Pre-Show Notes:One of the bad things about being in college is going back for spring semester. I've spent the past 4-5 weeks relaxing and spending time with family & old friends. Anyways, the big news from the weekend concerns a big guy, the Big Show. As many expected, Big Show is on his way back to the WWE. Show was a decent big guy and I enjoyed his reign as the ECW Champion, although I didn't like it at first. He proved he was extreme with his numerous title defenses that usually ended with him bloody as a pulp. I think Big Show will help Smackdown or ECW, if he goes there. I think those two brands need a face lift and Big Show would help that. Just look at those rosters. Most all of the big guys are on there except Snitsky.
The other two signing were of former TNA star, "Wildcat" Chris Harris and former WWE & TNA star, Ron "The Truth" Killings. Chris Harris is a multi-time NWA World Tag Team Champion and got a few pushes for the world title back when TNA was actually good. For those that think he's a jobber, he's not. Under Vince Russo, he was a jobber but we all know Russo is a complete douche bag. Russo, if you're reading this, yes, you're a douche. Harris is a good talent and I look forward to whichever brand he ends up on. I'm still waiting for Colt Cabana to debut. He's another CM Punk. He'll be over to the fans that know him. He'll probably be held back because he's already over. Let the process begin!
Ron Killings will be doing his second tour in the WWE. He was in WWE before the acquisition of WCW and ECW, so he ended up being left without a job. He was a 2-time Hardcore Champion, 2-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion back when it meant something, and he was a 3-time NWA/TNA World Tag Team Champion. He's no slouch, if you've seen his work in the ring. So, all of that talk about how he's a jobber need to cease. It's up in the air as to which brand he'll be on. I think he could end up on RAW and feud with Cena, since they have/had real life heat. I think he could start off on ECW and feud with Punk or maybe team up with Shelton Benjamin. He could go to Smackdown and take over. Killings is a great talent. I look to see what he'll do whenever he debuts.
I think the card for the Royal Rumble is shaping up nicely. I like the fresh match involving Mysterio & Edge. I think this is the first title match that hasn't involved Batista in a year & a half. I'm digging the rise of Jeff Hardy and the feud with Randy Orton. The Rumble match itself will be interesting to see. This will be an interesting PPV on the Road to Wrestlemania. Without further ado, it's time for RAW is Blogged!
They started off RAW with Jeff Hardy and the ladies went crazy. My biggest worry is he'll end up like Cena where the ladies love him and the men hate him. He cut a pretty good promo before Randy Orton came out and got a "ladies reaction." Orton noted that only 2 guys have ever held the IC title and WWE title at the same time. I couldn't think of one of the guys but I do know Nutjob Warrior did it. I also know Triple H held the World Heavyweight & Intercontinental Championships at the same time but Orton said WWE & IC. Orton got to the point of making an IC title match for RAW.
They plugged the match between Silly Willy Regal and Ric Flair. I guess because of the Benoit stuff, they didn't call the "career threatening" matches "Do or Die." That would have sounded better than "Career Threatening" match.
They had a 6-Diva tag match between Ashley, who's got pyro, Mickie James, and Maria against Beth Phoenix, Jillian, who's got a new theme, and Melina. They all looked great. Beth picked up the win. Nothing too special here.
They showed Vince talking backstage with Silly Willy. Snitsky came in and said he had waited long enough for his time. Vince made a match between Triple H and Snitsky. Does Vince get that nobody likes Snitsky?
I guess everybody has to qualify for the Royal Rumble, even HBK. HBK says he understands that rules are rules. One kayfabe rule I wish they would pass is if you're a past Royal Rumble winner and you're on the active roster, you're automatically entered. This would be a cool provision. All HBK had to do was dispose of Trevor Murdoch and he would be in. HBK slapped on the Figure Four Leg Lock and secured his spot in the Rumble. Kennedy popped on the screen, saying that it's only natural that he passed HBK by. Somebody forgot to take the timing box off the bottom of the screen. Kennedy said he was the present and the future of sports entertainment. As the segment was ending, HBK laid out Trevor Murdoch.
Coming back from break, they ran down the card for the Royal Rumble. As I said earlier, it looks good.
Backstage, Vince was talking to Hornswoggle about a Royal Rumble match. He said he wanted to give Horny some experience in a mini-Rumble match. He threatened poor Horny. Nothing big in this segment except Vince's hatred for Horny becomes more evident each week.
