  Neville is his acrobatic self as well yet, they being familiar with each other from NXT, they show that regardless of their varied styles, they work well together. Neville pulls out all sorts of tricks but Owens just brutes himself through it and using Neville’s momentum as he comes off the ropes, ends him with his Pop-up Powerbomb.

After that, we have some token Diva’s action with Nikki Bella going against SummerRae for whatever reason.  Since SummerRae hasn’t been in TV action for a while, it’s safe to assume that’s she’s in just to job and when Nikki hits the Rack Attack, that’s pretty much verified.

We then have some promo action to drum up more interest in the Ladder Match set for Money in the Bank.  This episode was promo heavy and I’m not sure if it was a good thing.  I can’t really remember anything of note and I definitely wasn’t sold on Money in the Bank yet, when has that stopped the WWE?  In any case, the next actual match is a contest between Randy Orton and Sheamus.  There isn’t anything too exciting about this match but they definitely go for it.  Have to give ‘em that. Sheamus sent Orton flying over the announce table at one point and it comes off legit.  What lacked in drama was made up for in intensity.  Sheamus sends Orton into a barricade after that but Orton takes that as meaning Sheamus really wants to fight and he gets himself a “steel” chair.  The bell rings to signal the disqualification, which allows Orton to go completely downtown on Sheamus. Orton’s back, baby!  And he’s taking names!

We then have a lead in match with Dolph Ziggler facing off against Dad (Kane).  Well, it’s what you’d expect but what we’re supposed to notice is Lana on the ramp watching supportively for Ziggler.  A few minutes in, a hobbled Rusev makes his way down the ramp and starts an argument with Lana. It’s all in Russian but we can imagine.  What really gets us looking is that Lana takes a tumble off the ramp and it looks like she twisted her ankle.  Of course, this distracts a chivalrous Ziggler and Dad takes the opening and Chokeslams the would be hero to take the win for once.

To follow, we have some MizTV with Ryback.  It’s nice to see that Ryback is starting to ease into his persona.  He’s cut some decent promos with Renée Young of late and he definitely seems more comfortable on this night. They chat a bit about Ryback having the Intercontinental Championship and such until The Miz gets his typical pissy and basically calls Ryback an oafish hack that doesn’t have the clout to share the ring with him and this leads to the return of Big Show.  As we figured the last time we saw him, Big Show has his sights set on Intercontinental Title.  He talks some shit and Ryback says to come say it to his face.  Big Show obliges and Ryback shakes his hand into a ShellShock.  It’s so huge I thought Big Show might go through the mat.  The whole thing certainly shook when his big ass hit.  Ryback has made his statement.  Who else wants some?

Up next, we have Erick Rowan and Luke Harper reunited again to face Los Matadores.  These huge beasts keep these high-fliers grounded with their devastating power moves.  Yet, I am impressed by their team slam, The Way or 3D also works. It absolutely obliterates as it should.  They have some cryptic words for us.  They chide us for our evil ways. Get ready, for the reckoning is coming.

Next on the docket, Titus O’Neil of the Prime Time Players goes up against Big E. Langston of the New Day in singles action to give us a little nibble of their Tag Team Championship match scheduled for MITB. These 2 powerhouse take whatever chance they can to display their great strength.  I was impressed with how O’Neil hoisted Langston up like he weighs a 100lbs less. Yet, with the rest of the New Day in tow, some sort of distraction is sure to go into effect and when it does, Langston lands his Big Ending. The match was very okay.  It seemed to take a while to get going which isn’t good for a short match like that.  I attribute to these gentlemen’s size, not exactly built for speed.

The next match I found more entertaining than I thought I would, when we have Roman Reigns do a dance with Kofi Kingston.  There’s no real reason for it but, whatever. Seeing how there’s a size difference, we don’t really see Reigns going full out with Kingston yet what he does dish out does plenty anyway.  Naturally, the rest of the New Day in the shape of Xavier Woods and Big E. Langston do what they can to keep Kingston’s spirits up.  Kingston’s no chump.  He knows he’ll have to be crafty to get a win and sticks to what Reigns doesn’t and jumps off the top rope any time he can.  I would try not to get touched too if I was in Kingston’s position. Every time Reigns gets his hands on him, something bad happens like a clothesline or modified powerbomb.  It all sucks for Kingston.  It’s a Superman Punch that gets him in the end. And with the win in hand, Reigns takes himself to the barricade with a chair.  He must have gotten a text from someone.  Wonder who it could be. Oh! Look, it’s Dean Ambrose.  He’s been taunting Seth Rollins all day long with photos all over town with the belt.  He’s tired now.  Figured he’d come back, see what’s going on.  He has popcorn too and wouldn’t you know it.  It’s just in time for the next match, Seth Rollins vs. J&J Security.

Apparently, J&J grew some balls and decided to stand up to Rollins.  He is a punk after all.  Well, there’s a clause in effect that allows Rollins to choose his next opponent and he suddenly feels that J&J would prove sufficient.  They’re up for it and to be honest, they put on a clinic.  Their transitions and connections were textbook.  It was some of the cleanest wrestling I’ve ever seen.  I know these guys have put in the work over the years and mark out a lot of the matches and now, we know why.  They get quite a bit of momentum going for themselves and it’s clear they’re actually solid wrestlers it’s just they didn’t quite hit the genetic lottery. They definitely make the most of what they got.  Yet, with Ambrose on the sidelines, he can’t help but distract Rollins and J&J all too familiar with this game, have Joey Mercury roll Rollins up for the win. Ambrose then climbs into the ring.  What’s this? Rollins is ass up on the mat. Well, let me just put him back down there.  Ambrose sets down his popcorn and lifts up Rollins just to hit him with Dirty Deeds.  Yup, this was a productive day for him.  So, not the bestest Go-Home RAW but a standard issue one.  Can’t say I’m interested in the slightest for Money in the Bank though…They may wanna you know…work on that.  Smackdown?

See You Thursday,

-Nicole Alexis (^.~)