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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 5.25.15

May 25, 2015 | Posted by Larry Csonka
5
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Csonka’s WWE Raw Review 5.25.15  

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 5.25.15

OFFICIAL RESULTS
~ Ambrose and Reigns defeated Kane and Rollins @ 12:43 via pin [**½]
~ Rusev defeated R-Truth @ 0:55 via submission [NR]
~ Ryback defeated King Barrett @ 3:50 via pin [*]
~ Neville defeated Stardust @ 3:16 via pin [**]
~ Sheamus defeated Dolph Ziggler @ 10:35 via pin [**½]
~ US Title Match: Champion John Cena defeated Zack Ryder @ 4:07 via pin [**¾]
~ Tamina defeated Paige @ 3:42 via pin [DUD]
~ Non-Title Handicap Match: Champions New Day defeated Cesaro, Kidd, Los Matadores, The Ascension, Primetime Players and the Lucha Dragons @ 0:50 via DQ [NR]


* We got the annual Memorial Day video package as well as a moment of silence and a 10-bell salute.

You won’t believe this, but Triple H and the Authority came out to talk…: Rollins came out, complained that Ambrose was awarded the title shot he did not deserve because the Authority was under duress last week. They teased canceling the match and or firing Ambrose; but then Rollins claimed that Ambrose wasn’t a threat. This led to Ambrose coming out to sign his contract for Sunday’s PPV. Ambrose basically admitted that he likes kicking Rollins’ ass, and would do it for free; but now he wanted to do it for the title. They talked back and forth; there were jokes, Justin Bieber talk and the sort. Rollins is really good, but this felt long. Ambrose finally went to the ring to sign the contract, and then big brother Roman Reigns came out to help out his buddy with the numbers game. No contract signing, Stephanie then made Ambrose and Reigns vs. Kane and Rollins. Why? Because Teddy Long, that’s why…

Ambrose has until the end of the night to sign the contract for his match at Elimination Chamber. And that wraps up your weekly 20-minute, show opening promo.

Ambrose and Reigns vs. Kane and Rollins: They went back and forth for five-minutes and then went to commercial. Overall they worked a clean, but very basic tag team match. The crowd was really into Rollins and Reigns, which helped a bit. Reigns got a good hot tag, but it came down to Ambrose and Rollins going back and forth. Ambrose eventually scored the win by pinning Rollins. I would have preferred Rollins not lose here, and he already lost to Ambrose a few weeks back. Having Kane lose here protects the champion and adds to the story of Rollins constantly running Kane down. Plus with Ambrose getting another win on Rollins, it feels like they are saying, “see, Ambrose won, but he’s losing on Sunday”. This was fine, but completely by the numbers.

* Ambrose gave a post match interview backstage and then beat up J&J. He also took out a cameraman and looked as if he felt bas about it. Commentary then discussed it, so that may come into play later.

* We get a Kevin Owens video package.

Rusev vs. R-Truth: Rusev is Bulgarian again. Rusev destroyed him in under a minute. I get that they want him to look strong heading into the chamber match, but if he was going to squash someone, could it have been someone NOT in that match? I know Truth has no chance in hell of winning Sunday, but can we at least pretend? He then ranted about Lana and asked her to please come to the ring. They went to a commercial and then came back to Rusev begging more, and then Lana came out. Rusev begged her to come back so that they could crush America, she took his hand and they hugged and Rusev looked pleased. He then told her to say three words, “I was wrong”. He said if she admitted that everything was he fault that everything would be fine. She refused, noting that Rusev did say that he quit against Cena. Rusev ranted, told her to know her place and then said he owned her. Lana fired back, calling him a quitter and Lana said she belonged to no one and bailed. Ziggler appeared as Lana left and they made out on the ramp. Between making Truth look like a complete goof and the Lana/Rusev bad soap opera, this was not a good segment at all. They had something with Rusev and Lana, and have opted to ruin in. I feel that they have devalued both characters, and I have gone from wanting to see them to wanting to turn the channel. There is good, and this right here, was the opposite of that.

* Triple H and Rollins met with Ambrose, and brought in the cameraman he “assaulted”. Yeah they did the “arrest the bad ass” segment. Hopefully Roman posts bail for his little brother so he can get back to sign the contract…

* We see the police escort out Ambrose and Rollins, J&J and Kane mock him.

King Barrett vs. Ryback: Barrett attacked Ryback and took him to the floor early to work the ribs. He then spent thee minutes working the ribs of Ryback. Ryback fired up, hit a spinebuster and the shell shock and got the win. This was another match where the participants in the chamber match face off and one has to lose instead of booking someone else to take the loss and making the participants look strong. Barrett’s run as king has been shit so far, silly us for thinking that they may do something with it. Add into the fact that Ryback shook off the injured ribs and made the comeback with ease, and this was not good. They are making the chamber match feel like a battle of the guy that has least looked at as a loser.

* Triple H and Stephanie say that Ambrose is on booking and won’t make it back tonight. The guys from Entourage arrive, so the turn into baby faces and have fun with the guest stars. We get a Piven/Summerfest joke. They joked about Rousey’s interaction with Stephanie at Mania, she got pissed and scared them away.

Stardust vs. Neville: Neville is facing Bo Dallas at Elimination Chamber. Yup. Stardust attacked the knee early, and Dallas came down to ringside. Neville sold the knee well, but they had a very basic and overall heatless match. Neville came back with a tornado DDT, and then hit the red arrow for the win. Dallas talked shit post match and then took out the knee to set up the PPV match.

