PWTORCH.COM
VIP SIGN-UP JUMP TO VIP
CONTACT US VISIT MMA TORCH




Select Next Article by Category



WE ARE A PROUD UGO AFFILIATE SINCE 1999

 




Pro Wrestling Illustrated

Support Our Sponsor: PWI!

===========================

CHECK OUT OUR AFFILIATE WRESTLING NEWS SITE - THE FASTEST GROWING PRO WRESTLING SITE IN 2008! (click on logo)

prowrestling.NET




The Specialists
3/3 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Triple Threat Takeover, Highlight Reel, Ademle, Finlay, Main Event
Mar 4, 2008 - 2:22:29 PM


Email This Article- Contact Us - VIP Sign-Up - Back to Home Page

| subscribe to this feed

By Jon Mezzera, Torch Specialist

RAW HITS

Triple Threat Takeover: A very up and down Raw got off to a good start as William Regal announced the Triple Threat Takeover. I like that John Cena, Triple H and Randy Orton will be given a chance to run Raw for the next few weeks. All three played their parts well. Orton was great in trying to strike up a deal. It made perfect sense given his character. Triple H’s response made perfect sense as well, as he obviously can’t trust Orton. Cena was good in putting all that talk to rest and reminding the audience of what has happened the last few weeks. His scene later in the show with Regal was strong and he made two matches that I was looking forward to seeing. WWE could have done better making it clear whether these guys get control over all of Raw, or just what happens with the other two. Next week we have a WrestleMania Rewind special 3 hour Raw (which I am looking forward to), but either Triple H or Orton will be in charge, which is a little confusing. However, I still like the concept and the execution so far.

Big Show Tosses Hill: After his silly MMA exhibition, during his argument via satellite with Floyd Mayweather, Big Show gave the best moment on this week’s Raw. While bickering with Mayweather, Big Show picked up his fallen opponent, Brandon “The Thrill” Hill and tossed him over the top rope. I loved that for two reasons. One, it looked cool as the camera angle added to the effect as Hill totally dropped out of sight. Two, Big Show did it in the middle of a sentence as if it was the most natural thing in the world. I loved how it didn’t break up the argument. It just happened in the middle of it.

Michaels-Flair: When Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair came to the ring for their tag match, I commented that it will be hard to hype Michaels vs. Flair at WrestleMania for the next four weeks as Michaels and Flair won’t be trying to hurt each other before their big match. I didn’t know how WWE would build to the match with so many Raws to go. But, WWE seems to know what they are doing. After last week when Michaels agreed to face Flair, I assumed that was the end of the discussion. It was good to see the discussion continue this week. Michaels’ second thoughts on the match worked well and fit the storyline. I liked that Flair didn’t talk afterwards. It makes sense when hit with something unexpected that you wouldn’t know what to say right away. It also creates anticipation to see what Flair will say to Michaels next week.

Highlight Reel: I enjoyed the return of the Highlight Reel. Chris Jericho’s rundown of the various real and fake WWE talk shows was fun (“Are You Smarter Than a Snitsky” has potential). Jericho was good throughout, as was Jeff Hardy. Hardy has never been great on the mic, but he can deliver in these types of situations when he isn’t asked to cut long promos. The end with the surprise Twist of Fate was strong. After Jericho vs. Hardy last week, I would love to see more of them in the ring, and they did a good build to that with the Highlight Reel.

Playboy Cover Reveal: This was the best Playboy cover reveal in WWE history, because of one man, Santino Marella. The reveal with Santino’s face plastered on the cover was laugh out loud funny. Santino was pretty funny in his appearance. He got in classic Santino lines, like when he asked Maria about her “timing of the month” and when he said that the men who want to see Maria in Playboy will have “an erectile dysfunction.” I had some problems with this segment. Maria’s fun former ditzy character was totally gone and in its place was a generic WWE Diva strong feminist character who won’t let any man tell her what to do. I also don’t particularly need to see another Santino and Jerry Lawler feud. So while there was a lot to like about this segment, there was some not to like as well, making this just a marginal Hit.

Main Event: Orton vs. Triple H was a good t.v. Main Event. It was short and ended in a DQ, but WWE didn’t want to give too much away for free so that makes sense. It was a nice tease for the WrestleMania Main Event. Orton and Triple H put on a good match before in got interrupted. Cena was good doing guest commentary. The end was great as Cena gave Triple H an FU, then got hit by an RKO by Orton. WWE continues to do a good job hyping this match.

