No wisecracks or jokes to start this week’s RAW review. WWE has dedicated tonight to honoring the memory of Warrior, and out of respect for Warrior, I will save such nonsense for the performers on the show. For what it’s worth, the autopsy results are in, Warrior died of heart disease. While the investigation is still ongoing, it should be noted that the initial reports say natural causes, so no matter what some TV talking head would have you believe, Warrior’s death did not involve drugs or alcohol.
You know,last year on the night after RAW, I was in the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ helping to start Fandangoing, and shitting all over Randy Orton vs. Sheamus by chanting for everybody not involved in the match, including the ice cream guy, the cotton candy guy, and the pretzel guy. This year, I’m sitting at work wishing I was in New Orleans, LA for tonight’s RAW. And after a shocking WrestleMania, I can’t wait to see this crowd. Let’s go!
I watch 2 hours at home, drive to work, skip through the first two hours again, then watch the last hour. All for you. Yes, you, the specific individual reading this right now. Because you are awesome. Don’t ever let anybody tell you otherwise!
Jorge and Mark take the day off, leaving Joe, G, and JT to fend for themselves. Luckily, a few friends dropped by as Andrew J Reimers returned to the show, bringing along his band, to perform the West Texas Rednecks’ WCW hit “Rap Is Crap,” and artist Rob Schamberger dropped in to talk about his upcoming live painting as part of WrestleMania Axxess next weekend in New Orleans. We ask Rob about his favorite pieces he’s done, pieces he’s looking forward to doing the most, and much, much more. Find out the surprising World Champion that owns his own likeness from Rob’s Champions Collection.
In the news, we talk about the whereabouts of Rob Van Dam and Sting. We get some thoughts on The Ultimate Warrior’s Hall of Fame induction. We find out what’s going on with Sin Cara – both of them. DISH Network cracks and offers WrestleMania to it’s subscribers. Plus, find out how much Mick Foley raised for charity with his most recent raffle, which our guest Rob Schamberger had a part of. All this and more on the latest episode of BWF Radio! Tune in!
You can find out more about Rob Schamberger and see his gallery at RobSchamberger.com. Andrew J Reimers can be found on Twitter at @CPXBuffalo.
The WWE Network launches in less than three weeks, and there is a wealth of programming available immediately after you pay your first $9.95. Over the next few weeks, I will be giving you my personal picks of things to watch on demand on the Network. Today, I’ll be focusing solely on WWE’s ECW. Many people hated the product, considering it a bastardization of the Extreme Championship Wrestling we all knew and loved. At the time, I had long since given up hope that the magic of the original would be captured full time, so my disappointment wasn’t as deep as it was for some. In fact, the brand produced some great television, if sometimes for the wrong reasons.
(We know that every single PPV on this list will be available. Let’s assume for argument’s sake that the non-PPV stuff listed is on there as well.)
Well. It was an adventure trying to manage to watch RAW tonight, but I finally managed to be able to do it. So since it’s already close to 1:30AM, I’m going to half ass this. Yes, even more than usual.
I watch 30 minutes, yadda yadda yadda, SmackDown sucks.
We started late. We ended early. That can only mean one thing – Jorge wasn’t here. G tries to avoid drowning in the flooded mess that is Calgary and JT’s personalities fight each other while Joe laments the drowning of his phone in his swimming pool yesterday. That Damn Double C gives us some good listening material in the form of a Sexual Harassment Education video. Mick Foley appears on The Daily Show. RAW wows us, even if Christian underwhelms Joe. Main Event is main-eventy, and SmackDown gets the depressed G treatment.
In the news, we get reactions to Rob Van Dam’s WWE return at Money In The Bank. We assess Sheamus’ ability to make metaphors. We ponder what Matt Hardy’s latest internet video means (besides a half-naked Reby Sky), and we find out how much money Jack Swagger will lose in fines over his recent marijuana arrest. Where have we heard Triple H and The Undertaker’s theme songs lately? We get HBK’s thoughts on the potential to revive tag team wrestling (courtesy of Ministry of Slam). All this, plus Iron Sheik Tweets and the all new segment, “Stump JT.”
