"Raw" came to us live from the heart of "mark county", better known as Fayetville, North Carolina. The old stomping ground of WCW and known to modern fans as "Flair Country" proved to do what WWE needed desperately. North Carolina booed Orton and cheered Cena and that is exactly what you want 6 days before your second biggest PPV of the year. Bravo Mark County, you did your job. Now don't go get smark on us. "Raw" began this week with something so unbelievably rare, a very good Randy Orton promo. Orton desperately needed to capture the attention of the marks in attendance and come off like a serious top-heel. He really did cut a confident promo. So good in fact that you could tell Orton knew he was going over on Sunday. Unfortunately, Vince had to come out and ruin it. It's not that I don't love the paternity angle, I actually think it has a lot of potential. But, 6 days removed from SummerSlam and Cena swings at Vince. Would it make too much sense for Cena's focus to be on his opponent for Sunday?
The best women's matches I have seen recently have all involved Michelle McCool. This smokin' hot diva has been forgotten over on "SmackDown!" wrestling Victoria seemingly weekly with no title at stake. With the announcement that the winner of the "Diva Battle Royal" will score a women's title match, I can only hope McCool will go over and be rewarded for her effort. By the way, I hate Candice Michelle's euro-remixed entrance music.
I was begging for someone to come and make the save when Cody Rhodes was getting beaten down by The Worlds Greatest Tag Team. Though he seems to be getting more confidence when he enters the ring, Rhodes does not have the presence of a singles star. As part of a tag team, he can really develop and can feed off of someone else's energy. At this pace, Cody won't be anywhere close to being a strong singles star for several more years. For now putting him with Kenny Dykstra, or any of the other forgotten Spirit Squad members, would hide his deficiencies for the time being. Have you ever seen a match end with a 2-count? 'Cus I swear when Spanky hit Lance Cade with the crucifix he only got that much. Never the less, The Hooligans score a win over the tag team champs and I really don't think it means anything. Having London and Kendrik play second-fiddle to the "Money Money, Yea Yea" gimmick is such a travesty. Oh well, serves them right for being the smallest guys in the company.
For a second I actually thought that Jason Sensation was the one dressed up as Triple H. Then I re-watched his most recent YouTube video and came to my senses. Booker T was outstanding as always and totally became a hot heel for Hunter to run over by humiliating Jerome....err...James Ross. I'm not sure where Booker will be after Sunday, but given that his gimmick is so over, I can't imagine he will completely fall out place on "Raw". Okay, so we got a triple-threat match between Carlito, Kennedy, and Umanga. Who's the babyface? The Umaga turn hasn't caught on at all to the point where fans don't even know how to react to him. They know he's not a heel, but they don't take him as a face. Therefore, they react with indifference. Kennedy is supposed to be heel, but fans know that he's going to be Vince's son and have already begun to turn him. Carlito is a heel, but he's too stupid to even realize it. His promos and work style reeks of a heat-stealing face. So, I totally expect a very confused crowd this Sunday during this match.
The interplay between Santino, Maria, and Ron Simmons has been fantastic. I'm amazed how good of an actor Santino Marella is and totally think he saved his job in WWE over the last 3 weeks. Maria plays her gimmick so well and is by far one of the prettiest women in the company. I really think her future is going to be in acting, but not in WWE. If there is one person within the company right now who has a chance to be a cross-over star, it's her. "Raw" ended with WWE's new pet monster Snitzky getting a main event rub against John Cena. I hope this new gimmick works for Gene, but I really doubt it. Orton came off looking as strong as he ever has over the last few years. I'm not sure I buy into him as a top-star yet, but this is his time, and he sure is working his ass off trying to convince people he belongs in this spot. As for Cena, a heel turn would really shake things up for the better.
7 comments: on "Tha Raw Report - SoCal Substitution"
Maria's acting last night was priceless. The fact that her character is such an airhead really lends itself to Santino's heel turn. I loved her line "It looked like he was reading that off of a piece of paper...", and I especially love the fact that she still seemed unsure, even though the guy even went so far as to stop for a moment because he didn't want to read Santino's script. I wonder if maybe they brought Ron Simmons back, knowing that sooner or later he would be used in a role like this one.
Orton's promo was gold, even though he almost told us about the "Montreal Screwdriver" instead of the "Montreal Screwjob". If Orton doesn't go over this Sunday, the E can fuck itself.
