WWE Monday Night Raw
“2010 King of the Ring” edition
November 29, 2010
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Michael Cole, Jerry “The King” Lawler and CM Punk
Report by: David Stephens & Adam Martin
Adam Martin here filling in for David Stephens for the first hour of the show.
A video package runs highlighting last week’s Raw with Randy Orton retaining the WWE Champinship over Wade Barrett only to see The Miz cash in his “Money in the Bank” briefcase to become the new WWE Champion. Angry Miz Girl made a cameo!
We go live to the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA where a huge display of pyro goes off. We focus in on the “King of the Ring” throne when Alex Riley walks out. He tells us hide the kids and hide the wife because The Miz is the new WWE Champion. He talks about how proud he was of The Miz last week and how it was a moment no one will ever forget. Riley said all that is left to do is party. CM Punk said Riley probably shouldn’t be partying anymore. Riley makes reference to the fact that if you pay attention to things on the internet and “listen to CM Punk’s god awful commentary” everyone knows he isn’t afraid of a good party.
“King of the Ring” Tournament – First Round
Alberto Del Rio vs. WWE U.S. Champion Daniel Bryan
Del Rio takes time to take off his scarf as the bell rings. Lock up and Del Rio pushes Bryan to the corner. Del Rio with a few shots in the corner and then sends Bryan to the other corner. Del Rio with a series of kicks and a big kick to the head. Del Rio with a headlock takedown. Bryan shoots Del Rio into the ropes and Del Rio catches Bryan with a quick shoulder block. Bryan responds with a big dropkick. Cover and Del Rio kicks out after one. Del Rio with a modified spinebuster, but Bryan goes for the LeBell Lock right away. Del Rio fights out and rolls to the outside as we take a commercial break.
****Commercial****
Back live, Del Rio has a headlock on Bryan. Bryan fights to his feet and then Del Rio drops him to his back. Del Rio with kicks to the back of Bryan and into a cover for a one count. Del Rio back to a headlock on Bryan. Bryan fights to his feet, hits a few elbows, but Del Rio cuts him off with a forearm to the back and a scoop slam. Del Rio misses a splash in the corner. Bryan with a rollup for a two count. Another rollup by Bryan for another two count. Del Rio responds with kicks to the legs of Bryan. Bryan with uppercuts, springboard off the corner and then gets in a german suplex into a bridge for a two count. Bryan with a huge dropkick to Del Rio sending Del Rio into the corner. Bryan with big kicks to the chest of Del Rio. Del Rio responds right away with a german suplex into a bridge of his own for a two count. Bryan sends Del Rio through the ropes. Bryan hits the ropes and hits a suicide dive on Del Rio. Bryan clutches his shoulder after hitting the move. Bryan tosses Del Rio back in the ring and goes up top. Del Rio swats Bryan away when he jumps off the top rope. Bryan favors his shoulder once again. Del Rio smiles and executes his flying armbar locking it in. Bryan taps.
Winner & advancing in the King of the Ring: Alberto Del Rio
Del Rio will face the winner of John Morrison vs. Cody Rhodes later tonight.
We see past winners of the King of the Ring including Edge, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, Bret Hart and Brock Lesnar.
****Commercial****
R-Truth is on his way out. Truth talks about John Cena “going out like a champ” last week. He said Nexus might have won the battle, but they haven’t won the war. Truth challenges any member of Nexus to go one-on-one with The Truth right now. We go to the back where Michael McGillicutty is exiting The Nexus locker room. Josh Mathews walks up and McGillicutty accepts the challenge. As McGillicutty exits getting a smile from Wade Barrett, he gets taken out and the camera falls to the ground. We see someone beating up McGillicutty. The person then does the “You Can’t See Me” gesture appearing to be John Cena.
****Commercial****
We see another shot of the King of the Ring throne at the top of the stage.
