Okay, I've decided instead of doing my own play-by-play blog of the WWE shows, that I'm going to copy/paste one of those "reporters" reviews and use that, and on each match write my own opinion of it. It will take less time that way, but will also reflect my thoughts and feelings. I of course will give the original writer the credit for the play-by-play. That is if I can see who has written it. If I don't I will definitely clarify that I was not the one that wrote the play-by-play part of the report. That being said, onto the actual RAW Blog!
This one was written by
Richard Trionfo @ 11:06 PM on 11/17/2008
**Note: I'm leaving out the opening paragraph because this guy was being a smart butt and it had really nothing to do with the actual RAW show**
All of the wrestlers are in three-quarters of the ring for the Superstar Forum. Stephanie comes out and is at the lectern by the entrance. She says that ever since Mike Adamle has resigned, her office has been inundated with questions from the Raw Superstars and the fans. Stephanie asks who is first and Randy Orton gets on the medal stand. Randy asks Stephanie why Sunday's title match at Survivor Series goes to John Cena. Randy says that he is more talented and more deserving. He asks what is so special about John Cena. Stephanie says that the decision was made by her brother Shane without consulting with her... John was a top contender before his injury and was a three time champion (Insert: Sunday, he'll be a FOUR time champ, LOL) so he gets the title match. Orton says that he is next.
Cody Rhodes takes the mic from Randy and he asks Stephanie about Randy giving Ted a concussion. Instead of being punished, he was named the captain of a team at Survivor Series. Cody wonders why Orton was not suspended for what he did. Stephanie says that they are grown men and women and are responsible for their actions. Stephanie reminds Cody that Orton did the same to CM Punk so they will meet tonight. It will be a thirty man lumberjack match. Randy says that it will be chaos, but Stephanie disagrees.
Santino takes the mic and he is joined by Beth Phoenix. Santino says that the rapping singer Akon is here tonight so he will ask his question in the form of a rapping song. Santino puts on his rapping song hat and he complains about losing to William Regal and he raps that he wants a rematch against Regal. Santino tells Regal that he isn't in a restaurant, but he was served. Stephanie tells Santino that he lost two rematches. Santino wonders if Akon thinks it is funny and suggests that a squirrel bite on his privates.
Bradshaw gets on the medal stand and he wants to know where Stephanie's father is so he can talk about a person Vince has had a problem with and that is Shawn Michaels. Stephanie says that her father is out of the picture so her and Shane will control things. Shawn interrupts Stephanie and suggests that if they don't want to wait the six days because someone got bashed in the head with a chair. What if they want their revenge tonight? Stephanie tells Shawn that he has to wait. Shawn says that we are all responsible for their actions and he apologizes before Shawn attacks Bradshaw. Bradshaw leaves the ring under the bottom rope to the floor. Shawn puts on Bradshaw's hat as Bradshaw heads to the back.
My opinion on the "forum": I was skeptical. I thought it was just a way of them copping out of what could have been a potential and snazzy opening. But I was wrong. I felt that it actually turned out great and was quite funny by the time Shawn got up to do his schpeel. And as a pointless sidenote, Shawn looks much better in that cowboy hat than JBL, by a mile! LOL!
Match Number One: Kelly Kelly versus Victoria
Victoria with a kick to the midsection followed by a forearm to the back. Kelly with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors and a drop kick. Kelly with handspring back elbow to Victoria in the corner. Victoria sends Kelly to the mat and follows it with a back breaker. Victoria with a back breaker and she drops down with a version of Shock Treatment for a two count. Victoria with an Irish whip and she tries for a side slam but Kelly with a school girl rollup for the three count.
