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That’s right, the “RKO’s Raw Review” has returned, revamped into the Flywalker’s Raw Review!
On tonight’s Raw, we find out who the WrestleMania Host Vince teased about will be.
We open the show from Anaheim with Cena, who comes out to a fairly large pop. Cena gives a speech about Valentine’s Day and cracks a few jokes at Cole’s expense. He hints at a “rock solid” prediction for the WM Host and guesses it to be Michael Cole, and cracks on Cole for a while. Then he plays up this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber PPV & match. He talks about needing a WrestleMania moment this year because he’s had a crappy year, and then begins to speak on Punk, who interrupts Cena abruptly. Punk opens up on his own reminding Cena he’s got nothing to be afraid of, the record books, even Grey’s Sports Almanac shows the last two times Punk and Cena squared off, it’s Punk 2–Cena 0. Punk gets in the ring and we’re underway.
Match 1: CM Punk vs. John Cena
We learn Nexus has been banned from ringside tonight as the two square off in the ring, Cena’s dominating early but Punk sidesteps Cena in the corner and Cena goes shoulder-first into the ring-post and to the outside of the ring. Punk dives off the apron with a nice flying forearm and we go to commercial.
Back from the commercial, Punk is unloading on a downed Cena with kicks. A series of 2-counts by Punk and then we get Punk with a body-scissors on Cena. Cena with a nice escape and STF-attempt, but Punk breaks it with the ropes, then takes control of the match again. We end up with an exchange, then Cena starts on his 5-moves of Doom, but Punk breaks out of the AA. Punk goes for a neck-scissors, but Cena rolls through and lifts Punk into an electric-chair, which Punk fights out of with an elbow, but Cena hits a nice gutwrench suplex. Cena goes to the top but Punk cuts him off with a kick to the head. Punk hits the running-knee-to-bulldog in the corner that Cena counters and tries again for the STF. Punk reverses out of it and gets Cena with a nice neckbreaker and near-fall. GTS attempt but Cena slides off Punk’s shoulders, Punk unloads with more kicks. Punk to the top and attempts a cross body, but Cena catches him rolling through, and goes for another AA. Punk counters and ends up on the apron, Cena knocks him to the floor. Now a chair is being handed out to Punk from under the ring and you can see a Nexus armband on the culprit. Punk slides the chair into the ring, and the arm hands Punk a wrench. While the referee is tossing the chair out of the other side, Cena’s reaching out for Punk who smashes the wrench into Cena’s head. Punk slides in and hits Cena with a brutal GTS for the pinfall victory.
Winner: CM Punk
Match Rating: **½
- Michael Cole and Josh Matthews address the passing of Jerry Lawler’s mother and explain he’s not at Raw tonight so that he can focus on arrangements for her funeral.
In-Ring Segment: Del Rio, Edge, Vickie & Dolph
Highlights of Del Rio attacking Edge on Raw are shown; Del Rio makes his entrance in a convertible 2009 Bentley. Del Rio introduces himself with his catchphrase, then talks about how it’s his destiny to win at WrestleMania like it was his destiny to win the Royal Rumble. Edge’s music hits and Del Rio gets cut off. Edge talks about how he’s been busy beating Dolph Ziggler the last two weeks and he’s forgot Del Rio attacked him. Edge hits the ring and talks about how he’s got his own destiny, and attacks Del Rio. Ricardo Rodriguez gets on the apron and Edge lays him out, and Del Rio escapes the ring. Edge tries to grab Del Rio, but Alberto hits him and jumps up onto the apron. Edge spears him off the apron and Del Rio lands awkwardly against the barricade. Out comes Vickie Guerrero. Vickie is getting incredible heat, and then says Edge lost his championship on SmackDown and shouldn’t be walking around with the belt. Cue replay of SmackDown. Vickie brings out Dolph, introducing him as the new World Heavyweight Champion. Vickie says we’ll have the official coronation on Smackdown’s 600th episode this Friday night. Vickie says Edge’s job is also at risk, as she’s got proof Edge was the person who attacked Teddy Long.
New 2-21-11 Vignette
The vignette starts outside of the shack again, then cuts to a scene from the steps once more. We pan back to the shack with a view of the Undertaker in the window. Then we get a view panning up from his chest and showing his face slightly covered by the hat, and the candles go out. Then we see the man outside (this one not revealed) walking towards the shack.
