Rate RAW 2/2/15

[Aids Johnson]

PUT THE FUCKING VOTE ON PUBLIC VIEW

 

[Leo C]

I for one had no problems with Reigns never losing. His crap promo material (and the fact they even make him cut long promos all the time), yeah, but him winning was good. Losing to Big Show in 2015, ew.

 

[Nice Person]

Triple H and Stephanie McMahon come out to the ring.

Stephanie welcomes everyone to Raw, and starts talking about the Super Bowl Big Football Game. She puts over the Patriots, and compares that controversy to the controversy currently engulfing WWE. Trips also makes fun of the [HASHTAG]#CancelWWENetwork[/HASHTAG] trend with [HASHTAG]#CancelNFLNetwork[/HASHTAG].

Trips then moves on to the controversy surrounding the Royal Rumble. They say that they've been paying attention to the backlash, and they understand why there is controversy surrounding the match.

Insert Royal Rumble recap here.

Trips addresses the controversy from the start with Kane and Big Show being dubbed "unsportsmanlike" due to their interference. However, the real problem lies with The Rock (whose mention elicits boos). Rock had absolutely no business in the match due to him no longer being a WWE superstar, and that made a mess of things.

Trips says that he is partially guilty of the controversy due to him letting Sting get away with his actions from Survivor Series. Therefore, Trips challenges Sting to a staredown at Fast Lane....which is available on the WWE Network for the low low pric......whatever.

After this tangent, Trips addresses Roman Reigns' victory at Royal Rumble. If The Rock didn't interfere in the Rumble, then there COULD have been a new main event for WrestleMania.

The question is: Should Roman Reigns REALLY go on to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania?

After a few seconds, Roman Reigns comes down to the ring to a mixed reaction, and he is not happy.

Reigns asks Trips whether his Rumble victory will just be stricken. Reigns answers his own question with a resounding "hell no." Reigns and Trips have a staredown until Stephanie separates them. She addresses Reigns' interview from last week's Raw and his eloquence. She then asks if it's ironic whether his own family would want him to main event WrestleMania...or something like that (I got a little lost here to be honest).

Daniel Bryan comes out to a huge pop. He immediately addresses the fact that he never got a rematch for his WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and he deserves another WrestleMania main event. Trips fires back, saying that he didn't lose the title, but was stripped for not meeting his "contractual obligations."

Seth Rollins comes out, and we go to a break. Fun fact: he tries to talk as they go to commercial, but nothing comes through the mic.


Back from break, and Rollins says that he came out because this whole thing is getting ridiculous. He tells Bryan that Lesnar would eat him alive. Rollins addresses Reigns next, saying that he wouldn't have won without The Rock's help. If anyone deserves a WrestleMania main event, it's Seth Rollins: the man who broke Brock Lesnar's ribs.

Reigns cuts Rollins off by threatening to "knock him into next week."

Trips ends the debate by saying that they are going to end this controversy right now with a change of plans, and it goes like this:

Daniel Bryan vs Seth Rollins, with the winner going on to Fast Lane to take on Roman Reigns. The winner of THAT match goes on to WrestleMania to take o

Brock Lesnar.

Roman has everything to lose, but he has an opportunity to end all the debate and controversy now if he accepts the deal. He can also prove to his family that he TRULY deserves to go to WrestleMania.

Bryan addresses Reigns, saying that they have a hell of a match at Fast Lane and tear the house down.

Rollins addresses Reigns next, saying that he would be gutless if he didn't accept the deal and face a possible match against Seth Rollins.

The question is laid out: Yes...or no?

The answer? "It's been one vs all the whole time...let's do it"

Daniel Bryan vs Seth Rollins is a go for tonight!

As for Roman Reigns, he has a match with Big Show right now...yay.

________________________________________

Roman Reigns vs Big Show

Shenanigans were abound here with Seth Rollins and J&J Security skulking around the ring. Big Show maintains control throughout the match. Reigns tries to rally, but Rollins hits him with the briefcase, allowing Show to get the pin.

Big Show def Roman Reigns

________________________________________

Backstage, Trips and Stephanie are talking about their long promo segment and making fun about some various things. Basically, The Authority is putting their full faith in Seth Rollins to main event WrestleMania. Trips also says that he will manipulate Steve Austin during the podcast tonight.

