Coverage and thoughts on the July 8, 2013 episode of Raw
The show starts with a Wyatt family vignette. They’re coming. TONIGHT!
Vickie Guerrero, Brad Maddox & a ladder are in the ring. Vickie welcomes the fans to Raw. She has been working on this Sunday’s PPV. Great names have been associated in WWE with the ladder. Shawn Michaels, Razor Ramon & HHH. This ladder is special to Vickie because it represents how she has climbed year after year. If she falls she will hold the fans responsible. Vickie climbs the ladder. There’s no book showing how a female can dominate a company. No one ever held her hand & told her how run Raw. She’s done everything on her own to bring the best matches & entertainment. She & the fans haven’t seen eye to eye but every decision she made was for the fans. Then Lawler gets the mic & says excuse me. King says he heard that the McMahon family will be considering any & all factors & that includes the opinions of the fans. Starting right now there’s a poll on the app where the fans can rate how Vickie is as supervisor. Vickie has considered the fans like her family. Just like any other family there’re good & bad days but at the end of the day everyone has each other’s backs. Tonight Cena will stand face to face with Mark Henry. Also tonight there will be matches featuring the participants in the “All Star” MITB match. Kane vs. Christian, Orton vs. Punk & Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan. Sheamus-Daniel is right now. Out comes Daniel Bryan. This was a typical opening promo. Vickie was ok here but I’m tired of there always being a heel GM/Supervisor or whatever title they feel like calling it & then they eventually wind up getting an evaluation. That bit is beyond stale! I’m also tired of the constant plugging of the APP!
They show RVD winning the MITB match at WrestleMania 22 on 4-2-06.
Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan. Daniel gets the pin. This was a really good match! Then Sheamus & Daniel have a stare down, look at the briefcase & then they shake hands.
They show somewhere in the wilderness as a camera guy goes up to some people. They tell him the Wyatt house is a few miles away & will know.
Backstage AJ is all frantic & tells Big E that she barely escaped Kaitlyn on Smackdown. She tells him to listen for Kaitlyn Big E finds this amusing. He says that she’s beaten Kaitlyn before. Then Dolph shows up. She hugs him. They tell Big E to give them a moment. Dolph mentions that AJ hasn’t been at ringside for his matches but he still won. They’re not the power couple of champions. AJ has been focusing on Kaitlyn. AJ says that at MITB they will both be champions. She asks Dolph if he wants to go all the way. Dolph wants to go all the way to his 3rd world title. This was a decent backstage segment but I would think that Dolph & AJ will split up since she’s a heel & he is a face.
Time for a Mark Henry video package.
The Shield shows up in the crowed. Rollins & Reigns are in action next.
The show clips of RVD vs. Eddie Guerrero in a ladder match for the IC Title on 5-27-02
Tons of Funk vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins. Reigns & Rollins win when Reigns pins Brodus. This was a solid match but I’m not sure why they had this be a competitive match since Reigns & Rollins will be defending the titles this Sunday & Tons of Funk are pretty much jobbers.
Back to the camera guy in the middle of nowhere looking for the Wyatt family. He finds the house & sees the guy with goat mask (Erik Rowan). Then Luke Harper tells the camera guy to follow him.
