By Luke Parks on February 11th, 2008
Pre-Show Notes:
Not much has gone on this week in wrestling. The E is overseas and TNA put on yet another semi-decent show. Tomko went from being on Christian’s side to turning on him a few days later. An old guy fought Tomko & Styles for the titles when it should be LAX or the Motor City Machine Guns. Black Machismo Jay Lethal won the X Division Championship and kicked some major ass. Kurt Angle won again. Nothing much else happened that was big although Robert Roode is something special. I’m sure disgusted with the way TNA has been booked. I heard that they’re going to shift everything and focus on the athleticism of their talent rather than the entertainment aspect. WELL DUH! That’s what they should have been doing all along but I was referred to as a TNA mark. Hopefully they won’t overbook stuff. I mean, interference and ref bumps are two things I’m starting to hate.
Moving on, this week, I’m going to try and be more objective along with a few bits to build up No Way Out. It’s one of those weeks where I’m going to be running around with my head cut off because I’m so busy. So, let’s get it started with RAW…IS…BLOGGED!!!
RAW is Blogged:
This week’s RAW started off with Hornswoggle taking on WWE Chairman, Vincent Kennedy McMahon! This feud has gone it’s course and Finlay should have gotten involved earlier. I guess Mr. Kennedy won’t be revealed as the true illegitimate son. Hornswoggle goes on to pick up the win with a little help from Finlay. His name is Finlay and he likes to fight. Too bad he’ll never be a world champion even though he can wrestle with the best of them.
Backstage, Vince wants Silly Willy to get some dismissal papers together to fire Finlay. Vince, think about it. Finlay can actually wrestle. His potential Wrestlemania opponent, Khali, can’t! Think about this Vince! Don’t do it!
Next up was Chris Jericho against John Bradshaw Layfield. As much as I like JBL’s heel character, he’s out of shape. He’s improved since he came back but he should have stuck with being an announcer. He was just coming along and then he wants to jump back in the ring. It’s one of those things that just bothers me. Y2J picked up the win but it wasn’t over just yet. Umaga, or Oomanga, depending on which side of the pond you live on, came on down and gave the Samoan Spike to both Jericho & JBL. So much for that protection JBL bought.
Backstage, Vince says he won’t fire Finlay. Instead, next week on RAW, we’ll see Hornswoggle against Vince in a cage match! WAHOO! That’ll sure bring the ratings! Vince against a leprechaun in a cage! What was funny was after the commercial break, they aired a promo that said something about there being no shortcuts to your goals. I’m guessing they mean performance enhancers. Somebody tell Barry Bonds.
The incest angle debuted this week on RAW. Former Pirate Paul Burchill and his “sister” are the ones involved. Her accent sucked. He said what Katie wants, Katie gets. Can that be the same for me? In that case, I’ll take a date with Mickie James, the rest of my college tuition paid, and my graduate school paid for too. While you’re at it Paul, I’d like an HD TV. Back to the match, Brian Kendrick was his opponent. I’m guessing Paul London might have re-aggravated his foot injury and that was why he didn’t accompany Kendrick. Burchill got the win and I’m already dreading this angle, it’s direction, the people involved, and anything that goes with it.
JOOOOOOHHHHNNNNNNN SUUUUUUUUPPPPPERRRRRRRMMAAANNNNN CEEEEEEEENNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! No, that doesn’t mean I’ve started drinking the Cena-ade or anything. He was out to take out Mark Henry. Mark Henry is about as useless as tits on a boar hog. Sorry, that’s an old southern expression basically saying Henry is useless. But, with Vince’s fetish for big guys, Henry is here to stay. Cena got the win with the STFU-lazy and then proceeded to get in the face of Randy Orton, who was doing commentary. He told Orton he was 100%. YAY! It also helps to have a pro-Cena crowd…two weeks in a row…in the same place.
I hope they’re using “Snow (Hey Oh)” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers for a few promotional spots. I love the song and all but it has no place as the Wrestlemania theme song. We go from “Ladies and Gentlemen” to “Snow?” Come on now.
KENNEDY!!! Out next was Mr. Kennedy, who was in jeans & a shirt because that’s a big part of the segment, looking relaxed and ready to roll at No Way Out. He’s ready for The Nature Boy Ric Flair to forfeit their match at No Way Out. Flair came out in a suit, as usual, to tell him he’s not. For those not knowing, the tux is dating back to his days with the Four Horsemen. WOOOOOO!!! I loved the “I’m a 16-time champion, you haven’t won a title once” comment. That had to sting Kennedy. It ended with Kennedy kicking Flair in the leg before we go to commercial.
