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Reply With QuoteThe writers must have realized that they messed up with last weeks ending, but at least orton's explanation is somewhat believable.
Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio and Chris Jericho officially joined World Champion John Cena in the Elimination Chamber Match with their wins last week. The fifth man in the ring will be Mike Knox, who won the battle royal last night (beating Dolph Ziggler, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, JTG and Shad) to be able to compete for the World Heavyweight Championship at No Way Out. One spot left, that qualifying match is expected to take place tonight!
WWE RAW #819
Monday, February 2, 2009 @ 9 p.m. ET/8 CT on USA Network
EXPLOSION IMMINENT?
As the last participant in the World Heavyweight Title Elimination Chamber Match is determined on Raw, how will Randy Orton respond to Shane McMahon's emotion-fueled attack last week? Will the Legend Killer explode tonight?
CHAMBER MATES
In a Raw tag team collision of two Davids against a pair of Goliaths, Rey Mysterio & Kofi Kingston battle Kane & Mike Knox. With three of Raw's No Way Out Elimination Chamber combatants in one ring, which team will prevail?
"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." – Henry David Thoreau
The WWE Big Question™ #67 - 2011 Awards — WWE NXT 5 — WWE Superstars
The Bad Guy
The writers must have realized that they messed up with last weeks ending, but at least orton's explanation is somewhat believable.
Senior Member
The path of least resistance. Who'd ever think Randy Orton, after all these months of being a sociopathic, psychotic thug, would choose to be passive and turn the other cheek vs. Shane last week? That's something you'd expect from HBK.
So then Orton and the Legacy decide to ambush Shane & Steph in the backstage area. Where was the locker room to come to the sibs' aid this time? Rent-a-jobber security was no help, but Shane saves his sis from a concussion. What does Randy get out of this? An old nemesis, the Undertaker, next week. This will not end well for either man.
After losing to Kofi Kingston last week, Kane gets into the Elimination Chamber after all. Hmmmmm. Sounds to me like the climax of last week's show wasn't the only thing that went wrong. Maybe Kane was supposed to beat Kofi? We may never know the answer to that one. On the other hand, Mike Knox gets a main event rub by getting into the chamber. If that isn't a vote of confidence from the creative team, I don't know what is.
Kane & Knox, by the way, had the match of the night, I'm sure some of you may agree, vs. Kingston & Mysterio.
Ric Flair returns next week. Is this a short-term deal, or is Ric in line to be a GM down the road? I know that question's been asked, but.....!
Beth vs. Candice? We've seen better. Much better.
JBL vs. HBK, winner take all? I'm sorry. I cannot see JBL taking this one. If he does, it might set up a retirement match at Wrestlemania.
Regal-Punk for the IC title---again, but this time with Punk as the champ---next week. Man, it didn't take long for that to get swept under the rug with the announcements of Flair & UT on next week's show, did it? Can't believe Cole has forgotten the name of Regal's finisher (Knee Trembler) all this time.
Note that Orton got a mixed reaction from the homies in St. Loo, but then it turned to total boos as the night progressed. I think we know he's going to win at No Way Out, since he'll have the Legacy to watch his back, but who's got Shane's back?
It definitely reeked of damage control. But it did come off well.Originally Posted by Hobbes829
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Raw has really sucked as of late with the McMahons vs Orton storyline spotlighted. I know Orton needs something to keep him busy at No Way Out but a No DQ match with Shane McMahon (specifically the Shane we saw from last week's Raw) is not the way to do it. I really wanted Orton to punt Stephanie, but Shane had to get in the way. He's been ruining everything as of late.
CM Punk & Mickie James vs William Regal & Layla was a good match, though it was a good thing Layla was kept from doing much. The finish was good stuff and builds toward a rematch next week. Yet again, why not put it on PPV and give it a little more time? Next week's Raw is a bit crowded.
Kingston & Mysterio vs Kane & Mike Knox indeed was the match of the show and a surprising one at that. Booked really well, especially the finish. I was surprised at some of the things Kane & Rey could pull off in the ring, but they have been working together for awhile. When Kofi landed on Mike Knox's knee outside the ring, I shuttered.
Dibiase & Rhodes vs Cryme Tyme had a BS finish. I am so freaking sick of these no-finish DQs out of nowhere. If you want to DQ them, freaking DQ them. Have Dibiase take a chair and hit him with it and go berzerk or something. At least that is more satisfying than having your partner in the ring for too long or refusing to break a five-count. It used to be a joke in wrestling that these rules never led to DQ but now it's a joke that these finishes actually exist.
Beth Phoenix vs Candice Michelle was not only pointless but also bad. But hey, Santino did his trumpet celebration at the end so yay.
