Raw Monday March 3rd

Manning3000

Watched just over the first hour, instead of the crowd hijacking raw, they made it more enjoyable, WWE did do great at giving the crowd people to cheer instead of chant CM Punk, it was also so fast pace the tv audience only saw the crowd when there was already people in the ring,

Loughc

3 things we learned from RAW;

1) WWE sure know how to troll / control a crowd when they need to,
2) WWE will never deviate from their plans to give their fans what they want.
3) Meltzer knows jack sh*t and did what we all have for the past few weeks and assumed Punk would be there. Insider knowledge he does not have.

Back to the problem at hand I wonder what Hogan's WM announcement will be next week? I'm betting it's something lame, maybe Biebler is performing at WM after all :pac:

rovert

Loughc wrote: »

3) Meltzer knows jack sh*t and did what we all have for the past few weeks and assumed Punk would be there. Insider knowledge he does not have.

Wow.

Lithium93_

****, when i saw the 44 pages i thought Punk was back and something huge happened, how wrong was I, scumbag Dave Meltzer for having me believe Punk was going to show up

rovert

Lithium93_ wrote: »

****, when i saw the 44 pages i thought Punk was back and something huge happened, how wrong was I, scumbag Dave Meltzer for having me believe Punk was going to show up

Bit harsh for someone who didn't guarantee it.

Loughc

rovert wrote: »

Bit harsh for someone who didn't guarantee it.

True, he did say he only could be at Raw, but why report something on a whim/guess work?

Anything to get some more subscribers, controversy creates cash I suppose and all that.

rovert

Loughc wrote: »

True, he did say he only could be at Raw, but why report something on a whim/guess work?

Anything to get some more subscribers, controversy creates cash I suppose and all that.

Wasn't based on a whim or guess work. He just quoted a source which even he said he didn't completely believe.

I've issues with how Dave reported it but a lot has to do with newzsites taking stuff out of context and sensationalising.

beakerjoe

rovert wrote: »

Wasn't based on a whim or guess work. He just quoted a source which even he said he didn't completely believe.

I've issues with how Dave reported it but a lot has to do with newzsites taking stuff out of context and sensationalising.

Dave never reported that Punk would 100% be there. People read what they wanted to.

Lord TSC

I wonder why it is WWE can't put shows like that on more often. Even if the crowd didn't exactly "hijack" the show, it shows that if a crowd makes itself known to expect a high standard of show, they'll get it.

Thought it moved at a massive pace for the first two hours, and slowed down a bit later on but was still great. Wyatts vs Shield was awesome, just 6 guys throwing themselves into a match. Brilliant. Usos winning the tag titles was great, Heyman turning a promo bout Punk into motivation for the Brock/Taker match was awesome.

And while there's no CM Punk....they never advertised him. A bit like the Rumble, people choose to ignore what was advertised and booked the show they wanted and then are annoyed when it never comes. I worry people are doing it for Mania too, building up a Bryan title win (worse, when WWE feels people know something is coming, they'll make sure it doesn't).

That said, I was sure he was coming back with how they handled the issue tonight; Punk's music at the begining, HHH teasing the crowd, Cena's promo...after weeks of pretending he didn't exist, Punk was all over this show without actually being on it.

Regardless, a really great Raw imo. 9/10.

Angron

Wonder would we get a triple threat at Mania, the two Real Americans and Big E for the IC title.

Moneymaker

I thought the way the main event was booked it was strongly teasing Bryan to be added to the title match.

How they will do it? Who knows.

Manning3000

similar Wrestlemania 10(in that he wrestles 2 matches), if Bryan can beat HHH, he is put in the main event,
only thing is that could make batista and orton look weak to lose to someone who already competed,
but then again they have not cared recently about making those two look weak.

Lord TSC

I seriously wish people would stop with this "Bryan will be added to the title match" stuff.

Not saying it won't happen, but it's beyond fantasy booking at this stage, and I think it'll be another Rumble, another Chicago Raw, where WWE aren't giving any indications it's going to happen, but people are hyping themselves up for that moment anyway. And that's most likely going to lead to disappointment and the tainting of a show because of something not advertised at all.