________________________________________

A pissed-off Curtis Axel comes out, and he has something to say: he was never eliminated from the Royal Rumble match. If he wasn't sucker-punched, he would have won.

Axel wants justice, and he alsowants to main event WrestleMania.

At this moment, Dean Ambrose thankfully comes out and beats the hell out of Axel.

Ambrose takes the mic, and says that Axel is now eliminated.

While everyone is making demands, Ambrose makes one: To be included on the championship wall at WWE HQ.

Ambrose claims that he has an Intercontinental Title shot since he pinned Bad News Barrett.

Axel reenters the ring and attacks Ambrose, but Ambrose fights back and gives Dirty Deeds to Axel.

________________________________________

For Black History Month, WWE honors Ernie Ladd

Ad spot for the WWE Network's free month

________________________________________

The Ascension vs The Dust Bros

Booker T reminisces about his Harlem Heat days, and a match happens in the ring.

The Ascension def The Dust Bros

After the match, Stardust tells Goldust to get his head on straight.

________________________________________

Backstage, Stardust is talking to himself when Goldust approaches him. Goldust tries to calm Stardust, but nothing works. Finally, Goldust yells "CODY!!!"

"Don't...ever...call me 'Cody'...again....*cat hiss*" - Stardust

________________________________________

John Cena comes out to the ring.

He goes for the cheap pop from the Denver crowd, and hawks Triple H's interview with Steve Austin.

Cena discusses Triple H and NXT, saying that Trips has a whole stable of NXT stars ready to take Cena's place. Cena says that Triple H really doesn't care about anyone but himself.

The Authority also tried to do something unthinkable: make John Cena give up...which is something that he will never do.

Cue a random recap of Sting's Raw appearance here

Cena thanks Sting for his actions, and officially welcomes back Ryback, Erick Rowan, and Dolph Ziggler.

Those men are the proof that The Authority CAN be beaten, and Rusev CAN be beaten at Fast Lane.

Stephanie finally ends Cena's preaching session. Ziggler takes the mic and asks if she is ever tired of putting obstacles in front of them.

Steph gets revenge by making some matches. Ziggler will face Bray Wyatt, Rowan will face Rusev, and Ryback will face Luke Harper, and that one is next

________________________________________

Luke Harper vs Ryback

Even though Ryback was involved in this one, this was a pretty good back-and-forth hoss fight. Both men got in a good amount of offense, and Harper was able to showcase some of his athleticism. In the end, Ryback got the win with Shell-Shocked.

Ryback def Luke Harper

________________________________________

Jimmy Uso vs Cesaro

Pretty good back-and-forth match that serves to do two things: establish The Uppercats as contenders for the Tag Titles, and set up a Total Divas double date...thing. Cesaro does some swinging and doles out some Swiss Death for the win after Tyson Kidd gets involved.

Cesaro def Jimmy Uso

After the bell, Kidd dropkicks Jey Uso before leaving with Cesaro and Natalya

________________________________________

Back in catering, Damien Mizdow is getting food for The Miz when some producer asks for an autograph. Miz blows him off, but the man actually asks for Mizdow's autograph. Mizdow signs, then Miz takes the pic and rips it up. Miz gives a speech to Mizdow, saying that he made Mizdow, and his ego is getting the better of him.

Miz fires Mizdow, then subsequently gives him a new job...as Miz's personal assistant. After a speech about Sin Cara, Miz tells Mizdow to make a smoothie.

John Cena is sitting in the locker room when Erick Rowan comes in. Rowan says that no one has ever stood up for him until now. Rowan thanks Cena for treating him like a human. Cena then tells Rowan to not take Rusev lightly. The two shake hands to end the segment.

________________________________________

Dolph Ziggler vs Bray Wyatt

As expected, this was a truly awesome match. Both men entered the ring and give it their all, and it really showed. Ziggler gave it his all, but it wasn't enough against the monster known as Bray Wyatt, who eliminated Ziggler with Sister Abigail.

