WWE RAW Weekly Thread

[erickman]

how weird the last raw I ever watch might end with BARON CORBIN

you know you will be back in a few weeks

[Emperor Smeat]

Why did Corbin get way too much offense in this match?

All its did was make Drew's win in the end feel more like a fluke than making him look strong as a threat for Lashley's title.


I've enjoyed the Edge/bryan/Roman stuff.

Raw has had nothing but the Hurt Business and Asuka. Hurt Business is broken up (FUCKING WHY?!) and the Asuka/Rhea build was way too short to have any real heat behind it.

Not too fond of it being a Triple Threat but the overall storyline has been a ton more interesting than everything else in WWE for Road to Mania.

Lacey and Charlotte being out for Mania screwed up whatever plans WWE had for Asuka's title build but doesn't excuse them being very lazy for her current feud. They went lazy with the setup for Rhea's challenge and extra lazy by redoing the "can they co-exist as a team" storyline they just did for Bianca and Sasha.

[Emperor Smeat]

This week's show was such a slog to watch and a toss up between this week and last week for which was worse.

This year's Road to Mania from the RAW side easily will go down in all-time worst tier territory.

All tonight's show did was made me appreciate AEW's mentality for their go-home shows a lot more. Its not perfect but AEW's booking and structure for them is a way better mix of entertainment and final touches for builds that WWE has been mostly lacking for their go-home shows in a while, especially on the RAW side.

[Evil Vito]

Lmao sounds like easily the worst go-home show ever and it means nothing because WWE already got paid and have no incentive to drive up Peacock numbers

[slik]

seems weird Bayley is not on the WM card after being one of the focal points of SD the last year

[slik]

you know you will be back in a few weeks

I don't think so this time

[erickman]

seems weird Bayley is not on the WM card after being one of the focal points of SD the last year

i forgot about her she or payton royce do not have matches wonder if they will be added to the tag match

[Loose Cannon]

Lmao sounds like easily the worst go-home show ever and it means nothing because WWE already got paid and have no incentive to drive up Peacock numbers

I hadn't really thought about this yet, but i guess does WWE even care anymore who watches the PPV's since they technically don't own the Network anymore?

I mean can you even purchase PPV's through cable? is that still a thing?

That could be really bad for the show quality going forward if they don't even care about eyeballs on their PPV shows.

[erickman]

yeah right now is the amount of people got peacock this week.

[Emperor Smeat]

I hadn't really thought about this yet, but i guess does WWE even care anymore who watches the PPV's since they technically don't own the Network anymore?

I mean can you even purchase PPV's through cable? is that still a thing?

That could be really bad for the show quality going forward if they don't even care about eyeballs on their PPV shows.

Several cable PPV providers are currently offering WrestleMania 37 for purchase but the price varies between $30 to $60 per night depending on the provider.

WWE still makes some money from the PPV sector for their events but its very tiny compared to in the past.

[slik]

Last year's go-home RAW for WM - 1.92 million

This year's go-home RAW for WM - 1.70 million

[Loose Cannon]

Several cable PPV providers are currently offering WrestleMania 37 for purchase but the price varies between $30 to $60 per night depending on the provider.

WWE still makes some money from the PPV sector for their events but its very tiny compared to in the past.

ok that's what i figured.

I mean am I thinking about this correctly, but why would Vince and co care about who's streaming their PPV's anymore? Unless there's some behind the scenes shit with NBC we don't know about. To me, all that really matters now for the PPV's is the tickets they sell to fill the arenas.

[Emperor Smeat]

Yeah that was one of the big disputes Vince had with WWE' former Co-President since he wasn't interested in their data analysis stuff being the focal point for the WWE Network and instead all he cared was how to make the most money from it.

Its why the moment WWE was able to find a buyer for their service, they ditched the idea of running a service on their own and content consumption driven stuff for a brand new big bag of money.

Vince isn't going to care if NBC is going to lose a ton of money with the WWE Network under their management since all he cares is more money now going into his pockets. With the special discount deal NBC is running, they would need around double of the Network's current subs to break even if everyone took up on that $5 per month offer.

[erickman]

Yeah that was one of the big disputes Vince had with WWE' former Co-President since he wasn't interested in their data analysis stuff being the focal point for the WWE Network and instead all he cared was how to make the most money from it.

Its why the moment WWE was able to find a buyer for their service, they ditched the idea of running a service on their own and content consumption driven stuff for a brand new big bag of money.

Vince isn't going to care if NBC is going to lose a ton of money with the WWE Network under their management since all he cares is more money now going into his pockets. With the special discount deal NBC is running, they would need around double of the Network's current subs to break even if everyone took up on that $5 per month offer.
wonder how many new viewers peacock got in the last 2 weeks?

[Emperor Smeat]

Preview for tonight's RAW After Mania Show:

https://i2.wp.com/www.twnpnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSGp9NtWAAEX5LB.jpg?fit=586%2C340&ssl=1&w=640
WWE forgot to upload one on their website for tonight's show.

[Emperor Smeat]

:| at the show starting off with an "earlier today" video involving Riddle being a dumbass again backstage.

[Emperor Smeat]

This new announcer guy for RAW sounds dull. Like he doesn't have the delivery or style to be the main announcer for a wrestling show.

Hopefully its just him getting adjusted to a new role and not how its going to be from now on for RAW shows.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Let’s go Adnan

[erickman]

so is bobby a face for beating up riddle? i get a marko stunt vibe from riddle an love watching him get his ass kicked

[Emperor Smeat]

New ThunderDome venue really is tiny compared to the other ones since instead of spacing out the rows for the virtual fans, its all crammed together now.

Makes it feel like they are back in the Performance Center for shows now.

[xrodmuc316]

What happened to Samoa Joe?

[Evil Vito]

Going back to the ThunderDome after finally getting fans back is already such a buzzkill.

