RAW is "The Newest Era" - 4.22.19

[Tom Guycott]

So, I make a joke about Foxy, and she appears on the following RAW?!?

Uh... man, maybe that screwed up 6 woman tag match was supposed to be Layla. Hint, hint.

Also, new shirt flies in the face of the "don't say belt" mandate.

[Tom Guycott]

I wonder if <s>Bobby</s> Robert Roode's 'stache will be more or less over than Cody's was?

Also, that pornstache makes him look an awful lot like Silas Young.

[Tom Guycott]

Surprised they didn't have Ricochet win just because the house fire

He's no Jeff Hardy...

[Tom Guycott]

https://i.redd.it/0108363dhxt21.jpg

I'd prob'ly react the same way. Hell of a way to go, though!

[Droford]

ricochet gets to lose again next week in his hometown-ish area

[Tom Guycott]

Pee-Wee's Playhouse/Death To Smoochy/Kidding/Don't Hug Me I'm Scared Bray is interesting. Wonder if he's going to tell more bedtime stories like he did for Edge & Christian...

[Droford]

would have sworn the girl puppet would be sister abigail, not penny the witch

[Dark One]

I did not watch this show but saw this image as a header and thought it was a photoshop.

https://411mania.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Bray-Wyatt-Firefly-Funhouse-645x366.jpg

Wat

[Tom Guycott]

would have sworn the girl puppet would be sister abigail, not penny the witch

I thought she said Abby the Witch. Must remember to investigate further.


edit: And the investigation comes to a close. I totally misheard that.

[Vastardikai]

I hope Bray makes someone drink from a fire hose after they find the marble in the oatmeal.

[Tom Guycott]

Well, in the words of Det. Doaks "Surprise, muthafucka!"

I haven't seen that movie in years, though. Will prob'ly revisit it tomorrow.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Raw script just finalized, four minutes before airtime.</p>&mdash; Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) <a href="https://twitter.com/bryanalvarez/status/1120476588158672898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WWE needs to pull a page from sports and have a rule specifically named after Vince. Have it state he isn't allowed to do any sudden and last minute changes like 24 hours before a show starts unless its due to an emergency reason.

[Droford]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Raw script just finalized, four minutes before airtime.</p>&mdash; Bryan Alvarez (@bryanalvarez) <a href="https://twitter.com/bryanalvarez/status/1120476588158672898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WWE needs to pull a page from sports and have a rule specifically named after Vince. Have it state he isn't allowed to do any sudden and last minute changes like 24 hours before a show starts unless its due to an emergency reason.
Im sure scripted shows like Big Bang Theory get changed up as theyre taping it in front of the audience. Probably not major rewrites but tweaks at least.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I have to admit, I didn't hate that Bray Wyatt thing. I'm not sold on it having unlimited potential or anything (what's the end game?), but he comes off like a fucking psycho and he needed a fresh coat of paint given that they ran him into the ground.

[Emperor Smeat]

Im sure scripted shows like Big Bang Theory get changed up as theyre taping it in front of the audience. Probably not major rewrites but tweaks at least.

Minor tweaks and ad-libbing here and there wouldn't be an issue since on paper, it would help more than hurt WWE shows.

Problem is Vince doesn't do that and instead has a long and noted history of making changes just for the sake of it. Doesn't matter if it wrecks plans in the process or causes more issues in the end. It also means less prep time for everyone else to adjust if they only get to find out right before a show starts and in some cases, right before their segment airs.

[Droford]

I have to admit, I didn't hate that Bray Wyatt thing. I'm not sold on it having unlimited potential or anything (what's the end game?), but he comes off like a fucking psycho and he needed a fresh coat of paint given that they ran him into the ground.

I noticed they didnt mention the bunny I was expecting the return of Adam Roses bunny

[Tom Guycott]

I have to admit, I didn't hate that Bray Wyatt thing. I'm not sold on it having unlimited potential or anything (what's the end game?), but he comes off like a fucking psycho and he needed a fresh coat of paint given that they ran him into the ground.

It has the same amount of unlimited potential that the original iteration had. We already know Bray can run with something like this.

First hurdle, though, is not to make him look like an asshole by losing all the goddamn time. Nothing kills a reboot faster than a Brooklyn Brawler losing streak.

Second hurdle? Put this shit on TV. Remember Fashion Files? I didn't mean that sarcastically... do you actually remember it? They were doing backstage skits, then it became "WWE.com Exclusive", so they were off TV for MONTHS at a time. Then, they'd have a nothing match, and fuck right back off to catering.

Third hurdle? Let Bray be Bray. He has proven for years that he can do fine with controlled psychosis, so long as he doesn't get a lot of nonsense written for him. No "sufferin succotash" promos or V1 of New Day (where the babyface hokiness was supposed to be played striaght, much to their detriment, and they didn't start getting over until they turned that into disingenuous heeling).

[Droford]

shoulda just brought him back as husky harris

[KIRA]

Okay Bray Wyatt new gimmick is disturbing as hell I hope they handle this well because right now it's amazing

[Black Widow]

We gotta find a pawprint
That's the 1st clue
We put it in our notebook

Cause they're who's clues?
Bray's Clues

[ClockShot]

Ducked out early. But, yikes Bray Wyatt. I guess it'll work.

