JV didn't have me on Raw duty this week, but I figured I'd give a quickie review anyways.
Overall, Raw was a solid show. WWE has really turned it around from the mundane, dull waste of two hours it was a year ago this time. There are key storylines that have been developing over the past three months, all building up to what should be an awesome Wrestlemania. Unfortunately for WWE, they are only able to make one of their brands this interesting at a time, as Smackdown, aside from Eddie Guerrero's title victory, hasn't seen much new to it in a while. Too bad, because the two brands could really give each other a run for their money (read: Vince's money) if they were both at the top of their game week-in and week-out. On with the show:
WWE Women's Championship: Molly Holly vs. Lita vs. Jazz vs. Victoria
I thought that this match was fantastic. Not because of the ring work, which was OK, but sloppy in spots, but rather because of the exceptional booking. They booked this match like they should have booked the first Elimination Chamber match two Survivor Series ago. They eliminated the champion early into the match - guaranteeing a new champion. Back then, HHH was the long-reigning champion who was facing a cast of formidable challengers all in one match. Molly had been champion since last summer (June or July - I can't remember), and Jazz, Lita & Victoria have all been hot on her heels in the last couple of months. The difference between these matches is that the crowd got fired up once Molly got pinned (not to say that the crowd was quiet beforehand, however - they were fantastic all night). In the EC match, RVD getting eliminated first killed the crowd heat until the end. This wasn't the case in this match. The least over person - Jazz - was eliminated first with a stiff looking DDT from Lita. Then, as Molly thought she had Lita eliminated, Victoria bridged over the now-former-Women's champ for the 1-2-3. The crowd went nuts - and so did Molly, as she attacked Victoria. That's some of the best booking in a title match - men's or women's - that I've seen in a while. Molly put over the importance of the belt, while making Victoria the underdog who had to climb up the ladder to finally win the belt. She eventually did so by thwarting Lita's moonsault attempt and turning it into a Widow's Peak (one of the best finishers in WWE, IMO). Simply an amazing match with a lot of drama and a lot of well-deserved respect to the new women's champ from a hot Nebraska crowd.
Winner and NEW Women's Champion: Victoria Randy Orton vs. Val Venis
What a waste. Sean Morley is too talented to be stuck with this tired gimmick. While the "Chief Morley" gimmick wasn't anything memorable, at least it gave him some kind of credibility. I say trade the ol' Valbowski (thank God he dropped that monicker) to Smackdown and rebrand him, because he's stale on Raw. Randy gave Val some offense before dropping him with the RKO for the three count.
Winner: Randy Orton In-Ring Promo: Evolution
These guys continue to be one of the highlights of Raw. The four of them together make for so much more than any of them individually, and they have established themselves as a powerhouse stable. HHH gave a decent promo that drew a lot of heat from the crowd - and from Chris Benoit. The Rabid Wolverine was actually booked strong in this segment, unlike the last couple of weeks, taking on Evolution on his own until HBK came to help out, and ended up taking the Crossface for his trouble. Sheriff Austin stepped in, and started the next match. Great heat between Benoit & HBK - I'd like to see one of them beat HHH for the belt at Mania, and then have these two headline Backlash.
Chris Benoit vs. Batista
Funny how the most intimidating-looking guy in Evolution is their weak link. Batista looks like a monster, but is booked like a roided-up Ric Flair wannabe. He doesn't have Flair's charisma, wrestling ability, or ring presence, yet they try to identify his character with Naitch. Don't get me wrong - I think that Batista has potential, and has some impressive mannerisms in the ring (especially how he "snaps up" after a high impact move), but he's got a long way to go. OK, off my soap box. Benoit was on his game tonight, and WWE put over the Crippler Crossface big time by having Batista tap to it. They did book the tap out so that Batista didn't look weak for doing so, but rather Benoit looked strong for having the move in his arsenal. Well done.
Winner: Chris Benoit Rob Van Dam & Booker T vs. La Resistance
Talk about no program going into Wrestlemania. I think that WWE should just throw RVD & Booker into an interpromotional match with Rikishi & Scotty 2 Hotty at WMXX. Sure, the match will suck, but neither brand has anything going on in its tag division - so unless the next 3 Smackdown episodes and 2 Raw episodes are all tag team, then it's pointless to try to start something now. The interest is zero. Anyhow, this match was pretty standard fare. The King actually paid attention to details - talking about how La Resistance came down to the same music, making them seem as a more cohesive unit, and later pointing out that the wrong Resistance-r being pinned. Good eye, but like it matters anyways. What ever happened to Sylvan Grenier? He's been injured for a while... Again, like it matters anyways.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 20 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Winners: RVD & Booker T Interview: Mick Foley
If everyone in WWE could cut a promo like Mick Foley, WWE would be phenomenal ratings. Unfortunately, Foley is a diamond in the rough that is Test, John Heidenreich, Scott Steiner, etc. This promo did an awesome job of pushing his feud with Randy Orton, pushing next week's Raw, and, eventually, pushing their Wrestlemania match. Yet another highlight of the show.
Christian vs. Trish Stratus
At the order of Eric Bischoff, Y2J's best friend was set to take on Y2J's "friend." Predictable booking here, but I did like Christian's backstage proposition to Trish prior to the match. Sleazy. Nice. Anyhow, Christian drew some good heat from this, which I'm sure Y2J will get a receipt for next week. The symbolism of him winning with the Walls of Jericho was a nice touch. I would've liked to have seen this "Christian weasling into Trish's heart" thing be given another week to develop, but time's ticking, so they gotta do what they gotta do.
Winner: Christian In-Ring Promo: Vince McMahon's Wrestlemania Announcement/Vince McMahon vs. Eric Bischoff
No surprises coming out of this except for Brock's surprise attack on Stone Cold. Stacy & Jackie got their match against Sable & Torrie - a "Playboy Evening Gown Match" no less. That had better be short and sweet. Kane got 'Taker in a match. Duh. And, Goldberg & Lesnar are going to get it on with SCSA as the guest ref. Lesnar F-5ing Austin was a stupid move - why would he want to draw heat from the ref of his big match? Especially after his opponent already has heat with the ref? Kind of dumb, but whatever. It was interesting to see Bischoff be treated first like a heel, then like a face. If nothing else, we weren't subjected to a long, brutal match between the two, and they did a good job of promoting the Monday Night War DVD in the process. Kudos.
Raw was another knock-out effort this week. My wish list for Mania includes a Molly/Victoria title match after tonight's outing. Other than that, WWE is putting the right matches on the card to make it the biggest Mania yet.
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