The Royal Rumble match didn't get enough attention, the midcard lagged behind and the tag team division limped along, but the Jan. 12 edition of WWE Raw sure kept Seth Rollins' advancement rolling.
Rollins ended the night looking down at an impressive pair of enemies. The tension between him and Brock Lesnar was one of the highlights to WWE's return to New Orleans.
Daniel Bryan channeling a pit bull and Roman Reigns finding an ideal slugfest partner also added to the fun. Even on a night where WWE announced that Randy Savage is headed to the Hall of Fame, there was plenty to gripe about.
The Authority, for one, cast a darkness over the proceedings. It's a familiar feeling, one that fans thought they were done with after Survivor Series.
The following is a look at how that group affected the entertainment value of the show and how well the stories and matches played out on Monday's Raw complete with letter grades.
John Cena Kicks off the Show
Upset with The Authority, John Cena made his case to bring Erick Rowan, Ryback and Dolph Ziggler back. After getting the crowd to chant for Ziggler, Cena encouraged fans to use the hashtag "AuthoritySucks" on social media.
He promised to win the WWE title and go home afterward, saying he would refuse to defend the title until Ziggler and Company got their jobs back.
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon responded with their usual condescension, mocking Cena. The Authority offered Cena a chance to get his Team Cena teammates' jobs back. He only had to defeat Seth Rollins in a Lumberjack match on Raw.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"I can't believe I work for two people who got their jobs back, not because they worked hard and earned it, but because they had their whipping boy scumbag hold a Hall of Famer hostage."—Cena.
"I'm showing up for that match hellbent for leather, and I'm leaving as the WWE champion."—Cena.
Grade
C+
Analysis
Cena's threat to take the title away would have had a lot more power if that wasn't exactly what Lesnar has been doing during his reign.
The crowd seemed disinterested in Cena's plan and in the segment in general. You can't blame it. It was long-winded and unfocused.
Cena carried the segment, delivering a number of passionate outbursts. He couldn't overcome how tired this angle with The Authority feels, though.
Seth Rollins vs. John Cena
The Authority and a number of heels served as the lumberjacks for this bout. It took no time for that element to have an effect.
Bad News Barrett tried to clip John Cena's ankles. Cesaro, Tyson Kidd and others took cheap shots on the former champ.
Both Seth Rollins and Cena scored a number of near-falls in a match that veered into slugfest territory at times. Cena, though, had to also battle Big Show, Cesaro and Bad News Barrett. Every time he neared victory, those hounds would attack.
Big Show knocked out Cena and rolled him into the ring, sealing the win for Rollins.
Result
Rollins wins via pinfall.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Cena takes out Barrett with a right hand.
"I'm wondering why the referee doesn't do anything about this."—Booker T on the unfair lumberjack situation.
Cena leaps from the top rope onto a mass of wrestlers.
Cesaro swings Cena into the guardrail.
"Beat John Cena? That's what you call that?"—Booker T to JBL.
Grade
A-
Analysis
Cena and Rollins deliver excellence again. The Lumberjack stipulation gave them a different stage to work with, and although the interference overshadowed the action at times, it was a fun match and a win for Rollins that's big in a way but comes with a major asterisk.
The bout featured some extremely close near-falls, Cena's and Rollins' timing perfect during those moments.
Cena's terrible punches held the bout back some.
The New Day vs. Cesaro and Tyson Kidd
An aggressive Kofi Kingston went on the attack early. Cesaro and Tyson Kidd withstood the flurry and soon had the high-flyer hurting in their corner.
Xavier Woods went on a roll, knocking down both enemies with kicks and springboard moves. He and Kingston teamed up with a diving stomp and pendulum backbreaker combo.
Result
Woods and Kingston win via pinfall.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Cesaro throws Kingston into a thunderous kick from Kidd.
Big E thwarts a potential distraction by Adam Rose, hitting him with a clothesline.
Grade
C-
Analysis
A far too short match didn't give either team enough time to showcase its skills.
Cesaro and Kidd's chemistry continues to be good. Their alliance with Rose, though, is odd. It serves no purpose at the moment.
That's a narrative WWE needs to veer away from pronto.
Big Show and Roman Reigns Confrontation
Big Show bragged about being a giant and beating Hulk Hogan for the WCW world title in his first match. He dissed the audience, calling them losers and phonies.
Turning his attention elsewhere, he trashed Roman Reigns by comparing him to the New York Knicks.
Reigns came out to meet him, the big man slipping out of the ring to retreat right away. The powerhouse told Big Show a fairy tale complete with golden eggs and beanstalks.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Fans chant "boring!" during Big Show's speech.
"I don't think of Roman Reigns as competition."—Big Show.
Grade
D-
Analysis
An odd Knicks reference was one of the many issues of this segment. Why is Big Show comparing a team on a losing streak to a guy who rarely loses? It comes off as a cheap attempt to link to a trending sports story.