I really liked Jericho's promo on Mickey Rourke. Jericho is so good at promo work. This could be a great angle if it actually happens. And hey, if Mickey backs out, why not do Jericho vs Flair? IMO, a Wrestlemania match for one night would not belittle his retirement.
To be honest, I wish they would have given Shawn Michaels and JBL the last two spots in the chamber and not Kane and Mike Knox. I really have to question them spending so much time to hype up the Michaels-JBL program and then announcing a match two weeks before No Way Out. So suddenly there's only one more Raw to hype up a match that has been slowly built for months. Huh? Not to mention that the stipulation makes it obvious that Michaels will win. I mean, working for JBL "for life"? C'mon.
Cena vs Jericho was kinda boring until the finish which was pretty good. It was like the Cena vs Michaels match from about a month ago with all the reversals.
"Leaping Lanny and Randy Savage are brothers, and Randy Savage, your name is Randy Poffo. THAT'S RIGHT, RANDY POFFO. You're ashamed of going around calling yourself Poffo so you probably got the name Savage because you're ashamed of putting yourself on the same level as your brother because he is much better than you are. YOUR BROTHER IS A HUMAN BEING. YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A SCUMBAG. THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE; YOU'RE A DOG. YOUR NAME IS POFFO." - Ronnie Garvin to Randy Savage, ICW Wrestling, 1980.
Senior Member
i have no doubt that jericho could have a great program an wrestlemania match with flair but i really hope they don't go that route. flair went out perfectly with micheals last year and what else can be said about the following night with his raw send off....that all just gets cheapened to me if he fights yet again this year. i have no problem with him being at mania to be at ringside or some other kind of apperance but i just don't want him in a match again. but this is flair and i'm sure he's still itching to have another big match, so i wouldn't be surprised to see him lacing up the boots again soon.I really liked Jericho's promo on Mickey Rourke. Jericho is so good at promo work. This could be a great angle if it actually happens. And hey, if Mickey backs out, why not do Jericho vs Flair? IMO, a Wrestlemania match for one night would not belittle his retirement.
'the past becomes settled in the present. the only place it truly exists.'
"There are two kinds of men in this world. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig."
"in a world gone mad, only a lunatic is truly insane."
Member
Last weeks RAW ended... quite oddly. Shane just comes out of nowhere and starts to open up a can of O-mac whoop *** and its never explained or pressed upon any further until tonights show... that left me kind of uneasy.
As for tonights show and all these mix ups for the Elimation Chamber: Dangit there writers are tripping over themselves way to much lately. They've written these out of nowhere and foul ball story lines long enough in my book and I'm starting to get confused and frustrated. Don't get me wrong, I'll still watch no matter what, but now that I'm dwelling on the whole thing, it just seems so silly how things are dominoing over eachother so awkwardly.
There was no build up towards the foramtion to Legacy and Ted came back after getting kicked in the skull by Randy, acting like nothing happened at all. They should've given him at least 2 or 3 weeks of offers and ultimatums before he turned on Manu and Sim. That happened way too fast and way too sudden for it to feel right. Seriously.
It was also speculated (on Smackdowns side) that Christian was behind all of the attacks to Jeff Hardy and was returning to the company to even go as far to win the Royal Rumble. This however was not the case which left a ton of fans very disappointed, going as far as part of the crowd yelling "We want Christian." Its also stated that he has signed with the company but is on a "90 day policy" or something. I won't believe it till I see it myself. However I'm hoping.
Kneel Before Zod
You have JBL win, control Michaels through Wrestlemania, and come up with some kind of undo in the spring.
"He lived hard and died stupid."
Senior Member
This show bored me. Absolutely nothing significant happened outside of continuing the Orton/McMahon storylien. It's nice of them to not only cover up Shane's poor showing last week, but to remove him from the match entirely. He's getting in on his years and there's only so many times he could fall of the Titantron.
Jericho's promo was the highlight of the night. Too bad Cena ruined it.
Senior Member
What? Regal's finisher is the Regal Stretch (a modified STF). Who calls that lame kick to the head a finishing move?
Actually it would, since it was a "retirement match".
Anyways on with this week.
-Shane announces that it's Orton and him at No Way Out which could be fun if booked properly. Orton's explanation of last weeks defeat sounded convincing but reeked of on the fly writing. Because you'd have to believe that Stephanie would be stupid enough to base her plan on just sending Shane in to the ring to dominate. Anyways this ends with Shane using a kendo stick to fight back against a Legacy ambush. THAT'S how they should've booked this last week.
-Regal and Layla d. CM Punk and Mickie James: *
Apparently it's Punk and Regal again next week. Anyways this was disappointing, as there wasn't enough Regal and Punk & too much of Layla "wrestling". Oh and that finish was absolutely lame.
