Pre-Show Notes:All this excitement about High Definition got me looking for an HDTV. This reminds me of the time that VHS tapes started going away and DVD players started coming into play. DVD players were a lot of money and it was a while before they were just pocket change. I won't be buying an HDTV just yet but when the prices go down, I'll have one.
As you may know, unless you've been relaxing under a rock, WWE is going High Definition this week and the Royal Rumble will be in HD as well. Judging from the press releases, the shows will all be using the same entrance way. As most people know that have been reading my blogs since I've started, I'm a big fan of entrances, sets, entrance music, etc. I'll probably be anticipating what the new set looks like more than anybody. Using one set for all of the shows will save the WWE some money. If you think about it, they've got 15 different sets. Doing all of that costs the WWE money. The new set will supposedly enhance the HD experience. How? I don't know. All I know is the picture quality is supposed to be great and we're going to hear a lot more sounds.
The biggest worry backstage is the guys calling out their spot and that being heard because of the HD technology. This was one of the main concerns about going to HD. The picture quality is better and the risk of back acne, which comes from steroids, could be visible. With the additional mics around the ring, the chance of spots being called out and being heard are greater. Most of you have probably heard something over the air during a match or something. I would think that anybody heard over the air will probably get put in the dog house. They'll have to be more precise than ever. They'll have to get their match plan down pat so there won't be any mess-ups.
This being my pre-show notes and writing them before RAW, I'm looking forward to what Jeff Hardy does tonight. He's been coming on strong within the past few weeks. It's getting to where I'm looking forward to what he does each week. I remember when they had the Kane-Imposter Kane and I was always looking forward to what the next thing was in that storyline. I don't know how Hardy can top the past two weeks unless he jumps off the top of a building. Wait, he's crazy enough to do that. The going word is he probably won't win the title at the Royal Rumble but as we all know, the creative team changes their plans all the time! But, without further ado, its RAW is Blogged…IN HIGH DEFINITION!!!!
RAW started off with a brilliant recap of last week's events between the WWE Champion Randy Orton and the Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy. Whoever puts those video packages together deserves a raise. They're great! The then shifted to the new intro video for RAW, which looked pretty good.
The new set looks great. From what I've read, it will be like the one at Wrestlemania 23, where it can shift around and have different looks for each of the Superstars. It looks as if it has a large amount of LED lights, which have a long life and won't burn out. Remember, this set will be used for all of the shows, with a few tweaks here and there.
HBK started off the matches going against Mr. Kennedy. They wrestled a solid contest. Funny moments of the match had to be when Kennedy was talking trash to HBK. He chanted his name, called him a piece of trash, told him he hated him, etc. I enjoyed it. Kennedy looked good throughout the match. He seems to be coming back to the form he was when he feuded with The Undertaker back in 2006. This was a good way to start off the first broadcast in HD with HBK picking up the win. I guess this ends the feud since the Rumble is only days away.
The backstage promo with Orton & Vince McMahon was good but a little long. Vince did a good job of putting over the "competitive advantage" of shaking a man's hand. It's true. If you maneuver around and make it where a guy does all he can to beat you but you don't give up, it works. The guy will get discouraged and eventually quit. That's when you can take that guy out. That's a little advice for those of you who might get in a fight. If you're on the other end of the stick and you're getting your butt kicked, just keep getting back up.
After the break, "The Glamazon" Beth Phoenix, made her way out to the ring. I wish I could see her in HD. Hell, any of the Divas in HD would be fine with me. Write this down: one day she's going to screw up that ring corner flip. Her opponent would be Mickie "I look damn good" James. Mickie got some offense going but it wasn't enough to stop the Glamazon. She hit an ugly looking fisherwoman suplex for the win.
Backstage, Todd Grisham did an interview with Triple H. He put over the switch to HD and how Vince has spent the past 8 hours with industrial make up artists covering up his various blemishes. He then talked about the Royal Rumble and how only a few guys have gone on to win the Rumble and the title at Wrestlemania. He was one of them. About the promo you would expect from Triple H…in HD.