RAW MISSES

Cena vs. Kennedy: This is a marginal Miss as what we saw of the match was not bad. There was some good action, and the match told a nice story as Mr. Kennedy worked on Cena’s neck. But, WWE has been doing a good job of building up Kennedy lately and this was a step back. I was intrigued that he ended Raw on top last week. But, this week he lost clean. He had momentum that is totally gone now. Plus, the match was only about 9 minutes and after a commercial we only saw about 6 of those minutes. Down the line, Kennedy vs. Cena could be a PPV match, maybe even a PPV Main Event. But, it will be hard to sell that after this match.

MIB Qualifier: After complaining about a lack of a Money in the Bank qualifier on Smackdown after so many on Raw in my Smackdown Hits & Misses last week, I must complain about having this match this week. Now we have had four qualifiers on Raw and only one on Smackdown. If there are only six men in Money in the Bank, then Smackdown is only going to have one representative. If there are eight as has been rumored, then there is still time to add some from Smackdown, but they better start soon and this better be it for Raw. The match itself, Carlito vs. Cody Rhodes was actually a good 4 minute match. That’s the best Rhodes has looked in a WWE ring. But, WWE has to rethink how they use the qualifiers next year.

Mayweather Interview: I didn’t mind the early argument between Big Show and Mayweather. It wasn’t great, it went on too long and started to drag, but it had its moments. I appreciate how it felt more real than many of the over-scripted arguments we see in WWE. I didn’t like it enough to give it a Hit, but the fact that it felt different than what we usually see kept it out of the Miss column. However, the same can’t be said for Mayweather’s interview with Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler later in the show. The first appearance was all that was needed and Mayweather didn’t do a good job in the interview. He repeated himself way too much. He didn’t seem to actually answer any of the questions. Why is WWE so insistent on scripting its own proven talent, but seem to not script Mayweather? While I liked the spontaneous feel, a little scripting would have helped it from becoming so redundant. Mayweather still comes off as a heel, and I’m not really sure how WWE feels about that.

Mike Ademle: This guy has to go. He sounded like a buffoon introducing the Hall of Fame inductees. He is terrible. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Give it up already.

Finlay Segment: This was the biggest disappointment of the night. After last week’s intriguing development in the Finlay, McMahon and Hornswoggle saga, WWE followed up with a bad segment this week. Last week, John Bradshaw Layfield said that he had proof that Finlay was Hornswoggle’s father and promised to force Finlay to admit it. That gave the impression that the truth would come out down the line with some fireworks in the mean time. Instead, Finlay admitted to everything without a fuss. What happened to JBL’s proof? I guess he didn’t need to force Finlay to do anything. This was such a let down. The segment got off to a bad start with Finlay’s horrible new music and kept going downhill from there. This should make Finlay a heel as he took advantage of his son for financial gain. That doesn’t make me want to cheer for him the way I have been lately. JBL’s beating of Hornswoggle in the cheesy hospital room was unnecessary. And, what ever happened to the deal between Finlay and McMahon? That angle appears to have been dropped. This was disappointing from top to bottom.

Jon Mezzera is PWTorch.com's Hits & Misses Specialist, providing his point of view for Raw, Smackdown, ECW, and TNA Impact each week. Email him at jmezz-torch@sbcglobal.net.

For more BREAKING NEWS on WWE, TNA, ROH
visit our co-affiliate: JASON POWELL'S PROWRESTLING.NET

REACT TO THIS STORY IN OUR FREE PWTORCH FORUM

PWTORCH VIP SIGN-UP INFO - NO ADS, EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

| subscribe to this feed

The Specialists
Latest Articles by Category
Smackdown Storylines and Feuds - Triple H helps Edge ruin his own wedding, plus a full rundown of the other feuds
7/21 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Opening, Jericho, PPV Follow Up, Santino and Beth
Nostalgia Review: WWF Wrestlefest 1988: Hogan vs. Andre in a Cage; Brown vs. Hart; Rude vs. Roberts; Ultimate Warrior vs. Heenan
PARKER'S PENNY THOUGHTS: MONDAY: 7/21 : Disco Inferno’s Latest Blog Full of Contradictions and Ineptitude
ECW Storylines and Feuds - More on Mark Henry's and Tony Atlas's characters, plus the Chavo-Bourne feud
Raw Storylines and Feuds - Complete overview of the feuds including Punk-Batista, Cena-JBL, and Y2J-HBK
PARKER'S PENNY THOUGHTS: FRIDAY: 7/18: Is Ric Flair the Savior of wwe.com?
7/17 TNA Impact Hits & Misses: Joe-Booker, Beer Money, Kaz, Treatment of Women, Stretcher Match
7/15 WWE ECW Hits & Misses: Opening, Bourne, Main Event, Cena-JBL Replay
PARKER'S PENNY THOUGHTS: WEDNESDAY- 7/16: Live observations from last night’s Smackdown/ECW Tapings
Smackdown Storylines and Feuds - The Edge-Vickie storyline with a "Fatal Attraction" twist
7/14 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: HBK - Y2J, Kane, Cena's Promo, Main Event, JBL Tries to Kill Cena

(c) 1999-2008 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.

