I sat down on three or four separate occasions today with the intention of putting my thoughts to paper in regard to last night’s Survivor Series. It seems as though every time I start typing, I am immediately inclined to talk about the main event and the debut of Sting. The event as a whole was rather average, to be honest. The Tag Team 4-Way was perhaps my favorite undercard match. I was admitedly let down by Bray Wyatt and Dean Ambrose; I hadn’t expected much, but this match served as little more than to advertise next month’s TLC pay-per-view. So rather than citing the same old stories you’re going to read on every website, I opted not to do a post-Series review, and rather dedicate myself to this evening’s Highlight of the Night Countdown. So without further ado, let’s start off with Moment #5….
5. The Big Show Screwed the Big Show
For lack of a better place to start on an otherwise docile three hours of professional wrestling, number five on our countdown is the Big Show’s happy-faced explanation regarding his actions at the Survivor Series. Just 24-hours prior, ‘Show turned on John Cena in what he described as a split-second decision based on what he felt was his only option. Going into the Big Show’s promo I joked, “Wouldn’t it be funny if he just came out and apologized?” And in essence that’s what he did. He did all he could to sway the thousands in attendance to his side, but failed to do so and reverted to the angry Giant he becomes every several months. As the Big Show beckoned a challenger to come forth through the curtain, I hadn’t imagined who it might be. I figured we would be spoonfed another John Cena showdown with the Big Show, but was pleasantly surprised once I heard the eerie tones that told me Erick Rowan was about to enter the arena. I’m not shocked that Rowan is playing the gentle giant that hates bullies, and I can only hope he has more success with it than did some other talented workers in the past. The Big Show’s condescending remarks were out right hysterical–he’s a talented actor, especially when he tries his humongous hand at comedy. I’m not so sure that, “Knucklehead” was a good film, but I’ve always been impressed with the smiles that Big Show can render just from being himself. A well-rounded segment–almost as well-rounded as Erick Rowan’s roundhouse kick. This guy is continuing to impress me everytime he steps inside the squared circle.
4. The Pledge of Allegiance
In terms of booking, Daniel Bryan went rather easy on the United States Champion Rusev and his sultry sidekick Lana. He proposed that instead of defending his title in a battle royal, Rusev and Lana need only recite the Pledge of Allegiance in front of the capacity crowd. Proving to be too much for the Russian nationalists, Sgt. Slaughter was called into action to lead these two “maggots” in showing their respect to the Stars and Stripes. I’m always happy to see Legends and Hall of Famer’s come back to make cameos, but once they were halfway through the Pledge, I knew Rusev wasn’t about to stand for much more from the former G.I. Joe. While I’m not exactly sure how invested I should be in Jack Swagger, it was good to see the Real American hit the ring alongside Zeb, both on Raw and during the Survivor Series preshow. Hopefully his momentum can help propel him into a more substantial program that will in turn elevate him to where I feel he should be.
3. Something Something Sexually Transmitted
I’m not sure what to think about the new dynamic developing between the Bella Twins. No matter what might be in the works, I’m happy to see the Diva’s belt with Nikki. It’s hard to place what I don’t like about AJ Lee. Maybe it’s that I’m not a fan of women who run around telling anyone who’ll listen how unlike other women they are. “Oh look at me! I read comic books! I play video games! I watch wrestling! I’m not a regular girl!” This is 2014, where a vast percentage of Comic Con patrons are female. You’re not going to sell me on some tomboy chick schtick. I feel she also has too many mannerisms that are easy to associate with her husband, which I suppose isn’t really her fault. They work so well for him–why not copy them? I thought the “pipe bomb” that AJ dropped at the end of the match was rather interesting, despite my X-PAC level of hatred for her. The WWE seems to be pushing the boundaries as of recent in regard to language bordering on the profane. What remained most captivating about what AJ had to say were the kernels of reality nestled into the otherwise scripted promo. I believe that AJ could be resentful toward the Bella’s and where their careers have gone as a result of Total Divas and perhaps even from being in relationships with top stars. Although I’m not sure about the latter. I’ll say that I’m at least somewhat optimistic about the direction of this program. It quickly became the most interesting Diva’s rivalry I can remember in quite some time.
2. Yes! Yes! Yes!
I’ve been down on Daniel Bryan since before his injury. I suppose it began when he started teaming with Kane; I just don’t appreciate the direction that Brian Danielson has gone since the beginning of the “Yes Movement.” Regardless of how he’s been booked, it’s always good to see any athlete return from injury, even if it’s just for one night. He stumbled with a few words during his opening repartee with the fallen members of Team Authority, but ultimately I enjoyed everything that Bryan brought to the show this evening. I was happy with the “punishments” Daniel handed down, especially forcing Kane to sell concessions, which proved to be some of the funniest segments of the entire night. I’m not sure what the latest prognosis is in regards to when we might see Bryan in the ring again, but given his recent string of unfortunate circumstances, I’m hopeful it will be sooner than TOO LATE.
1. May I Have Your Attention Please
Argue with me if you must, but as far as I can tell the biggest moment from this episode of Monday Night Raw was the final few moments when Michael Cole stood up to read a brand new email from the “Anonymous General Manager.” If I recall correctly, the Anonymous GM turned out to be Hornswoggle. I don’t perceive this computerized general manager angle going farther than next week, but if it does, what might we expect from Michael Cole? It appeared even within a few seconds of answering the message he became drunk with power once again. Might that play into the very near future of the WWE? I happen to think that Raw is going to go through a transitional phase without any sort of finite leadership at least until we’ve made it through TLC which is only three weeks away. I predict an Anonymous General Manager this week, maybe John Laurinitis and People Power the next. Perhaps the return of Vickie Guerrero or Teddy Long for an episode of Smackdown. They could continue the “Guest Authority” gimmick through the holidays; we might not know who the new person-in-power is until 2015. But as with anything else, I could be wrong and if I am then I look forward to what might be on the horizon as far as GM’s, anonymous or otherwise.
This was a decently-constructed 3-hours of Monday Night Raw. The opening segment with The Authority and Daniel Bryan was immensely entertaining, though I’m not sure it needed to go for half an hour, as it spanned across a commercial and seemed to last forever, serving no ultimate purpose. This show had even less wrestling than last week, yet still managed to tell a compelling-enough story that kept me from switching the channel. Tonight was hopefully another step in the right direction as we turn the page and slowly start to close the book on the Reality Era. Until next week, I’m Mark Haggerty and this has been The Highlight of the Night!
