Pre-Show Notes:One thing I want to emphasize before I start off is the "Match of the Week" stuff I put up. I really hope you guys check them out. Those are some of the best matches I've seen since I've started watching wrestling. You guys should definitely check them out if you don't have anything to do.
Moving right along, I read a report that Triple H was against putting Chris Jericho in a main-event spot because he thought he wasn't over enough and a bunch of other crap. Well, I'm sure the decision to make him Undisputed Champion was made on a whim. The thought that Chris Jericho isn't over enough is blatantly retarded. Jericho is over, if you couldn't tell by his return. If that doesn't convince you, go and check out his 1999 debut when he debuted and unless you watched WCW also, you didn't know who he was. I would rather have Jericho as a top contender or champ than The Great Khaliflower.
From this stuff I've been hearing, Jeff Hardy is now going to get a push because Trips truly respects him in real life and he sees that he's over. Really? It took them that long to see that Jeff Hardy is over? I'm sure Trips will attribute that to Hardy working with him over the past few weeks. I'll be happy to see Jeff get a push but I wouldn't want Triple H stealing the spotlight.
Speaking of Triple H, there's a going word that he wants to work heel. He also wants to work against John Cena with Cena being the face. Since Cena is out and he wants to do this for Wrestlemania, the going word is he'll turn heel against Shawn Michaels. The last time this happened, they had teased a reunion of DX and even did the pyro before Trips turned on Michaels. I don't mind seeing this again at maybe Wrestlemania 25 but not this soon. I just hope it's intense and the DX comedy stuff isn't involved.
Another topic of interest is the divorce of the Hogans. When I first heard this story, I figured it was another angle for the Hogan Knows Best reality show. Then, the reports got bigger and it snowballed from there. I read on the Wrestling Observer's site that Linda is probably going to take Terry "Hulk" Bollea for everything he's worth. So much for Hulkamania. I think with the stress of their kids' careers and the recent legal trouble with Nick, it was just too much for them.
Before we get to RAW is Blogged, I wanted to comment on the Edge-Vickie Guerrero storyline. I had some people ask me if I was offended by the whole deal and I'm honestly not. I was always offended when they played off of Eddie's death. That was what bothered me the most. While Vickie isn't the most attractive woman, I think this gets more heat on Edge and makes him a bigger heel. He's already a sick freak in a way. This just furthers his character and he will get the belt. Let me say that again. He will get the World Heavyweight Championship, sooner rather than later. Edge is the freakin' man. Now, it's time for RAW is Blogged!!!
The opening of RAW was great with the recap the return of Chris "Y2J" Jericho.
The in-ring action started off with a much anticipated tag match between Jeff Hardy & Triple H against Umaga & Snitsky. The match was strong. It was what you would expect from this crew. I think Snitsky has a ways to go before he's thrown in with the big boys. I liked Jeff getting the win and I'm ready to see where this goes. Why have a Jeff-Triple H match at Armageddon? It might be one of those "mutual respect" type matches. He might use this to turn heel.
Ric Flair…WOOOOOO…made his way out to the ring. He talked about never retiring and that cued Vince McMahon. Basically, Flair is about to go on a huge run until Wrestlemania 24. I'm interested in seeing where it goes and how long it goes. This is something I won't mind. I won't mind the best professional wrestler going on a long undefeated run. Orton came out and Vince made Orton vs. Flair for later on.
The next match was a jumbled 8-man tag match involving the Highlanders, Super Crazy & Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Cade & Murdoch, and Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly. That was a mouthful. Holly got the pin and it was one of those matches where everybody was just thrown in there. Were London & Kendrick out of town?
Back from commercial, Jeff Hardy was cutting a promo and Triple H interrupted. Yeah, this seems like a likely heel turn for Triple H. They then recapped the stuff between Kennedy & HBK from last week. Kennedy plugged the new Michaels DVD, which up until Smackdown on Friday, I didn't know about. He ran his mouth about the DVD and some other stuff before I heard a "CLEAR" at the end of the segment. Um, ok.
The SAVE_US stuff aired and it became RAW IS JERICHO! Jericho didn't get a huge pop because some people haven't caught onto who he is. He was sporting his new t-shirt as well as some new tights with the binary code stuff on them. He talked about saving RAW from Randy Orton and wanting a title shot. I must admit, the visual aides stuff was hilarious. Jericho was interrupted by misa Luigi Santino Marella. Santino called him "KYJ" and the segment went up from there. They argued over Santino's name, which was funny as hell! Santino talked and Jericho challenged him for a match. Jericho looks smaller than he used to be. Santino said they would have a match but he needed to warm up. Santino said before he left, he wanted to give Jericho something to think about. He then jumped across the announce table and beat The King up. Pretty good way to get heat on Santino. Jericho got the win and debuted his new finisher, The Code Breaker. I enjoyed it.
They did a tear jerker between Flair & HBK. This is going to be an interesting run the next few months.
They had a squash match between Kennedy and Brian Kendrick. I guess that's where London & Kendrick are, getting squashed. It will be HBK & Kennedy at Armageddon. YAY!
They showed Vince and Hornswoggle backstage talking. Horny went to get Vince an ice cream sandwich. He was trapped in a locker room with Carlito. He "painted a door" in there and escaped. Carlito tried to go through it but failed to do so. Cue Ron Simmons and "DAMN!"
It was Mickie James against Melina for a shot at Beth Phoenix and the Women's Championship. YAY! They both looked great and Mickie won.
They showed all of the guys lined up backstage clapping for Flair. Trips told him to show Orton who he was. Going into this match, I was thinking about a DQ finish so Orton wouldn't be damaged as champion. It was a pretty good match considering how old Flair is. He got the win in his hometown, which was great! This was a pretty good RAW but the crowd seemed a little dead.
I give this RAW:
4 out of 4 ring posts
"RAW is Blogged" Match of the WeekWrestlemania 18WWE Tag Team ChampionshipThe Dudley Boys vs. The Hardy Boys vs. APA vs. Billy & Chuck
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