"WWE RAW" Talkback (Spoilers)

[The Penguin]

We are now just six days away! Tonight in the final RAW before the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania!!

WWE RAW #827
Monday, March 30, 2009 @ 9 p.m. ET/8 CT on USA Network

BIG SHOWDOWN
Days after knocking out World Heavyweight Champion Edge, Big Show issued a challenge to his other WrestleMania opponent, John Cena. The "12 Rounds" star accepted on SmackDown and the two collide live tonight on Raw.

CROWN DUEL
WWE Hall of Famers stick together, which is why Jerry "The King" Lawler will put down the headset live on Raw tonight to combat Chris Jericho, who ruthlessly assaulted Ric Flair last Monday. Raw also hosts an 18-Diva Tag Team Match.

[EinBebop]

LOL @ JAck Tunney reference.

Meant to say something last week... but after last week's match against Mickie James I'm ready to declare Santino the greatest wrestling comedy act of all time.

Can't believe they didn't even mention Gail Kim's return. I gotta think that's the kind of thing that might get just a few more people who didn't know to tune into Smackdown this week. It's the only reason I watched it last week.

[zoombie]

I dropped off my chair in shock in the Jack Tunney reference. It is funny imaginy Santino asking Jack Tunney to be in the Divas battle royal if he was alive.

[Wonderwall]

Jack Tunney...awesome. Seems we have another entry for Botchamania from the HBK/Taker angle. And man I have never seen Cena beaten so handily before, I was expecting a DQ or him somehow winning.

[Condiment King]

Jericho vs King was alright. I liked the promo after the match.

I was puzzled why we got JBL vs Rey six days before Mania but whatever.

Santino's promo was hilarious, especially his Jack Tunney reference. Santino is the man. Hell, he should be in the divas battle royal.

Show scores his 2nd clean pinfall victory over Cena in recent weeks. If anybody wanted proof that Show won't win Sunday (not like you needed it), there it is.

Michaels/Taker segment was another great one, but HBK gets the best of Taker yet again.

The 8-man battle royal was OK. At least they bothered to think of a new match type for these MITB guys to participate in. Mania couldn't come soon enough for some of these angles that have run out of material.

Are those new Legacy T-shirts? It's weird seeing those video packages where Orton is a face and Triple H is a heel when used in reference to this feud. I liked the retrospective, though. Good stuff.

[hobbyfan]

Let's break it down.

An 18-woman tag to start? Oh, that's fine, but it was just too short, and the reason became clear the second Santino's music hit. Beth is growing increasingly pissed as him, and with good reason. Note that Maryse was LOL at Santino in a "bikini". You know you're in trouble when your fellow heels are laughing at you, Santino. It's just a matter of time before Beth finally dumps your jabroni butt on the curb.

I said last week Jericho would beat Lawler, and I was right, but to have Lawler tap so quickly to the Walls made no sense, considering how quickly he recovered post-match. Jericho, we learn, has to pin all three of his opponents to win the match. I can see him beating Snuka and maybe Piper, but Steamboat? I don't think so.

Did anyone notice the Corazon DeLeon sign? Corazon DeLeon was a name Jericho used in Mexico way back in the day.

Rey beating JBL tonight means JBL will probably retain the IC on Sunday. Likewise, Show winning again tonight seals his fate on Sunday, but I wish they'd do the smart thing and put the title on him anyway. For one thing, it's a safeguard since Cena reportedly has another movie to do this summer, and it keeps the Edge-Vicki-Show angle going. Of course, Vicki gets a non-speaking cameo, still in the wheelchair. Stupid. She doesn't need the chair!

Kane winning the battle royal likewise means he won't be winning on Sunday. Maybe. It's been reported that Show was supposed to be in MITB V, but when he was added to the mix for the World title, that's where Mark Henry was plugged in. I wouldn't discount Henry, a first-time MITB contestant, to end up winning.

Ok, who DIDN'T see Vince & Shane returning tonight? Raise yer hands, people! I think post-Mania, we'll see the McMahons & HHH teaming vs. Legacy, which will be weird considering that it was just 2 1/2 years ago that Hunter was feuding with Shane & Vince. The juxtaposition of the footage from August '04, when Evolution booted Orton, made some sense. I think they realize that giving Orton IED didn't go over because no one bought into it, so they had Randy admit that he was in control from the go, as everyone figured. Will they ever learn that the long-time fans are a lot smarter than given credit for? Probably not.

HBK was a little noisy getting into the casket, don'tcha think? Like did anyone not hear that thump before UT appeared?

[Hobbes829]

Let's break it down.

An 18-woman tag to start? Oh, that's fine, but it was just too short, and the reason became clear the second Santino's music hit. Beth is growing increasingly pissed as him, and with good reason. Note that Maryse was LOL at Santino in a "bikini". You know you're in trouble when your fellow heels are laughing at you, Santino. It's just a matter of time before Beth finally dumps your jabroni butt on the curb.

