WWE Raw 8-4-14

[Craig H]

Brock vs Cena should be exactly what Brock vs Rock was or the beatings that Sting took from Vader, but worse.

[Greggulator]

1) The Brock/Cena promo is amazing. It's sort of like an updated version of the awesome Rock/Brock stuff from Brock's early run. The end line from Brock is one of the all-time great wrestling villain lines. Brock is SUCH a great promo. but the reason it works is because he talks so little and lets his mouthpiece in Heyman shout for him. It's like he can't even be bothered to talk to the WWE audience. When he does, it's important and something you HAVE to hear.

2) I was doing some work during Reigns/Kane but that seemed like at least a fun garbage match. It wasn't anything too mindblowing or anything but that's the best possible usage of Kane right now. Reigns doing the "locked and loaded" thing also has some fun mannerisms.

 

3) Dean vs. ADR was terrific. These guys are perfect foils for each other. Ambrose has a weak arm. ADR's specialist is arm work. Ambrose is a street punk. ADR is a rich jerk. Ambrose carries with him some natural sympathy because of his situation -- both in-ring, dealing with the Authority, and whatever his backstory is about. ADR feels no sympathy from others and can switch from technical wizard to vicious prick with brutal, heartless kicks in the blink of an eye.
 

That said, everyone go watch their Main Event match. It was a lot better than this and on the short list of best match of the year.

 

But I would watch ADR vs. Ambrose every single week if need be. ADR's the most underrated guy on the roster.

4) Rusev winning during the break is a great usage of the app. I love the Evil Russian stuff so much. That stand-off at the end was great. I wish they continued the cowardly attack on Zeb after the match. I think Zeb in The Accolade would have put the angle over-the-top. I don't know if Dutch can take that sort of move, though. He hasn't taken a bump I can remember since his debut.

5) I really like Paige's insincere "best friend" act. She's a totally awful person and it's great.

6) Dean tormenting Seth was great. The thing I thought about: Seth knew Dean couldn't do anything with the briefcase and/or the paperwork. Of COURSE Dean would shred the paperwork, as we know he hates that part of the business from months back. But he now has to keep an eye on that lunatic while trying to beat the clock. Kane entered into his latest psychodrama. Orton's not coming down to save Seth, since he doesn't like him. HHH/Steph can't do anything because they're prepping to finalize their plan to get the Bellas. Seth was vulnerable and Heath caught him.

7) Steph is absolutely amazing in her role. She's on an all-time great heel run. There's absolutely nothing likable about her as a person at all. This angle is somehow working despite Brie Bella being absolutely awful. The shocking thing is, Brie's IMPROVED from where she was, and this is the best we're getting from her. I did mark for when HHH cornered her with the table and chuckled as she had to watch her sister take The Pedigree.

Now for complaints:

8) They lost the map with Bray. The guy is still top notch. He says awesome things and he says them well. He's the best character on the show. But he was doing so much awesome stuff since his debut. Kidnapping Miz and writing "Liar" on his chest as he chained him in the back. He tried to break Bryan's will and make him join The Family, which led to the biggest pop of the decade when Bryan finally got him alone in the cage. The stand-offs and mind games with The Shield. Making Cena wear the sheep's mask. A CHILDREN'S CHOIR SERENADING CENA WHILE WEARING SHEEP MASKS. Trying to kill Lawler to get at Cena. That stuff was all absolutely golden and the most imaginative work the WWE has ever done.

The crowd popped HUGE when we had the GLLURRRRTTT to start the Jericho feud. Since then, we haven't had much. Bray making Jericho bleed from the ear after a Sister Abigail in the back was good but a standard malicious heel gang attack. The magic with Bray is all the insane head games. He HAS been like nothing we've seen before. It's been A+ work. But now? In a feud against babyface Jericho, a character who the crowd eats up -- there's no magic whatsoever.

9) I wish the formatting of the show was better. They could have cut out that second Brock/Cena promo -- I get why they have to show that again. It's really awesome, that's the match that's selling the PPV and a lot of people might not have seen it the first time around. They have to sell their products (which is why I don't mind the network and app shills). 

