Let’s call it the RAW Initiative.
I have no idea if it pays off or creates any future compelling wrestling cards but Aleister Black vs. Buddy Murphy is a fresh, built-up and protected match on pay-per-view this Sunday and all kinds of new or revitalized acts are doing interesting things on Monday Night RAW: Black, Buddy, Owens, AOP, Raiders, Profits, Humberto, Andrade, McIntyre, Asuka, Kairi, LIV MORGAN, even Seth Rollins himself. Are there main event matches scattered in here? Perhaps. Is the fact that Cedric Alexander isn’t on that list a bummer? Absolutely. But it was nice watching a show with not just a big angle but also a midcard that didn’t come off as an aimless bunch of dumbasses.
The big story of RAW was obviously Seth Rollins really truly officially completely cementing his heel turn, but the other big thing is that a bunch of wrestlers are actually being positioned to be… liked? Popular? Dominant?
Weird feeling. Not sure it works out. Could go back to square one by the end of next week. For now, though – it is nice.
RAW (12/9/19)
Actually, this was pretty good. I’m as shocked as you.
Ol’ Paul. E Dangerously’s trick of inter-weaving stories and acts throughout the show helped a lot. Kevin Owens walked around like he was solving a mystery as he searched for AOP, got gifted a bat by Rey Mysterio, slapped Mojo Rawley, confronted Seth Rollins, got talked down to by Sami Zayn and Mojo Rawley, hit the Stunner on Mojo, and finally got laid out by a brooding hoodie-wearing Seth Rollins who scowled in a way that said, “It is OK. You can boo me now.”
I dug the Rollins reveal in the truck, even if I’m generally morally opposed to backstage heel turns. It didn’t get as big a pop as it could cause WWE is going to WWE but still – fun moment. Did anyone think it was Punk? Was that supposed to be a thing? Rollins’ promo directly after doing a proper going off on the fans too was pretty great, mostly for his excellent delivery on “…AND THAT WAS STILL NOT ENOUGH!”
In between it all The Street Profits answered an open challenge from The Viking Raiders for the RAW Tag Team Titles which which was certainly a logical and exciting open challenge match. Montez Ford does an extra aggressive rope shake, extra high dive for a tag – everything is extra, but it’s not so much that it’s over-the-top. The match ended disappointingly short but at the same time everyone got most of their shit in.
Then Rollins walked out and said they could stay or leave, which was stupid. I say stupid because they actually left. Why wouldn’t The Viking Raiders just stay chilling in the ring? Where is the harm in that!? Everyone’s disappointing exit led to Owens confronting Rollins and now we can cycle back to the top. STORIES!
Also, The Street Profits might have a recurring Weekend Update ripoff bit now called Monday After Weekend Update and I am SO into it even if the first go at material was NOT GREAT. Please do more though. Please. The people need to know The Street Profits. And like every other act on the show.
If Lana‘s diction isn’t a brilliant satire of Trump’s diction then this whole thing is absolutely unforgivable. This week’s RAW began with her and Rusev spending twenty minutes signing their divorce and get Rusev over all you want but my word the torture to get through this is unbearable. I mean the payoff was weeks ago anyways. Rusev already kicked Bobby Lashley‘s ass! And he slammed him through a table tonight! WHAT IS THE INCENTIVE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE WWE NETWORK TO SEE THIS ACTUAL MATCH?
ELSEWHERE!…
It was a decade ago that Drew McIntyre beat Matt Hardy to get over, and here we are – still waiting. Kinda feel bad for Matt getting called back to the road just as his third baby comes, like c’mon. Aleister Black countering Akira Tozawa‘s tope with a jumping knee smash is what dreams are made of – Tozawa as the guy who just goes hard with everybody so they get over is brilliant.
As Zelina Vega awkwardly uttered “TONIGHT!?” in response to an Andrade vs. Humberto Carrillo match I thought to myself: this act doesn’t work. As Zelina and Andrade’s entrance music played on the loudspeakers to a stomach-churning amount of silence I thought to myself: they should stop it with this act. As Zelina and Andrade argued after Andrade’s loss I thought to myself: good.
Also, Andrade vs. Humberto ruled. These guys can pull off each other’s most graceful and complex maneuvers and the match read like a proper showcase of two new acts that really do rule in-ring but have not made it over the mountain of #OVER on WWE television. The crowd slowly started grooving with this like it was a 205 Live match, where nobody expected to be freaking out but it just starts happening. I think Lawler was legitimately marking out too. LOVE a good front cradle finish, especially when it’s combined with a manager collision and big time pop.
The Kabuki Warriors have a swag to them now, I just wish they weren’t named The Kabuki Warriors. They had a Handicap Match with Becky Lynch that was not the most exciting thing on television but Kairi Sane’s elbow drop to the outside through a table was one for the ages.
