RAW on December 7th 2015 was memorable and an improvement once again. Tonight we had some surprise elements via the return of the ECW nostalgia and alumni of Rhyno.
On the flip side and in playing devil’s advocate, ECW is the prop that is used for a ratings plug, and because two weeks ago- RAW had sunk to a historical low depth. How “creative” or thought-provoking is it to return to the past, and utilize a one popular brand, and one which diehards will forever recall fondly?
However, Rhyno’s return is a breath of fresh air, while being a veteran talent who is capable of a great contest with anyone, and elevating the younger stars, and those aspiring. Additionally, the move could not have come at a better time, with the mid-card suffering from injuries plaguing key talent, and sabbaticals to main event talent also.
Rhyno was featured in the best opening bout to kickoff the televised portion of RAW. Rhyno teamed with Tommy Dreamer along with the Dudley’s, Buh-Buh Ray and Devon. As a collective, they formed Team ECW in this three team, four man tandems of a tag team match. The other featured teams consisted of the Wyatt Family, of Brawn Strowman, Erich Rowan, Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper.
Alas! All was not over with the combatants though. The initial opening segment featured the League of Nations and promo’ing. The team of Sheamus, Wade Barrett, Rusev, and Alberto Del Rio opened the show, and discussed their upcoming matches, plans for the December 12th TLC pay-per-view on WWE Network. The opposition interrupted The League though, featuring The Family. The Family consists of Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose with Jimmy and Jey- the Uso Brothers. So, the opening tag team bout featured factions and was beneficial to utilize a great way in presenting the talent, best utilized and during a time where sabbaticals and injuries need (and mean) new stars, and established ones must rise up into this new position (more TV time, etcetera).
The Wyatt’s in the Survivor Series elimination-style match were first to be eliminated, via a Dreamer DDT to Erick Rowan. Next to be dispatched were Team ECW as Buh-Buh succumbed to the outside interference during the fray. The fracas continued with a clean pin fall, via Brogue kick from Sheamus to Buh-Buh for the three count. The final two tandems, and (led to a segue) in building on Reigns-Sheamus. The final two teams in this match pitted the Family (Reigns’ team) versus the League.
Reigns in perhaps foreshadowing (and strong booking as a viable challenger) defeated Sheamus with a spear to a pin fall. The last segment to close the show built upon the main event, and with Roman standing tall, spearing Sheamus through a table as the broadcast went to dead air. Arguably, say what you want about Reigns and the scuttlebutt- but this feud finally has the sizzle and steak to succeed. What was initially lukewarm and generic, now has the hotness and flair (no pun intended) to be a credible main event. As depicted in the prior RAW Round-up, both Reigns and Sheamus needed a more intimate connection with the fans. For Sheamus, it was stepping out and above the typical, generic heel tendencies. He got more clever and quick-witted in his promos. He was a sneaky vile heel who cheats to win, or has others do his dirty work, before the comeuppance is received. Sheamus has a catchphrase and a slogan, a T-shirt. All these things garner a reaction and heat from the audience. Reigns too, did likewise tonight even with the “tater tots”. It may be simple minded, but the crowd chanted it. The crowd needs to grab a hold of an intangible, something they can convey back as a message and reaction. The shirt, the Tater Tots was a way to do it. Kudos, WWE and Creative!
In other action, the Lucha Dragons faced The Uso’s with the entertaining New Day on commentary. In a similar and yet confusing repeated move- Titus O’Neil was commentating during the Stardust versus Jack Swagger bout. Thankfully, and in a good heat move- and to promote the TLC bout, Alberto Del Rio was featured at ringside, and attacked Swagger after the bell. The linking of that segment and building the Del Rio-Swagger bout makes sense, as their feud will culminate at the pay-per-view. Del Rio achieved more heat by ditching Zeb Colter. This IS logical. However, what is confusing- is how Stardust and Titus are connected? The segment/skits in the backstage area with Stardust Cosmic promo-ing and then cutting into a entering Titus O’Neil (who then says/does his piece) doesn’t sink in. Where is WWE going with this? Do we cheer Stardust? Do we believe or assume Titus and Stardust are friends because of what they say and do backstage, or will they feud at TLC? This type of segment, even as entertainment or filler is not clearly defined. These types of segments may cause viewers (and in time of need for ratings to surge) to change the channel. The Adam Rose skit is similar to E’s “Talk Soup” but provides good sound bytes and biting commentary as his heel persona.
Tyler Breeze “scouted” his opponent for TLC in Dolph Ziggler, and in which Ziggler was defeated by Intercontinental champion Kevin Owens. Unless there is something more coming or to be created by Creative- who is the next clearly viable challenger for the IC title? Who is credible or puts Owens and his reign in danger- or to even suspend disbelief? Trading wins for losses in other matches, or around the IC title picture needs more clearly defined challengers, and not be in the same proverbial place in the mid-card each week.
In women’s developments, Miz TV featured Ric Flair and Charlotte. Miz was at his nagging typical best as antagonist. So hinting, and so sly to “drag it” out of Charlotte, who digressed her past few weeks, and upcoming defense versus Paige. In a match however, Sasha Banks and Naomi of Team BAD defeated Brie Bella and Alicia Fox.
In the main event, Brawn Strowman got a win in a singles bout over Tommy Dreamer via back-breaker submission.
In conclusion, the formulas tonight make RAW better and better “linked” to connect the dots regarding the feuds and upcoming TLC PPV. However, better (and clearly defined) mid-carders who do not have belts, or are going for belts- need more flushing on the show. There also needs to be a better hook to entice casual viewers and non-wrestling fans to tune into the show. The only question is: Can there be a hook (to be created, formulated?) If so, who is best to write and create a “hook” for RAW? RAW is decent, and has improved from two weeks ago. But it is not THRIVING, or adding new fans, which it sorely needs. Can it be done? Time and better writing will tell…
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