I would hope that I’ve established myself as a fair and balanced observer of all things pro wrestling. I feel as though I give the WWE the benefit of the doubt perhaps more often than the majority of my contemporaries. But after last night’s miserable TLC pay-per-view event I’m less than excited for what’s promised to be another forgettable Monday Night Raw courtesy of a creative department that doesn’t seem to care about consistency. Before TLC went on the air, there were reports of WWE Superstars ready to upstage Thursday’s NXT REvolution, and though I didn’t think that would happen, I at least expected an above average attempt by the main roster. Oh how wrong I was! Tonight’s Raw was another dismal display of overbooking and homages to glory-hogging faux legends, most notably the ever tiring Chris Jericho. Now that you know I am in no way enthused about the current state of affairs in the WWE, let’s get down to the Top Five Moments of Raw, or more appropriately, The Five Times I wasn’t on Facebook.
5. Raw is Jericho
With a seeming underabundance of topics to discuss from this exceptionally unimpressive episode of the WWE’s FLAGSHIP program, I figure we should probably begin by discussing the guest General Manager Chris Jericho. I’m probably in the minority here, but I just couldn’t stomach this—another Chris Jericho guest spot on Raw. Sometimes my reviews tend to become tangents and that’s my prerogative, if you don’t like it, there’s a back button and in most cases a little X in the corner of your screen that will take you away from whatever it is I’m writing that you find so objectionable. Nonetheless, tangent alert: I have friends who value wrestling as much as I do, some of them even contribute to this very website. Whenever I talk to people about fantasy booking, oh let’s say next years Wrestlemania for example, they inevitably start by throwing out previously established names like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin and Kurt Angle and Bully Ray. This is no different. Chris Jericho’s repeated disappearances and reemergences on WWE television are not only becoming tired and predictable, but they are helping to reinforce the notion that today’s product must rely on the stars of yesterday, a practice which in-turn cannot afford the opportunities required to build the Superstars of Tomorrow. What “Legends” laced up at Wrestlemania III? Or Five? Or Fourteen? Having Hall of Famers waving to fans at ringside is completely different than highlighting workers ten years past their prime on a major platform. I am so blatantly sick of the mandatory talking segments that begin every episode of Raw, and I especially loathe them when they are delivered by an interchangeable character like Chris Jericho, who isn’t embedded in any of today’s storylines and adds no value to the current product. I understand the WWE’s desire to use talent that draws money, at Raw and especially at Wrestlemania—but if the company doesn’t put more of an emphasis on the current crop of talent, then Wrestlemania 40 will feature a fifty year old Rock and an eighty year old Hulk Hogan. So the only reason I’m listing the opening monologue from Chris Jericho and his subsequent interplay with Heyman and Rollins is because there wasn’t much else from the show to report. The point of giving you five distinct moments each week is to provide a snapshot of the most important story elements from each episode. I might not have liked anything having to do with this, but the rest of the Internet seems to of loved it. Plus it helped to develop a self-contained plotline involving Chris Jericho that made him tolerable, and even added to a memorable and far more favorable moment later in the evening.