On top of everything, Rey Mysterio defended the U.S. Title against AJ Styles in the main event. AJ is no longer Mr. Spectacular but Rey is inexplicably still working like he’s 25 so AJ got to play the role of absolute professional base and it ruled. They flubbed the Styles Clash counter of the Frankensteiner but sure made up for it by providing a straight-up powerbomb in between the reset. Finish was fine chaos too, with the O.C. getting knocked down by Rey then Orton sliding in and WINKING at Styles to setup a Rey inside cradle for 3.
NXT (12/11/19)
It’s still a bit boxed into the WWE Machine but this show officially rules – the big stuff is clicking, Rhea vs. Shayna is exciting, the squashes with new acts did no harm, and Keith Lee is on an upward trajectory that is very fun to see play out.
It also started with a legitimate MOTY candidate. Lio Rush vs. Angel Garza for the Cruiserweight Title was special, a match that began with these two guys just FIGHTING and throwing hands at each other in between both guys doing stuff normal people just can’t do like a rope-to-rope quebrada from Rush or a tilt-a-whirl headscissors that goes on for like four rotations, as well as coming up with counters to their regular moves like Garza countering the Come Up Stunner with a basement dropkick or Rush escaping Garza’s slingshot suplex. It has occurred to me after writing all this that wrestling moves sound stupid.
It really all felt like what WWE always wanted the cruiserweight division to be, with the random insane flying maneuver but also an intensity that established these little fellas as tougher than the heavyweights. Loved Garza’s “WHAAAAT” face when Rush kicked out of the Spanish fly, the worked wrestling punch exchange that moved to legitimate slaps, and the brilliantly timed DOUBLE FLAIR FLOP as both men collapsed beside each other, exhausted from all the wrestling.
Not a lot freaks me out these days but Garza getting Rush on his shoulders, then trying to throw him off but Rush taking advantage by bouncing off the bottom rope and rebounding with the Come Up sure did. This was just a portion of the epic finish – Rush hits the Final Hour frog splash, Garza crawls to the ropes to avoid a cover, Rush grabs Garza as he fell to the floor causing his pants to finally tear off, Rush hits the Final Hour to the OUTSIDE but Garza was playing possum and puts his knees up, Garza follows up with the Wing Clipper but Rush kicks out at the last second, and finally Garza locks his hands as he traps Rush in the Wing Clipper setup and gets the SUBMISSION. I’m not sure the submission was needed but it sure establishes a finish.
Then Angel Garza got ENGAGED. God damnit is the wrestling good sometimes. God damn.
They built up all three Triple Threat main event guys – Lee, Balor, Ciampa – throughout the show with promos, and also aired some quality footage from features on Shayna Baszler and Rhea Ripley. Shayna working on cars is definitely my thing. Good basic wrestling stuff.
KUSHIDA is back and he helped Raul Mendoza beat Cameron Grimes in a fun match where Mendoza got to beat some ass before they flubbed the finish.
Travis Banks? Really? I assume they’re building up the NXT vs. NXT UK show. Nasty cut and cool win for the fella over Jaxson Ryker… The Forgotten Sons is a weird deal, huh?
Mia Yim vs. Dakota Kai was alright, a match that was a little more about the moves than the grudge. It’s going to be remembered for the post-match anyways, where Yim suplexed Kai off some stage setup onto two tables in a scary spot where Kai’s body went through one and only her head seemed to hit the other. Mauro’s “MAMA MIA!” after it looked like her neck snapped was a bit much. I think she’s OK though. Where’s Tegan Nox?
Breezango vs. The Singh Brothers could’ve been any other match but instead Breezango decided to work like they were The Bludgeon Brothers or something, with Samir Singh bumping off a Falcon Arrow and apron powerbomb like he wanted more time off with an injury. Tremendous stuff that didn’t have to be.
Bianca Belair looked badass against Kayden Carter who got to get some stuff in. Quality enhancement match.
Finn Balor vs. Keith Lee vs. Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT Title #1 Contender spot was one of those 3-ways I didn’t actually hate. I won’t rate it high or remember a lot of what they did here but I do know they kept it bumping, didn’t look silly, and showcased the HELL out of Keith Lee who looked great even in defeat. Balor’s counters of a Death Valley Driver with an inside cradle and a powerbomb with a double foot stomp were both freakin’ gorgeous too. Even the Air Raid Crash Tower of Doom thing wasn’t bad, and the finish with Balor coming out of nowhere with the Coup de Grace on Lee was executed perfectly.
Balor vs. Cole, eh? OK. Combined with Rhea Goldberg vs. Hollywood Baszler, next week is a big deal.