Reigns is trying. For as horrendous as the script he had to work with, he did reasonably well. It was just too silly of a speech, having Reigns look childish.
Luckily, he soon received a chance to shine in the ring after stinking it up on the mic.
Luke Harper vs. Roman Reigns
Big Show grinned as he watched Luke Harper and Roman Reigns collide.
It was a high-impact match, two trains smashing into each other. Reigns opened with crisp, hard shots. Harper slowed the pace and delivered his own thunderous shots.
Big Show's presence distracted Reigns. That allowed Harper to nail him with his usual array of injurious weapons.
Reigns outlasted his foe, but Big Show soon pounced on him. The giant floored him with the KO Punch and left him counting stars on the mat.
Result
Reigns wins via pinfall.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"Luke Harper is decimating Roman Reigns."—JBL.
Harper flings Reigns into the ring steps.
Reigns counters Harper's discus clothesline with a spear.
Grade
B+
Analysis
It was a strong performance from Reigns here. He and Harper have good chemistry. A fun brawl saw both men hit each other hard and both come out of it looking good.
It's no surprise that Reigns' streak continues. WWE is clearly setting him up as a favorite to win the Royal Rumble.
It looks like WWE is saving his big match with Big Show until just before that event.
Naomi vs. Alicia Fox
Thanks to The Usos' tension with The Authority, Naomi had to fight with her left hand tied behind her back.
Naomi fought valiantly, beginning aggressively and withstanding Alicia Fox's submission attempts. She went on a flurry, clotheslining Fox to the floor, but couldn't overcome the stipulation.
Result
Fox wins via pinfall.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Fox nails Naomi in the side of the head with a nasty kick.
Grade
C+
Analysis
Even when wrestling with just one hand, Naomi is twice as good as Cameron. She looked good here, working the resilient hero angle well.
There was a feeling of deja vu throughout with WWE going this arm-behind-the-back method during the Brie Bella and Stephanie McMahon feud. It's less clear where the company is headed with this story, but it's obvious it will allow Naomi to earn some deserved spotlight.
Brock Lesnar Returns
Paul Heyman provided a history lesson. He took us back to Brock Lesnar ending The Undertaker's streak at WrestleMania and briefly to Lesnar's SummerSlam win over John Cena.
The manager talked up Lesnar's WrestleMania feat and his beastly nature.
He dismissed a series of things as fantasy, including Seth Rollins' claim to be the future of WWE.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Heyman refers to New Orleans as "the rancid city."
"The death of a myth, the end of a legacy, the rise of a beast."—Heyman on Lesnar defeating Undertaker at WrestleMania.
Grade
B+
Analysis
A superb performance from Heyman mostly overcomes the fact that there was so little that was new here. In a way, the segment felt like a recap. It ended up being a warm-up for the night's final segment.
Dean Ambrose's Psychological Evaluation
Stephanie McMahon ordered Dean Ambrose to undergo a psychological examination as she claimed he is a danger to himself and those around him. If he didn't pass, he wouldn't be able to compete in the Royal Rumble.
The evaluation played out over several brief scenes.
In one, Ambrose stared warily at a ticking clock. In another, the shrink showed him photos of Superstars and asked him to say the first word that came to mind. The final time we saw doctor and patient together, the roles were reversed.
The doctor was sobbing, begging for help. Ambrose has apparently had him fall into a mental sinkhole. The Lunatic Fringe did get him to sign the papers allowing him to be in the Rumble.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Ambrose says "irritable bowel syndrome" when seeing Triple H's picture during a word-association exercise.
Grade
B-
Analysis
Give WWE points for trying something out of the ordinary. Take away some for having Ambrose deliver a dung reference followed by a pee joke.
There were some funny moments but nothing remarkable.
This beats just having someone announce that he is in the Rumble. Although, there are sure a lot more exciting ways to have a wrestler earn his or her way than by virtue of blubbering shrink.
The Miz vs. Jey Uso
Before the match, The Miz held what he called a "Golden Globes after-party."
Jey Uso dominated The Miz. Damien Mizdow echoed The Miz's failings on the outside.
The Miz's fortunes changed quickly, though. A distraction from Mizdow allowed him to hit the Skull Crushing Finale for a three-count.
Result
The Miz wins via pinfall.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"Someday you'll win the gold statue you really covet—a Slammy."—The Miz sending a message to George Clooney.
Mizdow rolls over the top rope to mimic The Miz getting slammed.
Grade
D+
Analysis
Where is this feud going? Why should we care? Wins don't feel like they mean anything in this story.
The tension from Jimmy Usos' jealousy over The Miz's relationship with Naomi is now gone, and WWE has failed to replace it with anything. Mizdow's antics aren't enough to build a feud around.
