Posted in: Mr. Tito
RAW is Tito - Full Review & Grade - Was the 1st RAW of 2012 a "Game Changer"?
By Mr. Tito
Jan 2, 2012 - 11:39:52 PM

CONTACT MR. TITO - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: @titowrestling - Join LoPForums.com: Feedback Thread

--------------------

No NFL on tonight, no more excuses for Monday Night RAW.

To start, let's talk about It Begins... After much speculation by the Internet Wrestling Community, as I didn't take the bait on this one, it turns out that the promos were for the returning Chris Jericho. I think his Tweets about never wrestling for the WWE "ever again" were a giveaway. I held out some hope that it could be the Undertaker, but I think they'll hold him out for Wrestlemania time. Taker made quite an effective return last year before Wrestlemania 27.

Jericho came out and said nothing... Just played up the Memphis crowd. Many will criticize this segment or use of Jericho, hoping for a promo instead... In all honestly, I don't care... For one, Chris Jericho is BACK. It's much needed superstar depth to the WWE roster especially at a time when two key pieces are out with injury (Alberto Del Rio, Randy Orton). Secondly, Jericho not getting on the mic this week makes you anticipate what he'll say next week, right?

Thus, I'm FINE with the Jericho return. I'll be curious to hear what he says next week or which wrestler he'll go after. Gives me something to look forward to for next week...

I was sweating for a moment that the "It Begins" was actually for Brodus Clay. Phew!

Am I living in the 1990's WWE or what? Sorry, but wrestlers having the ability to control fire and tearing through the ring is hardly the reality of what wrestling has evolved or should evolve towards. Why can't the WWE just have Kane walk down to the ring and kick somebody's ass because he's nearly 7 foot tall and can. The stupid promo from last week and how the magician stuff this week with Kane tearing through the ring and then making fire come out of the ring... Come on, man!

Very rushed Main Event that didn't serve much purpose other than, I guess, giving us a Zack Ryder vs. Jack Swagger U.S. Title feud...

Phew! CM Punk escapes this RAW while remaining WWE Champion but the match's result hurts Punk with Dolph Ziggler winning via countout. WWE has NEVER been clear about whether a Countout does or does not constitute a title switch and Cole/Lawler did a poor job of explaining whether Zigger won the WWE Title or not. It just pains me to see CM Punk feuding with John Laurinaitis, as this feud should have happened after the Money in the Bank Pay Per View and not 5 months later when the iron isn't as hot.

By the way, I couldn't help but notice that CM Punk, the WWE Champion, came out first for his match against Ziggler. Last time I checked, it was regular tradition that the Champion comes out second to the ring. More fine details missed by the WWE these days...

Good to see the Smackdown World Champion, Daniel Bryan, taking on the Intercontinental Title Champion, Cody Rhodes as just a random match on RAW. HELLO, these are your champions of a brand wrestling! HYPE THE DAMN MATCH AHEAD OF TIME. You wonder why WWE fans take neither wrestler seriously, and ditto for the rest of the roster who are poorly marketed by the WWE Creative Team.

Speaking of the WWE Creative Team, can someone explain to me how a RAW wrestler, the Miz, can even wrestle a Smackdown wrestler, Sheamus? How does that happen? The brand extension still exists and each wrestler works on a different set of Title Belts. Ditto for Wade Barrett vs. Santino. Opposite brands. It's missing fine details like this is what hurts the credibility of the WWE and actually trying to have 2 separate brands.

By the way, the creative geniuses are giving us Big Show vs. Daniel Bryan for FREE on Smackdown. There's no need to save that for a Pay Per View, no way!

I was able to see some Bella Twins use some Twin switcheroo action tonight, so not all is lost. Nice moonsault by Eve Torres tonight, by the way... Curious, what ever happened to that awesome Divas of Doom duo that was supposed to take Women's wrestling by storm?

LAST WORD: Just a poorly booked show by the WWE Creative team, aside from making us want more from Jericho for next week. Lack of hype for matches, continued RAW/Smackdown brand split confusion, and poor 1990's magic rehashed with Kane... This show was a mess and a weak start for 2012. Enjoy the 3.0 rating, WWE, as you just pissed away a great opportunity to boost your television fanbase. C+ for the grade.

So just chill... Till the next episode!

CONTACT MR. TITO - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: @titowrestling - Join LoPForums.com: Feedback Thread

BLOG is TITO Archive on LoPForums.com

© Mr. Tito 1998 - 2011