Some quick Raw thoughts

Well I was very sceptical about this whole walk out angle but I have to admit that I was highly entertained by the opening segment.  I thought HHH, John Cena, Sheamus and CM Punk were all great.  I was kind of hoping that the “walk out” would have lasted a bit longer before Mr. Mcmahon interrupted informing HHH he was relieved of his COO duties. 

The opening segment was the highlight of the show for me, not that it was too bad of a show.   Other things that are working for me is the faction that seems to be forming with Christian, Dolf Ziggler, Cody Rhodes and Jack Swagger.  I love the good old classic groups or gangs and this has the potential to be one lead by Vickie Guerrero.  I am not sure if this is the direction they are going to take with this but I hope so. 

Of course I also liked the return of The Miz and R-Truth, big things ahead for them I am sure.

Things I didn’t like include the announced main event of Vengeance which will see John Cena talking on champion Alberto Del Rio.  I would like to see Del Rio go one and one against someone else right now, but who?  CM Punk is going to be busy that PPV teaming with HHH to take on The Miz and R-Truth, a match I am looking forward to.  Perhaps Del Rio and Sheamus would be a good main event right now.  Sheamus is ready for the main event slot, even if he were to lose in controversial fashion.

I also didn’t like the firing of good ole Jim Ross.  I suppose he will be back at some point again, but I always like JR on the mic and always miss him when he is not there. 

Things I am still intrigued about include what is next for our interim leader John Laurinaitis.  Will someone else emerge to be working with him?  Kevin Nash?  No matter what he will form alliances over the next few weeks I am sure. 

Got to run for now, back later this week!

What to make of the whole walk out?

A little late for me to post some Smackdown thoughts now, but I enjoyed the show that I didn’t watch until Sunday evening.  It looks like we will be getting Big Show and Mark Henry for the title sooner or later.  That’s good; we don’t need Henry vs Randy Orton again just yet. 

But now it’s time to move on to tonight and what to make of this whole walk out/no confidence angle.  I flip flop on it.  We all suspend our disbelief for many of the angles that play out in Sports Entertainment, but I still like things to “make sense”.  The main premise for the athletes walking out on HHH is because they claim it is an unsafe environment to work.  I find that angle laughable.  This is the WWE where outrageous angles inside and outside of the ring have been played out again and again.  So why now, all of a sudden, is just about the entire roster walking out because of this reason?  I would find this more believable if they were walking out because the COO was drunk with power and has become a tyrant listening to none of the other superstars.  And I suppose that may be part of this, but to me it has been downplayed over their personal safety. 

I guess the thing to keep in mind here that there is someone manipulating everyone to get HHH out of power and to take control him or her self.  It doesn’t say much for the superstars if over 90% of the roster is sucked in.  However, I must admit, with RAW just hours away I am intrigued as I ever been about how all of this will play out.  I am hoping it’s not much ado about nothing, which it most certainly has the potential to be.  Since the summer now angles have been playing out that are hinting of someone working behind the scenes and maybe a corporate faction forming.  I think it’s time for that to finally happen if it ever is.

Well, it will soon be time to find out what’s next...if anything at all.

Raw Thoughts, October 3rd

Not a full play by play...but some observations and thoughts on the October 3^rd edition of Raw.

Wow...we are starting off with a match.  Randy Orton vs Drew McIntyre.  Obviously McIntyre is going to do the job, but for much of the match he looks good and carries much of the offense in the bout.  Once the Orton picks up the three count Mark Henry enters and I guess we are not done with this feud yet.  Some chaos ensues.  I would like to see Henry mix it up with someone else now, but undoubtedly more from The World’s Strongest Man and the Viper to come.

Big Show is back Friday....awesome!  Looks like I will be getting my wish with Henry. 

Next up poor old John Morrison gets to take on Mark Henry.  Morrison has been nothing but a glorified jobber lately.  He needs something new, either a partner or a heel turn.  Right now I am totally uninterested in him.  Henry wins and that marks two matches in a row tonight without any long speeches on the mic. Wait...Henry grabs the mic after the match and says he is done with Orton.  That could only mean one thing...he’s not.  But he also acknowledges Big Show’s upcoming return.  Interesting to see where they will go with Henry’s championship reign next.

I am not buying into Beth Phoenix’s title reign.  I still think they dropped the ball on this one by making her loose to Kelly Kelly so much.  But it is now Kelly appearing to be the ruthless monster tonight with her vicious attack on Phoenix before the match even started.  That was after she was all smiles entering the ring.  I'm confused. 