It’s for the best of course...gonna be at least a few more months before the vaccine numbers are at a point where large scale indoor gatherings might feel safe, and that’s if there’s not a setback with variants etc.

But man, getting that taste of normal wrestling again felt so good.

[erickman]

What happened to Samoa Joe?

ether moved to smackdown or cleared to wrestle.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Adnan and Joe would be a great combo

[Emperor Smeat]

What happened to Samoa Joe?

He got moved back to the active roster according to PWI.

[Fenix122]

oh hey the viking raiders are back

[xrodmuc316]

oh hey the viking raiders are back

Wonder if they are going to go back to telling us how Ivar is good looking and Erik, not so much :rofl:

[erickman]

raiders back

[Emperor Smeat]

:y: Viking Raiders back together

[Evil Vito]

Holy hell Ivar got extra fuckin big

Not a knock on him, dude had neck surgery and I’m stoked he’s back. But god damn that’s a big lad.

[Emperor Smeat]

Viking Raiders vs. Cedric & Shelton was pretty good.

:lol: at the "Oh Baby" line by the new announcer. Sort of hope that's his catchphrase for matches since its both hilarious and way better than any of Cole's catchphrases.

[Triple A]

Gonna try to watch Raw tonight... Interested in hearing the new commentator

[Evil Vito]

I give Adnan six months. Either he's shit, or he gets fed up of Vince McMahon bellowing down his earhole for three hours every Monday night.

[Triple A]

This guy seems OK so far... sounds like a boxing commentator, which is good... Feel like he will be ground down into a horrible Michael Cole type soon

[Triple A]

Wish Tom Phillips would replace Vic Joseph..........

[Emperor Smeat]

I give Adnan six months. Either he's shit, or he gets fed up of Vince McMahon bellowing down his earhole for three hours every Monday night.

That feels about right based on everyone who's worked in that role and/or interviewer role. Its really fun at first but then WWE just grinds and sucks out all of the enjoyment from the job after some time.

A big key will be if Graves can manage to behave in commentary and doesn't revert back to his old annoying commentary style. Renee hinted that one of the reasons why she hated being on RAW commentary.

[Triple A]

wish there was a crowd......

[Sepholio]

lol charlotte burying asuka.

[Emperor Smeat]

Was Charlotte's legs that thin before?

She almost looks like a lifelike Barbie doll right now.

[Triple A]

Nyomi

[Fenix122]

no more humble charlotte??? when has her character ever been humble?

[Evil Vito]

Welp, they're doing the Asuka vs. Rhea rematch tonight so they can make way for the "real star" to get the next title shot

[Triple A]

Adnan guy has a major radio "morning zoo guy" voice... might start annoying me

[Emperor Smeat]

This new Charlotte Flair sounds and acts just like the old one.

Pretty much just her bitching about others offending her simply for daring to take some of the spotlight while she was away. Barely any different than her usual promos from before.

[xrodmuc316]

She looks nothing like she did just 2 years ago at Mania 35.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at Ripley's big boot to Asuka's butt

Either she botched doing a drop kick or Adnan botched the call.

[Triple A]

Adnan guy sounds like the radio guys from the Simpsons (stereotypical radio guy voices).......

<iframe width="1280" height="960" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2gBjI-t2b0w" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Emperor Smeat]

That was weird.

Don't think I've ever seen Asuka botch a move before in WWE. Either that or Rhea screwed up moving away from a dropkick in time.

Scratch that, this match has been a bit messy. Something is off between the two tonight.

[Triple A]

This match feels even more boring than their match last night

[Evil Vito]

Sigh.

[Emperor Smeat]

RAW Women's title match was somewhat good but also was sloppy and topped with a lame DQ finish by Charlotte.

Even with the addition of Rhea, RAW's women's division is just going to continue being a dumpster fire now that Charlotte is back.

[rez]

It's my annual watch WrestleMania and give the RAW after a chance...

Well, nah. This shit sucks Simple Fan's butthole.

https://i.imgur.com/0fjKaKJ.jpg

[erickman]

will alexa be all rosemaryed out tonight.

[Emperor Smeat]

If the recent tweet by Bray is any indication, this Bliss & Fiend storyline is about to get even more stupid and lame. Bray teased at a mysterious figure being behind Bliss antics at Mania.

Also according to Fightful, the reason why Fiend vs. Orton stunk at Mania was due to Bruce Prichard & Vince pulling some WWE patented last minute changes that wrecked whatever was originally planned for the match.

[erickman]

damn i wanted the makeup

[Emperor Smeat]

Oh god, now Bliss has her very own Funhouse-like pal.

This Bliss & Fiend stuff is going to hit all-time WWE worst tier once the dust finally settles.

[rez]

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSX6nHiSwojpeRQm5GjhIRyW6YZDSxeI7x_-ylCEjbcnctIfxrZ

[rez]

At this point it'd be less embarrassing for Bliss if it were discovered she had done a step siblings porn

[Emperor Smeat]

Priest sounds like he's just memorizing or reading straight off a script.

Also guess Miz & Morrison are splitting up very soon based on Miz's tone of his promo and the Mania photos shown. Morrison probably getting demoted to NXT now that his wife is there.

[rez]

I need to try that Sonic bacon jam burger... I'm surprised it has taken this long for a fast food joint to jump on the b-jam.

[erickman]

Priest sounds like he's just memorizing or reading straight off a script.

Also guess Miz & Morrison are splitting up very soon based on Miz's tone of his promo and the Mania photos shown. Morrison probably getting demoted to NXT now that his wife is there.

they can put john with his wife and latter have a mixed tag match with miz

[Fignuts]

Doesn't feel like a post mania raw at all so far.

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE really loves doing handicap matches these days.

Need to double check but its either been 3 out of the past 4 weeks or 4 out of the past 5 weeks that had a handicap match done on one of WWE tv shows.