Bray Wyatt def Dolph Ziggler

Great stuff right there

________________________________________

Recap of the "big announcement"

Backstage, Steph is worshiping her fitness DVD when Seth Rollins comes in and asks about Daniel Bryan. Steph says that they are only appeasing the crowd with including Daniel Bryan in tonight's main event. Randy Orton is also addressed and subsequently blown off.

________________________________________

Paige vs Alicia Fox

Two things to note: The Bellas are on commentary, and Paige got a big pop

Short match that involves some decent offense in the ring and some annoying commentary. Paige gets the win with a roll-up.

Paige def Alicia Fox

After the match, Alicia blindsides Paige and restrains her. The Bellas then come in and spray Paige with black paint.

Sigh...at least we know that Paige will enter full Kill Mode at Fast Lane, so there's that

________________________________________

Video package showcasing The Miz's guest appearance on Sirens.

________________________________________

The Miz vs Sin Cara

Before the match starts, Miz constantly yells at Mizdow for overshadowing him.

As the match goes, Mizdow constantly fights the urge to be Miz's stunt double, but Miz keeps yelling at him, especially when Mizdow climbs the turnbuckle as Miz climbs it. You can tell that Mizdow's about to snap.

The match ends when Mizdow distracts Miz enough to allow Sin Cara to roll-up Miz for the win.

Sin Cara def The Miz

After the match, Miz yells at Mizdow.

________________________________________

As Miz continues yelling at Mizow, Bray Wyatt interrupts with a promo.

He cuts an outlandish promo while addressing the old face of fear, calling himself he new face of fear.

"Find me"

______________________________________

Rusev comes out and chokes out Erick Rowan before the match even starts, Lana/Rusev have a promo.

______________________________________

Daniel Bryan vs Seth Rollins is up next after a segment between Bryan and Reigns in the locker room.. the winner of this match will face Roman Reigns for an opportunity at WM31.

Big Show interferes and Reigns comes out to Spear Big Show and Superman punch Seth while the Ref was distracted to let DB get the win.. DB vs Reigns at Fast Lane.

WINNER: DANIEL BRYAN

This show is getting monotonous; **every time** Seth Rollins comes out to fight, his **two goons** interfere with the match, while the Ref is conviently looking the other way or distracted by other means. **Now,** if there is to be a fair match, let us have the following provisos: 1) **Only** the participants are to be allowed into the ring. 2) There will be a Ref at each of the ring's four corners, but *only* the match's Ref can count someone out. 3) **No one else,** i.e. Triple H, Steph, Rollins' two Goons, other wrestlers, are to be allowed **anywhere** near the ring. 4) JBL will be bound and gagged(I'm sick & tired of his mouth spewing crap.) Now, if these rules are used, we can look forward to a match that will be clean, fair, and one the crowd can appreciate. Yayyyyyyyyy !!!

 

[Jacob Fox]

This show is getting monotonous; **every time** Seth Rollins comes out to fight, his **two goons** interfere with the match, while the Ref is conviently looking the other way or distracted by other means. **Now,** if there is to be a fair match, let us have the following provisos: 1) **Only** the participants are to be allowed into the ring. 2) There will be a Ref at each of the ring's four corners, but *only* the match's Ref can count someone out. 3) **No one else,** i.e. Triple H, Steph, Rollins' two Goons, other wrestlers, are to be allowed **anywhere** near the ring. 4) JBL will be bound and gagged(I'm sick & tired of his mouth spewing crap.) Now, if these rules are used, we can look forward to a match that will be clean, fair, and one the crowd can appreciate. Yayyyyyyyyy !!!

And that's a product very few people would watch. American professional wrestling is driven by characters and storyline. It's been this way ever since Gorgeous George stepped into a ring in 1941 in Eugene Oregon as the first real wrestling character.

Although wrestling can actually be a wonderful athletic display, at its very core it is rulebreaker vs fan favorite. What you're proposing is a very sterile environment which would get boring really fast. Although not as extreme as what you suggested, it has also been tried before in 1990 (I believe) where storyline president Jack Tunney issued an edict that referees had to enforce the rules more strictly. Although they didn't have referees around the ring, if a ref missed cheating, a second referee who was watching on a monitor would come and correct the in ring referee. This lasted about a month. Because it was boring.