4. Kane versus… Leo Kruger??
Talk about going against the grain with my opinion. I picked this specific event for a variety of reasons but mostly because of what I think could prove to be a defining program in the development of Adam Rose. First of all, I must mention of the indie stars at ringside that comprised a fraction of The Rosebuds this evening, most notably Jimmy Jacobs, current wrestler for Rinf of Honor as well as plenty of other promotions, some based right here in my backyard of Southern California. So Rosebuds aside—The Big Red Machine, Kane has been in a stagnant spot for what seems to be an eternity. Even when you go back before his corporate makeover, Kane’s most memorable moments have been as part of a tag team tandem or as a second-tier world title holder. I’ve never been the biggest Kane fan, but I think back to his battles with The Undertaker and Steve Austin; this is a character with depth that has not been explored to his fullest in a very long time. It appears as though Kane has been pushed out from underneath the umbrella of the Authority, at least for the moment, and I’m optomistic that the apparent makings of a program with Rose can help to humanize Kane once again. More on that in a moment. Adam Rose on the other hand, but much the same as Kane, has become the victim of lazy booking practices and uninspired storytelling. Procrastination is second nature to most writers, and once an idea hits big, it can sometimes be hard to follow up. I understand that Creative has been pleased with the Exotic Express and the beings which inhabit it, but more needs to be done aside from sending him to the ring with an entourage. That is why I’m optimistic about placing Rose in the hands of the 20 year veteran, Glenn Jacobs. Fans have been waiting patiently for Adam Rose to turn on his albino ally, the wrestling rabbit, and the unstable influence of the Demon Kane could be the catalyst needed to draw Leo Kruger back out of the goofy Adam Rose. I am hopeful that after a few more weeks of catastrophic encounters, Kane may convince Rose drop the party people and align with him. Leo Kruger and Kane might be your tag team champions by this time come April. A boy can dream, can he not? I’m not one of those smarks who rallies for Kane’s resignation, because I think there are still benefits to be had from his wealth of knowledge and experience. Let’s see if I’m right.
3. Roman’s Reign
I’ve been unabashedly critical of Roman Reigns since the WWE began it’s nonstop crusade in building him as the next face of the company. I don’t think he has the talent, I don’t think he has the drive, and I don’t think he has the look, quite frankly, to fill the shoes of John Cena, the Rock, or even Shawn Michaels. But his return to action was exciting and energetic enough to make even me stand and take notice—even if I was only in my living room. I thought he looked good, as if he spent time developing the definition in his arms so as to avoid the doughy Samoan-look he’s destined to inherit. Believe it or not, I thought Fandango is the perfect person for Reigns to return against and defeat; Fandango is an established performer who has the support of the hard-core fans, while maintaining the disdain of the everyday wrestling marks. I’m not exactly sure why Roman Reigns has taken it upon himself to avenge Chris Jericho’s Slammy theft. I’m also not sure why the First Ever Undisputed and nine time Intercontinental champion gives a rat’s ass about a Slammy award, but that’s not the point. If Reigns reemerged and challenged anyone else, Rollins or Wyatt for example, the program would be fast-tracked and thrown away by the time Royal Rumble rolled around. Pairing Reigns with a heel that needs additional heat after his own absence such as Fandango is the perfect route to take in order to make the biggest mark in a small amount of time.
2. The Beast Incarnate & The Jew in JiuJitsu
As soon as Paul Heyman uttered the words, “Jew in jujitsu” I knew we had a top-five moment of the night. While the ongoing repartee between Heyman and Jericho was vastly more entertaining than their previous encounter just an hour and a half earlier, what created the most buzz on this occasion was the appearance of the world heavyweight champion. I’ve been torn about how to feel regarding the part-time schedule of Brock Lesnar. Part of me wants to see the championship defended on a more regular basis, but then another side of me says it makes sense for the world title to be featured as a special attraction. It also seems that the Intercontinental championship has had a chance to gain momentum since Lesnar captured the heavyweight title, as has the U.S. Belt. I remember back when I first began my weekly love affair with Monday Night Raw. It was 1995 and Bret Hart was the “Most Defending Champion in World Wrestling Federation History.” Everyone got a championship match! And I mean everyone; the 1-2-3 Kid, Bob “Spark Plug” Holly, even Salvator Sincere! While it helped Hart to stand out as a fearless Champion, it did little to elevate the title. What did it say about the most pretegious belt in the company when Brakkus was challenging for the god damn world heavyweight championship? So in that regard, it’s refreshing to see the world heavyweight championship displayed in such an elegant fashion. I was expecting Brock earlier in the evening when Heyman had first engaged Y2J, but given the way in which he made his appearance later on, I’m pleased with the decision to hold off. I didn’t know if Jericho was actually going to have a match with Paul Heyman or what, especially with the erratic build up used to promote the WWE App. I’m not sure if it’s a joke or not, but whats with asking the WWE Universe to vote on matches and then giving them three of the same options. I guess in this case it made sense because all three spelled the same fate for Heyman. But this isn’t the first time they’ve done that sort of thing, and I feel like if they’re going to insult their audience, at least have the courtesy to do it in a more subtle way. Raw seems less like a wrestling show, and more like the world’s most extravagant 3-hour infomercial for a mobile app. As much as I loathe the constant hellos and goodbyes by Chris Jericho, I couldn’t help but wonder if this impromptu altercation could possibly lead to a match between the Beast and the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla. There is a fair amount of time between now and The Royal Rumble, and Brock is scheduled for several television appearances. What better way to promote Raw and the WWE Network in 2015 than to feature the former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar on cable television, wrestling one of today’s most well-known pop culture icons and performers, Chris Jericho? The WWE loves to feature it’s veterans, and this seems like a money situation.