*Personal opinion offering* Undertaker was CLEARLY in the hut, but it feels like there’s a second man outside of the shack After hearing the rumors of Undertaker’s latest opponent at WM being Triple H, I’m slightly disturbed by the portrayal if that IS Triple H.
WWE Diva’s Championship Lumberjill Match: Natalya vs. (C)Eve Torres
Honestly a very ugly and brutal match. Some action on the outside of the ring and Eve hits a dive from the apron and takes out a few of the lumberjills. Back in the ring and it’s more of a colossal botch-fest. We get a sloppy sequence leading into Eve pinning Natalya to retain.
Winner: Eve Torres
Match Rating: ½*
Backstage Segment: Eve Torres, Bella Twins, Gail Kim and Natalya
Eve is arguing with the Bellas, the twins attack Eve, Gail and Natalya run up and help Eve.
Cut to a promo for The Chaperone, starring Triple H.
Ringside Segment:
Mark Henry is making his way to the ring and Sheamus attacks him from behind. Sheamus grabs a mic and tells everyone he’ll win the Elimination Chamber. Sheamus says watch what he does to Orton tonight. A ref is helping Mark Henry up and Sheamus hits him with a Brogue kick.
Backstage we see Miz and Alex Riley walking towards the ring. Miz mushes a guy and shoves him into a pile of boxes and keeps walking.
Match 3: Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
Bryan and Miz come out; Alex Riley joins for commentary. Bryan starts off hot, then they exchange blows, then Miz gets the upper hand and gets Bryan with a chinlock. Bryan with a reversal into his own submission but Miz makes it to the ropes. Bryan tosses Miz to the outside of the ring. Bryan hits a running flying knee from the apron sending Miz crashing hard into the barricade. Bryan throws Miz back into the ring and climbs to the top rope, and hits a huge front-dropkick from the top and covers Miz for a 2-count. Bryan starts to lock in the LaBell Lock, but Miz crawls to the ropes. Miz is on the apron and knees Bryan in the head to cut off a spear-attempt. Miz gets Bryan with a hanging neckbreaker and Bryan’s head slams hard onto the apron and he falls to the outside of the ring. We go to commercial.
We come back and they’re fighting on the top rope. Bryan headbutts Miz and hits a rolling powerbomb an gets a near-fall. Bryan starts unloading with a brutal kick combo to Miz’s chest. Miz ducks Bryan’s kick to the head and rolls him up, but Bryan kicks out and rolls through, kicking Miz right in the face. 2-count. Bryan goes for the LaBell Lock again, but Miz fights up with Bryan up on his shoulders in an electric chair… Miz uses what looks like a reverse Alabama Slam and drops Bryan on his face. Miz measures Bryan up and hits the Skull Crushing Finale and gets the pinfall victory.
Winner: The Miz
Match Rating: ***
Miz takes the mic and plays up his victory. Miz offers his sincere condolences to Jerry Lawler and offers a moment of silence. Miz then plays that Lawler better not use this as his excuse for losing this Sunday at Elimination Chamber. Miz drops his catchphrase and then walks off.
Tag Team Match: John Morrison & R-Truth vs. Nexus members Otunga & McGillicutty
This was scheduled to be a one-on-one without Nexus, but the Raw GM changed it last second. Truth and Otunga start the match, they go at it for a few minutes, Nexus gains control of the match via distraction caused by Mason Ryan. Finally Truth tags in Morrison and we get an intense couple minutes of brawling as Morrison is going crazy. Ryan jumps up on the apron and Morrison kicks him off, then assists R-Truth with a rope flip to Ryan. Otunga has seemingly disappeared. Morrison tells Puk he better be watching and hits his running-knee on McGillicutty and gets the pin.
Winners: John Morrison & R-Truth
Match Rating: *
After the match, Truth tosses Mason Ryan from the ring.
Plug Jericho’s new book.
Plug the upcoming match between Orton and Sheamus, and Josh Matthews calls them “2 of the 6 favorites from this Sunday’s Raw Elimination Chamber match”. He also has called Punk, Cena, Morrison, and Truth favorites this Sunday as well. Way to go, Josh.
