The RAW Truth Review for 7/30/12

The first regular three hour RAW of the WWE Era. C.M. Punk will start the show, whenever that is. Apparently the RAW set started on fire and the building had to be evacuated. See, it is all proof that God doesn't want RAW to be three hours.

RAW: Now With Promos On Tables
After an extended recap of last week's show and video of the set fire from earlier, C.M. Punk came out to a decent response. C.M. Punk said that everyone talks about wanting a Wrestlemania Moment, but last week he had a RAW Moment. Before he explained his actions, C.M. Punk addressed how Jerry Lawler ended last week's RAW. He said Punk turned his back on the WWE Universe. Punk went to the announce table. He asked Lawler how he jumped to such a conclusion. Punk said The Rock is not the WWE Universe. He's one delusional movie star who showed him a lack of respect. Rock interrupted him, ignored him, and acted like he was just going to take the WWE Title from him. Then at the end of the night, Dwayne tried to make the show all about him. Then at the end of the show Punk put him in his place. And now what? Rock has stayed silent and the 1000th episode of RAW ended how every show should end, with the spotlight on the WWE Champion.

Looking Ahead After RAW 1000

It has come and gone. The 1000th episode of RAW is in the history books. If you read my review, it was a slightly disappointing show. Had it been a normal RAW with not as much hype it might have been better. But this show was hyped up like no other RAW before it and it just seemed to be a bit of a letdown. And just think, now the WWE has to fill 3 hours worth of programming with their own stars. They can't rely on legends to fill various time slots. The easy route is to just let their guys have 10-15 minute matches each week to help take time up. But we can't have that on a wrestling show.

The RAW Truth Review for 7/23/12

This is going to be fun. I cannot wait for this show to begin. LETS DO THIS!

An awesome opening by the WWE Production Crew. These guys are awesome.

Dolph Ziggler Was In D-X?
Vince McMahon came out to start the show. He welcomed everyone to RAW and introduced D-X. Shawn said he had to catch his breath. He said he feels it, but something is missing. Triple H agreed. He asked if there used to be more of them. Out came Billy Gunn, Road Dogg and X-Pac. Road Dogg did his traditional entrance. Triple H said he will see everyone when they hit 2000 episodes, and to get ready to suck it. Billy Gunn and Shawn Michaels argued over who would do the next part. HHH ripped on HBK for posing for Playgirl.

A Look Ahead to the 1000th Episode of RAW

Hey, did you guys now that episode of 1000 of RAW is tomorrow night? You think the WWE would do a better job of promoting it. How will they expect people to know the show starts at 8, or that all the big stars from the past will be on? Or that the WWE Title will be defended? What is the WWE thinking?

All sarcasm aside, tomorrow is the first time in a very long time that I can say I am looking forward to watching RAW. More than likely, it will be one of the few times I look forward to writing about these three hour RAWs. The WWE will pull out all the stops tomorrow night. They know they will have a large viewing audience, bigger than normal. That means the WWE has a big opportunity ahead of them. Not only to give the fans a treat with the stars of the past, but also to keep new viewers around by showcasing the stars of today. I would like to see some actual wrestling on the show. Give your current stars an opportunity to show what they got.

NFL Off-Season Preview: NFC North Edition

Its time for preview number two. This time, we look at the NFC North. I would consider the NFC North one of the toughest, if not the toughest division in the NFL. Three of the four teams in the division could easily make the Playoffs. The Lions finally made the next step last year and made the Playoffs. The Packers dominated the regular season but fell short in the Playoffs. And they return the majority of their team this year. Chicago added Brandon Marshall to help out Jay Cutler. Then there's the Minnesota Vikings. Well, at least they're staying in Minnesota! I would expect the division race to come down to the last few weeks of the season this year.

The RAW Truth Review for 7/16/12

One day after Money in the Bank, one week before the 1000th episode of RAW. I would expect tonight to be a set up for next week's show. John Cena has teased a major announcement. I will assume it will be about his Money in the Bank cash in. Stay tuned.

WWE Champ to Start? Shocking
C.M. Punk was out to start the show. He brought up his pipe bomb promo from Las Vegas last year. Punk said he's beaten everybody in front of him since then. Punk said a guy like him would have never been on the first episode of RAW. Big Show came out and interrupted. Big Show mocked C.M. Punk's story. He said Cena was in the right place at the right time when the handle on the briefcase broke, and if he had one, he would have cashed in the contract right now. Punk said Big Show did what he always did last night, leave a path of destruction and lose. Punk said that is why he has the respect of everyone and Big Show has none. Show laughed and said if Punk left today, they would be over him in a week. Show said they both know the WWE revolves around one man. Punk said he is the WWE Champion, and Big Show is an over paid, shell of a former giant. Show said after he beats Punk tonight, he could very well lose the WWE Championship to John Cena.