Welcome back Santino Marella who takes on Jinder Mahal.  I don't know what it is about that cobra move that I find amusing.  Quick victory for Marella and we move on.

They showed some footage of R-Truth's and The Miz's actions from Hell in the Cell.  (WHAT?)  I can't believe at one point I questioned if the pairing of these two would work? (WHAT?) I have totally 100% bought into their alliance!  (WHAT?)  Can't wait for them to make their full return and see what's in store for them because they are aaaaawwwwweeeessssssoooommmeeeee!

Awesome 12 man tag match.  It was a lot of fun, reminded me why I love wrestling, actually wrestling that is! 

As for this last no confidence vote segment, here’s some things I didn’t like about it.  The WWE has become a hostile and unsafe work environment.  Really?  REALLY?  This is what the WWE superstars are getting upset about?  Ha. Am I am suppose to buy into this?  I didn’t like it when Wade Barrett was explaining how he was distressed over the chaos and Mark Henry was there nodding in agreement.  Really?  Mark Henry who is supposed to be an animal and causing chaos, it just didn’t suit his character.  And “monster Diva” Beth Phoenix claiming “were girls!”  Ha ha again.  I am just not feeling this but who knows where they will go with it all.  It was nice to hear the crowd boo everyone for leaving and chanting HHH...HHH!  Is he now the only face in the company!?!?!  The most amusing part to me was when it was all done and there was a complete walk out and HHH was left alone in the ring.  He raised his arms in an “ah well” type motion and the crowd are obviously in his corner. 

Well I didn’t buy into the segment but at the same time I found it amusing and I am curious to where they are going with it.  Does that mean I am buying into it?  And overall I enjoyed this episode of Raw.

OMG!  CM Punk didn't have the mic at all tonight!  And he was only featured in a 12 man tag team match!!

Are we really finished with Kevin Nash?  If so, wouldn't that mark one of the most pointless returns in WWE history?

See you next time!

Hell in the Cell predictions and other thoughts

I had to neglect my blog last week so no detailed thoughts on Smackdown or Raw.  But here are some quick thoughts and predictions leading into tonight’s Hell in the Cell PPV.

Sheamus vs Christian

I am thinking Sheamus continues the roll his has been on lately which the announcers continuingly remind us of.  They could pull out some sort of surprise here, but I will still put my money on the big man from Ireland.  I think this has the potential to be a great match.  Prediction:  Sheamus by pin fall.

Diva’s Championship Match Beth Phoenix vs Kelly Kelly (c)

Dare I make the same “bold” prediction three PPVs in a row.  Yes.  This is the night that Phoenix finally wins the Diva’s championship....maybe.  I am not sure what the WWE’s motivation was here when they refused to put the strap on Phoenix and kept getting Kelly over.  If it was to surprise us it worked on me.  Prediction:  New champion Beth Phoenix by pin fall. 

Sin Cara vs Sin Cara

This one is easy.  Sin Cara.  Haha, lame joke on my part.  I am not sure how to predict this one.  The “good” Sin Cara or the “bad” Sin Cara wins?  The white mask or the blue one?  So here is my prediction.  This one is not over yet and they fight to a no decision.  Prediction:  Double count out.  (should be an entertaining match).

World Heavyweight Championship Match Mark Henry (c) vs Randy Orton

Please WWE don’t take the strap off Henry yet.  It has been an awesome road leading up to his championship win and they continue to create a ruthless, fear striking monster in his character.  I am still expecting a return of Big Show and/or Kane at some point to cause some trouble for the champ. But even if they do show up to interfere, how awesome would he look if he could overcome the odds and retain the strap under those circumstances. I would like to see him hold it until Wrestlemania and take on the Undertaker.  Prediction:  Mark Henry retains by pinfall.

WWE Championship Triple Threat Match John Cena (c) vs Alberto Del Rio vs CM Punk

Should be another great match.  I don’t know why the strap was put back on Cena and taken off Del Rio so soon.  I am sure this match could have happened if Del Rio retained at Night of Champions.  In any event I am thinking the gold comes back his way again tonight surrounded by controversy of course.  Look for a possible cast of characters to play a role in this one including The Miz, R-Truth, John Laurinaitis, Kevin Nash, HHH and who knows who else?  Prediction:  New WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio.

Some other thoughts

If Del Rio gets the title back can this put Punk and Cena on the same page for a while forming a bit of an alliance against the powers that be, whoever they are?