“King of the Ring” Tournament – First Round
Cody Rhodes vs. John Morrison
Michael Cole mentioned he spoke with Cody Rhodes before the show tonight and Rhodes said he had an hour long facial. CM Punk added, “I bet he did.” Lock up and Morrison drops Rhodes with a quick shoulder block. Rhodes responds with some big right hands and pushes Morrison to the corner. Rhodes misses a charge and hits face first on the turnbuckle. Morrison with a few slaps and Rhodes is upset that his face is being touched. Morrison pulls him back in the ring and hits a quick clothesline. Rhodes with some quick shots and tosses Morrison with force into the corner. Rhodes with big knees to the gut. Rhodes with a lock over the shoulder of Morrison. Morrison breaks it up with a few elbows, but Rhodes catches Morrison with a kick to the gut and goes back to the shoulder lock. Morrison fights to his feet, hits some big rights and throws a knee to the body of Rhodes. Series of clotheslines by Morrison followed by a spinning single leg. Rhodes counters a running knee into a rollup for a close two count. Morrison with his springboard flashkick as Rhodes hit the ropes. Morrison then hits the ropes and connects with his knee to the head on Rhodes. Morrison in for the cover and gets the win.
Winner & advancing in the King of the Ring: John Morrison
Morrison will now face Alberto Del Rio in the semi-finals tonight.
Miss USA Rima Fakih is plugged as the guest star later tonight. We will also have the presentation of the new WWE Champion, The Miz.
****Commercial****
“King of the Ring” Tournament – First Round
Drew McIntyre vs. Ezekiel Jackson
Lock up and Jackson pushes McIntyre to the corner. Jackson backs off, another lock up and McIntyre side steps Jackson sending him into the corner. Jackson smiles and McIntyre gets in a slap. Jackson with a big right hand and clotheslines dropping McIntyre. Jackson with his big clothesline in the corner and follows with a body splash. Cover and Jackson gets a two count. As McIntyre was in the corner, he pulled part of the turnbuckle pad back. McIntyre then dropped Jackson’s face over it. CM Punk mentioned this early on and Michael Cole didn’t know what he was talking about. Punk added that this is why he is the wrestler and Cole is, well, whatever he is. Cole said Punk isn’t a wrestler – he is a superstar. Fun banter on commentary tonight. Back in the ring, McIntyre drops Jackson with a big clothesline. They brawl to the outside. The referee starts the count. McIntyre springboards off the steel barricade and takes out Jackson. The referee is at the count of eight now. Jackson tries to run forward, but McIntyre grabs his by the foot to stop him. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Double Countout
As a result of the match finish, the winner of Kofi Kingston vs. Sheamus will get a bye and automatically advance to the finals.
Backstage, Daniel Bryan is icing his shoulder when The Bella Twins walk up hitting on him. Alex Riley walks up asking what they want with this nerd. Riley gets a call from The Miz on his bluetooth. He proclaims it will be MizFest 2010 tonight. Riley makes fun of Bryan some more saying he passed on a huge opportunity to have The Miz as his mentor.
****Commercial****
We get another video package recapping The Miz winning the WWE Championship last week. Back live, Michael Cole is clapping and asks CM Punk if he is excited about the arrival of The Miz. Punk doesn’t care.
Justin Roberts then introduces the new WWE Champion. Michael Cole said it feels like his son accomplished something. Cole remains standing cheering “YAHOO!” as Miz makes his way to the ring with Alex Riley. Miz said he had a huge celebration planned for tonight, but in the end he didn’t need that. He shows pictures of The Angry Miz Girl. Miz thanks that little girl saying it was worth it. He said she embodies all the people who said he could never make it. Miz mentions JBL, Triple H and John Cena – “I say this, The Miz is WWE Champion.” He talks about Randy Orton not being here tonight after suffering a knee injury. Miz said the only thing hurt on Orton is his pride when he embarassed him to win the WWE Championship. He said Orton is ashamed to show his face. Miz said Orton won’t be the first either and mark his words, he will be the longest reigning WWE Champion in history. He said if you take anything away from this speech is that it takes an exceptional person to prove everyone wrong. Miz said he is nothing libe a ke the people in the arena or on television watching at home. He calls himself 1 in a billion. Miz said two weeks ago Roddy Piper stood in this very ring that in his generation, they went out and made things happen. He mentions the new “History of the WWE Championship” book and how legends like Piper, Ricky Steamboat and many others are not in that back.