Winner: Kelly Kelly
After the match, Victoria attacks Kelly on the floor and then she hits the Widow's Peak. Mickie James, Candice, and Jillian come to the ring and Victoria leaves the ring. Beth attacks Victoria from behind and Victoria gets a double Japanese arm drag from Jillian and Candice. Victoria with a Butterfly Driver to Victoria. **Note: I'm sure they meant "BETH with a butterfly driver to Victoria." *Rolls eyes*
My Opinion: This I'm sure would have been an exciting match had I actually got to see it. I was busy spooning up some chili for supper, and in the time it took to do that and get a glass of Diet Coke, the match was over. I however, did see the aftermath and it was actually pretty cool. It was almost hinting as if Beth could be a face pretty soon. But it won't matter to me. There's just something about her (no, not her persona) that rubs me the wrong way.
Match Number Two: Batista versus Manu
Randy Orton comes out as the bell rings and Manu looks to the entrance. They lock up and Batista with a side head lock followed by a shoulder tackle. Manu with a thrust to the throat followed by forearms and a head butt. Manu with shoulders in the corner. Batista with a kick to Manu and he sets for the Batista Bomb, but Manu counters with a Samoan Drop. Manu with a leg lariat to Batista for a near fall. Manu sends Batista into the ring post. Manu with a snap mare and a nerve hold. Batista gets out of the hold by sending Manu into the turnbuckles. Batista with a running clothesline into the corner. Manu with a splash into the corner and he gets a two count. Manu with a diving head butt for a near fall. Manu charges but he charges into a big boot. We see Orton thinking about the match. Batista with a clothesline and spinebuster. Batista shakes some ropes and then he tries for the Batista Bomb but Manu with a back body drop to get out of the hold. Batista with a spear and then it is time for the Batista Bomb as the third time is the charm and he gets the three count.
Winner: Batista
After the match, Cody gets on the apron and Batista waits for him to enter the ring. Rhodes only teases Batista and returns to the floor.
Batista gets on the mic and he says for three years he has listened to him *insert here: "him" is Orton...wish these guys would pay attention to what they write** run his mouth badmouthing him and Evolution. For three years, he has wanted to whip his ***. Sunday, he will finally do it. Batista tells Orton to stop worrying about John Cena and he needs to worry about what Batista is going to do to him at Survivor Series.
My Opinion: I liked the match okay. I just am not impressed with Manu. I realize he is the son of one of the "Wild Samoans", but that doesn't mean he's automatically "in" with me. They have to prove themselves in my opinion. Orton has, Cody has, a lot of them has. I'm still yet to see Dibiase impress me though. He's okay, but to be the Million Dollar Man's son...he's got a ways to go in my eyes.
And I'm so sure that there were haters of Batista's that were quick to criticise the way he somewhat stuttered over his words on the mic last night. Well, all I've got to say is...the dude just finished a match PLUS he's got ASTHMA. I have asthma too, and trust me when I say the guy was most likely having an attack & probably had to go right then backstage and use his inhaler. So before you bad mouth his mic skills take that into account.
Cody is in the locker room and Randy enters. Randy says that it was real impressive to walk out of a fight with Batista. Orton suggests that he can take him off the team. Randy says that he does not have to explain himself to Cody Rhodes. Orton says that he likes the idea of the lumberjack match because Punk will not be able to leave. Cody tells Randy to keep talking because that is what he is good at.
Todd Grisham is on the stage and we go to a video package for Evan Bourne. In case you forgot, Evan hurt his ankle. Todd says that Evan is here to update him on his injury. Evan comes out on crutches and he says that he is still in the boot but his ankle is doing better every day. Evan says that he is going to come back and pick up...
Mike Knox comes out and he stands face to chest with Evan. Mike stares at Evan without saying a word. Knox goes to the back.
My opinion: Yeah, that was a bit creepy...Knox just creeps me out period. Worse than Snitsky, & that's saying a LOT.
Rey Mysterio is walking and he starts walking with Shawn Michaels. Shawn says that he has made this walk with a lot of people. Marty Jannetty, Triple H, and even Hulk Hogan. Shawn says that he isn't even a celebrity. Shawn says that this is the first time he has walked down the hall with Rey and he says that he is really nervous. Shawn asks Rey to help him. Shawn and Rey are walking. Shawn stops when he sees Dolph Ziggler. Shawn tells Dolph this is their first time as a tag team.
