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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 4.13.15

April 13, 2015 | Posted by Larry Csonka
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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 4.13.15  

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.

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MONDAY NIGHT RAW 4.14.15

OFFICIAL RESULTS
~ US Title Match: Champion John Cena defeated Bad News Barrett @ 9:55 via pin [***]
~ #1 Contender’s Battle Royal: Paige Won @ @ 3:50 [½*]
~ The Lucha Dragons defeated The Ascension @ 2:11 via pin [NR]
~ Randy Orton defeated Cesaro @ 2:18 via DQ [NR]
~ Randy Orton defeated Cesaro & Kidd @ 6:44 via pin [**]
~ Dean Ambrose defeated Adam Rose @ 2:18 via pin [NR]
~ Stardust defeated Fandango @ 1:06 via pin [NR]
~ Non-Title Match: Champion Seth Rollins defeated Kane @ 4:32 via pin [THE DIRT FUKING WORST]
~ Damien Sandow defeated The Miz @1:55 via pin [NR]
~ Ryback defeated Luke Harper @ 1:40 via DQ [NR]
~ Dolph Ziggler defeated Neville @ 9:10 via pin [***]


The John Cena US Title Challenge: Cena did his generic promo, “insert name city here” is excited, we don’t see eye to eye but that’s fine because they have that right”. And then he kissed their ass by saying that they deserve a WrestleMania. He then set out the challenge for his US Title, and Barrett answered the challenge. They loved him and treated him like a huge star. Amazing considering how he’s been booked. Barrett controlled early, which the crowd loved. They worked a fun match, with a great crowd; they had a great atmosphere to work in. I appreciate that Cena gave Barrett a lot, but I was not a fan of him kicking out of the AA. This is now the second time in the last three episodes of Raw that someone (Ambrose and now Barrett) has kicked out of the move. This is the law of diminishing returns, as this is happening way too much on WWE TV (kicking out of finishes) and it hurts the PPV matches, because the fans are less invested in the near falls and overall emotion of the match. The main issue I have here is that Barrett LOST. The man has an IC Title match coming up at the Extreme Rules PPV, and he just loses here. Why would you do that to a title contender? I hate it when they do it to a champion, but it is just as bad to do with a contender. Barrett was booked like a complete loser heading into Mania, losing a ton and only tossing out some bull hammers near the end to get some heat back. Post Mania, he’s just been a guy who has been badmouthing Bryan and is getting his rematch. I often say it is how you lose, not the fact that you lose, but in this instance Barrett needed to be booked in a match where he could have won and then cut a big time promo on Bryan about regaining his title. Instead, Barrett loses, because why should wins and losses matter? Why should title challengers actually win matches? It’s not a bad match in a vacuum, in fact it was really enjoyable but in the grand scheme of things it hurts Barrett as an IC Title contender. I’m glad Cena is defending the title and that they are trying to make it important, but you can’t rob Peter to pay Paul. Post match, Lana distracted Cena and Rusev attacked and laid him out with a chain. The match at Extreme Rules will be a Russian Chain Match. This was a nice heel tactic, but I feel that this is a hard sell in 2015. They are setting up a match that used to be a guaranteed blood bath when they aren’t going to deliver that (unless things are changing, but I HIGHLY doubt that). But that’s just my opinion.

* The Authority returns next week, and Triple H will talk TOUGH ENOUGH.

#1 Contender’s Battle Royal: The Bellas were out for commentary. Emma, Rosa Mendez, Alicia Fox, Naomi, Summer Rae, Cameron, Natalya, and Paige. Naomi and Paige fought for two very difficult minutes to make it to the final two. Paige won, the crowd was good but they got no real time and I really think they could have worked a four-way better for this. The battle royal felt like a cluster, and also rushed. Post match as Paige cut a pretty passionate promo about her journey to WWE and her win, Naomi jumper her and beat her ass. The match wasn’t good, at all; but I liked the booking here. They got the hometown pop for Paige winning, and then Naomi attacks her because she feels she should have had the title shot after two wins over Nikki in tag matches. Paige is reportedly off TV soon for a WWE film, so they look to be getting that set up and likely going with a three way for the title. I can roll with this.

* Bray Wyatt cuts a beautifully crafted and delivered promo about nothing. Also, how can you be the new face of fear when YOU LOST at Mania? Come on man…

The Lucha Dragons vs. The Ascension: The Ascension got the jobber “already at ringside” entrance. Damn, I know they weren’t very good, but they ruined them with the early booking and are just giving up now. Anyway, The Ascension had the heat on Cara for a minute, he made the tag and Kalisto ran wild and did fun stuff that the fans liked. The Dragons hit the salida del sol/senton combo to score the win. It was short but fun and the right team won. They have been taking their time with the Kalisto experiment, and that is understandable. he good news is that it has given him a lot of time to gel with Cara, and to also become completely locked in on “the WWE style”. He has looked good, he fans are taking to him and working with Kidd and Cesaro will help him and also lead to fun matches. Also, I continue to be happy for the Hunico version of Sin Cara. I liked the guy and he had been working hard, and for him to get some run at this point in his career is cool to see.

