Final Raw before Wrestlemania. I tried to watch last nights show with the mindset of, "If I was on the fence about ordering Sunday's show, how would this show push me one way or the other?" I also want to touch on the build up of some matches and some overall Wrestlemania 28 talk so this may be a tad longer than average.
First, the show opens with a wrestling match, shocked me a bit. I've almost been trained by WWE to think that's not how it should be done. That match couldn't be a better place to start though. First off, a nice little tag match to open the show from were I sat. The matches it was designed to promote couldn't be more polar opposite though, and this match only widened the gap.
First, the good, because I like to be positive. Sheamus vs Daniel Bryan has been a pretty decently built feud. Not even sure if I'd say that before this match. I think before this one, I really felt more tension going on over AJ and Bryan's relationship. This tainted win over Sheamus before the PPV gives Bryan some serious fuel, we got another YES! moment. It was a little push over the edge I needed to really get into the match.
Orton vs Kane on the other hand, what the fuck is going on there? For the record, I think Glen Jacobs is an excellent performer. That being said, is there a harder character to get into than Kane? Is this day and age, I believe the key is getting people to suspend their belief somehow, and its harder everyday, which is why a lot of wrestling sucks. It is just impossible to believe Kane exists. And why, why are they fighting? A damn hand shake? I applaud the attempt to throw this thing together at the last minute, but I'd have rather Kane cut Orton off in traffic or something. Orton has totally dropped the ball in pushing this too. See, Cena vs Kane worked because Cena made it work. Kane can be silly if he doesn't have somebody really help in drive the story. Orton is just not as strong as Cena, that's why Cena's match has been promoted for a year, and Orton's was tossed at him last minute.
The final build toward the GM match, as goofy as the premise was, has to be considered a success. Both teams pull some last minute hail marys out. Both teams looked super strong before getting cut off by the 6th team member, which makes both final team members really appear to be game changers. One thing I love about this match, I very much question who wins and the build has been such that either side could win.
There was no build to the women's match, but I have to say fucking hates off to Maria Me-whats-her-face. She's planning on going out there with two broken ribs. Not bad for the broad I watched give the news in the 6th grade (She was on Channel One! How bout that for a reference!)
The final push towards Show vs Rhodes is kinda hit or miss. First off, let's go down the logic path again...why on Earth did Big Show vs Epico happen? They didn't make the Giants play my local high school football team 6 days before the Super Bowl. Not to sound like a grizzled vet, but this is a small way that TV tarnishes wrestling. "Well, we need to kill five minutes and push Show/Rhodes...trot out those Puerto Rican fellas." It was lazy. Rhodes promo was a nice touch though and overall, I've loved this build. Rhodes has stepped his game up lately, and I've failed to mention it before but those video packages that were made for him were fucking brilliant. "Wrestlemani 18, Woooooo!" about killed me. Rhodes deserves to and should win this one,but we'll see how it goes down.
Two of the top three matches fell way short for me. The fact that really nothing was done with HHH vs Taker tells me they simply ran out of ideas. Its a shame, because while it coulve been better, the build has been good. Punk and Jericho really needed something more as well. I love the promos from both men, and I love Punk snapping, but I just feel this one needed something physical. If I'm watching saying, "Man, I really want to see Punk vs Jericho, should I buy the show?" Jericho calling Punk a bastard doesn't make me want to throw down 60 bones. I think I get it, Jericho is manipulating Punk from afar, and the question is, what will Punk do to him when he finally gets his hands on him. Wouldn't it be better is Punk gets done snapping on Christian...only to be blind sided by Jericho? Then Jericho stands tall, mentally and physically, and Punk goes in a serious underdog. Everyone likes to see the underdog win.
Say what you want, but The Rock and John Cena brought it, and saving this for the end was perfect. My first thought was that it was a mistake for them not to get physical, but the more I mauled it over, why? Why give one person the upperhand? Why do the cliche pull apart brawl. These two guys really letting it all hang out, letting everyone feel that tension. That's what this is all about. That tension is what is selling Mania.
Overall, this was a good show and while some of the build fell flat, the closing promo should've pushed any wrestling fan over the edge. As always, I can't wait for Mania, and unlike last year, I don't expect this one to disappoint.
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