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ringsideMAYHEM >> News Article
Mike Shannon's Raw Review (Feb. 1, 2010) Written by Mike Shannon on 02/01/10
WWE RAW (February 1, 2010)
-So it's part two of my mega-rant for the day and I'd like to start with my condolences to the Brisco family for the loss of former tag champ, Jack. While still "young" at 68, at least he lived past 50, something that alot of wrestlers wish they did.
So it's time for the new segment that's going to become an internet phenomenon it's time to
ASK MIKE ANYTHING!!!
I picked out 2 questions from the many I've gotten because this is my column and I do what I want. For future reference: Include your first name and city so I can attach them to your question. Some of you have REALLY bizarre email names. First up:
Q: Mike, why don't you review Smackdown?
-Multiple people
A: Well, because I'm usually out enjoying Pittsburgh nightlife on Fridays and between Raw, TNA, and the PPVs (plus whatever I watch on 24/7 for fun) I get a healthy dose of wrestling on a regular basis. If someone wants to pay me to do Smackdown, I'll gladly do it.
Q: Had Edge not returned, who would you have preferred to win the Rumble?
-Sam
A: Honestly, I was pulling for Shawn Michaels the entire time. I know the storyline is better with him NOT winning, but he's a sentimental favorite and the current angle actually has me caring what happens to him...what a concept. I was glad HHH didn't win because the further away they get from the HHH vs. Sheamus WrestleMania idea the better. If they actually pull the trigger on that, it will be awful and guaranteed piss break match.
Questions can be sent to dlman91@hotmail.com or by smoke signal on February 8th at 5:49 am.
-LIVE from Nashville, Tennessee (home of Jerry Lawler's 47 world title wins)
-Edge, winner of the Rumble, kicks us off and he has TRIMMED THE BEARD. The horror. Surprisingly, he is still getting some heel heat. He recaps his injury and makes fun of Jericho's arrest before gloating about his Rumble win. He asks should be challenge the undefeated guy or the guy who's never even been to a WrestleMania? He thinks he'll wait until after Elimination Chamber to make his decision.
-Sheamus takes offense to this and comes out to declare he is in charge of Raw now. Edge verbally abuses him but Sheamus coldcocks him with the microphone. Edge quickly gains control and hits a spear to leave the champ laid out.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes Apparently Cody REALLY likes those magenta trunks he debuted last night at the Rumble, cause he's wearing them again. Cody pounds away in the corner and hits a Russian legsweep for two. Neckbreaker gets another two and he drops a knee for another near fall. A second kneedrop misses and Cena mounts a comeback but gets caught in a school boy for two.
Cena basically no-sells and hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Rhodes comes back and gets another two. Cody hits an impressive looking moonsault for two but, with no buildup, Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment for the win.
Winner: John Cena
-Terrible psychology with Cody hitting a ton of impressive offense and Cena just ignoring all of it and hitting his finisher. *1/2.
-Survivor Series 1997 recap for the hundredth time.
-Backstage, Vince thinks Bret won't show but guest host William Shatner sings Bret's praises.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match Jack Swagger vs. HHH I'm not liking Swagger's odds here but this is an interesting matchup. Swagger takes Hunter does and rides him but that just pisses HHH off and he drops him. High knee and Hunter clotheslines him to the outside but WE GOTTA TAKE A BREAK!!
Another hat trick, bitches. Bow before your king!
We return with Swagger hitting a DDT for two and he follows with a legdrop for another two count. Jack tries to go old school with an abdominal stretch, but he gets hiptossed and dumped to the outside. Back in, Hunter calls spots on camera and Swagger hits a powerslam for two. Crowd is not buying Swagger winning this match AT ALL.
The running Vader Bomb (also known as a pump splash) only hits knees and Hunter mounts the comeback with a facebuster for two then a spinebuster for another near fall. Pedigree attempt is countered to a back drop and this time the running Vader Bomb hits but it only gets two. Swagger comes back with a belly to belly for two and Swagger gets cocky, immediately leading to a Pedigree and a win for HHH.
Winner: HHH
-Like the crowd, I knew Swagger had no chance which takes some steam out of matches like this. It was good enough for what it was, commercials aside. **1/2
-Backstage, William Shatner speaks the words of WWE entrance themes in a funny, but very odd, moment.
