better late than never!
WWE RAW in Chicago, Illinois 251217
+ Highlights +
Entertaining exchange to open the show with the master at the mic and the adept strummer at the strings, both playing their part to perfection as the biggest babyface (with the biggest detractors) and the perfect musical heel.
~
Decent match between them as the veteran trying to put over the new talent as a credible threat (well, as much as he could at least considering his returning position and the limited potential of Elias) ... if you didn't count the win over him, of course. Winning and losing ratio does not matter here in WWE after all, unlike in NJPW.
? Main contention ?
After finishing principal photography for Transformer's spinoff Bumblebee, he is back into the ring as Royal Rumble coming fast down the horizon, definitely gearing up for one hell of an exhibition match. With Wrestlemania just around the corner as well and that elusive record set by Ric Flair (although it is only time as it purely depends on his schedule) up for grabs, they can carefully set up a cohesive storyline that would lead him to it.
- Lowlights -
Jobbing out Elias to the face of the company. With that being said, his momentum has been going steadily up as he's been involved in the upper rung of the roster and now being the foil of the returning Superstar, it is definitely a plus in his resume despite the lose.
~
The obligatory CM Punk Chicago chant was there as always but thankfully kept at minimum. He's never coming back, people! At least in the foreseeable future ... if a new blood finally at the helm (Heart Hunter Hemsley, anybody?) though, we might be singing a different tune sooner rather than later.
(John Cena won by pin fall [Attitude Adjustment], Rating = 2.5/5)
> Running Thread: Hideo Itami being called up into 205 Live
2. Brian Kendrick with Jack Gallagher vs Hideo Itami
+ Highlights +
Finally a proper debut for the once shining star in the main roster, trading blows with fellow veteran in a decent bout showcasing both abilities in the ring although of course highlighting the newcomer's hard-hitting style.
? Main contention ?
Caught in the wrestling limbo between a main eventer and a middling talent after the huge setback, he just couldn't make that jump in the developmental phase, NXT, and now seemed to be punished by being the first talent off the show to jump straight into the equally in limbo division, 205 Live, instead of the main roster. With that being said though, comparing with other wrestlers that had been called up before him that have not been utilized properly i.e. Tye Dillinger or Shinsuke Nakamura or just being called up too early i.e. Apollo Crews, maybe he can do so much more in the division, just like how Neville did as the King of Cruiserweight.
- Lowlights -
With an unfortunate injury coming at the worst possible time for the once hot rising talent, all the momentum from his arrival died down just like that and he had to start back from the ground up with mixed results ... having him pairing up with Finn Balor last week was just cruel as he did suffer the same fate after winning the inaugural Universal Championship. Both were never the same since then, through no fault of their own but rather the company's direction for them.
(Hideo Itami won by pin fall [Go to Sleep!], Rating = 2.5/5)
> Running Thread: Women Division leading to the historic first Royal Rumble main event
3. Bailey & Mickie James & Sasha Banks vs Absolution
+ Highlights +
A decent match between the babyfaces and heels ... without much development in the storyline at all though.
? Main contention ?
Compared to how they justify the War Games match for the last Pay-per-View NXT Takeover, the writing team in the main shows couldn't put up a comparably valid and believable storyline other than just letting the entire roster fight against the new faction (putting them in disadvantage which made them appear weaker than they're supposed to). With weeks still to go, they'll have time to build up a proper storyline to lead into the Royal Rumble.
- Lowlights -
There is no clear goal for this new faction to keep their momentum going from their first strong surprising debut week ago, making them appear directionless without any proper game plan and definitive end game hence causing them to not look like a proper threat to the existing women wrestlers.
~
It is Absolution against the rest of the division, which would be an interesting wrinkle that should be delve into carefully and skillfully without putting too much pressure on the two newcomers that were having a trial by fire, although the helping hands of the experienced returning leader, Paige, has been easing them into the business. The same can't be said about the Riot Squad in SmackDown though ...
---
(Absolution won by pin-fall [Paige's Ram-Paige], R = 2.5/5)
> Running Thread: Build up into the WWE Universal Championship match
4. Kane vs Heath Slater with Rhyno
+ Highlights +
It's a decent clash of the classic David versus Goliath type match, providing an entertaining exchange especially from the David's side as the former SmackDown Tag Team Champions interacted with each other backstage as well as around the ring. They at least get another screen time again and with Rhyno up next week, we are up for another match full of laughs and tragedy.
