What did you think of last nights Raw? (4/9)

[AfRoMaN36]

Sorry this came late, but I worked a shift today from 5pm to 12Am so I had to have RAW taped for me. Anyhoo.... The Good: First off, kudos to Mick Foley and the WWE for being involved in that Make a Wish foundation. Though the kid they used seemed perfectly healthy, they made his dream come true by being in the WWE even if for just one night. And second of all...... NO KHALI!!!!! Kudos to the "GM of the Night" for not booking him. ...As for the show itself, the matches did what they were supposed to do. The Hardyz and the worlds greatest tag team seem to have great chemistry as opponents and this led to a solid match between the two. Sad that it only lasted a good 5 minutes or it would have easily have been match of the night. Speaking of the Tag Team scene, I kind of enjoyed that divas match at the beginning. Candice is undeniably improving while the other three did a great job aswell. Kind of bugged me that the crowd seemed dead throught a match where 4 beautiful half naked women and a great chance for a wardrobe malfunction tried to tear eachother apart, but whatever floats their boat I guess... In the promo end of the stick, I think they did much better than in recent weeks. Shane McMahon came out today and REALLY did a great job on the mic. The man seems better at his fathers game than his father. He genuinely seemed pissed of. Meanwhile, Lashley didnt do so bad himself. He didnt need to say much, but he delivered well. The Bad: I honestly saw the old "Dusty finish" for the HBK/Orton match comming a mile away, I may as well have waved to old Dusty as he passed by by to enfuriate fans once more. I'm also beginning to think they just dont like Randy Orton. Think about it... They never seem to give the guy a clean win over a top face, how on earth can I now take him serious as the number one contender to the WWE title? And is Edge? injured or not.... TELL US ALREADY!!! On another note, why does Victoria keep jobbing to anyone with a pulse? This is the diva resemblense to John Cena making Benoit tap out in the "Outrage" meter for me. I figure I may aswell step up to Stone Cold and give him the finger just before I viciously assault him.... Doesnt make sense? Well, neither do the other two. Overall: A good Raw and a great improvement from last week. However I can sense them laying off post Wrestle Mania as though this one is good, it isnt as great as what the E has been pulling out their hats lately. Rating: *** Biggest Pops: 1. John Cena 2. Mick Foley 3. Ric Flair Best Heat: 1. Orton 2. Johnny Nitro 3. Shane McMahon My Two Cents: * Was Lashley Hiding shoulder pads below that suit...? * ...or better yet, its best to just say the man just looks horrible in a suit. * And with a mic. * What exacly are Jonathan Coachmans... "Day to day" duties? * Nice to see Cade & Murdoch getting some respect nowadays. its the first time I heard their theme song more than once in a while. * Isn't it sad that both faces for the diva match have posed nude? * Scratch that.... as its just made my day! :P * Doesnt it make sense to just let the Hardyz DEFEND the tag titles if they are to win anyway? * And if Edge keeps screwing Orton over and over.... why doesn't Orton just ignore him? * Or tell a teacher? Make sure to leave your own feedback of last nights RAW.

[ahw26]

overall i thought it was a good show, but there are two things that bugged me about it. 1) how in the hell was it a double pinfall in the Orton-Michaels match? Orton made no attempt to actually pin Michaels so the fact that his shoulders were on the mat shouldn't make a difference. 2) Lashley in the main event again for the second week in a row, it was unnecessary last week and this week was even more unnecessary. An ever bigger issue with it is, i don't think anyone wanted to see a rematch between Lashley and Umaga so they put it in the main event. This week they put him up against Shane O'Mac an end it in a no contest after 2-3 mins, followed by a 3 on 1 beatdown as the crowd chanted boring. The main issue i have with it is its in the main event of the show instead of the world title feud, the cutting edge segment would have been a much better ending to this show mainly because it featured a feud the crowd actually cares about. I guess it mainly comes down to the fact that Vince views his own feuds as being the centre piece of the show rather than the world title, but hopefully this feud ends after Backlash and Vince appoints a proper GM to Raw and then disappears for at least 6 months, and even then only makes an occasional on-screen appearance rather than a full-fledged feud that goes on way too long.

[Jasx12]

It was better than last week. I didn't see all of it, but here is the one thought running through my mind: Something better happen, because two Fatal 4 Ways in one card isn't really a good idea. We already have 12 people involved in 3 matches. I would like to see Shane turn, personally.

[sebsy]

Enjoyed last nights Raw, really excited about the Cena vs HBK vs Orton vs Edge - WWE Title match at Backlash. Could be absolutely amazing. Honestly don't mind who wins other than Edge. I do really like Edge, but if he wins it's just going to be Edge vs Cena again for a a while and I think we've seen enough of that recently. Can't see Orton winning as he hasn't really been pushed towards it. Either Cena or HBK will do for me. Afroman, you say both faces in the womens tag match have posed nude?? When has Mickie James posed nude?

