Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 2.09.15

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.

MONDAY NIGHT RAW 2.09.15

OFFICIAL RESULTS
~ Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns defeated Big Show and Kane @ 11:48 via DQ [**]
~ Ryback defeated Seth Rollins @ 2:48 via DQ [NR]
~ Paige defeated Brie Bella @ 3:14 via pin [*½]
~ Bray Wyatt defeated Dolph Ziggler @ 11:45 via [***]
~ New Day defeated Stardust and Goldust @ via pin []
~ Non-Title Match: Cesaro and Kidd defeated Champions The Usos @ 10:30 via pin [**¾]
~ Sin Cara defeated Damien Sandow @ 4:00 via pin [*]
~ Dean Ambrose defeated Curtis Axel @ 2:35 via pin[NR]
~ Handicap Match: Bryan and Reigns defeated Kane, Show, Rollins, Mercury and Noble @ 8:30 via pin [**]

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* Highlights from last week’s show.

Roman Reigns Talks: Roman Reigns came out, gave a recap of last week’s events and promised to prove himself to get to WrestleMania. Not the warmest of reactions for Mr. Reigns. Of course Daniel Bryan made his way out. Bryan got a lot of YES chants, but some mixed heat as Reigns still has his supporters. This was an overall interesting reaction from the live crowd. Bryan thanked Reigns for last week, and started to hype the Fast lane match when The Authority, Kane and Show came out. They tried to blame everything that has not gone their way on Reigns and Bryan, Bryan got in a Katie Vick jab, which I chuckled at, and then made Show and Kane vs. Reigns and Bryan to kick off the show. It was fine, thankfully shorter than usual, but it’s a wash when I have to see Kane and Show in a match together. I also didn’t think that Reigns or Bryan got to offer much, what they did was fine, but it turned into the usual Authority circle jerks where no one cares what happened at the end of it.

Show and Kane vs. Reigns and Bryan: Bryan worked the majority of the match, it was fine but felt way too long thanks to Kane and Show. Reigns and Bryan are going to be fighting for a spot in the WM main event, so of course they couldn’t beat Show and Kane clean; they had to win by DQ. Kane and Show did a big post match beat down, and Reigns fought back to make the save. During the beat down, Kane sidestepped Bryan, who then accidentally dropkicked Reigns to set the tension. They argued and Reigns shoved down Bryan, and then Triple H made Kane, Show, Noble, Mercury and Rollins vs. Reigns and Bryan for later in the evening. Oh joy, a handicap match with tag team partners that now do not get along. WWE using two tired storytelling tools all in one match; gee thanks. I just do not understand how anyone can get invested in the top guys (Reigns and Bryan) when Kane and Show are the main foils in 2015. Will the vigilante Sting appear to save the day?

Seth Rollins vs. Ryback: In the first minute we had interference from J&J two times, allowing Rollins to take control. The match didn’t even go three minutes, as J&J got involved for the DQ and Rollins hit a curb stomp on Ryback and stood tall. So we got back-to-back DQ finishes, lazy booking here. I suppose it could lead to Ryback helping in the main event, but we couldn’t have spaced this out maybe? The only positive was that the commentary team actually mentioned this and complained, which is something they usually would skip over.

* We get a Sheamus video package.

Paige vs. Brie Bella w/Nikki: I actually liked Paige’s aggression at the beginning, no lock up bullshit she went after Brie because she was pissed from last week’s humiliation. It was simple and made sense, which was appreciated. They actually got more than three minutes, which shocked me since they rarely get two. Paige won after a miscommunication between the Bellas. I am glad she won, but she’s challenging for the title, can’t she just win clean without the bullshit? There’s already been too much of that on this show, in my opinion. Unfortunately the booking of the division really does these ladies no favor, since they usually get no time or do horrible angles like last week, the crowd was silent most of the match until the comeback and win for Paige.