-Backstage, HHH is pissed Shawn eliminated him but admits he would have done the same if he had the chance. He psychs Shawn up for his match with Orton.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match Randy Orton vs. Shawn Michaels Stalemate leads to nothing until Shawn starts chopping away and hits a neckbreaker. He goes for Chin Music early so Orton bails and tries the Hangman's DDT but HBK is onto him and counters before hitting a high cross body for two. He serves up more chops and continues the Nature Boy impression with a Flair Flip in the corner. Orton stays on the back with a backbreaker and then stomps away.
Shawn attempts to mount a comeback but a standing dropkick ends that and gets two before going to the chinlock. They head up top and Shawn blocks the superplex attempt and comes off with a flying elbow. Shawn TUNES UP THE BAND!
The kick misses but so does the RKO and Shawn stays in control with inverted atomic drops and chops. Shawn kips up like usual, but Orton was waiting for it and cradles HBK for the win.
Winner: Randy Orton
-Another good TV match with a decent ending and a continuation of the "Shawn going batshit insane" angle. **3/4
-Meanwhile, Ted DiBiase apologizes to Orton but gets the cold shoulder.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match Mark Henry vs. Ted DiBiase Mizark overpowers Ted and dumps him to the outside but DiBiase rams his arm into the post and they brawl. Henry clumsily crashes into the ring steps and Ted goes to work on the arm back inside. DiBiase comes off the top and gets caught, although Ted still manages to necksnap him on the rope. Henry counters Dream Street but Ted managers to hit an armbar DDT and get the pin.
Winner: Ted DiBiase
-Wow, didn't expect a finish off of that move. I mean, I don't care that Henry jobs to a weak move because he sucks, but another surprise pin. *1/4
-Nice video tribute to Jack Brisco. He was a 2-time NWA World Champion back when that actually meant something.
Stallion
-Backstage, Maryse fakes being nice to Gail Kim and I could not give a shit less.
-Still backstage, CM Punk wants his tag title shot but Miz & Show are standing in the way. Shatner enters (complete with entrance still frame) and decides to book a Triple Threat for next week.
-STILL backstage, HHH tries to get HBK back to reality.
Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match Kofi Kingston vs. Big Show Miz joins us for commentary because Michael Cole sucks. Show slowly pounds away and tosses Kofi around but he accidentally crotches himself on the top rope and gets dropkicked to the outside BUT THE TAPE MACHINES ARE RUNNING!!
We return with Show in control courtesy of a spear during the break and he works a chinlock. Kofi rolls out of the ring where Miz is waiting for him with some choice words. MVP runs out of the crowd like a common thug and jumps Miz for no reason. Heel heel heel. Kofi necksnaps Show and falls from the top rope in a botched spot. He hits a dropkick anyways and hits the Boom Drop for two.
Kofi thumbs Show in the eye, causing him to KO Punch the referee by accident. He tosses Kofi and another referee runs down and disqualifies Big Show.
Winner by DQ: Kofi Kingston
-Show is really pissed and has a legitimate gripe considering it wasn't an intention bump and referees get hit by accident all the time with no bell ringing. Inconsistent rules are just a pain in the ass. Match wasn't good. *
-Recap of the Bret-Vince stuff.
-Jerry Lawler brings out William Shatner, accompanied by resident skanks the Bella twins, and acts all William Shatner-like. Bill trips over the ropes on the way in and I can't decide if it was real or not because Shatner is weird like that. Shatner introduces Bret Hart, who debuts his new entrance theme and I dig it.
Main Event Interview Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon Bret is pissed and knows he can't put this behind him so he wants Vinnie Mac out here right now. Vince struts to the ring because he's a dick like that and admits he regrets nothing. Bret is really ticked off and threatens to kick Vince's ass all over Tennessee. McMahon makes fun of his nicknames and calls him pathetic and boring. He says without great opponents, everyone would be bored with Bret.
Then, Vince says he's not going to induct Stu Hart into the Hall of Fame because he doesn't deserve it. This finally causes Bret to snap and he beats the hell out of Vince, teasing a Sharpshooter for the first time in 13 years. Suddenly, Batista appears and beats up Bret before holding him and allowing Vince to spit in his face in retribution for years before.
Final Word While the wrestling wasn't awesome, I actually liked this episode of Raw because it advanced some storylines and kept things fresh and interesting. Bret's inability to take shots to the head is really apparent so I'm not sure what the payoff for this Vince angle is going to be but, by injecting Batista into it, you are setting yourself up for something interesting.
