WWE RAW - July 22, 2013 (The Brad Maddox Show)

[greebull]

No matches have been announced yet.... Questions I have:

-Who will be next to challenge Alberto Del Rio for the World Title? Will Mr. Maddox organize sme type of tournament? Or perhaps simply name a new contender? Deserving candidates would include RVD, Orton, and/or... just maybe...

-BIG SHOW!

-What's next in the Heyman-Punk-Brock saga? I would like to see Punk get a little personal with Lesnar on the mic, maybe bring up his past backstage issues and/or his part-time status, similar to what he said about Duane Johnson during their feud earlier this year.

-Will the Cena / D-Bryan feud involve the Bella Twins? If not, what can we expect from the hype over these next few weeks? Will they bring up Bryan being fired a few years back for choking Cena with a neck tie?

-AJ's crazy again, and she's taking it out on her ex... again. Is this feud meant to push Big E Langston or will Ziggler bounce back from his recent struggles?

[Ringo]

It was Justin Roberts that Bryan strangled with the neck tie.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Big Mark acts tonight. Also whether or not Del Rio continues to feud with Ziggler with AJ & Langston involved or move onto someone new. Kind of hoping Punk has a mini feud with Axel in the lead up to Summerslam. He could get a rub out of that. Would more than likely end up looking like fodder though.

Would like to see Big Show come back all smiles only to be attacked by the Wyatts. Bray squaring up to an angry Show like he did Truth would be awesome.

[greebull]

It was Justin Roberts that Bryan strangled with the neck tie.


You're right, how could I forget that image? Did he also choke Cena shortly thereafter? For some reason, I remember reading that Cena whspered to Bryan, "No choking" or something, because he knew Bryan would get in trouble for it.

[Judas Iscariot]

You're right, how could I forget that image? Did he also choke Cena shortly thereafter? For some reason, I remember reading that Cena whspered to Bryan, "No choking" or something, because he knew Bryan would get in trouble for it.

Nah, he spit right in Cena's face though before laying him out.

Crazy angry American Dragon is awesome times.

[greebull]

Nah, he spit right in Cena's face though before laying him out.

Crazy angry American Dragon is awesome times.

It'd be great if they did a callback to that moment as RAW went off the air tonight...

"You are NOT better than me! YOU ARE NOT BETTER THAN ME!"

[Tainted Eclipse]

pretty hyped for this, which i hope i will be for all shows leading into summerslam, which as a ppv i am more hyped than i can remember being for any ppv in many years thanks to the main.

[Anaconda Sniper]

I work so hopefully I will miss Big shows lame return. Hope he gets attacked and retires.

[Cewsh]

It never occurred to me until right now that the Cena/Bryan feud might involve the Bella Twins in order to help promote their new show on E. Now that it has occurred to me, that seems like a slam dunk certainty.

[VHS]

The Mannequin Twins deserve two blindfolds and 4 lanes of oncoming traffic.

[Cewsh]

Well that's pretty fucked up.

[Jacknife]

Indeed it is. They are beautiful.

[JP]

The Mannequin Twins deserve two blindfolds and 4 lanes of oncoming traffic.

Wow.

Ummmmm, wow.

Right. Errrrrrr, nice weather we're having at the mome...HIDE THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN!

[MikeHunt]

The Mannequin Twins deserve two blindfolds and 4 lanes of oncoming traffic.


Bloody hell! I think VHS is the next to snap!

[Andy]

Hopefully Cena's Bella turns on him and costs him the title. Then Bryan walks around with both of them and makes them dance round him screaming YES like he used to do with AJ.

[JP]

Bloody hell! I think VHS is the next to snap!

I'm blaming you every time this happens now.

YOU'RE JUST MEAN! :dq:

[Hero!]

I'm actually really curious as to who challenges Del Rio next. Can't say I'd be surprised if it turns out to be RVD. It's a pretty big PPV and RVD is a popular guy. I think.

[JP]

I'd quite like to see ADR/RVD actually. As a mesh of styles I can see it working quite well.

[Jimmy Zero]

You jamokes are in luck. I'm going to join you all and watch my first Raw in about 4 months.

[StoneColdWWE316]

Should be another fun RAW tonight with Cena/Bryan,more Punk/Heyman stuff (I think Brock's next appearance is August 5th in Green Bay),Wyatts,maybe RVD getting a WHC shot at Del Rio,etc.

[Hero!]

I'd quite like to see ADR/RVD actually. As a mesh of styles I can see it working quite well.

i think people sometimes don't realize just how great Del Rio is at adapting to any style of wrestling. He's had great matches with everyone from Orton to sheamus to Cara to Ziggler, all of when have different styles.


You jamokes are in luck. I'm going to join you all and watch my first Raw in about 4 months.

awesome. Love me some jimmy z.

[JT4104]

RVD/ADR would be interesting....RVD has a little lucha experience and the spotfest they could do might be decent.

Also...I love the Maddox entrance.

[Jimmy Zero]

Who is this Brad Maddox joker?

