411's Instant Analysis 02.06.12: Monday Night Raw
Posted by Chad Nevett on 02.06.2012
What did we think of the Six-Pack Challenge, Chris Jericho explaining himself finally, Triple H refusing the Undertaker's challenge and more? Check out 411's RAW Instant Analysis to find out!
Welcome to this week's Instant Analysis of Monday Night Raw. I'm your humble reviewer, Chad Nevett and the big question on everyone's mind is: is John Laurinaitis fired? After all, Triple H was interrupted last week and this is wrestling. For all we all like to pretend that wrestling isn't stupid, sometimes it's very, very stupid. Will this be such a week? Let's find out...
SEGMENT ONE: One More Time...
Hey, if that didn't convince you of a Triple H/Undertaker match at WrestleMania, I'm not sure what will. Triple H basically made the argument that he didn't want to do anything worth to the Undertaker than he did last year and the Undertaker used that as the argument for why he deserves another match: being carried out shouldn't be the way the Undertaker's final match ends -- and nor should Triple H have that over him. The stupid part, of course, was how Laurinaitis wasn't fired because Triple H didn't finish the sentence last week. We can all roll our eyes collectively. Otherwise, this places another Triple H/Undertaker match firmly into the Flair/Michaels/Undertaker/Triple H story that began at WrestleMania XXIV... and that's pretty damn cool.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
SEGMENT TWO: The Big Show vs. Daniel Bryan Match Result: The Big Show won via countout Match Length: Five minutes, forty-five seconds
Apparently, dating Daniel Bryan robs women of the ability to protect themselves and to get out of the way of an angry giant. Now, AJ presumably has these skills as a Diva... but, maybe not. It is strange. The match here was the typical big man/little man stuff these two have worked before, leading to a finish that was about advancing this story more than anything. That's fine. It's not really a story that I like or care about, though. Maybe if this was how AJ entered the WWE and, later, began wrestling... we've seen her wrestle. She's not helpless or stupid.
Rating: 5.5 out of 10
SEGMENT THREE: David Otunga vs. Sheamus Match Result: Sheamus pinned David Otunga Match Length: A little over two minutes
Sometimes, I wonder about why Sheamus always looks so excited when he's about to take on an opponent that's so clearly below him. Then, I imagine asking Sheamus about that and his response is always "If I didn't fight against opponents weaker than me, I wouldn't get to fight against anybody, fella." The only thing I didn't like was the brief period of time where Otunga got in some offense. C'mon, Sheamus... you're better than that.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
SEGMENT FOUR: The Best in the World is Back
Well, we were all expecting this and Jericho explaining how everyone is ripping him off was pretty funny, especially when he included guys like Dolph Ziggler because he walks down to the ring with Vickie Guerrero and Jericho walked down to the ring with Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania X8. He, of course, singled out CM Punk as a Jericho rip-off and wannabe... and Punk came out to say nothing, only holding the belt up in the air and leaving with Jericho screaming at him to say something... Pretty good stuff. Jericho's scowl was funny.
Rating: 8.0 out of 10
SEGMENT FIVE: Randy Orton & the Great Khali vs. Wade Barrett & Cody Rhodes Match Result: The Great Khali pinned Cody Rhodes Match Length: A bit under four minutes
Worst. RKO. Ever. Anyone who wondered why the Great Khali was given 411's Worst Wrestler of the Year award for 2011, this match gave some good reasons. Always nice to see a match where Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett don't matter one bit and it's all about Khali...
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
SEGMENT SIX: Eve, Kelly Kelly, Alicia Fox & Tamina vs. Beth Phoenix, Natalya & the Bella Twins Match Result: Tamina pinned a Bella Match Length: A minute and a half
The only worthwhile part was the titslap by Beth Phoenix...
