There wasn’t just one thing I wanted to discuss this week, so I figured I would run the gauntlet on a few fresh topics. As always, I look forward to your responses via Twitter @RealityofChris or the “Comments” section below.
HEEL ESTABLISHMENT ON RAW THIS WEEK
It seemed pretty evident what Vince was trying to accomplish this past Monday on Raw. Big Show and Alberto Del Rio – two of your most important heels (at least, this month) – need as much heat and momentum as possible heading into their respective matches at No Way Out.
Big Show gets that over Brodus Clay and the tag champs, but not in a match. Del Rio gets a quick and decisive victory over the US Champion, Santino Marella.
It was the latter that caused the most uproar on Twitter.
You might not agree with the overall direction in some of WWE’s current programs, but most of it has been very LOGICAL. Why is that no longer enough for the IWC?
Big Show was the obvious, but logical choice to help Johnny get the win over Cena at OTL. Fans balked due to it being “too expected”. Yet, there’s no doubt fans would have reacted even harsher had Vince threw a swerve in there, without any rhyme or reason, all for the sake of pulling one over on us.
Alberto Del Rio needs heat in a bad way. Fans simply don’t connect with him, nor take him serious. It’s not completely his fault, or ours, as Vince and Creative haven’t been taking him serious, either. That being said, he’s a LOGICAL transition guy for Sheamus right now.
Monday’s Raw continued the pattern of logical booking – establish the two top heels quickly by feeding them babyfaces that are over. In ADR’s case, a babyface that is extremely over.
Brodus wasn’t hurt as he didn’t lose an official match and can continue his winning streak. Santino’s gimmick is soft in the ring and always has been, but fans have come to expect that and no longer hold it against him when he loses as a result. He will be fine, too.
I wish they’d allow Santino to be a bit more serious and competitive during his matches as much as the next guy, especially now that he’s the US Champion, but I also understand that the champions and challengers to the two world titles are more important. And always will be.
You’ve got to establish your top heels. This week’s Raw was a LOGICAL way of doing it.
