There were two main talking points from Raw this week;
John Cena and Dolph Ziggler
As he had the last laugh of Raw in 2012, it was only fitting that John Cena be first out for the first Raw of 2013. He started out by letting everyone know what they could expect on the show; the TLC, WWE Title match between CM Punk and Ryback and, of course, the return of the 'Captain of Team Bring It', The Rock. He then went onto stake his claim to winning the Royal Rumble.
This then led to Dolph, AJ and Big E Langston to come out to confront Cena. Things broke down very quickly into a typical Cena comedy routine, where wiener jokes were the order of the day. This led to a Mexican wave... that audience should be ashamed of themselves. Dolph cut this short to, rightly, say that everytime Cena gets beat he simply laughs it up. It's all a big joke to him.
I have to completely agree with Dolph. It's really weird that in the last year and a half it seems that the heels are the ones telling the truth. Normally a heel should only BELIEVE their own bullshit, not actually SPEAK the truth. It's gotten to the point where I would say that Ziggler, following on from Punk, is saying exactly what we're all thinking. There seemed to be a hint of actual annoyance in his voice that Cena doesn't take things as serious as he should.
This is probably a big reason why people boo Cena so much. Surely this is all giving the wrong message to WWE's target audience? Cena's message seems to be that it's ok to be a loser, because if you're in the boss' pocket then your position is guaranteed. This is an awful message to be sending out. The other message being sent out here is that the lying, sneaky, cheating heels are telling you the truth (Punk in June 2011, Ziggler now). A heel's job is for you to hate them - not to sympathise with them; not to want them to get revenge on the face. Yet, with Cena's laugh-it-off attitude all the time, I'd love to see Ziggler get one over on him. He deserves it.
Anyway, this segment ended with Cena wanting to fight. Big E took the mic, to say his first words on WWE TV - agreeing that Dolph would fight Cena there and then. This seemed to upset Dolph and AJ - maybe something that will cause the break-up of Big E from them somewhere down the line. The match went as expected, with Cena kicking out of ALL of Dolph's best - the Zig Zag and the newly acquired Superkick - before hitting a AA for the win. Back to same old, same old then. Big E got involved in this match to try to help Dolph win, hitting his Big Ending finisher. Something I don't understand is - after the various attacks/finishers on him; why doesn't Cena want revenge on Big E at all?
The Rock and CM Punk
This was the segment that had everyone's attention. Punk came out first. It was noted that he has held the title longer than anyone in Raw history - I think that's a worthy thing to note going into the Rumble match against an icon. Punk explained the true meaning of a 'pipebomb' - Honesty; Truth. He also admitted to selling out - or in his case, cashing in on popularity.
Next was name dropping; saying that John Cena can have an awful year - as he did in 2012 - and it doesn't matter; he'll still get title shot after title shot after title shot. Daniel Bryan is a submission expert that puts a smile on his face to please everyone. Brodus Clay is a 400-pound monster that dances for everyone's enjoyment. He even mentioned that the invisible Little Jimmy has a better spot on Raw than a 'workhorse' like Tyson Kidd. These were all valid points as to what you have to do to be 'popular'.
Punk then went onto mock legends such as Flair, HBK and Edge, who all said they performed for the enjoyment of the fans. This is something that Punk has never done - he has always done what he has done for himself - 'you don't get to win!' was then repeated until The Rock made his entrance.
The Rock started off, and continued here and there, to be his usual jokey self. When talk got serious, so did he though. Rock gave huge credit throughout for Punk's 414 day title reign. He also recognised him as a major threat. Other statements that were clearly designed to give credit where credit is due was when Rock said that Punk has one of the most creative minds in WWE history. He followed this up by saying that when he became the WWE Champion, he also became the biggest jerk the world has ever seen. Great respect shown here.
Things got really serious towards the end of this segment, as they were face to face in the centre of the ring. After Rock had done his obligatory catchphrases ('Finally...', 'It doesn't matter...' etc) he told Punk that he can't stop him becoming the WWE Champion at the Royal Rumble. Punk responded by saying that Rock can keep coming at him with his catchphrases and jabs, but they won't mark the champ's face - 'I'm going to kick your ass' - short, simple and to the point.
The line of the segment was when Punk told Rock that his 'arms are too short to box with God'. Raw finished with a bang as Rock delivered a Rock Bottom.
This interaction was the best that has happened since the Rock/Cena program last year. Although throughout the year Punk has gotten on the mic and delivered the best promos around, he's never gotten as serious since the infamous first 'pipebomb'. Before The Rock came out Punk delivered some more home truths a la June 2011; unfortunately this wasn't as controversial as he wouldn't have had as much 'creative control' over what he said here.
It was interesting what he said about the likes of Daniel Bryan, Brodus Clay and Tyson Kidd though - Kidd, especially, should be on Raw more often but I suppose hasn't quite got what WWE is looking for in him. DBryan and Brodus do what they need to get popular and stay on TV. Shame things aren't different.
It was also nice that Rock gave Punk credit for his title reign, as well as giving him props for what he has accomplished in the last year and a half. This feud is only going to get better in the next few weeks.
Best of the rest;
- The TLC match between Punk and Ryback went as expected; I get the feeling they might have gone with what they would have done at TLC (ppv). After it looked as though Ryback couldn't be stopped at the top of the ladder; the lights went out... seconds later they were back on again and The Shield (Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns) were up the ladder, attacking Ryback (again). This all led to a triple powerbomb through a table and onto the steel entrance steps. Punk obviously retained. Some good spots in this match - mainly Punk being launched or suplexed into the ladder, or going through a table. Ryback vs The Shield continues going into the Rumble.
- Cody and Damien (Team Rhodes Scholars) got a much needed win against the Tag Champs (DBryan and Kane). I think if they'd have lost again then that would have been the end of their threat. Hopefully there will be a title match at the Rumble and Cody/Damien can get what they deserve. Finally.
- Orton and Sheamus both destroyed 3MB (separately). The only hint of the dissension from Smackdown was when Orton got interviewed and Sheamus was mentioned as a threat at the Rumble. Orton didn't seem to like this.
- After his match with Orton, and against Miz on Smackdown; are things looking up for Heath Slater (and 3MB)?
- Wade Barrett with a simple enough win over Santino. Ricky Steamboat was in Santino's corner - will this lead to another return of The Dragon? After his showing against Jericho a few years ago, it might not hurt to...
- Cesaro with another IMPRESSIVE Neutraliser on Khali. After, they fuelled the possible Miz feud.
- I didn't realise that the Eve/Kaitlyn angle has been going 4 months now. Please end it and move on.
- Kofi was back to jobbing; losing in under 30 seconds to World Champion Big Show. I know they need to make Show look strong but they could've done that with anyone - not a guy that is/has had a decent feud with Barrett over the Intercontinental Title and could do with elevating. Sorry Kofi, your stock just lowered a little there...
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