Rating: 3.5 out of 10
SEGMENT SEVEN: John Laurinaitis is Still Around
I could watch Triple H threaten to beat up John Laurinaitis all day. I just could. Also, an Ambulance match? That's a horrible idea.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
SEGMENT EIGHT: Six-Pack Challenge - CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. the Miz vs. R-Truth vs. Kofi Kingston Match Result: Chris Jericho pinned Dolph Ziggler Match Length: A little over twelve minutes
This was a fun match. The way that everyone attacked Jericho at first was great after the way he ran his mouth. Dolph Ziggler showing off when he was in the ring alone could have went on longer for my taste. R-Truth's elimination on medical reasons was strange -- legit? In story? Once back from the break, the in-ring action was good. Ziggler and the Miz working together, the double-pin (see, the Miz IS like Jericho!), Jericho and Kingston doing some nice work, and a fantastic finish. This was a little chaotic and had some convenient down times for some guys -- but, fun.
Kane's little speech to Eve reminded me that we hadn't had any of that story yet tonight... so close, WWE. So close.
Rating: 8.0 out of 10
FINAL THOUGHTS
Segment of the Night: Triple H/Undertaker Promo and Videos
Trash Segment of the Night: The Eight-Diva Tag Match
Final Analysis: There were some filler segments and an overabundance on video packages, but that didn't stop this from being a Raw with three strong segments in Triple H/Undertaker, Jericho/Punk, and the Six-Pack Challenge. The stories are on point and advancing well. Decent episode.
Verdict: 7.5
411 RATINGS SCALE:
0 - 0.9: Torture
1 - 1.9: Extremely Horrendous
2 - 2.9: Very Bad
3 - 3.9: Bad
4 - 4.9: Poor
5 - 5.9: Not So Good
6 - 6.9: Average
7 - 7.9: Good
8 - 8.9: Very Good
9 - 9.9: Amazing
10: Virtually Perfect
I honestly feel that, as much as the iwc shits on each other all day, there are about 25% of them that have the abilty to put out far better story lines with better payoffs than what the wwe creative team has vomited onto my tv for the last few months. Why are these people not getting hired? I really hate to bitch about the same thing we've all heard over and over from the 411 writers and trolls alike, but at what point does a fan stop being a fan? I'm on the verge of not watching anymore, because finding the silver lining in a pile of shit just isn't that easy. Oh, and they killed Punk. Killed him dead.
Posted By: CM Flair (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 12:05 AM
Yes r truths injury is legit. Did you see his head hit the back of the floor?
Posted By: Guest#5531 (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 12:11 AM
CM punk will battle Jericho at WM to see who is the best in the world..
Posted By: Guest#5718 (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 12:18 AM
HHH vs Undertaker on the Road to Fossilmania.
Anything between these two should automatically win trash segment of the night.
8.5/10? Chile please
Posted By: destro (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 12:20 AM
Why did they have to feed poor Cody to the Great Khali?? WHY! Good Raw from a storyline advancement perspective, not so much on the Wrestling side of things. But Two of our WrestleMania main events were continued. And a solid build with all the chamber participants in action. That Jericho segment was pretty awesome especially with him bragging about trolling everyone and then getting trolled by Punk. That Undertaker video was also pretty cool. Very Jigsaw-esque. "This is not over".
Posted By: Guest#5145 (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 01:28 AM
i'm normally a WWE supporter but tonites show was god awful. aside from jericho's promo and the last few minutes of the main event this is one of the most forgettable wrestling shows i've seen in a couple years.
Posted By: Riggs (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 01:28 AM
Its a shame to see a lot of good talent not being able to follow good storylines. Paul Fucken Heymen is out there for crying out loud and WWE brings in Dawson Creek writers?
Posted By: TheR (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 01:49 AM
with or without John Cena, the internet will still complain
Posted By: leno (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 07:58 AM
My opinion Raw sucked....there was more damn commercials than action. The Undertaker video was awesome and Punk, punking out Jericho without saying a word was priceless! Thank goodness No Cena...but just a little, and even that turned my stomach!! lol
Posted By: Rodriquez (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 09:21 AM
Twitter was blowing up with people blaming Miz for the R Truth injury - but even on the first replay it looked like Miz was positioned correctly. It seemed to me that Truth shot off the rope at almost a 45 degree angle to Miz. Miz tried to catch him but just couldn't get there in time.
