RAW Review: July 14, 2008
Opening as usual, recap of last week. And pumping the PPV. Still some nice footage of some of the old timers. That's what happens when you sign off and they own the footage. Some of these guys are probably turning in their graves. But I still like it.
Shane and Stephanie doing their spiel. Only thing I can say is Grecian formula, try it, you'll like it, Shane.
The show, first match, Mickey James vs Katie Lea Burchill with brother Paul at ringside.
These girls worked their butts off, did some great moves but not much on timing. Katie does take the time to work on character--definitely the more polished of the two. Solid and stiff performance. Wonder how many injuries have happened due to just not enough ring time, and the fact that they rush everything trying to get too much in? Katie loses and then brother Paul and her attack Mickey. Oh my gosh, surprise, Kofi Kingston comes to save the day.
When coming back from commercial break, impromptu Intercontinental Match already in progress. Paul vs Kofi, set up from the attack last week and brought to a head with Paul attacking Mickey, and Kofi asking for it after save.
A very good match, by both men, actually a good wrestling match. Paul grounded Kofi and made him show that he could wrestle. But it looked like he had a hard time getting into position to apply holds. Just inexperience.
Paul shows tenacity works hard, like a heel should and doesn't go down on the first shot. He made Kofi earn what he got, made it believable, got some heat, and gave him a good comeback. Paul does some blocking which doesn't hurt, because he doesn't over sell it. I really enjoyed this nice surprise and how about a match with no ring entrance?
Santino against Beth Phoenix.
Oh well, should have known, two good matches in a row just wasn't going to happen.
Vince I will tell you now, you are missing the boat with Santino, because he can work. Not that the others can't and many aren't capable, but I have stated in the past the great ones take impossible ideas and make them work. He did it and for those who think you have to win them all--wrong. He came out of this with more heat than he entered with. Fairly good job by both. Slam by Beth was different, I hope I don't see that again, and fans did you notice how he was beaten? With the most devastating hold today ? The crippling schoolboy.
Kelly Kelly vs ?....Dibiase and Rhodes come down instead. Mic skills not that bad, creating a team of young men we can all dislike. Disrespectful, arrogant, talented, and good looking. They both took after their Mothers. Duggan came down, always great to see him, tried to bring the boys attention back and of course they humiliated him. I hope they both know he could mop the floor with both of them, at the same time, without breaking a sweat. And Jim, you have never dropped your head like a sad cow in your life. And damned sure didn't look comfortable.
Attaching JBL to these two could help them. Although they are sure to be tossed around later, but boys, that's paying your dues. Lets see how you handle this. Oh, by the way, did you like Kelly's match? A great ring entrance.
CM Punk vs Kane
Is this a warm up to show that he can actually wrestle Batista? I certainly hope not. Kane really did do something special to make this work. Threw some great stuff grabbing a hold after great drop kick with CM sitting on his butt. Of course, he didn't give it the respect it deserved. Still Kane made this work. Finish see CM, I told you--you can't pick them all up. And think you would have had a better move to use for the count out.
Aftermath, well done by Kane, saved by Batista, would have liked to seen Kane get away with heat. All this, I'm sure and pray that they are turning CM heel. As he would have a better chance of getting over, and at least he wouldn't have to change his outfit. Kane has certainly brought his contribution to a new level. Sometimes a story makes one's creative juices flow and that is what I am seeing in Kane. He deserves it, and the WWE needs it. Something happened in this match that also happened in the second match. Do you know?
Edge and Vicki G getting married on Smackdown, Friday, waiting for invitation, but Thank God, it got lost in the mail.
Chris Jericho and Paul London.
Guess the attacks by Shawn earlier had no effect and didn't even leave a scratch on him. Still pushing the jealousy angle--that I like. Shawn, not a hair out of place, but at least he looked like hell.
Jamie Noble vs Snitski
Set up has lesson to be learned for young men. Don't let pride and lust for a woman get your ass kicked. Snitski looked good with broken nose. Just a win for him, to get a little something back so he can do the favor when needed. Noble does his gimmick well. Don't know about you, but my time, I've met a million just like him, no, not all of them were wrestlers.
JBL, C. Rhodes,T Dibiase vs Cena, Cryme Tyme
At least no limo. That's a blessing. Cena starts with C. Rhodes--whatever happened to locking up and getting the hold, or to the heel throwing the first punch or kick? Oh the times have changed. Check the ring attire, heels dress like wrestlers, the babies like thugs. When you start a match kicking, punching , and doing finish maneuvers, where do you go from there? No where but down. The heels were doing the wrestling, and not easy to get heat on a thug, but they didn't give up. And it's happened, the same freak thing occurred and 2nd and 4th match, is also appearing in this one. Hope it goes all the way and is capitalized on. JBL taking ref trying to give Ted and Cody opportunity to get cheap heat from outside--they didn't. Maybe they don't know or just too excited. Rhodes gave great move with missed bulldog but then got up and delivered punch to Cena to stop the tag. It was milked properly but would have been better if he had tagged out and let the fresh heel do it. Tag made comeback given by Rhodes and Dibiase - JBL avoids Cena and then gets DQ'd for the save. Damn! A DQ on a save.
Afterbirth, all I can say is won't the murder of Cena hurt the PPV?? What a stinking way to end a decent show.
Tonight we've had a DQ, a count out, a girl-boy match, a lost match, an impromptu match, and Noble non-match, no referee.
Tonight we had over 33 minutes of wrestling. A fluke? I hope not. Whatever the reason, I thank you. Still would be sweeter with more. Matches still don't get enough time, and that's how you make stars. Giving them time to establish exhibit show-ability and create character.
Now let's talk about that freak thing. Better yet, you tell me if you know.
Jake
#