I said last week Jericho would beat Lawler, and I was right, but to have Lawler tap so quickly to the Walls made no sense, considering how quickly he recovered post-match. Jericho, we learn, has to pin all three of his opponents to win the match. I can see him beating Snuka and maybe Piper, but Steamboat? I don't think so.

Did anyone notice the Corazon DeLeon sign? Corazon DeLeon was a name Jericho used in Mexico way back in the day.

Rey beating JBL tonight means JBL will probably retain the IC on Sunday. Likewise, Show winning again tonight seals his fate on Sunday, but I wish they'd do the smart thing and put the title on him anyway. For one thing, it's a safeguard since Cena reportedly has another movie to do this summer, and it keeps the Edge-Vicki-Show angle going. Of course, Vicki gets a non-speaking cameo, still in the wheelchair. Stupid. She doesn't need the chair!

Kane winning the battle royal likewise means he won't be winning on Sunday. Maybe. It's been reported that Show was supposed to be in MITB V, but when he was added to the mix for the World title, that's where Mark Henry was plugged in. I wouldn't discount Henry, a first-time MITB contestant, to end up winning.

Ok, who DIDN'T see Vince & Shane returning tonight? Raise yer hands, people! I think post-Mania, we'll see the McMahons & HHH teaming vs. Legacy, which will be weird considering that it was just 2 1/2 years ago that Hunter was feuding with Shane & Vince. The juxtaposition of the footage from August '04, when Evolution booted Orton, made some sense. I think they realize that giving Orton IED didn't go over because no one bought into it, so they had Randy admit that he was in control from the go, as everyone figured. Will they ever learn that the long-time fans are a lot smarter than given credit for? Probably not.

you're not supposed to buy IED. That's the entire point. It's a disease that either he made up or had fabricated to avoid the consequences of his actions.

[hobbyfan]

you're not supposed to buy IED. That's the entire point. It's a disease that either he made up or had fabricated to avoid the consequences of his actions.

IED actually exists, Hobbes. I did a search on Yahoo! for it when they had Randy cut that promo claiming he had it. It's an obscure medical condition the writers found one day and decided to use it to cool off Orton's white-hot heat. As I said, no one bought that he had it, considering he'd been punting people in the head for almost 18 months prior to nailing Vince with the punt, so they wrote it out.

This is where the writing team has a problem. They can't keep the plot devices in order from one week to the next, and that is largely the fault of Vince, who they say changes his mind constantly. Old age'll do that, ya know.

[Hobbes829]

IED actually exists, Hobbes. I did a search on Yahoo! for it when they had Randy cut that promo claiming he had it. It's an obscure medical condition the writers found one day and decided to use it to cool off Orton's white-hot heat. As I said, no one bought that he had it, considering he'd been punting people in the head for almost 18 months prior to nailing Vince with the punt, so they wrote it out.

This is where the writing team has a problem. They can't keep the plot devices in order from one week to the next, and that is largely the fault of Vince, who they say changes his mind constantly. Old age'll do that, ya know.

No it gave him MORE heat. It amazes me that 2 people can look at the same situations and come to radically different conclusions. I have no idea if it's real, or if it's some "disease" that some quack came up with. In either case, heels lie and he lied about his condition. How did you not get that? You claim to be a wrestling fan, but don't get that heels lie. It wasn't supposed to be an actual explanation for what he did. it was a way out so that he didn't get fired. You keep trying to blame the writers for every single thing, and i will nail them when they do something wrong, but you're looking for a problem where there isn't one.

Punting a wrestler in the head brings a completely different set of consequences than hitting the boss in the head.

[Spike Mcdougal]

I'm sorry but I'm not buying that Orton pulled off a Xanatos Gambit. This IED thing didnt start until January the night after the Rumble and Triple H didnt even win the title until Feburary and even if he did know (From a storyline prospective mind you) the circumstances as to why would probably make your head explode

[EinBebop]

I'm sorry but I'm not buying that Orton pulled off a Xanatos Gambit. This IED thing didnt start until January the night after the Rumble and Triple H didnt even win the title until Feburary and even if he did know (From a storyline prospective mind you) the circumstances as to why would probably make your head explode

Orton sees the future!

[LinkG07]

I kind of zoned in and out on tonight but all I'll say is this:
Orton NEEDS to win at Wrestlemania. If he doesn't then all that work he put into getting Legacy together and making HHH's life a living hell would all be in vain. If HHH wins then it'll just be a flatline until the writers can think of something bigger for Legacy to do. If Orton wins, then that begins an even BIGGER age of Orton and they can finally make Legacy legit and official, with music, a titantron, and Rhodes and DiBiase finally having decent matches to build their cred back up from flunkies to future greats. (So much potential in both of them, it just makes me cringe seeing them on the sidelines and being punching bags after all they did and are gonna do.)