[Emperor Smeat]

Priest almost managed to boink the back of his head on the apron with that flip to the outside.

[Emperor Smeat]

:| at an almost naked Miz beating Priest.

RAW so far just feels like a less shitty than usual episode than a special RAW After Mania show.

[erickman]

bring on the porn twins

[erickman]

botch time with the nia beast

[Fignuts]

Stupid ending

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE is soo going to run this "Mandy/Nia randomly slips while walking" gag into the ground.

[erickman]

wait till we see the nia beast on smackdown falling and botching

[rez]

Titus O'Neil did it better.

[Fignuts]

Becky returning on smackdown i'm guessing

[Emperor Smeat]

This Drew & MVP promo segment has been the best thing on tonight's show so far ... and its probably going down the tubes now that Braun suddenly showed up.

Scratch that, now its become just a bloated talkie segment now that Randy and Adam Pearce decided to show up.

[erickman]

randy is done with bray

[rez]

When did Adam Pearce become an on air authority?

[Evil Vito]

This Raw sucks.

[rez]

randy is done with bray

for a couple months until their shit starts back up...just looked up that Orton burned down Bray's hizzouse in February of fucking 2017.

[Emperor Smeat]

When did Adam Pearce become an on air authority?

Pretty much out of the blue a few months ago.

He went from randomly showing up backstage as the lead official to break up fights or act as a middle man between talent and management. Then he started to act as the voice of Vince and management for match announcements.

Then he suddenly started acting as a real GM with full match making powers despite never being called that nor given any sort of storyline explanation to how it happened.

[rez]

I'm actually really digging New Day's gear. I'm surprised Vince is allowing it seeing as who the parent company of MK is.

[Emperor Smeat]

New Day vs. Elias & Ryker was decent I guess.

Pretty much zoned out of tonight's show. Its been a mostly boring and piss poor effort for an After Mania show even when factoring in the circumstances with the pandemic.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at the Corbin Snickers ad.

Maybe the best and most entertaining thing he's ever done in WWE which is a bit sad when you think about it.

[Fignuts]

Well that was pointless

[Loose Cannon]

lol Prosperity Preacher Bray Wyatt

[Emperor Smeat]

Whoever wrote this Firefly Fun House segment must have baked out of their mind.

[Triple A]

jesus fucking christ @ camera cuts

like a 9 year old kid controlling it... insane

[Emperor Smeat]

Graves needs to knock it off with his little digs to Adnan whenever he messes up.

That's not going to help Adnan become more comfortable in his new role and only a matter of time before Graves becomes an annoying twat on commentary again.

[rez]

He's going to WRESTLEEEEEEEEEEEMANIAAA.....backlash. :roll:

[Emperor Smeat]

Triple Threat was pretty good but got a laugh out of Drew doing the same sneaky tactics heels do when it comes to stealing a win in multi-man/team matches.

:lol: at T-Bar and Mace potentially joining Hurt Business or being its new hired goons.

[Fignuts]

Worst mania go home raw ever, followed by the worst post mania raw ever.

[Fignuts]

And people wonder why AEW fans are so lenient in overlooking its flaws.

[Emperor Smeat]

This week's show was bad overall. It wasn't a snore like the past two weeks were but it was terrible as a RAW After Mania show. Best thing on the show might legit have been the Corbin Snickers ad.

For a RAW After Mania show, it really lacked in surprise debuts and NXT call-ups. Only surprises ended up being the return of Ivar and Charlotte.

The worst part is RAW After Mania usually is the highest viewed RAW show of the year and after this piss poor effort done, this year probably going to break the record for quickest chase away of all those new and returning viewers.

[Triple A]

Wish Enzo and Cass showed up and cut a promo on The Miz

[Loose Cannon]

it's almost like Vince is intentionally killing his product.

[Evil Vito]

After generally finding the two-night Mania to be an easy watch, Raw gave me pretty much nothing to make me want to go back to following full-time. And hell, now I get the PPVs for free on Peacock and they're gonna recap everything that happened in the last month anyway...what's the point in sitting through this weekly slog?

I'll check out SmackDown on Friday to see if it holds my interest but I'm right back out on Raw for the foreseeable future.

[slik]

After generally finding the two-night Mania to be an easy watch, Raw gave me pretty much nothing to make me want to go back to following full-time. And hell, now I get the PPVs for free on Peacock and they're gonna recap everything that happened in the last month anyway...what's the point in sitting through this weekly slog?

I'll check out SmackDown on Friday to see if it holds my interest but I'm right back out on Raw for the time being.

There is no point to watch the weekly shows, they exist to fulfill contractual obligations rather than put on a good and/or fun show. I'm PPVs only for now with WWE...first time I've done that since the era when Sheamus/Alberto Del Rio were wrestling like every week.

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE legit needs to clean house with its Creative team, especially canning Bruce Prichard from the job.

For all of its main roster-like booking flaws that got exposed more since going to war with AEW, NXT's Creative team at least can put together way more interesting weekly shows than whatever is going down with the creative process for RAW.

[Loose Cannon]

that's honestly what I've been doing for the past 2 years. I only watch the PPV's and not even all of them because lots of matches repeat themselves (to an extent). You're right, they recap everything on the PPV and the "feuds" feel fresh to me because i haven't watched them on tv for the past 4-5 weeks or more

[Fignuts]

Thing is, creative isn't the problem. We've heard from multiple sources that the writing team genuinely comes up with good ideas, but they get shot down by vince.

[Evil Vito]

It's an audience of one and will be until he's six feet under.

[Emperor Smeat]

Thing is, creative isn't the problem. We've heard from multiple sources that the writing team genuinely comes up with good ideas, but they get shot down by vince.

For sure, Vince is the main source of WWE's creative struggles over the year but their general mentality towards booking is just as big of an issue.

