The Wrath of Tito - RAW review, WWE/Spike TV, Warrior, Dudleys, more
Submitted by Mr. Tito on Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 2:36 PM EST
Welcome to the column that speaks volumes about the wrestling industry, the Wrath of Tito! Busy week for yours truly, as my current workplaces are killing me as well as another opportunity on the horizon... But here we are, on a lovely (oddly cold here in Ohio) Thursday afternoon. I'm on a one and a half hour time limit today on the computer, for I have things to see and people to do, so on to the column already!
-The BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK is yet again, WWE vs. Spike TV. This week's RAW was the very last edition of RAW on Spike TV. It's been a long 5 years, and as I discussed in my "Winner's Curse" column (which you can of course read by CLICKING HERE), the WWE has done nothing but declined in the ratings. The WWE has decreased so much that Spike TV has opted not to renew the contract, let alone attempt to bring back the WWE for a lower number (Spike reportedly paid WWE $28 million per year, at first). I really don't blame Spike TV, for reruns of CSI are bringing in more viewers than the "top rated" Monday Night RAW. Spike is going to replace the WWE with Ultimate Fighting Championship, which will now be a one-on-one competitor with RAW.
With that being said, I DON'T BLAME SPIKE TV for their censorship of the mention of "USA Networks" on RAW Monday. If the WWE wanted to advertise their move so bad, they should have PAID for advertising to do so. Spike TV doesn't have to advertise what's going to be immediate competition for next week. If the WWE wanted to steer fans to the USA Networks, they should have paid for the advertising, simply said "flip around your channels to see where we'll be at next week", or advertise on other venues. In 2000, Viacom spent some odd $5 million to $7 million on an advertising campaign to let fans know that WWE was moving from USA Networks to TNN. That's how you do it. No need to get cheap, free plugs on Spike TV's dime, for they are trying to WIN the Monday Night timeslot with different programming next week.
In fact, I found that the WWE was rather childish in their attempts to say "USA Networks" throughout the night. They showed crowd signs and tried every trick in the book to defeat the 7 second time delay. In addition, they took potshots at Spike TV. For what? Spike TV and Viacom made the WWE more rich than their wildest imaginations. They more than matched USA Networks's offer in 2000 and by around 4 or 5 times in terms of money! Viacom invested heavily into the WWE stock and in the failed XFL. They enabled the WWE to open up a NY City theme restaurant (failed), a recording label (failed), and have helped the WWE to start movies (will fail). They gave the WWE a shot on both UPN and Mtv. Viacom also gave the WWE additional timeslots say for the Hall of Fame or other wrestling specials. I'm not saying Viacom is perfect by any means, but they really gave the WWE a lot of capital to work with.
Vince McMahon was very professional by starting off the show and thanking Spike TV for hosting WWE. However, the rest of his show wasn't professional by acting childish on the way out the door.
-The Ultimate Warrior is back in the news, as his DVD is really causing a stir. I'm sorry, but whenever the Warrior opens his mouth, all I see is pure entertainment baby! Look at his Connecticut speech that pissed off a lot of college students. That was talked about for months! Now, the DVD comes out and the WWE didn't obtain the Warrior's services to comment on his own career. Instead, they had the likes of wrestlers who worked with the Warrior back in the day as well as those who DIDN'T. I absolutely agree with the Warrior about his response towards Jim Ross and Triple H. Both guys only dealth with Jim Hellwig, excuse me, Mr. Warrior during 1996 and Warrior wasn't there that long. HHH is talking trash on Warrior because of Wrestlemania 12 when he had to job to Warrior (oh boo hoo), while Ross is giving his undivided opinion. I would give Ross more due than Triple H, although both have had their own personal or ego problems in the wrestling business. Especially Triple H, for he's an absolute egomaniac behind the scenes. I'm not knocking his marriage to Stephanie, either, for I've never met them as a couple. But the fact that he seems to command the World Title and destroy every opponent he faces, well, I'd say his influence is only looking out for himself.