Following the commercial break, they did a segment with Cody Rhodes, Hardcore Holly, and Brian Kendrick. I guess Paul London is in the dog house. The only problem I have with these segments is that none of these guys are going to win the Rumble. Now, if it was a segment between Triple H, HBK, and somebody else, it would be more effective. After that, they did a video package about Randy Orton and how boring, er, I mean great he is. The last of the package showing the buildup of his feud with Jeff Hardy was good. They then touted the handshake some more after that.
Next up was Hornswoggle and Finlay against the Highlanders. Wait, didn't the Highlanders just debut on ECW? Finlay & Horny basically dominated the match and picked up the win. I have an idea. Could we release the Highlanders? They were touted before they debuted and have done nothing since arriving in the WWE. Anyways, Finlay & Horny are both in the Royal Rumble. Before going to commercial, they showed Chris Jericho making his way to the ring.
Jericho came out and cut a decent promo. He came across as focused and ready to kick JBL's ass. The crowd didn't seem into it but that was until Jericho talked about the Rumble. It was slow but it got the job done. Afterwards, they went down the card for the Royal Rumble. They then showed Jeff Hardy talking with Vince about last week. He told him to never put someone's life at risk, not even his own. Vince talked about shaking hands. Jeff told Vince not to worry that he would be out there and he would give everybody something to talk about. Oh boy.
Has anybody told the crew that does the Wrestlemania promos that Orlando doesn't have any beaches or palm trees like they keep showing?
Next up was Brian Kendrick for a Royal Rumble qualifying match. Silly Willy Regal came on the screen and talked about winning the Royal Rumble. He introduced Kendrick's opponent, who was someone who had already qualified for the match, Umaga! Kendrick got some offense going before Umaga took over. He basically destroyed Kendrick in a few quick moves. Since Umaga won this match, does this mean he gets to enter the match twice since he's won 2 qualifying matches?
Backstage, they showed Mickie James crying with Maria coming in to check on her. Mickie was distraught because she can't beat Beth. Ashley then walked in and tried to console Mickie also. They started talking about Playboy before Santino interrupted and screwed up the "why buy the cow when you can have the milk for free" saying.
They announced that Vince would be making a guest appearance on the Celebrity Appearance.
After that, they showed a video package touting Jeff Hardy. This has better build up than the Cena-Lashley "Dream Match." They then pumped up the handshake between Hardy & Orton.
Carlito made his way out to the ring after the commercial with Santino Marella. Hardcore Holly made his way out to the ring, accompanied by Cody Rhodes. They had a pretty good match. Hardcore got a good reaction from the crowd during the match. Carlito ended up hitting the Backstabber for the win. This is an interesting feud and I hope it picks up after the Rumble. Afterwards, they showed Triple H making his way to the ring to face a mystery opponent.
They recapped when Triple H last won the Royal Rumble before his "must win" match against a mystery opponent. Regal came out and announced that Triple H would be in an over-the-top gauntlet match and potentially face 3 opponents. The first sacrifice was Snitsky. I wondered who else they would throw to the wolf. The next victim was Mark Henry. Trips got a tad banged up during the tussle but he disposed of Henry. Regal held back the supposed last guy and ran down to the ring to finish the job. Regal was taken care of pretty easily by Trips. This is the stuff that turns me off of wrestling. If it's not Cena disposing of people easily, it's Triple H. Trips posed and then they cut to a split screen of Orton & Hardy coming to the ring.
After the break, Vince was out to oversee the handshake. Orton came out to his usual heel reaction followed by Hardy with his rockstar reaction. Vince talked about the Rumble and asked if each man had any last comments to go ahead and say them. Orton ran his mouth about Hardy and said he had underestimated Jeff. Orton said Hardy won't win the title but he's won Orton's respect. Hardy got on the mic and said he didn't care about earning Orton's respect. All the while the crowd ate up every word Jeff said. Hardy said there were a lot more people he respected more than he did Orton. He then shook JR, King, Lillian, and a number of fan's hands. It was pretty cool. Orton extended his hand which led to a Twist of Fate from Jeff Hardy! What a way to end RAW!
I give this RAW:
4 out of 4 ring posts
That's this week's RAW is Blogged. I'll be back later this week with my Royal Rumble previews & predictions.
"RAW is Blogged" Match of the WeekWrestlemania 20The Undertaker vs. Kane
Wrestling AutismRAW – LIVE! – Mondays at 9PM on USARoyal Rumble – January 27 – 8PM – Only on PPV!