[JT4104]

Cena really needs to stop throwing that belt around.....hold it proud Cena.

[Jimmy Zero]

God, who the fuck isn't sick of this Cena shit?

[Jimmy Zero]

Well, that was a terrible opening segment.

[The Law]

I haven't been this entertained by a WWE authority figure since Bischoff left.

[mr sabu]

will one of these matches be the wyatts

[Andy]

Well that was a very strange segment.

[The Law]

I hope they let an actual rivalry develop between these two. I hate "respect" babyface matches. They can both be good guys and not like each other.

[TooCool]

It's clear that Brad Maddox has acted the way he did tonight because he was trying to get approval from Vince McMahon. We'll have to see what HHH and Steph say about the series of matches later in the show.

[Jimmy Zero]

So, Del Rio isn't coming out in boss cars anymore?

[The Law]

No, he dumped that when he turned face in December (I like to think he lost his drivers license after he ran over Santa) and hasn't yet brought it back since turning heel.

[Jimmy Zero]

The waving of a scarf doesn't really have the same effect.

[mr sabu]

he should come out in a plane every arena

[Andy]

I wonder if Sheamus gave RVD a beating for causing that bruise.

[Jimmy Zero]

Fuck man, those were some stiff shots to Del Rio, there.

[Jimmy Zero]

Also, where's Ricardo?

[Ringo]

I hope so. That was dangerous.

TYPICAL BOTCH VAN DAM

[Ringo]

Also, where's Ricardo?

wellness violation!

Where you been?!

[Jimmy Zero]

I got sick of the Cena show a while back and haven't paid much attention to WWE for several months.

[The Law]

That was a really good TV match. Loved that the leg injury actually played into the finish. Also nice to see a champion win a non-title match, which doesn't seem to happen much anymore.

[Andy]

Sheamus is one of the best wrestlers around. Shame about the terrible character.

[JT4104]

That was a really good TV match. Loved that the leg injury actually played into the finish. Also nice to see a champion win a non-title match, which doesn't seem to happen much anymore.
Funny thing was it was a good match and for some reason I just couldn't get into it at all. Starting to think the Sheamus "character" is starting to change my view of the guy.

[Andy]

They nee to give Christian and RVD proper feuds. I find them both very boring otherwise.

[Jimmy Zero]

Christian's been boring since his "one more match" thing.

[The Law]

I think Sheamus is the most underrated performer in the company in terms of what he does in the ring. If we made a list of the best workers in the company, I doubt Sheamus would come up. Most people probably wouldn't list him in their top 10. But he consistently puts on among the most entertaining TV matches in the company and has had some pretty damn good PPV matches too.

I hate his character as much as anybody, but you can't deny that he gets a great reaction.

[Ringo]

He's probably top 3. Doesn't get the same love as Bryan or Cesaro of course. Probably because he's the single most irritating character on TV.

Also Christian and RVD are both pretty boring but I actually want to see Christian's matches because he's a great worker where as RVD as a fat shit.

[Jimmy Zero]

It's a shame, though, because Sheamus has shown that he's capable of portraying an actual character. He was a great heel, and was also pretty entertaining when he first turned face.

[Andy]

I dunno I think most people would agree Sheamus is a great worker. It's just that his character is so unbelievably annoying that people actually don't want to see him at the moment. That plus he's been pretty directionless in 2013.

[mr sabu]

we want pancakessssss

[JT4104]

More Pancake Patterson and less Titus.....:no:

[mr sabu]

well jbl is Titus is going to be unstoppable stop booking him to lose

[Andy]

I can't believe Pancake Patterson had a segment with Cena of all people then has never been seen again. #bringbackpancakepatterson

[The Law]

I would have liked to see Christian lose there and get a partner to team up against the PTP. Him and RVD would make a nice tag team. Too bad Jericho is gone, because him and Christian would be an awesome team.

[Andy]

"Little twirp" :lol:

[Jimmy Zero]

Ryback hates average? Well, that's ironic.

[The Law]

He knows nothing about nutrition. Ryback hates when people don't know about nutrition.

[mr sabu]

not really the weaker and the smaller can out wit the bigger and stronger

[mr sabu]

im just going to say this

the annoying and unbearable royal shit > ryback

[Simmo Fortyone]

THE VENGA BROCK IS COMING!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQS5rm0mmGM

[Ringo]

ahaha yes Mark

let's DO THIS

[The Law]

Finally, somebody who doesn't get his balls chopped off when he turns face. If Sheamus acted like that we'd all love him. We haven't had an ass kicking face in a long time.

[JT4104]

THATS WHAT I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ringo]

So so good. What a hero.

[TooCool]

This is why Smackdown isn't worth watching. They only recapped what happened on RAW and didn't mention anything from Smackdown. Gee I wonder why? Oh yeah, its so they can repeat almost the exact same segment from Smackdown.

[mr sabu]

is it just me or does the uso's theme not suit them

[Jimmy Zero]

If you'd have told me back in the early 2000's that Mark Henry would be one of my favorite wrestlers on the roster, I'd have called you crazy.