How long before Jack Swagger and Dolf Ziggler challenge for the Tag Team championship now that they appear to have their differences worked out.  Will Ziggler drop the the US championship to someone and focus on the Tag Titles.  That is what I am hoping.  Let’s give someone else a chance with the US Title and see these two as a team.  Who could be the next in line to carry the US championship?  Zack Ryder?  Woo woo woo!

There is a lot to more to comment on but I will leave it at that for now.  I did enjoy both Raw and Smackdown this week, some good matches on both. 

I hope I do better on my predictions tonight since I didn’t get even one correct at Night of Champions.

Enjoy the PPV everyone!

Hell in the Cell Triple Threat!

We are going to be treated to a triple threat match inside the cell for the WWE championship featuring title holder John Cena and two challengers CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio.  I wasn’t a fan of taking the belt off Del Rio so soon and I am not a Cena hater or anything either.  I am wondering what could happen here.  It would seem that CM Punk has to get his due again soon or later being that the spotlight has been on him so much for so long.  Then again, we saw Punk and Cena manage to get on the same page recently on Raw.  Could this be foreshadowing something? Could the Hell in the Cell match end in controversy with Del Rio reclaiming the gold causing Cena and Punk  to join forces against whatever faction caused them both to be strapless at the end of the PPV?  There is the possibility of Kevin Nash, plus we got The Miz and R-Truth who are “fired” and will no doubt play a big role somewhere soon.

Also, I thought that John Laurinatis’s speech on Smackdown that assured everyone that HHH was in complete control and not to worry was a bit fishy.  Maybe, we finally get some sort or NWO, Kliq or other group form at Hell in the Cell.  John Laurinatis, Kevin Nash, The Miz and R-Truth maybe?  Leaving HHH to join forces with Cena and Punk.  Add another couple wrestlers and it could set up some sort of Survivor Series match.  We shall see. 

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  Back later this week.  Cheers!

Smackdown Thoughts, September 24th

Thanks to my DVR I was able to watch Raw and Smackdown this week, it’s been a busy one.  Some quick thoughts on Smackdown to start my Saturday.

I love how they are not slowing down on the animal that is Mark Henry character.  He showed us this week that he is still just as ruthless and doesn’t care about anything but hanging on to his title.  I enjoyed the opening segment on Smackdown, it wasn’t too long and dragged out and looks like I made a correct prediction for a change.  It appears that Christian will be Mark Henry’s first victim as champion. 

Sheamus continues to be on a major role and it really getting hyped by the broadcast team.  I am thinking he is a lurking shark now, just waiting.  It seems like he is continuing to be pushed until they need him in a main event slot.  Assuming Mark Henry remains champion he could be tangling with Sheamus again down the road.

Wade Barrett and Heath Slater fill some time with a match and a Barrett win.  Not much going on for Barrett lately.

Divas are up in a tag match.  Beth Phoenix and Natalya win a tag match only because Kelly Kelly is not on the team facing them.  The WWE continue to push Kelly Kelly.  I have nothing more to say about the Divas that I haven’t said the last few weeks.

Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes go at it again for the third time in recent weeks.  Orton snaps and gets disqualified but the beat down doesn’t stop after the bell.  The end result it an enraged and sinister Orton and a beaten up and bloody Rhodes.  Great matches between these two!

We are getting The Great Khali and Jinder Mahal already.  I am glad they are not hyping this up to a PPV match.  The Great Khali enters the ring to some cheers from the crowd and doesn’t have much trouble with Mahal.  He gives him a kind of mocking pin by just standing above him and laying his foot on his chest.  What, if anything, could be meaningful for both of these two next?

Dim the lights, light the candles, set the table, it’s time for ..... Sin Cara.  Tonight he is taking on Daniel Bryan.  Doesn’t matter what happens here because you just know that second Sin Cara is going to show up.  There is a bit of a twist tonight.  The second Sin Cara enters and takes out the first Sin Cara.  The second Sin Cara then takes over and wins the match.  I can’t help it; I am still being very entertained by this.

Tag Team Champs Air Boom get a victory over The Usos in a decent match.  This Air Boom team really worked out and continues to be entertaining.  They need another high profile opponent.  Problem being, is there such a thing currently in tag team wrestling?

Main event is a lumberjack match – classic – love it!  Wouldn’t it be a shocker it Christian won the match!  Haha – never going to happen.  Mark Henry eventually ends up outside the ring and the entire group of lumberjacks cannot get him back in.  The crowd are actually chanting Khali’s name at one point when he is one of the last standing after Henry’s onslaught.  Christain decides to leave but thanks to Sheamus is thrown back in to the ring, falls victim to the world’s strongest match, 1..2..3, Henry wins.