Next up was Triple H against Snitsky. As I instructed you guys in the Excess blog, I turned it and watched some "Deal or No Deal." ESPN Classic was talking about the best innovations in technology for sports. Instant replay was #1. Whenever I checked back to see if the torture was over, I saw that the main event for ECW for the 3rd straight week was CM Punk and Chavo Guerrero. As much as I enjoy that, they need to say why they're giving Chavo so many chances to get a title shot. Maybe a Latin conspiracy? For those keeping score at home, it will be the Green Bay Packers against the New York Giants for the NFC title. On the AFC side, it will be the 17-0 New England Patriots against the San Diego Chargers. Needless to say, I'll be pulling for the Chargers and the Packers. I wouldn't mind the Pats facing the Packers in the Super Bowl, maybe Brett Favre could get one more title. I flipped back to see Trips destroy Snitsky with a chair. If he buries anybody, let it be Snitsky, please. Just remember, if you don't already do it, turn the channel when the crappy big guys come on. Maybe Vince will get the message.
Speaking of Vince, he popped up on screen and told Triple H to calm down. There's been rumors going around that when the WWE goes HD, RAW & ECW will be getting new sets. Just like Rhino speared Jericho through the Smackdown Oval Tron, Triple H destroyed the Mini-Titan Tron with some cheesy pyro. Expect a new set next week.
After the break, Vince said Triple H was back in the Royal Rumble as long as he won his match next week. They recapped JBL's return after that. JBL came out and showed his destruction of Chris Jericho from last week. JBL rambled on and on and on. Jeeze at the balloons and pyro JBL is using. I bet they could save some money if they didn't use all of that. But, it's supposed to play up to JBL having a lot of money but I mean, DAMN! That would have been a perfect ending to the segment!
Back from commercial, they showed the other duel champion match. I was right. It was Triple H. Next up was the mini-Royal Rumble match. Out first was Hornswoggle. A lot of Superstars could learn from Horny's acting and stuff. Out next was Mr. Kennedy…MINI-KENNEDY!!! I thought they would do this but how can you get a little guy over the top rope? Mini-Kennedy asked for the mic from the ceiling and it came down but he couldn't reach it. The next guy out was Mini-Mankind! Mini-Mankind pulled out Mini-Socko as Horny eliminated him, then Mini-Kennedy. Next up was Mini-Batista, who even had the pyro to go with it! Mini-Batista even did the rope shake, which was funny considering that it was just now getting to where you could see these guys. Next up was Mini-Kane. Remember the Juniors division on Smackdown? Horny eliminated Mini-Batista as Mini-Kane went to work. Mini-Kane tried a chokeslam but Horny wasn't having it. Freakin' hilarious acting by Horny! He eliminated him as Khali's music hit. Now, they did a Mini-Khali a while back but this was the normal guy. Before Khali could start, Finlay hit the ring and started nailing Khali with the shaleghlei or however you spell it. Horny won and I enjoyed the whole segment even though the crowd didn't.
Back from the commercial, Vince & Finlay were chatting and all. He mentioned something about a deal. Interesting. Out in the arena, WOOOO!!! It was a "Do or Die" match between Ric Flair and Silly Willy Regal. What I don't get is how they act like Regal is a wuss or something. Regal's one of the most underrated wrestlers in the business. Flair got the win with the rollup & the tights to continue his streak.
They must have been running out of time because as soon as the match started, Orton gave a kick to Hardy between the legs for the DQ. Orton said the show wasn't over and threw Hardy out of the ring. He exposed the concrete to give Hardy an RKO but Hardy blocked it. Before Hardy could get it going, Orton reversed and continued his assault. As Orton went to kick Hardy in the head, Hardy flipped him over his head off the stage! Before all was said & done, Hardy climbed the RAW set and did a Swanton off the set! Of course there was padding underneath but damn! What a way to end RAW! The medical personnel came out and carried both guys off on a stretcher. No doubt this brought the "holy shit" factor back to RAW. As they wheeled Hardy out, he stuck up his hands like anybody who's been carted off the field or out of the arena. DAMN!
I give this RAW:
4 out of 4 ring posts
"RAW is Blogged" Match of the WeekWrestlemania 20Christian vs. Chris Jericho
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