Our next contest was a Divas match, scheduled for one fall. Whoa, sorry, I went into announcer mode. I think they’ve stopped saying, “with a 10 minute time limit” or whatever. Melina, with Jillian, was set to take on future Playboy cover girl Maria, who came with out with Santino Marella. I personally can’t wait to see Maria in Playboy. Melina picked up the win while Jillian was kissing Santino. Santino got on the mic to tell Maria to choose between him or Playboy. Personally, if I was dating somebody hot enough to pose in Playboy, I would probably let her pose. I mean, if she posed, guys will just be able to look at her while I’ll be banging her. Ok, that was a little much for our young readers!
Our main event was between Jeff Hardy and the Heart Break Kid, Shawn Michaels. I wish these two could feud but it would be hard since both are faces. They could turn Michaels heel but that would be a tough job. This match was long. The inverted Figure Four looks pretty cool. I don’t remember if they named it yet or if I just missed the name of it. If they said it and I just missed it, somebody let me know what it is. Hardy went over in this match with the Twist of Fate and then a Swanton Bomb. This was probably the match of the night. I mean, DAMN!
I give this RAW:
3 out of 4 ring posts
Decent build towards No Way Out. I’m a little worried No Way Out will have too many changes on the way to Wrestlemania. At least they’re having it somewhat early and they’ve got a month to build towards Wrestlemania.
I’ll be back later this week with my previews & predictions for No Way Out!!!
“RAW is Blogged” Match of the Week
Summerslam 2002
WWE Championship
The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar
RAW – LIVE! – Mondays at 9PM on USA
No Way Out – February 17 – 8PM – Only on PPV!
Tags: Hornswoggle, JBL, John Cena, Vince
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February 11th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
First (as far as i see lol) nice blog Luke
February 11th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Burchill’s angle may crash and burn but that face slam made me flinch. Why give him an incest angle when ya can go with one of his OVW names? Whats your take on Burchill outside this storyline Luke?
February 11th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Luke, Katie Lea speaks with a English accent because she really is from England. She has talked that way in promos for years.
Also, I’m betting that this angle with Katie and Paul will pan out like Billy and Chuck: they’ll make people think they’re lovers and then, when someone finally brings it up on the show, they’ll reveal that they aren’t. Or someone will reveal they aren’t really brother and sister and that they acted this way to mess with everyone and get people talking.
February 11th, 2008 at 11:54 pm
Heeey, the tag division suddenly disappeared! =0 Anywho, cool blog XD
February 12th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Burchill is a good talent. He was on Smackdown for a while as Pirate Paul Burchill. I thought he was good. You’re right, that face slam made me flinch and on the replay, I pulled a Ron Simmons and went, “DAMN!”
February 12th, 2008 at 9:53 am
Nice blog man,
The Hardy HBK match was phenominal and without a doubt best match so far this year. And a potential MOTY candidate already
Other than that RAW was not great in my opinion. The incest angle is as tastless and tacky as I have come to expect from WWE recenlty. A good talent like Paul Burchill deserves better (Plus hes English so im rooting for him already!)
And yeah after so much progress with the Tag Divisions last week on both RAW and Smackdown what happened this week? Some seriously stupid booking!
Jeff to win Elimination Chamber and go on to headline Wrestlemania!!!!!!
February 12th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
First of all, am I the only one who misses The Pirate Paul Burchill? At least the fans liked that character. Unless he “takes off”, we’re gonna be hearing crickets chirp during his matches.
I’m also dumbfounded as to the disappearance of the tag team division, but then again, I’m not suprised.
RAW was pretty good last night. By good, I mean that awesome main event between Jeff Hardy and HBK. What a match. I was expecting a run-in from the rest of the Chamber participants like every year, but it ended on a high note. I love Jeff Hardy’s chances in winning this one. I think his time is now, and he deserves a good title run.
Anybody know where HHH is? His prescence is sorely missed with John Cena running around RAW now. I don’t wwant to even get into that segment. I just hope Orton doesn’t lose on Sunday.
Everything else was blah. The Finlay/Mcmahon thing is going just like I said. I’m telling you, I smell Finlay vs Mr. Mcmahon in a Street Fight at WrestleMania.
February 12th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Oooh, also, before I forget. I love how The Kennedy and Flair feud is going. Finally, Kennedy is looking like the Main Eventer he was when he was on SmackDown. I see Kennedy ending Flair’s Career at WrestleMania and moving onto the WWE Championship scene.
February 12th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
JOAL, I miss his pirate days as well. As for HHH I read his brother-in-law passed away and thats why he was MIA
February 12th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I thought when Burchill set up the face slam that it was a submission till the rather loud thud. And i meant JOAT lol. Srry bout that.
