Tremendous Tirades 6.17.13: WWE Monday Night Raw

Alberto Del Rudo (???) Kicks Off The Show: Alberto Del Rio kicked off the show, which as the new world champion I appreciated since that title gets treated like a secondary title most of the time. Del Rio made jokes about Superman, noting that you don’t need a Man of Steel when you have a “Man of Gold” right here. Del Rio did the “justified heel turn” promo, noting that after WM people cheered for Ziggler to steal his title, even though his leg was “almost broken” and he fought like a champion. He fought an ignorant man in Jack Swagger, and defeated him, but all they chanted was “USA.” He fought for the people and it got him nothing, but when he fought for himself, he won the title. All good points to justify the turn, and if you ever listen to wrestlers, they say the best heel is the one that feels that no matter what he is completely justified in his actions and that it works even better when there is some truth to it to work from. He has that here, and delivered a solid promo. I am amazed that people (who obviously did not watch the PPV) doubted that they were doing a double turn at the PPV last night. If you watched and or read the recap, it was obvious what they were doing.

This led to CM Punk and Paul Heyman arriving. Punk made this work right away by noting that he beat Del Rio to go on his 400+ day WWE Title run. I always appreciate when you can tie things together like that and play off of the already established history instead of ignoring it. Punk wanted a match because Del Rio used the word “best,” which set off Punk. They led to the on screen dissention between Punk and Heyman, as Heyman wanted Punk to get a title match and get paid. Punk disagreed, and wanted the match no matter what, even if he was banged up. This plays off of the WWE.com video from last night, where Punk told Heyman that they were friends, and that he wasn’t a client. This led to Vickie and Dipshit coming out to make Del Rio vs. Punk as the main event for tonight.

This worked to start off the Del Rio heel turn as well as to officially start the on screen dissention between Punk and Heyman.

Rating (1-10): 8.0

Christian vs. Wade Barrett: Christian being back is great thing. He has a ton of history with the company, and with so much younger talent on the roster, the fact that he can work not only TV but also longer house show matches with these guys is only good frothier development. I am glad to see Christian back, and him winning his return is all well and good, but Jesus have they booked Wade Barrett into shit. The guy got beat like a fucking drum every week as the IC Champion, got screwed out of his title rematch and then loses here. I would say to take him off TV for a while and rework him and bring him back fresh, but they did that when he got injured. I guess Barrett was screwed either way, because he would have lost the return match with Axel. Remember when Barrett was hot stuff during the Nexus deal and a “can’t miss prospect as a future world champion” and now he is this. It isn’t Christian’s fault, just another example of the WWE booking being short sighted in putting over some talent but not realizing who they constantly sacrifice (Barrett, Cesaro) while doing so. While I will say that those guys do get to have some great TV outings, if you constantly lose, no matter how good the effort, you eventually get the stigma that you’re a loser. Fun return and a fresh face since he has been gone forever, but the overall booking is still lacking.

Rating (1-10): 5.5

Handicap Match: Team Rhodes Scholars vs. Sheamus: Speaking of guys that constantly get booked like losers, the Rhodes Scholars. Man I hate handicap matches, and I usually hate how WWE books them. This was no different, but I will say that the single man losing was a pleasant surprise. But I have no idea why this is continuing. Sheamus won on the pre-show last night, clean over Sandow, but apparently this had to continue and Sandow had to get a win to even up the booking, because that’s what mainstream wrestling companies love to book. I find that hilarious because they say that this is done because “they don’t want people to look like losers,” but as I have pointed out, they make guys look like losers all the time. Sandow got a sneaky pin, Cody ate a brogue kick and this feud must continue. At the end of this match they have done nothing to make this feud interesting, and it has been going on for weeks now. Maybe they can have a best of five like Langston and Del Rio. Absolutely no fucks were given.

Rating (1-10): 4.0

No DQ Match: Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton: This ended up being weird. They had a good match, which should be no surprise because Bryan has been having great matches every week and Orton is also usually very good, despite people always shitting on him. So as they went to break, Bryan did a suicide dive, Orton sidestepped and sent him to the barricade. Later in the match commentary changed to discuss that he appeared injured, and either he was or he is juts that good a worker, which is always possible. If it’s an angle, I am not sure with the timing, considering they did the trainer angle with Ziggler last night. In one way it could be pure angle to push Bryan continuing to go insane with everyone thinking he is the weak link. I could see them going that way. But the stoppage, and the way Orton handled things made it come off as real (seemingly consoling him and sharing some words). If it was a case of not wanting to beat either guy, it comes across weak if the rumors of a Bryan title match are true. Either way, it came across as a disappointing (for different reasons of course) finish to a good match. I guess we’ll have to see where it goes, I am leaning real injury for now; but I would not be surprised if I was wrong. I have been before, and will be again.

