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GOALS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE 5/14 RAW

RAW - 14/05/2012
What the go home Raw for Over the Limit needs to accomplish?
•WWE promoted three talking segments on last Friday’s Smackdown for this show and that scares me. Two of these segments in Big Show apologizing to John Laurinaitis and Triple H’s reaction to Brock Lesnar likely have nothing to do with the pay per view. When WWE tries to multitask like this they usually end up losing sight of one thing. I hope that doesn’t happen tonight.
•CM Punk and Daniel Bryan. WWE arrogantly thought fans would buy Survivor Series based off it being Rock’s first match and I hope they aren’t thinking their hardcore internet fans will buy OTL based off it being Punk-Bry. It’s key to me that on the A show tonight that they do something to elevate this match
Show Breakdown

1. I got a chuckle out of Laurinaitis trying to show his support for Triple H. He’s such an antagonist and his tone and smugness is perfect for the character.

2. Starting the show off with Triple H and right away he blows off his injury and I’m already scared he’s going to ruin the entire story because he just can’t help, but get insecure and be who he is when he gets a microphone in front of a live crowd.

3. Well Triple H got himself back on track by saying Brock’s statement about legitimizing the company offends all the superstars from past to present. Always good when you can name drop to enhance the promo as well. What I don’t like is that he had to put in quotes that Brock is an ass kicker and mention that Brock attacked him from behind. This is why this program can’t be good for Lesnar, because Triple H protects himself so much. It has been driven home that Brock attacked from behind and also that Triple H made his own comeback. I don’t think those two points would be driven into us as much if it was anyone else.

4. I’m surprised WWE would mention Brock getting his ass kicked in UFC, but I guess it fits with the story they are trying to tell. I’m not surprised that this turned into another promo having to tell us how great John Cena is.

5. I’m not sure why WWE is trying to tear down Lesnar so much with their version of the truth. This appears to be turning into another storyline of Vince trying to let out his real life ruthless aggression for something into a WWE storyline.

6. I think I’d give Paul different music than Brock, but it doesn’t matter. I’ve been very much anticipating the verbal confrontation between Heyman and Hunter so will see how it goes.

7. I want to smack every member of the audience in the face who is screaming “What”. This is why I can’t go to a wrestling show; I’d no doubt end up in a scuffle.

8. Segment was fine. Hunter was good, although they tore down Brock a bit too much, Paul somewhat saved it. I’m not sure where this lawsuit stuff is going and I question whether anyone cares.

9. CM Punk in the second segment on the show. That’s not the place I’d put the WWE Champion.

10. Santino and Punk vs Rhodes and Bryan. One of these is not like the other.

11. Just what a match involving the WWE Champion and his #1 contender needed, the comedy of Santino not being able to dive through the ropes...

12. Of course Cody loses; he probably shouldn’t have been in this match to begin with. I guess it doesn’t hurt to lose to the WWE Champion.

13. Beth Phoenix vs Alicia Fox? What’s the time guess? 15 seconds? 30 seconds? At least they gave the divas title match at the pay per view a graphic.

14. Basic pro wrestling 101 hype. WWE needs to change Layla’s theme music ASAP...how do they expect her to get over? The more I hear that music the more I think someone is trying to sabotage her push or they just don’t care whether she’s over, because it’s the divas.

15. Zack Ryder vs Kane on the pre show? Poor Zack. Just future endeavor this guy if you’re going to drop the ball this badly on him.

16. Good to see my favorite character, David Otunga back on screen.

17. Big Show-Kane, I feel like you can hear a pin drop from the live crowd.

18. That was an embarrassing choke slam.

19. Big Show is such a great actor; you really have to give him credit.

20. Pretty strong segment with Show and Laurinaitis, but maybe a tad uncomfortable to watch for some.

21. You go right from the Big Show getting fired to Brodus Clay...because that makes sense.

22. So AW is signing all these talents, yet doing nothing with them? WWE storytelling at its finest.

23. Miz didn’t need another loss; I would have put someone else in this match.

24. The kids dancing in the ring thing just doesn’t work. It might be fine on a pay per view every now and then, but it shouldn’t become a regular part of the act.

25. Jericho vs Orton? That’s a match I’d hype in advance. I’m sure WWE came up with it about two hours before show time.  

26. Interesting verbal exchange with Punk and AJ. Adds more intrigue and questions leading into the match Sunday, but they still haven’t done nearly enough for that match. Punk doesn’t have time for a WWE Diva? Come on, we know that’s not true.

27. I know nobody remembers, but I recall a time where Sheamus destroyed Jerry Lawler, I wish WWE remembered those types of details or at least didn’t have Sheamus saying things like “Always a pleasure Jerry”.

28. Big hype for this week’s Smackdown, Alberto Del Rio’s exclusive comments. I’m intrigued...note the sarcasm.

29. Classic heel move by Jericho throwing Orton into Sheamus.

30. I really like the tension they are creating between Orton and Sheamus. I wish WWE would actually have them brawl a bit before officials got between them.

31. Of course right after commercial Eve tweets that will be seeing Sheamus vs Orton on Smackdown. I wonder if that will hold up after rewrites. The fact that they are announcing this match makes me wonder even more why they didn’t have them brawl a little bit.

32. Dear god that last segment was terrible television. Just terrible

What this show accomplished
The Good
•World Title four way continues to get a strong push. I like the story being told in this match especially the tension being played out by Sheamus and Orton
•Heyman and Hunter. As a standalone segment it was probably the best thing on the show
•Layla and Bet. Basic 101 storytelling here. They might have the best divas match in some time if they are given time to operate and the crowd is willing to get into Layla as a babyface
•Big Show’s acting
The Bad
• Lack of hype for Punk-Bryan. WWE is doing this match no favors. I read that Punk will be on Smackdown tonight, hopefully they have a promo exchange, but man they really should have done something on the #1 show. The promotion for this match has clearly been a failing grade. Punk and Bryan in anyway linked to Santino is bad news
•Ryder-Kane on the pre show. It’s too bad WWE is so petty when it comes to Zack Ryder, and I’ll leave it there. No need for another rant
•John Cena. Cue rant. WHAT WAS THAT LAST SEGMENT? I just despise John Cena. The guy continues to show me that he doesn’t understand the business. He has no grasp on where his strengths and weaknesses lie and to Vince, why does he allow this to go on? If Vince is such a creative genius, why has he yet to recognize that John Cena CAN’T DO COMEDY! Just friging brutal. For all the heat put on Laurinaitis in that segment with Big Show, it was all taken away by the nonsense and the foolishness of John Cena. This segment made me so angry.
•Miz and Cody. Two guys who didn’t need pinfall losses.
•Triple H’s promo on Brock. WWE is tearing Brock down a bit too much and having him feud with Hunter appears like it will do nothing, but hurt him. This to me is WWE wasting money to get revenge on someone and not to maximize the return on investment.
Overall Thoughts: Worst Raw of 2012
What needs to be accomplished on next week’s show?
•Standard. Make the pay per view that just happened feel important and begin the promotion for the next show in a big way. Hopefully WWE realizes the garbage they gave us this week and make some adjustments
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