wrestling / TV Reports

Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 2.23.15

February 23, 2015 | Posted by Larry Csonka
6
The 411 Rating
Community Grade
12345678910
Your Grade
Loading...
Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 2.23.15  

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.

 photo 852379523_zpssfvqjiho.gif

MONDAY NIGHT RAW 2.23.15

OFFICIAL RESULTS
~ Non-Title Match: Dolph Ziggler defeated Wade Barrett @ 11:05 via pin [**¾]
~ The Prime Time Players defeated The Ascension @ 3:05 via pin [*]
~ Tag Team Title Match: The Usos defeated Champions Kidd and Cesaro @ 10:27 via DQ [***]
~ Jack Swagger defeated Stardust @ 2:05 via submission [NR]
~ The Bellas defeated Paige and Emma @ 0:30 via pin [NR]
~ Ryback defeated Curtis Axel @ 0:45 via pin [NR]
~ Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns defeated Seth Rollins and Randy Orton @ 16:11 via pin [***]


RANDY. ORTON. TALKS.: Orton came out to a good reaction, mocked long opening monologues and then proceeded to tell his tale of woe. We got video of the beat down that sent him out of action, but when he called out Rollins he got The Hs, Steph, Kane and Show. Stephanie kissed Orton’s ass and brought up that “face of the WWE” bullshit and tried to get him back into the Authority. Stephanie brought up the fact that we all know Orton isn’t s good guy, and mentioned some of his worst actions were against her and her family. They eventually looked meanly at each other, and the Authority left. Orton then agreed to a meeting with them later tonight. This was a whole bunch of talking to build to mystery talking? It started strong but finished weakly. At least the crowd was hot for Orton’s return; the thing is though he’s played out as a heel and generally sucks as a face. They just need to allow him to walk that fine line, don’t be a slave to either side and he’ll be better off.

Barrett vs. Ziggler: R-Truth was actually on commentary, playing up the fact that he beat Barrett in a non-title match. We’re either going to use him as fodder on the road to WrestleMania, or we’re headed towards a multi-man IC Title match at Mania. Barrett and Ziggler work well together, they made good use of their time and the crowd was into things so as far as the match goes, this was good. But Barrett lost again, which goes to my theory on the multi-man Mania match. Barrett’s booking as IC Champion has been complete shit; it’s essentially assassinating the character the way they have booked him. Ambrose came out post match, talked shit to Barrett and then had a stare down with Ziggler. The booking of the IC Title continues to be a joke, and while I like Truth and the entrance he does is over with the live crowds, it’s hard to take him seriously when he’s been booked like a complete jobber for 99% of the last year. He’s likely a speed bump for Barrett, but I could see Ambrose vs. Barrett vs. Ziggler for sure.

* We got highlights of the Sting vs. Triple H face off from the PPV. In a way we all lost there because Sting’s WWE music is shit.

* The Authority have a big old meeting, Rollins is there this time and so is his buddy Randy Orton. They argued, some of them wanted Orton back, some didn’t, Stephanie cut off the nuts of the cuts by cutting them off, and then Orton seemingly agreed to the return. Stephanie then booked Orton and Rollins vs. Bryan and Reigns for tonight.

 photo Its-a-trap_zps8zsbqrmg.jpg
???

* Sheamus is still returning.

The Prime Time Players vs. The Ascension: The Prime Time Players, after being broken up for a year, had a not good at all match with the Ascension. Young stayed in the whole time, and then got a flash pin with a sloppy as hell roll up. On one hand they got the undefeated deal out of the way for The Ascension, which can be a crutch, but this just felt poorly done. From the poor wrestling to the fact that they lost to a team that hated each other and broke up a year ago in such a short time simply felt lame. Also, they did the classic “wins and loses don’t matter” closing, when The Ascension attacked post match to stand tall and get their music played, because that is all that matters.

Roman Reigns Talky Time: Reigns started to cut his promo, discussing the fact that he had a hell of a month, had to fight for his title short and that “I know some of you were rooting for the other guy”. I believe this was “Cena Promo #12” from the “Idiot’s Guide to Pro Wrestling”. Bryan said that he was a doubter, and didn’t like Reigns because he appeared to be the latest big guy with a look, when he knew that he had more heart that Reigns and all of the other chosen ones. Bryan then basically said he gave his all and still lost, and put over Reigns and said he proved himself. They shook hands and set their alliance for tonight’s main event. Also like last night, Bryan asked Reigns to take out Lesnar. Bryan gave a passionate promo (because it’s likely exactly what he felt) and on back-to-back nights did everything in his power to get Reigns over. Paul Heyman then arrived; Bryan left, and came to the ring and congratulated Reigns on his performance at Fastlane. Heyman then weaved magic; discussing that his money is always on Reigns. Vs. Sammartino, vs. Hogan and Andre, vs. Austin, vs. The Rock, vs. HHH, vs. Cena (noting their prime years) he said that his money would be on Reigns every time. But at WrestleMania 31, Reigns is fighting a beast, one that he cannot slay. Reigns then vowed to beat Lesnar at WrestleMania, and made sure to intimidate Heyman while doing so. Between Heyman and Bryan they all but pulled out Reigns’ cock and sucked it before the crowd, but I feel it worked to set the stage. I mean, be real, Heyman can’t make him out to be mediocre, he has to put over Reigns as someone that could stand up to Lesnar, and the job was done. Reigns didn’t talk much, but came off confident when closing with Heyman. Add the endorsement from Bryan to try and sway the fan base and it was effective. Overall I felt that this was a strong segment.