Valentine’s Day Segment: Ariel Winter (The Chaperone), Khali, Ranjin Singh
There’s a special version of the Kiss Cam tonight, it could be in the back, ringside, anywhere. Random folks in the crowd; Santino and Tamina kiss (and Santino teases that the Cobra wants in on the action). Vickie and Dolph kiss. Maryse and Ted are shown… Maryse disses Ted and turns to kiss Yoshi Tatsu who is in heaven. Regal kisses Zack Ryder on the cheek. More crowd kisses. Hornswoggle enters the ring and gives Ariel a box of chocolates. She kisses him on the cheek and he picks her up very suggestively.
Match 5: Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
The lock up, then Orton hits the Lou Thesz press and starts pounding away at Sheamus. They fight some more, Orton gets Sheamus down and hits his stomps, the goes for a knee but Sheamus moves. Sheamus in control now. Sheamus hits his springboard shoulder-block. They go back and forth for a while. Sheamus with a big boot, but it doesn’t faze Orton who hits his clotheslines and a huge powerslam. Sheamus blocks a European uppercut with the Irish Curse backbreaker. They fight to the top rope and Sheamus hits a superplex. Sheamus gets to his feet and SuperOrton hits an RKO out of nowhere and gets the pin.
Winner: Randy Orton
Match Rating: *½
After the match, Punk and Nexus attack Orton. Morrison comes out and goes after Punk. Truth makes his way to the ring and helps out. Cena hits the ring. Orton is taking out Nexus members with RKO’s. Orton and Cena take out Mason Ryan with a clothesline over the ropes, then Punk is going for a GTS on Orton. Orton fights out and shoves Punk into Cena who hits the AA.
We go back and see a limousine pull up; a woman wearing high-heels gets out of the limo and all you can see are her feet as she walks from the limo. We go to commercial.
WrestleMania Host Announcement:
We come back and it’s announced that it’s time to present the WM Host. Suddenly there’s a huge surge and lights start going out. Finally the TitanTron cuts out and the arena goes pitch black. Then there’s another surge and the Tron comes back on showing electricity pulsing. Another total blackout. After several seconds we hear “IF YA SMEEELLLLLLLLLLL…” and the crowd BLOWS UP! There hasn’t been a reaction this big since The Rock left the WWE. Rock comes out, and the place is really going crazy. Rock poses on the ramp for several seconds, and then makes his way to the ring posing in the corner. When he hits the opposite corner in the ring, the entire crowd jumps back to their feet going crazy. The music cuts and the lights come on and the crowd breaks into a “Rocky!” chant.
As far as the rest of this, recapping doesn’t do this brilliant 20-minute promo ANY justice, so I’ll cue the video to let you live it, or relive it for those of you who got to see it. This was promo-school 101, and nobody, and I mean NOBODY, gets half the reaction The Rock got for 20-plus minutes.
[video=youtube;MC0YWr--CPQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC0YWr--CPQ[/video]
[video=youtube;lRzikZAtgfk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRzikZAtgfk[/video]
Match of the Night: The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan
This match was great, and I pray was a setup for a potential feud (hopefully revolving around the WWE Championship) in the near future. Everyone bickering about Miz not winning clean, and singing Bryan’s praises in the same breath, got to see Miz win clean AGAINST Daniel Bryan. The two played well off of each other, and they went back and forth perfectly. The crowd really soaked this match up too. A couple nice spots throughout the match really helped elevate the intensity, and the fact they got a better reaction than Cena vs. Punk (when someone said Cena and Punk could open a show better than someone like Miz could close a show) spoke volumes of just how far along The Miz (and Bryan) truly are.
Segment of the Night: The Rock as Host of WrestleMania
It’s been forever since we’ve had The Rock on programming, and he came back and captivated the crowd as he used to, and as nobody currently in the WWE seems to be able to. He had 20+ minutes on air, and made USA abandon their censoring (and probably stole the PG rating from Raw for one week) and carried a promo that John Cena can’t even dream to achieve. The crowd didn’t seem to waiver for 5 seconds as Rock commanded their silence and their energy like no other in the business today.
Raw Rating: **½
I hesitate to give it more because some of the in-ring action and backstage segments were horrible; but with possibly the biggest reaction Raw has seen in a decade and one of the best long-promos ever cut on WWE/F programming and a couple solid matches, Raw got possibly the highest rating it’s seen in some time (if we’re going to grade Raw harshly).