Jerry Lawler interrupts. He congratulates The Miz, but said the fact is he beat a guy who was attacked and weak. Lawler said in his book that doesn’t make him awesome. Miz said that sounds like the rambling of a bitter old man who fought for four decades and never accomplished what he did in one night. Cole tells King to stop and that it is bad enough he is downplaying Miz’s victory last week. He said tonight is about The Miz and to sit back down to let Miz have his moment. Lawler agrees, but said Miz should “CALL OUT” someone from the back and put the title on the line to prove he is a real champion. Cole said if Lawler isn’t careful, he could be that next person. Lawler said he has been here since 1993 and has never received a shot at the WWE Championship. He asks for a title match with The Miz tonight. Miz said that is a great idea, but he isn’t interested in defending his title tonight. Lawler said Miz just confirmed what he was saying – he may be a champion, but he isn’t awesome. Miz calls Lawler a shell of a Hall of Famers.
The Raw GM has something to stay. And I quote. “Congratulations Miz. What you did last week was impressive. But that was last week. And this is tonight. So while you may not be interested in defending the WWE Title, I am. Thererfore I’m making our main event – The Miz vs. WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler for the WWE Championship tonight. But wait there is more. In three weeks there is a PPV known as TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs. And I can’t think of a better way to kick off the countdown of the PPV by making tonight’s main event a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match.”
****Commercial****
Hot tag to David Stephens! See you later tonight for “WrestleView Radio” at 11:30 p.m. ET (10:30 CT) airing free all night!
There’s the tag from Adam Martin, and I’m in.
King of the Ring: 1st Round Match
Sheamus v. Kofi Kingston
Both men square off in the center of the ring. They lock up and both tumble to the outside of the ring. Kofi punches Sheamus in the face and follows with a kick. Sheamus counters with an Irish Curse back breaker. Cover attempt, but Kofi kicks out. Sheamus locks on a side headlock. Sheamus releases Kofi and is looking for a Side Effect, but Kofi kicks his way free. Kofi dodges a clubbing blow, and follows with some boom boom antics. Cover attempt, but Sheamus kicks out. Kofi leaps into the air and connects with a trouble in Paradise! Kofi is too dazed to go for the cover. Sheamus throws him into the corner. Kofi dodges a splash with a see saw counter. Sheamus immediately hits the Brog kick, and this match is over.
Winner via Brog Kick: Sheamus
****Commercial****
Yoshi Tatsu & Mark Henry v. Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel
This is a non-title matchup. Yoshi and Gabriel start off with a quick cover from Tatsu. Justin kicks out. Slater gets the tag and stomps on Yoshi a few time before tagging in Gabriel once again. Gabriel does the same, and Slater finds his way back into the ring.
John Cena is seen coming in through the crowd, and taking a seat at ringside with tickets which he bought.
Back in the ring, Tatsu scampers away from Slater and makes the tag. Henry comes in and connects with a head butt. Slater finds himself flattened with a scoop slam, and then hit with a splash. Gabriel runs into the ring to break the hold. Tatsu runs in and takes out Gabriel. Slater heads to the top rope and does the “You Can’t See Me” gesture and leaps for a crossbody. Henry catches him and hits the World’s Strongest Slam. This match is over.
Winners: Mark Henry & Yoshi Tatsu
After the match, Cena leaps over the barricade and runs to the commentator’s table. Much to the chagrin of CM Punk, he pulls the cover off the table. Cena drags Slater out of the ring, and hits the Attitude Adjustment through the announce table. Cena exits through the crowd as members of Nexus run down to help Slater.