I have hope. I have hope that after last night, the WWE is ready to turn the corner and start producing compelling television. CM Punk is back. Rob Van Dam is coming back. They pulled off the elusive double turn with Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler, which I fully expect them to solidify on tonight’s show. Plus another surprise pops up in the first 30 minutes of this episode, which I’m sure will be exciting for some people. Let’s roll!
I watch 30 minutes of RAW, leave for work, avoid spoilers like (and from) the plague, and then watch the entire show when I get here. That’s how ThinkSoJoE’s RAW reviews work. Also, I play by my own rules. Screw you, SmackDown review!
AH Welcome to another Pintnoir review of iMPACT Wrestling.
We open on a Storm montage going over his win at last weeks ppv. Then out comes the cowboy Storm with new theme music, he talks about his father and how he told him when watching Wrestlemania 3 that he wanted to be a wrestler. Fortune proceeds to the ring congratulating but Samoa Joe’s music hits he comes out and insults Storm and Roode wants his shot at the title. (*didn’t BFG have a stipulation where whoever won the three-way between Joe, Morgan and Crimson would get a title shot and didn’t Joe lose to Crimson?) ANYWAY! Sting comes down exerting his authority and makes a number one contenders match between Joe and Roode. Winner faces James Storm in Macon, Georgia.
Daniels does a promo claiming AJ doctored audio to make it sound like he said “I Quit”, you know because this is WWF circa 1999. He ready to prove how dominate he is when he takes on “Bob” Van Dam.
Rob Van Dam vs Daniels is a okay match there seems to be communication problems between Van Dam and Daniels during the match but Rob probably high on the cush. AJ joins on commentary. Match ends when Daniels hits Van Dam with a tool box, then he proceeds to pull out a screw driver. Styles runs off Daniels.
Karen Jarrett and entourage come down to the ring. Gail cuts promo. She talks about all the emails and tweets about why she gave Velvet a concussion, and simply states it’s “none of your damn business”. This promo seems to imply her actions against her former employer more than Velvet but that’s just me. Then out comes Tara for her scheduled squash match against Gail. After a commercial break Gail is beating the tar out of Tara which leads to a new finisher. A drop down boot to the chin manuever. OH yeah I forgot to mention that Karen calls Velvet a prostitute and gives Gail a title shot. While Madison Rayne looks on and cheers? plot holes your honor?
Jeff Hardy Promo
TV Title defense where we have the weaker Jersey shore wrestler taking on Eric Young (c). Rob Terry is outside when the match begins. For what its worth EY can still go, but the match lasts a minute ending in a roll up pin for Young. Rob Terry jumps in a lays the smack down which prompts EY to bring out his hollywood heavies, Ronnie from the Jersey Shore. God how I hate Viacom. Not only do they run MTV but also Spike.
Two promos one shows Eric Bischoff walking out to the ring and the other follows Daniels making a phone call and being approached by Kazarian about burying the hatchet between him and Styles.
Replay of the whole Garrett Bischoff/Jackson James set up going back to Turning Point 2010, and Final Resolution. Showing how he screwed Matt Morgan out of two title defenses. Easy E comes out and calls out his son tells he has to the end of the night to apologize or he’ll “beat his ass”
Afterwards Flair confronts him. Tells Lil Bisch to call him “GOD” not Mr. Flair. Calls him a punk and slaps him around while traditional slurring his words.
Jeff Jarrett comes out. Calls out Hardy again for the third time in two weeks (this includes a PPV). Fight ensues. This of course leads to an attack from behind by Bully Ray. Hardy showing little ring rust. Leads to a good match where Ray takes his bumps for the team. Hardy wins with a twist of fate. After Jarrett jumps him, throws him back into the ring where Ray busts him with a chain. Jarrett grabs a table to put Hardy through but Anderson comes out for the save.
Roode vs Samoa Joe is good. Roode wins leading to Storm coming out and lifting a beer to him. Roode responds with a thumbs up.
EB and Ric GOD Flair confront Garrett in the ring about his behavior which leads Bischoff (JR) to punch GOD in the face before being low blowed by his father and then Flair. Show ends with Garrett on the floor and Bischoff senior and Flair hugging.
