For the
first time in years, WWE got it right with Michael Cole. His super
babyface approach, followed by his overly annoying heel antics were
all something that the fans didn't grow to. No matter what he did, it
was hard to like him.
But,
combine both together and you get a pretty good commentator. He may
not know many wrestling holds, and his knowledge on the key aspects
of what makes a good match are a bit off, but in terms of just
listening to him, he has been stand-able. He puts over the necessary
faces such as Sheamus and Randy Orton, while also sucking up to the
heels such as Daniel Bryan and John Laurinaitis in enjoyable fashion.
So, it
was because of all that as to why I found the opening of Raw so disappointing. With Cole coming such a long way, I really didn't like
the way he went back to being the cowardly heel who was loathed so
much last year. For the life of me I don't know why they had this
whole episode be around a commentator who shouldn't even be hated so
much anymore. If it was to make Cena look like a loveable babyface,
then they failed miserably.
A funny thing about this segment however was that Cole, much like Big Show,
made some pretty valid points towards John Cena. John came back with
some points of his own of course, such as him being confident Big
Show would have been rehired after he beat Big Johnny, but oh, would
you look at that, it's plot hole #23 in the Cena/Big Show storyline.
During Cena's “Loser” promo, it was only after all of joking when
he found out that his match with Big Johnny had a stipulation where
no interferences were allowed. So really, Cena had no reason to be so
confident, and thus, had no reason to be so obnoxious.
Seriously,
if Raw continues to kick off with something from this storyline every
week then I think I might kick off my reviews with a part entitled
the “Cynical Kick Off“, whereby I continue to be pessimistic
about this whole angle and also point out it's unbelievably obvious
flaws.
Sheamus
vs. Dolph Ziggler
While
it's good to see Dolph Ziggler compete in bigger matches, I still
have to question him losing twice to the World Heavyweight champion
in the space of 5 days. They could have easily had Ziggler win the
match on Monday Night. Del Rio's attack on Sheamus could have come
after he cost the Irishman the match, which in turn, would have made
Del Rio look dangerous, given a reason for Sheamus to get a bit more
angry, and also would have given Ziggler and important win. All in
all it could have been win-win...win.
Despite
my slight complaining though, this was still a good match. And as
ever, Ziggler sold the Brogue Kick like an absolute champ.
Sin Cara
vs. Hunico
Some of
Sin Cara's arm drags were a bit ridiculous looking, but to be fair,
since his return he's yet to make a real noticeable botch.
The
match was alright, although I still stand by my point that Sin Cara
doesn't know how to work a WWE style match. And as far as ring
psychology goes, I still thinks he lacks it big time.
And to
cap off my pessimism, shouldn't his finisher set him up for an
armbar, and not a pin?
Big Show
Sit-Down Interview
For the
first time in this Big Show storyline, I actually have something good
to say about it. Big Show's video package was pretty cool.
They
went with the same approach they used for Brock Lesnar when he came
back, and to be honest, it worked for Big Show as well. He simply
looked like a bad-ass in this video.
CM Punk
vs. Kane
I'll say
it. I still don't like Kane being in this feud with Punk and Bryan.
I've said before that my hope and reason for all this is because they
want to stretch out the Punk vs. Bryan feud until SummerSlam, and so,
are using Kane as filler. But, that might not be it at all.
Despite
my reluctance to accept Kane into this feud however, he did put on a
solid bout with CM Punk. There was nice action throughout and the
crowd seemed really up for it.
Also,
the booking was good all round. Bryan didn't play a huge factor in
the match, but did enough to cost Punk the match. Kane got the
victory, but only through outside distractions, and so, Punk didn't
look weak. And lastly, AJ's facial mannerisms continue to be really
impressive as she went from being terrified to being pretty damn
turned on by Kane looking at her.
I don't
think AJ and Kane will hook up (I don't want to be reminded of Kane's
last love interest thank you very much), but it's good to keep people
guessing as to who she will really side with at No Way Out.
Kofi
Kingston & R-Truth vs. Curt Hawkins & Tyler Reks
First
off, I was pleased to see Hawkins and Reks compete on Raw. In my
opinion, they deserve to be on Raw more, and also deserve to look
like a threat in the almost unknown tag team division.
The
match though, wasn't so good, and that was thanks to the Tag Team
champions. As far as I'm concerned, putting tape over a body part
isn't selling an injury. To sell an injury you got you, well, sell
it. The tag champs didn't do that. They literally did their usual
match and not once played along to the part that they were wrestling
injured.
If they
didn't have injuries the match would have been fine, but they did in
this case. And so, I just couldn't help but look at them no-sell all
the abuse they sustained at the hands of Big Show last week.
John
Cena vs. Tensai
This
Tensai thing isn't working out, is it? By the looks of things, the
big man doesn't have a whole lot a time off to come across as a
massive threat to anyone in the main event scene. I can't say I'm
disappointed though. He may have been OK in Japan, but in the WWE
he's just out of shape and not at all entertaining to watch.
Anyway,
the man you once defeated John Cena lost to him this past Monday in
what was a pretty boring match. And because Cena won the match, it
meant that he were going to see him in another one... against Michael
Cole. Yay.
John
Cena vs. Michael Cole
Listen,
the Be A Star logo on my banner for this review was just a subtle
joke. As far as I'm concerned, Be A Star is just a thing they do
outside the ring, inside the ring they can be dicks all they want.
But, why I'm on the subject of dicks, it has to be said that Cena was
a major one when he faced Michael Cole.
Seriously,
he really had no reason to pick on Cole so much. None at all. But he
he did. Because he's a big man.
The
whole thing was awful, and just plain disgusting. Tensai came in to
attack Cena at one stage, but it all came to nothing, as Cena fought
back to defeat Cole. Even today I'm scratching my head as to why they
had Tensai attack Cena, only for it to lead nowhere. I am also
scratching my head even harder as to why this whole thing with Cole
even happened. And to be honest, I don't think we'll ever really find
out.
Overall,
a decent episode of Raw. We were treated to two solid matches in
Ziggler/Sheamus and Punk/Kane, and shown a nice video package
featuring The Big Show. But, we were also treated to Cole being
doused in BBQ sauce, and let's face it, that's never a nice way to
end the show.
Stray
Observations:
- I think Cole was telling the truth when he said he was always an “advocate” of John for his “entire time in the WWE.”
- “The scouting report reads that he is uninteresting, that he is overrated, and if you ask good ol' JR, is being shoved down our throats every week.” I seriously thought John was going to challenge himself to a match.
- I think there's a reason why wrestlers don't go for a double promo. Stan Stansky and Arthur Rosenberg showed why.
- Cole and King actually did a good job of selling the injuries of Kofi Kingston and R-Truth. Too bad the tag champs didn't do the same thing.
- Would pouring JR's BBQ sauce onto Michael Cole really make people want to buy his product?
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