Thanks to Adam Morehart for the following:
Prior to Raw, Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch defeated Cryme Time.
I just got back from the show and all I can say is WOW! The draft was well done and the side stories were pretty good. I have to say that it was great to see the “Hot Rod” and the other legends and celebs that were there. Usually I would go match by match , etc. But there was just so much tonight that I think I’ll just hit on a few high and not so nigh points…
The pops were insane as the Wilkes-Barre crowd really got live for this event…and it truly was sold out for the first time in all the RAWS and Smackdowns! I’ve attended there. Earlier in the day a friend of mine from Petco told me the WWE came in and bought a dog house, etc. I instantly thought that we were gonna see the anticipated June debut of Harry Smith…uggg sorry to be wrong on that one. I wonder how much Moohlah and Mae get paid to do that stuff?
Despite seeing Cena and Edge for the 200th time in 2 years I was pleasantly surprised at how good the match was. I still can’t appreciate the “5 moves of doom” but Cena does give it 110% every time. In my opinion though Edge continues to carry a lot of guys in their matches.
I didn’t like the “power ranger” MVP at all. His gimmick is lame and it got no pops or heat in any way. This was easily the lamest and most quiet match of the night. Why this guy is the #2 guy on Smackdown! is beyond me. He belongs down at the 10th or 12th spot. Moving along…
CM Punk is my pick for the darkhorse superstar of the year. He’s exciting and the crowd really responds to him. Carlito is without a doubt on his way to fulfilling his part of his famous family’s legacy.
A really funny moment happened after the Umaga sqaush and we were off camera…when Umaga got to the top of the ramp it must have been still hot from pyro cause he was walking slowly and then actully yelled (in English) in pain and ran a couple feet as he was burning his feet. Absolutely hysterical, as long as he wasn’t actually injured.
The video tributes such as they were were great, especially Stone Cold’s. That was extremely funny stuff.
As for Vince’s bit at the end? I was tipped off by someone that watched them tape the explosion last night. That spot was excellently done and seamless…they really made it look like Vince got whacked! This oughtta be good for several weeks-I hope it is anyways.
I gotta give RAW a 9.5 tonight. It was the best show they’ve done in a long while and I hope it is a turning point as the rosters are shaken up and Vince is “dead.”
Biggest Pops
1) Cena
2) The Hot Rod
3) Mark Henry and Big Vis squaring off in the Battle Royal.
4) Khali (yes you’re reading correctly…the crowd loved the draft pick segment and the look on Edge’s face was priceless)
5) Stone Cold’s tribute…some of the biggest pops and the man wasn’t even in the building.
6) The incomparable Bret Hart.
Biggest Heat
1) Vince- hands down hated out of the building as planned.
2) Edge
3) Cena? (intriguing isn’t it?)
4) The Coach for being the title stripping messenger.
5) Randy Orton for winning the Battle Royal.
