I wasn't sure what to expect with Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong going into this show.
For starters, I'm not a big fan of either one of them.
And I was also concerned how much drug shtick would emerge in the now WWE PG world.
Let's review:
Cheech & Chong
1. Merchandise plug. REACT: I'm OK with this, as these guys are still trying to make a living.
2. "Lucky Charms." REACT: C &C's segments centered around Hornswoggle and his cereal. I'm sure the spinning went way over younger viewers heads.
3. Eve as William Regal. REACT: "Lucky Charms" would not cause me to make that mistake.
4. Kelly Kelly as Chris Masters. REACT: Inexcusable.
5. Chavo, Primo, Carlito, Katie Lea, Yoshi Tatsu. REACT: Bizarre segment. Chavo was called Carlito, too. I wonder if my LOST friends caught the "Wanna know how LOST ends?" comment. I also wonder if the mustaches were a rib on Hulk Hogan's mustache event from the other day.
6. "Getting Legal Comedy Tour." REACT: The smoking microphone gesture made me chuckle.
7. Pillow fight. REACT: I guess they did give us this match. That doesn't hurt their grade.
8. More cereal. REACT: Throwing it into the crowd? Not wise. Michael Cole was funny when he told Jerry Lawler, "Dont eat -- we still have the main event."
Guest hosts final thoughts: They weren't horrible, but they were all comedy. Grade: D+.
The matches
1. Randy Orton beat Ted DiBiase by disqualification. REACT: Hard-fought battle, with a weird but effective follow-me clothesline by DiBiase on Orton. I wasn't too high on Orton getting the better of DiBiase and Cody Rhodes.
2. Jack Swagger beat Santino Marella in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. REACT: Efficient, the right guy won, but way too quick, especially for Swagger's hometown fans.
3. MVP beats Zach Ryder in a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. REACT: A squash. Sad for Ryder. Great for MVP. Waste of time for me.
4. Eve beats Divas Champion Maryse, Kelly Kelly, Gail Kim, Jillian and Alicia Fox in a Diva Pajama Pillow Fight Match. REACT: I tried to pick up some pointers, but their were more clotheslines in this match than most normal matches. I thought it was a 3-on-3 match, but WWE.com said Eve beat the other five. Also, best recovery wishes to Gail, but getting hurt in a pillow fight match?
5. Unified Tag Team Champions Big Show/The Miz beat DX. REACT: The Miz has main-evented Smackdown and Raw back-to-back. That's awesome. The match did a good job showcasing The Miz and Michaels was given a needed character boost, but having Michaels be distracted by The Undertaker (on screen) and being pinned was a little unbelievable and a replay of a few weeks ago. I guess he's supposed to come off as overfocused, but it's going overboard, and really forces him to have to win at WM.
The angles
1. Slim Jim commercial. REACT: Not an angle, but I wonder what Randy "Macho Man" Savage thinks about Edge being in the new Slim Jim commercial?
2. Hall of Fame to induct "Mad Dog" Vachon. REACT: Solid choice. He has a long and enjoyable history.
3. Jim Ross at Raw. REACT: Good to hear he was looking and feeling better.
Officially set for WrestleMania XXVI
In order of importance:
1. Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels. REACT: Of the WrestleMania matches, this one was pushed the worst on Raw. It was a little strange using Triple H to help Michaels get his game back on track. I'm all for the motivation angle, but does Michaels really need it?
2. Vince McMahon vs. Bret Hart. REACT: Raw finally made this one official. I liked the segment, with Vince introducing Bret and Vince asking Bret for clearance for having any role in the car incident. I like how Bret wanted a farewell but that Vince played the "world champion liar" card. I like how Vince brought up Bret's WM challenge and how he goated Bret with comments like, "Do it for your fans" and, "Your last name used to stand for something -- you have no heart." I like how Vince called Bret a "coward" and kicked Bret down, with Bret finally saying, "You got it" for a WM match. These two had a better promo than HHH and Michaels.
