WWE Monday Night Raw took a major step backwards
from what I thought was a decent Summerslam.
I felt badly for the Los Angeles crowd that had
six matches involving NXT members.
Although with WWE taping next Monday's Raw
afterwards, I guess the crowd ended up getting their money's worth. At least I
hope they did.
Let's review:
Opening segment: This dragged on
too long. I did like how The Nexus emphasized there would be consequences, and
John Cena did have a few funny lines like when he said "The Nexus are the
Expendables" but that was about it. Cena belittled every wrestler on The Nexus,
and most of his comments really were not WWE PG. I did laugh about the Heath
Slater "Wendy" comparison, and the crowd pop was funny, too. I also thought it
was good to recognize that Darren Young looks like Cena, but again, the comment
wasn't WWE PG. I am curious if The Nexus has a "higher power" still. I also
thought the "exiled from The Nexus if you lose" angle really made most of the
matches predictable.
Wade Barrett beats Chris Jericho:
Above-average match with a strong finish and still an upset despite
Barrett having to win.
"Going the Distance" co-stars:
Absolutely brutal segment. They had to beg for crowd pops by mentioning the Los
Angeles Lakers. I loved Jerry Lawler's comment about how if the movie thing
doesn't work out they would have careers as ring announcers. If they are
anything like they are in the movie as they were here, their Sept. 3 flick will
bomb.
The Hart Dynasty is presented with the WWE
Tag Team Championships: About time, although I didn't care for the
look of the belts.
Michael Tarver beats Daniel
Bryan: Michael Cole was extra annoying, mentioning how Bryan doesn't
eat meat and doesn't have a television. Is this angle going somewhere? I sure
hope so. Having The Miz cost Bryan here, and then beating him down, made sense.
I just fear The Miz will lose to Bryan, and he really doesn't need that as the
Money in the Bank holder. Bryan had an awesome missile dropkick.
The Miz and Alex Riley promos:
Both guys were very strong here.
Justin Gabriel beats Randy Orton:
I'm OK wtih Bret Hart not wrestling, because he really shouldn't be. I assume he
was pulled for insurance reasons. However, it was stupid to have the mystery
general manager pull Hart from the match because he "doesn't like Bret Hart."
What? So you replace Bret with Orton? Strange staredown to start this match. I'm
OK with the Sheamus run-down, but the countout didn't thrill me, especially
since it was followed by Orton beating down Gabriel with numerous
chairshots.
David Otunga/Skip Sheffield beat John
Morrison/R-Truth: Sheffield was put over nicely here, almost in
squash-like fashion at the end. I will never tire of the quote, "He's got
muscles in places you don't even have places."
Jillian/Alicia Fox/Maryse beat Divas
Champion Melina/Gail Kim/Eve: It's too bad Jon Lovitz didn't do
something in this match, considering his "infatuation" with Maryse. Melina sure
took a beatdown, and Eve looked strong here. Jillian getting the pin on Eve was
shocking, and the comment about her last winning when The Boogeyman was around
was hilarious.
Heath Slater beats Edge: Stupid
to have Heath offer Edge a deal before the match. It doesn't help his character
at all. The match was pretty good, though. I thought the ending was stupid with
Slater moving out of the way of a spear by Edge, who was counted out. It was
smart to say Barrett's win early on set the tone for these
matches.
The Great Khali dumps his
girlfriend: The "Going the Distance" co-stars were better here. It was
funny when Khali ripped up his girlfriend's photo, and he walked off with The
Bella Twins.
John Cena beats Darren Young:
Poor Darren Young. He drew the shortest straw I guess. The match was decent, and
Young got in some offense, so he wasn't totally buried. The Nexus beating Young
down was a decent ending.
Best sign: "I'm e-mailing Michael
Cole."
Analysis: The Nexus going 6-1
(two won a tag-team match) did take some luster off Team WWE's Summerslam win.
But I didn't like the way The Nexus won. We had a rundown by The Miz and Sheamus
and a silly missed spear finish. Thankfully, Barrett won cleanly, as did the
team of Otunga and Sheffield. Way too much of The Nexus on this
show.
Grade: D.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY
REACTS
Hulk Hogan part of David Hasselhoff
roast
If you didn't catch this on Comedy Central, shame on you
and catch the replay. It's the funniest thing I've seen on television in a
long time. Hulk Hogan and Pamela Anderson took the hardest verbal hits from
everyone. The Iron Sheik joke about Hogan was awesome. I'll leave it at that.
It's yours to enjoy.
Hasselhoff photo courtesy of The Associated Press.
Hasselhoff photo courtesy of The Associated Press.
WWE
I read an online report Monday that
Tiffany and Drew McIntyre were at the Midsummers Eve Party at the
Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles last Saturday night before their Tuesday argument
that led to Tiffany's arrest and WWE suspension. The online report said Tiffany
was hanging out with Playboy Playmate Roxanne Dawn. REACT: If true, and I do
emphasize if true, that might explain some things. McIntyre also told The
Scotland newspaper The Sunday Mail that the incident was a "complete
misunderstanding."
WWE reportedly took away all Daniel Bryan or Bryan
Danielson signs at Summerslam. REACT: I have no problem with
this.
Unlike U.S. cover (John Cena, Big Show, The Miz), European
market cover for WWE's SmackDown vs. RAW 2011 video game has the
Undertaker, Randy Orton and Sheamus. REACT: Better selections.
Steve Austin tells FHM that the talent in wrestling is
fine but there is no place to learn. REACT: No place to learn? What about FCW?
Or the Funks place in Ocala?
Married Ted DiBiase Jr. tells hollywoodlife.com he wants
to be set up with Jennifer Aniston. REACT: Solid choice, but I sure hope he told
his wife he was in character for that interview.
Matt Hardy tweets on Twitter that he will likely take time
off due to WWE's health and wellness policy. REACT: Better safe than sorry. Is
this a suspension?
TNA Wrestling
Scott Hall is in WWE-funded rehab in Texas. REACT: Good to
hear he is getting help. I had heard he was going through some tough times
again.
Paul Heyman tells Ariel Helwani's MMA Hour he
wouldn't push anyone over the age of 40. REACT: This is why Heyman isn't here.
Many don't want him with that philosophy.