We see footage from earlier tonight when Shawn Michaels attacks Bradshaw. [foreshadow alert?]
My Opinion: I'm not quite sure what the point of this segment was all about, but hey, it had Shawn in it, so it's all good. =P
Match Number Three: John Morrison and The Miz versus Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels
Michaels and Morrison start things off and Michaels with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Michaels with a chop to Morrison and then he tags in Rey. Michaels with a drop toe hold and Rey with a snap leg drop. Rey with a kick to Morrison and a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Morrison falls into the position but Miz trips Rey. Michaels with a baseball slide to Miz followed by a pescado. Rey with a suicide dive that sends Morrison into the announce table. We go to commercial.
We are back and Miz with an arm bar and cross face to Michaels. Miz with a slam to Michaels but he misses a leg drop. We see Rey hit a rana from the turnbuckles on Morrison during the commercial. Back to live action and Rey tags in and hits a springboard seated splash. Rey with a rana to Miz. Rey charges at Miz and Miz ducks and he boosts Rey to the apron. Rey with a shoulder and then he kicks Morrison off the apron. Rey is sent into the ring post by Miz and Rey goes to the floor. Morrison kicks Rey on the floor and then he tags in and he punches Rey. Miz tags back in and they hit a double gutbuster on Rey. Miz with a bow and arrow on Rey as he works on the shoulder and back. Rey kicks his way out of the hold. Miz with a sunset flip but Rey rolls through and hits a drop kick. Morrison tags back in and he kicks Rey. Morrison with a hard Irish whip and he gets a two count. Morrison with a seated abdominal stretch and then he gets to his feet. Rey with a knee to the head and then he kicks Morrison. Morrison keeps Rey from making the tag and then he hits a tilt-a-whirl gutbuster for a two count. Miz tags back in and he kicks Rey while Morrison holds him. Miz with a leg drop to Rey for a near fall.
Morrison tags back in and he chokes Rey in the ropes. Morrison with another hard Irish whip and Morrison tries for the springboard spin kick but Rey counters with a drop kick and both men are down. Michaels and Miz tag in and Michaels punches Miz. Michaels with a flying forearm and he nips up into a reverse atomic drop and slam. Michaels goes up top for the elbow drop and he sets for Sweet Chin Music.
Miz drops down when Michaels tries for Sweet Chin Music and Michaels tries for a figure four leg lock but Miz gets out of the hold. Miz with an Irish whip and Michaels does the Michaels flip. Michaels with a clothesline to Morrison on the apron and another one to Miz in the ring. Rey with a monkey flip that sends Miz into the ropes into the 619 waiting room. Rey hits the 619 and he turns into Sweet Chin Music. Morrison with a super kick to Michaels and then he gets Rey out of the ring while Miz gets the cover for the three count.
Winners: John Morrison and The Miz
My Opinion: That seemed like a pathetic cop-out to me. But I have to admit, it was a tad cool looking. One finisher after another! LOL.
Cole and Lawler talk about ways to help the environment. It is time for another John Cena video package.
Chris Jericho is with Stephanie McMahon and she says that Chris has his equal time. Jericho asks Stephanie if she is enjoying her time because next week John Cena will be back to ruin things. He says that Cena divides everyone. He says that the only way to guarantee that there will not be a riot is if he is still the champion. Jericho says that she would want him to be the champion. We go to commercial.
My opinion: "Jericho says that she would want him to be the champion."~All I have to say is, "Yeah, right."
