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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 11.03.14

November 3, 2014 | Posted by Larry Csonka
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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 11.03.14  

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Introduction
As a reminder, this will not be another traditional recap, but instead it will be a mash up of the Rs, Instant Analysis and my usual Twitter ramblings I would do during the shows; completely uncensored and as the ideas flow unfiltered to the old keyboard. Remember, this is a review; and I am here to review the show. As always, I encourage discussion and even disagreement, just do so in a respectful manner. I will be doing the review for Raw and most PPVs and iPPVs going forward.

“FOR ONLY $9.99 MICHAEL!”

WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW 11.03.14


OFFICIAL RESULTS
~ Dean Ambrose defeated Cesaro @ 12:25 via pin [***]
~ The Miz defeated Jimmy Uso @ 4:35 via pin []
~ Non-Title Match: Tyson Kidd defeated Sheamus © 5:14 via countout [**]
~ IC Title Match: Seth Rollins defeated Dolph Ziggler @ 16:10 via DQ [***½]
~ Ryback defeated Titus O’Neil @ 2:30 via pin [NR under three minutes]
~ Big Show defeated Mark Henry @ 6:30 via DQ []
~ Nikki Bella defeated Emma @ 2:24 via pin [NR under three minutes]
~ Rusev defeated Zack Ryder @ 1:18 via submission [NR under three minutes]
~ Fernando defeated Stardust @ 2;45 via pin [NR under three minutes]
~ Seth Rollins defeated Randy Orton @ via pin [**¾]


Vince McMahon Appears as a Product Spokesman: The show kicked off with Vince McMahon, Stephanie and Triple H making their way to the ring. Vince was essentially downgraded to a glorified spokesman after not being on TV in what felt like an eternity. I had really hoped that his return would have had more substance. Instead, he promoted the Network and announced a stipulation for the Survivor Series main event. Sure that’s effective, but this is what brought Vince back to TV? It came off completely anticlimactic. The backstage stuff was actually better and more entertaining, with Vince stating that he had faith in Stephanie and HHH, but them reacting nervously.

Dean Ambrose vs. Cesaro: This was your Smackdown replay special, minus the Halloween gimmicks. I like both guys, and they had a fun TV match so I can’t complain too much. But I say again that the constant repetition and fact that they make the other shows feel not important by ding stuff like this continues to be annoying. Bray Wyatt appeared during the match, Ambrose tried to go after him post match but he used his Undertaker starters kit to escape. Ambrose vs. Wyatt has been uneventful so far, which is sad considering they closed a PPV with the angle to kick them off. Sure I didn’t like that angle, but I had some hope that they would have some buzz and juice following that.

* Triple H and Stephanie argued over using Randy Orton on their Survivor Series team.

The Miz vs. Jimmy Uso: This was a fine little match, not great, but fine in the ring. The thing here was that they are moving Miz and Sandow to the tag division, which I am completely fine with. They are a fun act, and Miz simply is not a believable singles challenger anymore. Miz scores the win in a singles match, which I like because in the “WWE Universe,” Miz is an accomplished singles wrestler, while the Usos thrive in tag team matches.

Sheamus vs. Tyson Kidd: This was a completely frustrating match, in that Sheamus is being advertised for a “WWE Network Exclusive” title defense against Rusev. So instead of putting him out there against someone he can mow through to make him look great heading into the match, he goes 50/50 with Tyson Kidd and then loses via countout. I like Kidd, but this was not a match to book him in tonight. Sheamus should have simply destroyed someone and looked great heading into the “Network Exclusive”. Instead, he does the fluke loss not really a loss, and then to make it even worse, they did that thing that always annoys me. They made the finish mean nothing, because the final image is what matters, not wins and losses. Sheamus lays out Kidd to make him look like even more of a goof. Simply frustrating.

The Temptation of Ziggler: Dolph Ziggler had made his way out for a match, but Triple H, Stephanie, Kane, Rollins, Noble and Mercury all came to the ring. Triple H and Stephanie tried to temp Ziggler to come to their side and join Team Authority. Since Cena was not there, they played that card and noted that Ziggler works hard but will never get the credit if Cena’s team wins, because Cena takes all of the glory. They actually did really well with this and Ziggler sold his emotions nicely, like he was actually contemplating the deal. In the end he stood up to the Authority, which led to him having to defend the IC Title against Rollins. I liked that a lot, and Ziggler came off like a big deal for once.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins: mercury and Noble stayed at ringside. They had a hell of a match here, and they need to let these guys have 20-minute son a PPV soon and let them cut loose. Anyway, they work really well together and I really enjoyed the match. The distractions from Noble and Mercury made sense, and I would have actually bought into Rollins taking the title due to how they laid it out, and for the fact that Rollins has been booked so strongly. But just as Rollins had it won, Randy Orton appeared to hit the RKOOUTTANOWHERE and stopped that bullshit. This plays into the previous segment where the Authority was so certain that Orton was on their Survivor Series team. These two segments with Ziggler went a long way to turning this show around for me.