On tonight’s Raw, we find out who the WrestleMania Host Vince teased about will be.
We open the show from Anaheim with Cena, who comes out to a fairly large pop. Cena gives a speech about Valentine’s Day and cracks a few jokes at Cole’s expense. He hints at a “rock solid” prediction for the WM Host and guesses it to be Michael Cole, and cracks on Cole for a while. Then he plays up this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber PPV & match. He talks about needing a WrestleMania moment this year because he’s had a crappy year, and then begins to speak on Punk, who interrupts Cena abruptly. Punk opens up on his own reminding Cena he’s got nothing to be afraid of, the record books, even Grey’s Sports Almanac shows the last two times Punk and Cena squared off, it’s Punk 2–Cena 0. Punk gets in the ring and we’re underway.
Match 1: CM Punk vs. John Cena
We learn Nexus has been banned from ringside tonight as the two square off in the ring, Cena’s dominating early but Punk sidesteps Cena in the corner and Cena goes shoulder-first into the ring-post and to the outside of the ring. Punk dives off the apron with a nice flying forearm and we go to commercial.
Back from the commercial, Punk is unloading on a downed Cena with kicks. A series of 2-counts by Punk and then we get Punk with a body-scissors on Cena. Cena with a nice escape and STF-attempt, but Punk breaks it with the ropes, then takes control of the match again. We end up with an exchange, then Cena starts on his 5-moves of Doom, but Punk breaks out of the AA. Punk goes for a neck-scissors, but Cena rolls through and lifts Punk into an electric-chair, which Punk fights out of with an elbow, but Cena hits a nice gutwrench suplex. Cena goes to the top but Punk cuts him off with a kick to the head. Punk hits the running-knee-to-bulldog in the corner that Cena counters and tries again for the STF. Punk reverses out of it and gets Cena with a nice neckbreaker and near-fall. GTS attempt but Cena slides off Punk’s shoulders, Punk unloads with more kicks. Punk to the top and attempts a cross body, but Cena catches him rolling through, and goes for another AA. Punk counters and ends up on the apron, Cena knocks him to the floor. Now a chair is being handed out to Punk from under the ring and you can see a Nexus armband on the culprit. Punk slides the chair into the ring, and the arm hands Punk a wrench. While the referee is tossing the chair out of the other side, Cena’s reaching out for Punk who smashes the wrench into Cena’s head. Punk slides in and hits Cena with a brutal GTS for the pinfall victory.
Winner: CM Punk
Match Rating: **½
- Michael Cole and Josh Matthews address the passing of Jerry Lawler’s mother and explain he’s not at Raw tonight so that he can focus on arrangements for her funeral.
In-Ring Segment: Del Rio, Edge, Vickie & Dolph
Highlights of Del Rio attacking Edge on Raw are shown; Del Rio makes his entrance in a convertible 2009 Bentley. Del Rio introduces himself with his catchphrase, then talks about how it’s his destiny to win at WrestleMania like it was his destiny to win the Royal Rumble. Edge’s music hits and Del Rio gets cut off. Edge talks about how he’s been busy beating Dolph Ziggler the last two weeks and he’s forgot Del Rio attacked him. Edge hits the ring and talks about how he’s got his own destiny, and attacks Del Rio. Ricardo Rodriguez gets on the apron and Edge lays him out, and Del Rio escapes the ring. Edge tries to grab Del Rio, but Alberto hits him and jumps up onto the apron. Edge spears him off the apron and Del Rio lands awkwardly against the barricade. Out comes Vickie Guerrero. Vickie is getting incredible heat, and then says Edge lost his championship on SmackDown and shouldn’t be walking around with the belt. Cue replay of SmackDown. Vickie brings out Dolph, introducing him as the new World Heavyweight Champion. Vickie says we’ll have the official coronation on Smackdown’s 600th episode this Friday night. Vickie says Edge’s job is also at risk, as she’s got proof Edge was the person who attacked Teddy Long.
New 2-21-11 Vignette
The vignette starts outside of the shack again, then cuts to a scene from the steps once more. We pan back to the shack with a view of the Undertaker in the window. Then we get a view panning up from his chest and showing his face slightly covered by the hat, and the candles go out. Then we see the man outside (this one not revealed) walking towards the shack.
