An exceptionally good RAW with an ending that dragged on forever until Daniel Bryan finally saved it. I must admit though Brooklyn to me just seemed to be trying to copy the New Jersey crowd from the RAW after 'Mania.
Anyway the show opened with Brad Maddox who I've said many a time is great. His arrogance, attitude and all round mannerisms have me in stitches. He really could be the greatest GM of RAW of all time. Unfortunately though within about five minutes of him hitting the ring, Cena got involved and tried to crack a joke that failed miserably. Why does he still try it? Maddox gives Cena free range for SummerSlam by allowing him to pick his opponent, Cena makes some other stupid jokes and tries to get the crowd on by making references to old names like Dok Hendrix (Michael Hayes) and Dutch Martell (Zeb Coulter in today's world). Orton then makes an appearance, briefcase in hand, saying how Cena won't be champ for long because he's gonna cash in but Cena won't see it coming. Then, for reasons best be known to the WWE themselves, Fandango makes some appearance saying how he'll be WWE champion. Ah well, Maddox makes the match of Orton v Fandango to open up RAW.
The match between the two was a F***ing belter though. Fandango really looked like he could hang with Orton, who is one of the best the WWE has on it's roster. It really has been pushed Fandango as one to look to the future, probably though when he's dropped the Fandango gimmick because that doesn't sit right for a WWE champion. Orton did eventually pick up the victory. Crowd tried ruining it with their chants but in the end bought into the match, that's how good it was.
Backstage we see Ziggler kicking AJ to the curb. Full fledged babyface run now and a rather obvious Langston v Dolph feud set up. As long as we don't end up with the mixed tag match of Ziggler & Kaitlyn against Langston & AJ at any point on RAW I'll be happy (ish). If it's on SmackDown then fine, I don't watch that. Just not on RAW please.
Back from the break and Mark Henry is in the ring. He gives Cena credit for beating him. As I said last night, the "you tapped out" chant being responded with "yeah I did tap out, he'd make all of y'all tap out as well" was impromptu genius. I said it on here, the promos that interact with the crowd are more natural and don't come across as a rehearsed bunch of sh*t. Henry is as good as any on the mic. Still can't believe they had him lose at Money In The Bank.
Then though, the Shield attack Henry. Why, I'm not so sure yet other than to maybe give Henry a face run and maybe to show everybody that the WWE is still backing the Shield despite them being on the pre-show the night before. It was the same old story with them though, come through the crowd, attack and three man power bomb. Henry put up a good fight and it took Roman Reigns' spear to knock him down. All in all, it continued the impressive start to RAW.
Another backstage segment now, this time with Brad Maddox on the phone to his mam. That alone made me laugh. Jericho then appears and Brad makes the match from ten years earlier - Y2J v RVD. Can't go wrong with that can you?
Next we get told it's a Money In The Bank rematch between Ziggler and Del Rio except it's not quite a rematch because this one isn't for the World Heavyweight Title. But that didn't take anything away from the match itself because for my worth, it was better than the Money In The bank bout. Ziggler took some of his typical brilliantly executed bumps, Del Rio continued his aggressive nature and the crowd finally stopped being dickheads and actually got into the match straight away. I found the ending great. Ziggler hits the Fameasser, goes for the win but before the ref can even get to one the bell rings. It's AJ. Dolph distracted, Del Rio hits that side kick to the head and gets the win. AJ attacks Dolph in the ring, Big E gets involved and it results in the Big Ending before AJ gives an unconscious Dolph a kiss.
This RAW is boss!!!
"What's Up?" Here's R-Trtuh. The one time the crowd can get involved in the right manner and they hardly responded with the "What's Ups". Then the lights go out and the Wyatt Family appear on the titantron. It's the same as last week, lantern lit - "we're here" - lantern blew out. Then the best theme music in today's wrestling. I love it. The Wyatt Family come out, lantern (relit) gets blown out while Bray sits in his rocking chair. The arena lights come on and Harper/Rowan again attack. They throw Truth out the ring while Bray enters.
Bray then gives a disturbing yet captivating promo. He talks in riddles but is still great to watch and listen to. Again the crowd tried to bury it with the usual "what" chants but Bray just killed them and forced them to shut up. I think there was about three or four people doing the "Husky Harris" chants when they first came down to the ring as well.
Truth jumps back on the apron with a chair in hand, he wants Wyatt. Bray accepted and destroyed him (with a little help from Rowan and Harper). RAW just keeps getting better. The segment ended with Wyatt saying "you are not the Truth we seek" and he told Kane to "follow the buzzards". Whatever that means is anyone's guess but Bray Wyatt is still great.
Yaaaaaaaay it's voting time on the WWE app to see who faces the "Real Americans". Choices are The Usos, Tons of Funk or Prime Time Players. Gotta say that I am happy that the tag teams are actually being given names again. Rather than "Swagger and Cesaro" against "Brodus Clay and Tensai" it''s potentially Real Americans against Tons of Funk. As it worked it was Jey and Jimmy Uso who "won" the vote.
Zeb's promo slagging off Brooklyn was great again. It goes against the PG-WWE that's what makes it so great.
The match itself didn't get enough time but they made the most of it and the Uso's winning cleanly is potentially putting them back in line for another tag team title match. The Uso's are great. Swagger and Cesaro could be as well.
And here comes Mr (Blue) Money In The Bank Damien Sandow. He's got a match up against Christian. Two great men in the ring, both probably still suffering from their ladder matches the night before could explain the short-length of the match. The outcome is inexplicable though. Why have Sandow win on Sunday then lose on Monday? That's the way booked Ziggler when he was holding the briefcase, just constantly lose. Hopefully they have Sandow win a match or two on the run.
End of the match saw Cody Rhodes come down and attack Sandow, still smarting from his "best friend" pushing him off the ladder the night before obviously. The fans got behind Cody's face turn which is surprising in today's WWE. Most face turns are met with disdain. Looking like another SummerSlam match up this one.
Some bollocks involving Vickie being annoying looking for people to sign a petition. Still not entertaining despite what Vince McMahon tells me.
One of the Bella's against the ugly Funkadactal. The Funk bird won.
Best way to forget that match is to get CM Punk out. He comes out, he wants Heyman and he wants Lesnar. Well he gets both. Heyman delivers one of the best promos of the year, making it very personal between him and the "best in the world". Lesnar and Punk ended up brawling where both look strong. Punk constantly fought back despite getting the sh*t kicked out of him. Eventually Lesnar hits the F5 on Punk on the announce table. Heyman and Lesnar piss off up the ramp, Punk tries to climb back to his feet. And we've got another SummerSlam match up here.
And still this episode of RAW is getting better and better and better.
After that we get Maddox, Triple H and Steph in the GM's office. Maddox thinks he's doing a great job (HE IS!!!) The power couple say that Vince won't be happy that Maddox has allowed Cena to pick his own opponent for the second biggest ppv the WWE has. (I thought it was the Rumble but Triple H sees it differently).
Last match of the night sees RVD defeat Y2J in yet another great match. Despite their age, these two men are still capable of putting on a great match - especially with each other. Rob Van Dam wins the match with his five star frog splash.
Then it was decision time for Cena. God it dragged on. He went through about five or six different possible opponents, none of whom he was gonna choose so why F***ing bang on about them? It was obvious that everybody wanted it to be Daniel Bryan, it was obvious that's who Cena was gonna choose so why not just say that in the first place?
Anyway, at last he got round to naming Bryan and the crowd erupted for him.
Apart from Cena at the top and end of the show, RAW was great.
And we may already have at least half the SummerSlam card booked
