That was a WWE show. THAT WAS RAW!
Please forgive my confusion. These last few weeks RAW has been terrible, especially last Monday. TNA has been good though, hence my confusion that I felt like I watched a wrestling show Monday Night.
What made RAW a good show? Especially since the Cena/Ambrose/Rollins feud was front and center, and I have been bemoaning that it is overdone. Simple answer, the focus was on wrestling. Imagine that.
Monday night, the entire show, with some exceptions, clicked. I was even invested in what they did with the Cena/Ambrose/Rollins feud and how they furthered that.
Okay, let’s get to the low points first:
LOW POINTS
THE DIVAS
Anything to do with the Divas was an utter low point on this show, including Paige and AJ. The two matches we had from them were pathetic. Why the hell was NeNe Leaks on the show? What did she actually bring? I had no idea who she was until they mentioned her as a housewife (I’m guessing Housewives of Atlanta?).
At least Emma wasn’t on the show.
Lame.
Please, stops tying match takes places NOW into Total Divas that was shot MONTHS ago!
ONLY TWO MATCHES FOR HELL IN A CELL
On Monday Night, we were two weeks away from Hell in a Cell, and only two matches are announced. Why not the whole card? This doesn’t help sell PPV’s or the Network.
NO BROCK LESNAR
I am one that said the Champ doesn’t have to be on every show, make his appearances mean something. That said, where is Lesnar? Where is a title match for Hell in a Cell? Not happening. Reports claim that Lesnar isn’t scheduled to return until January and not defend until the Rumble.
30 day rule anyone? 3 months with no champion; 3 months with no title defense; 3 PPVs with no title matches. Utter Fail. Way to devalue the World Title.
HIGH POINTS
AMBROSE/CENA/ROLLINS FEUD
The biggest high point of the show was the Ambrose/Cena/Rollins feud because they actually put a new spin on it and did something that furthered the angle, rather than just retread.
We started out with Ambrose and Cena jaw jacking again – where Cena went complete jackass. This ended when the Authority made their appearance. Stephanie put Cena and Ambrose as a tag team match against the Usos and Gold/Stardust.
Hunter bet Stephanie that Cena and Ambrose couldn’t survive together. He lost the one-dollar bet when Cena and Ambrose won the match. Upset at losing, he made their Hell in the Cell match the main event for the night. Instead of at Hell in a Cell, Ambrose versus Cena in a pole match would happen this night. The winner gets Rollins in Hell in a Cell.
Backstage Orton would inject himself into the angle. He claimed that Ambrose and Cena could beat Rollins any day, but neither could beat him. He asked for the loser of the match to face him in the Main Event Hell in a Cell. This promo had repercussions during the night – read on.
DOLPH ZIGGLER VERSUS RANDY ORTON, WITH CESARO ON COMMENTARY
This match was the match of the night and easily the best match WWE has aired in two months. Dolph showed offed. Randy showcased his vicious side. The match went back and forth, any it was anyone’s game. The finish was awesome. Orton countered a famasser attempt, threw Dolph in the air and hit him with the RKO on the way down.
Great match.
Cesaro added to it, as he was good on commentary. He put Dolph over big time, but put himself over even more. According to Cesaro, Dolph is great, but anything Dolph can do, Cesaro can do better.
Seth Rollins came out during the match, in response to what Orton said about him earlier. Rollins never interfered in the match, but curbstompped Dolph after the match to try and one up Orton.
SETH ROLLINS VERSUS JACK SWAGGER
Two matches back to back in the High Points. Rollins versus Swagger was a good match, and a good follow to Ziggler versus Orton, in more way than one.
Following Rollins example, Orton came down to ringside. After a roll up victory by Rollins, Orton wasted no time in giving a RKO to Swagger, upstaging Rollins.
Are we seeing not just cracks in the Authority but a feud brewing between Rollins and Orton?
RUSEV VERSUS BIG SHOW!
This was a good match; one of the best Rusev has had yet. Big Show sure didn’t look like he was sensitive (after going through sensitivity training) as he dominated Rusev and tore him to pieces. Rusev seemed destined to lose until he leveled Big Show with a beautiful drop kick!
From that point on Rusev tore up the Big Show. Show looked on the verge of passing out or tapping out to the Accolade when Mark Henry interfered to help his friend and broke the hold. Rusev won by DQ.
After the match, Show and Henry cornered Rusev outside the ring. To his credit, Rusev didn’t back down and attacked Henry, only to be knocked out by Big Show.
THE MIAN EVENT
This is the moment they have been setting up all night, Ambrose versus Cena in a NO DQ Contract on a Pole Match, which saw the entire Authority come down to ringside to ‘watch.’
The match was fairly good but we all knew that things would break down and they did. Rollins, Kane and Orton interfered, trying to stop the match I guess. While Cena focused on Kane, Ambrose smirked, climbed the pole and Won the contract.
Cena was pissed. Ambrose outsmarted him and won!
Now we have two Hell in a Cell matches at Hell in a Cell.
Ambrose versus Rollins. This was the right call. Ambrose and Rollins have more upside, and Ambrose has more behind his desire for revenge.
Cena versus Orton, Hell in a Cell. I’m fine with this, an old feud reignited. These two usually have good matches.
I consider this a win-win.
OTHER MATCHES
Sheamus lost to The Miz by count out in what was a throwaway match. The only thing this match could really do is lead to a full-bore Miz v Sheamus feud for the US Title.FINAL THOUGHTS: Wow, I listed most of this broadcast as the High Points. Unfortunately, though, the DIVAS really bogged the show down and drove down my rating.
Good job WWE! What happen, normal creative missed the day at work?
RATING: 6.5
MATCH OF THE NIGHT: RANDY ORTON VERSUS DOLPH ZIGGLER
WRESTLER OF THE NIGHT: RANDY ORTON
IMPACT OF THE NIGHT: DEAN AMBROSE CONTRACT WIN
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