Raw Review 11/08/10

Raw Review and Suggestions 11/08/10

The start of the show was decent. Wade Barret has a natural ability to generate heat and really get the crowd involved. It also made sense to open with him since the show was from England. The back and forth between Barret and Cena was decent. We’ve seen the two go at it a few times, so sadly this wasn’t anything new. The most successful interactions between them are when Barret talks down to Cena. The prepared speech could have made Cena look worse and the fans would have eaten it up.

As for the announcing him winner; an angle I think would work well here would be to have Cena actually announce Barret as the winner and new WWE champion. At Survivor Series, the match could then end in a controversial fashion. Maybe both mens shoulders are down. Cena calls for the bell and there is no clear winner. We’re left wondering. Cena picks up a mic, and the recording from tonight’s Raw plays.

I suppose it was refreshing to finally have Orton involved in the story. I would have liked more back and forth between Orton and Barret. They’re the ones who will be fighting, not Barret and Cena. The heat needs to build up more.

As for the anonymous GM angle, WWE needs to really start giving him a personality. Sometimes he supports Nexus, sometimes he doesn’t. He could be anyone. Without knowing exactly who is planned (or if there is a plan), I can’t give him a personality, but he needs his character set. Since he is so hated by the WWE universe, I think he needs to be revealed as a heel, and really start making controversial decisions. Have him put faces in terrible matches, reverse decisions, stir up drama.

As for the 3 on 3 divas match, this was most likely done for the UK crowd. The outfits were nice. Maybe the ring could have gotten a green bottom for this match to look like a soccer field. Sadly the crowd didn’t seem too into this match. The match itself was actually pretty good for a diva’s match. I was unaware the Bella’s were capable of some of those moves. They were impressive tonight. I would build on them. They could be a legit title contender and since there’s two twins, they would be great to combat Laycool.

More diva pairings such as the Maryse Dibiase coupling could give the divas more camera time, lead to more story lines, and more mixed tag matches. The simple exposure is enough to help make a diva seem like more of a star. Natalya’s exposure during the Hart Dynasty’s tag team title reign and during their matches helps at least get her name on TV. I personally think Natalya is championship material, and a lot of it has to do with her having more camera time around the ring than any other diva.

Side note: Why is the WWE allowed to use the old logo with an F tonight, yet they blur it on DVD’s?

The Hart Dynasty was impressive tonight. Sadly, these are the only two tag teams left. I will do an entire article on the rebuilding of the tag team division, there is simply too much to write on that and this is a Raw review. Tyson Kidd’s hurricanrana from the ring to the floor was amazing. Good performance by both teams. This match should have had meaning though. While it kind of stirred tension amongst the Harts, it could have been a #1 contender match. That would have made sense, and would have helped build up survivor series. Since there are so few teams left, it makes sense.

The Miz backstage was great. I would love to see more backstage segments. These could be filmed prior to the night and make stars seem great.

Why did Dibiase Sr. betray his son? I didn’t understand that. Goldust has Sr.’s belt. He should be infuriated.

Goldust is perhaps the most improperly used wrestler ever. His natural talent in ring is amazing and is one of the best mic workers. I would love to keep this feud with Dibiase going and end with both wrestlers getting a push. Eventually I would like to see Dustin Rhodes lose the Goldust character and come out in his own. He could do this via Aksana and saying he needs a change after the wedding. Dibiase could also buy his wig or outfit. Seeing him without makeup on during the stand up for WWE video really showed him as a person and there is no doubt in my mind he could pull it off.

John Cena versus Otunga was more confusing than anything. Cena was going to win, there wasn’t any doubt, so something special should have happened. Nexus leaving before the match started also was confusing. Leaving mid fight would have made more of a statement. Even worse, it could have been done when Otunga was in the STF. Think of how insulting that would have been to him.

Cena and Otunga are two of the biggest guys in WWE. This match should have been much more physical. Cena was also supposed to be enraged and had a legal way to attack a Nexus member. He didn’t seem super angry, didn’t seem to want revenge, he didn’t really seem into it. So much more could have been done. At least Otunga got to have a match with a superstar and performed decently. With his match on Smackdown and his likely removal from Nexus, I would love to see a few ex-Nexus members hired on Smackdown. They could form a stable, perhaps with an established star or two. They could be seen as the defenders of Smackdown since Nexus is threatening to take over.

Santino’s mic skills are quite possibly the best in WWE. The two things needed to make someone huge are in ring ability and mic skills. I would love to elevate Santino at least to mid-card status. A US title shot would do wonders for both him and Bryan. Bryan is one of the best in the ring, while iffy on the mic. Santino is decent in ring, but great on the mic. They could work off each other and help each other. Whether Santino could be seen as a legit threat to the US title is debatable. His character needs to be given some credibility and a few legit wins. Maybe even a tag run with Kozlov. I also see Kozlov versus Sheamus as a potentially great match. Two super strong guys. Poor Sheamus, he was almost cracking up. This was a great promo. When was the last time the crowd got that into a show?

Morrison has the look and move set to be a big star. The feud with Sheamus is starting to look good, though it needs a good conclusion. If Morrison is getting a push, why not have him in the US title hunt? Sheamus is a former WWE champion and is now feuding with Santino. Why?

I think Morrison should be given a US title shot. As far as I know, Bryan doesn’t have a set opponent for Survivor Series. From the last few matches between Dolph and Bryan, a great technical wrestler such as Bryan could put on a match of the night with Morrison. It doesn’t even matter that both are faces. We haven’t seen a classy match in a while. Have the two shake hands before the match and stay friends after an amazing performance. Fans would love to see that.

Speaking of Bryan, why wasn’t there a US title feud started today? The next PPV is two weeks away and one week isn’t enough to build a PPV match.

Orton’s team didn’t make sense. Four faces and the Miz? Give him someone else!

This almost looks like it could be a survivor series match. In fact, replace Barret with Otunga and Orton with Ezekiel Jackson and this could have ended up on a PPV. Of course this locks up 3 titles, but why are we having a 5 on 5 two weeks before Survivor Series? It was a good main event with a twist ending. Miz would have been just as effective interfering at the end. It would have left countless questions. Is Miz cashing in tonight? Is he cashing it in soon? Is he joining Nexus?

There needs to be a good angle with the Miz here besides the obvious. Yes, he just had an interaction with the champion and he’s Mr. Money in the Bank. He didn’t score the pinfall though. He’s not going to be in the match at Survivor Series. Maybe he’ll cash it in then and this was a tease. Orton will be upset come next Monday, but he’ll need to keep feuding with Nexus and Barret.

The best move would be to make this lead to a Survivor Series style match. It does set up a decent heel team, Miz and the four remaining Nexus members. I would rather see Gabriel and Slater taken out and given a tag title defense so then they need two more heels. Throw in Sheamus and Otunga and the match is set. Sheamus would also bring opponents, Santino and Kozlov. Morrison would fit well in here too if he’s not given a title match. Add in Mark Henry and R-Truth and it’s a good match. This would end particularly well seeing as how anyone could be the last man standing on either team. There is a history between many members, and Morrison vs Miz as captains could be great.

Thoughts in closing: Why is there so little build up for a pay per view? There are only two set matches (1 from the Raw brand) and 1.5 weeks to make more. With the “old school” Raw next Monday, how much show time will that eat from creating feuds and building the story? There is not much time left. Since the PPV will be Survivor Series, where is the elimination match? It was an entertaining episode of Raw but didn’t lead anywhere. I would have like to see at least a little build up. I will post suggestions for next Raw in a future article!