9 O’CLOCK TALKING TIME: Reigns came out, got “Suplex City” chants and said he survived it and that he and Lesnar gave them a fight. He said he delivered on his promises; he did damage to Lesnar and felt he was going to win until Rollins ruined the moment. He knows he can be champion because he has defeated Rollins, and then addresses that Big Show took his chance and that he’s Rollins’ bitch. Show appeared on the TRON and called Reigns a failure and ran him down. Reigns said he was a coward for talking from backstage and then promised to retire Show if he continued. As Reigns left, Show attacked him on the stage and beat his ass. He then chokeslammed him on the car that was set on the stage. It was fine, but this feud is unfortunately continuing. I have no desire to see another match between these two, but the set up wasn’t bad.

Randy Orton vs. Cesaro/Randy Orton vs. Cesaro and Kidd: If Orton wins, he gets to name a stipulation for the match at Extreme Rules with Rollins. Orton and Cesaro worked well together, but it was a short match and Orton via DQ when Kidd got involved. Kane came out and announced that Orton now has to face Kidd and Cesaro, since he can’t have this end in a DQ. On one hand this is good heel move, and something that the evil Authority figure would do. But the bad news is that they once again have sacrificed the tag team champions for a singles star. Commentary spoke about how it was Orton vs. the “WWE’s best team”. Again, it does nothing but hurt the tag team division. Orton won clean. Every time I think that booking basic wrestling is easy, and then I watch Raw.

* Rollins mocked Kane for his decision making, and Kane then said Rollins should just win his match tonight to make his own stipulation, Rollins then said he won’t face Ziggler tonight, instead, he will face Jamie Noble so he can lay down for him. Noble said Kane should have to do the job because he fucked up, and after Kane threatened to roast Noble’s chestnuts with a car battery, Rollins agreed. Kane gave some attitude, Rollins threatened to call HHH, and Kane left.

Dean Ambrose vs. Adam Rose: Ambrose dominated, as he should, and won clean with dirty deeds. This is exactly what it should have been; Ambrose needed to get a win and Rose is a guy that is simply around to put others over.

* Show and Kane had a meeting, Show said that Rollins losing tonight wouldn’t be good for business. Show told him that they have to do what they need to do, and not what they want. In other words, DO THE JOB CITIZEN KANE.

Stardust vs. Fandango: What they did was fine for the very short time given. With that being said, I have no idea why this was even on the show. Neither one of these guys has anything going on angle wise, so this came off as the definition of filler. I feel the time could have been used better for something that will be important to the build of the Extreme Rules PPV. Fandango then had his old music played so that the fans could sing along and dance. Yup, this was completely useless filler.

* Daniel Bryan met with Kane and wanted to know what the hell happened to him. Bryan questioned Kane laying down for Rollins, and brought up the finger poke of doom. He then added that the real Kane would tombstone Rollins on the steps and nearly end his career. Kane was pissed and before he left, Bryan told him not to be a stooge, but instead, be a man.

Non-Title Match: Champion Seth Rollins defeated Kane: Kane took off his suit jacket and shirt, and then laid down for Rollins. But of course this was bullshit, because Kane kicked out. Kane tossed out J&J, argued with Rollins and then Kane laid out Rollins with a right, they argued again and Kane chokeslammed Rollins, Kane then laid down and draped Rollins’ arm over him so that Rollins could win. Why didn’t J&J just “attack” Rollins, so that Kane was DQ’d and then he wins? Why should I care about Kane’s inner conflict as if it has been some angle going on for months and he if finally snapping and doing what is right? It’s not hard. But hey, if your goal was to make Rollins look like a complete bitch, then mission accomplished. Rollins will get a stipulation as well for the Extreme Rules match.

Damien Sandow w/Summer Rae vs. The Miz: They dicked around with taking off their glasses and coats for a while and then Miz attacked about a minute into the match. Sandow then got a roll up out of nowhere in a completely nothing match and this feud will continue. They’re not even trying.

* The Prime Time Players made fun of Los Matadores.

Ryback vs. Luke Harper: They worked for under two-minutes, and then Harper got himself DQ’d. Ambrose ran out for a fight, but Harper ran. Another feud that will continue, can’t they just run a wild brawl backstage instead of a match that meant nothing? Crazy Ambrose attacking Harper backstage or the other way around works better to sell the feud and the fact that they hate each other.

* Naomi gave a fake apology to Paige, and then called Byron an idiot. She says this is all about her. She actually asked if wins and losses matter around here. SORRY LADY, YOU ARE FUCKED BECAUSE THEY DON’T!

