Tuesday, October 23, 2012

10/22/12 RAW

Ratings:
Cody Rhodes & Damien Sandow vs. Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara: **1/4

Kofi Kingston vs. Michael McGillicutty: 1/2*

Antonio Cesaro vs. Justin Gabriel: *1/2

Ryback vs. Miz: N/A (squash)

Dolph Ziggler vs. Daniel Bryan: **3/4

Big Show vs. Kane: 1/2*

Sheamus vs. CM Punk: **3/4
________________

Reviews/Thoughts:
Cole and Ross on commentary. They mention AJ has been called to an "emergency" meeting at WWE HQ.

We start the show with the finals to determine the #1 contenders for the tag titles. Match had been delayed one week because Mysterio had a bad virus. Team Hell No watching the match backstage. Gotta respect the lucha stuff Sin Cara brings to the ring. And yes, Sin Cara is on Twitter now, tweeting in English and Spanish. Wonder if he actually knows how to speak English by now so that he can try to cut some promos. Crowd perked up when Rey got the hot tag. Nice job by Sandow to stop the ref's count. Rhodes takes advantage and nails Rey with Cross Rhodes. Solid match overall. Thought Mysterio and Cara would get a tag title run first, but this could be a good enough reason for Cara to turn heel down the road and start a storyline with Rey. I'd say Rhodes Scholars now may indeed get that tag title run.

A disgruntled Miz still on commentary as Kofi competes against McGillicutty. So MM gets a RAW match instead of being totally relegated to NXT and Superstars. Real short match; Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise for the win.

Cena promo time. He puts over Ryback as the biggest threat to Punk's title. Punk comes out for his usual heel promo. Cena then says he's medically cleared and would love to kick Punk's ass now. Punk teases getting it on with Cena, while Heyman pleads for Punk to reconsider. Punk backs off.

Cesaro and Gabriel in basically a rematch from last week. Cesaro's right hand heavily taped, reason is torn tendons. Cesaro is relentless, but Gabriel nails the 450 for the win. Series now tied, 1-1. Maybe a rubber match for the title at Hell in a Cell?

Vince and AJ show up to the arena in a limo. AJ basically says she's resigning as RAW GM. Then the sob story of how she grew up 15 minutes from this arena and went from sleeping in cars to becoming a "boss" on WWE TV. She thanks Vince for the opportunity. And yes, I certainly dig crazy chicks. Heyman with the sly heel promo, then nominates himself for new RAW GM. Vince says no. Vince then says Vickie Guerrero is the "managing supervisor" of Monday Night RAW. What the hell does that mean, and how is it any different from a GM role if there's no GM? Gotta love how the fans are all over Vickie. Vickie puts Punk in a match against Sheamus, dubbed the biggest Lumberjack match in RAW's history. Vickie then belittles AJ, which causes AJ to attack Vickie. Fans love it. AJ's needed more as an in-ring competitor now, anyway. Really had to be done.

Ryback takes on Miz. Basically another squash win for Big Hungry.

Eve being the gossip queen about AJ's resignation. Nice to toss Ryder and Primo in the whole fraternizing thing. Kaitlyn confronts Eve about the email on her iPad. Eve with the first shot and all hell breaks loose. Layla breaks it up. Eve decks Layla, and more chaos. Eve will probably complain to Booker or blame Teddy Long, perhaps both.

Daniel Bryan and Ziggler? Hell yes. No Vickie by Dolph's side this time. Nice figure-four from DB to get the "Woooo" going in the crowd. DB suplexed to the outside and he holds his left knee. Kane comes out to his pyros and music. Big KO kick from DB musta really stung. Cheerleader Kane gets the "YES" chants going, which DB doesn't like. Ziggler recovers and hits the Zigzag for three. Real good, woulda preferred a cleaner finish without Kane. But hey, it is what it is. All about the dysfunction stuff anyway.

Striker sent out to host this game show called the "Newlytag Game" (spoof of the Newlywed Game). And hey, DB and Kane are contestants! They will be up against...Rhodes and Sandow. Kane wins again by saying he loves rainbows, long walks on the beach, and puppies (HELL NO!). Rhodes and Sandow refuse to play, so DB and Kane winby forfeit. Striker bails and basically wants DB and Kane to lose on Sunday for the way the champs have treated him. He walks right into Big Show. Oops.

And just like that, we got Kane and Show for their match. Another slow match, as expected. DB now plays cheerleader. Team Rhodes Scholars slowly walk down the ring. Kane and DB are distracted. Show KOs Kane and gets the win. Just couldn't get into the match, sorry. Rhodes Scholars attack DB like a pack of wolves. Cross Rhodes to DB in the ring. Momentum for Rhodes Scholars heading into Sunday.

Santino tells AJ she did a good job as GM. Cena the flirtatious one goes to AJ. AJ then says the so-called "affair" allegations was with Cena. Cena says it was just a business dinner. AJ suspects Vickie had something to do with this. Hug it out! Cena says he'll do something about it.

Cena tells Vince what happened. Vince said there was "incriminating evidence," AJ was on probation, and it was basically a matter of time. "It is what it is." Nice to know Vince and the Board nominated a replacement for the storyline who has a cougar gimmick and multiple on-screen "marriages" or "relationships." But hey, that's continuity, and we're supposed to ignore that, right?

Del Rio faces Ryder in a tune-up for Sunday. Poor Zack is back on jobbing duty most of the time. At least his YouTube show is a big hit. No Broski Boot today. Cross armbreaker for the submission win. Del Rio gets Orton on Sunday.

Cena now confronts Vickie. Vickie basically admits (without explicitly saying it) that it was her who told the Board about the incriminating evidence. Vickie said Cena was the one who asked AJ out and started it all; thus, he's to blame for costing AJ her GM job.

Ziggler promo on Cena to rub salt in the wound. Hey, could be a good time for a Cena/Ziggler feud. If it gets Ziggler that one huge storyline he needs to cement main event status, this could be the way to go.

Before the Lumberjack match, Heyman tries to assure Punk that next Monday, Punk will still be the champ.

Lumberjack match got a bunch of time. Sheamus got tossed out of the ring a few times, and the heels attacked as usual. Show just stood by the announce table throughout. Several near falls here, numerous counters. Sheamus with a comeback late in the match. Cesaro and Jinder ate Brogue Kicks. Show then pops up on the apron to chokeslam Sheamus. Punk gets three. Match was pretty good. No "lumberjack brawling on the outside" spot this time.

Ryback immediately comes out. Punk can't go anywhere because the face lumberjacks keep tossing him back in. Punk decimated with impressive power moves. Nice strong Ryback booking there. No running away in Hell in a Cell.

Wrestling sites have offered the idea that Brock Lesnar should interfere to help Punk retain the title. Frankly, I think it's the best option if Ryback doesn't win, and I too would like Punk to hold onto the title until next year's Royal Rumble (so he can face Rock). Lesnar obviously has the Heyman ties, so that'll be easy to explain. It also keeps Ryback booked relatively strong without killing too much momentum. The only thing is that WWE probably doesn't want to burn another Lesnar appearance (already a limited number under contract) so that they can properly build the WM 29 match he's supposed to have. Honestly, just have Lesnar appear. I think he's well worth the money WWE spent to get him.

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