And, I'm all for Bobby Roode going back to Robert Roode if he's getting the RRI gimmick back and hooks on with a better tag team partner.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Here is my thing with the Bray Wyatt thing, and I don't mean this to purposely be contrarian, cynical, or a wrestling "hipster:"

I do not trust this company. This felt like it was produced by someone other than the usual WWE minds. Maybe it was Bray himself, maybe it was someone working really closely and personally on it. Maybe it's just one of the weird things Vince somehow has a handle on. But when WWE cottons on to something "good," they get their dirty little mitts into it, and the timing with their pay-offs is all off.

And how is this going to play out in the ring? Is he going to work differently? Will he be able to bring the creepy vibes and whatever into his matches? Is he just going to be Bray Wyatt, except now Sister Abigail is called the "Super Happy Fun Slide" or whatever?

Is he going to be a face or a heel? Right now, it seems like it's supposed to unnerve you and like it's obvious he's trying to brainwash your children in a different way. It seems like the goal will be to ultimately make him a heel. But when that is done, is there a point to these discrepancies? I'm kind of getting Sean O'Haire vibes from this. The Devil's Advocate videos were ace, but then O'Haire had to get into the ring, and how do you translate that production into a match?

Bray's best quality is his talking. So unless there is some sort of revelation in his work, this is probably the best part of the presentation. When he gets out there, and all the "hype" around it is paid off, where do they go? Who does he feud with? If he's a heel, are people really going to be into him vs. Seth Rollins, vs. AJ Styles, vs. Rey Mysterio as any sort of major feud? Are they going to cheer him over the generic babyfaces of WWE?

Right now, I'm intrigued. But I'm worried that the intrigue is good for a debut and then it's possibly done. I mean, maybe it'll turn out like Heel Doink, and actually really fit for a while. I'm also getting this weird inverse Sting '97 vibes, where I feel they can get people in with a really long build, providing the videos don't get repetitive and lose their charm.

Is this intrigue just from the novelty of the gimmick right now? Will it last? Will it be something that fixes Bray Wyatt into a main event role with the company, or is it going to be played off, played out, and then they've already done their Bray repackage and it didn't work? I don't know if they can just "change" him again. I'm sure he'll be around collecting paychecks forever, but if this doesn't work, I feel like they might have taken their last big swing with the guy.

I dunno. I guess it's a wait and see thing. I do have my concerns, and maybe I'm overthinking it, but I worry that this might be good vignettes that don't really lead to anything tangible.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I can see Robert Roode forming a tag team with Cesaro. Or at least an alliance. I can see them having a "Gentleman's Agreement."

[Rammsteinmad]

I'm not gonna deny, this is probably the first Raw in years where I actually took more than 15 minutes to get through it all. Quite a lot of cool and interesting stuff to get excited about.

- Both triple threat matches were pretty good, and didn't leave anyone looking weak. The Styles/Joe/Mysterio one in particular was really good.

- Sami Zayn's promo was great! The guy's a good talker and this is compelling stuff.

- I'm impressed with how over Miz is as a face. He's always had the "safe" WWE style, but his doing a springboard axe handle was pretty cool that he's busting out new things (even though the move itself was pretty lackluster, but seeing him prepare to jump, I was like "huh?").

- Cesaro and Alexander had a great match! Great Raw "debut" for Alexander, and Cesaro getting the clean win is awesome too! With Cesaro seemingly being a singles guy again for the time being, please please please WWE let this be the start of a decent main event push for the guy!

- Stacked tag team scene. I know tag team wrestling has never really been a priority since the Attitude days, but there's an abundance of great teams at the moment, of which none of them are just "two guys thrown together". I really hope WWE focuses on this.

- "Robert Roode". Again, a nice little match, and hopefully this will lead to better things for Roode. Ricochet is fun to watch, but I have no problems with his loss at the moment. He's still a "rookie".

- Bray Wyatt's promo was really interesting! No idea how this will develop over time, which is what makes it exciting. The guy is an excellent talker and worker, so I have no doubt he can pull off whatever he's going for here.

- AJ Styles vs. Seth Rollins... 'nuff said.

Overall, we all know WWE has a penchant for fucking things up or not being consistent with pushes etc, but right now, Raw has an absolutely stacked roster of amazingly talented workers! A lot of interesting developments have taken place, which will hopefully make for more entertaining viewing than what we've had for the last, fuck knows, ten years or so.

[Evil Vito]

Hiding something insidious behind the bright colors and cheerfulness of a kids show has become a thing in internet horror in the past decade. Candle Cove is probably the best example I can think of.

This Bray gimmick is clearly an attempt at that.

[slik]

I enjoyed the opening triple threat and Bray, and I'm interested in Seth vs AJ.

Nothing else this week really worked for me.



* Cedric - boring, he only seems to be still be around because they never release people. He's clearly enhancement talent but like Apollo Crews they are trying to briefly pretend he is something more.