Rusev Pays Tribute to John Cena: Top of the hour talking. Rusev and Lana came to “pay tribute to Cena,” and played a video. It was the basic heel trick, some positive highlights turning to highlights of Cena being destroyed. Rusev explained that Cena had been on top for too long, his fighting spirit was gone, and that Rusev would break him at Fast Lane. Cena called bullshit, weaved in a little comedy, and promised that he wasn’t washed up and that “this old man will whoop your ass”. Rusev mocked Cena for talking from the ramp, even did the “you can’t see me” and joked about Cena’s injured eye and after some talk from Cena, and they brawled on the ramp. Rusev then jabbed Cena in the eye, slammed him into the set and then referees came out to make the save. There was some joking here, but I felt that this was the best interaction overall between the two. Rusev yelling out, “you can’t even see me John Cena” was awesome.

Dolph Ziggler vs. Bryan Wyatt: Back to back segments that I enjoyed, the show is slowly turning around. They worked a fun, and very physical match (including Wyatt getting busted open following a superkick) in what was easily the best in ring action on the show. Wyatt continues to dominate, and considering that they are setting him up for Taker, it makes sense. While Ziggler continues to deliver good performances, I am concerned about his direction. Ziggler was rolling big time right after Survivor Series, and then since the firing angle, they have completely shit the bed with him. I do not understand how they can see how hot he was, and then just do nothing with it. Again, I get the booking here, but you’re telling me that there is no one else that can do the job for Wyatt?

* We get a Black History Month video on Junkyard Dog.

The Champ and His Advocate: Heyman came out and claimed that both Reigns and Bryan were liars. Reigns from the big Samoan tribe of warriors that pissed down his leg when he went face to face with Lesnar. And Bryan, the man who has over achieved his entire career. Heyman did a good job of running them down without burying them because he did offer praise for them while selling how devastating Lesnar is. Paul Heyman, really good at talking; he gets it.

* So let me get this straight, Triple H wants Sting to show up and tell him if he is going to appear at Fast Lane for their face to face confrontation? Wouldn’t that negate Fast Lane if he shows up and they indeed go face-to-face two weeks before that PPV?

New Day vs. Goldust and Stardust: New Day came out and tried to get the fans to chant NEW DAY. They really didn’t care about them. Stardust bailed again on Goldust, Goldust yelled at him, got distracted and the New Day won with a roll up. The old traditional Raw distraction finish again. They have made all of these tag matches about the Goldust/Stardust split up, and it feels cold. Also, no one really cares about the New Day, and when the win is never about the team that wins, it will never help them or make the crowd care.

* Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns vowed to work together to take out the Authority tonight.

* Goldust confronts Stardust backstage, makes the mistake of calling him Cody and gets shoved on his ass. Stardust says that “Cody is dead”.

Top of The Hour Triple H Talking: Triple H babyfaced here at the beginning, discussing how much he has sacrificed for the company and that he’s a giver. He discussed Sting, and said that Sting waited 14 years to arrive because Triple H helped destroy WCW, and will do the same to Sting. He did extend an olive branch, noting that if Sting showed up and Fast Lane and promised to leave forever, he’s let him leave with dignity. We got crow sounds, and then “Sting” appeared in various parts of the building. We then got a video package, noting that Sting accepted. And then a really bad Sting doppelganger appeared in the ring to scare Triple H and then ran away. The good news is that they didn’t give away a random appearance before the real face to face as I had joked about. This was rough, it lacked heat and the chants of “we want Sting” were half hearted as best. Also, Sting apparently pawned his bat for Apple Final Cut Pro X. Sweet editing bro.

Non-Title Match: Champions the Usos vs. Kidd and Cesaro: Kidd and Cesaro have been successful in singles matches vs. the Champions, and now we get a proper tag team math. Unfortunately they reminded everyone of the horrible double date segment from Smackdown. That was bad. Nattie and Naomi argued at ringside, and then went through the commercial break. Kidd and Cesaro have gotten really good, really quick as a team. This does not surprise me, they are really good, but they deserve the praise. Cesaro and Kidd scored the win, and sets up the tag title match for the PPV. As mentioned, they had singles wins over the champions and now a tag team victory. It makes sense, and they are coming off generally unlikable due to the way that they are winning. They have good chemistry, I look forward to their PPV match.

* After his kids lose a match, Rikishi is announced as the next Hall of Fame member. Timing. Also, after losing their match, the Usos were all happy and celebrated that Rikishi is heading into the Hall of Fame. Losing doesn’t matter. Again, bad timing.

* Miz and Sandow walk.

