Raw Revelations: Cuban's Smashing Performance
Monday's guest host Mark Cuban (owner of the NBA's Dallas Mavs) injected fun into an episode of Raw while keeping it on track to hype Sunday's TLC Pay-Per-View. The outspoken billionaire definitely seemed to enjoy himself and after seeing him allow Sheamus to smash him through a table, you knew he was committed to making Raw a fun experience for the Dallas fans. Cuban stood up to Randy Orton, made himself a referee, and even added a match to TLC (Kofi vs Orton).
The surprise of the night may have been how Cuban shoved Sheamus to the mat during Raw's final segment. It happened during an in-ring showdown between John Cena and Sheamus, the future TLC opponents. Cuban was knocked down once by Sheamus but got back up and in his face. He walked up to the domineering Sheamus, gave him a shove and watched The Celtic Warrior fall backwards. Wasn't expecting that show of strength at all, and you have to wonder if Sheamus was supposed to fall or lost his footing. Honestly, wouldn't it have made more sense for a guy like John Cena to shove Sheamus down prior to TLC? Instead, Cena hasn't had a single move against his opponent as they approach the WWE Title match. Which means Cena is your likely winner Sunday in a brutal match. Also, give Cuban major credit for letting a guy like Sheamus do a running slam with him through a table. When you've got money, you can try just about anything! Goes to show that Mark Cuban, Jeremy Piven, Maria Menounous and Freddie Prinze Jr. are probably the gutsiest hosts we've seen. While others have stepped in the ring, those mere mortals took the risk of getting hurt to gain a bit of media attention.
I honestly don't remember the bit from the 2003 Survivor Series where Orton RKO'd Mark Cuban, so that was another surprise. By the way, Cuban made up for looking weak earlier in the night when he brushed off Cody Rhodes' challenge for a match. Rhodes challenged him to get in the ring on Raw, but Cuban said they'd re-visit the idea in June 2010 when the Mavs win the NBA title. How's that for "we won't be wrestling- ever"?
As expected, the Jericho 2-on-1 match versus DX was little more than a way to set up their upcoming Tables, Ladders, Chairs match. Big Show came down to interfere, and then tables, ladders and chairs all came into play. It ended up with DX being smashed repeatedly by a chair as Show held them inside a ladder. That was something new, but had a bit of a violent cartoon feel to it, since DX are usually making jokes at other's expenses. Earlier in the night they were the end result of a joke when Hornswoggle and a Christmas tree fell on top of them.
The Miz pulled off a clean title victory over big man Mark Henry. Nice way to build up Miz' resume, although the DDT from the air to win it was a little iffy. Miz's finisher would have worked fine, but it's possible he can't get a hold on Henry's massive frame to perform the Skullcrushing finale.
In divas action, Kelly Kelly was made the guest ring announcer for some odd reason. Possibly to set up a match between her and Maryse next week, or to give Melina someone to save. Maryse attacked Kelly post match for not announcing her as the next divas champ. Melina rushed in for the save. Maryse could have attacked Gail Kim as well, but for some reason this week they made Gail have a strong performance in the ring despite the loss.
It also looks like Chris Masters has taken Jack Swagger's role as Eve's romantic interest. She was mesmerized by his chest muscle display in the ring and left with him. This came after Eve was paired up with Hornswoggle in a mixed tag match. Poor Eve, but she's the new diva on the block and needs to earn her stripes. As for Swagger he's been MIA since Survivor Series. Ouch.
Next week's Raw will not only be the follow-up to Sunday's TLC PPV, but also will be a special 3 hour show, The Slammy Awards. Top awards will include match of the year, diva of the year and Superstar of the year. Guest host will be comedian/actor Dennis Miller who has previously hosted MTV awards shows and been a part of NFL's Monday Night football commentary team, briefly.
The surprise of the night may have been how Cuban shoved Sheamus to the mat during Raw's final segment. It happened during an in-ring showdown between John Cena and Sheamus, the future TLC opponents. Cuban was knocked down once by Sheamus but got back up and in his face. He walked up to the domineering Sheamus, gave him a shove and watched The Celtic Warrior fall backwards. Wasn't expecting that show of strength at all, and you have to wonder if Sheamus was supposed to fall or lost his footing. Honestly, wouldn't it have made more sense for a guy like John Cena to shove Sheamus down prior to TLC? Instead, Cena hasn't had a single move against his opponent as they approach the WWE Title match. Which means Cena is your likely winner Sunday in a brutal match. Also, give Cuban major credit for letting a guy like Sheamus do a running slam with him through a table. When you've got money, you can try just about anything! Goes to show that Mark Cuban, Jeremy Piven, Maria Menounous and Freddie Prinze Jr. are probably the gutsiest hosts we've seen. While others have stepped in the ring, those mere mortals took the risk of getting hurt to gain a bit of media attention.
I honestly don't remember the bit from the 2003 Survivor Series where Orton RKO'd Mark Cuban, so that was another surprise. By the way, Cuban made up for looking weak earlier in the night when he brushed off Cody Rhodes' challenge for a match. Rhodes challenged him to get in the ring on Raw, but Cuban said they'd re-visit the idea in June 2010 when the Mavs win the NBA title. How's that for "we won't be wrestling- ever"?
As expected, the Jericho 2-on-1 match versus DX was little more than a way to set up their upcoming Tables, Ladders, Chairs match. Big Show came down to interfere, and then tables, ladders and chairs all came into play. It ended up with DX being smashed repeatedly by a chair as Show held them inside a ladder. That was something new, but had a bit of a violent cartoon feel to it, since DX are usually making jokes at other's expenses. Earlier in the night they were the end result of a joke when Hornswoggle and a Christmas tree fell on top of them.
The Miz pulled off a clean title victory over big man Mark Henry. Nice way to build up Miz' resume, although the DDT from the air to win it was a little iffy. Miz's finisher would have worked fine, but it's possible he can't get a hold on Henry's massive frame to perform the Skullcrushing finale.
In divas action, Kelly Kelly was made the guest ring announcer for some odd reason. Possibly to set up a match between her and Maryse next week, or to give Melina someone to save. Maryse attacked Kelly post match for not announcing her as the next divas champ. Melina rushed in for the save. Maryse could have attacked Gail Kim as well, but for some reason this week they made Gail have a strong performance in the ring despite the loss.
It also looks like Chris Masters has taken Jack Swagger's role as Eve's romantic interest. She was mesmerized by his chest muscle display in the ring and left with him. This came after Eve was paired up with Hornswoggle in a mixed tag match. Poor Eve, but she's the new diva on the block and needs to earn her stripes. As for Swagger he's been MIA since Survivor Series. Ouch.
Next week's Raw will not only be the follow-up to Sunday's TLC PPV, but also will be a special 3 hour show, The Slammy Awards. Top awards will include match of the year, diva of the year and Superstar of the year. Guest host will be comedian/actor Dennis Miller who has previously hosted MTV awards shows and been a part of NFL's Monday Night football commentary team, briefly.
Labels: Commentary, D-Generation X, John Cena, Kofi Kingston, Mark Cuban, Maryse, Melina, Randy Orton, Sheamus O'Shaunessy, The Miz, TLC PPV
1 Comments:
I like jack Swagger I think hes got great potential
I was at the RAW show and they filmed the Superstars Episode before RAW which had Swagger in it. I just think they can do so much more with Swagger.
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