The whole thing just needs some serious rehauling even if it means moving away from Vince's vision of what wrestling should be. Even NXT has been showing signs of getting too bloated in creative and leaning more into main roster style booking mentality than before.

[rez]

The best thing that could have happened to WWE was if XFL 2.0 was successful. Vince could have fooked off with those duties to micro manage but it's not how it worked out. It seems like he's in good shape and I don't see him selling off to NBC or FOX in the foreseeable future.

[rez]

It'd be interesting, tho. I'd be curious to see SNL without Lorne Michaels, too.

[Emperor Smeat]

The best thing that could have happened to WWE was if XFL 2.0 was successful. Vince could have fooked off with those duties to micro manage but it's not how it worked out. It seems like he's in good shape and I don't see him selling off to NBC or FOX in the foreseeable future.

Even if it was successful, Vince probably would still have been just as hands on with WWE since the guy is notorious for not taking a break from WWE work unless its beyond his control.

There were reports from the sheets of how some in WWE were shocked Vince did not scale back on his WWE work while the XFL revival season was underway. The original plan was for Triple H to take over creative duties while Vince was busy with the XFL but Vince did not allow that to happen under his watch.

[xrodmuc316]

Even if it was successful, Vince probably would still have been just as hands on with WWE since the guy is notorious for not taking a break from WWE work unless its beyond his control.

There were reports from the sheets of how some in WWE were shocked Vince did not scale back on his WWE work while the XFL revival season was underway. The original plan was for Triple H to take over creative duties while Vince was busy with the XFL but Vince did not allow that to happen under his watch.

Vince really feels like one of those guys that would die within 6 months of retirement. As long as he keeps to the grind though, he might outlive Shane.

[Emperor Smeat]

Vince's father had a similar mentality towards work and retirement.

Think him starting to show signs of becoming seriously ill is what opened the door for Vince to eventually buy the company. He didn't really get to enjoy retirement since he passed away only a couple years later from cancer.

[Sepholio]

Thing is, creative isn't the problem. We've heard from multiple sources that the writing team genuinely comes up with good ideas, but they get shot down by vince.

You know sometimes I've actually wondered if Vince hasn't saved us from even worse booking a lot of the time. I know he has also come in and insisted on ridiculous things but he just doesn't seem the kind of guy to waste a bunch of money on writers if he is just going to rewrite everything himself in the end. And considering how often he fires people and shifts around those in creative it makes me generally think he cares about the quality of what they present him. I dunno, just seems strange that he'd waste all that time and money.

[Emperor Smeat]

That's actually happened quite a few times in recent years based on the sheets.

Like the 24/7 title existence was only due to Vince picking the least worst idea from a list USA Network pitched to improve RAW.

Then there was a plan for the Fiend vs. Orton feud at the Royal Rumble I think that got dropped because Creative kept pitching bad ideas and Vince couldn't find a way to make any of them work.

[Sepholio]

Exactly. I legit wonder if he is actually the problem. What if like 90% of his rewrites are actually way better than what booking comes up with and we're all over here bad mouthing Vince? I give Vince flak all the time but had a conversation with someone during mania that made me think about this more.

[Emperor Smeat]

Based on all the stories from the sheets and former writers, he's still the main problem of their creative and booking struggles over the years but every so often Creative manages to come up with stuff that's even worse than what Vince would do.

Like 205 Live's turning into a mostly meaningless or directionless brand after the trio of Cedric, Murphy, and Ali got drafted was all Triple H and 205 Live creative team's doing since Vince had nothing to do with the brand after a few months or so into its existence.

[Evil Vito]

Moxley told a story about how when he turned heel, a writer handed him a promo which included the term "pooper scooper" and he demanded to get it changed because he knew if Vince saw that final promo, he'd find the term pooper scooper hilarious and it would then become something he has to say every promo.

So while Vince might change some bad ideas from creative, everyone knows he has a very sophomoric sense of humor and won't hesitate to run that stuff into the ground (see: Nia's hole, and now last night Nia tripping over)

[Jordan]

I watched the final hour of Raw last night and I didn't enjoy it at all. WWE TV is stuck in a hell unto itself. It's far beyond a rut. It's in a self abusive and audience entrapping cuck of intelligence and integrity. The painful predictability of the booking is like asking you to enjoy a root canal. All of this made 10x worse by no fans and the over produced nature of TV since the pandemic. WWE has seemed to stop trying to have any real sense of storytelling within wrestling, and continually acknowledges that the workers are working and thus nothing really matters. Some performers actually care and have the talent to progress a story (Drew, Lashley) but some are at the mercy of the heavy hand of creative and can't swim for sinking. Ech...

[Evil Vito]

Now that MVP's presumably recruited T-Bar and Mace into The Hurt Business as hired guns, I would laugh so hard if he brings Shane Thorne back again and they just completely gloss over him being Slapjack.

[Rammsteinmad]

The Viking Raiders? I totally forgot they even existed.

[Volare]

Alexa Bliss is now a rep of Fazbear Freddy's. Seriously they stole her story from fucking Five Night's at Freddy's.

[slik]

Even Reddit seemed to dislike this show and Reddit generally loves almost everything

[Bad News Gertner]

Wow, Raw tripled AEW's ratings

R.I.P

[Emperor Smeat]

Preview for tonight's show:

Drew McIntyre demands answers from MVP

Drew McIntyre demands answers, Asuka takes on Charlotte Flair and much more.

Raw Preview : Quick Hits

Drew McIntyre demands answers from MVP
Asuka aims for payback against Charlotte Flair on Raw



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can't believe we traded <a href="https://twitter.com/SlapJackRTRBTN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SlapJackRTRBTN</a> off of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERAW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERAW</a>. So much for the ratings tonight.<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/1384221012187746308?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 19, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at a recap video playing for something that legit happened a minute or two ago.