[Ringo]

Well I still like it

[Ringo]

That's a bit better. Wasn't liking the way the opening segment suggested this feud was going.

[Tainted Eclipse]

pretty awkward 'acting' there. felt like d bry was reading off cue cards.

[Andy]

I really don't want to see a Ziggler/E feud. Not yet anyway. It's a no win situation. Just stick Big E in with Zig and Rio for a triple threat at Summerslam please.

[The Law]

That was one of the most quintessentially scripted, stilted segments I've seen in awhile.

[Jimmy Zero]

It was really 'after school special'-ish.

[Jimmy Zero]

Fucking hell, for such a jacked up meat head, Big E is quick as shit.

[Tainted Eclipse]

ZIGGLER. loved his antics in that match and running around big e. what a guy.

[mr sabu]

bring the qyatts out on miz tv please

[G-Fresh]

Raw has been fire tonight and things can only get better with Bray & the fam still to come.

[JT4104]

No Jerry....this is going to be awful.

[Tainted Eclipse]

"you guyses"

no, why

[Jimmy Zero]

Holy fuck, 30 seconds in and this Divas reality show makes me want to kill myself.

[mr sabu]

the show is probably scripted as hell

[Ringo]

looks great!

[Jimmy Zero]

lol Eva Marie is awesome.

[JT4104]

glad I missed that.....

[The Law]

She should smack him, since he's a dirty old man. I heard some talk show where one of the guys talked about meeting Lawler. He was doing a radio show and Lawler was one of the guests. This guy was like 25 at the time and said that King was putting the moves on some girl that was probably barely 20.

[TooCool]

If that segment was to try and get people to actually tune in and watch total divas... I think they failed miserably.

[mr sabu]

bray wyatt video package > total divas

[JT4104]

So...between Rhodes/Fandango who is the heel?

[Jimmy Zero]

Who cares? Sandow is the shit.

[mr sabu]

cole it's not about hot many titles he's won it's about the legacy he is making.. and atm sandow has a better legacy then he does

[The Law]

Fandango. Rhodes has turned face now. Man, that Moonsault botch could have been bad. Glad to see he's okay.

[DaSaintFan]

damn.. give Fandango props for saving that disasterous moonsault effort..i honestly think he just saved Cody from nearly breaking his own neck on that.

[TooCool]

cole it's not about hot many titles he's won it's about the legacy he is making.. and atm sandow has a better legacy then he does

Agreed. Plus I don't understand Cole and King's reasoning for attacking Sandow. Money in the Bank (like the Royal Rumble) is a match that is every man for themselves. It's one thing to work as a team throughout the whole match... but they never said to each other, "If you get to the top, I won't shove you off."

Good guy logic or not, their argument against JBL and Sandow is weak as hell.

[JT4104]

Cody looked like he just went for it and assumed Fandango was standing there waiting on him.

[mr sabu]

woop lil slip up here punk

[Jimmy Zero]

Heyman kind of looks like Honey Boo Boo's mom.

[The Guy on the Couch]

please please please sick the wyatts on rvd!

[Kdestiny]

One of the Bella's had a nip slip. It's on a wall of a Facebook friend of mine but that now exists.

[mr sabu]

so..... whens big show return

pwmania has pics

[Tainted Eclipse]

so..... whens big show return

v bryan i hope

[DaSaintFan]

so..... whens big show return

I was thinking he's going to show up here to go after RVD... They're still setting up Wyatt vs. Kane (I think), freeing up Big Show to attack RVD?

[Andy]

Looked like Cody landed right on his face. Could be another concussion.

[JT4104]

welp this is pretty much the end of Barrett....not even getting entrances anymore on Raw.

[The Law]

Big Show's going to be Bryan's third opponent tonight. And he's going to squash him. Can't wait to watch the internet lose its shit. Someday they'll all realize there ain't no money in Daniel Bryan.

[Andy]

Big Show's going to be Bryan's third opponent tonight. And he's going to squash him. Can't wait to watch the internet lose its shit. Someday they'll all realize there ain't no money in Daniel Bryan.

Nah.

[JT4104]

I'm getting sick of Cole using the word Viintage....

[Ringo]

Really enjoyed Heyman and Punk.

[Ringo]

I'm getting sick of Cole using the word Viintage....

:squint:

[Jimmy Zero]

So, what? The Wyatts only get a video recap tonight?

[JT4104]

:squint:
I cant help it...every week it's vintage punk, vintage bryan, vintage cena, vintage orton. There are numerous other words he can use for some of these guys.

[Punisher]

I'm feeling (hoping) whatever happens the Wyatt family comes out to attack Bryan.....Kane comes out for the apparent save but lays out Bryan instead becoming part of the Wyatt Family to end Raw.

[Jimmy Zero]

That better quality Hot Pocket still looks like a disgusting pile of vomit.

[Ringo]

CESARO/BRYAN!?!?

I don't care if it lasts 2 minutes. Let's have it.

