The first 15 minutes of tonight's show have been stellar.

[Iron Ape]

Best opening of a RAW in forever ever.

[xStraightxEdgexSaviorx]

Yes. Go to the chatroom and you'll see I was totally marking out during that match.

[Iron Ape]

Things that rocked the casbah:

- Finding out that Cena's out of action in the show's opening moment

- Underrated Josh Matthews getting a shot in Jerry "The King of Clichés" Lawler's spot

- A WWE title match and actual wrestling to start the program!

- Really solid commentary from Cole and Matthews

- A fantastic showing by Miz and Morrison

[The Brown One]

I can't remember the last time there was wrestling to start the show! Theres always 15 minute long promos..

[ItswrestlingIwantblood]

Yea this is the best opening to Raw i have seen in at least 2-3 years. Great Match!!!! I hope this is a sign of things to come in 2011!!!!

[Bodom]

This is the most wrestling we've had on Raw in a long ass time.

Go WWE!

[Thewoodcutter]

DVRing Raw, watching The Orange Bowl, from the sounds of it can't wait to watch Raw

[Iron Ape]

This is the most wrestling we've had on Raw in a long ass time.

Go WWE!

The opening bout was of such high quality (fun spots, strong storytelling) that any additional action tonight will basically just be sprinkles on top of my sundae. I'm already perfectly content.

[Iron Ape]

Okay, Punk and Barrett trying to out-heel each other is like adding broken up Oreo cookie pieces to go with the sprinkles.

Seriously, tonight's ice cream is kind of delicious.

[Robstar]

Did you all miss Punk comment then about how he loves being in Phoenix? Anyone? Anyone?

Barrett will face out tonight

[Iron Ape]

Did you all miss Punk comment then about how he loves being in Phoenix? Anyone? Anyone?
I totally didn't catch that.

I've made it pretty clear here on a number of ocassions how I'm not at all crazy about ladies with muscular physiques, but I think Beth Phoenix might be the exception to my rule. A couple of months back, I saw a video of her outside of work and she was wearing this really feminine and sexy little dress that made her look completely drop dead gorgeous. It was almost like looking at a completely different person; I couldn't believe how ridiculously hot she was. So, in summation, that Pepsi-drinking fucker is one lucky bastard.

[Robstar]

Put that down to my dirty mind. And the fact that since when has heel Punk complimented a city? No, I'm not a fan of overly muscular girls either but Beth is dynamite. Beauty comes from within I truly believe and she just glows to me.

[Rich Cranium]

Did you all miss Punk comment then about how he loves being in Phoenix? Anyone? Anyone?

Barrett will face out tonight

Like last week he mentioned 'small package' during the divas match and said, 'there's a joke in there somewhere'! He's good!

[Iron Ape]

Put that down to my dirty mind. And the fact that since when has heel Punk complimented a city? No, I'm not a fan of overly muscular girls either but Beth is dynamite. Beauty comes from within I truly believe and she just glows to me.
Dynamite, indeed.

http://www.rawwrestlingdivas.com/pictures/summer-skin-beth-phoenix-3.jpg

This is kind of what Jillian Hall would look like if bad botox injections hadn't turned her face into that of Mickey Rourke's.

[Bodom]

Okay, Punk and Barrett trying to out-heel each other is like adding broken up Oreo cookie pieces to go with the sprinkles.

Seriously, tonight's ice cream is kind of delicious.

Best Raw in a long ass time.

[Iron Ape]

I don't think Cena is anywhere near as bad a wrestler as what the IWC seems intent on making him out to be, but it's kind of hard to deny how much his absence improved tonight's RAW. Not having his tired heroics and endless blathering around really helped to give the show a lot more time to breath. And even though I want to reiterate that I don't dislike the guy, a part of me can't help but wish that he just stay gone (at least for awhile).

Now, if only they could do something about Orton, too, 2011 would be off to an amazing start.

[SilverGhost]

Best Raw opening! Great match I have seen between Miz and Morrison. Great promo between Punk and Barrett!

[Iron Ape]

Best Raw in a long ass time.
Most definitely.

Having Punk against Barrett instead of Punk against Cena has done wonders to bring me around on them prolonging things with Nexus. For the first time in several months, I'm actually sort of interested in where things are going to go with the group. What a difference a week makes.

[mrbluto]

Wow!!! that may have been the best Raw in five years.

[xStraightxEdgexSaviorx]

Did you all miss Punk comment then about how he loves being in Phoenix? Anyone? Anyone?