Latest Free Podcasts
PWTorch Free Podcast
FREE PODCAST: Excerpt of "The Audio Experience" with Dusty & Eric (07-17-08)
FREE PWTORCH PODCAST: TNA Victory Road PPV Audio Roundtable with Keller, Mitchell, McNeill
FREE PODCAST: UFC PPV Analysis (Rampage vs. Forrest) in-depth with MMATorch's Shawn Ennis and John Taylor
FREE PODCAST: PWTorch editor Wade Keller's in-depth reaction to the June 30 Raw, Punk's win, New Faces Pushed
FREE PODCAST: Keller and Mitchell analyze the monumental WWE Draft on Monday (6-25-08)
FREE PODCAST: Daily Keller Hotline with in-depth analysis and reaction to Raw (6-16-08)


PWTORCH READER POLL

JBL attempting to crush John Cena with a car at the end of Raw was...
A totally off the charts great idea!
A cool idea, depending on the follow-up.
Eh. Just one of those over-the-top WWE angles.
Bad idea. Groan inducing, actually.
One of the worst finishes to Raw ever.
  


VOTE IN OR SEE RESULTS OF PREVIOUS POLLS

UPCOMING EVENTS LISTING

Articles Grouped by Category
Torch Today
TORCH NEWS TICKER 7/23: WWE going PG, Zbyszko critiques TNA, Morgan on WWE vs. TNA, Tuesday news
TORCH NEWS TICKER 7/20: Bash PPV preview, CW prez upsets critics, Punk interview, title belt process detailed
New Volunteer Contributors Wanted: Apply this week to be part of PWTorch.com!
WWE News
Interview Highlights: Ted DiBiase talks about his book, business philosophy, trainers, JBL comparisons, Ultimate Warrior
7/15 WWE in Charlotte, N.C.: Complete Smackdown taping report including tag partners facing off
Ratings News: ECW ratings hold steady, headlined with the Hardys, up against Major League Baseball All-Star Game (w/Keller's Analysis)
TNA News
7/15 TNA Impact tapings in Orlando, Fla.: Victory Road follow-up, Cornette addresses Booker-Joe controversy
TNA Impact Ratings: Final Impact before Victory Road draws strong final 30 minute rating for final PPV hype (w/Keller Analysis)
Interview Highlights: Booker T discusses his time in TNA, Sunday's PPV main event, retirement thoughts, more
ROH News
ROH News: Lance Storm interview on working with ROH wrestlers and injuries in pro wrestling
ROH News: ROH to continue on PPV, Lance Storm returns to ROH, KOCH DVD update
Torch Indy Weekend Report: Balls vs. Abyss, Lynn, Strong & Evans in PWG, Danny Havoc in CZW
Other News
Torch Indy Weekend Report: Bagwell, Murdock, Dave Taylor, Mahoney, Vito
Interview Highlights: Jesse Ventura announces whether he will run for Senate this year on CNN's Larry King Live tonight (w/Keller Analysis)
Torch Indy Weekend Report: Black over Lynn in AAW, Castagnoli, Delirious in Chikara, Basham, ODB
PPV Reports
KELLER'S WWE GREAT AMERICAN BASH PPV REPORT 7/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV
RADICAN'S BLOG OF CONSCIENCE: WWE Great American Bash 7/20
CALDWELL'S WWE GREAT AMERICAN BASH REPORT 7/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV
TV Reports
CALDWELL'S ECW TV REPORT 7/22: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of WWE's Sci-Fi show
KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 7/21: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live show
CALDWELL'S WWE RAW REPORT 7/21: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live USA Network broadcast
Arena Reports
7/19 TNA in Monroe: Machismo vs. Dutt, Petey vs. Kaz, LAX vs. Guns, Styles vs. Angle, Tomko vs. Christian
7/14 WWE Smackdown in Ashville, N.C.: Michelle McCool & Cherry vs. Victoria & Maryse, Jeff Hardy vs. Edge, Khali vs. Bourne
7/15 TNA Impact tapings in Orlando, Fla.: Victory Road follow-up, Cornette addresses Booker-Joe controversy
MMA / UFC Coverage
Torch MMA Rankings, California's MMA Rules, Vera Makes Claim, Victor Belford, Machida, UFC PPV
Torch coverage of Rampage Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin, plus Brandon Vera Exclusive Interview, more!
UFC News: Dana White reveals major announcement regarding UFC - full story and analysis
KELLER'S TAKE
KELLER: An overhaul is in order for Raw before ratings drop further - several specific suggestions
KELLER: McMahon Returns for That? Nothing Funnier than a DUI! Let Me Shift So You Can Hit Me!
A KELLER SHORT: Should Mr. Kennedy be a babyface; coffee shop eavesdropping