Hmmm… wonder how WWE will be when Vince retires
February 12th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
How can you say JBL has “improved” since he came back, he’s had how many competitive TV matches, 3? Maybe 4? Secondly Katie Lea IS English! Ill give the incest angle a chance, the average wrestling fan doesn’t even know that this is an insect angle yet!
February 12th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
Paul Burchill’s pirate gimmick was fun and entertaining, but LETS FACE IT he was not going to be in the main event or get a major title with that gimmick that will totally demean the main event (no don’t say it, i still think the main event cuold go alot worse then it is now.
with his gimmick now, minus the incest part, he has potential to make it big imo. o yea and what happened to that other guy, the scottish guy who was teaming with Dave Taylor? I liked him too.
February 12th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
hang on, triple H’s brother in law? please tell me ur referring to his sister’s husband or something.
February 13th, 2008 at 1:51 am
JBL has improved, AWSUM BLOG one of your best acually
February 13th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Any ones else think burchill kinda looks like a younger Triple H?
The incest angle is gona suck.
February 13th, 2008 at 10:32 am
I’m leaning more towards Jeff winning EC if there is no MITB or suitable alternate at WM 24.If there is then HHH and Undertaker will win both EC Matches.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Billy, look at Hornswoggle. If somebody told me Hornswoggle was going to get this kind of push and put the Cruiserweight Title to shame, I would’ve smacked ‘em a few times. Burchill was never given a chance with that gimmick. They should’ve built him as a face more, then put the tag belts on him, and when he was ready, go for the US Title, but the Creative Team is too bright to come up with that kind of idea. Take Kofi Kingston. People aren’t gonna take hims seriously by beating jobbers. Yea, Mike Knox is a jobber. The dude’s been gone for how long now? And when he comes back, he loses. Have Kingston beat guys like Morrison, Shelton, or Burke, and until I hear crazy pops for this guy, the creative team isn’t doing their job.
Thanks for the info on HHH Shadow.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
next wwe champ cena
February 13th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I’m going to put in my No Way Out predictions a lil early today.
Smackdown Elimination Chamber:
Winner: The Undertaker but I think everybody should know that this is a deadlock winner for this match as there aren’t really too many many event contenders for the World Title on SD besides Mysterio, Taker, & Batista. I don’t see Batista winning this match being that Batista has dominated the main event scene since January of last year.
Raw Elimination Chamber:
Winner: either Jeff or HHH
I think one of these 2 will win it but really if Cena wins the belt at NWO then I see HHH vs Cena II at WrestleMania 24. I can’t see WWE pushing Jeff Hardy vs Cena at Mania (which wouldn’t be a bad match) but I think the earliest Hardy will win the WWE Title is Summerslam.
CM Punk vs Chavo (ECW Title)
Winner: CM Punk new ECW Champion. I see Punk vs Shelton at Mania for the ECW gold hopefully WWE will go for that match at Mania’
Edge vs Mysterio (World Title)
Winner: Edge retains. I really don’t see any point to this match as it is just a re-run of the match at the Royal Rumble.
Cena vs Orton (WWE Title)
Winner: Cena new WWE champion. I think this match can go in so many directions that if WWE wanted to they could make the winner of this match a toss-up. But knowing Vince he’ll probably put the belt back on Cena. But really I think that Orton shouldn’t drop the title until WrestleMania and then put Cena vs. Batista in a interpromotional match at Mania to give Batista something to do.
February 13th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I really don;t think that Orton is that interesting as a champion right now. If anything his contenders are the ones who have been carrying him.. cena, micheals, HHH, AND jeff hardy. Any of those 4 men as champion will be great and yes im including both cena and hhh. Pretty good buildup for the ppv overall though.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
yeah, its not wrestling but still. There are enough football references in the blogs to justify this.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-goodell-specter&prov=ap&type=lgns
February 15th, 2008 at 12:09 am
No prob JOAT. I caught that on one of the reports here and had a hunch some of ya might have missed it. Course now he’s gonna had a second kid so he’s riding a hell of a coster right now.
February 15th, 2008 at 12:11 am
To Billy: more then likely a brother in law on his family’s side. WWE.com and the shows would have had something if it had been Shane
February 15th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Just a point of interest. In Samoan “ag” is pronounced with a voiced “n” before the “g”. So when Regal says Oomanga, he is actually pronouncing the name correctly. Am I the only one who thinks that two chambers in one night is overkill, especially when one of them has Khali and Big Daddy V in it?
February 15th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
LMAO, can any of the pods hold Khali and BDV? They seem too tall/fat to fit. As for overkill, we’ll have to wait and see.