? Main contention ?
Kane is in the same camp with the Big Show, reaching that age where he is up for one last ride before closing out his illustrious career for good and having the opportunity to rumble with the big boys for the main title one last time possibly at the biggest stage WWE had to offer (or at least one last match with another talent to put him over and pass the torch ala his kayfabe brother the Undertaker did last time out. With his real life counterpart vying for a political position next year, this is his last swan song as the Big Red Machine. Thank you, Glenn Jacobs.
- Lowlights -
The clash between the giants didn't continue to follow up the momentum built up from the weeks before as they both turned their attention away from each other without any mention of the momentary truce between them. They should at least do a kayfabe segment letting us know, although the experienced viewers knew they were just taking a breather before they came face to face again, especially with Brock Lesnar coming back next week.
----
(Kane won by p/f [Choke Slam], Rating = 2.5/5)
> Running Thread: the not over controversy of a totally over wrestler
4. Kurt Hawkins vs Finn Balor
+ Highlights +
It's a unique premise for the unfortunate returning talent (that's not being utilized at all. just like Mike Kanellis in the Blue Brand) to be trying to end his losing streak ... at least it's a new storyline that stood out comparatively.
? Main contention ?
Both wrestlers give an adequate performance in a largely inconsequential match ... had to fill the time with something, right? Why don't we combine those two performers we have looked over so many times before ...
~
How about this: maybe you can use the underutilized the Club and combine them with him? There is already a natural storyline there and the chemistry between is evidently off the charts! If you're not doing anything with babyface Balor, turning him heel could be just the right thing to do here. He definitely won't be booed though ...
- Lowlights -
Oh, the audacity to call him not 'over' enough with the WWE Universe ... have you seen how many were participating with him during his entrance? Have you seen how many were wearing his merchandise? That's what you used to measure how the wrestlers are doing with the fans, right? Not on how many cheers he received on and off the ring, but the amount of merchandises he sold ... it's not his fault that people reacted negatively when you buried him under Kane right after winning the dream match against AJ Styles. What kind of booking is that?! Now you let him undeservedly lingering in the middle card, because of ... what? There is no valid reason at all! He wouldn't be going for the top belt anytime soon ... and that is purely your fault, WWE! Don't let another talent fall by the wayside just like you did with Neville ...
----
(Finn Balor won by p/f [Coup de Grâce], Rating = 2.5/5)
> Running Thread: the Awokening of Matt Hardy
+ Highlights +
Slow, effective buildup for the eventual clash of this two supernatural beings, as they smartly peel off the enigma that is the Woken Matt Hardy piece by piece to ensure full understanding by the audiences (even though they are now much smarter than before and don't need to be spoon-fed every information) and full acceptance of this 'new' version of this fan favorite veteran (with how the "Delete" chant caught on, I'm pretty sure they are all fully onboard). Oh, having the first opponent after the turn to be someone of the same ilk is perfect booking! Now, let's see how the eventual match turns out and what the aftermath is ...
? Main contention ?
When they were fire hot after the surprise return in Wrestlemania, the rave reception they got was from the residual love of cult hit wrestlers coming back into the company and also the unmitigated success of the Broken world that reverberating across the industry but because they can't take advantage of that brand right away and ride the wave, they have to start again now from the ground up since the legal ordeals are finally over. Just to be safe, they rebrand it for it to be their own things. Let's hope it won't be a bad omen for this direction ...
- Lowlights -
With the creative talent onboard the WWE ship, they are more restricted in their creativity compared to other less corporate wrestling companies and might not be able to go full tilt into their creative endeavors. With the resurgence of Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy after the success of the Broken gimmick, he now will finally get the green light to go ahead and being "awoken" (instead of "broken") but whether they could live up to the previous incarnation or not, that is still remain to be seen but it won't stop the fans of that no holds-barred version to compare both versions and critique any inadequacies. I understood the need to. I'm hoping for the best as well!
----
(-)
> Running Thread: Cedric Alexander vs Enzo Amore for the Cruiserweight Championship
5. Cedric Alexander, Mustafa Ali & Akira Tozawa vs Daivari, Drew Gulak & Enzo Amore /Cruiserweight Champion\
+ Highlights +
Well ... it's entertaining at the least.
? Main contention ?
