It’s almost time for another episode of Monday Night Raw, and I’m filled with the same sort of apprehensive excitement I am every week. Last weeks episodes of Raw and Smackdown left countless questions in my mind and across the card, so without any hesitation, let’s get right to business.
The Evolution of Team Authority & Team Cena
The main event scene is particularly combustible at the moment. With the WWE World Heavyweight champion on a limited schedule, creative members have had the daunting duty of making something new out of the same ingredients they’ve been given for years. As I stated in a previous article, I fully expect Team Cena to feature the usual series of fan favorites such as the Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler and the Uso’s. Speculation has arisen across the IWC as to whether Randy Orton would be competing on behalf of The Authority, or if he makes the full turn and joins Cena. I think tonight we see the seeds of sabotage continuing to be sewn by Triple H and Stephanie. I can’t conceive an organic scenario in which the members of Team Cena are introduced. So I expect more of the same. More of the Ziggler torture, and maybe the Authority puts the former tag team champions Jimmy and Jey in an impossible match type because of their former alliance with Cena. What might come of these “punishment matches” are superstars with their own scores to settle against the Authority. I know it’s highly unlikely, but how awesome would it be if with one spot left on Team Authority, the night of the Survivor Series, Brock Lesnar’s music hits. And the champion is the ringer on this team of heels standing across from Cena. Never going to happen, but that my friends, is called “fantasy booking”.
Randy Orton starring in “Let’s Try Again”
It seems as though it’s time for yet another Randy Orton face turn, a move that almost always falls short and leads the Legend Killer back to his villainous ways. I think the reason for the continued failure of “Good Guy Randy” is that it’s always stretched too far to the limits of pandering to the audience. Randy Orton has always had an edge, whether it be in the ring, on the mic, or backstage sh*tting in purses. That guy just isn’t believable when he makes the complete 180 to fan favorite. To draw upon a prime example, Orton should take his cue from former WWF wrestler “Bad News” Brown. A carefree loner who didn’t care who cheered him, didn’t mind who he had to hurt, a man who’s only focus was on winning matches. Orton doesn’t need to change the dialogue he delivers, but allow his actions in the ring to speak for his character outside. Hopefully we don’t get the full swap tonight or anytime, really. It needs to be a gradual process that begins with mending ways with the Authority after last week. Then week after week of subtle clues, until finally we’re at the Scottrade Center for the Series, one member missing from each team and Orton is the last member of Team Cena.
The United States/Russian Heavyweight Title
Anything Rusev touches seems to be turning to gold. His feuds with two of the most boring members of the roster became two of my favorite couple of programs in recent months. Which is why I’m amped to see what he can do with the United States Champion. On the one hand, we won’t be getting the Sheamus-heel turn I’ve been hoping for, but we will get a combination of styles that could compliment one another very well. When the day comes that Rusev takes the US belt from Sheamus, I think he’ll do what so many of us hope, and that’s to christen it the “Russian Federation Championship”. Tonight should see a clean win for Sheamus over somebody not unlike Titus O’Neil, and a dominant sweep per usual for Rusev, resulting in yet another anti-American promo by Lana. This United States title angle is gold. Wait… Angle…. Gold…. United States? Wishful thinking, I know.
The Continuing Saga of Ambrose & Wyatt
This story enchants me because it harkens back to anytime Steve Austin was feuding with the Undertaker. Unlike most combatants, Stone Cold didn’t bat an eye at the manipulative mind games played by the Dead Man. He was focused on the bigger picture and was willing to do anything to get through the Undertaker. Well that’s what we have with Bray and Dean so to speak. I won’t say that either man is the second coming of the aforementioned Legends, but there are most certainly similarities in their character and even in the way this tale is being told. Bray Wyatt made his return with what was perhaps the most dastardly display of psycological warfare we’ve seen from the third generation superstar. But the Lunatic Fringe made it clear on Raw the next night that he isn’t going to let all of the smoke and mirrors that are commonplace with Wyatt distract him from his ultimate goals. I’m interested to see how this proceeds as both characters are presumed loners at this point, something we haven’t seen much of from Bray Wyatt.
Nikki, Brie and the Trials of Cinderbella
Well we can of course expect more of the same slapstick hijinx we’ve seen this past week, which began at the Hell in a Cell pay per view. I don’t really care, to be honest. I just hope this entire month isn’t dedicated to this ridiculousness, and that it’s leading to a larger role Brie is forced to play to benefit Nikki. While neither Bella is outstanding in the ring, it can be argued that Brie is a bit better. I predict Nikki will force Brie to wrestle the match against AJ that Nikki won in the Halloween Costume Battle Royal, Brie will win the match and the title for Nikki. If it happens at the ‘Series, the “slave” stipulation would be through by Raw and could lead to Brie challenging her sister for the title that rightfully belongs to her. It’s happened before, superstars winning titles for other superstars. I can recall Randy Orton winning a best of 7 series for the US Title against Chris Benoit on behalf of Booker T, so the precedent has been set. As for tonight? I don’t know. Probably more of the same spilling drinks and whatnot.
There are other elements of Raw, for sure. But I cant make any heads or tales on Stardust if there is not one single program going on in the tag division. And I refuse to comment on Mark Henry and the Big Show because it’s a tired story with a weak premise that’s only going on because Rusev is doing something else now. Not much else, except I’m excited to see if Paul Heyman starts showing his face in the next couple of weeks. For now, just a few short hours until we hear Michael Cole’s angelic voice tell us how we’re missing out on a free month of the WWE Network. And white ropes, I forgot about the white ropes! The end of October means the WWE is done with the pink ropes. Not to sound callous, but aren’t the constant mentions of Susan G Komen and the promos by Hulk Hogan about “Komenmania” enough without having to change the color of the ring ropes, thus making any October pay per view the “pink per view”? Maybe it’s just me. I’m actually pretty excited for what the month of November has to offer. With the WWE Network being free, one has to assume that the main event and card of Survivor Series will have to be stacked in a way that it hasn’t been in previous years. We’ll at least have a better idea of what’s in store for the fall classic after tonight’s episode, and I’ll see you later sith my thoughts on everything Raw.