WWE really must think their fans have the attention span of a fly with how they handle recaps during shows.

Make that 2 recap videos aired for the same thing that happened like 5 minutes ago.

[Emperor Smeat]

Way too much talking soo far on tonight's show and now have to deal with an annoying Charlotte promo.

Something like maybe 5 minutes for wrestling and the rest has been all talking and commercials.

[Sepholio]

This Riddle/Orton feud has potential. Pretty intrigued by it.

"I JUST PASSED YOU BRO VROOOOOOOOOOOM"

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at Asuka calling Charlotte a "beeeeeetch"

That was the only good part about a boring Charlotte, Rhea, & Asuka promo segment.

[xrodmuc316]

Riddle is the annoying neighbor kid from Home Alone :rofl:

[xrodmuc316]

:lol: at Asuka calling Charlotte a "beeeeeetch"

That was the only good part about a boring Charlotte, Rhea, & Asuka promo segment.

Not sure why Rhea was even out there. Like she brought a microphone with her just to say she will watch Charlotte and Asuka later in the show?!?!?

[Emperor Smeat]

Someone in WWE really has a sudden fascination with handicap matches.

WWE's booked that type of match for one of their shows almost every week for the past month to month and a half.

[Emperor Smeat]

Ouch at the welts on Orton's chest from Riddle's chops. Its not WALTER tier bad in terms of bruising and hand marks though.

[Sepholio]

That was a pretty slick reversal of the RKO.

[Emperor Smeat]

Riddle vs. Orton was all right. Pretty much was an Orton style plodding match but actually good for once.

Riddle beating Orton was a surprise though.

[rez]

BROS!

[rez]

Nia Jax...flippy tv channel

[erickman]

why is the nia beast on every show

[Emperor Smeat]

:| at this women's tag match grinding to a sudden halt over a mid-match promo by Mandy & Dana who are not even in this match.

All that did was make Nia look like the good person and Dana & Mandy as the big mean bullies.

Women's tag match sucked.

[Emperor Smeat]

This Bad Bunny interview would have been way more useful on last week's show since this was taped right after his match at Mania.

Almost half over and tonight's show feels like a bit of a mess and a bore at the same time.

[Emperor Smeat]

Apparently Maryse suddenly has match making powers in WWE.

[Emperor Smeat]

Oh god, more dumbass Riddle backstage segments on tonight's show.

That's 3 so far.

[Fignuts]

Not watching after that terrible post mania raw.

Sounds hellish.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at Kofi role-playing as Stone Cold Steve Austin in the ring.

All that was missing was him hitting a Stunenr on Elias.

[rez]

Have R-Truth and Riddle ever teamed up?

https://media.tenor.com/images/2cbcb18688b061c958339e5705ab884d/tenor.gif

[rez]

lol Les Claypool rip off

[Emperor Smeat]

Not watching after that terrible post mania raw.

Sounds hellish.

For sure.

RAW Creative took a huge nose dive with their booking and creativity during this past month.

[Emperor Smeat]

Elias might be just as bad as Corbin in the ring as a singles wrestler. Even in NXT he wasn't that good in the ring.

[slik]

Not watching but saw this on Twitter, sounds like the show is going great


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">That was one of the most abysmally booked things I've seen in a really long time.</p>&mdash; Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeanRossSapp/status/1384316617727873028?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[rez]

Lilly is h0t

[Emperor Smeat]

:| Alexa's creepy doll actually talks ... sure it was more of it laughing but still.

I take back everything bad I ever said about the Seth Rollins vs. Mysterio Family feud since this Fiend & Bliss stuff has been running laps around it in terms of awfulness.

[Emperor Smeat]

Wonderful if things couldn't get worse tonight, RAW just teased a new twist to the Nia & Reginald love story with Angel Garza now potentially falling in love with her.

[rez]

When was the last time The Modern Day Maharaja made an appearance?

[Emperor Smeat]

:| at the handicap match ending via DQ and Braun Strowman suddenly shows up afterwards.

Edit: And now it turns into a random tag match right after the break.

[Emperor Smeat]

Whoever booked tonight's show should have been chucked into the nearest dumpster.

Back-to-back matches involving Drew ended via DQ.

Literally 50-50 booking with Drew winning the first match via DQ and T-Bar & Mace winning the second match via DQ.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

What will it take for Smeatball to stop watching Raw? One of the most dedicated individuals I’ve ever seen.

[Supreme Olajuwon]

Like a reporter in the Middle East. Just has to let us know the most important parts of the worst thing ever.

[Emperor Smeat]

Priest really likes trying to take off Miz's clothes for some reason. Almost got Miz's ass crack to show tonight.

[rez]

Smeat is the definition of dedication...or insanity.

[Emperor Smeat]

What will it take for Smeatball to stop watching Raw? One of the most dedicated individuals I’ve ever seen.

No clue since every time I think this show can't get any worse, it somehow does and I keep torturing myself in the end. Only bright side is at least it makes my job for the weekly shows reports a lot easier since I never have to think about what was the worst show I watched each week.

If it wasn't for the fact I've been playing games on my Switch during RAW most of the time, I probably would have gone insane a long while ago over RAW's terribleness.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at Sheamus destroying Humberto Carrillo after he answered his open challenge match.

Almost completely forgot Carrillo was on RAW.

[Emperor Smeat]

:eek: Asuka beat Charlotte. Sure it wasn't clean but still surprised it actually happened.

:lol: at Charlotte beating up the ref afterwards.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at RAW ending with Charlotte beating the crap out of a ref. Managed to completely overshadow Asuka's big win in the end.

This week's RAW stunk a lot. Feels like not since somewhere between 2009-2011 has RAW had a streak of shows this boring and terrible overalll. Like peak SuperCena era in terms of general awfulness.