“We have the worst security” – CM Punk
****Commercial****
In the back, David Otunga, Husky Harris, and Justin Gabriel are complaining to each other about Cena. Wade comes in and announces that tonight he will call out John Cena. When he does come out, Nexus will attack him.
Jerry Lawler is in the back preparing for his Championship match tonight. Arn Anderson comes in to try and talk him out of it. He cites safety as a main factor. Lawler says he will take the risk to have his first WWE Championship match ever. Arn wishes him luck.
****Commercial****
King of the Ring: Round 2
John Morrison v. Alberto Del Rio
Morrison leaps up to the top rope and flips over with a crossbody. Morrison goes for a cover, but Rio kicks out. It’s Rio’s turn to go for a cover as he kicks Morrison and slams him down to the mat. Morrison kicks out. Rio locks on an arm bar. Morrison gets to his feet, but Rio follows with a punch and then attempts to whip him into the ropes. Morrison counters with a spinning elbow, and goes for a cover. Del Rio kicks out.
Del Rio hits a nice arm bar into an arm breaker. Cover attempt, but Morrison kicks out. Rio punches Morrison in the back of the head, and then taunts the crowd. Morrison is placed into the corner, and Del Rio hits his patented running enziguiri kick.
Del Rio is distracted by a honking horn. Rey Mysterio is shown inside of his car, taunting Del Rio. Morrison senses the distraction and looks to take advantage. Flying Chuck from Morrison, and this match is over.
Winner via Flying Chuck: John Morrison
“That’s what he does, he’s a car thief on the side… he stole my car twice” – CM Punk on Rey Mysterio
Tonight: Miss USA Rima Fakih
****Commercial****
Wade Barrett comes down to the ring and starts to talk about Cena. He says that the GM has told him that the only person that can get him his job back is Barrett. So Cena is taunting him, and attacking the Nexus, in an attempt for Wade to get so riled up that he has Cena reinstated so that he can seek revenge.
Cena is in the back and says that this isn’t about getting his job back. It’s about keeping his word. He says that he is going to take out every single member of the Nexus. Wade says that someone has to be watching this, and realize that Cena is in the parking lot. Cena laughs and says that security was attacked by Nexus on their first night, so they are in no hurry to escort him from the building. Wade says that security isn’t who he was talking about.
Nexus appears around Cena. Wade starts to laugh, but Cena stops him. Cena says that he isn’t the only guy who has a problem with the Nexus. Several RAW Superstars appear and attack Nexus. Cena grabs Gabriel and throws him into a car, his head goes through the window! Cena continues the assault throwing him into a collection of chairs. Cena then lifts him up and sends him through the windshield with an Attitude Adjustment! Cena says that he won’t stop till he takes out every single member, so see ya next week.
****Commercial****
Maryse, Alicia Fox & Tamina v. Natalya, Gail Kim & Melina
Maryse and Melina start things off. They roll around on the mat. Maryse runs back in, but Melina grabs her hair from the apron. Maryse fights her off and pulls her into the middle of the ring. Cover attempt, but Melina kicks out. Alicia Fox gets the tag.
The former champion kicks Melina in the gut several times. She places Melina on the second rope, but for some reason attempts a clothesline which Melina comes off the second rope and uses the matrix move to dodge. Alicia Fox gets angry and kicks her.
Santino comes out to the entrance ramp singing with a guitar. Yuppers. Tamina grabs him by the neck, and heads out with him.
Melina tags in Natalya. Natalya comes in with a strong scoop slam, and is looking for the Sharpshooter. Maryse runs in to break it up, but Gail Kim runs right after. Natalya turns her attention back to Alicia Fox, and this time connects with the Sharpshooter. This match is over.
Winners: Natalya, Gail Kim & Melina
Video Package: Career of Jerry “The King” Lawler
****Commercial****
Ted Dibiase is in the back with Maryse. She says that when she looks at him, she sees someone who tapped out twice to Daniel Bryan. He shoots her a very frustrated look and walks away.