-Cryme Tyme d. Dibiase and Rhodes by DQ: *1/2
This was going along fine until the 2nd lame finish of the night.
-After recaps showing Rourke turning down Wrestlemania (which is the right call for him) from Larry King. Jericho cuts a promo on how "The Wrestler" sends the wrong message of has beens trying to live off of past success and can't let go, he uses Flair as an example. Cena interupts and actually gets to verbally own him by pointing how hypocritical he is, and how Jericho keeps saying he was the first Undisputed Champion (past success) and how he was fired once because of him (letting go). Sadly Cena's ending remarks aren't nearly as funny or snarky as his rundown on Jericho. Cena needs to bring back some of his GOOD catchphrases that he used to do. Just look at other megastars in the industry The Rock, Stone Cold, Hulk Hogan; and how they ended their promos by hitting their signature catchphrase (If you smell, And that's the bottom line, Whatcha gonna do brother, etc.). Crowds eat that stuff up.
-Kane and Mike Knox d. Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston: ***
Match of the night, color me impressed. Rey and Kofi did a find job bumping around like pinballs for Kane and Knox's offense, and got a fun match out of these two.
-Legacy ambushes Shane and Stephanie, and just as Orton is about to punt Stephanie in the head, Shane sacrifices himself (damnit). But a nice Dean Malenko cameo is a good consellation.
No Way Out so far:
-Orton v. Shane
-HBK v. JBL (winner keeps his initials)
-Raw Elimination Chamber
-Smackdown Elimination Chamber
-Beth Phoenix d. Candice Michelle: *1/2
Poor Candice has been in limbo for awhile, and her pop has greatly diminished because her tv time was replaced by Kelly Kelly. Anyways the match was decent for the time given to it. But not as good as the house show matches these two had on the European Tour last year.
-Ric Flair will be on Raw next week thus proving Jericho's point.
-JBL gives Shawn his employee review. Shawn says it's JBL's fault. He's so fired. No, apparently it's a match at No Way Out. Where it's basically Money vs. Soul. Good promo work here by JBL. Shawn's pouting face doesn't do anything for me though.
-Kane called Undertaker (by phone!?!?) and he will be on Raw to face Randy Orton next week. Now Kane is the last chamber man.
-John Cena d. Chris Jericho: **3/4
Oh sure make the only guy the fans would even by as having the slightest chance job clean, especially since he's been burried by Stephanie lately. The match was fine for 12 minutes. Not that I would advocate 50/50 booking but Cena did get the better of Jericho verbally earlier on, was doing a job here actually going to hurt him?
Overall: **1/2
Not a very exciting show, while the wrestling was mostly fine overall, some of the booking decisions are mind boggling. The buildup to the Raw Elimination Chamber is inexcusably weak. They've got some good heat for Orton/Shane, I'll give them that. Hopefully next weeks show will be better than this weeks.
Last edited by Nygma; 02-04-2009 at 02:01 AM.
Senior Member
Regal has not used the Stretch (since it's essentially the same as the STF, which is Cena's #2 finisher) since the King of the Ring tournament. The Knee Trembler was his pet finisher during an earlier run on Raw. It's not a kick to the head. It's exactly what is described. A running knee to the head. Not the same as Orton's concussion punt, but just as dangerous.
Like I said last week, the writers were on vacation---mentally, anyway---and I already analyzed this in this thread.
1. Regal needed the win to set up the IC title rematch next week. And the finish wasn't as lame as you think. Regal won clean, and now the pressure's back on Punk.
2. Legacy needed to go over big, and to do that, they needed to win. CT also needed a win after losing to Team Dirt Sheet last week, but creative didn't know how to write a proper ending. Actually, they did, but it was after the bell.
What Cena needs to do is go back to the freestyle raps that got him over. Jericho's robotic promo delivery jumped the shark, and he needs his emotion back (see Larry King Live).
3. If this didn't make Knox a star, working with 2 former world champs (Kane & Mysterio) and a IC champ (Kingston), I don't know what would, short of the Elimination Chamber. Just needs to trim the beard.
4. What's with the haterizing on Steph? If she was YOUR sister, would you have done the same thing for her as Shane did? It's clear Orton wants to control the tempo of the feud, and it's also clear to me he'll win at the PPV, but your disrespect for Stephanie leaves me cold.
This is because Candi has been more than just rusty since coming off the DL. She was busy with that GoDaddy thing on the Super Bowl, among other things, and Kelly jumped ahead of her on the ladder, plus Melina becoming #1 face.
5. The last time Flair was on Raw was shortly after Jericho turned heel over the summer. It's not like he's a regular member of the troupe now (and he isn't). There was a lot of truth to Jericho's earlier remarks, though.
6. I said all along that the JBL-HBK deal was doomed. The writers know it, too, so they're speeding to the finish line. Just as well.
