Would I recommend Summer Slam to those of you who missed it? No, not really. I am not going to spend very much time talking about the show, but I liked it, however I can’t say it was a great pay per view because it wasn’t. I missed I believe three, Morrison, Punk and the DQ Batista win. One of my readers Marvin picked Umaga from the start and I said if Umaga won I would give props to Marvin for sticking with him, so Marvin PROPS to you. I was shocked that Kennedy didn’t walk out IC champion. Anyway I’m going to talk very quickly about Summer Slam and then a few words about Raw, well more than a few words.
The highlight for me was yes, the return of Triple H. I thought his entrance video was just awesome; he looked completely rested and his body looked phenomenal, which I’m sure upset many of the Hunter haters since they were hoping to see him all jacked up. I think Hunter’s body looked better than it has in years, hey I’m very good when comes to checking his body out. But seriously he looked fantastic. As far as the match goes it was extremely short which I had no problem with. It was his first match in almost 8 months and I think that the 8 minutes was perfect. He seemed to have some ring rust, but unlike his return in 2002, he moved fast which I was happy to see. This was a good match be definitely not outstanding and his win as you know from my column on Sunday was just what I expected. As far as Rey Mysterio’s return goes I have two thoughts about that.
First I did like his match against Chavo. I thought it was a very good hard worked match by both but more by Chavo. Rey’s wrestled well, and unlike Triple H’s/Booker’s match this was a lengthy match, and as I said I liked it a lot. The only thing that kind of bothered me was Rey’s look, and I’m not talking about his silver body paint. I’m talking about him looking sluggish, out of shape and just kind of emotionless. I always see this guy as a guy with a lot of energy and it wasn’t there Sunday night. I hate to be so shallow but I couldn’t get past his physical appearance while the match was going on. Hopefully the Rey that I enjoy will be back in not time. I loved the surprise Austin appearance as did the East Rutherford, New Jersey crowd. That place erupted for him and his little interaction with MVP came off very well. I will say that Kane vs. Finlay was a nice opening match. I also liked the backstage segments with Vince, Coach, Regal, Cryme Tyme, Mae Young and Moolah. These were nice short segments and there was enough humor to make me laugh. Vince might have been on a lot but because he was interacting with others it was enjoyable.
Now there were three low points for me, Morrison beating Punk and I say that because they keep putting CM in title matches and he keeps losing. I don’t think that’s smart at all. I would have had Punk win and Morrison could have gotten that title back somewhere down the line. I hated Khali leaving as champion; this show was the perfect show to get that title off of him. And even though I new Cena was winning it sickened me that he did. This match was the match of the night but I credit Randy Orton for that. Randy in my opinion had one of his strongest matches ever. It just pissed me off that the pattern continues. Cena is the victim on Raw’s and the winner at pay per views. I guess they don’t call him the Amazing Cena for nothing. The women’s Battle Royal wasn’t as good as I thought it would be, and Umaga vs. Mr. Kennedy…Kennedy vs. Carlito was good but I guess I thought there would be a lot more to this one. As I said the highlight for me was Hunter’s return so I don’t regret ordering the show, but it wasn’t a strong pay per view.
But now onto Raw. It wasn’t a bad show. Now don’t get me wrong there were many things that I didn’t like or get but for the most part the show was good. I’m not going to go in order but then again I’m good at that. There were two things that totally went right by me. One was how come the ref didn’t ring the bell when Beth Phoenix started attacking Maria? I just didn’t understand why the match didn’t take place. By the way did you hear the crickets in the building while this one was going on? Second. I guess Booker and Triple H are done. That’s fine but then why didn’t Hunter come out to the King of Kings song during the Cabana segment? And why didn’t Booker do a promo complaining about losing and maybe saying he’s still the King and that’s not going to change? Nothing was said about who is the King of King’s, not that I care but since the match for Summer Slam was based on that why wasn’t it addressed? And how did Booker after his loss get a main event match with Cena? Ah so many questions. Oh yes and there is one more. Why the hell did Shelton Benjamin die his hair blonde? That is a though provoking question. Okay now I won’t say that Carlito’s Cabana was great because it wasn’t, but there some funny parts with Hunter needling Vince, not a lot but a few, and I guess this was a way to get Hunter on TV and start up a mini feud with Carlito. While this segment was too long I did like the face off between Hunter and Carlito, and Carlito spitting his apple in Hunter’s face. I wouldn’t mind a Triple/Carlito feud. It was great to have Jeff Hardy back and I thought his match with Mr. Kennedy was the best of the night. Now I hope that Jeff will clean up his act, stay clean and maybe just maybe he’ll get that push that he was supposedly getting before he got suspended. Also I was happy to see Umaga turn heel again and attack Hardy. I never saw that one coming. I should have but I didn’t. And I got a kick out of the backstage segment with Kennedy and Vince talking and then Kennedy walking away with a weird walk just like his “dad.” That was funny.
Daivari and The Worlds Greatest Tag Team vs. London, Kendrick and Cody Runnels was another really nice match. Cody impresses me every time I see him in the ring. I just wish they would have given this match more time. And I’m happy to see Cryme Tyme so over with the crowd. If I were Vince I would push these guys, along with London/Kendrick and the World’s Greatest Tag Team and build that division up. I have to give it to Orton again; I loved his intensity and the way he reacted to Cena and the loss that he took the night before. I wouldn’t mind an Orton/Cena rematch at Unforgiven, but only if Cena finally loses. Okay it is time for me to be honest. I had no interest in watching Booker vs. Cena because I knew Book was just thrown in there. And with Cena’s father being added into the storyline I just don’t care. But my interest came back big time when Orton ran out took out Cena and then gave it to Cena’s father. What a great attack that was. That ending was excellent.
As you can tell I have been drinking a lot of Hatorade lately. This Cena title run is just way too long. Now I just read where his brother might be added to this angle. That’s all I need. One Cena is bad, two Cena’s are worse but three is beyond horrible. Love him or hate him Orton has delivered and has shined like I never expected him too. He’s been Raw’s top heel and this guy should have left Summer Slam with the belt. It didn’t happen and maybe in two and a half weeks it will. By the way did you see all the children cheering their hero Cena? I sure did and that’s all very nice and sweet but I think some of us adults need another hero to cheer for. If Vince would have taken that title off of Cena when he was feuding with Shawn Michaels I wouldn’t detest the man as much as I do now. Let me reword that. I wouldn’t detest John Cena the character as I do now. But the more he holds that title the more I don’t care to watch his matches.
So enough of badmouthing the champ. I’ll be back over the weekend to talk about Smackdown. I can’t believe that Unforgiven is less than three weeks away. I have read the spoilers and I wonder how many of you will be surprised by some of the things that happen on the show. I know that I was.
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