David Otunga and Husky Harris are sneaking around the back like they are in a horror movie. Husky says that he is worried because Cena keeps taking them all out. The count is already at three for tonight. Otunga says that he thinks he has a plan to take care of the problem once and for all.
Josh Mathews is in the back with Sheamus and Morrison. He asks them about their match tonight. Sheamus points out that Morrison’s arm is hurt, and that the only reason he lost at Survivor Series is because he made one little mistake. Morrison says that the only thing that matters is that at the end of the night he will be the King of the Ring.
****Commercial****
Miss USA, Rima Fakih makes her was down to the ring. She is brought out to the entrance ramp by Santino. O.M.G. plays as she makes her way down. Justin Roberts hands her the mic, and she is going to be the guest ring announcer for the finals of the King of the Ring tournament.
King of the Ring: Finals
Sheamus v. John Morrison
Sheamus goes right after the arm of Morrison. He slams him to the mat and proceeds to stomp on the right arm. Sheamus hits a twisting arm bar, and then holds the submission. Morrison is able to get to his feet, and counters, but finds himself tossed to the apron when he attempts the Flying Chuck. Sheamus hits him with a shoulder block which knocks him to the floor.
****Commercial****
Back live, Sheamus is going for a cover. Morrison kicks out. Sheamus backs him into the corner, and punches the arm of Morrison. Sheamus grabs the arm and pulls Morrison down to the mat for another cover. Morrison kicks out. Sheamus grabs Morrison around the neck from behind and just slams his arm across the chest of Morrison.
Sheamus locks on a triangle hold on the arm, and drains the strength of Morrison. Sheamus is hit with a couple of blows. Morrison hits a European uppercut, and continues with forearms. Sheamus is starting to falter as Morrison heads to the ropes. Morrison hits a heel kick to the jaw and goes for the cover. Sheamus kicks out. Sheamus is in the corner and Morrison runs right at him. Sheamus just throws him into the middle of the ring. Morrison dodges a Brog kick, but Sheamus turns around to connect with a brutal clothesline. Cover attempt, but Morrison kicks out.
Sheamus sets up for the High Cross. Morrison fights out, and is trying to go for a reach over. Sheamus is too heavy, and Morrison finds himself sent to the corner. Sheamus tries to lift him up, but Morrison hits a tilt-a-whirl DDT! Cover attempt, but Sheamus kicks out.
Morrison goes for the running knee, but Sheamus counters. Morrison is on the apron, and Sheamus tries to throw him head first into the turnbuckle. Morrison uses his foot to separate himself, and leaps to the top rope. Sheamus grabs him, and slams him down to the mat arm first! Cover attempt, but Morrison kicks out. Sheamus goes back to the arm bar. Morrison looks to be on the verge of tapping. Morrison flips his way free, and connects with a kick to the head.
Sheamus grabs him from the back of the hair, but Morrison kicks him in the face out of nowhere. Sheamus falls to the mat, and Morrison is looking for Starship Pain. Sheamus counters, and then hits the Brog kick! Instead of going for the cover, but Sheamus is looking for the High Cross. Sheamus connects and becomes the NEW King of the Ring. This match is over!
Winner via High Cross: Sheamus
After the match, Sheamus is coronated by Miss USA. He says that finally the King has been crowned once again in Ireland.
****Commercial****
WWE Championship – Tables, Ladders and Chairs
The Miz v. Jerry “The King” Lawler
They lock up in the center of the ring. Miz backs him in the corner and goes for a punch. Lawler ducks and hits one of his own. They circle each other once again. A lock up, and this time The Miz slams him down to the mat. Lawler grabs Miz, and this time he hits him with a scoop slam. Miz kicks him in the gut, and follows up with a punch and several stomps. Miz throws him to the outside of the ring.