What's great is the irony of the DVD. If the Warrior was such a bad guy, why make a DVD about him? There's obviously interest from oldschool fans and the WWE would like to rub off of those fans by creating controversy. Why trash the guy in the first place? If his wrestling material is good enough for DVD sales, why make an entire DVD of wrestlers making offhand comments?
Speaking of Warrior, I hope to pick up his DVD and have yet another classic Trivia Contest. We'll see on that......
-NICE on the Dudley Boyz part to become the "Deadly Boys". D'Von will now become Brother Devon Deadly while Bubba Ray will become Brother Ray Deadly. It really wouldn't take much to change both wrestlers' looks, for maybe a change of clothes would do the trick. In NWA-TNA, I would make them heels and give them LOTS of mic time. The WWE never gave them mic time, especially when they were heels. I'd let both shoot their mouths off however they'd like, whether it's attacking the WWE or attacking the crowd members. Thankfully, both guys are trademarking their names to avoid any further problems. Deadly is a nice transition from Dudley, and that tougher name change should translate into become very vicious heels again. If actually pushed properly to seem as though they aren't repetitive, the Deadlys in TNA could be HUGE.
-The reported plan is to possibly put WWE Heat or Velocity on WWE.com. Seriously, who wants to watch a B-Rate show through an internet source? The WWE would be better off just going through syndication or to actually put exclusive matches on their USA Networks Saturday show...
On to RAW.......
RAW is TITO
The show started off with Vince McMahon coming out and thanking Spike TV for 5 years. He actually got the first mention of USA Networks in, but the rest was censored. Before he could speak any longer, Kurt Angle came down and wanted a title shot. Since he won at Unforgiven, via DQ against Cena, he should get a title shot! Shawn Michaels came out and demanded that since he also won his match at Unforgiven, he should get a title shot. Angle said he beat HBK at Wrestlemania 21, while HBK responded by saying he beat Angle at Badd Blood. Nice set up for the next bit Vince said and that's a match for next week, a 30 minute Ironman Match. Odd stipuation, for many matches go close to 30 minutes with just one pin, but whatever... it's HBK vs. Angle 3 baby! GREAT addition to what's becoming a very Pay Per View like "RAW Homecoming" this Monday on USA Networks. It's great to see the WWE with its back against the wall in the face of tough competition for once.
Next, we had a pretty damn good Women's Title match between Victoria vs. Trish Stratus. This is EXACTLY how the Women's division should be used. The non-wrestling divas are with the actual wrestlers, helping the cheat on the outside or whatever else. I really like Torrie and Candice cheating for Victoria, ala Miss Elizabeth and Woman for Ric Flair a few years back. Stratus and Victoria went at it, though, and the slugfest on the top rope was rather unique with both wrestlers falling to the outside afterward. If only the WWE had more female wrestlers as good AND as hot as Stratus/Victoria, this division would be killer. Disqualification ended what was a strong match, as Torrie and Candice attacked Trish, only to be overcame by Trish and Ashley in the end. Afterward, Candice was left in the ring and was stripped of her dress. Nice sell job of Candice to act as though she was naked, even though her bra and panties was actually more clothing than what Torrie Wilson was wearing. Afterward, Candice got on the mic and made the most sense speaking in her life (every other time, she's hard to understand). Bra and Panties match, next week! Sounds good to me!
Next bout was Big Show vs. Gene Snitsky in a "street fight". Seriously, if this was a street fight, all it would take is ONE PUNCH by the Big Show to end a match. Seriously, I would not want to be on the receiving end of THAT fist in a fight. The usual weapons fight with even an added cliche about the kitchen sink and Big Show won easily in the end. GOOD. This feud was dragging and it's finally over. Who's next for Show, Tyson Tomko?
Backstage, Ric Flair said he will "get even" with a returning best friend? Yeah right, I can clearly see the reforming of Evolution a mile away with Flair, HHH, Carlito, and Chris Masters. I really like the prospects of that group, although I would personally add Shelton Benjamin to a group like that. Benjamin has no direction right now and is practically a wasted talent at this point, thanks to creative.
