"WWE RAW" Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

RAW rings in the New Year for World Wrestling Entertainment just six days out from New Year’s Revolution. Tonight, many Superstars will be getting ready for that event, be it in action or trying to pull one over on their upcoming opponent. In addition, WWE Champion John Cena will take on Kevin Federline before he faces the undefeated Samoan Bulldozer Umaga on Sunday.


http://www.wwe.com/content/media/touts/feature/29062/3899554Kickin' off 2K7 South Beach-style
January 1, 2007

One week removed from the fourth annual WWE Tribute to the Troops, Raw heads to tropical Miami on New Year’s Day to kick off 2007 in style.

A rap battle like no other
Less than a week before he will defend the WWE Championship against Umaga at New Year’s Revolution, John Cena will find himself in the ring against Kevin Federline in Miami. This battle has been brewing for weeks, and Federline has told The Champ that “I want some, so I’m going to come get some.” Will K-Fed become just another bump on Cena’s road to Umaga or will “America’s Most Hated” shock the world and upset The Champ? Tune in right at 9/8 CT, as K-Fed vs. Cena will kick off the show.

Can DX bounce back?
Two weeks ago, World Tag Team Champions Edge & Randy Orton left DX a bloody mess. Triple H & Shawn Michaels were beaten so badly that they needed to be helped to the locker room. Less than a week before their match at New Year’s Revolution, will DX be in any shape to attempt some revenge on Rated-RKO?

Last stop before Kansas City
Also at New Year’s Revolution, K-Fed’s buddy Johnny Nitro will challenge Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy in a Steel Cage Match and Mickie James will defend the Women’s Championship against Victoria. What else will be learned about the pay-per-view spectacular on Jan. 7?

Find out all this and more on Raw, Monday night at 9/8 CT on the USA Network.

[VCXZX]

What an entertaining segment. Way better than I expected. I liked K-Fed actually doing some wrestling moves, and the Masterlock. He didn't fare too bad.

Too bad the match wasn't for the title though.

[Jeff Harris]

Ugh . . . you know, the year's still young, but I'm hoping that we NEVER see anything this bad in the next 364 days. Definite WrestleCrap Match of the Year.

And my minute-sized respect for the WWE just got a little bit smaller.

[James Bester]

What kind of company has their champion job to Kevin Federline?

[VCXZX]

Good to see the Boss appear and wish Conway well on his future endeavors (storyline-wise). At least we got to hear his beautiful theme music again.

[Jeff Harris]

What kind of company has their champion job to Kevin Federline?The same company that gets sued by the creators of a cartoon that features talking buttocks for copyright infringement. Seriously, nobody wants two shows with talking asses, let alone one.

[VCXZX]

I think HBK in his rant was taking about VKM. The part about jerking curtains elsewhere. That and the rest of DX"s long boring promo killed the crowd after they got a loud face pop upon their entrance.

So DX failed to make the save for Flair. Hmmm. That could set up something. In any way, that proves DX are cowards for not making the save.

You know things have changed since K-Fed came to the WWE. Now I look forward to his appearances and it will be a shame if he doesn't comeback. he tried to be entertaining and to be heelish. Plus he's a much better commentator than Tazz. And a better heel than than Lawler.

So besides KFed, pretty much a weak RAW.

[Ahiru-kun]

It seems Cena only loses when the odds aren't stacked against him.

Federline surprised me. I actually like his angle.

Melina kept me interested in the show.

Rob Conway still gets no respect.

DX gets a Hogan sized pop and delivers a promo that's a little above average.

Edge and Orton get the better of DX again. This could mean a passing of the torch moment a NYR.

We end the night with Cena playing Superman again. I like Cena, but this is getting ridiculous.

Let's see. It's women, children, troops, and Miami natives who are John Cena fans.

[Condiment King]

An absolutely terrible RAW. A horrible, horrible RAW. I was hoping before the show that John Cena vs Kevin Federline would be the opening match, and it was. This was a red herring though because all it did was give this whole cluster two segments rather than one.

Cena vs Federline took forever. Umaga got involved. The WWE Champion John Cena jobbed to Kevin Federline. As much as I hate Cena, I can't make heads or tails of how this was a good move. I mean, Federline is a one and done. Might as well have him job to Cena and then Umaga do a post-match beatdown. Whatever, either way it would have blew. I'm glad this is pretty much over.