* Ricochet - getting pinned clean at this point not my favorite idea for him, he has much larger potential than Botched Push Roode. Ricochet needs to be groomed for the main-event scene and the type of spot Cena had. Not jobbing to over the hill TNA has beens.


* Becky vs Alicia - eh, Becky still sloppy in the ring, needs a stronger moveset


* The Usos, Revival, Vikings are the only solid tag teams on RAW, not sure how long they can drag that out


* Corbin pinning Miz - boring


* Corbin being in main-event - boring


* Naomi pinning Billie Kae - Good camera work on Naomi sliding to ring, potential for her to grow into 'upper mid card female face' on RAW


* Uso's backstage - funny/good


* Sami - same promo as before, already getting repetitive




Overall a bleh episode for me. WWE needs to step it up, every segment needs to be a homerun and/or something exciting. Hard to do w/ such a lame duck roster. Need people who can cut promos. Other than Joe and Sami (and Bray) no one can talk on RAW!

[Dark One]

Was Lashley not on the show last night because Wyatt is going to bring him on to the Firefly Funhouse to talk about his sisters?

[Stickman]

I hope Bray is more vicious and violent in the ring now. Trying to be the super nice guy but turns dangerous when he starts to wrestle. Hopefully he's back with a new finisher that's actually high impact.

[KIRA]

We gotta find a pawprint
That's the 1st clue
We put it in our notebook

Cause they're who's clues?
Bray's Clues

You know if he does that I got to imagine it'll be like a bloody handprint or an arm while still playing that sweet syrupy music in the background

[Maluco]

Just saw Bray thing on YouTube. I love his character and have no idea how he isn’t the top heel in the company. Don’t understand how they can take a persona like his and not make him huge. So many stop starts while I was watching.

Would love to say that this will go somewhere great, but I doubt it will.

[KIRA]

Here is my thing with the Bray Wyatt thing, and I don't mean this to purposely be contrarian, cynical, or a wrestling "hipster:"

I do not trust this company. This felt like it was produced by someone other than the usual WWE minds. Maybe it was Bray himself, maybe it was someone working really closely and personally on it. Maybe it's just one of the weird things Vince somehow has a handle on. But when WWE cottons on to something "good," they get their dirty little mitts into it, and the timing with their pay-offs is all off.

And how is this going to play out in the ring? Is he going to work differently? Will he be able to bring the creepy vibes and whatever into his matches? Is he just going to be Bray Wyatt, except now Sister Abigail is called the "Super Happy Fun Slide" or whatever?

Is he going to be a face or a heel? Right now, it seems like it's supposed to unnerve you and like it's obvious he's trying to brainwash your children in a different way. It seems like the goal will be to ultimately make him a heel. But when that is done, is there a point to these discrepancies? I'm kind of getting Sean O'Haire vibes from this. The Devil's Advocate videos were ace, but then O'Haire had to get into the ring, and how do you translate that production into a match?

Bray's best quality is his talking. So unless there is some sort of revelation in his work, this is probably the best part of the presentation. When he gets out there, and all the "hype" around it is paid off, where do they go? Who does he feud with? If he's a heel, are people really going to be into him vs. Seth Rollins, vs. AJ Styles, vs. Rey Mysterio as any sort of major feud? Are they going to cheer him over the generic babyfaces of WWE?

Right now, I'm intrigued. But I'm worried that the intrigue is good for a debut and then it's possibly done. I mean, maybe it'll turn out like Heel Doink, and actually really fit for a while. I'm also getting this weird inverse Sting '97 vibes, where I feel they can get people in with a really long build, providing the videos don't get repetitive and lose their charm.

Is this intrigue just from the novelty of the gimmick right now? Will it last? Will it be something that fixes Bray Wyatt into a main event role with the company, or is it going to be played off, played out, and then they've already done their Bray repackage and it didn't work? I don't know if they can just "change" him again. I'm sure he'll be around collecting paychecks forever, but if this doesn't work, I feel like they might have taken their last big swing with the guy.

I dunno. I guess it's a wait and see thing. I do have my concerns, and maybe I'm overthinking it, but I worry that this might be good vignettes that don't really lead to anything tangible.

I completely agree they have to actually do this right before I'm fully on board

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I'll save you some time. They won't.

[slik]

It's actually the darkest, most sinister characterization of Bray so far.

I love the line at the end of the video "Little Fireflies you have to let me in".
A great new twist on his cult leader tendencies.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Does no one remember when he was also Robert Roode in TNA?

[XL]

Yes, it’s referenced a couple of times in the thread.

[Tom Guycott]

We gotta find a pawprint
That's the 1st clue
We put it in our notebook

Cause they're who's clues?
Bray's Clues

Bray skidoo, we can too... (goes into disturbing painting)

[#1-norm-fan]

Just watched the Bray Wyatt segment. I’m torn for all the reasons stated. I liked it because Bray is an awesome performer and the gimmick is a natural progression from his last one. This just feels like a “We fucked up with him. Let’s reboot and try again.” moment and WWE doesn’t learn from their mistakes and get it right the second time. Ever.

So, probably just gonna enjoy the next few segments as standalone skits and then tune out when he starts appearing live to avoid the part of the story where he jobs to Curt Hawkins or something.