New Orleans Welcomes Back Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan didn't get far into his proclamation that he would win the Royal Rumble. Stephanie McMahon sauntered in, offering him a copy of her fitness DVD.
She soon soured the mood, recalling Kane's attack on him last year. McMahon doubted whether Bryan could be champion again, whether he was fully recovered from his injury.
Just after she announced that he would face Kane at SmackDown, Bryan and Kane fought on the outside of the ring. Kane tried to drop Bryan onto the ring steps, but the bearded warrior escaped.
A brawl erupted despite a herd of referees trying to hold both men back.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"Not bad for a lumberjack-looking B+ player, huh?"—Bryan to the fans.
"They believe you are going to write the next chapter in the ultimate underdog story."—McMahon to Bryan.
"Your unborn box-troll children believe in you."—McMahon to Bryan.
Bryan hits Kane with a flying knee outside the ring.
Grade
A
Analysis
Bryan's special connection with the crowd was on full display again. When he was in danger, the energy in the arena changed. It was easy to get invested in Bryan's fight to avoid getting injured once again.
Having him battle Kane again is not the most exciting option for his first match back, but it's poetic in a way.
Kane was the one to send him to the disabled list. Bryan now gets retribution and redemption, some of which he earned in New Orleans with stinging the monster in the mouth.
Paige vs. Brie Bella
Nikki Bella had to watch on as Paige rammed her knee into Brie Bella's chest. Natalya and Tyson Kidd supported Paige on the opposite side of the ring.
Brie then briefly took control in a match that wrapped up just moments after it started. Kidd distracted Paige by accident, allowing Brie to get the schoolboy pin for the win.
Result
Brie wins via pinfall.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
Paige slaps Kidd in frustration after the match.
Grade
F
Analysis
This felt like WWE told all the performers involved to hurry up and get the match over with. It looked promising in the opening seconds but came to the climax at bullet-train speed.
Kidd had no reason to climb onto the apron. Instead of that moment being a key part of an ongoing story, it was a cheap, hollow way to get to the scripted end.
The Ascension vs. Local Athletes
Viktor and Konnor repeated their claims that they are better than Demolition and The Road Warriors.
They rolled over a pair of jobbers in a squash match that was slightly longer than usual. The Fall of Man did their foes in.
Result
The Ascension wins via pinfall.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"This guy is barely bigger than Hornswoggle."—JBL on one of The Ascension's opponents.
The Ascension throws its foe several feet into the air.
Grade
D
Analysis
The Ascension looked more confident and more aggressive than in its early efforts.
The issue with the team is that the announcers, primarily JBL, are ruining the purpose of a squash match. They are not playing up The Ascension's dominance. Instead, they mock the duo for not picking more challenging foes.
How does that better The Ascension's cause? The goal should be to make Viktor and Konnor look unstoppable, not like cowards who only take on runts.
Rusev vs. Dean Ambrose
Rusev and Lana mocked Ryback. They said he was lucky to get fire, or Rusev would have eliminated him at the Royal Rumble.
Dean Ambrose challenged the Russian wordlessly, a slugfest soon breaking out.
Rusev focused on Ambrose's knee. The Lunatic Fringe then hobbled throughout the fight. Eventually, the referee stopped the match for Ambrose's safety.
Result
Rusev wins via referee stoppage.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"You are spineless! You deserve to be fired!"—Rusev to Ryback.
Grade
B
Analysis
Ambrose gets to look gutsy and crazy in the loss. It's smart of WWE to play up his injured knee, further selling what Bray Wyatt did to him last week.
He and Rusev put on a fun bout in the short time they had, but this was more angle than actual match.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Contract Signing
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon welcomed Seth Rollins to the ring followed by John Cena and Brock Lesnar.
Paul Heyman praised Rollins for bringing back The Authority, but he was quick to shoot him down when Rollins interrupted him. The manager became paranoid, accusing The Authority of double-crossing him.
Rollins ranted on about his own accomplishments.
Tensions rose as each man barked about winning. The three combatants signed the contract not long before they began brawling.
Memorable Moments and Quotes
"Mr. Hustle, Loyalty and Broken Promises, John Cena!"—Triple H.
"I damn sure will conquer you."—Lesnar to Rollins.
Cena hits Lesnar with an Attitude Adjustment through a table.
Rollins Curb Stomps Cena and Lesnar in succession.
Grade
A
Analysis
Rollins stood among two megastars and looked like he belonged. In fact, at times it was Cena who faded into the background.
The segment did a tremendous job of putting Rollins over. He cut off Heyman, he stood up to Lesnar and he was the last man standing after a whirlwind of violence.
He has little chance of winning at the Royal Rumble, so WWE is using the buildup as Mr. Money in the Bank's opportunity to elevate himself toward Lesnar's and Cena's level.
No comments:
Post a Comment