[DaSaintFan]

CESARO/BRYAN!?!?

I don't care if it lasts 2 minutes. Let's have it.

it'll be both.. Swagger first then Cesaro..

[Jimmy Zero]

LOL, this Raw gets a 10 because this hillbilly just made a Maury Povich reference.

[McBain]

I think Sheamus is the most underrated performer in the company in terms of what he does in the ring. If we made a list of the best workers in the company, I doubt Sheamus would come up. Most people probably wouldn't list him in their top 10. But he consistently puts on among the most entertaining TV matches in the company and has had some pretty damn good PPV matches too.



Well that's bollocks. Most people rate him highly in the ring.

[Ringo]

it'll be both.. Swagger first then Cesaro..

Yes well done

[Tainted Eclipse]

so close to cesaro/bryan :(

[Ringo]

Gotta be next... then everyone's favourite surprise opponent BIG SHOW.

[DaSaintFan]

Orton hasn't been on the show yet either... So Swagger/Cesaro/Orton/Show?

[Tainted Eclipse]

GET IN THERE ANTONIO

[Ringo]

I'm drooling.

[mr sabu]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

[Anaconda Sniper]

Love this.

[The Law]

Orton has a storyline injury, so we probably won't be seeing him for a few weeks. If there's an opponent other than Big Show, I would guess Curtis Axel, since we haven't seen him tonight.

[Jimmy Zero]

Cessaro has some bitch ass chicken legs.

[JT4104]

So...am I delusional to assume the third opponent ends up being kassius ohno?

[DaSaintFan]

Orton has a storyline injury, so we probably won't be seeing him for a few weeks. If there's an opponent other than Big Show, I would guess Curtis Axel, since we haven't seen him tonight.

I forgot about that.. so yeah, orton's 'out".. i don't think it's Axel, since Heyman was there via "satellite"... so Show might just be the next/last one.

[Tainted Eclipse]

yes, this is awesome

[Ringo]

wish I had the WWE app right about now.

[mr sabu]

So...am I delusional to assume the third opponent ends up being kassius ohno?


sadly yes

it would be big show

but hero would be awesome what better way to be introduced to the wwe universe by knocking the number 1 contender the fuck out

[JT4104]

Cesaro took that german like a champ.

[JT4104]

after this match....Big Show is going to be a HUGE let down.

[Ringo]

holy shit those Cesaro uppercuts. This is beautiful!

[Punisher]

Need a gif of those uppercuts...dam.

[Tainted Eclipse]

8 stars moty

[mr sabu]

after this match so keen for zayne cesaro 2 out of 3 falls

[JT4104]

fucking fantastic performance from Bryan/Cesaro......and nice to see that they didn't force Cesaro to tap.

[Ringo]

and what a smooth finish. 20 minutes of Cesaro/Bryan. JEESH. Brilliance.

[DaSaintFan]

beautiful counter on the thrown uppercut... that was so worth getting through the painful parts of raw.

[Ringo]

ALEX RILEY SIGHTING. :hyper:

Who could it possibly be?!

[JT4104]

Was that Alex Riley? I thought he was gone a while ago.

[TooCool]

What a match between Cesaro and Bryan. The Swagger match could have been better.

Oh hey! A-Ry sighting!

[Ringo]

Just about to do the usual "he still has a job!?" parody post. Good work.

[badguythomas]

And here comes Big Show

[mr sabu]

big show sadly

unless it's a massive swerve and it's all 3 wyatt family members

[badguythomas]

It will be Big Show

[JT4104]

holding out hope for someone other than Big Show.........

[Ringo]

ahaha we come back to YESing.

NOT BIG SHOW!

YET.

[JT4104]

Never been more excited for Ryback in my life. Better than Big Show at least

[Tainted Eclipse]

wheres show :(

eh i can still dig this

[badguythomas]

I now eat my own words. lmao

Now I know were this is going. Ryback vs Big Show.

[DaSaintFan]

Ryback? I wasn't expecting that one...

[TooCool]

I definitely prefer Ryback over Big Show.

[DaSaintFan]

Why am i thinking Ryback wasn't the scheduled guy.. cause there was no announcement saying Ryback was "next'"

[JT4104]

quite the difference in crowd reaction from Cesaro to Ryback.

[Jimmy Zero]

lol awesome. You can't wrestle. Dude came out and you could hear the excitement leave the arena.

[TooCool]

Crowd is chanting "You can't wrestle" to the wrong guy.

[Ringo]

"you can't wrestle"
*suplex*

[JT4104]

jesus Ryback....don't be so obvious in calling spots.

[Jimmy Zero]

Ryback should be known as the Crowd Killer.

[Ringo]

this is great

[DaSaintFan]

Ryback's actually not been bad in this match.. although I was disappointed in how Ryback broke the Yes lock..

[mr sabu]

so bryan beats ryback and show puts him through a table

[JT4104]

:lol:...the army dudes taking pictures in the front row.

[badguythomas]

Cesaro - Bryan - Ryback all murdered each other.