This division is doomed right from the start when it is forced to piggyback off the SmackDown production and reuse the already lethargic attendees from that show, being unfairly disadvantaged just for them to cut corners and save a little budget. Cruiserweight Classic is one of the best tournaments they had done alongside the UK Championship and Mae Young Classic, but just look what they had to do now! Being forced to tone down their style and slow down the pace, the already clipped wings of these athletes just couldn't performed at their usual best and with mostly a dead audience, it is criminal these talents are being subjected to such treatment and reception. Will it kill them to have house shows for 205 Live to bounce off a lively fresh audience? Even more importantly, this division would do best in the same condition as how the NXT is taping ... it might cost them in the short run but would do wonders for them in the long run! If money is of concerned, a separate new show means extra source of income, so win-win!
- Lowlights -
I understand the need for a gimmick match to cater to the holidays they were in and the audiences tuning in and in attendance ... but it would do no favor to the wrestlers involved in it at all. Putting almost all of the division in it surely indicated how the company viewed them: purely an entertainment troupe that bears no effect to the rest of the roster at all.
~
Oh, what's up with that love angle between Enzo Amore and Nia Jax? I understand if it's from real life relationship just like Miz and Maryse or John Cena and Brie Bella but this storyline just appeared forced and therefore cringey. She deserves so much more than this outdated approach to develop her character ... she should be a force of nature in the Women division, not pining over a fellow wrestler! She'll have her time soon enough, but probably not in the near future.
(Babyfaces won by p/f [Cedric Alexander's Lumbar Check], Rating = 2.5/5)
> Running Thread: Samoa Joe against the SHIELD & the Intercontinental Championship
6. Samoa Joe vs Roman Reigns /Intercontinental Champion\
+ Highlights +
Straining encounter between a submission specialist and impact-based wrestler as the trading of blows were kept at fast pace and they appeared equal in the exchange throughout, giving the audience a match to remember.
? Main contention ?
Samoa Joe has been a force of nature since coming up into the main roster and live up to the hype as he bulldozed other wrestlers and even had a compelling feud with Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship by being a capable opponent and a viable threat to him. Now as he gave way for other talents to challenge for the title, it is safe to say it is only a matter of time before he got his hands on it down the line ... for now, it is possible that he might have the Intercontinental Championship as the first title he won on the main roster, assuming that the company would stop pushing Roman Reigns to the moon and let him lose clean once in a while, losing to a credible threat. It's far-fetched, but as Vince McMahon relinquished all of his shares (if my mind served me correctly) on the company to reportedly have another go with XFL, maybe a more reasonable head would take over and finally made decisions that're in tune with what the WWE Universe have been repeating over and over.
- Lowlights -
Ending with a disqualification means that there is no definitive winner but it works wonder here as these two destructive forces just couldn't be contained by the rules in a regular match ... this won't end here of course, but it's a clear foreshadowing for a title match in the upcoming Royal Rumble PPV. No disqualification, for sure!
~
I know he wants to be different than other holders and it was in tune with his arrogant character ... but, please, could you not throw the Belt over your shoulder like that? You're not wearing it like a proud Champion, rather it appeared like it's just another nondescript loot you stole that don't mean anything to you. That belt has a proud history behind it, don't treat it like a demotion! There are other wrestlers that deserved to be pushed more into the limelight, so appreciate your time in the sun while it lasts. Do not take it for granted, you might regret it later.
(Samoa Joe won by DQ [referee stoppage], Rating = 3/5)
----
> Running Thread: Build up into the WWE Universal Championship match
7. Braun Strowman vs Mizz-tourage /Intercontinental Champion\
+ Highlights +
Keeping the monster strong with quick scuffing of the scared duo. Let's hope next week will be explosive!
? Main contention ?
It's been a wonderful year for the big guy (it's not trademarked yet!) as he is being the prime example and the epitome of a modern monster wrestler. Whether or not the company would pull the trigger this coming PPV or much more further in the future, he definitely deserves to win a title after a tremendous job wreaking havoc in the division throughout the year. When they finally would give the Universal Title to a full-time employee, he's the prime candidate to follow in the part-time's footsteps by being an equally imposing mountain to overcome.
~
With the Miz out to film a movie with Becky Lynch and Shawn Michaels, the Miz-tourage is directionless without any purpose at all, being subjugated to be cannon fodders to Finn Balor and now Braun Strowman, wasting such potential talents in Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel. With him possibly returning soon, I hope they'll become a cohesive team again. Being tasked to sing songs to others is not building up their characters ... it was entertaining, though!