Jeff Hardy vs Rob Conway with Conway comically stating beforehand that if he loses, he'll quit. Then he loses in 30 seconds. There was something that just really pissed me off about the appearance of Vince McMahon. This entire thing seemed like self-promotion that he just reveled in because it was a complete and utter waste of time. All he did was come out, try his hand at some incredibly lame humor involved the deceased Yokozuna and Donald Trump. Then he fires Rob Conway. That was it. What a waste of time.

The four way tag team match didn't make much sense to me. I think there was one face team and three heel teams (assuming Haas & Benjamin are still heels and the Highlanders are still faces). Man, three of these teams really do suck. Well, Cade & Murdoch are alright but only as a jobber team. I'd really like to see MNM, the Hardys, London & Kendrick, Regal & Taylor, and the World's Greatest Tag Team all on one brand. Otherwise, the WWE tag divisions will always have one or two great teams and a lotta filler.

Melina smacking Maria was funny. Their subsequent match wasn't entertaining because neither are very seasoned in the ring. It was a terrible idea to put Victoria on the mic for commentary. I didn't realize (or had forgotten) that Victoria isn't that great on the mic. Her gimmick is that of a crazy psycho and yet her commentary was tame and unconvincing. I would have rather she just break up the match in the middle. Still like the Mickie James vs Victoria feud though.

DX promo was boring. Shawn Michaels' shoot was amusing considering the fact that a lot of the reasoning behind why himself and Triple H have lasted over all this other young talent he mentions is because the politics of the infamous Clique. Not to stick up for VKM or anything, they are a waste of time as well. Going back to the tag team division, Randy Orton & Edge vs DX isn't really putting over the tag belts all that much because its not really emphasized. I keep forgetting that they are even involved, not that it matters.

Ric Flair and Carlito vs Kenny Dykstra (what a name) and "The Masterpiece" Chris Masters was a basic tag team match to get the respective feuds some time six days before the PPV with Kenny once again pinning the Nature Boy. Nothing wrong with this tag match, just not all that exciting. The Rated RKO beatdown afterwards was also pretty standard stuff..

The Cena 4 on 1 was a complete and utter mess. There has absolutely got to be a way to book John Cena better than these mindless and repetitive "me vs the world" scenarios. New Year's Revolution has a well crafted and built-up card (at least much better than ECW December to Dismember) but I honestly don't really care much about what happens. Hmm.

So the two good things out of tonight's RAW: Haas & Benjamin made an appearance, albeit losing, and the Flair/Carlito vs Kenny/Masters match wasn't terrible.

[hobbyfan]

There is a reason Kevin Federline got an illegal pin tonight. It's called getting this punk his comeuppance on PPV, where he can make the most money out of his desperate attempt to keep his 15:00 going. The clock is ticking. His best move was a low blow? He tried a full nelson, and Cena basically buried Masters by breaking the full nelson without breaking a sweat. Making this no-DQ at the last minute guaranteed a screwjob finish. As it is, Cena ended up going 0-2 on the evening, but got the last word in on K-Scum by giving him another FU.

DX leaves, thinking Rated RKO will no-show, so the tag champs ambush Ric Flair again. Didn't they think of this? Goofwitz and the cast of idiots can't do anything original anymore.

Tag matches were the best on the show. Conway gets squashed, and gets his ticket punched back to OVW, until they're ready to reform La Resistance on either Smackdown or ECW. Maria-Melina got sloppy at the end. Should've figured Victoria would go after the only other blonde on the roster (Lillian), but this will cost her the women's title on Sunday.

Vince owes the audience an apology for the irresponsible booking.

[Frank Castle]

Not a very good show. The DX vs. RKO feud is really starting to eat away at my patience. Hell I'd rather have Evolution around than DX. At least Flair would have something to do than getting beaten every week.