Nody

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

I seriously wish people would stop with this "Bryan will be added to the title match" stuff.

Not saying it won't happen, but it's beyond fantasy booking at this stage, and I think it'll be another Rumble, another Chicago Raw, where WWE aren't giving any indications it's going to happen, but people are hyping themselves up for that moment anyway. And that's most likely going to lead to disappointment and the tainting of a show because of something not advertised at all.

Hey we're suppose to be bitter smarks around here, ok?! :P :pac:

I do agree it's unlikely but the current main event is so utterly boring that I'll grasp at any straws to see it improved...

Lord TSC

Oh, don't get me wrong, that "main event" is a ****ing car crash, and I can see the crowd absolutely hijacking it and going to town on it. Complain away about it :pac:

Just think people would be better off going in expecting the car crash and being surprised (or at least letting it meet expectations), than going in thinking they are getting Bryan and being hugely disappointed and critical of the show because of something that was never promised.

Manning3000

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

Oh, don't get me wrong, that "main event" is a ****ing car crash, and I can see the crowd absolutely hijacking it and going to town on it. Complain away about it :pac:

Just think people would be better off going in expecting the car crash and being surprised (or at least letting it meet expectations), than going in thinking they are getting Bryan and being hugely disappointed and critical of the show because of something that was never promised.

If we dont have hope what do we have,

I think we all know nothing is changing, our only choice is to enjoy whats being done well, and dream of what could have been!!!

Moneymaker

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

Oh, don't get me wrong, that "main event" is a ****ing car crash, and I can see the crowd absolutely hijacking it and going to town on it. Complain away about it :pac:

Just think people would be better off going in expecting the car crash and being surprised (or at least letting it meet expectations), than going in thinking they are getting Bryan and being hugely disappointed and critical of the show because of something that was never promised.

Hope is part of being a wrestling fan.

That, and disappointment.

Penn

Yeah it's almost definitely Bryan V HHH at Mania now.

Question is, will Orton V Batista be the last match on the card? Considering they seemed to have little-to-no build for it this week, might we see Bryan/HHH or maybe Taker/Lesnar as the last match instead?

Loughc

Maybe I'm a traditionalist but the idea of the WWE World Title match not closing Wrestlemania really bothers me.

It's the biggest title at the biggest event of the year, it should be the focal point of the business, not a grudge match or a streak match. But they have seemed to have booked themselves into a corner with a heel vs heel title match making it increasily unlikely it will be the Main Event.

Ape Lincoln

Loughc wrote: »

Maybe I'm a traditionalist but the idea of the WWE World Title match not closing Wrestlemania really bothers me.

It's the biggest title at the biggest event of the year, it should be the focal point of the business, not a grudge match or a streak match. But they have seemed to have booked themselves into a corner with a heel vs heel title match making it increasily unlikely it will be the Main Event.

Agree in principle but then you have those Manias were the title closed the show but was kinda crap: Mania 13, X8, XXV.

Undertaker vs Lesnar is the biggest match they've got.

Loughc

Ape Lincoln wrote: »

Agree in principle but then you have those Manias were the title closed the show but was kinda crap: Mania 13, X8, XXV.

Undertaker vs Lesnar is the biggest match they've got.

Agree with all of that, WM13 found it hard to top Bret-Austin, X8 had Rock-Hogan and XXV had Taker-HBK all steal the show.

GTR63

Loughc wrote: »

Agree with all of that, WM13 found it hard to top Bret-Austin, X8 had Rock-Hogan and XXV had Taker-HBK all steal the show.

The 3 Title matches all sucked even on paper for them cards though. Boy Jesse Pinkman didn't have a clue what was going on during the match.

Ape Lincoln

GTR63 wrote: »

Boy Jesse Pinkman didn't have a clue what was going on during the match.

I'm only downloading now but that doesn't surprise me. Guests often look uncomfortable and unsure what to do. Maybe they should keep kayfabe up for guests and then let them assume it's "real". They mightn't end up looking like a headless chicken.

