Paul Heyman’s promo at the beginning of this week’s RAW set the scene for someone to come out and begin a huge angle with Brock Lesnar.
It didn’t happen.
Instead, Heyman and Lesnar called out referee Scott Armstrong and a few minutes later, they both walked backstage.
Big whoop.
On top of that, by the end of the show, Lesnar left the company apparently.
It was like creative kicked all of that character’s momentum, all of his air, right out of his gut.
And ultimately that’s what most of this episode felt like-all flash, no bang.
Aside from Chris Jericho’s loss to Dolph Ziggler, this show was nothing special.
Quick matches and too much promo didn’t help either. Sure, it was the first match after a pay per view, but that’s no excuse. As of now, RAW doesn’t have the stars to pull an edge of your seat three-hour show. Something needs to change, soon.
The build-up of another John Cena-CM Punk match could solve that problem, but again, there isn’t enough drama there either to help facilitate another 60 minutes of weekly programming.The magnetism in promo and in the ring between these two is the best thing this company has going for it. The promo they did last night was one of the best this year. It’s just not enough.
Matches:
WWE Tag Team Champions: Kofi Kingston and R-Truth and Sin Cara vs. The Prime Time Players and Cody Rhodes: The faces were all over the heels through the early-going. Rhodes turned the tables, hitting a reverse suplex, allowing O’Neil to continue the onslaught on Truth. Sin Cara got the hot tag and took the fight to Rhodes. The tag champs ended up taking out PTP outside the ring, while Cara countered Rhodes, who was going for his mask, into a sunset flip for the win
Handicap Match: Ryback vs. Two Indie Jobbers: Ryback was on the warpath, but Jinder Mahal attacked him and caused the DQ. Ryback still performed his finisher on both jobbers, at the same time.
Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio w/ Ricardo Rodriguez: Del Rio demanded a rematch with World Champion Sheamus, but got Orton instead; The champion was at the announce table. This match was routine, accept for Orton’s use of the slingshot suplex- shades of Tully Blanchard and Del Rio’s terrible mocking of Orton. The finish was interesting as Del Rio hit a Backstabber, but Orton’s leg was on the ropes. Naturally Sheamus had to tell the referee of that. Soon enough, Orton hit the RKO for the win.
Brodus Clay vs. Damien Sandow: Solid, but quick back and forth encounter. Well, for a little while. Clay took control after a belly-to-belly suplex, but Sandow won with a handful of trunks. After the match, Sandow was too busy celebrating and Clay caught him in his Capture Suplex and a jumping splash.
David Otunga vs. The Big Show: Otunga called AJ Lee crazy backstage and this was his punishment. An old-school job-out here-no jokes, few grapples, mostly strikes. Show won with the WMD.
Kane and Zack Ryder vs. Intercontinental Champion The Miz and Daniel Bryan: The heels were super solid. Bryan is such an amazing worker; the kicks in this match alone were sick. The Miz is smooth and continuing to grow as a consistent heel since his return. This match went a little haywire as both Bryan and Miz left the ring. Kane, obviously frustrated delivered the Chokeslam and tombstone Piledriver on his teammate, Ryder.
#1 Divas Battle Royal: Just a terrible match. Aside from Nattie Niedhart and Tamina Snuka, most of these gals don’t belong in the ring. Kaitlyn won after two clotheslines on Eve Torrez. She has promise, but is still way too green.
Contract vs. Contract: Dolph Ziggler vs. Chris Jericho: If Jericho won, he got Ziggler’s Money in Bank title shot. If he lost, his contract would be terminated. Ziggler worked on Jericho’s injured mid-section early. Jericho had some good spots though, including a top-rope Frankensteiner. Ziggler got the clean win however, after he countered the Lionsault and nailed the Zig-Zag. After the match, Jericho beat up on Ziggler with a Codebreaker and a shot with the Money in the Bank briefcase. See you soon Y2J.
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