[djthefunkchris]

Do a Mickie James search on the internet, you will find it. She didn't pose for Playboy, but she posed for some wrestler that wants to be a photographer.

[Jasx12]

sebsy - MJ posed for some magazine spread pre-boob job.

[PeterHilton]

[QUOTE=ahw26;222610]overall i thought it was a good show, but there are two things that bugged me about it. 1) how in the hell was it a double pinfall in the Orton-Michaels match? Orton made no attempt to actually pin Michaels so the fact that his shoulders were on the mat shouldn't make a difference. [/QUOTE] This has only happened about a hundred times in pro wrestling. I agree it doesn't exactly make sense, but the double pin thing is pretty common. Hell, I'm trying to figure out why it took 5 minutes for a new ref to get to the ring...were the refs in a sound proof room? I try to ignore wrestling non-sequiturs..it just blows the mind. I thought the show itself was really good. I really hope they don't do the full-fledged turn with Orton; he's much more effective as a ****y heel and after his feud with Edge he should get an extended program with Cena. It would be all kinds of money. The more involved the McMahons are with Lashley, the more it seems like the company doesn't think he can stand on his own. They're his safety net and at this point Lashley/Umaga [I]should [/I]be a draw without all the bells and whistles. If the WWE doesn't think it is, then maybe they should tone down his push before he burns out completely. I'm actually hoping SD adds a four way dance for the belt. Then Backlash would get its own "theme": each brand defends its title in a Fatal 4 Way. Finally, when she was still working the indy scene, Mickie James did a nude spread for a fetish magazine caled Leg Show. It's basically porn. Pre implants. Definitely not something the WWE would mention. Unless the writers were f'n brilliant and realized that Melina bringing up Mickie's past would add a ridiculous amount of heat to their feud. Ah well....

[djthefunkchris]

I believe what they are doing with Lashley is smart. I know most the "Smart", "Smarks" and the rest of the "In the know" crowd just doesn't see it (When I said smart, smarks, I mean it as TWO TOTALLY Different groups of poeple) the way I do probably. I feel this way about the McMahan vs. Lashley feud. I feel it was totally perfect how it come from nowhere (Lashley just happened to be Trumps guy, could have been whoever Trump picked-the storyline way anyways). The longer he feuds with the McMahan's (and any minions they through at him), the bigger he will be. By the time they are done (the thought is) he will be just as popular as the rest of the Main Event scene. This helps in multiple ways.... First, it makes him a credible opponant for the Batista's, John Cena's, Edge's, Undertaker's, HBK's, Randy Orton's, etc. He is miles above the rest of ECW as it is (popularity wise). By now it would be ridiculous that anyone on ECW's roster could legitimately win against him without cheating. This is good (the bad only being that RVD is the only one popular enough to even draw a crowd trying to beat him). This elevates Lashley's popularity, and possibly ECW's as well. Now, after they are done with him, he will be able to stay on ECW and be a draw, as well as help the rest of the roster come up as well.... It's exactly how to bring the whole roster up. If I were a betting man, after Lashley is done, they will bring someone else up from ECW to get popular as well (it won't be a McMahan feud, but it will be someone legitimately over enough to bring ECW's guy(s) up a few notch's. Because, in all honesty (my opinion) they could make a fourth show right now, call it Diva's night out, and the Diva's would probably draw more then ECW does. Not that ECW is doing bad either.... WWECW is a very strong show, and the number one show on Sci/Fi as it is. It's just not even close to RAW, and about halfway in between Smackdown and Impact. For the WWE, that's not exceptable. I know this was supposed to be about RAW's show, but I would just say the same things as PeterHilton and Afroman did. I think the show was good, not on par with the shows they've been having, but definately not a bad show. I think the ladies looked good out there last night. Candice has definately been practicing, I think she's alot better then Ashley, for example. For that matter, I see she is potentially better then Melina as well. Melina has that intensity though. I don't know what's up with Victoria? Hardy's vs. WGTT = Fantastic. Carlito/Flair vs. the redneck brigade........... I was impressed with Lance and Murdock, but only because of the amazing work by both Carlito and Flair. They were made to look "Off" their game tonight, and Lance and Murdock looked as though they were on thier game tonight. Lance and Murdock are good, don't get me wrong, but I just can't see them as being a threat to anyone over the midcard position... It's not going to make them uppermidcards, because neither have the charisma to take do it......well, their problem: Murdock is a great worker, but lacks any charisma whatsoever, Lance has the charisma though, and I think he has a chance to do something as a single, but he would have to go with the dumb good guy gimmick to get their, and he is a heel right now.

[AfRoMaN36]

Mickie posed nude for some leg fetish mag. Without going too far into it.... its worth a gander.