* We get a second commercial for the NXT special, which has been really under-advertised.

Sin Cara vs. Sandow: Miz faced Sin Cara last week, and lost when Sandow distracted him. Miz sat at ringside and berated Sandow, and made him get him a water when he was in control. Sandow again took control and looked to win with the figure four, and Miz yelled at him, allowing Cara to win with the good old distraction finish. No one wins here, and now we’re building to Miz vs. Sandow in a battle of losers. Also, Cara has defeated Barrett, Miz and Sandow this year. It means nothing. Ugh.

* Bray Wyatt promo time, setting the stage for his upcoming match with Taker.

The Delusional Curtis Axel vs. Dean Ambrose: The Delusional Curtis Axel came out to discuss that he never lost the Rumble, and that we need to keep the “Axel-Mania” movement going. I appreciate the Delusional Curtis Axel, but we’re in repeat mode. Dean Ambrose came out, because kicking Axel’s ass last Monday and then beating him on Smackdown wasn’t enough, we have to do it again. Ambrose won clean in a short match, and then vowed not to stop until he gets his IC Title shot. Barrett appeared, and said Ambrose didn’t deserve it. It was basically the same as last week.

Handicap Match: Reigns and Bryan vs. Kane, Show, Rollins, Noble and Mercury: The heels attacked and then Kane and Show double chokeslammed Reigns to take him out. Bryan played face in peril for a few minutes, Reigns made the save and then ate a KO shot from Big Show. You think the idea here is for the crowd to get behind the faces, with the odds stacked against them, but they did not care at all. Ryback eventually ran out to make the save with Ziggler and Rowan, so I guess that’s a no contest? Nope. It should be to protect the handicap match stipulation, but it wasn’t. Mass brawling on the ramp, very little reaction for this. J&J was left with Bryan, he made his comeback and the crowd finally came alive. Reigns then tagged himself in and speared Mercury for the win as Bryan was setting for the knee plus. Bryan sold frustration in the corner as Reigns stood victorious. Bryan then bitched out Reigns for being on the floor the entire match and shoved Reigns. Reigns then hit a big spear on Bryan to close the show. Stephanie and Triple H watched on from backstage and laughed. I like the booking of Reigns, it is coming off more natural and he should have a chip on his shoulder. Don’t force him as the next big babyface/heir to the Cena throne of the reactions don’t go that way. Bryan stands up for himself, Reigns doesn’t take any shit (nor should he) and it felt much better than the forced and shitty promos they were having him do. This was every handicap match WWE runs, it was fine work but lacked an investment from the crowd, but the ending came off well.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

5.5

The final score: review Not So Good

The 411

The first hour was not good, largely uninspired programming with no good wrestling. Most of the second hour was good, a nice turn arouns as the Rusev vs. Cena segment, Ziggler vs. Wyatt and Paul Heyman talking while Brock Lesnar looks scary segments all delivered and really turned things around in my opinion. The last hour had some aspects that worked, I especially liked how they built the tension with Reigns and Bryan overall. But we’re still dealing with the same tired issues of WWE programming..

* The crutch of the show opening with talking/top of the hour talking.

* DQ/Non-Finishes with little to no meaning.

* Not knowing what to do when someone has momentum (previously Ambrose, now Ziggler).

* Tired distraction finishes.

* The winners of the matches being lost in the shuffle because the angle is not about them, negating the meaning of wins and losses.

* Kane and Big Show being protected and booked as if they are important in 2015.

And it’s not that they just did this tonight, they do this all the time because why change from the basic formula. Heel Authority Figure included. The show feels lazy, tied to formula and sanitized. They do certain things all the time and expect people to just watch it and like it, and I am sorry, I don’t. The product is beyond frustrating right now, and with the level of talent they have on the roster that us a shame. Crucify Paul Heyman all you want for his sins with a checkbook, but he knew how to maximize the positives, minimize the negatives as much as possible and made people care about and pay for a rag tag crew of guys that many people now laugh at. I wish someone in WWE creative would sit down, see how many of the same mistake that they make, make a list of the things that work and then actually focus on that for a stretch of time. This is the “famed WrestleMania season” where everyone says the product starts to click big time. Apparently WWE creative missed the memo.