Hello World,
Welcome to Raw Is Johnmeode.
Again guys I apologise if this is shorter than normal, my life is manic at present. I am committed to write regularly and I shall do so. Hopefully things will calm down soon and I can get some good pieces done. Right let’s get to it.
This week we started with an excellent video package (aren’t they always!) of the events around September 11th 2001. This was done because Bin Laden has been killed finally. Then we had the beautiful Lillian Garcia sing the National Anthem. She was great as always and it was good to see her back. I have to say something about Americans. You guys must be the most patriotic people on earth. I wish people were more like this in the UK. I am very proud to be British and would happily shout it from the rooftops, however it is almost considered politically incorrect to do so. America is our cousin across the sea and we are damn proud to be your cousin.
The Announcers are Josh Matthews, Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole. First up we get the Rock, out to a massive pop as always. We are celebrating his birthday tonight. This guy has done so much for the WWE, I am a big fan. A top promo from him as usual, he is the best talker the industry has ever seen in my opinion. He says thanks to the forces and recites the pledge of allegiance with the crowd. He gets in to a promo about being proud to be home in Miami and talked about growing up and his life including his college football career. The GM piped in and Cole looking smug as always, tried to read it but the rock interrupted and dared him to read it in the ring to his face. He eventually did after showing a Boston Celtics Jersey which got a lot of heel heat. I guess they are playing Miami in the playoffs (I don’t follow NBA). The GM wanted an apology from the rock for embarrassing him at Mania and Cole wanted one for the way The Rock had treated him over the years. The Rock said he was sorry; he shook Cole’s hand then said Go Heat Bitch and gave him the Rock Bottom to a big pop and then the People’s Elbow. We then had Mr 305 Pitbull come out to sing for the rock with the Miami Heat cheerleaders. Long opening segment, I am expecting a lot of the Rock tonight, not that this is a bad thing.
Next up we what was supposed to be R truth vs. John Morrison, but as Morrison made his entrance, Truth attacked him from behind hitting Paydirt first on the outside of the ring then on the ramp. Morrison sold an Arm/neck injury. Truth is drawing a lot of heat; his heel turn has been very well done. Jim Ross is now at ringside announcing, the best in the business still.
Throughout the night they had Celebrities say happy birthday to the Rock. I didn’t recognise many of them being British an all and not watching American TV. Some I knew like Steve Carrell and Samuel L Jackson.
Next up another non match between Kelly Kelly and Maryse. They had barely got started when Kharma’s music hit and again she came down very slowly. Kelly looking frozen with fear and maryse down after selling a bulldog for what felt like an eternity. Kharma looked as if she was going to attack Kelly but turned around and went after Maryse, hitting the Implant buster. She stared at Kelly then just turned and went back up the ramp, Kelly still shitting herself. I like how they are building Kharma so far. I imagine she will be a face judging on who she has gone after so far.
Next were a couple of backstage segments sandwiched between commercials. First it was The Miz complaining to Alex Riley that he didn’t help last night at extreme rules and that he was late. Miz said he would win his rematch later tonight and after that nobody would be talking about the Rock. The next was a backstage skit with the Rock. Kozlov said he had a movie script so out come Santino as Vin Diesel, Hornswoggle as The Scorpion King and Khali as the Tooth Fairy. Not even the Rock could save this segment. Rock said he knew the perfect person to describe it. Out came Ron Simmons with a DAMN.
We are now at the hour mark and we are about to get our first proper match.
John Cena Beat The Miz via Disqualification. This was a good match, a lot better than I expected it to be. It went about 13 minutes when the Miz hit Cena with the title belt while Alex Riley had the Ref distracted and got the count of 3. The ref then saw that the title belt and reversed his decision, awarding the match to Cena via Disqualification. As I said it was a good match for free TV, Miz had kicked out of an Attitude Adjustment and Cena out of the Skull Crushing Finale. Match Rating 6.5/10
I have to give props to the Miz. He has had two very good matches in two days; he took some big bumps at Extreme Rules and still put on a performance like that the next day. My hat is off to you Miz. I expect him to get another shot at Over the Limit.
After the match Super Cena no sold everything and gave Miz and Riley an AA. I hate how he is booked to do that.
They then showed footage of Cena announcing to the crowd at Extreme Rules that Bin Laden had been taken down, the crowd went nuts.
Next we had Alberto Del Rio come out to announce on the next match which would feature new Raw draftee’s.
Rey Mysterio & Kofi Kingston beat Drew McIntyre & Jack Swagger via pinfall after Mysterio pinned McIntyre. Decent TV tag match, Mysterio got the hot tag and hit the 619 and his splash for the victory after about 7 minutes. After the match Del Rio tried to get to Mysterio but Rey dropkicked him off the apron. Del Rio talked on commentary about he should be the only Mexican on Raw, so I imagine that these two will feud again. Match rating 3/10
Next we had a promo video of an Anti Bullying Campaign featuring Triple H, Stephanie and some celebrities talking about the new movie starring Randy Orton.
After Commercial we had another backstage segment from the Rock’s Birthday Party. Firstly he congratulated Christian on his World Title Win (sigh). Then we got Vickie and Dolph present Rock with a huge Cake that Mae Young came out of (remember when she gave birth to a hand after being in a relationship with Mark Henry – great stuff that Vince!). Vickie and Dolph laughed at Mae. Rock told Vickie no matter how much weight you lose she will never be as beautiful as Mae and told Dolph he gets me pie in one night that Dolph does in a lifetime. I bet I get more pie than the rock, although that is actual pie. He then turned around and bumped into Cena. Cena said he had a present, the WWE title and he would keep it until Mania so that the biggest match of all time just got bigger. Rock Said Just Bring It.
Next up we got another non match that I’m not gonna rate. It was Kane Vs Mason Ryan. Ryan was accompanied to the ring by Punk. Ryan showed his power by throwing Kane around the ring, Punk interfered and Kane went to chokeslam Ryan but he powered out and hit his modified Rock Bottom finisher and the rest of the nexus came down to put the boots to Kane. Out came Big Show, who took out Mcgillicuty, Otunga and Punk, Ryan hit a huge spear on Show that took him out. Ryan was seething and Punk tried to calm him down but he just walked up the ramp ignoring Punk with the rest of the nexus guys looking on in awe. I guess they are trying to build Ryan for a push, he does have a great look but I don’t think he is the best in ring yet.
Next after commercial we got the Rock again out to the ring. He wanted to thank everyone for coming including his family who they showed at ringside. He promised that next year’s Wrestlemania in Miami would be the best Mania of all time. We then got Vince McMahon on the ramp. He thanked the Rock for all he has done including coming to him years ago and asking for an opportunity to grab the brass ring and taking it to heights never before seen. He thanked him for just being the Rock. They then showed another video package highlighting the rocks life and career which was extremely well done that had the Rock choking up. Then we had the singer Mya sing happy birthday to the Rock. He closed the show thanking everyone for a great night and balloons streamers came down and pyro’s went off as the Rock’s music played.
I thought that this was a good Raw. In terms of wrestling matches there wasn’t much although Cena and Miz put on a good one. Besides we were spoiled for good matches on Extreme Rules. A good Raw in my opinion is one that keeps my attention all the way through and this did that. I am also pleased that the Rock had this night, he certainly deserves it.
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TTFN
JM