Alex Riley hands Miz a steel chair. Miz slams it over the back of Lawler. Miz follows up with yet another. Miz rolls him back into the ring. On the inside are two rings which Miz has placed inside. Miz sets them up facing each other. He is looking to suplex Lawler onto the chairs. Lawler spins around and tries to suplex Miz! Miz flips out of the way and gets behind Lawler. Miz sets up a chair, and sends Lawler into it via a neckbreaker.
Miz commands Riley to grab him a ladder. While Miz’s back is turned, Lawler gets up to his feet. He grabs a chair, and repeatedly hits Miz over the back with it! Lawler then heads out of the ring. He goes for the ladder, but Riley runs over to him. Lawler takes him out with a serious of punches, and grabs a table. Lawler appears to opt out of the table and pushes a ladder into the ring. Miz tries to counter, but Lawler pushes the ladder into him. Lawler charges at him with the ladder, but misses and it gets anchored in the corner. Miz counters getting whipped into it, but a back drop sends him onto the cold steel!
Riley is on the apron, and clotheslines Lawler. Once Lawler gets back to his feet, he pushes Riley off the apron, and through a table on the outside! Lawler then sets the ladder up under the belt. Lawler begins to slowly climb the ladder. Miz intercepts him, and kicks him to the ground. Miz eyes a steel chair and picks up Lawler. Miz hits a scoop slam which sends Lawler onto the chair. Miz grabs a chair and hits Lawler over the back. Miz then heads up to the top rope with the chair. Lawler sees him and runs over to block.
Miz lands on the turnbuckle, and Lawler heads up. He is looking for a suplex, but Miz begins to counter. Miz then starts to stand up, but gets tossed out of the ring, and through a table on the outside! Lawler is now all alone in the ring with a ladder set up.
Michael Cole runs off of commentary and tries to get Miz to his feet. When it doesn’t work, he heads into the ring. Lawler is almost at the top of the ladder! Cole runs into the ring and pulls Lawler down. Lawler stares at him in disbelief, then pummels him in the face! Miz manages to scurry back into the ring, and runs up the ladder. Lawler heads up after and starts to punch Miz. Miz punches back and Lawler falls off the ladder. Miz grabs the Title, and this match is over.
Winner via Michael Cole being a jerkface: The Miz
Raw Thoughts
I like Justin Gabriel’s beard.
There are two main things which I want to talk about this week. This first is my recap from last week, the second is the issue of the Miz as the WWE Champion.
Last week I decided to try a little experiment and wrote my column in kayfabe (i.e. as if it was real). Now obviously professional wrestling is “fake” (a term I hate to use, but that is a topic for another day). Cena isn’t actually fired. I wasn’t being serious about Cena having a 90 day no compete clause, and he isn’t going to TNA or UFC. Though if you think about the possibilities… (sorry, sorry, I couldn’t resist).
I was saddened by some of the emails that I got, but not for the reason you might think. I got ones which thanked me, or got a laugh out of the Kayfabe attempt; and I really appreciate them. I also got some hatemail, which I always appreciate, but it was the tone that some took which saddened me.
Far too many people sat down at their computer and wrote lengthy retorts to my thoughts. Their passionate stance? I’m an idiot because wrestling isn’t real. I had hoped that by writing “kayfabe” I wouldn’t get them, but I did.
Here is what I don’t understand – why would a wrestling fan fight so hard to point out that wrestling is fake? Why? Seriously, why? Maybe it is because writing about wrestling is what I do, but I get tired of non-fans constantly pointing out and asking whether or not it is real. Sure, that is tiring, but for an actual fan to point that out? I was saddened.
Whatever happened to having fun? Being entertained? If you get off by making sure everybody knows it is fake, then why do you bother to watch?