Barrett will face out tonight

Holy shit, I missed this but it was quiet hilarious.

[TheDevilsAdvocate]

There were so many things to look forward to for the next Raw. I hope John Morrison plays a part in this on-coming Randy Orton versus The Miz round 2. The way John Morrison carried that match left me in awe. Then again almost all of his matches have done that to me.

[Robstar]

I don't think Cena is anywhere near as bad a wrestler as what the IWC seems intent on making him out to be, but it's kind of hard to deny how much his absence improved tonight's RAW. Not having his tired heroics and endless blathering around really helped to give the show a lot more time to breath. And even though I want to reiterate that I don't dislike the guy, a part of me can't help but wish that he just stay gone (at least for awhile).

Now, if only they could do something about Orton, too, 2011 would be off to an amazing start.

Yes agreed, I don't rate Cena badly at all. Overexposure is what it is

[SilverGhost]

There were so many things to look forward to for the next Raw. I hope John Morrison plays a part in this on-coming Randy Orton versus The Miz round 2. The way John Morrison carried that match left me in awe. Then again almost all of his matches have done that to me.

He was extremely solid in his match. I think he is ready to be up there. TLC and now....proving to be Morrison's time to shine. Time will tell.

[eyehatecena]

I don't think Cena is anywhere near as bad a wrestler as what the IWC seems intent on making him out to be, but it's kind of hard to deny how much his absence improved tonight's RAW. Not having his tired heroics and endless blathering around really helped to give the show a lot more time to breath. And even though I want to reiterate that I don't dislike the guy, a part of me can't help but wish that he just stay gone (at least for awhile).

Now, if only they could do something about Orton, too, 2011 would be off to an amazing start.


Having Punk against Barrett instead of Punk against Cena has done wonders to bring me around on them prolonging things with Nexus. For the first time in several months, I'm actually sort of interested in where things are going to go with the group. What a difference a week makes.

I totatlly agree with both those statements. I was hoping at least Sheamus would win the main event, but I undertsand why they had Orton have the win- bigger buy rates for the next PPV- and maybe for one time, Cena not in the main event. I knew Punk was gonna cost Barrett the match- he had too, and I like where its heading. Punk is amazing on the mic, Barrett is pretty good himself- looking farward to more promos between them and hopefully some matches.
And I agree, this was one of the better RAWS I had seen in awhile- I would have DVRd it if Cena was not hurt. While I wish Cena a speedy recovery, I really did not miss him AT ALL tonight

[Iron Ape]

And I agree, this was one of the better RAWS I had seen in awhile- I would have DVRd it if Cena was not hurt. While I wish Cena a speedy recovery, I really did not miss him AT ALL tonight
I think this is something that the WWE really need to understand: when your biggest show actually benefits from not having your biggest guy around, it might be time to reevaluate who your biggest guy should be. I'm not saying that Cena should just be pushed to the back of the bus or anything, but give the audience a break already. Just look what something fresh can do; people truly loved the hell out of this RAW, and that's not something that you hear much anymore.

[Necroyeti]

Now, if only they could do something about Orton, too, 2011 would be off to an amazing start.
This.

Remember that one Family Guy gag about the Star Wars emperor's dialogue being pretty much "something something something DARK SIDE, something something COMPLETE"? Well, every Randy Orton promo goes a little like "something something something PUNT TO THE SKULL, something something something RKO *menacing stare*"

[SilverGhost]

I think this is something that the WWE really need to understand: when your biggest show actually benefits from not having your biggest guy around, it might be time to reevaluate who your biggest guy should be. I'm not saying that Cena should just be pushed to the back of the bus or anything, but give the audience a break already. Just look what something fresh can do; people truly loved the hell out of this RAW, and that's not something that you hear much anymore.

Seriously! Big Successful Raw!


This.

Remember that one Family Guy gag about the Star Wars emperor's dialogue being pretty much "something something something DARK SIDE, something something COMPLETE"? Well, every Randy Orton promo goes a little like "something something something PUNT TO THE SKULL, something something something RKO *menacing stare*"

I can picture Orton saying that xD

[TheDevilsAdvocate]

Seriously! Big Successful Raw!



I can picture Orton saying that xD


It could work. Khali an Umaga got pretty far by just speaking gibberish.

[SilverGhost]

It could work. Khali an Umaga got pretty far by just speaking gibberish.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hln5yzQRZ9E

[Iron Ape]

This.

