Powell's WWE Raw Hitlist: John Cena laughs after losing a match, Alberto Del Rio isn't worth watching, C.M. Punk back in the spotlight, John Morrison's losing streak ends but Dolph Ziggler's continues
Nov 8, 2011 - 03:00 PM |
By Jason Powell
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WWE Raw Hits
Kevin Nash promo: A good promo in which Nash explained why he attacked Triple H. Nash looked more comfortable on the mic than he did in the previous promos he cut since returning to WWE. I do question the timing. Unless the plan is to have Triple H come out next week, blow off doctors orders, and demand a match with Nash at Survivor Series, then was there really a need to showcase Nash on this show when they could have saved it for after Survivor Series?
John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler: A minor hit. The live crowd wasn't into the match, but I enjoyed Ziggler's ring work. They finally acknowledged Morrison's losing streak only to deliver the payoff on the same night they started talking about it. Now they are acknowledging Ziggler's losing ways. Basically, Ziggler is a vulnerable heel champion, but the issue is that the fans haven't been given a reason to care about the U.S. Championship. I still hope Ziggler drops the belt soon so that he can take his rightful spot in the main event picture.
C.M. Punk: WWE is slowly starting to do a better job of making Punk feel important again. They really lost their way with him after SummerSlam, but he's getting back in the spotlight with his WWE Championship match. I just hope I never have to hear dorky Michael Cole talk about Pipe Bombs again. Punk is an edgy character. The announcers are portrayed as dated and out of touch, and I think it would benefit Punk if the announcers were leery of him, not gushing over him like every other babyface.
WWE Raw Misses
Overall show: There aren't as many hits or misses this week simply because I felt indifferent about the squash wins by Alberto Del Rio, Mason Ryan, and Jack Swagger, and the Kelly Kelly magazine cover unveiling was fine for what it was. Actually, I felt rather indifferent about the majority of the show. The company has failed thus far to make The Rock's return to the ring feel special. Where are the video packages showcasing Rock's finest in-ring moments to get viewers excited about his return? Why aren't the other wrestlers talking about The Rock's return? He's the biggest star the company has access to, yet WWE is making him feel like just another guy who appears on Raw from time to time rather than the mega-star that he came across as when he returned to the company to set up WrestleMania 27.
R-Truth and The Miz beat John Cena and Zack Ryder: It's bad enough that Truth and Miz have to cheat by doubling up on Cena to beat him, but the worst was Cena outright laughing over his loss. The announcers questioned whether Miz and Truth could steal at win at Survivor Series. What happens if they do? Cena laughed about this loss, so what's the big deal if he loses again at the pay-per-view? There's nothing at stake in this match other than pride. It was nice to see Miz and Truth shown in a more serious light by eliminating the comedic "You Suck" rap routine. However, it's too late to make them mean what they should heading into Survivor Series. They could still do a beatdown attack on Rock and Cena next week, but it will feel like it's too little, too late.
Alberto Del Rio: Did C.M. Punk really tell me that the WWE Champion is so boring that you can speed through his promos and know that you won't miss anything? Punk did a better job than usual of building up his opponent throughout the promo by talking about his toughness, but he erased a lot of the good he did with that line.
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