Monday Night Raw is the big winner in the latest roster changes.
Moving to Raw: Raw gets three huge additions in Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger and Mark Henry. Bourne is the most exciting wrestler to watch in WWE. Swagger is one of the best technical wrestlers -- Kurt Angle like -- who is great on the microphone. And WWE might finally be getting its money's worth out of Henry, who has always had the potential but no serious and consistent push. Raw also gets Gail Kim and Alicia Fox. Kim needed a change of scenery as she was doing nothing on Smackdown. I don't expect Fox to do much more here than she did on ECW. Raw's losses (Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Goldust, Matt Hardy and William Regal) were very minimal. Grade: A.
Moving to Smackdown: I like how WWE kept the Hart Legacy together in this swap. David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd and Natayla had a good thing going on ECW, and they will do the same here. Finlay gives Smackdown some veteran leadership, while Matt Hardy gets the job done on whatever brand he is on. Smackdown's losses (Alicia Fox, Gail Kim, Shelton Benjamin) were somewhat significant. Grade: C.
Moving to ECW: While it makes sense to keep Brie Bella and Nikki Bella together, they really need consistent TV time or they may be on the next round of roster cuts. Goldust will bring comedy here, but is that really what ECW needs? William Regal will give the brand some strong veteran leadership, assuming he's used properly. Shelton Benjamin is one of the top young stars in WWE. But ECW's losses (David Hart Smith, Evan Bourne, Finlay, Jack Swagger, Mark Henry, Natalya, Tyson Kidd) are crippling. Benjamin, and ECW still being on the air, are the only things that save ECW from a failing grade. Keep in mind the top babyfaces are Tommy Dreamer and Christian. And the top heels are Benjamin and Regal. WWE should call up some FCW guys to make up for these serious losses. Grade: D-.
REVIEWING RAW
Batista really did an awesome job as the role of this week's general manager. In addition to the 15-wrestler/Diva trades I've already discussed, we got the two Night of Champions semifinal matches and a 3-on-1 gauntlet involving Randy Orton. I thought it was unusual Batista used the phrase "living nightmare" as opposed to the one we usually hear of "living hell."
The matches:
The matches were all way above-average. The only downside was that there were no upsets.
1. Triple H beats MVP. REACT: I liked how MVP worked on HHH's leg, even applying the figure four. This was a pretty good match.
2. United WWE Tag Team Champions Edge and Chris Jericho beat Carlito and Primo. REACT: Jericho needs to tone down his verbage. Primo cleaned house in this action-paced match with numerous close pinfalls. It had a weird, but effective finish.
3. John Cena beats The Miz. REACT: WWE gave us an awesome video package of the two. The Miz was a lot more aggressive, and his focusing on Cena's neck (even with a sleeper) was good match psychology. There also was no quick tapout by The Miz.
4. Mickie James beats Kelly Kelly, Beth Phoenix and Rosa Mendes. REACT: This match picked up after a slow start. The four holds at once by all four Divas was very effective.
5. United States Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Big Show ends in a countout. REACT: This was respectable considering the size differential. It'll be interesting to see if Big Show gets his title shot seeing how he didn't win.
6. WWE Champion Randy Orton beats Evan Bourne. REACT: Bourne had a good showing, but I wouldn't expect anything different from him.
7. Orton beats Jack Swagger by countout. REACT: Some might put this in the category of Hulk Hogan-Kevin Nash fingertap, but I don't. Swagger is a strong heel, like Orton, and the mutual respect he showed by shaking Orton's hand maintains his strong heel status.
8. Mark Henry beats Orton. REACT: Henry was funny teasing the countout like Swagger. He got some strong face pops when he decided to wrestle Orton. It'll be interesting to see if WWE plays off that or reverts him back to a strong heel.
The other angles:
1. Maryse. REACT: She sure did avoid any questions about The Miz, but she showed a considerable amount of affection for Kelly Kelly. An angle? Sorry, I doubt the WWE-PG would head that direction.
2. Edge and Jericho. REACT: It'll be interesting to see if the two egos here end up costing them the straps down the line. Edge taking over as spokesperson of the team really pushes Jericho down a notch on this team, and that's not a good thing.
3. What's ECW? REACT: It's sadly apparent Raw fans don't watch ECW. Very few had any idea who Bourne or Swagger were, and that's a damn shame. At least both can now showcase their awesomeness on Raw.
4. Swagger and Henry. REACT: Swagger could align himself with Orton, or he could be DiBiase's eventual replacement when DiBiase goes face. Henry is likely to go back to being a full-fledged heel, although I think fans would really latch on to him if he got a strong face run.
5. WWE Summer Slam Reading Jam. REACT: I know the Daytona library takes part in this. Check it out. It's a good thing.
UPCOMING SHOWS
Moving to Smackdown: I like how WWE kept the Hart Legacy together in this swap. David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd and Natayla had a good thing going on ECW, and they will do the same here. Finlay gives Smackdown some veteran leadership, while Matt Hardy gets the job done on whatever brand he is on. Smackdown's losses (Alicia Fox, Gail Kim, Shelton Benjamin) were somewhat significant. Grade: C.
Moving to ECW: While it makes sense to keep Brie Bella and Nikki Bella together, they really need consistent TV time or they may be on the next round of roster cuts. Goldust will bring comedy here, but is that really what ECW needs? William Regal will give the brand some strong veteran leadership, assuming he's used properly. Shelton Benjamin is one of the top young stars in WWE. But ECW's losses (David Hart Smith, Evan Bourne, Finlay, Jack Swagger, Mark Henry, Natalya, Tyson Kidd) are crippling. Benjamin, and ECW still being on the air, are the only things that save ECW from a failing grade. Keep in mind the top babyfaces are Tommy Dreamer and Christian. And the top heels are Benjamin and Regal. WWE should call up some FCW guys to make up for these serious losses. Grade: D-.