NFL Off-Season Preview: AFC North Edition

We are less than two months away from the start of the NFL season. Less than a month away from the start of training camp. The NFL season is slowly creeping up on us. Its my favorite sport, and now that I no longer have any type of schooling to go to, its my favorite time of year as well. Summer is fun, but fall means football, and you can't top that.

Much like I did with my off-season previews, I will break down each of my Season Previews into eight parts, looking at each division individually. I'm going to try and churn one of these out every week leading up to the start of the season. There shouldn't be any major roster moves between now and the start of the season. There will be the typical injury or two during the pre-season, but everything is set enough now that I feel confident starting these previews.

WWE Money in the Bank Preview

This Sunday is Money in the Bank. The last two years it has been the B-Show PPV that I've looked forward to most. First of all, there are ladder matches. Ladder Matches are probably my favorite gimmick match in the WWE. Sure it is tough to come up with innovative spots after so many, but every ladder match the last few years has been entertaining. Second, Money in the Bank is usually the time when the WWE pegs its next breakout star or two that will be the next WWE or World Champion.

Well, even though I'm still looking forward to the PPV, my excitement level isn't the same that its been the last couple years. First off, the WWE Title MITB Match is full of guys that the briefcase wouldn't benefit one bit. It is simply a way to get John Cena on a PPV. Second, it pretty much seems like the WWE is already looking past this PPV. There has been more hype for the 1000th episode of RAW. One could argue that more time is being spent on SummerSlam than Money in the Bank. If the WWE wants to go right to SummerSlam or the 1000th episode of RAW, then why not just skip this PPV? Have Money in the Bank at SummerSlam with only one ladder match and give it more of a special meaning.

The RAW Truth Review for 7/9/12

We are one week away from the Money in the Bank PPV, and another great Daniel Bryan/C.M. Punk encounter. Oh, and that damn crazy little vixen A.J. Lee is the special guest referee. And we don't know who the GM will be this week. Is there a possibility that it was kept "anonymous" for a reason? I wonder.

C.M. Punk And Marriage? Hell Has Frozen Over
After a recap of last week's A.J. stuff, the lovely little lady came out to the ring. She said as special referee this Sunday, she knows her actions can greatly effect the outcome of the match. She said that it is very emotional and over whelming. She asked the crowd to help her welcome C.M. Punk to the ring. A.J. told Punk she doesn't need professional help and is in full control. She paused and started to get emotional. She said no one has cared for her and showed passion for her like he did. And she knew it when he kissed her. A.J. said Punk turns her on, and she knows what she has to do. Suddenly, A.J. got on one knee and asked Punk to marry her.

Best In The World: Looking At The Year of C.M. Punk

Whenever you start a job, there's one constant everyone will tell you. Your boss, your wife, your parents. Anyone. "Hard work pays off." Most of the time, people just aren't handed things on a silver platter. You have to bust your butt to get somewhere in today's world. It may take a long time, but if you stick to it you will get the recognition you deserve. You can't let people get you down. You screw up once? So what. Build on that mistake and let it help you in the future. People don't like quitters. They like hard workers.

When it comes to hard workers in the wrestling business, I can't think of anyone else that works harder than C.M. Punk. C.M. Punk fits the mold of everything I described in the first paragraph. He's a hard worker, He's busted his butt for years to get to the top spot in the WWE. Punk has had numerous detractors and people who said he could never be a main event talent, and he's proven each one of them wrong. It may have taken a long time, but C.M. Punk is finally one of the top stars in the wrestling industry. He's the perfect combination of everything you want in a wrestler. He can work in the ring and he can talk on the mic. And he loves the wrestling business. What else can you ask for?

The RAW Truth Review for 7/2/12

Holla holla holla player. Teddy Long is the GM of this week's RAW, and wouldn't you know, he made a tag match for the main event tonight! At leasts it is a good one: Chris Jericho and Daniel Bryan vs John Cena and C.M. Punk. Hopefully they at least get some time to actually wrestle. Oh, and Brock Lesnar responds to Triple H's SummerSlam challenge tonight. I expect a pre-recorded response from Lesnar.

A Book Of One Liners By Kane
After a recap of last week's events, John Cena came out. Cena thanked Big Show and Chris Jericho for the beatdown last week. He said anything can happen at Money in the Bank, and they showed him that last week. Cena said he stands by everything he said last week, that he will win the WWE Title Ladder Match and become WWE Champion. Suddenly, Daniel Bryan came out chanting YES. Bryan said Cena isn't relevant to him. Bryan said at MITB, he will become WWE Champion. Bryan said if Cena manages to win the WWE Title MITB contract, his relevance to him is that Cena will become the first person to win a MITB match and lose. Cena said he can think of at least one person who disagrees with him.