Rating (1-10): 6.5

AJ SPEAKS: AJ speaks about winning the Divas champion, noting that “Ziggy” couldn’t be there because he is not medically cleared. She put herself over as the true champion, and challenged any women to prove her wrong. This led to Stephanie McMahon appearing. Stephanie told her to grow up and to start act like a champion, which led AJ to agreeing and saying she should marry a champion like Stephanie. They argued for a bit, and Stephanie told AJ to act like a champion and said that no one did crazy like a McMahon. AJ then said she was like Stephanie, only younger. Stephanie threatened to take her job, and then Kaitlyn appeared with the rest of the divas. As Kaitlyn started to talk, Stephanie warned her about interrupting her, because Stephanie is better than all of the women. So much like Hunter. Kaitlyn spilled her emotions as the crowd chanted “you tapped out.” They brawled, Big E saved AJ as the screen went to black as Kaitlyn popped out of her top a bit. This segment did no one any favors thanks to Stephanie. Seriously, making Kaitlyn and AJ look like jokes because she’s superior did them no favors, especially since they came off a good match last night. But hey, we need McMahons on TV. Seriously, enlighten me as to why Stephanie had to be out there? Because the only thing accomplished was the fact that she made everyone look like shit.

Rating (1-10): 2.0

US Title Match: Dean Ambrose © vs. Kane: Nothing match as Kane was running wild, and that led to Reigns and Rollins hitting the ring to assault Kane. They hit the triple team “Shield Bomb,” and laid out Kane. What ever will Vickie do? She promised Triple H that she would deal with them if they got out of hand. This was fine, and played into the fact that Bryan couldn’t help Kane, due to his injury as well as the angle if Vickie can actually do her job.

Rating (1-10): 6.0

Antonio Cesaro vs. William Regal: I again have to say that Regal is a guy that can still go, and should occasionally be used on TV, but should also be working house shows with the younger talent on the roster to help develop them. This wasn’t a long match, but was quality and started what looks to be a new beginning for Cesaro, again, in WWE. I am fine with this overall, and hopefully they get behind it this time and I hope it works because Cesaro is too talented not to be used better. They are doing the gimmick where Cesaro lays the “Don’t Tread on Me” flag on the loser.

Rating (1-10): 7.0

That Champ Guy Is Here… And So Is Mark Henry: Commentary mentions that Ryback has not been cleared to perform tonight. Cena talks about loving wrestling and the fans, because he admires their honesty. He decides to speak to the fans that support him, and discusses his disappointing 2012 and how he asked them to hang with him and they did. Cena says he can face anyone, and knows he will see his next challenger crowned at the MITB PPV. While he may not hold the title forever, he says that the next man that wins it from him will have earned it.

Mark Henry and his coral jacket make their way out to the ring now. He leaves his boots on the ramp and comes into the ring. He tells Cena to put his guard down and shakes his hand. Cena then goes to bail so Henry can have the ring, but he asks Cena to stay. He has an announcement for everyone. He respects everyone that loves the business and everyone that works for the company, because it is a difficult life. In 2002, he was a veteran when Cena arrived, and he is doing an awesome job. “Thank you Henry” chants. He jokes about them remembering his jacket even if they do forget him. “Sexual Chocolate” chant follows. He mentions that Cena will be the best champion of all time if he keeps going like he is, and if he has any regrets, nothing like John has, but he has done good for himself. He is out here to formally retire from the active roster. He thanks the crowd and Cena hands him the title to hold. They note on commentary that the WWE title is something he never held. He was a small town guy done good, but he gives the title back to Cena because it is something you earn. He traveled the world several times over, don’t cry for him because he is doing enough for all. He is a proud man, he thanks his wife for putting up with him being on the road, thanks his son and daughter who cries when he leaves home. Daddy’s coming home. Cena goes back in and raises him hand and they hug…BUT HENRY NAILS THE WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! He drops the jacket and tie and yells to Cena that he has a lot left in the tank. He drops the title on Cena and says it will be his soon. Goddamn Mark Henry was AWESOME there. Seriously great promo by Henry, full of emotion and sucking you in. Sorry kids, Daddy still has wigs to split. It doesn’t matter if we saw it coming, Henry was spectacular there. Why? BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT HE DO!

Rating (1-10): 10.0

Heath Slater vs. Chris Jericho: This was set up on the WWE App, as 3MB wanted to open for Fozzy. Seriously. Short but perfectly fine TV match with Jericho scoring the win. He beat down the rest of 3MB to close things out, giving him a rebound from the Payback loss to Punk.

Rating (1-10): 6.0

Non-Title Match: Curtis Axel © w/Paul Heyman vs. Sin Cara: Another short but perfectly fine TV match with Axel scoring the win with a new spike DDT finisher. Following the IC Title victory, a clean win on TV was a good follow up. No issues with this, and even Miz on commentary helps set up a future match with Miz, since he, “had the PPV match won” in theory.

Rating (1-10): 6.0

Non-Title Match: Alberto Del Rio © w/Ricardo Rodriguez vs. CM Punk: I like the idea of having Punk vs. Del Rio main event here. First of all it isn’t the “WWE Title” or John Cena being featured, so it gives the how a different feel. Also, with Del Rio just turning heel and Punk turning face (the crowd wanted to cheer him anyway) it’s a good match to solidify both men in their new roles. Punk won via count out in a solid match, leading to Dolph Ziggler (who was not cleared to perform) attacking Del Rio in an attempt for revenge from the previous night’s PPV.

But then, the beast known as Brock Lesnar appeared, and hit the ring. Apparently you do NOT turn your back on Paul Heyman. Brock actually grabbed a mic, and smiled at Punk. But instead of saying anything, he dropped Punk with an F5. Lesnar simply laughed and stood over Punk. Love it, love it, love it. We solidified the guys in their new roles, Ziggler and Del Rio s still burring with the attack from Ziggler after the match and now we’re looking at Lesnar vs. Punk, likely for Sumerslam.

Rating (1-10): 9.0