[email2003]

LOL! The Chump lost to K-Fed! LOL!
Terrible womens match. Melina and Maria can't wrestle squat!
And Flair got bashed again with chairs by Rated RKO! I was looking for DX to make the save but was surprised they didn't.
"The Coach just made it official that the Masterlock hasn't been broken yet", says JR. I knew it was good to be true!:shrug:

[email2003]

The Cena 4 on 1 was a complete and utter mess. There has absolutely got to be a way to book John Cena better than these mindless and repetitive "me vs the world" scenarios.
I don't think they should book Cena any matches at all since Cena can't even freakin' wrestle without doing his stupid 4 moves of doom every damn match.:shrug:

[Frank Castle]

I don't think they should book Cena any matches at all since Cena can't even freakin' wrestle without doing his stupid 4 moves of doom every damn match.:shrug:
But the 10 year old kids and the fat chicks need someone to cheer for!:D

[email2003]

But the 10 year old kids and the fat chicks need someone to cheer for!:D
LOL! You got that right!:sweat:

[PTurkey]

Federline vs Cena was the Match of the night. Just for the fact that Cena lost, to Kevin Federline no less. Federline's good heel antics, Uuuumaga making an appearance, and "We want Brittney" chants were icing on the cake. That was a great way to start off the new year.

Rob Conway vowed he'd quit RAW? How can he quit something he isn't on in the first place? I'm sad to see him fired. He had great music. Please Mr. McMahon, Don't fire Rob.

Yay. A worked shoot promo. Some of sounded like it was directed at VKM. But who's the guy HBK wants to face?

I fell asleep right before the Handicap match, but let me guess what happened: Cena overcame the odds and squashed his opponents with his signature moves?

Everything else. Meh.

[VCXZX]

Yay. A worked shoot promo. Some of sounded like it was directed at VKM. But who's the guy HBK wants to face?

I fell asleep right before the Handicap match, but let me guess what happened: Cena overcame the odds and squashed his opponents with his signature moves?

Everything else. Meh.

HBK was referring to Kurt Angle probably. Or Bret hart again. He didn't need to go there. Well, Bret anyway. :shrug::shrug:

As for Cena, he lost via DQ. Best part of that decision was K-Fed going "he Cheated". best heel announcing on RAW in years.

[Hyper Shadow X]

The Kfed match was boring as hell.

[Supernovametalstar]

HBK was referring to Kurt Angle probably. Or Bret hart again. He didn't need to go there. Well, Bret anyway. :shrug::shrug:

As for Cena, he lost via DQ. Best part of that decision was K-Fed going "he Cheated". best heel announcing on RAW in years.

And they wonder why Bret Hart fans can't seem to "let it go". It's because the WWE always has to bring it up :p. At least this time it wasn't so blatant.

I was actually surprised that Federline got the pin. I thought Vince had more sense than that after what happened in WCW and David Arquette. Even though I know it had a purpose, it still looks bad when your champion was beaten by a non wrestler when other wrestlers like Jericho, Angle, and even HHH were unable to beat him in the past. At the very least, Cena shouldn't have put his hands up so early when he got hit in the head with the belt. It made him look really weak. Especially considering that Umaga, at the end of the night, took two unprotected chairshots straight to the head. The MANLINESS award for the evening goes to him.

Everything else was kind of blah. Standouts for me were the diva match where I've never seen someone's hair tied to the ropes before. And Flair getting attacked again after the Kenny match. You'd think DX would stop leaving Flair alone if they really cared for him so much.

Plus, I find it ridiculous that JR is appalled that Kenny cheated to win, when Flair used to cheat to win all the time. I've also noticed they stopped calling him the "dirtiest player in the game", so I guess they want us to forget that he has been a complete bastard before.

[Tapout]

Although I have no idea why HBK would feel the need to take a shot at him, I thought he directed his comments at Christian Cage. I'm pretty sure Christian's refered to himself as "the best in-ring performer working today" on several occasions, both in WWE and TNA. The only explanation I have is that they're not even going to validate VKM with a response, and while I'm sure Bret/Shawn/Vince still aren't exactly best buddies, the hatchet was mostly buried during production of Bret's DVD.