Kidd & Cesaro vs. The Usos: This is the old “contracted rematch” for the former champions. They had another fun match, and this one actually had a better flow than the Fastlane match and a much better crowd. The ladies got involved on the floor, which then led to Natalya crotching an Uso on the top for the DQ. Natalya was either selling really well, or really tweaked her ankle when Naomi pulled her to the floor. I have no issue with this program continuing. I also like the character shift for Natalya.

* Miz yelled at Sandow, and then said the only thing he has not done is win the Andre the Giant battle royal. Sandow then broke the news to Miz that he is getting offers for commercials and thanked Miz. Miz then ordered Sandow to remove the lint from his jacket.

* We get highlights of the Bray Wyatt promo from Fastlane.

* Wyatt then cut a promo on Taker, well he cut the promo to the casket, noting the Taker was now a broken man.

Stardust vs. Jack Swagger: They worked for a bit, and then Goldust appeared. Swagger got the ankle lock and Stardust tapped. DISTRACTION FINISH that serves no real purpose since they do it all the time, Stardust looks like shit and it does nothing for Swagger. I loathe that finish.

John Cena Talks Because It’s 10PM: Cena came out and we had story time with uncle John as he detailed his match and his loss. It was fine until he said he didn’t have a problem with losing, just that he had a problem with Rusev. I hate when Cena doesn’t show anger with a loss, specially a loss in a title match, it devalues everything. Lana and Rusev appeared to call Cena a failure and his country weak, and Rusev said that now was his time. Cena then channeled Americana and apple pie, and said that sometimes you can knock us down but that we always get up. Cena vowed to win the US Title and to bring it home, and he’ll do that at WrestleMania. Rusev questioned why Cena would deserve such a match, and the man has a point. Rusev called Cena a quitter and said he was once great, and refused the rematch. The Russian flag dropped to add insult to Cena’s injury. I liked it overall, Rusev is technically right, why does Cena deserve the match? I am interested to see how Cena proves his worth and/or how they get to the match.

 photo Rusev See Me_zpsknfsqnwa.gif

* Orton and Rollins had a meeting backstage, and wanted J&J to be left out. They played nice and said they would be on the same page tonight…

* We get a special video on Sting. This is a good idea, because you have a whole generation of 14-year old WWE fans that have little to no idea who the guy really is.

Paige and Emma vs. Brie and Nikki Bella: Brie knocked Paige to the floor as she yelled ay Nikki, and then hither finish on Emma in seconds for the win. Post match Paige attacked Brie, but Nikki laid her out and the Bellas left. They seriously give no fucks about this division, it exists for those delicious TV rights fees from E! for Total Divas.

* The Bushwackers are the next inductees for the WWE Hall of Fame. Who will induct them? BIG JOHNNY!

 photo c4124623-b8c1-4ea4-b8f8-6e386ec27a9d_zps6ddgncof.jpg

* The Delusional Curtis Axel came out to discuss AxelMania and that he deserves his WrestleMania moment since he was never eliminated from the Rumble. He’s going to be in the Andre the Giant battle royal. Ryback came out, discussed their history as a team and made jokes. Ryback said he would win the Andre battle royal

THE BIG GUY vs. AxelMania: RYBAXEL EXPLODES! Axel did stuff, ate a clothesline and shell shock and that was all. Delicious filler.

Seth Rollins and Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns: J&J, Kane and Show are at ringside. After some shine, they went to commercial and when we came back team Authority was in firm control, working over Reigns. The goof at ringside did some distractions and played cheerleader for Orton a lot, to make it appear that everything was both fine and dandy. Rollins tagged himself in late, which pissed off Orton. Reigns made the comeback and Superman punched Rollins, Bryan tagged in and hit the knee strike and pinned Rollins for the win. This amused Reigns as they shook hands. Post match, Orton returned to the ring hit an RKO on Noble. He then helped Rollins to his feet and left. The match was fun, but this was a soft ending to the show to extend the inevitable Rollins vs. Orton program.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

 photo fe36ffd0-0da4-4e3b-a2d3-b026b341dd87_zps41ef5d61.jpg
STARTING THURSDAY, THE 411 STAFF WILL RANK THE WRESTLEMANIAS FROM WORST TO BEST! MAKE SURE TO JOIN US FOR THE FUN!

6.0
The final score: review Average
The 411
Not a whole lot to say this week. I didn’t hate the show, but found it largely average, and a bit disappointing to kick off the Road to WrestleMania. They did some solid build for WrestleMania and some good matches, but many of the same booking issues continue to hold the program back. The good news is that the show felt easier to watch and not nearly as long as it usually does. They seem to have the basic plan for WrestleMania in place, and hopefully things spice up in the next few weeks. They need to, because I am not feeling that we are that WrestleMania vibe just yet.
legend

article topics :

RAW, Tremendous Tirades, WWE, Larry Csonka