RAW - 4.13.20 - Jerry Lawler returns

[slik]

RAW tonight is Live

Jerry Lawler returns

also...


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings confirms <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWE</a> has now been deemed an essential business. <a href="https://t.co/yD6xget5QJ">pic.twitter.com/yD6xget5QJ</a></p>&mdash; Brad Shepard of ProSportsExtra.com (@TheBradShepard) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheBradShepard/status/1249812050840338432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Orange County Mayor Demmings just now on WWE maintaining live tapings: <br><br>&quot;Originally, they were not deemed an essential business. With some conversation with the governor's office regarding the governor's order, they were deemed an essential business.&quot;</p>&mdash; Harry (@harryaaron) <a href="https://twitter.com/harryaaron/status/1249805427304521728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Gerard]

:wtf:

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are taking every precaution possible for tonight's show, including requiring all Superstars to compete in Lucha masks. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RAWTonight?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RAWTonight</a></p>&mdash; WWE Creative Humor (@WWECreative_ish) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWECreative_ish/status/1249741248392499207?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Women’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MITB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MITB</a> Qualifying Matches begin TONIGHT on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERaw</a>!<br><br>✅<a href="https://twitter.com/WWEAsuka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWEAsuka</a> vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/RubyRiottWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RubyRiottWWE</a> <br>✅<a href="https://twitter.com/KairiSaneWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KairiSaneWWE</a> vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/NiaJaxWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NiaJaxWWE</a> <br>✅<a href="https://twitter.com/sarahloganwwe?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sarahloganwwe</a> vs. <a href="https://twitter.com/QoSBaszler?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QoSBaszler</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWENow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWENow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MustBeMonday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MustBeMonday</a> <a href="https://t.co/3VoIYdqCjX">pic.twitter.com/3VoIYdqCjX</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1249817545080782849?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWEChampion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWEChampion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DMcIntyreWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DMcIntyreWWE</a> KICKING THINGS OFF on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERaw</a> tonight? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MustBeMonday?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MustBeMonday</a>! <a href="https://t.co/zTAkpdmjFa">https://t.co/zTAkpdmjFa</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1249827821939232770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheMan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheMan</a> comes around TONIGHT on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERaw</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/BeckyLynchWWE?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BeckyLynchWWE</a> <a href="https://t.co/fEy1OMm3LZ">https://t.co/fEy1OMm3LZ</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1249797002692608013?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

Based on those matchups for the Women's MitB qualifiers, RIP Sane.

[slik]

Drew loves the WWE Universe and is doing this for them

[slik]

How many UFC fighters win the championship and say they did it for the fans

[rez]

Is that Vega or Ariana Grande out there

[ClockShot]

…….They're not an essential business.

After that conference call with all the sports commissioners, Vince was the last to hang up and he probably asked Trump for a favor.

[Emperor Smeat]

Despite only hearing it for a brief moment, already hate the theme for MitB this year.


Drew loves the WWE Universe and is doing this for them

That was nice of Drew. He even had something nice to say about the internet fans.

[slik]

Asuka the highlight of RAW already, again

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/WWEAsuka?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WWEAsuka</a> loves to dance. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERaw?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERaw</a> <a href="https://t.co/yDHCPcCN4S">pic.twitter.com/yDHCPcCN4S</a></p>&mdash; Italo Santana (@BulletClubIta) <a href="https://twitter.com/BulletClubIta/status/1249855307033051142?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 14, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

Asuka the highlight of RAW already, again

Instead of Rollins getting the "Monday Night" tag line for his Messiah stuff, WWE should give it to Asuka instead since she's been the best thing about these empty arena shows.

[erickman]

…….They're not an essential business.

After that conference call with all the sports commissioners, Vince was the last to hang up and he probably asked Trump for a favor.

well since tenn is letting impact tape in a storehouse, an aew has taped and will tape again. sinclare better find a building for roh or they will be left behind.

[Emperor Smeat]

Asuka vs Ruby was pretty decent.

These long empty arena matches need some tweaking done since without a crowd, they just drag too much at times. Also doesn't help that WWE's style for matches is more slow paced than others.

[Sepholio]

Surprised WWE hasn't green screened a crowd in at this point with piped in cheers.

[slik]

That new MITB theme song is horrible

[Emperor Smeat]

Black vs Theory next week should be very good.

:lol: at Crews vs. MVP being one of the qualifiers. Guess that's why MVP was revealing the matchups.

[slik]

MVP vs Apollo Crews smells like record low ratings

[Emperor Smeat]

Crews going from vs. Black one week to vs. MVP the next week is such a big downgrade. Wouldn't be surprised if WWE is dumb enough to have MVP win and quickly extinguish whatever renewed interest Crews gained last week.

Meanwhile Black is having another good showcase match in a row that is also benefiting his opponent.

[slik]

Could see ratings going back from post Mania 2.1 to pre Mania 1.9 tonight

[slik]

Lawler has contributed nothing, there is no reason commentary can't just be Tom Phillips/Byron Saxton

[slik]

Why is the ring announcer saying "Ladies and Gentleman"

Why is there even a ring announcer right now

[Emperor Smeat]

Could see ratings going back from post Mania 2.1 to pre Mania 1.9 tonight

Yeah this live show doesn't feel that different compared to what WWE was doing before sans airing long past matches to eat up time.

Even ESPN saw diminishing returns when it came to airing past WWE Manias going into Mania 36. FS1 might do better for the short term since they are re-airing documentaries from the Network to help Backstage's ratings but even that has its limit.

[Emperor Smeat]

So who did Kairi Sane piss off backstage to be stuck with Nia Jax tonight?