*Personal opinion offering* Undertaker was CLEARLY in the hut, but it feels like there’s a second man outside of the shack After hearing the rumors of Undertaker’s latest opponent at WM being Triple H, I’m slightly disturbed by the portrayal if that IS Triple H.
WWE Diva’s Championship Lumberjill Match: Natalya vs. (C)Eve Torres
Honestly a very ugly and brutal match. Some action on the outside of the ring and Eve hits a dive from the apron and takes out a few of the lumberjills. Back in the ring and it’s more of a colossal botch-fest. We get a sloppy sequence leading into Eve pinning Natalya to retain.
Winner: Eve Torres
Match Rating: ½*
Backstage Segment: Eve Torres, Bella Twins, Gail Kim and Natalya
Eve is arguing with the Bellas, the twins attack Eve, Gail and Natalya run up and help Eve.
Cut to a promo for The Chaperone, starring Triple H.
Ringside Segment:
Mark Henry is making his way to the ring and Sheamus attacks him from behind. Sheamus grabs a mic and tells everyone he’ll win the Elimination Chamber. Sheamus says watch what he does to Orton tonight. A ref is helping Mark Henry up and Sheamus hits him with a Brogue kick.
Backstage we see Miz and Alex Riley walking towards the ring. Miz mushes a guy and shoves him into a pile of boxes and keeps walking.
Match 3: Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz
Bryan and Miz come out; Alex Riley joins for commentary. Bryan starts off hot, then they exchange blows, then Miz gets the upper hand and gets Bryan with a chinlock. Bryan with a reversal into his own submission but Miz makes it to the ropes. Bryan tosses Miz to the outside of the ring. Bryan hits a running flying knee from the apron sending Miz crashing hard into the barricade. Bryan throws Miz back into the ring and climbs to the top rope, and hits a huge front-dropkick from the top and covers Miz for a 2-count. Bryan starts to lock in the LaBell Lock, but Miz crawls to the ropes. Miz is on the apron and knees Bryan in the head to cut off a spear-attempt. Miz gets Bryan with a hanging neckbreaker and Bryan’s head slams hard onto the apron and he falls to the outside of the ring. We go to commercial.
We come back and they’re fighting on the top rope. Bryan headbutts Miz and hits a rolling powerbomb an gets a near-fall. Bryan starts unloading with a brutal kick combo to Miz’s chest. Miz ducks Bryan’s kick to the head and rolls him up, but Bryan kicks out and rolls through, kicking Miz right in the face. 2-count. Bryan goes for the LaBell Lock again, but Miz fights up with Bryan up on his shoulders in an electric chair… Miz uses what looks like a reverse Alabama Slam and drops Bryan on his face. Miz measures Bryan up and hits the Skull Crushing Finale and gets the pinfall victory.
Winner: The Miz
Match Rating: ***
Miz takes the mic and plays up his victory. Miz offers his sincere condolences to Jerry Lawler and offers a moment of silence. Miz then plays that Lawler better not use this as his excuse for losing this Sunday at Elimination Chamber. Miz drops his catchphrase and then walks off.
Tag Team Match: John Morrison & R-Truth vs. Nexus members Otunga & McGillicutty
This was scheduled to be a one-on-one without Nexus, but the Raw GM changed it last second. Truth and Otunga start the match, they go at it for a few minutes, Nexus gains control of the match via distraction caused by Mason Ryan. Finally Truth tags in Morrison and we get an intense couple minutes of brawling as Morrison is going crazy. Ryan jumps up on the apron and Morrison kicks him off, then assists R-Truth with a rope flip to Ryan. Otunga has seemingly disappeared. Morrison tells Puk he better be watching and hits his running-knee on McGillicutty and gets the pin.
Winners: John Morrison & R-Truth
Match Rating: *
After the match, Truth tosses Mason Ryan from the ring.
Plug Jericho’s new book.
Plug the upcoming match between Orton and Sheamus, and Josh Matthews calls them “2 of the 6 favorites from this Sunday’s Raw Elimination Chamber match”. He also has called Punk, Cena, Morrison, and Truth favorites this Sunday as well. Way to go, Josh.