Dolph Ziggler vs. Neville: Ziggler called Kane a bitch for laying down for Rollins and then issued an open challenge. Neville answered. Neville controlled as we headed into the break. Neville got a lot here, and I feel this was closer to the match that he should have had with Rollins. He hit a bog moonsault to the floor and then a 450 from the barricade onto Ziggler, who was on the floor. They had good back and forth, kept a good pace and exchanged some good near falls. Ziggler won clean after avoiding the red arrow and then Neville posting himself. I hate that Neville has been put into two high profile matches so soon and lost them both. I feel that they needed to build him up more. This loss was better in that he got more, but they need to have long term plans for him otherwise they could damage him quickly. But to be honest with you, I do not have confidence in the company to effectively book the guy and get him back on track. Sheamus then attacked both men and laid them out, because he’s an asshole and hates midgets like Ziggler.

MAIN EVENT TALKING TIME: Rollins came to the ring and sat in a recliner, he even had little chairs for J&J. Rollins talked about Kane doing the job for him, and then Orton came out. They had back and forth, it was fine. They then revealed their stipulations for Extreme Rules. Rollins said that the RKO would be banned. He was happy and thought that he had won the night, but then Orton said that the match would be a steel cage match. He said he did so because he was taking away Rollins’ greatest weapon, his connection with the Authority. Apparently Orton hasn’t watched any WWE cage match in the last 10-years. Maybe Bray Wyatt, the Smoke Monster from Lost and Jem and the Holograms will run in for this one as well. Sorry, but I have no faith in them to actually book a cage match that makes proper use of the stipulation. I hope that they prove me wrong. Orton attacked Rollins, J&J tried to save him but Orton got rid of them and Rollins escaped.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

3.0
The final score: review Bad
The 411
Let me tell you a story. I have been a wrestling fan since 1983 and every time I click on the TV to watch a wrestling show I hope for the best and plan to enjoy what I watch. It’s because I love wrestling that I tend to be hard on some shows, if you want to call it that. Let me explain further, when I got into wrestling, TV was booked episodically; the stories flowed form show to show like a daily soap opera, the champions and finishes were protected and the challengers won matches to ensure their credibility leading into their title matches. The tag team champions were important individuals, and protected and rarely even lost in single matches (and if they did it was to someone like the world champion). The basics were a rule, not a suggestion; because making sure that things make sense and were carefully done were a necessity to survive, to draw a house and to make the money to stay on TV. I have watched companies thrive, be born, and also watched all too many companies die. But because I want things to make sense, because I want things to mean something and want the wrestling to be quality; some say that wrestling has passed me by. The business may have changed, but the basics are the basics for a reason, they work.

The only reason I wrote that was to make it clear as to where I am coming from. If something is good, I will call it good. If it is bad, I call it bad. Raw has not been a good show for a very long time, in my opinion, and it is because they continue to go against basic booking (NOT FANTASY BOOKING), basic booking that makes sense week in and out. It feels like they are still booking one week at a time to fill the three hours. So what if things don’t make sense, if they fill the time, they are happy. WWE has lost the consistency to book effective episodic TV, and they lost it a long time ago, and I doubt it will get better any time soon. The funny thing is WWE doesn’t want to be pigeonholed as a “wrestling product” because they want to be a “TV/Entertainment product”. But the thing that they forget is that at the heart of it, that is what wrestling is when done properly. And the real shame of it is that they have such a great roster and so many smart people behind the scenes that it shouldn’t be that way.

If a show like this one tonight is the “new wrestling” then it can pass me on by because this was a badly booked, completely uninspired show that wasted three hours. Watching wrestling shouldn’t be a hassle, I shouldn’t have to question why things do not make sense or why champions and challenger constantly lose. Bad booking, tons of filler and an end product that felt as if it was booked on the plane ride to Europe on a napkin is what I felt like I got tonight. The rights were minimal, the wrongs that are always there were always there, and the wrestling was generally forgettable and at times, completely uninspired (outside of Cena vs. Barrett & Ziggler vs. Neville, but they had booking issues). But you can’t blame the workers when they have 60-seconds and they know they are out there just to fill time. Barrett losing ahead of his IC Title rematch instead of being built up like a bad ass where the fans treated him like a God, the tag team champions losing clean to one man, the forced conflict of Kane, Rollins looking like a complete fool, filler, filler, filler; this show was a complete struggle to me and at the end of the night I didn’t think it was good, at all.

The company had a great weekend with Mania and the Raw after, they had momentum and proved that they could deliver the goods. But I feel that they have lost all of that momentum 12-days before their next PPV event. That’s not good.

legend

article topics :

RAW, Tremendous Tirades, WWE, Larry Csonka