INSIDE THE RING NEWSLETTER
EDITION 27
by Trevor Hunnicutt & Eddie T
RAW ROUNDTABLE
Trevor’s thoughts are in blue.
Eddie’s thoughts are in red.
Raw for 12/13 opened with General Manager Eric Bischoff returning to clear up the World Title situation. Bischoff explained the situation, and the reasons why Edge, Benoit and Triple H all had a valid claim for the belt. All three were assembled in the backstage interview area. Triple H interrupted Bischoff, and used Ric Flair’s “To be the man, you have to beat the man” line, and said that since no one beat him, he deserved the belt back. Benoit reminded Triple H that he hasn’t been able to beat him since Wrestlemania. As Benoit and Triple H argued, Edge complained about how Benoit and Triple H have been fighting over the World Title all year, and he never gets a shot. Edge attacked Benoit, sparking off a brawl between the three men. As officials broke it up, Eric Bischoff announced Triple H & Batista vs. Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho for later tonight, and said Edge vs. Randy Orton was next. Bischoff said once the show was back under control, he would announce the future of the World Title.
Randy Orton vs. Edge. The fans chanted “You tapped out” at Edge before the match began. Edge got a two count early after a fast exchange of moves, frustrating Orton, while Edge smiled at him. They exchanged moves on the mat, and simultaneously attempted dropkicks. Orton kept using a drop toe hold to take Edge down, and clotheslined him over the top rope and to the floor as they went to break.
Back from commercial, Orton rammed Edge into the ringsteps, and worked him over in the ring with a chinlock. Edge broke free, and pulled the referee in front of him to stop Orton for advancing on him. Edge ran out of the ring, and Orton gave chase, allowing Edge to attack when Orton followed him back into the ring. Edge gave Orton a baseball slide kick to send him to the floor. Edge speared Orton off the ring apron, sending him into the security wall. Edge rolled Orton back into the ring for a cover, but Orton got his foot on the bottom rope. Edge worked over Orton with a chinlock and bodyscissors. Orton got free, and he and Edge clotheslined each other to the mat. Both men got up, and Edge hit a dropkick, then went to the top rope for a flying bodypress, but Orton dropkicked him in mid-air. Orton and Edge slugged it out, and Orton hit a dropkick and a side neckbreaker for a two count. Orton dodged a charging Edge and cradled him for a two count. Edge hit a reverse facebuster for a two count. Edge blocked an RKO and took Orton down with a backslide (with his feet on the ropes) for a two count. Orton gave Edge a Hot Shot into the turnbuckles for a two count, then hit a powerslam and went to the top rope. Orton went for a dive, but Edge ducked and Orton hit the mat hard. Edge measured Orton for a spear, but Orton gave Edge a drop toe hold into the bottom turnbuckle as he charged. Orton went for the RKO, Edge reversed into an Implant DDT position, but Orton reversed it again and hit an RKO for the clean pin at the eighteen minute mark. Winner: Randy Orton. Edge had a tantrum in the ring after losing the match, as the announcers put over that losing the match hurt Edge’s case for being declared World Champion.
Trevor: Overall, a pretty effective, if non-traditional way to start the show, with both a promo and a good match. It’s not something that lends itself to being able to be done every week long term, but every now and then this type of pacing is OK, and this was done with the strict intention of putting Randy Orton in line for a title shot immediately, as WWE made clear later in the evening. The match itself was more than solid for TV purposes, and was skillfully executed.
Eddie: Very strong match to open the show. I liked that the opening segment was short, and precise. I’m used to the Triple H 20-minute promo that kills the beginning of RAW. This was much better. Solid start. As far as Edge and Orton go, they did a tremendous job in their bout.
Backstage, Ric Flair gave Triple H a pep talk, saying Bischoff had to recognize that Triple H is the World Champion. Triple H said he would go make Bischoff declare him the champion. Batista told Triple H not to do that, saying Triple H should go into the ring and show Bischoff why he is the World Champion by dominating Benoit and Jericho in their tag match. Triple H liked the idea.
A video package on the Raw house shows from last weekend was shown.
Christy, Melina and Maria were in the ring tossing shirts out to the crowd and using the Shopzone T-Shirt gun, while Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler discussed the World Title situation. Gene Snitsky came into the ring, telling the women not to be scared of him. Snitsky said everyone on the Raw roster was too scared to face him in a match, boasting about what he had done to Kane and Lita‘s baby. Snitsky said he liked to have fun, and he was going to have some fun with the women. Snitsky said he wanted to shoot the shirt gun and dance with the women. Christy seemed to believe him, but Snitsky grabbed her by the throat and said he only had fun when “someone suffers”. Lita came out on the stage and made fun of Snitsky, saying he only picks on women, and despite his trying to scare Lita last week, Lita still won the Women’s Title. Lita said she got a message from “her husband Kane” and that Kane would be returning soon to beat up Snitsky. Snitsky threw down Christy and chased after Lita, but a wall of flames shot up on the ramp, preventing him from following her.
