Crazy that the last two minutes of this week’s RAW was more interesting than the rest of the show.
Triple H’s Pedigree on Randy Orton to close the show leaves several question marks for TLC, but it may not be enough to put the PPV into that “I Have to Buy This” category the WWE desperately needs it to fall into.
Simply put, when this week’s episode of RAW wasn’t wasting valuable time with a silly awards show and constant annoying instructions of how to download their app, the show actually wasn’t half bad. The card was a large one, but there could have been more drama built up for several match ups at TLC this weekend.
At this point, all the retired stars that appeared this week were entertaining, but what the show really needs is less of the crutch on the past and more development of future stars.
Until that happens, RAW will stay stuck in creative purgatory.
Matches:
Fandango w/Summer Rae vs. Daniel Bryan: The hometown boy was on fire against the charismatic Fandango, hitting a hearty helping of heavy kicks and submissions.Fandango fought back with a solid counters and was about to kick out of several tough maneuvers, but couldn’t earn the win with a Michinoku Driver or a Sit-out Powerbomb. After Fandango missed the Top Rope Leg Drop, Bryan hit the Top-Rope Head Butt and finished off the youngster with the Running Knee for the win. After the match, Bray Wyatt once again made his appeal for Bryan to join the Family.
Santino Marella vs. Damien Sandow: The WWE’s Intellectual Savior made quick work of Marella with his signature offense and the You’re Welcome.
Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz: Kingston was in control for most of the match, but The Miz had a handful of tights and won with a rollup. After the match, Kingston nailed The Miz with the Trouble in Paradise.
Eight Man Tag: WWE Tag Team Champions Goldust and Cody Rhodes, Rey Mysterio Jr., The Big Show vs. Jack Swagger, Antonio Cesaro, Ryback and Curtis Axel w/Zeb Colter: With plenty of tags and offense, this was a great match to start the second hour. After the Disaster Kick from Rhodes on Axel, Mysterio won with the 619/Dime Drop Combo.
Sin Cara vs. Alberto Del Rio: A week after Cara got the clean win over Del Rio, he was equally as confident in the ring against the former World Heavyweight Champion. Del Rio did deal out some punishment however, using his legs and smart counters, as well as some rough stuff on the outside. Cara evened things out with a counter of the Arm Breaker but he couldn’t capitalize after a modified T-Bone Suplex. But after a devastating Powerbomb and his Senton Bomb finisher, Cara earned another win over Mexico’s greatest export.
Xavier Woods w/R-Truth vs. Brodus Clay w/Tensai, Naomi an Cameron: Clay beat Wood quickly with a second rope Splash. After the match, Clay continued to beat on Woods more.
CM Punk vs. United States Champion Dean Ambrose w/Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins: Ambrose looked good against Punk in what could eventually be a great singles feud a few years from now. At one point it appeared The Shield walked out on Ambrose and soon after Punk won with the GTS, but by the end of it all, Rollins and Reigns were back in the ring and Punk was on his back.
Erik Rowan and Luke Harper w/Bray Wyatt vs, Jimmy and Jey Uso: This was your typical face/heel tag match, but the Usos proved a ton here. They can hang with any tag team in the WWE. Although Harper ultimately won with a beautiful Stan Hansen-esque Clothesline, the Usos need a real gimmick and angle because what they do in the ring is not the problem.
Natalya Neidhart vs. Tamina Snuka w/AJ Lee: Neidhart won in an uneventful match via the Sharpshooter.
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