I was a small kid growing up and the only way I could not get my ass kicked constantly was to fight dirty. I never started a fight, so in my view it's completely fine to fight that way. If some guy twice my size attacked me and expected me not to crush his balls to defend myself, he just proved what an idiot he was. I've carried that exact philosophy into my adult life and I definitely would not enjoy what you proposed.

 

[The GOAT]

The Authority, Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns all looked great in the opening segment. Hunter and Stephanie GOATing it up on the mic as usual, Bryan and Seth were both excellent, and Reigns continues to show signs of improvement as well.

Reigns losing to Big Show... who booked this crap? What's the point of jobbing Reigns now that he's officially on the road to fighting Brock at Mania? I was actually imagining before of a future promo where Reigns would say to Brock something alone the lines of "You're right, no one's been able to defeat you since you conquered the Streak at last year's Wrestlemania... but guess what, no one's defeated me either." Never mind, I guess.

The Miz GOAT'ed it up in a backstage segment as well with Mizdow. OK, not really, but regardless of whatever else you can say about Miz, he can cut a good promo and deliver his lines really well, even if it contains a lot of verbiage. I guess these two are probably splitting up and fighting at Fast Lane instead of Wrestlemania or afterwards.

Ambrose going after the Intercontinental Championship... Don't have a problem with this, really.

Bryan vs Rollins and Wyatt vs Ziggler were both great matches that are worth watching more than once. Reigns' spear on the Big Show was awesome looking, too. And is it just me, or did a big chunk of the audience boo Daniel Bryan when he said he was gonna beat Roman Reigns at Fast Lane? Bizarro world...

 

[Prince Bálor]

Bryan vs Rollins and Wyatt vs Ziggler were both great matches that are worth watching more than once. Reigns' spear on the Big Show was awesome looking, too. And is it just me, or did a big chunk of the audience boo Daniel Bryan when he said he was gonna beat Roman Reigns at Fast Lane? Bizarro world...

I don't think I remember hearing any boos towards Reigns or Bryan this past Monday. But then again, I could be wrong.

Anyhow, their match at Fast Lane should be interesting. I am sincerely not 100% sure about who is going to win.
If Reigns goes over clean, (which I wouldn't have a problem with, as long as the contest is good) then the crowd may boo him again, not on the level they did in Philly, but still...

If Bryan goes over clean, which is something I'd love, then I'd also LOL at WWE for looking so weak and caving in to the fans' will for the second year in a row after screwing Bryan.

If supposedly Bryan wins, then Reigns could still have a right to claim a championship spot and make it a Triple-Threat match at Mania, right?
There was a backstage segment showing HHH/Steph talking about how they manipulated Reigns and Bryan, and also mentioned how contractually they are not even able to strip him of his #1 contender's spot he earned by winning the Rumble.

So, if Bryan does win at Fast Lane, then I guess Reigns could show that video of The Authority talking about manipulating Bryan and him, and Reigns could threaten to 'sue' them or whatever and get himself into that match along with Bryan and make it a Triple-Threat for the WWE-WHC.

As someone pointed out, the whole gist of dethroning The Beast at Mania is to go beat him clean and get a massive rub.

Can't say I'd be annoyed if it was a Triple-Threat again, but we will see.

It's a really interesting situation, that's for sure.

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

I don't think I remember hearing any boos towards Reigns or Bryan this past Monday. But then again, I could be wrong.

Anyhow, their match at Fast Lane should be interesting. I am sincerely not 100% sure about who is going to win.
If Reigns goes over clean, (which I wouldn't have a problem with, as long as the contest is good) then the crowd may boo him again, not on the level they did in Philly, but still...

If Bryan goes over clean, which is something I'd love, then I'd also LOL at WWE for looking so weak and caving in to the fans' will for the second year in a row after screwing Bryan.

If supposedly Bryan wins, then Reigns could still have a right to claim a championship spot and make it a Triple-Threat match at Mania, right?
There was a backstage segment showing HHH/Steph talking about how they manipulated Reigns and Bryan, and also mentioned how contractually they are not even able to strip him of his #1 contender's spot he earned by winning the Rumble.

So, if Bryan does win at Fast Lane, then I guess Reigns could show that video of The Authority talking about manipulating Bryan and him, and Reigns could threaten to 'sue' them or whatever and get himself into that match along with Bryan and make it a Triple-Threat for the WWE-WHC.