I know it plays into the Christian’s character but I didn’t like him wanting to bail out on the match.  It should all be about the title.  He could still be cowardly and try to win the match, maybe by still trying to be crafty and desperately trying to find allies. 

I liked both Smackdown and Raw this week.   If I have some time I may be back later this weekend with some more comments.  Have a good one! 

Raw Thoughts, September 19th

Raw starts in the usual fashion.  CM Punk has been screaming for change.  Here’s an idea.  Why not stop starting off the majority of episodes of Raw with another Punk and HHH argument.  Yes, I am bored with this.   During the opening segment we do learn that there will be a Triple Threat Hell in the Cell match for the title featuring John Cena, CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio at the upcoming Hell in a Cell event. 

We get an 8 man tag next with Sheamus, Air Boom and Justin Gabriel  vs David Otunga, Michael McGillicutty, Christian and Wade Barrett.  Sheamus, who has been on a role, picks up the pin.  Not a bad match.  How much longer are they going to put off Christian vs Sheamus?  Next PPV?

The former champion Alberto Del Rio takes on John Morrison.  I was so disappointed that Del Rio lost the title.  Speaking of which, we had two new champions last night, we are over 30 minutes into the show and have seen neither of them.  This match ends quickly with Morrison tapping out.  Del Rio appears angry, I like this.  I liked the quick submission, building Del Rio up to be a solid contender for the title and not a fluke champion.  Leading into his Night of Champions match when he had the title, he was ducking Cena at every opportunity.  I like the over cocky Del Rio who also appears a bit ruthless. 

Celebrity guest appearance time featuring Hugh Jackman.  So we all know someone will interrupt him, but who?  Ahhhh...plug your ears...that shrill...it’s Vicky Guerrero, being accompanied to the ring by United States Champion Dolf Ziggler.  A war of words continue between Ziggler and Jackman.  Jackman says he is going to find the biggest underdog to defeat Ziggler tonight and the crowd almost immediately starts chanting for Ryder.  WOO WOO WOO!  Man that guy is over with the crowd, but can he become a legitimate and believable contender in the ring?   

Here comes Sin Cara...which Sin Cara is this?  He is on taking the awesome Cody Rhodes.  Wait...here comes the other Sin Cara.  They have an entertaining exchange of high flying moves.  I don’t know where Cody Rhodes disappeared to, but he doesn’t appear anymore in this segment.  So when these two lock up for real, what will it be like?  They showed us tonight that it could be a very entertaining wrestling match.  But will we care about this?  Two guys looking exactly the same that we don’t have much emotional investment either way.  Having said that, I am finding it very entertaining.  I would love to see this lead to a match with one clearly emerging as a heel and then remove the mask for a big and shocking reveal as to who is in there. 

Finally, about an hour into the program and we have one of our new champions show up as Mark Henry is interviewed by Jim Ross.  Great segment.  Henry has the title and is showing no signs of being any less ruthless or vicious.  He takes out and Ross and Jerry Lawler.   Awesome!

Divas are up as Micheal Cole and Josh Matthews appear very concerned about Ross and Lawler.  This is great too, helps to keep building up Mark Henry’s character.  The Diva’s tag match gets underway with the Divas chamption (still?) Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres vs Natalya and Beth Phoenix.  Kelly and Eve win.  The monster to what could have been Beth Phoenix is dead.

WOO WOO WOO it’s the “Internet Champion” Zack Ryder, with Hugh Jackman vs Dolf Ziggler.  Ryder gets the wins thanks to interference from Jackman.  I enjoyed this match.  WOO WOO WOO!

After a brief and mostly friendly exchange between Cena and Punk back stage we get the main event going with The Miz and R-Truth entering the ring to their totally awesome “You suck” rap song.  I made this comment before but I will briefly make it again.  First when it appeared that these two might become a team I didn’t think I was going to like it.  But I love them together.  They have been very good for each other too.  On to the bout...good match!  I love CM Punk’s actions on the side of the ring waiting to be tagged, which is where he spends much of the match.  He is totally into it.  I have been hard on his lengthy speeches in the ring lately, but he is a great performer.  He ends up getting the pin for the victory here.

Time to play the game....we are not done, here come HHH who promises he would fire someone tonight and it’s Miz and Truth getting the axe.  HHH is then attacked by them back stage in front of the rest of the roster.  In the end Miz and Truth are tossed out of the building.  I liked the end here.  Miz and Truth, although “fired” are thrust right back into the spotlight.  This could get good!  Oh btw....where is Kevin Nash, are we done with him now? 

See you next time!