A lot happened last night at Raw. Most of it was good, a lot of good storytelling, moving some plots along. It worked.
First, let me say that I don't know if it's because I haven't seen him in so long, but when I see Shane McMahon, it makes me happy. And he is aging very well I might add. He's a very distinguished looking older gentleman. Anyway, enough about that, he comes out, cuts a nice little promo, including his kids in the promo makes it hit to the heart that much more. The gong hits and I, like I'm sure everyone else, was just waiting for this to hit go with the Undertaker only to be faked out by Vince. I think what makes all of this work is how personal it all feels. And it feels personal. Because Shane really is out there doing a shoot on Vince, Stephanie, and the company as a whole. He even, at one time, said to the crowd that the people getting pushed for no reason will not happen under his watch, which we all knows means Roman. That's an interesting stance to take. I'm just not sure how this is all going to work because it's not like Shane is fighting his dad and taking him to task for the things he's done to him. He's fighting the Undertaker who doesn't have a dog in the race. So, then Vince sends the security jobbers out to pull Shane out of the ring, which makes no sense because he said he would leave of his own accord. It was all to show that Shane can still go. Admittedly, the punches weren't the best in the world, but the knee shots and the adrenaline you felt watching him go again, more than made up for that one weakness. And I loved the doubt that Vince was able to display on his face. It was pretty convincing.
I don't remember the sequence of what all happened because I took my sleeping meds and they make me kind of loopy, but here goes what I remember.
Sasha banks is over as fuck. Put her on TV more. And have her interact with Becky. That's where your money is. I would like to see Naomi and Tamina feud. One of them is tired of the other one always letting them down and so it's time to seek revenge.
That Kevin Owens match with Neville was great. I love how vicious Kevin Owens is able to seem. He's out there flying around the ring with the likes of Neville. And he looks amazing. He's a perfect heel. After his win, he then attacks Neville and what happens next? SAMI FUCKING ZAYN! I love Sami! I don't know why. It's not even that I've seen all that many matches with him, because at this point I've seen Neville and Kevin more. But I love Sami. I love his enthusiasm for what he does. I love how awesome he has been lately. He's just stellar. And I love his feud with Kevin. When his music hit, both of my arms shot up into the air and I cheered. It was an awesome moment.
Dean Ambrose comes out and cuts a promo against HHH, which he's so fucking amazing at doing. Dean is money. Solid money. I wish he would get the push that he totally deserves. He's saying a lot of the things that the fans want people to say. And while he does look a little unhinged, he sells it so well. I wish there was an actual long-lasting feud with HHH and Dean Ambrose. But they sell me on the match this weekend between Dean and HHH. I would watch it, regardless, but I'm not sold on wanting to see Dean smear his stupid face all over the mat.
Then we have two of the best segments of the show, in my opinion. First, Ziggler vs. 3 members of the League of Unextrodinary Gentlemen (Sheamus, Rusev, and Barrett). This match was actually fun to watch because I love that Ziggler threw up to Stephanie that he single handedly put the Authority out of business once. She made the match and so here we go. My one complaint about this match is this...Barrett is on his way out. Why does he have to be the only member pinned by Dolph? I actually hated that part. But the rest of it was great. Rusev is just money. But it's a nice little anti-establishment story-line to set up for Dolph.
That tag team match was, by far, the best match of the night. The New Days excelled, as they always do, but if AJ Styles didn't make believers out of people about how good he is, then there is no hope for you. That flip off the top rope onto Kofi was spectacular to watch, and I watched it twice after the fact. It was amazing! And then we got the heel turn. Styles took three code breakers from Jericho and Jericho was fucking perfection as the heel. His reasoning for the turn is perfect. Because while AJ was out there busting his ass, so was Jericho. He was the one that took the pin. He was the one that had Kofi and Big E done for. He saved AJ from the pin from Big E. And the people chanted AJ. It's the perfect reasoning for the turn.
I know where they're going with the Tag Team, unfortunately. And I know that it's going to be The New Day vs. the League of Unextrodinary Gentlemen. And the day after WM, I'm sure we'll get Enzo and Cas. And at this point, Enzo and Cas would be great foils to either New Day or the League.
And I want to say this about Jericho. That man loves the business. He goes out there and he sells and he does his fucking job like a fucking pro. He puts over younger talent because it is "what's best for business." He gives people what they want, and after all these years, he's still amazing to watch. It's why he's still one of my favorites, heel or face. Personally, I like him heel!
Speaking of Rusev, you can't mention him without mentioning Lana. I see what's happening. They're going to make Lana's first match against Brie Bella at Wrestlemania and have Lana go over. Brie's on her way out, too. I also love that Lana used Brie's own move against her. Lana is the perfect heel to someone like Brie. It just works. I'll take more of this, please. I know I've changed my tune, but I would like to see Lana get in the ring. Everyone always says how awesome she is in the ring, it's about time we see it.
Then there was the main event, and Dean Ambrose deserves so much more than he gets. You can tell that HHH likes Rollins, Ambrose, and Reigns and is willing to put them over. I'm kind of down on him, a lot, but there is no denying he does realize talent. Just look at NXT. So, Ambrose got one over on HHH and laid him out and held the championship high. It was a nice moment for Dean, and I hope that one day soon we actually get to see him hold that belt up for real as the champ.
photocredit to primaryignition.com
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