[JT4104]

kinda late for that one Cena....the damage was done.

[Ringo]

WEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLL

[The Guy on the Couch]

Cena's giant steps run across the ring is hilarious

[Ringo]

oO

[Jimmy Zero]

Weak ass ending.

[Ringo]

ONE MORE OPPONENT

right Brad!

[DaSaintFan]

kinda late for that one Cena....the damage was done.

i have no problem with Cena coming out after the match.. he promised Bryan he wouldn't interfere in the match.

[Tainted Eclipse]

haha what. odd ending.

bryan and ryback actually have pretty great chemistry. they had a fantastic match some weeks back and this was pretty good aside from the crowd hating ryback.

VINCE'S HAIR

[Ringo]

really enjoyed Bryan/Ryback

and Bryan/Cesaro was obviously ridiculous

[The Law]

We just got 30 minutes of Daniel Bryan wrestling on Raw. What an amazing night. That was another really, really good episode of Raw.

[JT4104]

That's a solid 8....no Wyatt Family hurts a little bit. But Bryan/Cesaro saves the show.

[TooCool]

Kane huh... I was hoping that would be saved for further down the road.. when the Wyatt's have him on their side as a monster.

But I guess the Wyatt's will have to attack Kane once more next week to set up their match for Summerslam.

[Jimmy Zero]

Overall, I enjoyed that Raw. Daniel Bryan is fucking on fire. His match with Cessaro was excellent, and his match with Ryback was a lot better than I thought it'd be.

Disappointed the Wyatt family didn't make an appearance.

Gave it a seven. No Wyatt family is a bummer, the Divas crap was a huge negative, and the end of the show felt weird.

[Tainted Eclipse]

i actually liked this whole RAW. i thought the undercard matches were enjoyable though not great, and of course the final segment was absurdly good. cesaro/bryan is a motyc. fuck it i'm giving this raw a 10.

[badguythomas]

The whole show was garbage except for the last 30 minutes.
I believe that ending was set up un-announced because they believed Bryan was hurt.
Man. That is what wrestling is all about in my opinion. Cesaro - Ryback - Bryan was great. But Bryan took a beating in that series.
I have a very odd feeling that Ryback and Bryan started to become personal after Ryback grabbed his hair and tossed him.

[mr sabu]

8

it's not the uppercut gifs but i think this move is pretty kewl... plus never seen it done like this

http://31.media.tumblr.com/855211f8b8efa2c5414dcea023647fe9/tumblr_mmavdaPNdg1s8c6nio1_500.gif

[The Law]

That was a really good show. Obviously, 35 minutes of Daniel Bryan wrestling is amazing and all three of those matches were entertaining, with the Cesaro match being absolutely awesome. I also thought Sheamus/Del Rio was a really good TV match. The Punk/Heyman promo was good, best part was Punk's opening. Not a ton to say about any of the other matches, they were all just typical TV matches.

Might have gone a little high with the 9. Probably more of an 8.

[StoneColdWWE316]

Daniel Bryan definitely stole the Show tonight. I loved his series tonight and that 2nd Match with Cesaro was awesome. Sheamus/ADR,Christian/Titus,Dolph/Darren Young,and RVD/Barrett were good as well. Also liked the Punk/Heyman promo again.

[TooCool]

I'll give the show a solid 7.

Daniel Bryan Main Event was obviously the best.

Missed the RVD/Wade Barrett match... after RVD made his entrance, I received a phone call... and the next thing I knew the match was over.

Miz TV with the Divas segment bombed. Got annoyed with the repeat of Mark Henry/Usos chasing The Shield away. I mean seriously... give people a reason to watch Smackdown. Don't have it happen on that show, then ignore it completely on RAW just so you could repeat the segment all over again. The irony is that they recapped almost everything on Smackdown except that segment. Go figure.

The rest were pretty forgettable... like Christian vs Titus O'Neil and Dolph Ziggler vs Darren Young

[JP]

All the fears, all the worries, they look so silly now. This is starting to feel like something very special indeed.

Cena has been solidly the number 1 guy for 7/8 years now. If feels like the times, they are a changing.

[The Law]

Bryan needs to be mad that Cena came out to help him. They need something to spark an actual feud between those two. It can't just be Cena talking about how great Bryan is and Vince not liking Bryan. Bryan being pissed that Cena took pity on him, Cena being mad that Bryan is angry when all he did was save him from Ryback, and Vince doubting that Bryan can be the top guy in WWE would make this a very interesting and dynamic feud. I was really hoping/expecting Bryan to hit Cena with a Suicide Dive there at the end and Raw could end with the both laid out.

Alex Riley showing up was really random. I could go for him being Maddox's ass kisser/protege. He was green as fuck when he was on the main roster in 2011, but he definitely showed some personality and was really over as a face when he first turned on Miz. Good to see him back, though I'm not sure there's really room for him on the roster as a wrestler right now.

[Judas Iscariot]

No live Ambrose promo.

ZERO.

[Mills]

Riley has been doing commentary on superstars, but good to see him on the main show

[Andy]

That was a really weird show. It felt like all the matches were good to great and everything else bar the Punk/Heyman stuff was rubbish. The opening segment was crap, so was the closing one. Henry/Usos was a repeat of Friday, I don't see where Booker/Teddy can possibly be going and obviously the Divas shit was horrendous. And why on earth is Miz hosting Summerslam? And why are we getting Kane/Began after zero build? Not keen. I'm presuming that math will be filled with Wyatt and Cena shenanigans though.

Obviously the Bryan match was great. There's a serious shift in the opinion of the casual wrestling fan. The crowd were going mad for Bryan, mental for everything that happened in Cesaro/Bryan, totally ambivalent towards Swagger and shat all over Ryback. I don't hate Ryback but it was still nice to see.

[Average Joe]

Loved the show. 8/10

Although I came to the thread to look for people talking about the Cody Rhodes / Fandango match... I wanted to know if other people thought (as I do) if the moonsault spot was botched. Which I think it was, because Fandango looked WAY out of position when Cody was about to launch.

[Peter Griffin]

People like different wrestlers, thats fine, but I am getting a bit sick of the Ryback chants 'you cant wrestle' and 'Goldberggggg'

1)He can quite clearly wrestle even if he isnt the most fluent guy he is good at what he does.

2)Yeh pretty sick of the Goldberg comparisons now, Goldberg was a freak of nature in terms of popularity and getting the crowd to pop, but Ryback has already displayed more offensive variety in the past year than Goldberg ever did. When did Goldberg ever bust out a splash ffs?

[Andy]

He probably knew how shit it would look.

[Peter Griffin]

Thats by the by, at least Ryback tries to mix it up and show some variety, and as I said he isnt the smoothest but he is certainly improving as time goes on, Bill however, was about as formulaic wrestler as I have ever seen.

[Andy]

What Goldberg did have though, was the ability to connect with the fans. I don't mind Ryback but people just don't care about him.

He is improving but I suspect it'll take a break or a repackaging to get the fans back on board after being booked so terribly for nine months.

[Peter Griffin]

I agree, I was just pointing out that the comparison is redundant at this point in time IMO.

[Andy]

The comparison stems from last year when he went undefeated for ages and looked vaguely similar to Goldberg. The comparison may be redundant but the point is he hasn't done anything interesting enough to get rid of those chants or to be seen as unique and not Goldberg lite.

[Ringo]

Ryback has been doing pretty well in his matches lately but he's not in the same league as Goldberg who was really rather good.

[Hero!]

Bryan wrestling 40 minutes is wonderful TV. I love the fact that if wasn't selling so hard, he probably could have gone another hour, easy.

take note, DWAYNE.

[StoneColdChris]

Was at the show last night, and Bryan worked the dark match, so we got an hour of Bryan wrestling. AND IT WAS WONDERFUL

[Ringo]

Who did he wrestle? Or was it a big tag?

[StoneColdChris]

6 man tag: Henry/Cena/Bryan vs the Shield.

Henry was even doing the Yes chant motion.

[Ringo]

NICE.

[G-Fresh]

People like different wrestlers, thats fine, but I am getting a bit sick of the Ryback chants 'you cant wrestle' and 'Goldberggggg'

1)He can quite clearly wrestle even if he isnt the most fluent guy he is good at what he does.

2)Yeh pretty sick of the Goldberg comparisons now, Goldberg was a freak of nature in terms of popularity and getting the crowd to pop, but Ryback has already displayed more offensive variety in the past year than Goldberg ever did. When did Goldberg ever bust out a splash ffs?

Yeh nobody gives a fuck.

[Anaconda Sniper]

I'd be happy if they had Bryan run a gauntlet every week for the main event..until hes wrestled everybody. AND has beaten them all! Awesome raw though 9/10 it was very nice to see Rhodes get a clean win.about time. Rhodes is the man.

[VHS]

I'd be happy if they had Bryan run a gauntlet every week for the main event..until hes wrestled everybody. AND has beaten them all! Awesome raw though 9/10 it was very nice to see Rhodes get a clean win.about time. Rhodes is the man.

As awesome as that sounds, I don't want to see Daniel Bryan become the "new" John Cena. If WWE has one thing down masterfully, it's cramming something good so much in our faces that it becomes a repellent in record time. This could be the seeds being set for a new top dog, and I know that's been said many times in the past... but it could really be happening. Soon.

[Anaconda Sniper]

One thing I want to see Daniel Bryan do is make that fat ass big show tap out.

[The Rogerer]

I can't remember being prophetic before, but I think this episode of Raw will be talked about for years. How they can suddenly go from bland shows to something as good as this that used the three hours is special. I just about loved every bit of this episode. The contract signing was just right, people saying their piece and allowing you to read between the lines. The Del Rio vs Sheamus match was brilliant, at a time when I thought I was completely bored of Sheamus they managed to open a show with a brilliant match. Then plenty of decent matches until we got to Bryan's section, and some of the most intense, mental wrestling. If I was to say anything negative it was that they almost went too far, but how can you complain about too much awesome. I know Bryan isn't necessarily going to break through to the mainstream the way that Rock, Austin or Cena did, but he is as hot as anything, and he makes people want to watch actual wrestling.