[Condiment King]

Although I have no idea why HBK would feel the need to take a shot at him, I thought he directed his comments at Christian Cage. I'm pretty sure Christian's refered to himself as "the best in-ring performer working today" on several occasions, both in WWE and TNA. The only explanation I have is that they're not even going to validate VKM with a response, and while I'm sure Bret/Shawn/Vince still aren't exactly best buddies, the hatchet was mostly buried during production of Bret's DVD.That seems odd to me. It seems like if any former WWE wrestler remains on good terms with WWE in TNA, it'd be Christian Cage with how he went out. I realize that Cage said a few things when he first arrived but that was more to bring on good will with TNA. He didn't really burn any bridges like Rhino or VKM. Plus, him saying he's the best in-ring performer working today is kayfabe, he's just in character.

I don't know if Shawn Michaels was really referring to anyone in particular, though referring to young talents could mean a number of people in TNA, in fact it could mean a number of people in WWE's past, such as say Brock Lesnar.

[James Bester]

Lately, RAW's been hit or miss. This was a huge miss. Not one good wrestling match along with completely predictable finishes and angles. What's the point of having Ric Flair destroyed over and over only for him to come back shortly after completely fine?

[VCXZX]

What's the point of having Ric Flair destroyed over and over only for him to come back shortly after completely fine?

Speaking of horrible sell jobs, D-X did not sell their gruesome assault from 2 weeks. You think they would've at least sold a little. Don West sold, and put over more an assault on him. Granted, West's crutches weren't seen on TV though.

[Ahiru-kun]

Speaking of horrible sell jobs, D-X did not sell their gruesome assault from 2 weeks. You think they would've at least sold a little. Don West sold, and put over more an assault on him. Granted, West's crutches weren't seen on TV though.

That's nothing new. Edge, if I remember correctly, fell ten feet through two tables and came back the next night perfectly fine. The Undertaker and Mick Foley are the two best examples. I didn't think their beating was all that gruesome.

[Fifi Fanatic]

Damn! And I thought having to job to The Miz was an embarassing blot on a wrestler's record! Not even Cena deserves to job to Mr. Spears. :sad:

I've already abandoned the so-called "ECW".... keep this up, Vince; and I'll have to abandon Raw too. :p

[The Penguin]

“And it’s DX glow stick night here at the ballpark!” :p

I really question having K-Fed beat John Cena no matter how he did it. WWE is smarter than to make him the Champion to get attention, but I don’t see a rapper (and a bad one at that) beating the WWE Champion as positive attention.

Cryme Tyme and the Highlanders sure made quite the foursome didn’t they? :p The fact that RAW is even capable of having an eight-man tag match with only tag teams shows that the tag division would be fine if someone would give it a chance. We’ve got four teams right here and then the two ‘main event’ teams that don’t really do a lot for the division.

And it appears 2007 will not be a new year for Rob Conway on RAW anyway. It was sad how quickly Hardy beat the former Tag Team Champion and then Mr. McMahon had to have some fun and make a point (“Yokozuna!” :lol: ). The Con Man might do better on one of the other brands. As much as I loved La Résistance, I would much prefer to see René Duprée and Sylvan experience some singles success. Not to mention the fact that the best version of the team is the original.

Kenny had a pretty good promo about why he didn’t shake Flair’s hand. The ‘death’ thing fell flat for me, but the rest of it was good. I’ll make the prediction now, Intercontinetal Champion by December.

Either together are apart, few do an intense promo as well as Shawn Michaels and Triple H. The two men showed they were deadly serious and at the same time delivered some great lines with the Frosted Mini-Wheat thing. :D I loved that.

The Diva match was okay, but nothing special. Victoria had me convinced she was going after Melina. Lilian never saw it coming, she’s lucky Mickie came out to make the save. Even though so wasn’t actually beat on, I was surprised Lilian was announcing when the show came back. She’s always packed it in before.

As unlikely of a team as Carlito and Ric Flair seemed, I liked the tag match with Kenny and Masters. It had some pretty back and forth action, plus Kenny got another win over the Nature Boy. :cool: The 16-time champ wanted more, but Rated RKO gave him a lot more than he probably wanted. I thought that girl from Italy was going to fly home disappointed.

The main event sounded like a no win for Cena, but once they all got out there, it occurred to me that it was Cena against two wrestlers, a manager and an executive. Not great odds, but it was more two-on-one than it was four-on-one. Things looked a lot better for Cena when I realized he was really just facing Umaga and Nitro. Even so, he needed that chair Estrada brought in. I just hope that closing FU was the end of Federline, it’s not like his rap tour has been a big hit.