JohnMc1

I wonder if Hogan will make the Bryan-HHH match official next week.

krudler

Loughc wrote: »

Agree with all of that, WM13 found it hard to top Bret-Austin, X8 had Rock-Hogan and XXV had Taker-HBK all steal the show.

Same in recent years, 25 had an asleep crowd after HBK/Taker. Taker's match usually drains the crowd so put it on last. It's one of the selling points now anyway, he has the handiest schedule in the company so they may as well make a big deal about him going on last, it's basically his retirement present at this point.

gnfnrhead

Moneymaker wrote: »

I thought the way the main event was booked it was strongly teasing Bryan to be added to the title match.

How they will do it? Who knows.

I got the exact opposite impression. Bryan is now in far too deep with Triple H for it to be a qualifier match or anything like that. Bryan isnt going to be in the title match unless an injury occurs or someone else goes home.

Qs

Any chance they really make it a Daniel Bryan Wrestlemania and have him beat HHH to earn a place in the title match?

The match last night was sending a lot of mixed messages.

cian68

Realising now that the road to wrestlemania will include a Luke harper John cena match. Should be sweet.

GTR63

When is that Daniel Bryan vs Kane match on, I want to avoid it tbh. The latter half of the show dragged after a good start, Batista's performances are still lousy. Unless they put Punk or Bryan in it I dunno what they could do to save Orton vs Batista

JohnMc1

GTR63 wrote: »

When is that Daniel Bryan vs Kane match on, I want to avoid it tbh. The latter half of the show dragged after a good start, Batista's performances are still lousy. Unless they put Punk or Bryan in it I dunno what they could do to save Orton vs Batista

The best way to punish people like HHH and Stephanie is to give them what they want. They want to run with Batista-Orton a WM let them have it and if it fails it fails.

The match would have been changed if the marks had shown some basic intelligence and stopped paying to attend the events, buy PPVs,etc. If enough people had returned their WM tickets the day after the RR there's a very good chance the match would have been changed by now. Vince and co. don't care whether you like the product or not. He's got your money. That's all he cares about.

Omackeral

[Deleted User] wrote: »

He's defo coming back tonight.

Josh Matthews just acknowledged the chants on the pre show there saying "you can hear the chants of CM Punk in the background. We are of course in Chicago the home town of Punk, who we haven't seen since the royal rumble".

I love the amount of thanks this got. Some people are convinced they they know it's gonna happen and then when it doesn't, they call it lame!

Then on the flipside We all complain that stuff is so predictable when a big return does happen but what do you expect if you scrutinise news sites? I hate spoiler culture! What's the point?

Lord TSC

Personally think Batista/Orton could go on really early in the show. Wouldn't open with it, cause it could kill the crowd. Would put a fan-friendly match on, like Cesaro/Swagger or The Shield match.

But if there isn't a plan to change Orton/Batista, then they would be better off getting it done quickly. Cause if it closes the show, the crowd will expect Bryan added. Putting it on pre-Bryan/HHH at least lets the crowd know early that it's not a possibility.

gnfnrhead

Omackeral wrote: »

I love the amount of thanks this got. Some people are convinced they they know it's gonna happen and then when it doesn't, they call it lame!

Then on the flipside We all complain that stuff is so predictable when a big return does happen but what do you expect if you scrutinise news sites? I hate spoiler culture! What's the point?

They were acknowledging Punk for the first time since he went home. That, along with reports that he was expected there, made it a logical assumption.

Wompa1

gnfnrhead wrote: »

They were acknowledging Punk for the first time since he went home. That, along with reports that he was expected there, made it a logical assumption.

It's just as logical that they felt they had to go with it. They knew the crowd would persist with the CM Punk thing. Chicago has always been one of those Smark crowds.

My guess would be that Punk is taking some time off. He may be back in a couple of weeks time or might run in at Mania

Bounty Hunter

Chicago, home of CM Punk and Smark Central where the fans plan to Hijack Raw... so of course it ends with no CM Punk and Bryan getting a Pedigree in the center of the ring as we go off air :pac:

apart from me being able to write the above, It was a really good show and they did a great job of handling the crowd but disappointingly they really look to be pushing ahead with Orton/Batista for Mania.