MITCHELL'S TAKE
MITCHELL'S MEMO: A Prayer For The Business - Michaels delivers profound message during Jericho promo
A MITCHELL SHORT: More Important Info Regarding The WWE McMahon Million Dollar Giveaway
MITCHELL: TNA's Grass Roots Approach To House Shows
MCNEILL'S TAKE
Move To The Music: McNEILL previews WWE's Great American Bash!
Fans' Revenge: McNEILL previews TNA Victory Road!
Paul, I Can't Feel My Legs: McNEILL previews Night of Champions!
CALDWELL'S TAKE
CORNER CUBE WEDNESDAY 7/23 - ECW, where have you been all my life?
CORNER CUBE MONDAY 7/21 - Understanding WWE's method to the Cena-JBL madness
CORNER CUBE THURSDAY 7/17 - "Bigger, Stronger, Faster*" review: Most-important movie you'll see this year
RADICAN'S TAKE
TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/23: McGuinness & Jericho setting standard for heels in 2008
DEJ's Kevin: Covering Pro Wrestling Ohio - The Ladder Match for the Heirloom Swords Part I
TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/21: The man who talks poopy and defies fire can’t escape the windshield of doom!
The Specialists
Smackdown Storylines and Feuds - Triple H helps Edge ruin his own wedding, plus a full rundown of the other feuds
7/21 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Opening, Jericho, PPV Follow Up, Santino and Beth
Nostalgia Review: WWF Wrestlefest 1988: Hogan vs. Andre in a Cage; Brown vs. Hart; Rude vs. Roberts; Ultimate Warrior vs. Heenan
Guest Editorials
EDITORIAL: The latest TNA PPV is probably a prime example of why I don't buy their PPVs
EDITORIAL: John Cena Needs to Turn Heel - A.S.A.P.
WWE Raw Reax #2: "Why wasn't Triple H a little upset for McMahon throwing Flair out the building?"
Torch Feedback
WWE ECW Reax #1: "Wow, I can't remember the last time I was happy and entertained by ECW."
WWE Raw Reax #2: "For the first time since the Monday Night War era, the WWE is successfully creating unpredictable television on a weekly basis."
WWE Raw Reax #1: "Jericho is easily the most interesting heel either TNA or WWE have had in a long time."
Ask the Editor
Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not?
ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"?
ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"?
DVDs - VGames - Books
WEEKEND DVD SPOTLIGHT: SHIMMER Vol. 18 (Kong-Busic,Del Rey-MsChif)
RADICAN: Al Snow discusses his wrestling career, philosophy, time in OVW, and more in new interview
DVD Review: ROH "Glory By Honor VI, N2" with Kenta vs. Misawa, 110307
Torch Flashbacks
KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (7-17-08): Cena attacks Taker, plus Benoit, Angle, Eddie, Rhyno, Lesnar, Zach Gowen, Sable
FREE - PWTORCH NEWSLETTER BACK ISSUE (PDF Format): Foley Torch Talk, Kane mess, Cornette compliments, Bret on Montreal
KELLER'S TNA REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (7-16-03): Russo vs. D-Lo main events show, plus Raven, Sabin, Jarrett, Justin, Kaz, Sting
VIP Exclusive Features
VIP East Coast Audio Debut: Travis & Bardre ECW Post-Show Wrap-Up (25 min.)
DEJ Audio Experience: Bash Rundown, Raw Fallout, Sandman Problems, McCarthy, Ryder/Hawkins (80 min.)
7/14 WWF Raw Audio Analysis: Caldwell & Penick discuss Raw, Santino-Beth, Jericho's Greatness (44 min.)
Torch Trivia
Torch Trivia: How much do you know about The Great American Bash?
Torch Trivia: How much do you know about wrestling's vehicular assaults?
Torch Trivia: How much do you know about multiple-man matches?
Torch Instant Polls
POLL: JBL attempting to crush John Cena with a car at the end of Raw was or was not a good idea?
PWTORCH POLL: Who was the MVP of the June 30 episode of WWE Raw? Punk? Batista? Edge? Ross? Jericho?...
POLL: Which person's career was likely hurt the most by being drafted?
PWTorch Free Podcast
FREE PODCAST: Excerpt of "The Audio Experience" with Dusty & Eric (07-17-08)
FREE PWTORCH PODCAST: TNA Victory Road PPV Audio Roundtable with Keller, Mitchell, McNeill
FREE PODCAST: UFC PPV Analysis (Rampage vs. Forrest) in-depth with MMATorch's Shawn Ennis and John Taylor
Annual Obituaries
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade...
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart