AwakenTheDemon

Pretty awesome show last night. They taped Superstars prior to Raw (big whoop, right?). Both were tag matches, Yoshi Tatsu and Khali vs. The Usos then Daniel Bryan and Gail Kim vs. Tyson Kidd and Melina. Prior to that, however, was a dark match of R-Truth fighting Zack Ryder, with Truth winning.

I'm going to jump around a bit.

The crowd was pretty excited when they thought it was JR coming out. I won't lie, I was fooled for a second too, until I thought about them saying "voice of the WWE". That was nothing, of course, to Triple H being out first. When his music hit was pretty much the only time I cheered the night, because I just wanted to see him more than anyone else lol Throughout his entire promo, the crowd was into it. I was trying to adjust my camera as soon as I heard Big Show's music hit, and kind of forgot he had pyro.... so it made me jump when it went off. Luckily, I was prepared for Kane's. Show and Kane was a pleasant surprise for everyone, maybe more so Show than Kane lol

When I saw that Cena was "live via Satellite" I knew he was really there. Not because I saw him in the back or anything (I didn't), but because it's just so predictable anymore what he's going to do. From where I was sitting though, it sounded as the crowd was disappointed that they didn't think he was going to show up. What did amuse me, though, was that there were very audible boos for Cena whenever he showed up, either on video or when he came out at the end. I didn't watch the recording of Raw from last night so I don't know if you could hear it on TV. Don't get me wrong, I knew he drew some booing from the crowd and he still got his cheers, but I heard more boos then cheers. What did disappoint me was that I was prepared to join into the "Cena sucks" dueling chant, but the crowd never chanted "Let's Go Cena", just "Cena" :\

As I said earlier, I didn't watch my recording yet so I'm not certain, but I think Swagger came out during the commercial break and it was dragged out to hell. We got to watch Swagger and Cole running around the ring with arms stretched out (although it looked as if Cole was just trying to catch up to Swagger and hug him) for an entire break.

Orton and Mysterio drew in the crowd. During the commercial break after Randy came out, he had the production crew "amuse him" by playing his greatest hits from the past four weeks (his punts on the Nexus). I hate Mysterio, but I like what they do with the Tron and screens when he comes out, so I was trying to take a picture of the Tron when he came out and forgot about the pyro again, so I ended up jumping again. CM Punk definitely drew the ire of the crowd when he appeared on the Titan-Tron outside, and it only got worse when he said he was looking forward to meeting Randy's "wife". However, then it became more of a mixture of heat and disgust. I think the crowd was more disappointed that the Orton/Mysterio match was never finished though.

Riley drew quite some heat when he came out during the commercial break, however I don't know if it was for him, or if the crowed originally thought he was The Miz, since from a distance it was hard to tell initially. When The Miz did actually come out, he got some huge heat (although there was a good amount of cheering for him where I was). Of course, Cena had to appear and steal The Miz's thunder, making the crowd go insane when the set behind him was taken apart (Useless Trivia: the one guy in the Penguins' jersey who moved the couch was my girlfriend's friend). When Cena's music hit was the only time the crowd (at least in the non-floor seats) actually stood... aside from my girlfriend and I. It kind of irritates me how they made Miz look dominate these past few weeks, actually make it look like they're going to use him correctly as a main event heel... then pull this crap again with Cena coming out and the Miz running away.

After Raw ended, Triple H came out to team with Cena to take on Sheamus and CM Punk. It was a pretty quick match, Triple H and Cena hit all their big moves before they pinned Punk and Sheamus. They posed for a couple of minutes then left, I was hoping for maybe some mic work, but nope.

Overall it was an amazing experience, and the CONSOL Energy Center works really well for Raw. Aside from maybe the sections all the way at top, the view was great from where we were sitting. The crowd was into everything the entire night. My only gripes were that we didn't get any pyro when the show started... and the Titan-Tron and HD Entrance aren't nearly as impressive looking in person.

I can't accurately pass judgment on Husky Harris' character yet, but I'm intrigued. The only thing I don't agree with is his alleged use of the Stone Cold Stunner, largely because it's not a move that he could pull off without being labeled a copycat (even though moves are copied throughout the industry all the time). While the core of the move is a basic sit-down cutter, the kick to set it up is the additional flair that makes Austin the "innovator" of the move. Considering that Austin's still involved with WWE, Harris using his move probably wouldn't go over too well.

As for the publicist's comments, that doesn't surprise me. While they're partially accurate in labeling WWE as a global media entity that does more than wrestling, wrestling is still the core of the product. I think the publicist was a bit overzealous and had a poor choice of words. Though Vince may desire to position WWE as a brand beyond wrestling (and has succeeded to an extent), the company's bread-and-butter will always be wrestling.

Yeah, it'll be hard for anyone to use the Stunner after Stone Cold, especially (as you said) if it's set-up with a kick to the gut. Look at Orton, though, the RKO is almost the same thing as the Stunner, just instead of going into a sitting position, he drops onto his back, more akin to the Diamond Cutter from DDP. With all the moves being reused by wrestlers, they have to alter it a little bit to make it their own, instead of just being viewed as swiping it from someone else. That's even more true when it's a move someone as popular as Stone Cold used.

I'll never be able to view the WWE as anything other than a wrestling company that dabbles in a few movies on the side. Let's face it, their movies have never been huge box office smashes. Oh, and Vice, what does WWE stand for, hmmm? World Wrestling Entertainment. It's going to be hard to make people believe that you're not a wrestling company when it's right there in your name.

Anyways, I'll be off to Raw tonight in Pittsburgh, my first time going to a non-house show. I was hoping for a live Rock sighting, but I hear he's not going to be live until the week before Wrestlemania. At very least I'll get to see Triple H.

So I got around to watching the Top 50 Superstars of All Time on Netflix last night... and I'm baffled. Don't get me wrong, it's a good list but some of the places for wrestlers was ridiculous. Hogan at 23? Flair at 17? Cena and Mysterio above both men (Cena at 16, Mysterio at 9)? Mysterio's also ahead of Triple H. There's no way in my mind that Cena and Mysterio were greater than Hogan or Flair. I do agree with their Top 5 though.

If I had to create a list, only a top 15, it'd have to be:

15. "Macho Man" Randy Savage

14. Bruno Sammartino

13. Mick Foley

12. Chris Jericho

11. Andre The Giant

10. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat

9. "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

8. Triple H

7. Hulk Hogan

6. Ric Flair

5. Stone Cold Steve Austin

4. The Undertaker

3. The Rock

2. Bret Hart

1. Shawn Michaels

Just my opinion though. Cena and Mysterio shouldn't be anywhere near the top 15.

Just reading some interesting points from the dirtsheets:

“Dear @WWE now that the lockout is official I would love to whoop some *** Sincerely Lights.” - Merriman tweet

The Raw GM could be revealed as Kevin Nash, which indirectly means that he was running Raw while working in TNA

61yo Lawler is dating 21yo development talent called Su Yung

Yeah, I saw that too. Nothing like dating a girl forty years younger than you... guess he does like them "yung".... I know... I know.

As unlikely as it is, I really wish Triple H would end the Undertaker's "streak". If they wanted Taker to go undefeated for good, I'd rather they have him face lesser men or John Cena...lol It irks me that a gimpy 46 year old who's out of shape will beat a healthy 41 year old who's in great shape.

Just for fun, anyone remember the last feud Mysterio actually lost?

Well, according to SEScoops

The Undertaker is still rehabilitating his torn rotator cuff after it was surgically repaired late last year. He’s been working aggressively to rehab the injury in hopes that he won’t be severely limited for his match against Triple H at WrestleMania XXVII. The damage from his latest injury was bad enough that it is expected to confine his mobility in the long-term.