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE doing a tag team title match with just singles wrestlers was dumb at Mania and going to be just as dumb when it happens again this Friday.

[Emperor Smeat]

Everything about that Logan vs. Baszler match was terrible.

Even managed to include a ring announcer botch.

[Sepholio]

That was....confusing.

[erickman]

well logan will off tv again

was that a good or bad way to sell by cring

[Sepholio]

When they said it was a DQ I rewinded thinking I missed something. Like, uh, no it's not. It's an "injury" stoppage, basically a TKO.

When's the last time WWE had a TKO finish? Feel like that's been awhile.

[slik]

Logan vs Shayna was dumb af

[slik]

tozawa sighting

[slik]

Jerry Lawler on Tozawa

"Ramen Noodle Moonsault"

[Emperor Smeat]

Zelina's group really needs a name by this point.

Like "The Triple A Stars" since all three guys names start with the letter A. Or The A-Team 2.0

[rockman725]

Charly & that hot pink dress is gonna give me a heart attack...wowzers!

[rez]

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/In91DFQ3oA4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Emperor Smeat]

Why is Rollins speaking in the same tone as Black for his moody promos?

[Emperor Smeat]

For a brand meant to be seen as equals to RAW and SD, NXT has been nothing but jobber city during these empty arena shows and also this past Mania.

[slik]

The MVPs of RAW tonight have been Zelina and Asuka

[slik]

Hopefully after his racist comment about Tozawa this is the last of Lawler on commentary

[Emperor Smeat]

Assuming that MitB case has the actual title shot contract inside, what's stopping anyone from just grabbing a ladder and claiming the case as their own without having to wait till MitB?

Like Kairi could have gotten a ladder and climbed it to grab the case during her entrance.

[Emperor Smeat]

Two of the MitB qualifier matches stunk tonight.

[slik]

Nia definitely did not improve as a wrestler during her time away

[Emperor Smeat]

Charlotte became the female "Paul Heyman" in regards to almost all of her promos either are her just repeating stuff she's said before or follow the same stale routine.

[rez]

god...plz damage your vocal cords, lana

[rez]

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/In91DFQ3oA4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Emperor Smeat]

So is this Lashley-Lana failing marriage angle going to end up with Lashley smacking Lana or what?

Whoever came up with this new storyline should have been booted out of the room or nearest window after mentioning it.

[slik]

no way jose the death kiss of ratings

no way this isn't under 2 million

[rez]

So is this Lashley-Lana failing marriage angle going to end up with Lashley smacking Lana or what?

Whoever came up with this new storyline should have been booted out of the room or nearest window after mentioning it.

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/In91DFQ3oA4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[slik]

This show feels like 1994/1995 WWF RAW

[Emperor Smeat]

This show feels like 1994/1995 WWF RAW

Who is the Mantaur of the brand?

[Emperor Smeat]

Despite the botched finish, Viking Raiders vs. Cedric & Ricochet match was very good overall.

[slik]

Did Bianca get called up...to be a valet?

[slik]

Who is the Mantaur of the brand?

Lars Mantaurivan

[slik]

99% was worried about Andrade's arm being caught on the rope for a sec there

[slik]

Well, that was a show. Felt like 94 RAW most of the time.

[Emperor Smeat]

Drew vs. Andrade was pretty good.

This week episode felt better than last week's episode although also didn't need to be held live at all due to it lacking very interesting stuff. Like nothing really major happened or would have been ruined big time if spoilers were leaked.

[slik]

Entire episode spent building new stable, Drew squashes stable easily in about 4 minutes with no reason for a rematch ever.

Sounds about right for '94 booking.

[Emperor Smeat]

Entire episode spent building new stable, Drew squashes stable easily in about 4 minutes with no reason for a rematch ever.

Sounds about right for '94 booking.

Plus them getting quickly tossed to the side just so Rollins could get the big heel moment instead to close out the show.

[Tom Guycott]

Entire episode spent building new stable, Drew squashes stable easily in about 4 minutes with no reason for a rematch ever.

Sounds about right for '94 booking.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/flTOhPDuC1k" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Droford]

Did Bianca get called up...to be a valet?

Shes the valetest valet in the WWE

[Droford]

Womens MITB gonna be won on SD side, but I think Black wins the Mens.

[slik]

Aleister and Sasha Banks are my early MITB winner guesses

[slik]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/flTOhPDuC1k" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I wanna play the RAW video game on Sega Genesis now

[slik]

Viewers going to be leaving this show like

https://i.postimg.cc/rz6JCJS4/ezgif-7-26069bffd69d.gif

[xrodmuc316]

I read the reports about how WWE is supposed to have only 3 taped shows a year in their tv contracts.

EVEN if USA or Fox were going to hold them to that, how would they really know?

WWE could tape the shows and just say it's live. Without spoilers, it's more or less live anyways as a first airing.

[Emperor Smeat]

They'd probably know pretty quickly if WWE was trying to pull a fast one over based on how taped vs. live feeds work on their end and any control they have during the show for broadcast and commercial reasons.

Plus I think there are FCC rules that prohibit doing that type of stuff.

[DaveWadding]

Shes the valetest valet in the WWE

The ValEST

[Jordan]

I wish this was a two hour episode it would have been good. The matches this week were solid or better for the.majorty. just too long and to cuck the new latin trio at the end with Seth being the big Villan sucked because the Latin Trio was Awesome.

[rez]

They'd probably know pretty quickly if WWE was trying to pull a fast one over based on how taped vs. live feeds work on their end and any control they have during the show for broadcast and commercial reasons.

Plus I think there are FCC rules that prohibit doing that type of stuff.

exactamundo