I feel hesitant when they decide to make a face push with people, but there's no snuffing out Bryan's flame. They did a great job of managing him with Kane and the NO relationship with the crowd to get him up to the right height to now climb to the top.

Cewsh issued a decree that I don't know about because I stayed away from Raw discussion. I don't really need to say that the Total Divas stuff was rubbish because they know it themselves, I would just ask why Jerry Lawler is always brought into this sort of thing. Why was the Miz even there?

I've had the week off and got stuck into WWE 13 again - it's made me think more about the attitude era, and when people look back to it. I will agree that the crowd reactions are not what they used to be - although the crowd were into the Bryan matches it was still in a somewhat ironic way - perhaps this is the effect that everyone is being encouraged to tweet while they're there anyway. I do think talent wise that the roster they have now shits over the attitude era.

NINE OUT OF TEN

PS Thoughts:
What the hell was Rhodes doing with that moonsault?
I thought it was a shame they let Big E go off the boil after Wrestlemania
It's probably time to let the Shield cool off for a while until they have a better idea for them. Looking back across the history of their opponents, it's going to be quite a hodgepodge of teams.

[StoneColdWWE316]

Not to try and compare today's Crowds vs Attitude Crowds but I think lately the Crowds the past couple of months have been pretty hot again overall.

[Andy]

I've said this before but I genuinely don't think anyone has been as over as Bryan since Austin in late 2000/early 2001. Yeah there's been a load of great moments that had huge pops since then but Bryan has been insanely over for about nine months and it's gone to an even bigger level since Mania.

[StoneColdWWE316]

I think him losing the way he did at WM 28 did wonders for him and his popularity.

[Peter Griffin]

Yeh nobody gives a fuck.

Thoughtful input as ever, well done.

[son_of_foley]

I think honestly any momentum gained there was down to the crowd changing for him that night and the next.

Wouldn't think it was a planned direction for the booking as I think that was aimed to shoot Seamus to the next level
Also punk pipebomb window was as hot as this or anything since 2000ish

He should have been a break out crossover star to me. I think Punk has that within him

[Ringo]

Andy may be right. I don't think anyone has been as consistently over for such a long period since Austin in 2001.

Guys who were particularly hot at one point since...

Trips in '02, Brock in '03, Eddie & Benoit in '04, Batista at the end of '04/beginning of '05, Jeff chasing the title in 2008, Punk after the pipebomb promo, Orton in like 2010... I think Bryan tops them all.

[Andy]

Yep and it's gone on for much longer.

[Beer-Belly]

I was at Raw last night in the nosebleeds and it was a hell of a lot of fun. My voice is dead from all the "YES-ing". Bryan vs. Cesaro was fucking dope. Bummed by the lack of the Wyatt Family, though.

The dark match was Cena/Bryan/Henry vs. The Shield and it was about what you'd expect.

[G-Fresh]

Thoughtful input as ever, well done.

Don't get yer nipples in a twist fatboy.

[Beer-Belly]

It never occurred to me until right now that the Cena/Bryan feud might involve the Bella Twins in order to help promote their new show on E. Now that it has occurred to me, that seems like a slam dunk certainty.

It's a "slam dunk certainty" that most fans will shit on that. The Divas segment was awful last night and no one was into it.

[The Rick]

http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2013/07/tumblr_mqdhcuhtds1qzkr3vo1_250.gif

http://oyster.ignimgs.com/wordpress/stg.ign.com/2013/07/tumblr_mqdhw7pG131qzkr3vo3_250.gif

[The Rogerer]

I presume Total Divas is supposed to be like Jersey Shore/TOWIE et al, where it's scripted reality. In theory, that matches exactly with what the WWE is all about, but I don't get this. The segment we saw was were Nikki (I think) woodenly complains that a new diva is trying to look exactly like her... completely ignoring the fact that she has an identical twin who is completely uninterested in this. You then have Eva-Marie slap JKL, because. Forgetting the quality of the performances (because this really clearly doesn't matter on this sort of show), how are people supposed to feel about all this? I understand that these shows normally either bank on people wanting to live that lifestyle vicariously, or actually secretly hating everyone on the show. I suppose I'm posting here for hot insights on this thing.

[G-Fresh]

Total Divas is gonna be as exciting as dental work.

[Beer-Belly]

My problem is that Cewsh likely thinks it's a good idea to make Total Divas a big part of the build to Cena vs. Bryan because it might bring in new fans. That's not even a certainty and it only serves to take away the focus from what the existing fans pay to see. Total Divas is a supplement to WWE programming, not the other way around.

[Jimmy Zero]

Why would that bullshit bring in new fans?

I'd be shocked if it lasted for the whole season. It'll probably get shit canned after few episodes because the kind of people who watch E! don't give a fuck about WWE.