TRIPLE H WILL FIRE YOU UP FUCKERS: Orton later met with the Authority, demanding a match with Rollins tonight. He even teased joining Team Cena to ensure that he’d get his way. Triple H then gave a big speech about needing Randy Orton, needing the viper, needing the man he fought with and against for the past decade. He then gave him the match with Rollins, and told him to get it out of his system and get it over with so that they can go to war at Survivor Series. Another very strong segment, good performances from both and now what exactly will we get later tonight?

* Luke Harper’s eyes cut a promo.

Titus O’Neil vs. Ryback: THE BIG GUY. Titus actually put up a bit of a fight, which I was not a fan of. You just brought Ryback into the fold again, and Titus hasn’t meant anything on the main roster, ever. Ryback should have ran through him like a bad turkey wrap bought at a gas station at 2AM. Ryback won obviously, but he really should have dominated more. That’s why you have guys like Slater and Titus around. They showed the Authority scouting the Big Guy from the back. It’s a small thing, but I liked that they showed it as it makes Ryback look important.

* Big Show said that if Cena needed him that he’d be on his Survivor Series team. Show wants to knock Henry out of his life, but also misses his friend. He spoke about their combined forty years experience, but never noted that only about five of them were good.

Big Show vs. Mark Henry: Ok, good, Show took him to the corner and tried to beat him down right away. I was afraid that they were going to lock up to start, which would have made no sense. Show pretty much beat the shit out of Henry and then tried to make him tap to his new calf slicer like submission hold. I also liked that the Authority was scouting again. Show decided he was Ric Flair and went up top, only for Henry to slam him off for a near fall. Show survived the WSS, only to get hit with the ring steps for the DQ. Henry then hit the WSS on the steps and stood over Show and talked shit. As a wrestling match this wasn’t good, but as an angle it was solid stuff overall.

* Kane was sent by The Authority to talk with Henry. Triple H said things would be fine once Orton and Rollins settled things tonight.

Nikki Bella vs. Emma: They had a match, it was fine, while the commentary was pretty shit. Nikki won clean and then ordered Brie to slap AJ. JA laid out Brie and chased Nikki off to sell their upcoming title match. We also got our weekly CM Punk chant.

* Xavier Woods is now playing the role of James brown in the Blues Brothers. It’s a new day.

Rusev w/Lana vs. Zack Ryder: Ryder got in some token offense, Rusev crushed as the Authority continued to scout for their team. It was exactly what it should have been. Post match, Lana and Rusev promised to win the title for Putin and Mother Russia. Sheamus appeared, spoke about the pride he has holding the title and said that they were delusional. He then hyped the Network match, promising Rusev the fight of his life. Solid hype for the match, although I can’t help but to think it would have meant more if Sheamus would have won earlier in the night.

* Stephanie praised Rusev and Lana, and approached them about joining Team Authority. Lana stated that they had to confer with Putin on this.

Fernado vs. Stardust: This is following Friday’s match, where Los Matadors defeated the tag team champions. I appreciate that they did not simply do the immediate rematch. Miz and Sandow were out on commentary, further cementing their move to the tag tam division. We got the old distraction finish as Torito, Goldust, Miz and Sandow all caused shenanigans ringside. It was fine for what it was, but way too rushed, which seems crazy on a three-hour show, but it was. I do appreciate that they are putting “some” effort into the tag division.

* On Smackdown, The Usos challenge Goldust and Stardust for the tag team titles in a steel cage match.

Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins: The Authority are at ringside. They had a good, but not great match. The crowd was tired here, but this was really more about the overall angle that they had been building than the wrestling. Orton looked to have things won with an RKO, but Rollins countered into a backslide for the victory. After words by Triple H, Orton shook hands with Noble, Mercury and Kane to sell the peace. Rollins then told Orton he was sorry and they shook hands OMGRKOOUTTANOWHERE!! Orton cleared the ring and was going for the concussion kick but Triple H stopped that. Orton ended up punching Triple H, which led to the beat down. Orton tried to fight back, RKO on the floor to Mercury, but the numbers game got to him and Rollins curb stomped Orton on the announcer’s table. Orton got busted open off of that, and Stephanie told Triple H to finish it. Triple H wasn’t pleased, but told the goons to finish things. Rollins then curb stomped Orton on the steps after leaping off the announcer’s table. And that’s how Orton is written out for now.

* Post Raw, EMTs are out to take care of Orton as Rollins carries Mercury away.

* Once they cleaned up the blood, the EMTs placed Orton on a stretcher.

BONUS COVERAGE – WWE Network Exclusive Match Report – US Title Match: Sheamus © vs. Rusev w/Lana: And here we go. Sheamus has held the title for 182 days, and has never tapped out. Lock up to begin, to the ropes they go and the ref breaks them up. Go behind by Rusev, Sheamus counters and works the arm. Rusev takes him to the corner, and then body shots by Rusev follow. Sheamus back with clubbing rights, to the corner and Rusev counters and slams Sheamus to the buckle. Knee strikes by Rusev follow, off the ropes and a clothesline by Sheamus. Rusev to the apron and Sheamus tries the 10 beats, Rusev fights but Sheamus connects with a few shots. Rusev stops that, head butts by Sheamus but Rusev back with an elbow and then a kick. Sheamus manages to toss Rusev to the floor, he follows to the apron and tries the shoulder block but Rusev counters that into a powerslam. Rusev beats down Sheamus and then tosses him to the barricade. Back into the ring they go, and Rusev grounds Sheamus with half nelson. Sheamus battles up to his feet, but runs into a spinning heel kick from Rusev. Kicks to the ribs follow by Rusev, and then he chokes out Sheamus in the ropes. Rusev works an arm in guillotine, keeping the champion grounded. Rusev has a poor guard though, so Sheamus is able to work to his feet and escape with elbows. Off the ropes and a kick by Rusev. He charges Sheamus, but then runs into a slam and both men are down. They get to their feet and exchange strikes. Big forearm by Sheamus, another and Rusev is down. Corner spear by Sheamus, knee lift follows and then Sheamus with another spear in the corner and another knee lift. Rusev sends Sheamus to the apron, but Sheamus is able to get the 10 beats this time. Slingshot shoulder block by Sheamus connects and the cover gets 2. Sheamus now heads up top, Rusev cuts him off and slams him to the mat. Corner splash by Rusev and then the sack of shit slam connects and Rusev covers for 2. Rusev then looks to apply the accolade, and he has it. Sheamus tries to escape, gets free for a moment, and head butts out. White noise by Sheamus connects, 1…2…NO! Both men struggling to their feet here, Sheamus is up and looks for the Brogue kick. He sets, but Rusev moves and Sheamus gets his leg caught in the ropes. Leaping kicks by Rusev in the corner and Sheamus is down. Rusev applies the accolade, Sheamus looks to fight, but fades as Rusev pulls back and the ref calls the match as Sheamus passes out.

OFFICIAL RESULT: AND NEW US CHAMPION Rusev @ 13:00 via submission

* I think that they can have a better match, but this was good. It was also the right call to pull the title change here. If you give the fans a fuck finish, no one will ever care about “Network Exclusive matches,” but now there is a reason to care. Also, Rusev actually has momentum and has been booked very well, so him being the champion and hopefully being booked like one is exactly what the title needs.

* Lana is very happy with her man as Rusev celebrates with the US Title.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

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“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.0
The final score: review Good
The 411
There is still a lot of rushed segments, and a lot of the same issues are around; like the booking of the Sheamus match and the fact that they continue to repeat so many matches. But, I liked the show overall. Many of my complaints recently have been that things don’t feel important or matter. I felt that changed tonight. The Authority scouting talent, Randy Orton all fired up, the rise of Rusev and some quality wrestling from Ambrose, Cesaro, Rollins, Ziggler and Orton highlighted the show. The middle stretch with the temptation of Ziggler, he match with Rollins and Triple H’s interaction with Orton was really good and some of the best stuff in a while on the show. Add in the good angle at the end to write out Orton, and the good outweighed the bad this week. There’s still filler, and the show still feels long at times, but again I liked the show overall. After a few really bad weeks (in my opinion) tonight was a good show. Hopefully they can build off of this.
legend

article topics :

RAW, Tremendous Tirades, WWE, Larry Csonka