As someone pointed out, the whole gist of dethroning The Beast at Mania is to go beat him clean and get a massive rub.

Can't say I'd be annoyed if it was a Triple-Threat again, but we will see.

It's a really interesting situation, that's for sure.

Memphis crowd. I would bet money Reigns will be over like rover with a crowd like that. Match will probably have a lot of "Let's go Bryan/Let's go Reigns!" type of crowd interaction, but Reigns winning should be relatively well received.

 

[The GOAT]

I don't think I remember hearing any boos towards Reigns or Bryan this past Monday. But then again, I could be wrong.

Reigns got a 50/50 reaction when he first came out, and Bryan was greeted with some boos himself at the end when he said he would beat Roman Reigns at Fast Lane. All it really means is that their match at Fast Lane will split the crowd, with Bryan probably still getting the bigger and better reaction overall (as he did on Raw) but with Reigns probably still getting a hellacious reaction as well, even if he wins. Reigns seems to already be above Bootista territory at this point.

 

[Aids Johnson]

7, as I skipped anything that didn't seem interesting.

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

Reigns got a 50/50 reaction when he first came out, and Bryan was greeted with some boos himself at the end when he said he would beat Roman Reigns at Fast Lane. All it really means is that their match at Fast Lane will split the crowd, with Bryan probably still getting the bigger and better reaction overall (as he did on Raw) but with Reigns probably still getting a hellacious reaction as well, even if he wins. Reigns seems to already be above Bootista territory at this point.

50/50? You may want to adjust your television volume sir. It was 80/20 at worst, he was greeted warmly. In fact re-watching it now, I don't hear many boos at all.

 

[Nice Person]

And that's a product very few people would watch. American professional wrestling is driven by characters and storyline. It's been this way ever since Gorgeous George stepped into a ring in 1941 in Eugene Oregon as the first real wrestling character.

Although wrestling can actually be a wonderful athletic display, at its very core it is rulebreaker vs fan favorite. What you're proposing is a very sterile environment which would get boring really fast. Although not as extreme as what you suggested, it has also been tried before in 1990 (I believe) where storyline president Jack Tunney issued an edict that referees had to enforce the rules more strictly. Although they didn't have referees around the ring, if a ref missed cheating, a second referee who was watching on a monitor would come and correct the in ring referee. This lasted about a month. Because it was boring.

I was a small kid growing up and the only way I could not get my ass kicked constantly was to fight dirty. I never started a fight, so in my view it's completely fine to fight that way. If some guy twice my size attacked me and expected me not to crush his balls to defend myself, he just proved what an idiot he was. I've carried that exact philosophy into my adult life and I definitely would not enjoy what you proposed.

Well golly, Beeve... does this mean we can't have the STEEL CAGE - TABLES, LADDERS, & LOVE SEATS MATCH? or how about the STEEL CAGE MACHETTE MATCH? OR THE STEEL CAGE IN A STEEL CAGE IN A STEEL CAGE TRIPLE H VS DISGRUNTLED VIEWERS MATCH? or THE STEEL CAGE STEPH McMAHON VS ALL THE DIVAS IN A MUD PIT MATCH? YBC

 

[Jacob Fox]

Well golly, Beeve... does this mean we can't have the STEEL CAGE - TABLES, LADDERS, & LOVE SEATS MATCH? or how about the STEEL CAGE MACHETTE MATCH? OR THE STEEL CAGE IN A STEEL CAGE IN A STEEL CAGE TRIPLE H VS DISGRUNTLED VIEWERS MATCH? or THE STEEL CAGE STEPH McMAHON VS ALL THE DIVAS IN A MUD PIT MATCH? YBC

That's completely irrelevant to the point. Stipulation matches don't compensate for the lack of heels and cheating. I suppose that's why you needed to post such a childish post because you really have no point to make.

A little advice in the future. It's better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

 

[Nice Person]

That's completely irrelevant to the point. Stipulation matches don't compensate for the lack of heels and cheating. I suppose that's why you needed to post such a childish post because you really have no point to make.

A little advice in the future. It's better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

Like the sign says, " A mind is a terrible thing to waste." I guess it's to late for you...