3. John Cena vs. WWE Champion Batista. REACT: This WM match was pushed the best on Raw. I like how Batista implemented guards. I like how Cena called him a "6-6, 300-pound pansy." I like how Batista said they are the two biggest stars since the Attitude Era (not true, but good to say). I like how Batista is being labeled jealous, and how he said Cena is the latest Stone Cold Steve Austin. I like how Batista said he is "better than (Cena)" and "can't stand (Cena)." I like how Cena put the focus back on the title, saying Batista is selfish. I like how Batista said he's in this for the money and the titles, and not the fans. I like how Batista reminded Cena of breaking Cena's neck. I like it when Batista said to Cena, "You can't beat me." OK, it's obvious I loved this segment, right?
4. World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho vs. Edge. REACT: It'll be interesting to see if Jericho shows up to help his former tag-team partner Big Show on Smackdown.
5. Money in the Bank Ladder Match. PARTICIPANTS: Christian, Dolph Ziggler, Kane, Shelton Benjamin, Jack Swagger and MVP are in, with two more to come. REACT: I was surprised Ziggler survived a triple-threat match against John Morrison and R-Truth to get in. I was also surprised Kane beat the previously undefeated Drew McIntyre for a spot. Benjamin beating Punk for a spot was an upset, but makes sense since Punk-Mysterio is being pushed for WrestleMania. Swagger and MVP won easily, and Swagger has to be considered the top challenger so far against Christian.
Other possible WrestleMania matches
In order of probability:
1. Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk. REACT: All but set after Mysterio cost Punk a chance in the Money in the Bank ladder match on Smackdown.
2. Triple H vs. Sheamus. REACT: This match was hinted at as Raw ended, when Sheamus jumped HHH. It's strange it took this long for HHH to get a match, and it's strange seeing how he'll have what's probably the fifth-most interesting match on the card. Something big needs to happen here to elevate this match. Might I suggest a brawl involving HHH winning by using a tanning booth on Sheamus?
3. Legacy in a triple-threat match. REACT: The interesting part of this feud is the pops Orton is getting by the week. The fans are on his side, which almost means he has to win.
Raw final thoughts/grade
The wrestling was short and horrible, for the most part. The show did an awesome job pushing Cena-Batista, strongly made official Vince vs. Bret, and finally gave HHH a WrestleMania opponent. Cheech and Chong helped little. Grade: C.
Next week: Raw vs. TNA Wrestling (both shows live)
1. Raw: John Cena vs. Vince McMahon. REACT: Interesting, but how much wrestling can McMahon actually do? This reaks of a Batista run-in. Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase/Cody Rhodes will help, but it seems obvious it's their turns to get the better of Orton. Criss Angel as guest host does raise the potential show grade.
2. TNA Wrestling: Abyss/Hulk Hogan vs. AJ Styles/Ric Flair has more interest for me. Bigger names, more possibilities, and yes, even better wrestling than Raw's main event.
March 15 guest host:
Stone Cold Steve Austin. REACT: I think it's safe to say he will be used to help Cena, who will no doubt take a beating on Monday from Vince McMahon.
SMACKDOWN
It was silly to have Michelle McCool need help to beat Mickie James for the WWE Women's Title. Edge-The Miz was a strong main event. The Miz has really come a long way.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
WWE
Charlie Haas released. REACT: Haas didn't wrestle much, but he's a good wrestler. TNA Wrestling should scoop him up.
TNA Wrestling
Awesome Kong released? REACT: Nothing official, but she would be a huge asset for WWE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7S7KFKmYP4 REACT: How long before Hulk Hogan dishes out a lawsuit against Cocoa Pebbles cereal for that?
Hogan recently said, "I really shouldn't be wrestling anymore." And on The Rock, he said, "I thought about moving out to L.A. and doing the movie thing cause I have seventeen movies under my belt -- mostly low-budget kid movies, kind of like what The Rock is doing now." REACT: Correct on both counts. He shouldn't be wrestling still, but the fans want it. And The Rock's movies have really hit Rock Bottom lately.
Also
Harris County forensics investigator Dan Morgan says Umaga's death was caused by "acute toxicity due to combined effects of hydrocodone, carisoprodol, and diazepam." REACT: Another pain-drug-related death. Sad.
http://www.sportsinteraction.com/ REACT: Trish Stratus will probably get more people to bet as this site's spokesperson.