Too bad the match wasn't for the title though.You must be joking. David Arquette: WCW Champion is one of the things that killed WCW despite Russo's intentions.


The four way tag team match didn't make much sense to me. I think there was one face team and three heel teams (assuming Haas & Benjamin are still heels and the Highlanders are still faces). Cryme Tyme have never been heels. They may steal things, but they steal them like Los Guerreros did. Both of these four-man teams looked kind of odd, but the face-heel alliances were correct.

[Condiment King]

Cryme Tyme have never been heels. They may steal things, but they steal them like Los Guerreros did. Both of these four-man teams looked kind of odd, but the face-heel alliances were correct.
Oh, haha. I never saw anyone laughing at Cryme Tyme's promos so I just assumed they were heels.

[The Penguin]

Oh, haha. I never saw anyone laughing at Cryme Tyme's promos so I just assumed they were heels.Oh no, it’s just that they’re generally not very funny.

[Robin2099]

I watched some of Raw this week, and it never ceases to amaze me with the crap that WWE puts out, and that people are still fans of it. I mean John Cena being pinned by K-Fed? Women's matches that make the Carmen Electra's naked wrestling organization look like Daizee Haze and Cheerleader Mellissa. Two guys who are pushing 40 acting like immature jokes. Having repeat booking(and not in a good way) showing up every week. With the garbage that WWE is putting out and Russo mania running wild in TNA, as well as the complete decimation of ECW it reminds me why I stick to ROH.

[EinBebop]

There was a full 30 minutes in the middle of the show with no wrestling. I know, because that's how long my lunch break was. Frustrating.

[VCXZX]

Here's what dave Meltzer had to say about Michaels' little shoot this past Monday.


The story behind HBK's promo on Raw this week was that he was attacking TNA's James Gang (when he spoke of people who used to be big stars and are now curtain jerking somewhere else) and also Bret Hart and Kurt Angle (when he talked about those who called themselves 'the best in-ring performers in the world'). Michaels legitimatly feels that he is the best in-ring performer of modern times and genuinely resents others who claim they are.

Pretty delusional. And as much as a great wrestler Michaels is (and he is) Angle, hart and Chris Benoit are better in-ring performers. What an egomaniac. :shrug:

And here's what dave Meltzer had to say about K-Fed backstage:



K-Fed is getting plenty of internal praise for his attitude backstage. Unlike many outsiders they bring in, he eats with the wrestlers and hangs out in the locker room and was asking for advice from the boys over what he could do with his angle.

Say what you want about K-Fed, but that's respect right there. The fact that he actually talked and didn't act like a star to the other wrestlers. Hopefully that means he returns one day.

This is kinda like when David Arquette was with WCW. He was pretty much the same like K-Fed in terms of backstage attitude. In fact he even donated his appearance fee or something to the familes of deceased wrestlers.

[SirLemming]

Pretty delusional. And as much as a great wrestler Michaels is (and he is) Angle, hart and Chris Benoit are better in-ring performers. What an egomaniac. :shrug:

But how exactly does Dave Meltzer know this unless he interviewed HBK himself?

[MegaJ]

Say what you want about K-Fed, but that's respect right there. The fact that he actually talked and didn't act like a star to the other wrestlers. Hopefully that means he returns one day.

If he isn't made a GM for one night on RAW, I'll be amazed.

[EinBebop]

But how exactly does Dave Meltzer know this unless he interviewed HBK himself?I was wondering the same thing. Sounds like the ranting of someone who has a beef with Michaels, putting words in his mouth.

[Toon Capone]

Terrible Raw this week.

The only entertaining moment on Raw this week was seeing Melina humiliate and beat Maria and course Melina's ring entrance. Everything else pretty much sucked this week from promos to in ring action.

Also doesn't the fact that John Cena lost to K-Fed automatically make him the worst wrestler in the company now?

[EinBebop]

Also doesn't the fact that John Cena lost to K-Fed automatically make him the worst wrestler in the company now?Does it make K-Fed the best?

[Toon Capone]

Does it make K-Fed the best?

With the way the WWE is ran it should.