[Hero!]

I am stoked for total divas and all of you fucks will watch. It's like getting the dirt sheets right on TV.

[G-Fresh]

Yer huffin paint son. Ain't nobody gonna watch that shit except people like cewsh and man diva.

[Hero!]

Calling bull on you right now. I know you got your DVR set for it already.

[G-Fresh]

I ain't even got no DVR. In your stupid fuckin face.

[Hero!]

DVDAR?

[Cewsh]

My problem is that Cewsh likely thinks it's a good idea to make Total Divas a big part of the build to Cena vs. Bryan because it might bring in new fans. That's not even a certainty and it only serves to take away the focus from what the existing fans pay to see. Total Divas is a supplement to WWE programming, not the other way around.

Wait, what? When did I say it was a good thing?

[Morrison]

Wait, what? When did I say it was a good thing?

exactly. where is anybody getting this impression? cause it sounded more like routine apathy at what seems like a cookie-cutter blueprint of a WWE main event feud.

[Beer-Belly]

Wait, what? When did I say it was a good thing?

You seemed to think it was a great idea for Justin Bieber to perform at WrestleMania when that rumor was making the rounds a couple of years back. That would've been shit on even harder than involving Total Divas with Bryan/Cena.

[Cewsh]

Dude what are you getting at? Those things are totally unrelated.

[VHS]

You seemed to think it was a great idea for Justin Bieber to perform at WrestleMania when that rumor was making the rounds a couple of years back. That would've been shit on even harder than involving Total Divas with Bryan/Cena.

So you're assuming he would think something was a good idea based on something he liked... a couple years back. Come on, now.

[Judas Iscariot]

Sound logic to me.

[Beer-Belly]

I said "likely". It was pretty clear that I was drawing my own conclusion. The Bieber thing and the Total Divas thing aren't wildly different either. They're both attempts at reaching out to an audience that probably isn't going to give a shit about wrestling.

[G-Fresh]

truth

[MACE]

Why was next weeks RAW recorded last night?? Don't remember reading this anywhere!

[MMH]

Why was next weeks RAW recorded last night?? Don't remember reading this anywhere!

They are on tour to South Africa or somewhere far flung.

[Judas Iscariot]

Just popped in here to ask the same question.

Cheers. :beer:

[mr sabu]

so no live promo from ambrose next week.. a 0 from judas already

[Hotbeef-Injection]

Couple of points

1 - Shield needs to cut more promos. Their characters and motivation are a little lacking right now. Just talking about 'justice' isn't enough. Why attack Henry? Tell us!

2 - WWE needs to not drop the ball on Cesaro. The guy is so legitimate in the ring. He's strong, tough, moves well and has an aggressive moveset. Not just 'oh he looks all intense' - he actually does moves that look painful, impactful and impressive. Quite why this guy isn't in the World Title hunt yet is beyond me.

[McBain]

Because he's thus far struggled to connect with the audience. Hopefully though that's about to change.

[Hotbeef-Injection]

Because he's thus far struggled to connect with the audience. Hopefully though that's about to change.

I can see that to an extent, but isn't that what we were told about Benoit? Sometimes the guys ring work does the talking. This gimmick isn't gonna take him very far - it's what he does between the ropes that will carry him forward.

[mr sabu]

Couple of points

1 - Shield needs to cut more promos. Their characters and motivation are a little lacking right now. Just talking about 'justice' isn't enough. Why attack Henry? Tell us!

.

they did say why they attacked henry just wasn't on tv... was the web site

[McBain]

I can see that to an extent, but isn't that what we were told about Benoit? Sometimes the guys ring work does the talking. This gimmick isn't gonna take him very far - it's what he does between the ropes that will carry him forward.

Not all of his matches have been barnstormers though, have they? There's been a fair few where you could hear crickets in the crowd because his style can sometimes be a bit alien to the WWE audience. I think there's a way for him to adapt slightly to make himself more accessible, and I think he's on the way to doing that.

[Cewsh]

I said "likely". It was pretty clear that I was drawing my own conclusion. The Bieber thing and the Total Divas thing aren't wildly different either. They're both attempts at reaching out to an audience that probably isn't going to give a shit about wrestling.

I'm really not interested in having a debate about something that was relevant years ago based on on an opinion I don't have about a throwaway comment I made yesterday.

[The Rogerer]

When I read that Cewsh comment I could instantly see how people would leap on it just because it didn't contain an inherent condemnation. Control yourselves, folks.

Also Justin Beiber would have been far, far better idea than the other shit they've had perform there.

[Hero!]

Sorry dudes, but Diddy's performance was the shit. The crowd loved it.

[wardy]

Loved the matches but the bits in between were a bit boring - and that's why I watch Raw for the fun stuff that doesn't happen at PPVs. Slightly above average show for me. Can't believe no-one here called Ryback coming in at the end, I thought it was really obvious.

[The Rogerer]

I think they advertised that Big Show was going to return, so...