7. Now, Kane is apparently a tweener, having negotiated a deal with Stephanie to get into the chamber in exchange for importing big bro UT (who's gone to bat for Stephiekins before) to face Orton next week. It'd have been easier if Kane beat Kingston last week.
8. Losing a non-title match wouldn't have hurt Cena, and at the same time give Jericho momentum going into the chamber, but now Jericho has almost no shot (you'd think), as the momentum built from beating Punk last week has dissipated.
Last edited by hobbyfan; 02-03-2009 at 03:10 PM.
The Bad Guy
I love Mike Knox's Bruiser Brody like beard. It makes him look different.
a playa in a world of NPCs
Even though Randy Orton's retcon explains how Shane managed to take on three people, keep in mind that nothing will ever explain Shane's awful punches.
I've heard that there was a Dolph Ziggler & Katie Lea live-blog on during the show and it was apparently incredibly entertaining. Here are some excerpts:
[forty] i really hate this storyline
Dolph Ziggler: storyline???????????
Dolph Ziggler: this is real life brother
[Flameswwe101] I hope john cena wins this match
Dolph Ziggler: hope doesent replace skill
[Rich] if cena wins, i riot.....on my own....in my house....
Dolph Ziggler: u mean ur parents house
[Stan] Leave Cena alone, what did he ever do to you?
Dolph Ziggler: u mean beside ruining wrestling
THE CASTLE OF SIR LEMMING
THIS MONTH'S UPDATE: Christmas Countdown! 25 Christmas songs of interest.
Senior Member
Damn it SirLemming, I want to hate Dolph Ziggler for being a bland chracter compared to his Spirit Squad days, but those comments have made him an awesome troll.
Biggest Hinata Azuma fanboy
Since when where trolls awesome?
Senior Member
Actually it can, especially when Cena's actually on tv every week. And Nick Nemeth is busy sucking up to the IWC, not earning ANYTHING.
Yeah he really ruined wrestling, ALONE. People like Triple H and JBL had nothing to do with it. Quick note: If Dolph went off on Triple H on that site, Nick would be out of a job.[Stan] Leave Cena alone, what did he ever do to you?
Dolph Ziggler: u mean beside ruining wrestling
a playa in a world of NPCs
Dolph Ziggler is a heel.
Perhaps he hasn't introduced himself properly...
Biggest Hinata Azuma fanboy
Heh, nice joke, since he always introduces himself starting with his name.
Dolph Ziggler is a heel.
Perhaps he hasn't introduced himself properly...
Senior Member
Uh, having Punk just standing on the apron stupidly staring at the Mickie/Layla brawl only for Regal to trip him up like an idiot WAS weak.
1. Cena apparently would rather pander too the crowd than do something fresh and out of the ordinary, I guess, I don't know. The frustrating thing with Cena is the subtle stuff. Whether it be in his promo delivery, his facial expressions, his ring entrance, being too straight laced, etc.What Cena needs to do is go back to the freestyle raps that got him over. Jericho's robotic promo delivery jumped the shark, and he needs his emotion back (see Larry King Live).
2. There's still plenty of life left in Jericho's new heel persona. He's just been booked to look absolutely week ever since that Stephanie abortion. And there's a reason for that, they don't want anyone heel to look good in comparison to Orton.
Being involved in a decent tag team match doesn't instantly make you a star. Otherwise Snitzky would still be around.3. If this didn't make Knox a star, working with 2 former world champs (Kane & Mysterio) and a IC champ (Kingston), I don't know what would, short of the Elimination Chamber. Just needs to trim the beard.
My hating of Stephanie McMahon is because she's an annoying character with a horribly screeching voice, who can't act to save her life. And 90% of the time she's booked to look stronger than all the WRESTLERS. I'm just annoyed I still have to put up with her on TV. At least with Shane he puts his body through hell by taking some mega bigtime bumps, I at least respect him for THAT.4. What's with the haterizing on Steph? If she was YOUR sister, would you have done the same thing for her as Shane did? It's clear Orton wants to control the tempo of the feud, and it's also clear to me he'll win at the PPV, but your disrespect for Stephanie leaves me cold.
Basically any time they tease Daddy's Little Girl being put out of action and don't deliver, it's gonna get the cold shoulder from me.
Uh I didn't hear or see Candice's involvement with GoDaddy this year.This is because Candi has been more than just rusty since coming off the DL. She was busy with that GoDaddy thing on the Super Bowl, among other things, and Kelly jumped ahead of her on the ladder, plus Melina becoming #1 face.
I thought I was the only one. With any luck maybe Knox can be this generation's Brody.
Awesome.
Dolph Ziggler is a heel.
Perhaps he hasn't introduced himself properly...
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