[xrodmuc316]

Elias might be just as bad as Corbin in the ring as a singles wrestler. Even in NXT he wasn't that good in the ring.

Elias might be the most successful turnaround NXT callup of any male wrestler. He was literally nothing in NXT, but he has had segments in like 4 Manias in a row, Network specials, all sorts of stuff.

[xrodmuc316]

Wonderful if things couldn't get worse tonight, RAW just teased a new twist to the Nia & Reginald love story with Angel Garza now potentially falling in love with her.

Remember they were starting a Nia/Enzo relationship angle right before he got fired? :rofl:

[erickman]

No clue since every time I think this show can't get any worse, it somehow does and I keep torturing myself in the end. Only bright side is at least it makes my job for the weekly shows reports a lot easier since I never have to think about what was the worst show I watched each week.

If it wasn't for the fact I've been playing games on my Switch during RAW most of the time, I probably would have gone insane a long while ago over RAW's terribleness.

well when the show gets bad enough we can watch it just to laugh at it like a bad movie rifftrax.

[Volare]

No clue since every time I think this show can't get any worse, it somehow does and I keep torturing myself in the end. Only bright side is at least it makes my job for the weekly shows reports a lot easier since I never have to think about what was the worst show I watched each week.

If it wasn't for the fact I've been playing games on my Switch during RAW most of the time, I probably would have gone insane a long while ago over RAW's terribleness.

This is why I watch AEW at the bar on Mondays.

[Evil Vito]

Just another night of filling content.

[Loose Cannon]

awful awful awful. just awful . I don't know how this thread made it to 23 pages lol

[slik]

I don't know how this thread made it to 23 pages lol

Because it started in November :lol:

[Loose Cannon]

oh hahaha that makes more sense

[rez]

:shifty:

[Ruien]

Okay guys. Going to watch RAW tonight until a boring segment comes on and I go to Netflix instead. Pretty excited.

[Emperor Smeat]

Preview for tonight's show:

Raw preview, April 26, 2021: The All Mighty WWE Champion Bobby Lashley returns to Raw to address Drew McIntyre

Tonight, The All Mighty Bobby Lashley WWE Champion returns to Raw to address Drew McIntyre. Plus, The Scottish Superstar & Braun Strowman seek retribution of their own against MACE & T-BAR and a pair of hard-hitting Six-Person Tag Team matchup. Don’t miss Monday Night Raw at 8/7 C on USA.

Raw Preview : Quick Hits

Drew McIntyre & Braun Strowman join forces once more against MACE & T-BAR
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley set to return to Raw
Asuka, Naomi & Lana to battle Rhea Ripley, Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
Damian Priest joins forces with The New Day against The Miz, Elias & Jaxson Ryker




<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're not gonna still make him call himself <a href="https://twitter.com/TBARRetribution?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TBARRetribution</a>, right? <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/1386702460761300992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[erickman]

Okay guys. Going to watch RAW tonight until a boring segment comes on and I go to Netflix instead. Pretty excited.

so you will watch 10 mins

[Sepholio]

Kinda funny that they start pushing retribution after basically breaking the group up.

[Emperor Smeat]

Someone in WWE creative really does have a strange fascination with handicap matches these days since that's another week in a row where RAW and/or SD featured this exact type of match.

[Ruien]

Very good opening match.

[Ruien]

so you will watch 10 mins

We are 12 minutes in :D

[Ruien]

If the entire show is as entertaining as Strowman is then we are in for a good Raw.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at the DQ finish.

Getting DQed for beating up someone too much is such a lame way to end a match. Also third match in a row for Mace & T-Bar that ended via a DQ.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at a countout win for Mace & T-Bar.

On one hand, at least it broke the DQ streak for those guys.

On the other hand, WWE went a bit overboard with their booking of this Retribution vs. Strowman/Drew feud because they backed themselves into a corner for it and didn't want Strowman nor Drew to suffer a real loss while not wanting to make Retribution look like even bigger losers than usual.

[Ruien]

BRAUN!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ruien]

Braun is sooooo good.

[Ruien]

Did Smeat go full anti WWE?

[erickman]

Did Smeat go full anti WWE?

nah he just hates how bad raw got

[erickman]

Braun is sooooo good.

well he got another match tonight

[Emperor Smeat]

Morrison being back with Miz as if nothing happened the past two weeks interesting. He didn't show up on last week's show and Miz had teased a potential breakup between the duo the last time both were together.

[Ruien]

Miz, Morrison, Elias, and some random guy. Golden.

[Ruien]

The faces are plain and boring though

[Emperor Smeat]

Did Smeat go full anti WWE?

Nah more of RAW being terrible for months just made me feel way less interested or invested while also lowering my threshold for the show's booking and quality.

I've had some issues with SD and NXT during the same time frame but their shows generally have been more enjoyable than not to sit through. Also feels any problems those shows have don't linger around as long or feel as if WWE doesn't care to fix them like RAW's serious problems.

[Ruien]

It is a shame Elias never became a star.

[erickman]

lets see what flair has to say about dave meltzer

[Emperor Smeat]

Miz, Elias, & Ryker vs. New Day & Priest was pretty good.


It is a shame Elias never became a star.

He's got the character part locked down but his ring skills are what holds him back from becoming a big star in WWE. Like he's in Baron Corbin tier when it comes to his singles matches usually being dull or boring but he doesn't have the status Orton has to not be hurt by it.

[Sepholio]

Wait what did I miss why tf is Charlotte on my TV?

[Emperor Smeat]

Wait, Sonya now has management power over both brands?

Thought it was just the Blue Brand she had any power in.

[Emperor Smeat]

:| at Charlotte's "indefinite" suspension being just a week long.

[Emperor Smeat]

Wait ... what's stopping Adam Pearce from just telling Sonya to F off and reinstate Charlotte's punishment?

