RAW: 11/23/15
Raw is going to be bad tonight and mostly NOT because the fall season is upon us. The WWE has had a bad Survivor Series which was flat, stale, boring and with filler. The matches were sub par, decent but “just wrestling”. If last night was any indication, then how are things going to change for Monday Night’s wrestling?
There were no new stories, or swerves. There were no new developments that make Survivor Series, or this show tonight as can’t miss. There is no hook, no drive, no incentive to make fans and viewers WANT to watch. The old trick, the old formula of having things hooked and carried over (post-PPV) has been dead since the Attitude Era.
Momentum and story-lines for people to buy into and believe in certain wrestlers are now dead, because the writing killed it off. Results from last night’s Survivor Series 2015, killed it off. How do you explain the rebuilding and “chase” NOW for Reigns? He won the belt, wow had it for 5 minutes and even that was milked too long, too obvious that something more was coming. Then, even in an abrupt manner, as per the letter of the law, and stipulations Roman lost again. He lost even in a fluke match, with two moves. How serious and how credible is the WHC if he goes down with two moves; and with no mutual offense? It squashed Reigns’ story, his credibility and build as the lone tough guy who doesn’t sell out, and is chasing the gold. Furthermore, how does guys who were on the card last year, NOT used this year? How is Ziggler, who was in the main event for Cena’s team; now reduced to a match with Breeze?
Wyatt’s will forever flounder and amongst inconsistent writing. The injury riddled roster, and now with Cesaro leaves fewer players to use. For us, it means we as fans are stuck with being force-fed what they give us. Solution change the channel, withdraw the Network Subscriptions. Given their money and resources, we deserved better. The writing can and should be better, and yet; no real thought or intrigue or “effort” seems to really swerve people, and most importantly hook them. It’s pedestrian, it’s simple and it’s an easy way to “creatively think” and play it safe. That’s the problem. The writing use to be better, and also compete to be a viable show. It was a long time ago, with different writers and formulas. But the point is; they did it, and it can be done today.
The talent isn’t the problem, but rather what they are given. The problem is how material is over-produced, over-synchronized and too generic. What happen to surprise elements? What happened to crash TV, and making ratings important? Where are the run-in’s and interference to cause an interruption during a stale, mundane show, or match? The writing and how it comes across on TV is stale. With all these wrestling hours and programming something is lost or taken away from the formula. Let’s go outside the box and not do/write/book wrestling “this way.” Instead, the methods to write TV has become “one way” regarding the creativity and thought process. However, with too many people contributing, it does lead to chaos and perhaps ideas get too tweaked.
The matches were seven total matches. The lineup consisted of two divas contests, one of which was a rematch to make up for the meh average one from a PPV no less. Then, we had a variation of a rematch, of two singles matches paired up and now made into a tag team bout. and followed by three throw-away bouts that didn’t have any back-story or reason to add to a storyline. Oh the Stardust-Ascension match was a virtual recreating of last night’s show, only difference is that Darren Young appeared in the Raw recap of it. YAWN.
Dudley Boys lost to Luke Harper & Bray Wyatt: Does a loss to the Dudley’s really rebuild the Wyatt’s? They’ve already looked less credible, and viable threats as heels. They’ve been choke-slammed on Raw at least twice, and lost at Survivor Series. Ah yes, that’s the consistency, let’s trade wins for losses and job when it means the most.
Kevin Owens & Tyler Breeze vs. Dolph Ziggler & Dean Ambrose. Well, Reigns was already booked, so who didn’t see this one coming? Four great athletes and yet reduced to a tag team match on RAW, and none of these guys are in the higher spot that they all are deserving, and ability-wise, can give.
Stardust & Ascension vs. The Prime Time Players with Goldust: This was a sorta rematch and with three guys who are stuck in the mid-card, but excel better on NXT. At least they get a reaction there. PTP are baby-faces and get a luke-warm reaction and that’s sad. They are never really able to have that run where they can get a lot of momentum, or lengthy streak of wins.
Charlotte vs. Paige ended in a double-count-out. Given the finish for Survivor Series, I can see why this was a rematch. However, what did it prove? By the books, Paige already lost. So, are we going to see this a third time coming up at TLC Pay-Per-View?
Neville defeated Mark Henry in a match with no heat, back-story or link to a feud, story. It a match that was best considered random. Is Mark Henry a heel, or a face? Furthermore, with Jack Swagger back who seemingly hadn’t been on TV consistently in ages, are we to believe he is credible versus Del Rio for the US title? How do we rebuild Swagger? What makes him want us to take him seriously?
Sasha Banks defeated Becky Lynch.
The Returning Rusev went against Roman Reigns, with Sheamus in the corner of Rusev. This was spawned off by the opening segment which crowned, profiled the new champion. After all the ballyhoo and promo’s, Roman will get his rematch (as predicted, not last night) but in three weeks at TLC versus Sheamus.
Save the re-hashes and virtual rematch from those who missed the PPV. If they missed it, why should they watch it now with a regurgitated series or variations of matches on RAW tonight? Plus, Monday Night Football and real sports will eat a chunk of the viewership as well. Ratings aren’t cyclical, but down because of other good quality content, alternative content. It’s not about the fall season, but people choose other shows and because there isn’t enough to entice (and more importantly KEEP) people to watch wrestling. Where’s the hook?
Other prime-time TV shows like The Voice, Dancing with the Stars, Law & Order, and Criminal Minds are all on at 8:00 tonight. Street Outlaws, Family Guy and holiday shows (for those audiences who want, drama, action, and comedy) will cater to those channels, audiences.
What’s the point? Alternatives, choices and all in the sake of ratings. The Voice is popular and gets consistent audiences. Law & Order, Criminal Minds are shows with a following as well. So, who with all this on tonight, and every Monday, will watch WWE, Wrestling or RAW?
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