But if you take that out, and the second time they showed Randy's beatdown of Roman (they started the show with that), and dump one of the segments that's not leading to something on the PPV you can put on Main Event or Smackdown -- the Adam Rose bit, the Fandango stuff -- or maybe cut out the RVD thing and just make it Seth/Heath from the start, then you have 10 more minutes to work with.

With those 10 minutes we could have seen:

A) That Seth/Heath segment getting even better. Imagine if Heath shockingly held his own against Seth for a bunch of time? Seth is frustrated and then with it halfway over he now has to deal with Dean running out at ringside. That makes the match even more dramatic, and Seth now has to fight the clock, too. Seth's desperate to survive, but keeps his eye on Ambrose, and gets rolled up with under a minute left. The match/segment was still really effective. But that could have helped give Heath a little bit of credibility as Slater Gator starts to get some TV time.

B) Something with the New Nation guys. Xavier Woods was absolutely terrific on Main Event in the mouthpiece role. Their act is going to get over nice, especially if Mark Henry joins their ranks as the ultimate enforcer.

C) Something with The Usos, which could have gotten tied into B. Those guys are so consistently solid.

D) A longer Cesaro/Ziggler match. They gave Cesaro a bunch of time against Cena the week before. I get why he's losing -- there's nothing really for him right now, he's awesome in the ring and bulletproof because he's so damn good, might as well have him out there in awesome matches since there's capital in that. But give those guys 10 minutes and it makes everyone look better.

Overall, I thought this was a fine show. There wasn't anything egregiously awful in terms of the stuff I care about. There's stuff that could have been better, but there usually always is.

[bink_winkleman]

Most of the internet likes Dolph more than Cesaro, I think?

Trolling in a "watch what you ask for!" kinda way.

[Hooks]

I enjoy every time Michael Cole says something to the effect of "During the break, this happened EXCLUSIVELY on the WWE APP!  This is why you should have it!  Now let's take a look!" 

 

How exactly is the app footage "exclusive" if they go ahead and show the footage 90 seconds later on the air? 

 

Would I have really enjoyed the Sin Cara squash more if I saw it 90 seconds sooner, but on my cell phone screen instead of my 60 inch TV? 

 

That answer is no. 

Edited August 5, 2014 by Hooks

[Cristobal]

There's something ironic about Big E and Kofi joining a group because Xavier says it's time for them to stop doing what everyone else wants and start taking what they want and then the group getting zero time on the big show.

[Playa Shunna Ver 3.0]

Why is Brock not getting a 5 minute pre tape on every show year round?  It would, without a doubt, be the best part of RAW every week.   

[Raziel]

If Brock/Cena doesn't work out like Vader/Sting from Bash 92 with Brock in the Vader role, I'm going to voice my displeasure on social media.

[Playa Shunna Ver 3.0]

I will share your displeasure......with all my friends and followers.

[Craig H]

I will Like or RT the displeasure!

[Pete]

Brock vs Cena should be exactly what Brock vs Rock was or the beatings that Sting took from Vader, but worse.

 

http://youtu.be/1nJu2YmawAY

[piranesi]

It would be great to see Zach Gowan's mom in Brock's corner.

[Lo-Risk]

Not to infringe on any backstories other posters come up with for Dean Ambrose, but I just watched CAN'T HARDLY WAIT a few days ago, hear me out:

 

The character of Denise is played by an actress named Lauren Ambrose, and I couldn't help but picture Dean as her overprotective brother who somehow managed to graduate the year before. He shows up to the house looking for her, palmfacing Girl Whose House It Is out of his way before she can get a word out. Hits on Jamie Pressley. Goes upstairs cause he has to take a piss and kicks the door down, finding Denise and Seth Green's "Kenny" character. Crazy guy Thesz press on Kenny, followed by an epic asskicking. Eventually leaves, but not before stealing Jason Segal's watermelon and completely blowing off that other blonde chick because he doesn't give a shit that her parents have mirrors over their bed. And there's also a prequel idea in there where he feuds with Trip McNeely.

 

Oh! And JBL referenced Bloodsport!

[Charlie M.]

One of them needs to rip off Frank Mir's quote from before UFC 100:

 

"I will keep firing and take the skin off his face.  I want him to feel abused.  I want his lungs to cave in.  I want him to taste his own blood going down his throat.  I want him to feel pain for stepping anywhere near me."

