The New, New Nexus & Other Raw Thoughts

From WWE.com

Regular readers have come to expect a Raw reaction on Tuesday afternoons because I work extremely early hours, so I don't get to watch Raw in its entirety on Monday nights.  So here's some reaction to the show from January 17, 2011.

Class act again with the Martin Luther King, Jr. montage.  I like the fact that the WWE does this every year.


Opening segment:  I don't find John Cena's little act funny, at all.  I enjoyed the two weeks he wasn't around.  I understand he's the "face of the company",  but geez, I've had enough of the dude.  If they would have played his fired angle out better, maybe I wouldn't be so bugged by him.

Nexus comes out.  Big shock.  They attack Cena.  What actually surprised me here was the rescue from Santino and Koslov.  Glad to see they weren't beat down immediately.  Why are they booking Punk vs. Cena on Raw?  I'm hoping as the show goes on, this gets cancelled.  This is a money match.  Let's save it.  Please.

Tag Team Title Match: Good to see the titles defended and against an actual tag team.  Also nice to see both teams leave the ring without a hint of dissension among them.

John Morrison vs. Daniel Bryan:  I can't say enough good things about these guys.  I've been a fan of both for some time and each have stepped up their work in the ring in recent months.  I do wish John Morrison would change his look a bit.  He looks too much like he did when he was in MNM (remember that trio?)  I'm also not opposed to a heel turn and him picking up a manager to use as a mouthpiece.  Looks like he is continuing to climb the ladder with a pin over Bryan (who we all know has beaten the Miz, just sayin'...)  While we're changing up Morrison's look, can someone in wardrobe please get Sheamus something new.  Geez, he looks ridiculious.   I love the fact that the Bellas are arguing over who's going to pop Daniel's cherry.  Wonder if they'll do the Live Sex Show like Edge and Lita did a few years back...

Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton:  I still find it amazing that Vickie Guerrero gets the most heat on the show.  It really does baffle me.   I almost think this match is one that could have been saved for a future pay per view as well.  Dolph is definitely stepping up and I think that's a good thing.  He's been a work in progress, glad to see he's being rewarded for his dedication.  Didn't like seeing him do the job to Randy Orton, but wasn't surprised by it at all.  Glad to see the Miz and Alex Riley sneak a beat down in there on Orton.

Ted DiBiase Over the Top Rope Challenge: Like Maryse, I don't think you're going to win the Royal Rumble either.  I like you, but I think it's time to move to SmackDown! and start again.  And if jobbers like the ones who were in the ring are the 10 extras we're getting in the Rumble, then please, let's go back to the 30 man concept.

Enough of Alberto Del Rio.  This dude annoys me too.  Maybe he'll grow on me, but so far, it's not working.  I don't like someone being forced down the throats of the fans.  I like it better when they let someone naturally become the person fans want to see at the top, like the Miz or even John Morrison.

I really enjoy the "by the numbers" package they did on the Royal Rumble.  Behind Wrestlemania, the RR is my favorite PPV.


Punk vs. Cena:  Okay, they're doing this.  I was hoping they could have saved this one for Wrestlemania.  But it doesn't look like they're going to do that.  I only hope this doesn't mean Cena is going to win the Rumble or be in the WWE championship match at Mania.  Do you think when Cena looked into Mason Ryan's eyes he though Dave Batista's son had arrived?  Will he be on Raw longer than Jackson Andrews?   Fans in attendance seemed really confused.  Did you hear the boring chant?  That was kinda funny.

So will Ryan make an impact or get lost in the shuffle?  I've only seen a little bit about him on YouTube from his work with FCW.  I think his biggest obstacle will be breaking that BatisTwo image that he's got.  That will be a tough one.  I'll wait to see more of his in ring work and skills before I judge him too harshly.

All in all, the show was okay.  I think they gave away a couple of good matches that fans would have paid to see.  Bryan vs. Morrison, Punk vs. Cena, and maybe Ziggler vs. Orton.

Would like to hear your thoughts.

Be Jealous

From: WWE

John Morrison and the Miz absolutely tore the roof off the U.S. Airways Arena last night on Raw.  I believe this one will be a contender for match of the year honors, and we're only 4 days into 2011.

I really am glad they lead the show with this match. Mostly because I go to bed early because I get up early and I got to see this match live and didn't have to wait until Tuesday afternoon.

Morrison continues to impress and amaze me.  His jump off the WWE symbol was totally cool.  That back bump he took on the guardrail made me yell ouch.  As did his crash through the table toward the end of the match.

The Miz shined too last night.  He took everything Morrison could give him and fought back.  He expressed anguish and frustration every time Morrison kicked out.  Lots of near falls helped sell these guys as legitimate performers who deserve to be in the spot light.

Going from that match into the cage match.  No big surprise that they're going with Randy Orton as the number one contender.  You've heard me complain before, and I'll do it again.  I think it's time for someone else in the main event.  We get that revolving door of Randy Orton, John Cena, Triple H for every pay per view, or at least it feels that way.  Personally, I think Morrison and the Miz could have saved the match from last night for the Royal Rumble.  The Raw match could have either a) not happened and tease the buildup to the Royal Rumble or b) ended in some sort of double countout or DQ to require the two to meet again in a falls count anywhere match.  Just my thoughts, so if this offends the "Viper" fans out there.

The tag team match was a bit lackluster.   Part of the problem with live TV is live mistakes.  Koslov tried to pull that one off, it was entertaining to say the least.  Not sure why the Usos won, but the titles weren't on the line.  I guess I should just be grateful that there was a tag team match involving the champs on TV.

I was surprised to see Eve get the pin on Melina in that Divas tag team match.  I thought for sure they were building Melina up.  This seems a bit odd to me.

CM Punk kicking Wade Barrett and taking his armband was not too surprising considering all the chatter on the internet.  While I am a fan of Punk leading Nexus, I'm not sure I like the idea of a Wade Barrett face turn.  And I especially don't want to see he and Cena put their differences aside and join forces.  I'm predicting a Cena-Barrett tag team title run by SummerSlam.

Why was Alberto del Rio on Raw?  Isn't he on SmackDown!?  Sorry, but Raw guys belong on Raw and SmackDown! guys belong on SmackDown!  The whole "brand" thing doesn't mean much if you have guys interacting on other shows.  Just an observation.  Maybe they're testing the waters for a Del Rio swap.

Missed seeing the U.S. champ Daniel Bryan on last night.  And Ted DiBiase for that matter.  Maybe next week.

Please check out My 1-2-3 Cents on YouTube too.  Thanks for reading and watching!