We are back and Todd Grisham is with CM Punk. Todd asks Punk about the night he lost his title at Unforgiven when Randy Orton kicked Punk in the head. Punk says the last few weeks have been frustrating. He wonders why Orton kicked him in the head. Maybe Randy was trying to feel like he was relevant. Punk says that Orton ruined his miracle year. Everything he earned was destroyed by the kick to the head. Punk says that he knows that Orton will not escape because thirty people will be throwing him back into the ring. Punk says that he isn't the son of a WWE Hall of Famer and he wasn't trained at the feet of Ric Flair and Triple H. He has earned everything and tonight it will be pay back.
Kane enters Bradshaw's locker room and he asks Bradshaw for some advice. Bradshaw says that they have been able to co-exist and are compatible. Kane says that Bradshaw invests money while he likes to shock people's genitals with car batteries. Kane says that if Bradshaw is going to give him advice, there will be a mutiny.
Okay, my opinion is more on this writer's alleged "writing skills" I don't remember this segment going like this at all. Of course I was at my computer through part of it, but if I remember correctly, Kane said that if Bradshaw GOT IN HIS WAY, there would be a mutiny. Or am I imagining things? LOL.
During the commercial, Cryme Tyme and Akon did some Money Money talk.
Match Number Four: Cryme Tyme versus Kane and Bradshaw with JBLimo
Bradshaw and JTG start things off and Bradshaw with a kick to the midsection followed by a forearm. JTG with an uppercut to Bradshaw followed by an elbow to the arm. Shad tags in and JTG sends Shad into the corner and he hits Bradshaw. Shad with a wrist lock and Bradshaw punches Shad. JTG tags in and hits a slingshot shoulder to Bradshaw. Shad tags back in and Shad with a shoulder tackle for a near fall. JTG tags back in and he hits a leap frog onto the arm. Bradshaw with a forearm and then he tags in Kane.
Kane with a slam and drop kick to JTG. Kane with forearms and uppercuts in the corner followed by an Irish whip and running clothesline. Kane with the side slam and then he gives Shad a big boot that knocks him off the apron. Kane goes up top for the flying clothesline and he hits it. Kane sets for the choke slam and Bradshaw tags himself in and hits the Clothesline from Wall Street for the three count.
Winners: Kane and Bradshaw
After the match, Kane stares at Bradshaw as he leaves.
My Opinion: Pretty decent match I suppose. But is there a difference in the "clothesline from hell" and the "clothesline from wall street"? I'd not heard it referred to as "Clothesline from Wall Street".
Kofi is in the back and he is talking to Evan Bourne. Kofi says that he hopes Evan is back for the Royal Rumble [featuring The Duck and Boost 29 Times Match]. Mike Knox attacks Kofi and Evan goes down too. Knox sends Kofi into the concession stand. Knox kick Bourne down and he takes his crutch. Evan begs for mercy but Knox shows no mercy as he hits Evan in the boot with the crutch. We go to commercial.
We are back with a Moments Ago Moment of Mike Knox attacking Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne.
My opinion: Seriously, what is the point in this? It can't be really promoting Evan's return b/c he's not supposed to return for like 4 months.
William Regal is on the mic and he says that the fact that a rap star got a warmer reception than the new Intercontinental Champion shows what the United States is about. Regal says that is why Great Britain is better received around the world than the United States.
Match Number Five: William Regal versus Matt Hardy
Regal works on the arm and has Hardy in a hammer lock but Hardy with a school boy for a near fall. Hardy tries for a back slide and gets a near fall. Regal throws Hardy out of the ring and then he kicks Hardy in the chest when he tries to re-enter the ring. Hardy pulls Regal out of the ring to the floor and they battle outside the ring. Regal sends Hardy into the ringside barrier and then Hardy returns the favor. The referee makes the ten count.
Winner: Double Count Out
After the match, Hardy and Regal continue to battle outside the ring and the referees come out to separate them.
My opinion: Okay, I didn't really pay attention to the match, but it wasn't Matt Hardy's fault. I just find Regal's character to be very mundane.
We are back with photos and video from the European tour.