Trevor: Boring.
Eddie: Don’t you just love how Lita has hated Kane since the beginning, yet she’s now playing up the role of “loving wife?” Man, it’s amazing! I’m expecting Triple H to start talking about Stephanie and their love on TV again, if logic exists. OK job of making sure Kane is face upon his return, but man, they could have done it much better. I guess they’re after the hype here.
A video package on Triple H attending the Blade: Trinity premiere was shown.
Backstage, Christian was having Candace attend to his make-up, while complaining to Tyson Tomko about not getting any respect. Eugene approached him, and called him “Captain Charisma”, but said he wasn’t as cool a superhero as Aquaman, since Aquaman talks to fish. Mick Foley arrived, and said he was there due to a big announcement that was going to be made later. Eugene turned his attention to Foley, saying he was his favorite wrestler after Rock, Papa Shango, and Huntsville’s own Beautiful Bobby Eaton. Foley and Eugene walked off, with Christian again complaining about the lack of respect he gets. Eugene came back into the frame, wearing Mr. Socko, and told Christian “Have a nice day, Bang!” before leaving.
In Eric Bischoff’s office, Simon Dean signed a Raw contract, saying it was a great way to promote his Simon System. Chris Benoit entered, and Dean took off. Benoit told Bischoff he wanted him to order a Triple Threat rematch for the World Title, and said (in very demanding fashion) that Bischoff better not hand the belt back to Triple H.
Trevor: There’s no doubt that Dean is talented and more committed to being successful than he ever was in the past, but the gimmick could be a severe hindrance of Constantino proportions.
Eddie: Nice segment with Eugene, Christian, and Foley. I’m looking forward to Simon Dean’s future in WWE, but I hope they use Bucci to his full abilities!
Chris Benoit & Chris Jericho vs. Triple H & Batista, with Ric Flair. Benoit and Triple H started off, trading chops and punches. Batista tagged in and worked over Benoit in his corner. Jericho tagged in, and Batista pounded him down to the mat as well then tagged in Triple H. Jericho hiptossed Triple H and kicked him in the head before working him over in a corner. Triple H came back with a jumping knee and tagged in Batista, who gave Jericho shoulderblocks in a corner and choked him with his boot. Jericho battled out of a chinlock, but Batista it a back elbow for a two count. Triple H and Batista worked over Jericho on their side of the ring, choking him with the tag rope and Triple H hitting a big vertical suplex and a kneedrop. Benoit broke up the cover. Jericho finally battled back, including knocking Ric Flair off the ring apron. Flair flipped out, and rushed into the ring, but Triple H and Batista held him back so they wouldn’t get disqualified. They played up that Triple H wanted to win to prove he should be World champion as they went to break.
Back from commercial, Benoit and Triple H were going at it, with Benoit hitting three consecutive German suplexes. Benoit knocked Batista off the apron, then slugged Flair as he went to the top rope, but missed the diving headbutt. Batista tagged in and powerslammed Benoit for two, then whipped him hard into the turnbuckles. Triple H tagged in and whipped Benoit into the opposite corner and covered for two. Benoit hit some chops, but Triple H put him in an abdominal stretch. Batista reached in to give Triple H help, but the referee caught them the second time and made them break the hold. Benoit hit some forearms and chops, but ran into a Triple H boot. Triple H came off the second rope, but Benoit got his foot up and kicked him in the mouth. Batista and Jericho tagged in, and Jericho knocked Triple H off the apron with a forearm. Batista caught a Jericho bodypress and went for a slam, but Jericho floated over and went for the Walls Of Jericho, but Batista kicked him off. Batista kept going for powermoves (spinebuster, powerbomb), but Jericho kept escaping. Jericho gave Batista an enzugiri and a Lionsault. Triple H ran in, and Jericho threw him out of the ring. Jericho dropkicked Flair off the apron and tagged in Benoit, who hit a diving headbutt on Batista. On the floor, Flair threw Jericho into the ringsteps. Benoit put Batista in a Sharpshooter, but Triple H ran in to break it up. Benoit put Triple H in the Crippler Crossface. Batista pulled Benoit off of Triple H and hit a spinebuster for the pin at the sixteen minute mark. Winners: Triple H & Batista. Triple H stared at Batista from the mat, surprised that Batista scored the pin.
Trevor: There was nothing special about this match but it was good for TV.
Eddie: Very good match. Wow, two long matches so far, and both were great. I loved the booking here, and was somewhat upset that J.R. didn’t say a damn thing about Triple H’s facial expressions, when Batista’s arm was raised. I have to give it to WWE – they’ve done a good job with Batista, and I’m willing to actually buy into his character right now. When booking is good, things are always better in the long run!