[PeterHilton]

I like what you had to say. My only doubts are this: [QUOTE]Now, after they are done with him, he will be able to stay on ECW and be a draw, as well as help the rest of the roster come up as well.... It's exactly how to bring the whole roster up. If I were a betting man, after Lashley is done, they will bring someone else up from ECW to get popular as well (it won't be a McMahan feud, but it will be someone legitimately over enough to bring ECW's guy(s) up a few notch's[/QUOTE] Sound thinking. But will he actually be a draw? At some point Lashley vs. Umaga (or whoever) will need to get people to watch on its own merits, w/o the McMahons. And I'm not sure it will. It's probably because I'm not 100% sold on Lashley. No idea what it is. I know he's a great athlete. He's amazingly strong (I mean, did anyone catch that belly to belly? He basically lost his grip on Shane, so he just adjusted his hold and tossed him backwards over his head. Mid move. that's unreal strength). And he's got this amazing amateur background so conceivably he's got the chops to put on 30 minute classics. I just don't buy into his intensity. Maybe his face is too kind. he needs a beard or a scar or something. Kinda bland.

[AfRoMaN36]

Well I think they're going for the "nice bear" look for Lashley. The nice guy who will give to charity, sign autographs etc, but at the end of the day, if you mess with him the nice bear will wake up and realize.... he's a bear. And thats how their booking him. Hes like a mommas boy who is wrestling just because he loves wrestling. Not because he's a phsycopath or has temper issues. He doesnt look like the type to want to fight you in a steel cage because you're hiding the remote control. He looks like he just wants to wrestle and go home to eat some of mommas chilli. Further proven by the words "Hard Hitting, Soft Spoken" in the video for his intro. I like all that, as he makes himself look more sympathetic. I can relate to that alot better than I can relate to a guy who was burned by his brother as a child and is now sick, sadistic and bald. And I think the fact that he looks like a nice guy makes the fans more emotionally involved when he gets angry. (Like the big pop when he stood up to Vince) He doesnt need a scar or anything to look scary because he doesnt need it, its not his thing. And for the comments of "Lashley NEEDING McMahon to make him look credible." I think its wrong. Remember Austin getting big because of his feud with Vince. I dont think Vince wants to monopolize the show for the sake of monopolizing it. I just think he's trying to catch lightning in a bottle for Lashleys sake and ECW's. (Although, I sense Lashley leaving ECW once he drops the belt)

[PeterHilton]

I didn't say he needs McMahon to look credible. I said he needs him to be a draw. Austin's feud with McMahon made him a draw. And once the feud ended he was still a draw. So the program worked. Once this stuff with Vince ends, will fans still be interested in Lashley as a draw? I don't know. I sort of don't think so. And it doesn't matter how you describe it. 'A huggable guy who just wants to wrestle and then go home to momma' is still pretty dull. Hard hitting by soft spoken? THAT puts asses in seats? COME PAY TO SEE OUR CHAMPION. HE'S A NICE GUY WITH GOOD TABLE MANNERS!!! Bo-ring.

[AfRoMaN36]

Lol well the guy cant be scary. I doubt even if he tries to be scary he ends up getting more laughs than actually scaring people. The man is huge but with a voice and face like that, you couldnt scare children. They are just playing to his strengths. (A Huge body, great athleticism, and a nice personality.) You may not like the latter, but I find it refreshing. I find a legitamate desire to be in the business rather than a score to settle. But you do have a point, I dont think Lashley is a sell on his own right now. But give him a few feuds with some top stars and He'll do okay.

[Wallbanger]

How this feud is set up and resolved seems to be the key to how far Lashley can be pushed. I think that the "gentle giant/happy warrior" model is an interesting contrast to the rest of the upper mid/main event scene. But for it to be anything other than "something different" you have to be able to use that contrast to tell a compelling story. If that story can be told and told well, Lashley can be built into a solid main event draw, in my opinion. Without the story, he can't generate the necessary heat by himself to put bodies in seats.

[AfRoMaN36]

And I can only see the constant storylines of "Gentle Giant gets pushed to the edge" getting stale a year from now if done over and over. I just can't imagine the WWE doing anything else with him either.

[Wallbanger]

[QUOTE=AfRoMaN36;222743]And I can only see the constant storylines of "Gentle Giant gets pushed to the edge" getting stale a year from now if done over and over. I just can't imagine the WWE doing anything else with him either.[/QUOTE] At this point, agreed. Hopefully the creative team use that year well to further flesh out the character and help develop his mic/acting skills (which I will generously translate into D-/D ratings in TEW07 terms) so that they can take him another direction before beating the "pushed to the edge" formula into the ground.

[PeterHilton]

Sadly enough, the easy/obvious gimmick of using his military background has been occupied by someone who can't even do the salute properly. There have been some very successful "nice guy" characters before (Rick Steamboat comes to mind) but they always work their best against over-the-top heels. Hopefully the E can just keep pairing him with guys who draw so much heat the he won't really [I]need [/I]to keep up his end on the mic. Just stand there and be the good guy. Reason No. 1,854 that Hassan would've been an enormous success.