DM_7

Batista and Orton going after Bryan was unusual. It does point to Bryan being involved with them soon.

Lord TSC

DM-ICE wrote: »

Batista and Orton going after Bryan was unusual. It does point to Bryan being involved with them soon.

Orton went after Bryan to get Batista DQ'd.
Batista attacked Bryan to save his friend, HHH.

Again, wouldn't read too much into it.

DM_7

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

Orton went after Bryan to get Batista DQ'd.
Batista attacked Bryan to save his friend, HHH.

Again, wouldn't read too much into it.

I think its another step in the road to Batista being the authority's guy and Bryan going after Batista in the near future.

gnfnrhead

If anything it's leading to a full turn for Orton.

DM_7

Nah, it's leading to Bryan v Batista.

They hardly turned Batista heel to turn the only other worthwhile (established) heel face.

I would be shocked if we don't get Bryan v Batista post mania.

gnfnrhead

DM-ICE wrote: »

Nah, it's leading to Bryan v Batista.

They hardly turned Batista heel to turn the only other worthwhile (established) heel face.

I would be shocked if we don't get Bryan v Batista post mania.

I mean for Wrestlemania. Orton will be the babyface when the Authority try to replace him with Batista.

Furious-Red

Or can see Orton becoming number 2 behind Batista in the Authority storyline

CastorTroy

For a crowd that was set to be really vocal, that was probably the quietest divas match ever from a chant perspective.

And maybe I missed it in the news today, but where was the riot they were threatening.

Also, HHH was smart to bring Steph to the ring with him, not only because she's easy on the eye(wearing HHH's trunks and nothing else?) but she's much better on the mike.

Plus that was one of the most pointless guest hosts ever. Couldn't even distract Del Rio properly

x43r0

Just got around to watching the main event and mother of god Steph has some pair up on her. Must have been pretty cold in that arena too by the looks of things!

Bandana boy

gnfnrhead wrote: »

Listen to Zeb!

Rjd2

Teamshadowclan wrote: »

I seriously wish people would stop with this "Bryan will be added to the title match" stuff.

Not saying it won't happen, but it's beyond fantasy booking at this stage, and I think it'll be another Rumble, another Chicago Raw, where WWE aren't giving any indications it's going to happen, but people are hyping themselves up for that moment anyway. And that's most likely going to lead to disappointment and the tainting of a show because of something not advertised at all.

Yep.

Also as someone who thinks that some if Bryan's booking has been dreadful over the last few months and hates Trips, I wish people would stop moaning about his probable match with Trips.

Its probably going to close the show, it will have the most heat and both are great workers, why can't people move on from him not been in the title match?

Beating hunter will mean much more for his character, and his star power than beating a heatless Orton or Batista at this moment in time.

Christ the way some people were talking about it, you would swear he was Zack Ryder or something.:rolleyes:

A Primal Nut

They brought on Aaron Paul and didn't mention Breaking Bad. Probably contractual as the focus was on Need For Speed but still!

He could have made for a great commentator in full Jesse Pinkman mode. "Yeah, dropkick bitch!"

Ape Lincoln

A Primal Nut wrote: »

They brought on Aaron Paul and didn't mention Breaking Bad. Probably contractual as the focus was on Need For Speed but still!

He could have made for a great commentator in full Jesse Pinkman mode. "Yeah, dropkick bitch!"

Cole mentioned Breaking Bad at the end of the Ziigler match.

A Primal Nut

Ape Lincoln wrote: »

Cole mentioned Breaking Bad at the end of the Ziigler match.

Ah right, cheers must have missed that.

A Primal Nut

Before the main event, I was thinking Punk ain't gonna turn up. Orton wishing Batista good luck seemed like a swerve to me. I thought Kane was going to come out, attack Bryan. Then Orton will make the save and turn babyface off of Bryan's popularity.

Instead Orton attacked Bryan, and Batista joined the Authority. So they are now both part of the same group. I thought; this makes no sense, they can't fight each other at WM for the title now; so I was sure Punk would come out then. But, no.

It shows how little people care about Batista-Orton. Nobody bothered mentioning that Batista joined the Authority. Should have been a big deal but nobody cares.