Lillian Garcia introduces Chris Jericho, who comes to the ring. Chris says for the past month we have been treated to the heartwarming story of John Cena. Chris says that he is going to tell us a greater story, about him. He says in 2001, a year before John Cena debuted, he defeated the Rock to become the WCW champion. Then that same night, he defeated Steve Austin to become the WWE Champion and the first Undisputed Champion. It is a moment in time that has superseded anything that John Cena ever did.
This past September, he won the first Raw Scramble Match to win the World Title. It was a match he was not supposed to be in and it was his second match of the night. While John Cena was recuperating from a serious injury, Chris says that he has achieved greatness time and time again. He beat CM Punk in a steel cage. Two weeks later, he beat Shawn Michaels in a match that Shawn was not supposed to lose, a ladder match. Two weeks ago, in another cage match, he beat Batista to become a five time World Champion. Jericho says that he has won every conceivable match put before him. Every bit of passion, hype, pomp and circumstance has been focused on one man . . . John Cena.
John Cena has been treated as a savior or conquering hero, but Cena has never conquered him. (Insert here: Did John, or did he not, win a "You're Fired" match against Jericho on 8/22/05 against Jericho? he didn't just conquer Y2J, he got him FIRED! LOL!) Every time he has been challenged, he has held the title. He will not let John Cena waltz into the ring to take what is his. The centerpiece of Raw is not John Cena. It is the World Champion and that is Chris Jericho. He will end the phenomenon known as John Cena at Survivor Series. Only then will Monday Night Raw be saved.
We go to commercial.
We are back and the lumberjacks are around the ring.
Match Number Six: Randy Orton versus CM Punk in a Lumberjack Match
They lock up and they go to a stalemate. Punk with a side head lock and double leg sweep. Orton works on the arm but Punk gets out of the hold. Orton with a kick to the midsection and Punk is thrown out of the ring in heeltown and Punk gets back in before the lumberjacks can do anything to him. Punk with a waist lock and Orton with elbows. Orton with a shoulder tackle. Punk with a leg lariat and then Orton goes outside the ring in Faceville and they send him back into the ring. Punk with a series of near falls followed by a spinning back kick and Orton is thrown outside again. Orton hits Noble on the floor and it is time for some of the wrestlers to work over Orton before he returns to the ring. Punk with an Irish whip and Punk with a running shoulder into the corner. Punk with another charge into the corner but Punk misses and he hits the ring post. Mark Henry pulls Punk out of the ring and then returns him to the ring so Orton can get a near fall.
Orton with the Garvin Stomp. Punk punches Orton but Orton with a drop kick for a two count. Orton with a kick to the rib cage followed by a knee drop to the head for a near fall. Orton with a reverse chin lock. Orton with an Irish whip but he charges into a boot. Orton with a power slam for a two count. Orton with a knee drop to the head and then Orton with a reverse chin lock one more time. Punk with elbow but Orton with a forearm. Punk with a swinging neck breaker to Orton and both men are down. Orton with a punch and Punk responds with forearms and a series of kicks and slaps. Punk with a roundhouse kick for a two count.
Punk with a leg lariat and both men are down. Punk with a knee into the corner and he hits the bulldog for a two count. Punk gets Orton up for the Go To Sleep but Orton gets out of the hold and hits a back breaker. Orton sets for the Orton push ups and the RKO but Punk with a drop kick. Orton is sent outside to the floor. Miz and Morrison help Orton get up and Batista punches Orton. Punk with a cross body onto the lumberjacks. Regal distracts Punk and Orton hits the RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Orton sets for the kick to the head of Punk, but Batista with a spear to Orton. Bradshaw, Kane, Shawn Michaels, and Rey Mysterio get into the ring and then it is pandemonium in the ring and on the floor. We go to credits.
My Opinion: I actually like Punk pretty good, but I'm a bigger Orton fan. So I was happy he won. Pretty awesome match. Loved the resulting free-for-all! Quite entertaining! =]
I'd give the overall show a C+.