Mick Foley came to the ring to a huge ovation. Foley asked what the holidays would be without a “cheap Mick Foley book plug”. Foley plugged his book, then said next week he would be jumping to Smackdown for a week. The fans booed, but Foley said there was a good reason for it, and introduced a video on WWE’s visit to Iraq from last year. Foley admitted to being a John Kerry supporter, and made some political jokes. Foley then said supporting the troops went beyond political affiliations, and that it was going to be an honor to go to the Middle East next week with the Smackdown crew to entertain the troops.
Trevor: This is a kind gift to troops in the Middle East. Our prayers go out to both the WWE crew that left the country last evening and the 130,000 troops currently serving in Iraq.
Eddie: Tremendous move and show of respect by WWE!
Foley was then entertained by entrance music for Muhammad Hussan and Khosrow Daivari. Daivari introduced Hussan in Farci. Hussan said he had enough of “listening to lies” and now everyone had to listen to him. Hussan said he used to “blindly” support the troops and the country, until 9/11. He said that his eyes were opened to the truth, and that he was the true victim of the war. Hussan said the war promoted unfair treatment of Arab-Americans. Hussan said he was a “prisoner” in his own country. The fans gave him the old Steve Austin “What” treatment the whole time. Foley said that Hussan was able to express his views because he lived in America, where people are able to speak their mind freely. Hussan said the troops were “gutless cowards and heartless infidels” and Foley said “Now, you’ve pissed me off”. Foley talked about how troops died to give him the right to speak his mind, while Daivari yelled in Farci. Hussan said Foley was supporting an “evil and unjust war” and Foley screamed “I support America”. Foley said that Hussan and Daivari had the right to say whatever they wanted anywhere in America, except for inside the ring, which Mick called “Foley Island”. Foley invited Hussan and Daivari to step into Foley Island and take him on, but Hussan said he wouldn’t fight someone he didn’t respect, and he said he didn’t respect Foley and he walked out.
Trevor: I can’t say anything that hasn’t already been said. It was exploitative and crass. No surprises.
Eddie: Horrible move, and a show of disrespect by WWE! Wow. This was bad. Really bad. What I do have to say is that both guys delivered their lines well, and put a lot of emotion into the segment. Of course, that doesn’t at all apologize the crap they were saying. Ouch.
Lita’s WWE Women’s Title win over Trish Stratus from last week was recapped with a highlight video (including multiple angles of Lita’s insane tope where she crashed to the floor).
Todd Grisham interviewed Trish Stratus about losing the Women’s Title. Trish said she was the best women’s wrestler ever, and pointed out that Lita had to practically kill herself to win the belt. Trish said she would win back the title as soon as she got a rematch.
Backstage, Eric Bischoff was chatting with some model named Michelle, when Edge came in. Edge complained about Taboo Tuesday, the contendership battle royal, the Triple Threat match and said he deserved the World Heavyweight Title. Edge said his match with Orton should not be held against him. Bischoff said he was going to make his announcement about the title following the next match, and said he was going to give Edge something he never had before. Edge was very happy about this, and said it was great to have Bischoff back.
Maven, Christian & Tyson Tomko vs. Eugene, William Regal & Shelton Benjamin. Eugene started off with Christian slapping him across the face and working him over in a corner. Eugene backdropped Christian and pulled out Mr. Socko. Maven ran in, and Eugene gave him an airplane spin, then gave one to Christian. Eugene threw Maven over the top rope, but Tomko ran in and clotheslined Eugene to give Christian the advantage. Christian choked Eugene with Mr. Socko. Tomko tagged in and powerslammed Eugene for two, then hit a series of right hands before applying a chinlock. Maven tagged in and worked over Eugene, with Regal yelling encouragement to Eugene. Christian tagged in, and Eugene gave him and inside cradle and a backslide for two counts, but Christian kicked him and put him in a chinlock. Eugene fought out of it, but Christian pulled Eugene back to his corner to prevent a tag. Maven tagged in and applied a chinlock. Eugene hit a stunner on Maven and made the tag to Benjamin, who hit Maven with a top rope clothesline. Benjamin cleaned house on all three opponents, and gave Maven a flapjack. Benjamin missed a Stinger splash, but caught Maven with a T-Bone suplex. The match broke down, with everyone fighting. Eugene put Christian in the Mandible Claw on the floor. Tomko knocked Regal to the floor. Benjamin superkicked Tomko. Maven cradled Benjamin from behind and grabbed the ropes for leverage to pin Benjamin at the eight minute mark. Winners: Maven, Christian & Tyson Tomko. Shelton Benjamin had a stunned look on his face.
Trevor: OK TV match.
Eddie: I don’t think Maven is ready for an IC Championship push, but seeing as other weird guys are getting pushes, I don’t see why not.