* The Entourage guys walked and met with the divas. They also talked with Zack Ryder, who is still employed I am happy to say. They apparently have an idea that involves Ryder. US Title challenge coming soon.

* Dolph and Lana talk. Sheamus vs. Ziggler is next.

Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler: Hey look, another match with the guys in the chamber! Sheamus controlled and Lana came out as we headed to commercial. So prior to the break Sheamus took out the knee of Ziggler, and commentary made sure to mention it. They came back from commercial and not only is Sheamus NOT working the knee, but Ziggler is no longer selling it! These are basic fundamentals and they are completely abusing them by setting it up and then not following up at all. Rusev came out and ate a superkick, but that allowed Sheamus to brogue kick Ziggler for the win. This was a solid but average match, with the Raw distraction finish. I hated that they took the time to set up the knee and then said fuck it. BxB Hulk was offended by that shit. Rusev beat down Ziggler post match and applied the accolade in front of Lana. This was an overall fine storytelling tool that would have meant a lot more if we didn’t already have two matches with chamber participants involved. The deeper we go into the show, the less I care about the IC Title chamber match.

John Cena’s US Title Challenge: John Cena. Crowd has opinions. It’s cool. We want Ryder. Appreciative of supporters. Haters want someone to step up. Kevin Owens is a bad ass. Elimination Chamber match hype. Open challenge. US Title important. Memorial Day. America, fuck yeah. TALKING WAY TOO LONG! The Entourage guys arrive, enter Zack Ryder. Credit to WWE for remembering that Ryder is from Long Island and “TRYING” to make this important. They did some stuff, one of the Entourage goofs got into the ring and distracted Cena and Ryder then got a few near falls, even hitting his finish, which the crowd loved. Ryder tried a 450, missed and ate the AA and that was all. That was a fun little match with a great crowd. It was exactly what it needed to be, Ryder got his hope spots and tried everything to get the win but Cena retained clean and quickly. Post match Owens (with new gear) attacked from the crowd and laid out Cena with the pop up powerbomb. He once again stomped on the US Title and stood with the NXT Title held high. Cut Cena’s promo short and the segment would have been great.

* Stephanie and Triple H praise Owens, and Rollins reminds them that he is the now. Renee appears and asks about Ambrose, and they say if he can appear by the end of the night to sign his contract he gets the title match at the PPV.

* Ryback vs. Rusev is set for Smackdown.

Paige vs. Tamina w/Naomi: The Bellas are on commentary. Tamina controlled a lot, leading to a very boring outing. Naomi failed when trying to get involved, and Paige badly missed a superkick as Tamina didn’t really get up to take it. Naomi later got in a cheap shot on Paige, and Tamina won with the Samoan drop. Tamina is there to take losses for Naomi, and since Paige is in the title match on Sunday, of course she lost. Shit match, shit booking.

Handicap Match: Champions New Day vs. Cesaro, Kidd, Los Matadores, The Ascension, Primetime Players and the Lucha Dragons: These poor men are being persecuted for being positive, and have to defend the titles again five other teams in the chamber. Kane came out and broke down their chances of winning in the chamber match. He then booked Cesaro, Kidd, Los Matadores, The Ascension, Primetime Players and the Lucha Dragons vs. New Day in a 10 on 3 handicap match. I say they go around three minutes and it breaks down into a brawl. JIP, they worked 50-seconds and then they all brawled. They hit some finishers and dives, it felt completely rushed and mostly pointless. At least they didn’t have anyone lose and are trying to make it appear as all of the teams had a chance, although the feeling I got was that they didn’t matter since it was all done so quickly.

* We see SPECIAL FOOTAGE of the Ambrose incident, showing Rollins throwing the cameraman into Ambrose, leading to the assault. That’s some CSI shit right there.

MAIN EVENT TALKY TIME STARRING DEAN AMBROSE AS THE FUGITIVE: The Authority came to the ring, ran down Ambrose and said that he doesn’t respect the hard working crew for the show. Stephanie was actually really good here with her delivery. Reigns’ music hit and attacked Rollins, but then Rollins, J&J and Kane beat him down. The police van retuned with Ambrose driving it into the arena. THE FUGITIVE IS HERE! He cleaned house with a nightstick, and then he and Reigns cleared the ring. Reigns handed Ambrose the contract, and Ambrose signed. It was a fine, but silly segment with very little heat overall. It didn’t do anything for me in regards to wanting to see the match, if anything the silliness took away from the excitement I had. I am pretty sure that’s not what they were going for.

* End scene.

On a Personal Note: Today signifies my 11th complete year at 411, and tomorrow I kick off year 12. I just wanted to take a moment here and thank everyone that has read my work and supported me over the years. I greatly appreciate it.

* Thanks for reading.

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“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

5.0
The final score: review Not So Good
The 411
This felt like a lazy and uninspired show. The wrestling mostly existed, the booking was poor and I felt as if they did the opposite of making me want to see the Elimination Chamber show. The lazy booking of the chamber matches, Rusev and Barrett feeling as if they mean less now than they ever have, the attitude era rehash with Ambrose to set up the title match; the show just failed in making me look forward to Sunday’s show. If you missed the show, the only real thing that was good was Cena’s short match with Ryder and the Owens attack. Skip the rest and use that time for better things.
legend

article topics :

RAW, Tremendous Tirades, WWE, Larry Csonka