While there has been much speculation that his in-ring career is coming to an end, multiple WWE sources believe that he could at least appear at WrestleMania events for years to come as long as he keeps himself in shape, is able to perform his signature maneuvers, and can work around his physical limitations.

Shall we start getting ready to see Triple H carry Taker through this match? This is starting to get pathetic, every year Taker is injured, and is less and less effective in the ring. They're hoping he "won't be severely limited for his match", so we should expect him to be somewhat limited? And on the "grandest stage of them all"?

I won't even comment on the thought of Taker showing up for WM only every year. He's old enough now, he's always injured, and he's not even in that great of shape.

Here's a wacky idea, how about Triple H addresses the Undertaker from Raw, and the Undertaker address Triple H from Smackdown? You know... their respective brands?

I never liked Benjamin, so I really don't care if he comes back or not. He was quite boring to me, actually.

Was anyone else just a tad bit creeped out when Cena said he was going to give The Rock a pearl necklace...?

Can Cena please cut the crap that he calls "rap"? It's not even rap, there's no flow at all. All he's doing is rhyming, and he struggles at that. Like the last time he "rapped" at Rock, instead of even coming up with a word that rhymes with "back", he just used it again. It's painful to watch, and it's even more painful that people are actually cheering for it, whether or not it's his li'l kid fans.

The WWE is denying the reports that Cyborg Santos was offered a contract. Oh well, I didn't think she fit into the WWE's "look" for Divas.

The Rock is never, ever going away again... however he won't be at Raw tomorrow due to his film schedule.

Is this Smackdown or a glorified Raw Rewind show? I'm tired of watching what happened on Raw every friday.

Apparently the WWE offered a contract to Strikeforce MMA fighter, Cristiane Santos, the #1 female fighter in the world. So the WWE goes from offering models whoever never even taken a karate class contracts to the top ranked MMA fighter. What a leap.

Not to mention, she doesn't look like your typical diva either:

So... another question for the WWE, when's Awesome Kong coming into the picture?

So, Alex Riley beat Cena? RAW went past 11:05, which is when my DVR stopped recording so I missed the end of the match... also, do you guys think a Rock-Cena pre-WM match is in the works for sometime over the next couple of weeks... loved seeing HHH deliver another Pedigree through the announcer's table.

Nah, Cena still won. After he laid Riley out with the FU... I mean "Attitude Adjustment", he tried to go out the door, but the Miz ran over and held it close. However, Cena used his steroi.... I mean strength to overpower Miz, that is until the Miz just let go of the door sending John flying outside to win the match and right into a Skull Crushing Finale.

I loved seeing Triple H back, but his promo sounded way too much like he's getting closer and closer to retirement. Regardless of whether or not it's time, or that the WWE would be better with him working behind the scenes than on screen, he's always been one of my favorites and it'd be sad to see my all-time favorite, Shawn Michaels, retire last year then Triple around a year later.

I wish Evan Bourne hadn't come back. I don't care if the kiddies like him, he's boring. Sorry, I called everything he was going to do before he did it. The Shooting Star Splash was cool with Kidman called it the Seven Year Itch. Maybe if he did more than throw 12 kicks, 3 punches, and elbow, then hit his finisher I'd be a bit more sold.

Regrettably, I didn't have enough time to get on the turnbuckles and do my Rock and Randy Orton poses.

I'm surprised that wasn't the first thing you did, Franny lol

Rey claims he has "a good number of years" left in him. Can't say I believe him. Cara said he doesn't know if he'll be on Smackdown or Raw, but I have a feeling he'll be on SD. Would be a better fit, and could go further faster than on Raw, since he won't have to compete with Super Cena and Orton for airtime.

Nice potbelly there, Mysterio.

Speaking of Mysterio, I love how some fans are saying Mistico or Sin Cara is copying Mysterio *shakes head* Good news is apparently the WWE sees main event talent in Cara, thankfully.