1. The New Paul Heyman Guy
Considering we just saw Seth Rollins and John Cena mix it up the night before at TLC, and in spite of the lackluster reputation of most Monday main events, I was pleasantly surprised with the execution of this cage match. Cage matches are a hit-or-miss with me; if it’s a 10 foot high wire fence confining Tully Blanchard and Magnum TA, I am on board all day—every day. But I think we can all admit that the WWE has a habit of running quality ideas into the ground. Look at the Elimination Chamber, a fantastical concept that made for a thrilling treat when one least expected I to reappear. But feature it every year at the same time and nobody could care less. The same can be said when you drag your PG-regulation safety cage from city to city for every house show where you proceed to hang it from the ceiling which spoils any sort of reveal. I will never be among those to talk down about the 15 time world heavyweight champion John Cena. I think Cena is a role model, not only for kids but for people of all ages. When I’m stuck with a particularly puzzling problem at work, I frequently find myself asking, “What Would John Cena Do?” His initials ARE J-C… I should make some bracelets. I also think John is an underrated professional wrestler who performs the “same five moves” to perfection, and does so to tell a specific story—but that’s not to say he isn’t above evolving, which we’ve all seen him do several times before. I don’t mean to go off on a tirade about how much I love John Cena, because he is far from my favorite wrestler. But you can’t fault him for his ability or is determination to do his very best. Seth Rollins is having a tremendous year, he is one of my favorite workers on the main roster and I think 2015 could be his big year in the WWE. Back to this match: I hear a lot of criticism regarding Mercury and Noble’s constant involvement in Rollin’s affairs, but I couldn’t be happier with them. They are two of the most talented workers that the WWE has had the privilege of employing, not only in the ring but behind the scenes. I was busy with a previous engagement and didn’t have the chance to see the finale live, but a friend sent me a text message saying, “Seth Rollins is the new Paul Haman guy.” While I believe my buddy might have jumped the gun as far as any allegiances, I am tickled at the idea of Rollins taking up Heyman’s managerial services ones Lesnar’s WWE contract comes to a conclusion in the spring. I love the consistency in the booking of Brock Lesnar. It begs the question, who is behind the creative decisions to develop his program, and why are they not working with the rest of the talent? As happy as one might be about the fantastic way in which the main event storyline is unfolding, it conversely serves to highlight the lack of depth in the undercard angles.
I had low expectations for this show and with fair enough reason. I was neither disappointed nor over whelmed by what I witnessed. Perhaps it wasn’t the trainwreck I was expecting, but it did nothing to excite me going forward into 2015. With Christmas next week and New Years just a stone’s throw from the present day, I’m not sure what else we can expect out of the WWE as far as creativity for the rest of 2014. Folks, I hope everyone has a lovely rest of their. I am heading home to New Jersey next Monday and will be flying during Raw, so I cannot guarantee that I will be back with my Highlight of the Night next week. Instead I’ll probably assemble something special onboard my flight to post once I land. Regardless of when my Monday Night Review returns, be sure to check in as I’m constantly adding columns and countdowns on a daily basis.
Have a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a prosperous New Year.
- Mark Adam Haggerty