[Hollywood Cibernetico]

I tuned into Raw with HHH doing the call and response routine with the crowd, and I just rolled my eyes. It's been said before that the begging, pandering, and corny antics masked as 'advestising' has done The Network no favors. Watching all of that play out throughout the evening left me a bit deflated as I figured the number is never going to be where it needs to be in order for The Network to thrive. I would LOVE to sit down 20 years from now and watch The Network with my kids and tell them I was one of the first subscribers and tell them my 'war' stories.

 

The Michael Cole shilling, HHH trolling, and the overall 'marketing' on Raw tells me that The Network will be around as long as The World eatery in NY.

[mco543]

Not to infringe on any backstories other posters come up for Dean Ambrose, but I just watched CAN'T HARDLY WAIT a few days ago, hear me out:

 

The character of Denise is played by an actress named Lauren Ambrose, and I couldn't help but picture Dean as her overprotective brother who somehow managed to graduate the year before. He shows up to the house looking for her, palmfacing Girl Whose House It Is out of his way before she can get a word out. Hits on Jamie Pressley. Goes upstairs cause he has to take a piss and kicks the door down, finding Denise and Seth Green's "Kenny" character. Crazy guy Thesz press on Kenny, followed by an epic asskicking. Eventually leaves, but not before stealing Jason Segal's watermelon and completely blowing off that other blonde chick because he doesn't give a shit that her parents have mirrors over their bed. And there's also a prequel idea in there where he feuds with Trip McNeely.

 

Oh! And JBL referenced Bloodsport!

 

Not enough likes in the world for this post. Bravo.

 

[offspring515]

with my kids...

Dear God...

[Nice Guy Eddie]

Not to infringe on any backstories other posters come up for Dean Ambrose, but I just watched CAN'T HARDLY WAIT a few days ago, hear me out:

The character of Denise is played by an actress named Lauren Ambrose, and I couldn't help but picture Dean as her overprotective brother who somehow managed to graduate the year before. He shows up to the house looking for her, palmfacing Girl Whose House It Is out of his way before she can get a word out. Hits on Jamie Pressley. Goes upstairs cause he has to take a piss and kicks the door down, finding Denise and Seth Green's "Kenny" character. Crazy guy Thesz press on Kenny, followed by an epic asskicking. Eventually leaves, but not before stealing Jason Segal's watermelon and completely blowing off that other blonde chick because he doesn't give a shit that her parents have mirrors over their bed. And there's also a prequel idea in there where he feuds with Trip McNeely.

You forgot the part where Melissa Joan Hart tries to have him sign her yearbook, so he proceeds to shit in it and sign his name in feces.

Then there's the threesome with Ambrose, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and the angel stripper.

[BrianS81177]

 

And that is all you need to remember from the show

 

Baron Von Rippa?

[Lo-Risk]

 

You forgot the part where Melissa Joan Hart tries to have him sign her yearbook, so he proceeds to shit in it and sign his name in feces.

Then there's the threesome with Ambrose, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and the angel stripper.

 

 

You know, in some odd way, I think Dean would be buddies with Preston, since Preston's known the Ambrose family since childhood. There'd be a scene where Preston is sitting in the car listening to "Mandy" and the camera pans over to reveal Dean in the passenger seat. He'd be pissed at Amanda after the rejection scene near the pool.

 

I say he walks past Melissa Joan Hart, snatches the yearbook from her and just starts scribbling his name in a random spot without even looking, while she tries to tell him he's not in there because he graduated last year.

 

He'd totally bang Angel Stripper, though.

[Nice Guy Eddie]

You forgot the part where Melissa Joan Hart tries to have him sign her yearbook, so he proceeds to shit in it and sign his name in feces.

Then there's the threesome with Ambrose, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and the angel stripper.

You know, in some odd way, I think Dean would be buddies with Preston, since Preston's known the Ambrose family since childhood. There'd be a scene where Preston is sitting in the car listening to "Mandy" and the camera pans over to reveal Dean in the passenger seat. He'd be pissed at Amanda after the rejection scene near the pool.