Remember that one Family Guy gag about the Star Wars emperor's dialogue being pretty much "something something something DARK SIDE, something something COMPLETE"? Well, every Randy Orton promo goes a little like "something something something PUNT TO THE SKULL, something something something RKO *menacing stare*"
Haha. Yeah, it's funny how everyone always complains about how tired Super Cena is, yet their precious Viper gets a free pass for doing a slight variation of the same freakin' thing...EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

And at least Cena is occasionally somewhat amusing. Dandy's self-seriousness is beginning to feel like a page ripped right out of the Samoa Joe handbook of hammily acting like the main bad guy in a direct to video action flick. The faux-intensity actually makes me laugh more than it does anything else.

[SilverGhost]

I think this is something that the WWE really need to understand: when your biggest show actually benefits from not having your biggest guy around, it might be time to reevaluate who your biggest guy should be. I'm not saying that Cena should just be pushed to the back of the bus or anything, but give the audience a break already. Just look what something fresh can do; people truly loved the hell out of this RAW, and that's not something that you hear much anymore.

On topic: You have a solid point. Not having Cena in the show was kinda refreshing. I don't wish anyone real injury but Cena not being there was great for this RAW. We saw great wrestling tonight and a great promo.

Wade Barrett: "You waste of skin" and "These John Cena flag waving morons" have been great quotes from Barrett xD

[IPOOPINTHEBATH]

Haha. Yeah, it's funny how everyone always complains about how tired Super Cena is, yet their precious Viper gets a free pass for doing a slight variation of the same freakin' thing...EVERY SINGLE WEEK.

And at least Cena is occasionally somewhat amusing. Dandy's self-seriousness is beginning to feel like a page ripped right out of the Samoa Joe handbook of hammily acting like the main bad guy in a direct to video action flick. The faux-intensity actually makes me laugh more than it does anything else.

I completely agree. It seems to me it happened when he won the belt. He was on fire before then, had the (now so oft compared) SCSA aura around him that seems completely gone now. For Orton, for me, it's Heel, Tweener, or GTFO. Fuck that's a lotta commas.

[IPOOPINTHEBATH]

On topic: You have a solid point. Not having Cena in the show was kinda refreshing. I don't wish anyone real injury but Cena not being there was great for this RAW. We saw great wrestling tonight and a great promo.

Wade Barrett: "You waste of skin" and "These John Cena flag waving morons" have been great quotes from Barrett xD

Ah, the influence of working closely with CM Punk.

[Iron Ape]

On topic: You have a solid point. Not having Cena in the show was kinda refreshing. I don't wish anyone real injury but Cena not being there was great for this RAW.
RAWs following Triple H injuries used to always be awesome, and now it appears to be the same case with Cena. And for some reason, I find that kind of darkly hilarious.


We saw great wrestling tonight and a great promo.
People are sleeping on the commentary, too. Cole's douchiness (which I generally dig) was kept reasonably in check, and he and Matthews showed that they could work together as a seriously competent two man team.

Aside from the usual Divas suck and Kozlov not being able to find a way to go over the ropes, tonight really didn't offer much to complain about. Quite to the contrary, really. Just a good night to be a WWE fan.

[Bodom]

I never thought I'd live to see the day where pinning Santino would be called an "upset".

Nuts.

[IPOOPINTHEBATH]

RAWs following Triple H injuries used to always be awesome, and now it appears to be the same case with Cena. And for some reason, I find that kind of darkly hilarious.


People are sleeping on the commentary, too. Cole's douchiness (which I generally dig) was kept reasonably in check, and he and Matthews showed that they could work together as a seriously competent two man team.

Aside from the usual Divas suck and Kozlov not being able to find a way to go over the ropes, tonight really didn't offer much to complain about. Quite to the contrary, really. Just a good night to be a WWE fan.

Josh is awesome. He's been doing commentary since Velocity how many years ago and he's just now getting a break. Cole kept the douchiness in check for the most part, but the opening annoyed the hell out of me. The last thing I want to see opening RAW is a full frontal of his face and being asked to join' round the ol' boob tube for Story Time With Papa Mike. Talk over recap videos is a much better choice.

[Iron Ape]

I never thought I'd live to see the day where pinning Santino would be called an "upset".

Nuts.
Haha. Crazy, right?

[SilverGhost]

RAWs following Triple H injuries used to always be awesome, and now it appears to be the same case with Cena. And for some reason, I find that kind of darkly hilarious.