- Lowlights -
The same point as Kane above ... if you understood how the writers love to have the narrative, the biggest name should be kept strong without losing his title or suffer any loss before being the main event in the Wrestlemania, but with this stipulation of Triple Threat Match, it is the best position for them to take advantage of the situation if they chose to, passing the title to a new Champion without being pinned himself ... but that is highly unlikely since they want the Championship to be the main attraction and if Lesnar to be in a match for Wrestlemania, he is always a safe bet to be the main event of the evening especially if that belt is still around his waist.
(Braun Strowman won by p/f [Powerful Slam], Rating = 2/5, Duration = 15m)
8. Alexa Bliss /WWE RAW Women Champion\ vs Asuka
----
> Running Thread: Women Division leading to the historic first Royal Rumble main event
+ Highlights +
Another wrestler most improved in 2017, she has always been wonderful with a microphone in her hands and it's getting better every day, comparatively her abilities between the ropes and on the mat had increased leaps and bounds now, making her that much more viable Champion and a fitting leader of the division.
~
Oh, they finally will give Asuka a go with the Championship! Whether she'll lay her hands on it sooner or later, it's only a matter of time before that certainty materialized, keeping that winning streak alive! Who's ready for Asuka?
? Main contention ?
This is a fitting throughline to lead to the Royal Rumble and next week should see the rest of the roster stating their claims to win the historic event and get the opportunity to challenge for the title ... which will lead to a tag team match ... and then a battle royal at the go home show ... yeah, that's certainly a certainty. Since this will involve the SmackDown roster as well, would they even crossover here to stake their claim to be the historic winner?
- Lowlights -
Nothing really, this is a perfect segment, from the slow fade of arrogance to downright fear on the face of the Champion and the scary expression the fearless Empress of the Sun shown throughout the segment ... and that tense stare down being punctuated by that swift kick to the head! Perfect.
(-)
> Running Thread: WWE RAW Tag Team Championship
6. Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan vs the Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) /Tag Team Champions\
+ Highlights +
Highly energetic bout between two highly capable teams with the latter's chemistry and cooperation has been developed over mutual respect while the latter was forced to work with each other, both exuding potentials in the ring hence resulting in a title-worthy contention that would keep the prestige of the championship up.
? Main contention ?
Oh, what would become of the titles after this? In a surprising turn of event following the surprising injury to the always consistent wrestler in Dean Ambrose (after xxx), the now partner-less Seth Rollins have been 'forced ' together with the negatively-received Kurt Angle-wannabee, being put into a team together at the last minute as a plan B. With the reunion of the SHIELD being put on unfortunate hold (that made sense at first since they all in the same brand, and that certain Samoan needed a reason to be cheered again ... it's putting everyone at a disadvantage by not being applicable anymore. The silver lining is when the Lunatic Fringe finally returns, he will get a massive pop from the crowds and it might provide him an opportunity to turn heel against the other two members. That would be a sight to see! Anyway, returning back to the point, I'm not sure how long they can keep up feuding with the Bar ... maybe a new adversary is in order. Truth be told, I just want them to give Cesaro his much deserved push for the main title maybe after Wrestlemania. He got the charms and abilities ... give him a chance!
- Lowlights -
After the ill-advised storyline of fake dad understandably being received poorly and slowly dying a slow painful death in this day and age (what do you expect, WWE? the blame could be put squarely on the owner though, if the rumor was to be believed), the full-fledged athlete was being handicapped right from the start of his changing of brand but he did his absolute best (with a few stumble of course, he's only human) despite his mounting negative circumstances. His background in mat wrestling definitely sparkled every time he stepped into the ring, needing only a solid valid storyline to further develop his character, not this cheesy secret-parent nonsense! Not with the heavy burden of carrying the title, I hope this new responsibility will serve him well. I wish you the best!
----
(Jason Jordan won by p/f [Angle Slam neckbreaker], R = 4/5, Duration = 29m 15s)
(WWE Channel, Rating - TV-PG, Founded 02211980, Episodes >>, Founders Vince & Linda McMahon, Duration - 2 hrs 15+ mnts, Genre - Wrestling, Action, Drama, Comedy, WWE Universe, Violence)
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