I say he walks past Melissa Joan Hart, snatches the yearbook from her and just starts scribbling his name in a random spot without even looking, while she tries to tell him he's not in there because he graduated last year.

He'd totally bang Angel Stripper, though.

You're right. Your Ambrose/Can't Hardly Wait fanfic is good. I salute you.

[Spritenaut 32]

I tuned into Raw with HHH doing the call and response routine with the crowd, and I just rolled my eyes. It's been said before that the begging, pandering, and corny antics masked as 'advestising' had done The Network no favors. Watching all of that play out throughout the evening left me a bit deflated as I figured the number is never going to be where it needs to be to continue this for years. I would LOVE to sit down 20 years from now and watch The Network with my kids and tell them I was one of the first subscribers and tell them my 'war' stories. What happened on Raw tells me that day is never going to come.

 

This.  I barely have any interest in watching RAW anymore as it is (I'm currently working my way through Primetime, Fall 1987, which entertains me far more than the current show).  I understand why they're pushing the Network so desperately and I would probably do the same thing in their place.  That doesn't mean I want to sit through their relentless shilling.  Just one more reason to watch Gorilla and the Brain.

 

I actually have the network.  It's a cool idea and a great value - if you want to watch a lot of wrestling practically every day and have the company more or less dictate what you watch.  I'm really skeptical they'll really get their act together and up their complete libraries from the territories, WCW, etc.  They're dragging their feet upping the tv shows that preceded RAW.  I suspect they'll be careful about upping anything that is too different from the current product.  I doubt Vince wants to be potentially embarrassed if the most viewed programs from the week turned out to be old WWF footage, much less Georgia or Crockett.  As much as people complain about the PG era, the current product is a lot like an edited version of the Attitude Era than it is anything that went before.

[The Nature Boy]

I want WWE to upload old Mid-Atlantic episodes to The Network. Being able to see the build to Starrcade 1983 would be amazing.

[Black Angel]

It's only $9.99. Kids make sure to get your parents permission before ordering the Network.

You make fun but I bet the Network was cheaper than most of the 900-909-9900 phone bills ended up being.

Halloween Havok '90. Good times...

[Curt McGirt]

This was an interesting Raw viewing for me because I missed it live and watched it the next day on Hulu Plus at my friend's house. He woke up and walked it just as I was starting it so sat down to watch. 

 

1. I had no idea it was a 90 minute edit, which, though it cut out things I wanted to see like Cesaro, New Nation developments, apparently Mark Henry, etc., it was like a cool drink of water in comparison to me flipping to the Food Network or something else every five-ten minutes. 

 

2. This use of Beat the Clock just did not make any sense to me. I was in FF mode for the running down the card shit (though I did catch Helmsley's meta "we know you hate us pimping this" Network shill) so I wasn't really clear as to why they were using it at all. You have a long-ass match that anyone is going to beat by virtue of the gimmick, then just use it so Ambrose can break the locks on a briefcase and spill shit on the floor. Granted, that was great, but Beat the Clock rules weren't necessary. Unless they used it to justify the dope Ambrose/Del Rio match, which leads me to 

 

3. Del Rio surprised my friend, who is down to watch some random puro or whatever every once in awhile, and had a hell of a time watching Stranglemania 2 once. He noted ADR's audial work, stomping for Ambrose when Ambrose was punching him, keeping the slapping of the leg for the kicks well done, appreciated the stiffness in general. Then he busts this out on me

 

4. "That guy [Ambrose] looks like Jeff Bridges." - Greg

 

...

 

I was completely taken aback and I'm not really sure if I see that... does anyone agree with this? My argument was "Well, maybe a young Jeff Bridges". Is somebody willing to dig up photos for comparisons? 

 

5. We both agreed that the end to Reigns/Kane was lame for a Last Man Standing match. Greg was saying it sucked, I asked him why and he said "I don't want that guy to win" (Reigns). 

 

6. He immediately said that Steph looked gross and when I pointed out her ribcage during the arrest footage I got a good reaction. He preferred Lana (with me saying "I don't dig blondes") and the Bellas -- "lookit that ass". 

 

Ah, it's always fun watching this shit with non-wrestling fans every once in awhile. 

[THEmanWITHnoNAME]