How appropriate that John Cena wrestled the Undertaker on Smackdown - as the match was more or less a burial of Cena’s hoped of headlining Backlash. Yeah, we’re gonna buy Cena as a legitimate threat after it took a run in from 3 guys, a chair and a chain for him to beat The Undertaker, a man who Lesnar took apart in a cell the last time they met.
How the hell are the WWE supposed to build new stars for the future when the old stars of the past make them look as toothless as Taker did to Cena? Yes yes, Taker did the honourable thing and put Cena over for the win in the end, but he didn’t exactly make Cena look like the proverbial million bucks in the process.
It’s understandable that Cena would have to cheat to win (copyright Los Guerreros) as he is a heel, after all... but allowing Cena to at least look like a credible threat would have done wonders for not just Cena, but the Smackdown brand as a whole. It looks now that as the WWE management “weren’t impressed” by Cena’s performance, the nod will go to Chris Benoit to face Lesnar at Backlash.
Shockingly enough, I do agree with that choice. Have Cena go down against Benoit, but go down fighting - keep him away from Brock, so that there can be a proper build to the match. A good match is all about anticipation, not just throwing two workers together and telling them to go at it. If Cena is kept away from Lesnar, but keeps on stirring the pot with the great promo work he’s shown, people will want to see the showdown between the two.
Cena isn’t ready to carry the belt yet. But he will be. Feuding him with someone like Benoit, who can help teach him the way round a ring, and ring psychology will help. Having Cena act like a tea-boy who got a lucky win (as was the case in the Undertaker match) won’t. do anyone (except the Undertaker) any good.
The Coach to commentate on Raw every week? Wow, that’s a sure fire ratings winner! Put him together with The King and that’s quite the broadcast team. If I may quote the Coach briefly - Vince, I’m begging ya - pay Joey Styles whatever he wants and put him on Raw. Regal can’t wrestle for at least 6 months, use him as a colour commentator; failing that go and hire Steve Corino - his colour commentary on Ring Of Honor shows is perhaps the best in the business right now.
Oi!!! It’s not Brian Kendrick, it’s Spanky. Got it? Good.
Nash is back! Nash is back! And who can say he’s not fit this time? That scintillating pace of his run in on Raw last week! Whoo! Top speed ahead! Actually, I shouldn’t mock, a Nash run in usually goes like this : right foot - flick hair - left foot - flick hair - right foot - stop for breath, check hair colour - left foot - tear some form of muscle, fall down, scream like girl, check hair...
Nash’s powerbomb still sucks though. Sorry, but it’s gotta be said - it’s called a powerbomb because you’re supposed to POWER them down to the mat. It’s not called a “eh, I got them up this high, gravity can do the rest Drop bomb” is it? Oh it is? Then my apologies to you, Mr. Nash.
For all that, there is an “X” factor about Nash. Yes, he’s slow and lazy... Yes, his best days are probably behind him... No, he doesn’t set the world on fire... but dammit, the man still has a coolness about him that I can’t explain. When I get to be that age, I want to be as cool as Nash is. Hell, I want to be as cool as Nash is now!
Bischoff’s impression of Austin on Raw was a hysterical moment - never have I seen one man ooze so much slime at will. I get the feeling if you sat Bischoff on a leather couch, he’s slide off it on to the floor, the man is honestly that slimy. But that’s by no means a bad thing. Oh no, far from it - Bisch is turning into one of the highlights of Raw. If, and folks, this is a big “IF” Austin is to be given a GM role, there better be room for Bisch to co-exist with him.
Loved the interaction between Christian and The Rock last week - is Christian in line for a push of his own? Let’s hope so - he’s “paid his dues” long enough, and is more than able to hold his own with anyone on the mic - let’s see what he can do given a serious push.
My feelings on The Rock are well documented, but even I will give him his due - he’s doing his bit to try and make new stars - he’s working with the Hurricane’s, the Christian’s and the Jeff Hardy’s of the WWE, and making them look as if they at least have a chance against him... Please someone in the WWE have the guts to point this out to a few other people... please?
And on that hopeful note, I think I’ll leave you to get back to whatever it is you were doing before you checked in here, and I’ll get back to my Hootie & The Blowfish CD and EWR game - I have a Jeff Hardy vs. Christopher Daniels feud to book in Ring Of Honor... can you spell “jobber”? Have a happy Easter, and don't eat too much chocolate!
Until next time, have fun, go mad.