Call me old fashion, but I like the concept of kayfabe. I enjoy suspending my disbelief. I rarely read spoilers because I really don’t want to know what is going to happen. It just takes the fun out of wrestling. So yes, wrestling isn’t real. You got me. Part of the mystique of wrestling for fans is that a great show makes you forget that fact. You get lost in the show, and you get your money’s worth in entertainment. Just try and enjoy the product, that is, after all, the reason I watch. As Kanye West would say, “Let’s get lost tonight”.
Kayfabe aside, let’s talk about the Miz. I’m having some real issues in my mind about him holding the belt.
WAIT – Do NOT send me email until you read everything I have to say about the guy
The Miz has relatively everything going for him. He is fantastic on the mic, has an ever increasing fanbase, pretty solid in the ring, is a top notch spokesman and ambassador for the WWE, and hell – he even has an “awesome” catch phrase. But why does he have to be in the main event?
There is this mentality that for a superstar to be great, that he must hold a World Championship, or be a strong main eventer. That argument really bothers me. I don’t have a big problem with the Miz winning the belt. I certainly won’t question his legitimacy or try to take away from his accomplishment. He has worked his ass off for years to get to where he is today. I have so much respect for the way he rose from obscurity and belittlement, to a legitimate professional wrestler. It’ll make a great DVD one day.
My issue is that the main event scene was not in need of his character. He wasn’t desperately desired to breathe life into a stale scene. Especially not after the influx of such high caliber main event talent as Wade Barrett and Sheamus. You factor in the old guard like John Cena, Randy Orton or Edge (who remember the WWE choose to send to Smackdown, he could have been used on RAW but the main event scene was already strong without him) and you are off to a good start. HHH should be returning soon further strengthening the roster. In the wings are guys who with a couple weeks of careful booking could be presented to the audience as visible contenders. Guys like: Mark Henry, Ezekiel Jackson, Kozlov, R-Truth and The Great Khali come to mind. I’m not claiming that these guys would necessarily be better than the Miz, simply that he wasn’t absolutely needed.
This brings me to my point. The Miz should have been allowed to stay in the midcard. Yes, I phrased that correctly – he should have been allowed to stay.
The Miz is such a strong character right now. So strong that he doesn’t need a belt. Not the WWE Championship, and not even the US Championship. I think there is a case to be made for no belt whatsoever. I’m running short on time as I’m on a deadline, so let me just hit the key point.
The Miz doesn’t need the WWE Championship, and the WWE Championship doesn’t need him.
Again, the key word is need. The reason I say this is fairly logical. I don’t think the main scene is going to sky rocket with his inclusion. I’m certainly not saying it will suffer, I just don’t see how it helps the company. The role of the champion is to draw as much of a gate as possible either because fans want to see him win, or they want to see him beaten. The Miz has an ever growing fan base, but he is just not quite there yet. From a monetary standpoint, Miz as Champion isn’t going to increase revenue for the company. He won’t hurt it, he just won’t increase it. I believe the company as a whole would have been better to stick with the current options, and place the Miz into really strong character based feud in the upper midcard.
Sheamus gets a goldstar for winning the King of the Ring Tournament (copyright Mr. V). Not much to say, so congrats. I thought they would go with Del Rio, but this works as well. Let’s hope that Sheamus’ career goes better after this win then say the last King of the Ring – William Regal.
I have a confession to make, I’m really starting to like David Otunga. Not in the ring, but as a character. Seeing him and Husky Harris in the back tonight, clearly in cohorts, was fantastic. If the two of them had a sitcom, I would watch it. I’m hoping Otunga attempts mutiny. It would be hilarious!
I do read every single e-mail you guys send, and really appreciate hearing your thoughts. Send me some e-mails, and have a safe week everyone!
– David Stephens
Follow me on Twitter! @davewrestleview
So that’s RAW…. Love it? Hate it? Disagree with everything I said? Just want to chat wrestling? I’m always up for reading your thoughts and do my absolute best to reply to every message I get. Send them over to me at david@wrestleview.com. (there were a lot of great ones that I didn’t get a chance to respond to this past week, and I hope to reply to them this week so sorry if you were one of them!)
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