Between the war involving John Laurinaitis and Teddy Long, the continued Triple H and the Undertaker drama and the induction of Ron Simmons into the WWE Hall of Fame, RAW was at least somewhat entertaining this week.
But the other developments took far too much time away from the good stuff. And even then, the major developments dragged. 20 minutes to announce a Triple H/Taker match everyone knew was going to happen? Please. Alright, the Hell in the Cell announcement was awesome, but get us there faster.
Early in the show, viewers saw just how much of a conniving witch Eve Torrez could be. For weeks, she led the world to believe to she was just a terrible actress in some of the corniest, over the top segments in RAW history. But after she admitted to using Zack Ryder for months and accidently spilling the beans with John Cena behind her, she became a bit cooler. Nevertheless, what transpired during RAW’s first segment was poorly executed storyline that didn’t take the viewer anywhere.
But hey, at least Cena called her a “skank†and she actually cried.
In the end though, more focus was paid to Triple H and Undertaker and the situation between The Rock and Cena. That made for a better show than expected after a weak opening segment. Nonetheless, the drag and predictability during those two segments hurt things overall.
Cena’s promo was sharp, one of the best from him in quite some time, but it begs the question: is Cena better unchained like this or as the WWE Boy Scout?
From the sound of the fans, they like a Cena with a bit more attitude.
Matches:
Sheamus vs. Mark Henry: A physical match between two tough guys. Henry hit a bevy of clotheslines and routine offense, while Sheamus went through his assortment of tricks but with added physicality. A missed Brogue Kick opened the door for a Henry Avalanche in the corner, but Sheamus was able to counter the World’s Strongest Slam and hit Henry with his signature Bicycle Kick for the win.
R Truth and Kofi Kingston WWE Tag Team Champions Primo and Epico w/ Rosa Mendez: A fast-paced, but short tag team encounter that RAW has needed by over a month. The champs have good chemistry and a smoking hot valet; they need to be on TV more. Kingston won after he hit Primo with the Trouble in Paradise for the win.
David Otunga w/ John Laurinaitis vs. Ezekel Jackson w/ Teddy Long: Two buff dudes with limited ability made for a quick, but entertaining match. Otunga won after he hit his front spinebuster, a-la Ron Simmons, on a distracted Jackson.
World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Santino Marella: Marella went for The Cobra a bit too early and got caught in the Labelle Lock for a Bryan submission victory.
The Bella Twins vs. Kelly Kelly and Aksana: A quick match that saw the Bella’s use twin magic on Aksana as Brie it the X-Factor on the Diva rookie for the win.
#1 Contenders Battle Royal involving Santino Marella, Big Show, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Great Khali, Chris Jericho, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett: A pretty by the numbers Battle Royal until a frenzy of finishers by the majority of the competitors halfway through. Jericho, Marella, Kingston, Rhodes and Show were the final five after Ziggler was eliminated and Barrett appeared to have seriously injured his arm. Show held his own for a while but a Rhodes disaster kick changed the tide. Soon after Marella hit the cobra on Jericho, but Rhodes eliminated him. Show soon after eliminated Rhodes, leaving it to Jericho and Show, but a disgruntled Rhodes helped Jericho pull Show over the top rope, giving Jericho the shot at Punk a Wrestlemania.
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