I assume he has a higher rank than her in management because WWE never mentioned before of her actually being on the same level.

[Ruien]

The Charlotte stuff was boring but I have only been interested in like five female angles ever. Going to give that a pass.

[Ruien]

Miz, Elias, & Ryker vs. New Day & Priest was pretty good.




He's got the character part locked down but his ring skills are what holds him back from becoming a big star in WWE. Like he's in Baron Corbin tier when it comes to his singles matches usually being dull or boring but he doesn't have the status Orton has to not be hurt by it.

Please don't compare anyone to Baron ever. That is a grave insult but I understand what you mean.

[erickman]

guess sonya is the new heel gm of raw and smackdown

[Ruien]

Oh, are they trying the Cena thing? Sheamus is no Angle though.

Who is the guy who beat up Sheamus?

[Emperor Smeat]

That dive by Humberto was both cool and way too close to him crashing his head onto the announcer's table.

[erickman]

ruien you must have giving this show good luck tonight has been better raw then the last few weeks.

[Emperor Smeat]

Still find it a bit funny that the first time WWE gets to do Bobby Lashley's new lighting-based entrance in front of a live crowd, an actual storm took place during Mania.


ruien you must have giving this show good luck tonight has been better raw then the last few weeks.
Its felt mostly average soo far but has flowed along better and a huge improvement over the past few weeks of utterly horrible quality.

[Ruien]

Omg. Why does Bobby Lashley have the mic? He has MVP...........

[Ruien]

Does he usually speak? This should be like Heyman/Brock...... Bobby should RARELY if ever speak.

[Emperor Smeat]

Does he usually speak? This should be like Heyman/Brock...... Bobby should RARELY if ever speak.

He's been more talkative since winning the title but for the most part, MVP has been the main speaker of the duo and former Hurt Business group.

[Ruien]

MVP is so good. Wasn't this a group before? Oh well, all Bobby needs is MVP.

[rez]

RKBro

Rock n Sock Connection 2.0

[Emperor Smeat]

Oh no, Riddle's dumbness has started to infect Orton.

A Bro version of Orton would probably be really funny though.

[Ruien]

Hmmmm. Was about to give up when Riddle came on but Randy saved it.

[erickman]

Oh no, Riddle's dumbness has started to infect Orton.

A Bro version of Orton would probably be really funny though.

till he gives riddle an rko after a match

[Ruien]

They are going to throw some dumb female match in after the commercial break huh. Does anyone matter in the female division besides Sasha, Becky, Charlotte, or Asuka yet?

[Emperor Smeat]

MVP is so good. Wasn't this a group before? Oh well, all Bobby needs is MVP.

Yes and got dumped because Vince probably woke up on the wrong side of the bed one day. Both MVP and Lashley tried to convince him to change his mind but were not successful.

[erickman]

They are going to throw some dumb female match in after the commercial break huh. Does anyone matter in the female division besides Sasha, Becky, Charlotte, or Asuka yet?

you get to see the nia beast she is on every show

[Emperor Smeat]

They are going to throw some dumb female match in after the commercial break huh. Does anyone matter in the female division besides Sasha, Becky, Charlotte, or Asuka yet?

Nope and you could make the case that Asuka is borderline on being in that group based on the way she's been treated these past several months and even well before Charlotte returned to RAW.

[rez]

Let the flops fly!

[Emperor Smeat]

Trying to remember but when did the whole RKO OUTTA NOWHERE thing start?

Was it when Orton hit an RKO on a flying Matt Sydal years ago on RAW or before that?

[Ruien]

Okay, 2 hours of WWE is enough. Really good show. Everything was solid i think (ignoring Charlotte and all the female stuff). Randy shines like a star that the WWE desperately needs more of. Maybe Lashley will get there but isn't he getting old?

Oh well, will look up how BRAUN!!! Does in his match tomorrow. 3 hours is to much wrestling imo.

[Ruien]

Trying to remember but when did the whole RKO OUTTA NOWHERE thing start?

Was it when Orton hit an RKO on a flying Matt Sydal years ago on RAW or before that?

No idea. Seems like he was born with it since the saying has been around so long.

[Emperor Smeat]

These COVID vaccine ads by WWE these past few weeks are a bit ironic considering NXT supposedly has been plagued by COVID "truthers" and wackos for the past year and their haphazard handling of the pandemic is why they routinely keep getting hit with outbreaks.

[rez]

Someone tell Vince they should storyline break Nia's collarbone on one of these slips!

[Emperor Smeat]

:| at Mandy & Dana chucking a bucket of water at Shayna and Nia slipping like a dumbass on it.

For something WWE finds funny as a gag, they sure didn't want Mandy slipping on the ramp to be shown on Mania's replay version on the WWE Network and taking away the origin of the Nia slipping gag.

[Emperor Smeat]

6-woman tag match was decent at best. Lost all interest in it after the Mandy & Dana stuff happened though.

[Emperor Smeat]

Guess Sonya really did become a heel authority figure OUTTA NOWHERE based on her belittling Mandy and Dana backstage.

[rez]

CLIMAXED

[Emperor Smeat]

This evil Alexa stuff might be the corniest thing WWE has done in years, especially after she started going heavy into her own Fiend-like direction.

[rez]

Smeat, keep your eyes off Lilly

[Emperor Smeat]

Smeat, keep your eyes off Lilly

That doll should be lit on fire, obliterated out of existence, and chucked into a dumpster afterwards since if the Chucky series is any indication, nothing good ever happens when being around creepy dolls.

[Emperor Smeat]

Oh god this Charlotte vs. ref stuff is actually going to be a recurring thing if this match is any indication.

Charlotte vs. Mandy stunk because of it.

[Emperor Smeat]

Since the main event match is next, the lack of AJ Styles & Omos since Mania has been very noticable.