John Cena comes to the ring. He says we got riled up crowed tonight. If he didn’t know better he’d think MITB was tonight. Earlier today Henry told him to get out there because he had to talk with him. Cena’s there but we’re missing the World’s strongest man. Out comes Mark Henry. Henry says Cena has the same look on his face as last week. The look of fear. Cena’s not afraid. Henry says Cena should be. For 17 years Henry has starved & there’s only 1 thing that can satisfy his hunger. Henry then says that Cena thinks he knows who the World’s strongest man is but he doesn’t. Mark’s a new man. He’s known Cena for over 10 year. He knew who Cena was before Cena knew who he was himself. Cena’s a puppet just like the fans. That title will validate Henry’s career. If he takes the title off Cena he will be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Cena says that Henry better win Sunday. Cena has won & lost the title but has done so with respect. He sees Mark & he sees a desperate man. If he doesn’t walk out of MITB WWE Champion he will lose everyone’s respect & 17 years will be gone. Henry doesn’t care what anybody thinks. Henry says there’re lines that Cena won’t cross because of his goodness. Cena asks how Henry can not care about the title. Henry says that if Cena cuts him off again MITB will start tonight. Cena says he will cross a line. He slaps Henry & tells him to cross the line. Henry won’t cross the line for free. He isn’t losing money. Cena will get him on Sunday. Then Cena & Henry make like they’re gonna go at it but Henry grins & backs off. Then he shoulder tackles Cena. Then Cena lifts Henry up but Henry’s to big & Cena falls down. Then Henry gives him the World’s strongest slam. Then Henry holds up the belt. This was a good “face off.” Mark Henry was great on the mic as usual. Cena was decent here too. Henry laying out Cena & standing tall was good also. I’m really hoping that Henry get the title.
Backstage we see Randy Orton. Then Josh Mathews comes. He mentions that Orton will face Punk tonight. Orton says Punk’s always called himself the best in the world. Orton’s never believed that. Orton then says that if Cena retains the title & is in a vulnerable position he will not hesitate to cash in MITB & win the title.
The Miz is on commentary.
Chris Jericho comes to the ring. Then out come Paul Heyman & Curtis Axel. Heyman says for those who missed Smackdown he isn’t here to market himself as a martyr once again for CM Punk. He is here tonight to bask in the glory of perfection. Perfection in the form of the IC Champion Curtis Axel. Axel says Jericho calls himself the best in the world at what he does & wears a jacket with Christmas lights. All Axel needs is the IC Title to let the fans know that Curtis Axel has arrived. He spent a life time to get to where he is & he won’t let Miz or Jericho stand in the way of Perfection.
Chris Jericho vs. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel. Jericho gets the pin. During the match Jericho knocks Miz off the apron & Axel hits the announce table. Then Miz takes his headset off & then takes off his jacket & tie. Axel goes after Miz but Heyman gets in between them & tells Axel to get back in the ring. Then Axel does & Jericho gives him a code breaker for the pin. WINNER – CHRIS JERICHO. This was a solid match but I’m not sure why they had Axel lose relatively cleanly.
They show a clip of the RVD vs. Christian IC Title ladder match from 9-28-03. That was really good match.
Backstage Josh Mathews interviews Rhodes Scholars. He asks if their friendship will be affected by the MITB match. Sandow says that if he doesn’t win then he’d be more than happy if Cody does & Cody would feel the same way. Before Cody can speak Sandow says that he just said how Cody feels. Then in come Zeb, Cesaro & Swagger. Zeb says that our money will be worthless if things continue & Cody knows that. Then in comes Wade Barrett. He says he will win MITB. Zeb asks what language Wade is speaking because he couldn’t understand what he says. Then in comes Fandango. He starts to say his name a few times & Zeb tells him not to. Fandango begins to say his name & then Barrett punches him to the floor. I thought this was a bit overbooked. Having 6 of the 7 guys in a 2-3 minute backstage bit felt really felt like too much.
Back to the Wyatt family. Harper & the camera guy go in the house. We see someone chanting obey. Harper told the camera guy not to stray. Then we see Bray. He tells the cameraman that he’s been waiting for him.
Sin Cara vs. World Champion Alberto Del Rio. Dolph’s music hits & he comes out. This distracts Del Rio & Sin Cara rolls Del Rio up for a near fall. Dolph feels kinda bad about what he did to Ricardo so he will introduce Del Rio the way he’s used to. Then Dolph says Del Rio flaunts his wealth. The match is still going on. Dolph says that Del Rio is a coward who tried to end his career & will have no chance at MITB. Then Del Rio goes after Dolph. They go at it & Del Rio gets the upper hand. Then Sin Cara dives onto Del Rio. Then Dolph heads up the ramp as his music plays. The match is apparently done. This was terrible! Having Dolph talk during a match was idiotic! Also having the match just end because he showed up & taunted Del Rio & then he & Del Rio go at it was just as dumb! RESULT – NO FINISH.