Triple H came up to Eric Bischoff, and calmly asked Bischoff to make the “right decision”, saying the World Title was his whole life. Triple H seemed to be on the verge of tears, pleading his case to be champion. Triple H said Benoit and Edge were “just wrestlers” while he was a household name, known for being World Champion. Triple H begged Bischoff to “do the right thing for business”. Bischoff said he would take all of the things Triple H just said into consideration.
Trevor: OK, I give up, I’ll call him an actor.
Eddie: Hey, Rock! Were you watching? OHHHHH… Not.
Next week’s show will be the “Best Of Raw 2004” special, including the Wrestlemania XX main event of Chris Benoit vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels.
Trevor: Merry Christmas to the WWE talent as they take their longest break of the year.
Eddie: Merry Christmas to all of WWE, and thanks for trying your best to entertain us this year. (Does this exclude Triple H and the “creative” team?)
Eric Bischoff came to the ring with the World Heavyweight Title. Bischoff asked Edge, Chris Benoit and Triple H to come to the ring. Triple H was accompanied by Ric Flair and Batista. Triple H said Evolution was with him because they were “one and the same” and when one succeeds, they all succeed. Triple H was much more arrogant than he was earlier. Eric Bischoff said there would not be a Triple Threat rematch, like Benoit wanted, and he would not just give the belt to Edge, like he wanted. Bischoff said he would instead have a match at the New Year’s Revolution Pay-per-view to decide the World Champion, and announced an Elimination Chamber match with Chris Benoit, Edge, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Batista, and Randy Orton. Batista smiled when his name was announced, and Ric Flair glared at him. Bischoff left, with Flair following him and arguing over the decision. In the ring, a fight broke out, with Batista, Triple H and Edge beating down Benoit. Jericho ran out and started fighting with Batista, as Benoit fought Edge. Triple H was walking away from the fight, when Randy Orton came down and dragged Triple H back to the ring. Orton was setting up Triple H for an RKO, but Batista ran in. Orton gave Batista the RKO, and Orton stood triumphant in the ring as the show ended.
Trevor: The one main difference between RAW last month and RAW this month is the consistency of the writing. The show is still the same quality and so are all of the participants, but the writing is more focused to build for things in the future. I would use their main events as a good example. Last week they relied on a build for Lita and Trish to carry the show and promoted it as such. This week, after several weeks of building the title situation, they put it in the main event segment. It’s a good strategy to promote good ratings and the first of many steps to reviving PPVs, which are on some sort of life support at this point, which is the main tell-tale sign of a company that is about to tank. Elimination Chamber, besides my general problems with the gimmick that have all but been put to rest, is a good move at this point, and we’ll address both the positives and the negatives as we get closer to it, but it’s a good match to put in the picture at this point.
Eddie: RAW has definitely taken a turn for the better following the Survivor Series PPV. Although, the direction the company is taking with some gimmicks is not somewhere they should go at this point in time (Muhammad Hassan, Snitsky, Simon Dean), one thing seems to be shining through each week, and that’s the fact that there’s a whole lot focus at TV’s. Everything seems to be done for a purpose, and the pieces of the puzzle are falling together. Unfortunatley, the picture they’ll reveal once formed might not be a pretty one. We’ll see what they do from here.
Trevor (6.5)
Overall here we’re talking about one of the better written RAWs in a long time, with a concerted, organized effort to make the PPVs worth more by leaving enough angles on a low-boil that when they are used, they will be more successful. Combine this with an entertaining show that was a breeze from beginning to end to watch and you get the 12/13 RAW. The underlying booking problems and mistakes of the past still exist and will continue to stick with these shows in the coming weeks no matter how good the TV is, but that doesn’t reverse the positive of a show like this. Elimination Chamber, to me, seems likes a logical move from a tactical standpoint. If WWE has a plan for WrestleMania, and they usually do these years, the next two months could be quite rewarding for the company. The brand has one more live TV show this year and then it will be the end of an unequivocally bad year. The rest of the show, as I mentioned, was good. Mahammad Hassan wasn’t disappointing, by the mere bit of semantics that would mean that I actually expected something good to come out of the debut, which I didn’t, nor did anyone else.
Eddie (7.5)
I thought that was the best edition of RAW in a long time. The focus on the program has become more clear and precise with every week. The direction of some chcharacters on the show is down-right scary. Muhammad Hassan is the biggest concern right now. Simon Dean, and Gene Snitsky would also fall under this category, although Snitsky has managed to get himself over, just a tad more. However, there’s a nice counter balance to it all, as this week we saw more depth to Triple H’s character, the continuation of what is a very solid storyline with Batista, and a more focused Randy Orton, whose push has lost some momentum, but is still going strong. Also, the wrestling has been of a much better quality as of late.
