As we continue on the Road to Wrestlemania, it is time for another live RAW Truth Review. Hopefully, the build picks up for HHH/Taker tonight, because I'm starting to lose interest.
Rise Above Alcoholism
C.M. Punk came out with a very serious look on his face. They replayed Jericho calling out Punk for being straight edge because his father was a drunk. Punk told everyone that Jericho wasn't here tonight, but Punk said that was a gift, because Jericho pissed him off last week by calling his father an alcoholic. Punk said it is true, but not his story to tell. Punk said the fact that he said it in front of the entire world is what pissed him off. Punk said there isn't a person watching this that hasn't been effected by alcoholism. Punk said Jericho only wants to get in his head and under his skin to have an advantage heading into Wrestlemania. Punk said Jericho doesn't understand him at all, because it is in his DNA to kick Jericho's ass now. Punk said that Jericho forgot to tell the finish of the story, that his father beat his demons and is working to get better. Punk said Jericho is an obstacle and that he is going straight through him at Wrestlemania to prove that he is the Best In the World.
Chris Jericho appeared via satellite. He apologized. Jericho hoped Punk accepted his apology, but he will never say anything about his father again. But his sister, she's a different story. All of her substance abuse problems. They will do anything to get their fix. Punk will end up just like his father and sister. And when Jericho beats him at Wrestlemania, he will become just like them. Punk was censored, but it appeared he called him an asshole and that Jericho was bull shit, and he was going to beat that out of him.
Segment Analysis: Another strong segment between these two. Punk was good as is before Jericho even got involved. This feud has now gotten personal, and you actually believe that these two will and want to beat the hell out of each other heading into Wrestlemania. This has been the best built program heading into Wrestlemania. If the WWE was worried about Jericho getting some cheers, I highly doubt they will have to worry about that now. Jericho is coming off as an a-hole. Survey Says: 4/5
Cody "Money" Rhodes
Before Big Show vs Kane could get started, Cody Rhodes came out and played all of Big Show's Wrestlemania Moments. Show went for a chokeslam on Kane but Kane countered. Show hit a spear. Cody jumped on the apron but Big Show shoved him off. Kane then chokeslammed Big Show from the turnbuckle and picked up the win. Cody hit a Disaster Kick on Big Show, then handcuffed Big Show's arms behind his back and put them in between the ropes. Cody put on some boxing gloves and went to down on Big Show. Cody left as Big Show was freed by a WWE worker.
Segment Analysis: That segment continued what has been an underrated build to this match at Wrestlemania. Cody is getting over in this program, and he is doing a great job. Big Show has also done solid as well. Cody may get knocked out in 5 seconds at Wrestlemania, but this program is doing a good job of giving him a personality and is getting him over and exposed to the crowd. Survey Says: 3/5
FLEXAMANIA
Santino vs David Otunga. Both men flexed. Otunga jumped Santino. Santino fought back with some lefts and immediately went for the Cobra. John Laurinaitis slid his phone into the ring, but Santino smashed it. Otunga hit his finisher on Santino for the win. As Otunga and Laurinaitis celebrated, Teddy slapped Laurinaitis.
Segment Analysis: Still not into this. Same crap week after week. Survey Says: 1/5
From Rocky to, Well Rocky
Rock was shown next to the Rocky statue. He called Philadelphia the "City of Ass Kickers." He said the Rocky statue represents the fighting spirit of Philadelphia. Rock showed a picture of him next to the statue when he was 12. Rock said that it showed he was ready to be the greatest of all time. He replayed clips of various Wrestlemania main events, including him at Wrestlemania 15. Rock said there is one guy left for him to be the greatest of all time. He beat Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin and that other guy is John Cena. But Rock said all that matters is tonight and the message he will send Cena. And if he doesn't, he is going to Pats, get a cheeseteak, and stick it up his candy ass. Rock said all the greats will appreciate it. If you smell what he is cookin.
Segment Analysis: Not great, but not bad. Rock got to the point of what winning at Wrestlemania means to him. If he wins, he considers himself the greatest of all time. That needed to be clarified for Rock. What doe he have to gain from all of this? Survey Says: 2.5/5
The Internet Explodes!
Daniel Bryan vs Zack Ryder. Ryder hit a hip toss but then ate a running knee. Bryan catapulted Ryder into the bottom rope then applied a head lock. Ryder fought out and hit the Broski Boot in the corner. He charged at Bryan, but Ryder tossed him and applied the LaBell Lock for the win.
Segment Analysis: No Sheamus? These guys are fighting at Wrestlemania. Too short to amount to anything. Remember when Ryder was over? Survey Says: 1.5/5
John Cena, who was in a car accident earlier, is ready to face Mark Henry. Henry powered Cena out of the ring. Henry hit some punches and headbutts. Henry tossed Cena out of the ring and worked him over on the outside heading into commercial. Back from break, Cena powered out of a bear hug but ate a shoulder tackle. Henry hit a splash for two. Henry charged at Cena in the corner but he moved. Cena hit a back drop then the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena went for the AA but couldn't lift Henry. Henry tossed Cena over his back but Cena landed on his feet. Cena then hit the AA for the win.
Rock then came out, ran to the ring, and hit the Rock Bottom on Mark Henry.