REVIEWING RAW
Batista really did an awesome job as the role of this week's general manager. In addition to the 15-wrestler/Diva trades I've already discussed, we got the two Night of Champions semifinal matches and a 3-on-1 gauntlet involving Randy Orton. I thought it was unusual Batista used the phrase "living nightmare" as opposed to the one we usually hear of "living hell."
The matches:
The matches were all way above-average. The only downside was that there were no upsets.
1. Triple H beats MVP. REACT: I liked how MVP worked on HHH's leg, even applying the figure four. This was a pretty good match.
2. United WWE Tag Team Champions Edge and Chris Jericho beat Carlito and Primo. REACT: Jericho needs to tone down his verbage. Primo cleaned house in this action-paced match with numerous close pinfalls. It had a weird, but effective finish.
3. John Cena beats The Miz. REACT: WWE gave us an awesome video package of the two. The Miz was a lot more aggressive, and his focusing on Cena's neck (even with a sleeper) was good match psychology. There also was no quick tapout by The Miz.
4. Mickie James beats Kelly Kelly, Beth Phoenix and Rosa Mendes. REACT: This match picked up after a slow start. The four holds at once by all four Divas was very effective.
5. United States Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Big Show ends in a countout. REACT: This was respectable considering the size differential. It'll be interesting to see if Big Show gets his title shot seeing how he didn't win.
6. WWE Champion Randy Orton beats Evan Bourne. REACT: Bourne had a good showing, but I wouldn't expect anything different from him.
7. Orton beats Jack Swagger by countout. REACT: Some might put this in the category of Hulk Hogan-Kevin Nash fingertap, but I don't. Swagger is a strong heel, like Orton, and the mutual respect he showed by shaking Orton's hand maintains his strong heel status.
8. Mark Henry beats Orton. REACT: Henry was funny teasing the countout like Swagger. He got some strong face pops when he decided to wrestle Orton. It'll be interesting to see if WWE plays off that or reverts him back to a strong heel.
The other angles:
1. Maryse. REACT: She sure did avoid any questions about The Miz, but she showed a considerable amount of affection for Kelly Kelly. An angle? Sorry, I doubt the WWE-PG would head that direction.
2. Edge and Jericho. REACT: It'll be interesting to see if the two egos here end up costing them the straps down the line. Edge taking over as spokesperson of the team really pushes Jericho down a notch on this team, and that's not a good thing.
3. What's ECW? REACT: It's sadly apparent Raw fans don't watch ECW. Very few had any idea who Bourne or Swagger were, and that's a damn shame. At least both can now showcase their awesomeness on Raw.
4. Swagger and Henry. REACT: Swagger could align himself with Orton, or he could be DiBiase's eventual replacement when DiBiase goes face. Henry is likely to go back to being a full-fledged heel, although I think fans would really latch on to him if he got a strong face run.
5. WWE Summer Slam Reading Jam. REACT: I know the Daytona library takes part in this. Check it out. It's a good thing.
UPCOMING SHOWS
(I did not read Monday's spoilers).
Superstars: I expect CM Punk to get the best of Edge.
Next week's Raw: I expect John Cena to beat Triple H. I also expect Ted DiBiase to do things as general manager that upset Randy Orton, leading to the split of the younger DiBiase and Orton.
WWE TO LOSE RAW NAME?
Muscle Flex Inc. said it plans to enforce and capitalize on its legal rights (in Canada) for services with its "In the Raw" trademark. REACT: Settle down, WWE fans. While trademark infringement is a serious issue and serious offense, this is not a big deal as the phrase "In the Raw" and "Raw" are totally different. I see nothing more coming out of this.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
The DNA Lounge in San Francisco is advertising a July 16 "fist fight" between Jake Roberts and Kizarny. REACT: For the record, I would side with Kizarny.
WWE President, International Andrew Whitaker tells Indiantelevision.com that "TNA is pro wrestling, WWE is entertainment." REACT: I hate how WWE pushes the entertainment over the wrestling, as shown in this quote. On another note, this is one of WWE's few acknowledgements of TNA Wrestling.
Edge said he (and Chris Jericho) are starting to feel a "groundswell" for a babyface turn. REACT: Edge is wrestling-smart, attributing it to tenure. However, I can't see either guy turning face anytime soon, especially now that they are the tag-team champions.
Superstars: I expect CM Punk to get the best of Edge.
Next week's Raw: I expect John Cena to beat Triple H. I also expect Ted DiBiase to do things as general manager that upset Randy Orton, leading to the split of the younger DiBiase and Orton.
WWE TO LOSE RAW NAME?
Muscle Flex Inc. said it plans to enforce and capitalize on its legal rights (in Canada) for services with its "In the Raw" trademark. REACT: Settle down, WWE fans. While trademark infringement is a serious issue and serious offense, this is not a big deal as the phrase "In the Raw" and "Raw" are totally different. I see nothing more coming out of this.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
The DNA Lounge in San Francisco is advertising a July 16 "fist fight" between Jake Roberts and Kizarny. REACT: For the record, I would side with Kizarny.
WWE President, International Andrew Whitaker tells Indiantelevision.com that "TNA is pro wrestling, WWE is entertainment." REACT: I hate how WWE pushes the entertainment over the wrestling, as shown in this quote. On another note, this is one of WWE's few acknowledgements of TNA Wrestling.
Edge said he (and Chris Jericho) are starting to feel a "groundswell" for a babyface turn. REACT: Edge is wrestling-smart, attributing it to tenure. However, I can't see either guy turning face anytime soon, especially now that they are the tag-team champions.