Not saying it was anything other than an accident, I just hope R Truth is ok and that the Miz isn't put, um, well, any *further* into the doghouse because of it.
Posted By: Nic Flair (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 09:37 AM
Great recap Chad, only thing I'd rate slightly lower would be Sheamus/Otunga but thats just because I can't stand Otunga or his Clarance Mason gimmick, Khali killed the tag match but the other 3 did good, divas were meah as usual but overall I rally enjoyed Raw from start to finish for the first time in ages, it just felt like it flowed better than it has in a while (last week was great for the first hour but pretty average for hour two).
Anybody that still doubts Jericho's genius has no concept of what "working a crowd" is, he had 'em in the palm of his hand, a feud w/ Punk is gonna reek of awesomeness . Still not too crazy on a Taker/HHH rematch @ Mania but the presentation they did last nite was great. Trip's ripping Johnny Ace never gets old & it was quick & to the point unlike last week which really dragged on too long. Good to see an actual match involving the Champ & his upcoming challengers in the Main Event even if the middle part got derailed a bit due to Truth getting hurt.
Posted By: Scottish_Dave (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 10:10 AM
I'm sorry...I couldn't watch the damn beginning segment between HHH and Undertaker....
It was just WAY too soapy for my taste...And it pretty much had me switching out to something more entertaining (f'n Discovery Channel needs some GOOD shows on, and STAT...I don't think I could stand having to sit through that kind of garbage again!)...
Posted By: Guest#1170 (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Khali took an ugly "two part" RKO. Hilariously bad.
And not even ONE mention of Barretts SHIT new entrance theme? Retarded music
Posted By: boaty (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 01:41 PM
"CM punk will battle Jericho at WM to see who is the best in the world.."
Posted By: Guest#5718 (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 12:18 AM
And the outcome will prove nothing since neither one of them is the "Best in the World."
Posted By: 007 (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 03:19 PM
Twitter was blowing up with people blaming Miz for the R Truth injury - but even on the first replay it looked like Miz was positioned correctly. It seemed to me that Truth shot off the rope at almost a 45 degree angle to Miz. Miz tried to catch him but just couldn't get there in time.
Not saying it was anything other than an accident, I just hope R Truth is ok and that the Miz isn't put, um, well, any *further* into the doghouse because of it.
Posted By: Nic Flair (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 09:37 AM
someone trying hard enough to defend the miz? it was clearly the miz's fault. he was not in position and when he saw r-truth diving he "side-stepped" and didn't even bother to catch him or break the fall.
i'm glad triple h confronted miz because his carelessness could cause spinal injury to r-truth.
Posted By: Guest#2280 (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 04:09 PM
Worst. RKO. Ever.
Wha? Did you miss the RKO when Orton came off the ropes and missed Jericho? And had to do it again? And Jericho had to sit there like an idiot waiting for Orton to run the ropes again and do it right?
Posted By: Comment Board Poster (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 04:30 PM
Twitter was blowing up with people blaming Miz for the R Truth injury - but even on the first replay it looked like Miz was positioned correctly. It seemed to me that Truth shot off the rope at almost a 45 degree angle to Miz. Miz tried to catch him but just couldn't get there in time.
Not saying it was anything other than an accident, I just hope R Truth is ok and that the Miz isn't put, um, well, any *further* into the doghouse because of it.
Posted By: Nic Flair (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 09:37 AM
You must be joking. You can clearly see Miz moving to his right as Truth begins his leap. He moved far too soon. Big time.
Posted By: Oh My! (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 04:55 PM
Bring back The Nation of Domination!!!!!!!
Posted By: Guest#1101 (Guest) on February 07, 2012 at 06:37 PM
Copyright (c) 2011 411mania.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
Click here for our privacy policy. Please help us serve you better, fill out our survey.
Use of this site signifies your agreement to our terms of use.