Segment Analysis: So was that Rock sending a message to Cena? Is that all we get tonight? I can't believe Cena did the AA to Henry with the risk of a serious injury. Match was short but ok. I guess anything Cena can do Rock can do better? Survey Says: 2.5/5
They showed a recap from Extra where Maria Menounos and Kelly Kelly agreed to fight Beth Phoenix and Eve.
Jobbers Gonna Job
Miz was in the ring after his jobber entrance. He said he wants to prove to John Laurinaitis he can be on his team and wants a match at Wrestlemania. So he issued an open challenge, which Sheamus accepted. Sheamus had the advantage early. He hit a rolling back drop. Miz hit a neckbreaker for two, then a knee to the head and applied a chinlock. Sheamus powered out and beat on Miz in the corner. Miz ducked a Brogue Kick and hit a kick on Sheamus, but then Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick from out of nowhere for the win.
Segment Analysis: Same as always for these two. Sheamus continues to look strong, while Miz continues to look weak. I still would have preferred to see some interaction between Sheamus and Bryan tonight. RAW has more viewers than Smackdown. It is needed. At this point, I don't know what happens with Miz at Wrestlemania. Survey Says: 2/5
Josh Matthews interviewed Randy Orton very old school by the stage. Matthews asked how Orton plans on beating Kane. Orton said the real question is how does Kane plan on beating him. They talked about how Orton beat Kane so bad last year that he had to shake Orton's hand. Orton isn't the big red monster, or the big red machine. His name, his Randy Orton. Um, ok. What was the point of that?
These Four? Again?
Vickie Guerrero came out and introduced the two newest members of Team John Laurinaitis at Wrestlemania, Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger. Back from break, Kofi and R-Truth were already in the ring. They tried separating Aksana and Vickie. Kofi got the upper hand on Ziggler before he tagged in Swagger who hit the Swagger Bomb on Kofi. Swagger tagged back in Ziggler. Kofi reversed a neckbreaker into a backslide for two. Dolph hit a dropkick for two. Swagger tagged back in. Kofi hit a DDT and both men made tags. Truth worked over Ziggler. Swagger went to break up the pin but caught Ziggler. Kofi clotheslined Swagger on the outside. Ziggler ducked the Lie Detector and hit the Zig Zag for the win. Truth had his foot on the rope but Vickie knocked it off. Aksana shoved Vickie down and the two had a mini cat fight in the ring.
Segment Analysis: Still. Don't. Care. These four have wrestled in some combination of matches for what seems like forever. Being part of a GM feud means nothing to me. The wrestling is ok, but that doesn't mean I care about it more. Survey Says: 2/5
End Of An Era? Can We Just End This Feud and Get to This Match?
Shawn Michaels was out first. He said everyone was talking about him despite the big Hell In A Cell match. But that shouldn't be a surprise, because he made a Hall of Fame career out of being Mr. Wrestlemania. He said it is cool to hold the End of An Era in the palm of his hand. Shawn said End of an Era is code for End of the Streak. He said its inevitable. Undertaker interrupted. Taker told Shawn it would be in his best interest to shut up and listen. Taker said the match has to remain pure. HHH immediately interrupted.
Hunter said to stop worrying about HBK, because as much as Shawn's ego wants it to be about him, it isn't. It is about HHH and Taker. Two parallel careers running side by side meeting inside Hell In A Cell. That is where Triple H learned how to end another man's career. It is where he thrives and excels. Everything he's been through has been for one moment. Wrestlemania, Hell In A Cell. Where the whole world will see the end of an era, Undertaker's. Taker asked if he is willing to put his wife, kids, career and life on the line for all of this. HHH said if it means giving Taker the end he deserves, he can and will. Undertaker stared down HHH and started to walk away, but he came back. Taker asked if he remembered when he said Shawn was better than you. He said he is. Taker left as Shawn smirked and HHH stared angrily.
Segment Analysis: Unless something else is planned for next week, that did absolutely nothing to get me more into this feud heading into Wrestlemania. We get it, HBK gets the attention from being special ref, HHH must end the streak and Taker says he can't. It was better than last week but that isn't saying much. They made it sound like HHH has to murder Taker to win at Mania. Unlike last year where they sold this match in the final promo, they've lost their way with this one. Again, I have no doubt this will be a great match. But I don't care about any of this "End of An Era" stuff going on. Survey Says: 2/5
OVERALL
This RAW started off strong then went downhill from there. Punk/Jericho is the best feud easily going into Mania, but it isn't getting enough hype. Granted, it is going to be behind Cena/Rock and Taker/HHH, but the feud is definitely more interesting. I actually believe those two hate each other and want to beat the hell out of one another at Mania. Rock/Cena was kept very low key this year, and it wasn't bad. That will get the full attention next week. I expect them to tear each other apart next week. As I said above, I just can't get into HHH/Taker. They have just completely lost track of that feud. Cody/Big Show is more interesting. There wasn't a lot of wrestling on this show. That's expected heading into Wrestlemania. I'm giving the show a 5. Same as last week. Not good, but not great either.
And remember kids, challenging celebrities on talk shows to a match at Wrestlemania won't always work. Do people really want to see you wrestle Oprah?
NFL Free Agency Review Coming Tomorrow
Until Next Time,
Justin C
Follow Me On Twitter @JCWonka
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