I know the 3-3-11 thing is most likely a jab at the WWE by TNA. However, it seems they didn't think it all the way through. Instead of it coming off as some sort of jab, it comes off as a tacky rip-off of 2-21-11.

Here's the 3-3-11 video for whoever didn't see it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr4ZiihRs10

Undertaker has less and less hair every time I see him. He just looks flat out old now, not older, just old. Oh well, I was ecstatic to see Triple H return, first time in a long time I actually cheered at home. I kept saying I hope he returned before March 21st so I can see him at Raw, and it seems I got my wish.

It really irritates me how they've handled Sheamus. Built him up, won the WWE Title in six months, took out Triple H.... then he starts losing to Santino and Mark Henry (who can't win a match to save his life).

I have watched the standoff between Taker/HHH a few times and I have come to several conclusions.

1) Undertaker is OLD and needs to RETIRE. I thought it wouldn't be possible to reach the stage of Flair and Hogan even before you retired but Undertaker has reached that.

2) Most people were expecting Sting or at least those who didn't want to believe the rumors that Sting has had no contact with the WWE and when it was Undertaker.... well nobody really cared since he has returned over a billion times. I read that the WWE was upset with the reaction Taker got compared to HHH who got a bigger reaction. Vince dude, it's great to have Taker back for his WM feud but everyone knew he would come back at some point to get ready for his WM feud, now for HHH absolutely nobody expected that. HHH was rumored to return all last year but he never did, and so nobody was expecting him back... Cue Motorhead and a returning HHH and everyone is shocked. People knew Undertaker was the 2.21.11 figure which was why he didn't get a good reaction compared to HHH who showed up out of the blue.

3) The Deadman Gimmick can not work no more at Undertaker's age. A few years ago if I met him and he was in character I would somewhat be afraid but now I wouldn't be scared. Looking back at the moment Taker took his hat off, even he had a look on his face that looked like he was thinking "what the hell am I doing here." Plus I'm pretty sure he was upset to about his reaction. Quite frankly the only thing that might have saved this 2.21.11 promo is if they opened the cabin door and you saw the cloak and boots and all the deadman gimmick gear on the ground and he returned as the ABA and came out on his bike.

Exactly. Taker is just no longer intimidating or opposing. His hair's thinning quite noticeably, he went from having definition in his chest to sagging pecs, and it seems as if he just can't keep his eyes in the back of his head for long anymore.

Looks like Taker will be back at 10.

Oh man, I actually did forget about CM Sucks. That wasn't even the least bit clever.

Cena tries to do corny humor like The Rock, but only Rock can pull off a corny line and make it sound cool. His comedic timing is unparalleled in the history of the business. From an opponent's kayfabe perspective, he can make you laugh and piss you off with the same line.

Even Rock on a bad day with his most basic of catchphrases, is better than 90% of the industry. He mailed it in for a good portion of 2000-2001 and he still delivered promos that have people in awe today.

The Rock also doesn't feel the need to yell every other word to try to increase the "impact" of what he's saying. Cena's humor isn't even "corny" it's just extremely juvenile. Oh boy, Sheamus is pale, so calling him a human jar of mayonnaise should be hilarious.

Trish is open to wrestling another match and there is talk of a Trish/Kelly Kelly vs Lay-Cool match at WM 27. Personally I like the idea of Trish wrestling but I sort of want to be Trish & Lita vs Lay-Cool.

Also what is interesting is that on some Guides for tonight's Raw it says "Why 2-21-11?" I can confirm that on my guide it says "Elimination Chamber Results; Why 2-21-11?" and I have Direct TV.

Yeah, I have Direct TV also and saw that. I'm not getting my hopes up, simply as it's just a guide, and there's no real in depth knowledge when it comes to their summaries and info. The WWE is still trying to play it off as not being the Undertaker. Their latest FaceBook update says :"Who or what is coming out of the darkness tonight?"