Valentine’s Day Segment: Ariel Winter (The Chaperone), Khali, Ranjin Singh
There’s a special version of the Kiss Cam tonight, it could be in the back, ringside, anywhere. Random folks in the crowd; Santino and Tamina kiss (and Santino teases that the Cobra wants in on the action). Vickie and Dolph kiss. Maryse and Ted are shown… Maryse disses Ted and turns to kiss Yoshi Tatsu who is in heaven. Regal kisses Zack Ryder on the cheek. More crowd kisses. Hornswoggle enters the ring and gives Ariel a box of chocolates. She kisses him on the cheek and he picks her up very suggestively.
Match 5: Randy Orton vs. Sheamus
The lock up, then Orton hits the Lou Thesz press and starts pounding away at Sheamus. They fight some more, Orton gets Sheamus down and hits his stomps, the goes for a knee but Sheamus moves. Sheamus in control now. Sheamus hits his springboard shoulder-block. They go back and forth for a while. Sheamus with a big boot, but it doesn’t faze Orton who hits his clotheslines and a huge powerslam. Sheamus blocks a European uppercut with the Irish Curse backbreaker. They fight to the top rope and Sheamus hits a superplex. Sheamus gets to his feet and SuperOrton hits an RKO out of nowhere and gets the pin.
Winner: Randy Orton
Match Rating: *½
After the match, Punk and Nexus attack Orton. Morrison comes out and goes after Punk. Truth makes his way to the ring and helps out. Cena hits the ring. Orton is taking out Nexus members with RKO’s. Orton and Cena take out Mason Ryan with a clothesline over the ropes, then Punk is going for a GTS on Orton. Orton fights out and shoves Punk into Cena who hits the AA.
We go back and see a limousine pull up; a woman wearing high-heels gets out of the limo and all you can see are her feet as she walks from the limo. We go to commercial.
WrestleMania Host Announcement:
We come back and it’s announced that it’s time to present the WM Host. Suddenly there’s a huge surge and lights start going out. Finally the TitanTron cuts out and the arena goes pitch black. Then there’s another surge and the Tron comes back on showing electricity pulsing. Another total blackout. After several seconds we hear “IF YA SMEEELLLLLLLLLLL…” and the crowd BLOWS UP! There hasn’t been a reaction this big since The Rock left the WWE. Rock comes out, and the place is really going crazy. Rock poses on the ramp for several seconds, and then makes his way to the ring posing in the corner. When he hits the opposite corner in the ring, the entire crowd jumps back to their feet going crazy. The music cuts and the lights come on and the crowd breaks into a “Rocky!” chant.
As far as the rest of this, recapping doesn’t do this brilliant 20-minute promo ANY justice, so I’ll cue the video to let you live it, or relive it for those of you who got to see it. This was promo-school 101, and nobody, and I mean NOBODY, gets half the reaction The Rock got for 20-plus minutes.
[video=youtube;MC0YWr--CPQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC0YWr--CPQ[/video]
[video=youtube;lRzikZAtgfk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRzikZAtgfk[/video]
Match of the Night: The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan
This match was great, and I pray was a setup for a potential feud (hopefully revolving around the WWE Championship) in the near future. Everyone bickering about Miz not winning clean, and singing Bryan’s praises in the same breath, got to see Miz win clean AGAINST Daniel Bryan. The two played well off of each other, and they went back and forth perfectly. The crowd really soaked this match up too. A couple nice spots throughout the match really helped elevate the intensity, and the fact they got a better reaction than Cena vs. Punk (when someone said Cena and Punk could open a show better than someone like Miz could close a show) spoke volumes of just how far along The Miz (and Bryan) truly are.
Segment of the Night: The Rock as Host of WrestleMania
It’s been forever since we’ve had The Rock on programming, and he came back and captivated the crowd as he used to, and as nobody currently in the WWE seems to be able to. He had 20+ minutes on air, and made USA abandon their censoring (and probably stole the PG rating from Raw for one week) and carried a promo that John Cena can’t even dream to achieve. The crowd didn’t seem to waiver for 5 seconds as Rock commanded their silence and their energy like no other in the business today.
Raw Rating: **½
I hesitate to give it more because some of the in-ring action and backstage segments were horrible; but with possibly the biggest reaction Raw has seen in a decade and one of the best long-promos ever cut on WWE/F programming and a couple solid matches, Raw got possibly the highest rating it’s seen in some time (if we’re going to grade Raw harshly).