Speaking of Shelton Benjamin, he lost to Chavo Guerrero/Kerwin White. Usually, caddies don't look like bulked up pro wrestlers, but Chavo's, Nick Nemeth, happens to look like that. Disappointing bout, considering who is actually in the ring. Kerwin won via the Rude/Warrior finish. If you're going to recycle that classic Wrestlemania 5 ending over and over again, which the WWE has done, then why not cite it? Give the genius of Bobby Heenan some credit and maybe say "Benjamin just got weaseled!". It would give the finish some credibility instead of looking very recycled, which it is. Make it a good, tactical move for wrestlers with managers or "caddies"
Good interview segment with Edge with the ladder, which later saw Hardy getting his last RAW due by pushing Edge off of a ladder. Seriously, does anybody not see who is winning this match? If the WWE had any guts, they'd pull a swerve on WWE fans and make Edge lose the match. However, Edge goes to Smackdown and instantly becomes a Title contender as Teddy Long could uphold his Wrestlemania 21 victory. WHY?!? Edge won a shot at the World Title, not the WWE title which is now on RAW. The World Title is still on Batista's waist and Edge could argue that. That way, neither Hardy or Edge gets buried based upon this match. If you have Hardy lose the match, it will forever bury him. Yeah, I know the WWE is still pissed at Hardy for airing dirty laundry, but you aren't paying $250,000 or more to a guy just to constantly bury. Come on, WWE, I task you!
VERY NICE idea of putting a top billed Smackdown match on RAW. Man, the WWE must be in pure panic mode now that competition is finally breathing down their necks. Imagine if TNA actually catches fire on Spike TV. We, as wrestling fans, are winning. Thank GOD for competition!
Nice to see that the WWE color coordinated their tag teams, as both Cade/Murdoch and Venis/Viscera were color coordinated. It takes little things to make a successful tag team division. It was great, back in the day, to see the Fantastics, Rockers, Rock N Roll Express, Midnight Express, Road Warriors, Demolition, and many more teams look in unison. I'm really getting high on the Cade and Murdoch team, for they could potentially be a strong heel team to build this division back up with. A strong tag division and a strong women's division would complement a possible strong main event division. Diversifying your product will help bring in fans of all kinds of different tastes. The WWE did it in 1999-2000 with fun midcard + main event, while WCW did it in 1996-1997 with Cruiserweights + NWO. Oh, the match was decent, but ended nicely with the heels deliberately going for the DQ to retain the titles. Gotta love that.
I really didn't care for Eugene vs. Rob Conway... Conway has the look, yet the WWE isn't doing much to push him. Yeah, he has a new gimmick, but who cares? Maybe he should get a shot at being in a new Evolution? After Eugene lost, he cried about the doll Conway ripped up during the match. It's time to end the Eugene gimmick and turn him evil. Go for the psychopathic gimmick. Nick Dinsimore (sp?) has already proven that he can work a match well with the Eugene gimmick, so imagine him leading the match as a heel? I'm up for it...
The main event was like last week's bout... FUN. Carlito/Chris Masters vs. Shawn Michaels/John Cena in a Tables Match, which was a pretty all out war on certain parts. Nice use of interference at the end, with Cena getting nutted by his next week opponent, Eric Bischoff, while Angle just destroyed both Cena and Michaels through tables. Both HBK (especially) and Cena took tough bumps through the tables and I applaud them both. I'm liking the Masters and Carlito connection... Nice ending and an excellent way to hype up Cena vs. Bischoff (though it's predictable) and Angle vs. Michaels.
LAST WORD: Yet another strong RAW. Amazing how much the WWE starts to listen to fans when competition is lurking. Otherwise, the McMahons book based on what amuses themselves the most. This show gets an [ A ] in my book and next week's RAW looks to be a HUGE show. Can't wait!
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