This week will be a trial run of a new and hopefully improved Title This. Please leave your comments on the format of the reaction piece below, specifically if you like this format, or prefer the old one.
The Undercard Matches:
Monday Night Raw had a few matches that i consider the undercard. We were treated to two tag team matches, that featured Team Hell No defeating Primetime Players. Daniel Bryan and Kane were able to ground their opponents early and often, with Bryan getting the blind tag and finishing off Darren Young with the No Lock. I really thought that both teams looked very solid in the ring, and were able to show some sort of interest in a match that we knew the outcome. I do enjoy the focus back on tag team wrestling, and you can tell that WWE is really trying to revive this division. Speaking of reviving the division, Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara lost to Rhodes Scholars. I was nervous at first because Rey and Sin could have squashed the momentum of Damien and Cody. I was really hoping this did not happen because Rhodes Scholars are more consistent in the ring. They rarely miss a move, botch a spot, and are the heel tag team the WWE needs to face off against Kane and Bryan. This will benefit them in the long run. For the action inside of the ring, Rhodes Scholars looked great. You can tell when Damien feels comfortable with an opponent, and he was able to get the win tonight for his team. Cody and Rey have great chemistry in the ring, and this is dating back to Wrestlemania 27 days.
Grade: B- Tag Team Wrestling is beginning to get the main television time each week, and all four teams took a step forward.
Kofi Kingston defeated Antonio Cesaro by disqualification when Miz came out and interfered. I was unsure what was going to happen with this pairing, as both men need to continue to win. Kofi is proven, but Antonio is still fresh to the crowd. He needs to prove himself on a weekly basis to continue to get the support of WWE officials. The Miz came out and was able to continue his feud. This surprised me because he lost clean twice to Kingston. What is the point of Miz continuing to get into the face of Kofi? My only guess is that Miz will get more heat and be able to have Kofi get over with the crowd even more. Miz is a storyteller. That is what he does best. I really did not like the fact that R-Truth came out to fight off Cesaro. It seems random, forced, and a last choice to have someone feud with Cesaro.
Grade: C+
Other action featured Alberto Del Rio defeating Justin Gabriel in his typical squash match, Ryback defeating JTG, and 3MB beating Ryder and Santino. All three of these matches were basically wasted segments for something much better. Ryback dominated like usual, and does nothing for him that he already has not done. Alberto Del Rio continues to beat useless talents that are not in the main event level like Gabriel, Ryder, and Kingston. Alberto will never connect with the crowd until he can actually accomplish something. He has not had a huge moment in a very long time. 3MB are funny, but what is the long term plan for them? I cannot see them sticking around for a long time.
Grade: C
The match of the night was Randy Orton defeating Wade Barrett. If you love a struggle, a battle, and a war of a match, this is one you want to go back and watch. I really enjoy the psychology of the two men in the ring. JR said it best when he said Wade Barrett is a student of the game. He was able to focus on Orton's weak links, even though Orton would come back with a ball of fire on Wade. Orton picked up the win, and I was not a great fan of that decision. Does he really need the victory? It seems like nothing that hurt Orton. Not an injury, suspension, or lack of a feud.
Grade: B+