Vickie & Brad are in the ring. Time for their evaluation. Vince’s music hits. He, HHH & Stephanie come out. This is gonna be really painful!! Stephanie says before they begin she wants to thank the fans for voting on the app. That will be factored into the evaluation. Vickie thanks the McMahon family. She has always loved the McMahon family & she has a special love for the fans. She wants to humbly state that she took pride in producing high quality entertainment. She mentions that replaced AJ Lee. There have been great super stars that she brought back to WWE like RVD & The Rock. She says she even inspired Taker’s return at Mania. Stephanie says that Vickie hasn’t mentioned that Vickie signed the guy who took out Vince & HHH. Brock Lesnar. Stephanie asks Vickie if she thinks bringing back Lesnar was a good idea. Vickie had no idea Lesnar would attack HHH & Vince. Vickie apologizes for that. Then Vince says that Vickie has no reason to apologize. Bring Lesnar back was genius. He believes that Vickie is highly entertaining. She has made bone headed decisions but who hasn’t? Then HHH says that Vickie can occasionally & unintentionally be entertaining but she’s terrible at her job. A couple weeks ago Vickie was supposed to promote the new video game. No one could hear what she said because the fans were booing here & not in a good way. This happens every week & isn’t good for business. HHH tells Vince to put aside what he thinks is entertaining. The fans want & deserve better than Vickie. HHH then says that Vickie does have the most annoying voice in TV history. Vince says that Vickie has a unique voice & qualifications that no one else does. Vickie has broken through the glass ceiling. Vince believes that Vickie should be the Raw GM. HHH says at the end of the day he’s the COO & Vince is the chairman & Vince will do whatever he wants anyway. HHH says that Vince will put a suck up in charge of Raw. HHH doesn’t wanna believe this. Since Stephanie called this meaning HHH says that she should decide Vickie’s fate. Vince has no problem with Stephanie making the right entertaining decision. HHH doesn’t have a problem with his wife & the woman of his children making what she knows would be the right decision for business. Stephanie says this has escalated more than she expected. Therefore the app vote will decide if Vickie becomes GM or not. The fans naturally voted fail. Stephanie says the fans have spoken. Vickie says you can’t trust the fans to make decisions. Vickie’s not a spineless puppet. She’s not gonna have a popularity contest with Booker & Long. Stephanie has 2 words for Vince. In the immortal words of her father, “You’re fired.” Then Vickie drops to her knees & then has a breakdown. Then Vickie yells at the McMahon family. HHH & Stephanie leave. Vince asks if the fans are happy. They’ve broken Vickie’s heart. Vickie didn’t fail, the fans did. They through away the most entertaining GM ever. They have no idea what the right decision would be. He will make it for them. We need a new Raw GM & the fans deserve this. Vince says the new Raw GM is Brad Maddox. Vince comforts Vickie as they walk up the ramp & Brad follows. This was just as painful & idiotic as a predicted it would be! Just terrible! I’m WAY BEYOND TIRED of this McMahon family saga!! That is all I have to say about this!!
They show clips of RVD & Kane in a TLC match from 10-7-02
Backstage Vickie cries & says she loves her job. Vince will make it right. Brad comes in. He’s sorry for what happened. He thanks Vince for making him the GM. This is a decision Vince won’t regret. Vickie will be missed but Brad will pick up where Vickie left off. Vince says he gave the fans what they deserve. Brad rambles & then Vickie flips & goes after Brad, screaming hysterically! Vince leaves & Vickie continues her crying. I might be doing some crying myself after seeing this dreck! Vickie has been GM before so why have her act like she’s lost the greatest job ever? This whole GM bit is way past out dated!
Kane vs. Christian. Kane gets the pin. This was a solid but kinda short match.