All in All, The McMahon men laid the smackdown at the end and I was excited. Epic.

[EinBebop]

Orton NEEDS to win at Wrestlemania. If he doesn't then all that work he put into getting Legacy together and making HHH's life a living hell would all be in vain.

More to the point: WWE needs Orton to win at Wrestlemania, because otherwise everything they've put into him is in vain.

In the last year, Orton has stepped up to the top-star level. He and Cena are going to lead this company for the next decade. Triple H turns 40 this year, the age where you start thinking about the finish line, though I'm sure he's still going to be doing a few more laps. Still, this match should be the passing of the torch. No matter how many Wrestlemanias Orton wins or loses in the future, I think this match is the one that matters the most.

[LinkG07]

More to the point: WWE needs Orton to win at Wrestlemania, because otherwise everything they've put into him is in vain.

In the last year, Orton has stepped up to the top-star level. He and Cena are going to lead this company for the next decade. Triple H turns 40 this year, the age where you start thinking about the finish line, though I'm sure he's still going to be doing a few more laps. Still, this match should be the passing of the torch. No matter how many Wrestlemanias Orton wins or loses in the future, I think this match is the one that matters the most.

Of course. Orton started off with HHH in one of the greatest stables in WWE history, as well as making history and breaking the record/setting the bar for youngest World Heavyweight Champion. Beating the man who raised him from the ground up is and will be the crowning moment of his career. He'll finally be his own man, his own dynasty in the company succeeding HHH who has been for years and years. This is Ortons time, and this means Ted and Cody will get theirs in the future.

[hobbyfan]

No it gave him MORE heat. It amazes me that 2 people can look at the same situations and come to radically different conclusions. I have no idea if it's real, or if it's some "disease" that some quack came up with. In either case, heels lie and he lied about his condition. How did you not get that? You claim to be a wrestling fan, but don't get that heels lie. It wasn't supposed to be an actual explanation for what he did. it was a way out so that he didn't get fired. You keep trying to blame the writers for every single thing, and i will nail them when they do something wrong, but you're looking for a problem where there isn't one.

Punting a wrestler in the head brings a completely different set of consequences than hitting the boss in the head.

First off, o king of nitpickers, look up Intermittent Explosive Disorder via Google or Yahoo! Search. It does exist. You & I know Orton didn't really have it to start with. It was, I maintain, a lame plot twist to try to give Orton an alibi for his actions. That alibi, however, didn't work. He didn't need the extra heat, IMPO, though he was on the verge of losing his spot as Raw's #1 heel to Chris Jericho.

[email2003]

I actually fell asleep during the Cena / Big Show. Boring!!!

Well, I'm off to Axxess this Friday night, WrestleMania 25 this Sunday, and will be at RAW next Monday night. My 2nd WrstleMania in 8 years.

[Hobbes829]

First off, o king of nitpickers, look up Intermittent Explosive Disorder via Google or Yahoo! Search. It does exist. You & I know Orton didn't really have it to start with. It was, I maintain, a lame plot twist to try to give Orton an alibi for his actions. That alibi, however, didn't work. He didn't need the extra heat, IMPO, though he was on the verge of losing his spot as Raw's #1 heel to Chris Jericho.

The whole point was that he didn't have it. To you it may be lame, but it's perfectly in line with what a heel does. The more heat a heel gets the better.

[Mesousa]

The whole point was that he didn't have it. To you it may be lame, but it's perfectly in line with what a heel does. The more heat a heel gets the better.

Hasn't every other heel gotten a lot of heat recently?

I kinda don't get why Beth is getting madder at Santino, it should make some people worried, because this means she doesn't have a sense of humor, thus making her a bit boring, I think.

[Marvin Tikvah]

I'm really looking forward to HHH/Orton this sunday. I'm an Orton mark myself, but his heelish actions have transcended the typical heel trademarks and he's created a believable character in a dangerous psychopath with little regard for others. I honestly want to see Triple H beat him to a pulp, but he can't afford to lose his match. It's exciting television.

I'm expecting Cena to win this Sunday, since Edge can't weasel his way out of this match and Show is making his presence felt in this fued. He's basically become the star of it, and he makes it clear that he doesn't care about who he aligns with, he just wants his title. It's been such a long time since both main events were this great.

I'm also hoping Rey Mysterio finally wins the Intercontinental championship, since it'll give him something to do on the show. His defenses are usually good too.

Santino is the greatest comedy act since Haas' impersonation of stars bigger than him (which is anyone). I can't wait to see his segments.

[RedNinja84]

I'm also tempted to pay to Sunday. Between Triple H/Orton and HBK/Taker, this has the makings of one the best Wrestlemanias in a long time.