Either Styles got hurt during the RAW Tag title match at Mania or one or both got hit with COVID since there is no reason to not have them on RAW in recent weeks. If its not injury or virus reasons, then WWE is being stupid by cooling off whatever momentum and fan interest Omos got from his Mania performance.

[xrodmuc316]

Trying to remember but when did the whole RKO OUTTA NOWHERE thing start?

Was it when Orton hit an RKO on a flying Matt Sydal years ago on RAW or before that?

Way earlier, probably going back to Mania 21 when he countered Taker's chokeslam attempt into an RKO.

[xrodmuc316]

Lashley is gonna murder Mace and T-Bar

[Emperor Smeat]

Yikes at Strowman almost hitting a legit Super Brainbuster onto Drew.

Took way too long for Drew to get into a flat position to land correctly from the Superplex.

:lol: at Strowman beating Drew because MVP is a dumbass and just made Lashley's odds for Mania Backlash even worse now.

[Emperor Smeat]

Drew vs. Strowman was pretty good overall despite the shenanigans at the end.

This week's show was mostly average overall. Didn't have much for really interesting stuff but it did move along mostly well and was a big improvement over the past few weeks of RAW.

[Tom Guycott]

Trying to remember but when did the whole RKO OUTTA NOWHERE thing start?

Was it when Orton hit an RKO on a flying Matt Sydal years ago on RAW or before that?

No idea. Seems like he was born with it since the saying has been around so long.

I think that's what really popularized it, but it came before that one.

Sort of like CM Punk's infamous rant retroactively becoming known as the "pipebomb" even though he hadn't cut the promo where he had said that yet.

[erickman]

Oh god this Charlotte vs. ref stuff is actually going to be a recurring thing if this match is any indication.

Charlotte vs. Mandy stunk because of it.

that ref may be the new little natch an be flairs ref

[Emperor Smeat]

Preview for tonight's show:

Raw preview, May 3, 2021: Will it be Drew McIntyre or Braun Strowman to battle Bobby Lashley tonight?

WWE Champion Bobby Lashley will face a challenge from either Drew McIntyre or Braun Strowman, two tag team title matches and more tonight on Raw.

Raw Preview : Quick Hits

WWE Champion Bobby Lashley to compete against either Drew McIntyre or Braun Strowman this Monday night
Raw Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Omos set to defend against New Day in WrestleMania rematch on Raw
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler to put WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles on the line against Lana & Naomi



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Turns out we have <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWERAW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWERAW</a> Tag Champions. Who knew? <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/1389224080579178501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Likely going to end up missing the latter half of the show since I won't be at home.

[Emperor Smeat]

Letting Omos speak this much for this Styles & Omos and New Day promo segment doesn't seem like a good idea especially since his delivery style doesn't really match his current persona as a menacing threat of a giant.

[Emperor Smeat]

Guess Omos' new routine is him having to yell every time he does a move. Doesn't matter what the move is, he just starts yelling the moment he's about to hit it.

RAW Tag Title match was decent.

[Emperor Smeat]

Turns out I got to bail sooner than I thought. First part of RAW was nothing special but not terrible either.

[erickman]

the botch queen eva back

[Bad News Gertner]

Yessssss Eva is back! It's really gonna hurt her not having a live crowd because she can easily be the top heel in the division

[Sepholio]

Riddle just hurt Elias I think. Landed on his forehead from the top rope.

[Emperor Smeat]

Just came back.

Eva Marie returned?

Hopeful she improved a lot during her time away because if not, then WWE is just going to set her up to fail badly just like her last run.

[Emperor Smeat]

:eek: Mansoor managing to escape 205 Live purgatory.

Probably going to have him dethrone Sheamus for the US title if the rumors about his win streak only being done to appease the Saudis is true.

[Sepholio]

So. Mansoor winning the US title is about to happen I see.

[Sepholio]

Oh wait shoulda known this wouldnt end clean.

[Emperor Smeat]

:lol: at Mansoor's win streak ending via a DQ

[Emperor Smeat]

Wonder if WWE even has any idea what the payoff to this possessed Alexa with her creepy doll storyline is supposed to be since whatever it will be probably is going to be extra terrible.

Feels like they merged the Fiend stuff with whatever direction Lars Sullivan was meant to go in from those creepy school and childhood stories he did for a few weeks on Smackdown for Alexa's new storyline with her doll.

[Emperor Smeat]

Strowman has a really big booger stuck in his nose based on that zoom in of his face when Lashley was trying to pull his jaw off.

[Emperor Smeat]

WWE really doing their best to make Braun feel like an afterthought in this WWE title feud.

Missed half of the show but based on what I was able to see, tonight's RAW was nothing special and first time in a long time where I didn't feel anything or cared about what went down. Its almost always the same stuff every week on RAW in regards to whatever happened the week before is what happens again the next week with some minor changes here or there.

When something new or really interesting actually does happen, its either terrible or just gets repeated the following weeks until it loses all of its luster. Like this week had the RAW debut of Mansoor for something interesting and WWE's way of continuing his low key Goldberg-like win streak on the main roster was to just quickly throw it away the first chance they got.

[erickman]

Just came back.

Eva Marie returned?

Hopeful she improved a lot during her time away because if not, then WWE is just going to set her up to fail badly just like her last run.

good thing she just had a promo, compaired to nia lana and tamina eva is a flair.

[Evil Vito]

Mansoor had a 49 match winning streak across NXT, 205 Live, EVOLVE, and the Saudi shows.

Debuts on Raw and immediately loses by DQ.

[drave]

Eva Marie.... seriously?




ugh.


"Women's Wrestling"

[Bad News Gertner]

Best heel in the company

[drave]

Not for the right reasons tho.


Like, it is worse than "go away" heat. Its "I dont even wanna tune in" heat.


I've found just watching PPV's makes it much easier to digest, but still. GTFO