Then a Wyatt video shows up on the Tron. Bray says he has brothers & sisters in the name of cause. People need to be lead. Bray tells everyone to wake up. The world is falling apart & no one does anything about it. He’s seen what’s gonna happen in his dreams. They’re here.
Then the lights go out, their music hits & they make their debut. Then when the lights come back on Harper & Rowan double team Kane. Kane fights back but they get the upper hand. Bray watches as he sits in his rocking chair. They throw him into the steel steps. Then Rowan takes the top steel step & he & Harper hit Kane in the head with it. Then Bray goes to where they are & gets on his knees. This was pretty good.
Backstage Vickie has a box filled with her office belongings. Then she comes across Ryback. He takes the box & hugs Vickie. Then he says she deserves better & that everything will be ok. Ryback hands her back the box as Vickie has tears coming down her eyes.
The Bella Twins are on commentary.
Kaitlyn & Layla vs. Alicia Fox & Divas Champion AJ Lee. Kaitlyn goes after AJ. They go at it on the outside & then Kaitlyn spears AJ. This match also ended out of no where. They ended the match because Kaitlyn went after AJ, Layla & Alicia just stood in the ring looking idiotic & The Bellas were terrible on commentary too.
Backstage Josh asks Punk about the MITB ladder match & his match with Orton tonight. Punk says he heard Orton’s comments. He says that Orton doesn’t lack confidence & is entitled to his opinion. Then Punk says that facts can’t be made up. Is Punk best in the world because he was WWE champion for 434 days or the other way around. Beating Orton will make him the best in the world. When he grabs the briefcase & becomes world champion for a third time that will make him the best in the world too. This was a good Punk promo.
They show clips of RVD vs. Cena from One Night Stand 2 on 6-11-06.
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk. Punk gets the pin. This was a good match.
Then Daniel Bryan comes in & goes after Punk. He rams Punk shoulder first into the turnbuckle & Punk goes to the floor & then Daniel gets a ladder out from under the ring. He brings it in & hits Orton with it. Then Daniel sets up the ladder, climbs it & grabs the briefcase. Daniel does his yes chant on top of the ladder while holding the briefcase. This ends the show. This was a good ending.
I thought this was a very mixed bag show for the most part. They did a solid job in the final hype for Money in the Bank but there was stuff on this show that was also really painful to watch. The opening segment with Vickie & Brad was ok for what it was, the evaluation segment was beyond painful, the whole bit with the McMahon family saga is terrible & the whole GM concept is out dated! The Sheamus-Daniel & Orton-Punk matches were both really good & I liked Daniel coming out at the end & standing on the ladder with the briefcase. I think they should have him win it Sunday. Orton & Punk both cut good backstage promos too. The Cena-Henry face off was solid. I liked Henry’s promo. The guy is good on the mic. Cena was decent here too & I liked that they had Mark Henry standing tall at the end of this segment. I hope to God that doesn’t mean Cena wins Sunday though. Kane-Christian was a solid match too. I liked the Wyatt family bits too, Bray’s promo on the Tron was good & then having Harper & Rowan take out Kane was well done. Tons of Funk vs. The Shield was solid too but I wasn’t sure why this was a competitive match. Sin Cara-Del Rio wasn’t much of a match. Having Dolph come out & talk & then just having the match end out of no where was lame. The same with the Divas tag match. I can’t believe they gave us 2 matches with both just ending out of the blue in the same night. I liked that they showed all the clips of ladder matches that RVD was in. The backstage segment with the guys in the world title MITB match felt like they crammed too much into a 2-3 minute segment. Jericho-Axel was solid too but I wasn’t into the finish. The backstage bit with AJ, Big E & Dolph was decent but I would think that they’re going to split up Dolph & AJ since she is the heel & he is the face now. Overall I thought this was mixed bag of show. They didn’t need to have the Vickie evaluation on the go home show of a PPV. The build to Money in the Bank was solid but it could’ve been better.
No comments:
Post a Comment