Vince's paternity angle has only provided for a few comedic moments backstage, and that's it. Everybody knows it's Kennedy. Even the 8-year-old marks. Trying to build drama for this is like closing the lid on a plugged toilet and promising everyone that there's a huge surprise underneath the lid, and the end result will be the same both times-a bunch of shit.
I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought that was Sensation at first. I smelled a work on the part of Jason, then came to my senses as well. I don't know what's more of a shame-the fact that King Booker is going to have his gimmick buried this Sunday, or the fact that after Sunday, Triple H will continue to use his old "The Game" theme music as opposed to his "King Of Kings" entrance.
I think Snitsky's being warmed up to be "Cena'd" after John's program with Orton leaves him title-less. They need to give Snitsky another move or two. Maybe something like a Backnebreaker.
Almost forgot-the only announce team worse than Tenay and West is JR and Tazz. Their commentary reeked so badly of Kool-Aid, I was waiting for a big red pitcher to jump out from under the announce table and yell "Oh, yeah!"
Everyone knows I'm all up with Carlito for Champ, World Champ. Yeah you know you want it too.
Cena heel I like, Cena babyface POS. I have thought about it and since I was a wee little lad I always liked the "Bad Guys". When I played with G.I Joes I was always Cobra so maybe I'm weird.
Umaga needs to be heel. He can't be babyface unless he walks out at summerslam grunts hacks up a hairball and speaks in perfect english. Mr. Kennedy is going to turn because the fans want it. I say no I want him heel damn it. See I told you I like bad guys. I'm so down with Carlito that if he knocked out JR and than shat in his mouth I would be like schveet. The last time I was this down with a wrestler I was like 5 and cheering the Rowdy one and begging my parents for bagpipes. Which I never got damn it.
Umm Cena, first off if someone says he f*cked your mom you aren't gonna pimp slap him. Seriously I have lived in Korea, Zambia, and the States and never, I repeat NEVER seen one grown ass man pimp slap another grown ass man. When Cena did that I laughed for over a minute, I know this cause I timed it, then asked myself if he really just did that, yes I talk to myself deal with it. Anyway, Orton is kicking ass right now with the fans. Cena is still rocking little girls dreams. What I would love see is Cena losing the title and flipping out. He goes loco. I want him to turn and be insane. Where he turns on everyone. If he got another title shot, yeah I can't believe I just said that, and won I would love him turn back to the fans and be like I did it with your help after treating them like shit for a couple months. Probably won't work but It would be a nice quirk.
Booker T is gold, I really wish he would no sell Trips sunday and stick it to him. Book however is a team playa. I really hope it's not just a one and done match. I would like to see a feud between these two. That way T doesn't get buried forever. By the way still passing around the petition to remove one of trips legs.
Santino is freaking awesome. I really like his gimmick and contrary to popular opinion I'm not tired of DAMN but seriously did he say SHAM tonight to shut up Marella?
I completely agree with teaming Rhodes with someone, anyone cause watching his matches is like having your dick tattooed with a sharp stick and a hammer. He's not ready for singles. So please stop pushing him so hard.
Well I have nothing more to rant about. Again Carlito for Champ you know you like that idea, because the new title would have an apple spinner in the middle.
I thought that was jason Sensation too. Then I saw his video and changed my mind.
Booker t is, and always will be my favorite wreseler. Why is he not holding championship gold? Nobody can pull off the royal asshole gimmick like Book.
Santino is going to be a good heel. He can draw massive amounts of heat just by telling his lame jokes. His accent sounds genuine too.
Cody Rhodes is...... I can't explain it. he just doesn't look all that good in the ring. And what's up with his kneepads?
Was I the only one hoping Randy Orton would kick John Cena in the face? If Orton doesn't go over this sunday, I'm done with the E.
Other news from RAW-
The man playing the fake Triple H has been revealed to be, in fact, O Show friend Chris Hamrick.
Also, last night, in a dark match, Johnny Jeter defeated Matt Anoia(Rosey), who according to reports, has lost a lot of weight.
Santino is gold with his little one liners. Talk about saving your career. I think he has a real future in WWE. Muscles can be replaced, but talkers are very rare.
Why no love for the Kennedy/Carlito match. Heel v heel isn't bad when both are taking bumps. (and selling them)
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