MAIN EVENT (12/11/19)
Eric Young beat No Way Jose with an awkwardly executed finisher in a very No Way Jose match, and then OH MY GOD RANDOM RICOCHET vs. CEDRIC ALEXANDER match! It’s all been worth it! Every single 10 minutes I have spent on Hulu dot com watching this show has been worth it because… oh, it went like two minutes. They did some cool stuff outside of a clunky sunset flip but still. Two minutes. Damn.
NXT UK 73 (12/12/19)
They’re building to TakeOver: Blackpool II.
Most of NXT UK is just alright. Kay Lee Ray vs. Isla Dawn was alright and they setup a Triple Threat for Ray with Toni Storm and Piper Niven with an angle that was alright. Jordan Devlin‘s bit talking smack about Tyler Bate was alright. Eddie Dennis attacking Trent Seven‘s opponent before their match was alright.
Meanwhile, Ridge Holland – two matches in – is giving me Brock Lesnar vibes. Might be something here. Will report back.
The NXT UK Tag Team Titles main event with Wolfgang & Mark Coffey defending against Marcel Barthel & Fabian Aichner was just a dreary match where they worked an injury angle for Mark Coffey who isn’t close to over. The Wolfgang hot tag was vaguely good before a double DQ with run-ins from the other two stupid tag teams in this division to setup a Ladder Match at TakeOver. Ah jeez.
SMACKDOWN (12/13/19)
I’m not going to say this show is a “good time” or anything but the wrestling this week was better than usual and there were some good twists on cliche angles along with some quality laugh-out-loud comedy.
The opening exchange between King Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston and Big E was some time-wasting bullshit though, even if it was nice to hear about Kofi’s good year again. Kofi and Big E come off like big deals and it would be good to see that taken advantage of.
Kofi did main event against Corbin in a match that soon became Corbin/Ziggler vs. The New Day and unfortunately it was kind of a bore. Everyone did their stuff but everyone also feels as high as they’re going to be and that’s a problem. There was heat to the opening exchange, but it all closed cold. Until…
I liked the twist on the pre-match promo for Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose, with Deville and Rose entering first then attacking Bliss and Cross as they chatted with Kayla Braxton in Gorilla. The crowd buzzing in the background as they exited the ring and ran towards the back was awesome. MMA expert Sonya Deville downed to a swinging neckbreaker in 90 seconds not so much.
Legit LOL’d at Sami Zayn‘s impression of Otis, and then Dash Wilder fell on his ass as he entered for his match. An incredible minute in WWE television history.
The Revival vs. Mustafa Ali & Shorty G ruled, a tag match where the action kept moving and the spots kept surprising – Gable was bumping like a man with a death wish but also getting one over on his opponents here and there, The Revival provided a quality beatdown, the good guys did double somersault planchas, and the Shatter Machine out of NOWHERE finish was phenomenal. Made me want both a longer match and an Ali/Shorty vs. Usos match.
Elias telling Bayley her haircut makes her look like a dude and talking threesomes while the blonde, large-chested Dana Brooke laughs along – This. Is. FOX.
I honestly can’t tell you if Bray Wyatt hacking The Miz and Maryse‘s baby monitor and the Firefly Fun House puppets appearing in their daughter’s crib was god awful or good shit pal. Massive respect to Monroe Sky Mizanin for crying on command either way.
Honestly, Heavy Machinery vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro was a pretty great TV tag – big WE WANT OTIS chants, Otis rubbing that belly, and an amazing Kinshasa out of nowhere to finish it.
Stupid dog food stuff aside, stupid King Corbin as lead heel aside, stupid mediocrity running through SmackDown’s veins all year aside – the pop for the very telegraphed Roman Reigns save at the end of the show was UNREAL. Good GOD. This Roman guy might be a star.
205 LIVE (12/13/19)
I acknowledge the replenishment of 205 Live with Lio Rush, Raul Mendoza, Angel Garza, and now the former DJZ. I appreciate it. I just can’t accept it, because at some point it all ends with Ariya Daivari putting them in rear chinlocks.
Why is Raul Mendoza beating Ariya Daivari with a flash cradle? WHY?
Joaquin Wilde seems like a guy to root for but right now he’s working this air horn gimmick where both his theme music starts with air horns and then he makes his own air horn sounds inside the ring and it’s bad, it’s real bad. He squashed a guy and I hope everyone realizes that tweaks must be made.
Danny Burch vs. Tony Nese as the main event felt like a rib – two fine wrestlers who brought the holds and a semi-dramatic finish, but come on. COME ON.
WWE TV Match of the Week: Angel Garza vs. Lio Rush, heck it might be TV Match of the Year
WWE TV MVP of the Week: Angel Garza
RAW was hopeful, NXT smashed, SmackDown had good wrestling and Roman Reigns, and the C-shows sucked more than usual.
TLC is Sunday.
RAW: 8/10
NXT: 9/10
NXT UK: 2/10
SmackDown: 5/10
205 Live: 3/10