People are sleeping on the commentary, too. Cole's douchiness (which I generally dig) was kept reasonably in check, and he and Matthews showed that they could work together as a seriously competent two man team.

Aside from the usual Divas suck and Kozlov not being able to find a way to go over the ropes, tonight really didn't offer much to complain about. Quite to the contrary, really. Just a good night to be a WWE fan.

That is weird but good for the show. It is kinda funny.

Yes, tonight served! Kozlov botching the over the ropes thing gets an "LOL of the night!" xD

[Iron Ape]

Josh is awesome. He's been doing commentary since Velocity how many years ago and he's just now getting a break. Cole kept the douchiness in check for the most part, but the opening annoyed the hell out of me. The last thing I want to see opening RAW is a full frontal of his face and being asked to join' round the ol' boob tube for Story Time With Papa Mike. Talk over recap videos is a much better choice.
I don't know, I thought him revealing that Cena wouldn't be in action kind of balanced the, um, full frontal stuff out.

[SilverGhost]

Ah, the influence of working closely with CM Punk.

He called him a liar about his lifestyle!

These two can make gold!

[IPOOPINTHEBATH]

I don't know, I thought him revealing that Cena wouldn't be in action kind of balanced the, um, full frontal stuff out.

I assumed he wouldn't be in action. I expected at least a satellite interview or something, which Cole didn't rule out.

[Bodom]

Haha. Crazy, right?

I was freaking out man! I thought I was hallucinating!

[SilverGhost]

I was freaking out man! I thought I was hallucinating!

This RAW....was very entertaining!

[IPOOPINTHEBATH]

He called him a liar about his lifestyle!

These two can make gold!

WWE is totally using Cena and Punk to make Barrett a star. Cena to boost him into the spotlight of the main event and get his training wheels off and Punk to refine the edges and turn him into the next big star.

I honestly could see Nexus Vs Barrett and Cena by Mania. Barrett is just constantly beat down until he begs Cena for forgiveness and help. Of course we have a few weeks of Cena humiliating Barrett (I would love to see Cena make Barrett use each of Cena's old gimmicks week by week. Rapper, Marine, Superman, Nickelodeon's Pet Douche.) But ultimately culminating with Barrett facing the Nexus with Cena's help and we still get Cena Vs. Punk.

[Kashdinero]

Alberto Del Rio on Raw. More please.

[The Brown One]

WWE is totally using Cena and Punk to make Barrett a star. Cena to boost him into the spotlight of the main event and get his training wheels off and Punk to refine the edges and turn him into the next big star.

I honestly could see Nexus Vs Barrett and Cena by Mania. Barrett is just constantly beat down until he begs Cena for forgiveness and help. Of course we have a few weeks of Cena humiliating Barrett (I would love to see Cena make Barrett use each of Cena's old gimmicks week by week. Rapper, Marine, Superman, Nickelodeon's Pet Douche.) But ultimately culminating with Barrett facing the Nexus with Cena's help and we still get Cena Vs. Punk.

I doubt they'd go with a tagteam match with their biggest moneymaker at WM, especially when hes always been in a singles, or triple threat match. If it doesn't have any titles involved, the match isn't for Cena. But it would be nice to let someone else have a chance at the other titles, and a unique match from Cena that we haven't seen in a long time.


Alberto Del Rio on Raw. More please.

His name is Alberto Del Rio! But you, you already knew that!
But seriously, I'd rather have Del Rio on Smackdown and compete for the WHC there. He just seems really comfortable there, and has fit in perfectly within his short time there. Sure Del Rio would be great on Raw, and it would be a step up, but after the draft.

[SaberToothTigerz]

cena out and the whole iwc is happy

[The Brown One]

cena out and the whole iwc is happy

We're going to have to wait for a short time to see how a Raw without Cena in 2011 has done in the ratings. If the fans didn't like it, then Cena is most likely going to be back, and on tv for even longer. But I did like it without Cena. It was a refreshing change, and had truth to it, because Cena was legitimately injured, and stayed off Raw, unlike the time he was fired, and showed up 20 minutes later.

[Bammer]

i LOVED raw last night (recorded and watch on tuesday mornings as i live in the uk!)
AMazing Match between morrison/miz loved the W spot and the Starship pain through a Table
also that knee to riley was brutal!

[eyehatecena]

I saw reports that the ratings were down a little. Still, it was much better than any RAW in recent memory