Official RAW Preview 4/23/07: London bound

[DAMN iNATOR]

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/Headers/4144570
http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/3883682/4516264 WWE Champion John Cena will face Shawn Michaels on Raw.

Preview:London bound


April 23, 2007



Raw (http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/) rolls into jolly old England this week as the WWE Superstars continue on their two week tour of Europe. With a new Intercontinental Champion and less than a week until Backlash, Raw’s London bash is sure to be a knockout.
WWE Champion John Cena (http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/johncena/) will face his WrestleMania (http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/) 23 opponent and former tag team partner, Shawn Michaels (http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/shawnmichaels/), in a WrestleMania Rematch. These two talented Superstars have not squared off in the ring since Detroit, and their unresolved issues will certainly make this a memorable match. Will Cena be able to escape without HBK’s shoe print on his face?
Santino Marella made history in Milan when he became the first WWE fan to claim the Intercontinental Championship (http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/). Mr. McMahon (http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/mrmcmahon/) was furious with ECW (http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/) World Champion Bobby Lashley (http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/superstars/lashley/) for aiding Marella in his No Holds Barred Match against Umaga (http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/umaga/). How will The Chairman respond? What will become of this new Intercontinental Champion?
The Great Khali (http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/thegreatkhali/) will be in action when Raw rolls into London as well. Last week, a video aired showing just how dominant the Punjabi giant has been in WWE; who will be the unlucky one to match up with Khali in London? (Watch a video of The Great Khali in action (http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/vms/raw/2007/april15-21/4518194))
Also last week, Torrie Wilson (http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/torriewilson/) won a Diva fashion show and was immediately attacked by Women’s Champion Melina (http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/melina/), but Mickie James (http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/mickiejames/) came to her friend’s aid and dropped the champion to spark a brawl. A match between Mickie and Melina was announced for Backlash later in the night; will the two Divas be at each other’s throats again on Raw just six days before they meet up at the pay-per-view in Atlanta?
Find out all this and more on Raw, Monday night at 9/8 CT on USA Network.

[Xero]

Bit early?

[Slow]

you can guarentee they show clips of a barmaid in a pub pulling a pint with classical music in the background. Red phone boxes and buses as well, its the same every year! It isn't far from reality though, most of us are alcoholics

[PepperCarrotMan]

you can guarentee they show clips of a barmaid in a pub pulling a pint with classical music in the background. Red phone boxes and buses as well, its the same every year! It isn't far from reality though, most of us are alcoholics

http://www.genickbruch.com/pics/bios/984.jpg

You say you are alcoholics and its not far from reality, I say you're alcoholics and BATHTURDS!!!!!

[DAMN iNATOR]

Bit early?

Most likely, but given the fact that *SPOILERS* will probably be posted later on in the evening as RAW has likely been once again pre-recorded, it's kind of a moot point unless you just watch RAW tonight without having read spoilers.

[Slow]

bathturds? what the hell?

[DAMN iNATOR]

bathturds? what the hell?

Maybe it has something to do with Shisen's "Pooing in the shower?" thread in casual...:shifty:

[Mooияakeя™]

Hmmmm, I was expecting to see this live on Sky Sports now. Yet it's still on at 2am. Strange. Never knew Earls Court was allowed to stay open so long ;)

nah, tbh, stupid idea from Sky. They should of shown it live, Been as it's a US show, there'd be no way they'd get up so early to watch it live, but still they could of easily have just shown it live here and std broadcast in US.

Sky suck. - Unless of course, this was WWE'd ruling.

[St. Jimmy]

Raw tonight is recorded right?

[Theo Dious]

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/3883682/4516264

HBK hits Sweet Ass Music on Cena

[Team Sheep]

What's with the uproar over it not being live here? This is the 6th time they're taping shows over here and it's always been the same. Pre-record at our time, then show it on TV at US prime time (9pm Eastern, 2am UK).

I don't believe Sky actually get sent the recording of Raw. They just receive a live feed from USA Network, so the coverage is just like any other Monday night tonight.

[DAMN iNATOR]

What's with the uproar over it not being live here? This is the 6th time they're taping shows over here and it's always been the same. Pre-record at our time, then show it on TV at US prime time (9pm Eastern, 2am UK).

I don't believe Sky actually get sent the recording of Raw. They just receive a live feed from USA Network, so the coverage is just like any other Monday night tonight.

Yeah, but the original complaint to my posting this thread was that it was several hours early for the "Official RAW Preview" thread, like about exactly 7 hours in the US, as it was "officially" posted at 2:00pm EST. (Eastern Standard Time)

[Blitz]

Most likely, but given the fact that *SPOILERS* will probably be posted later on in the evening as RAW has likely been once again pre-recorded, it's kind of a moot point unless you just watch RAW tonight without having read spoilers.
What does that have to do with anything?

[Destor]

Close this bitch.

[addy2hotty]

I've just got in and I have a spoiler.

Cena wins.








































I didn't attend the show.

[NeanderCarl]

Is this the live thread then?

[NeanderCarl]

Well... "live"...

[NeanderCarl]

Is it St George's Day?? I needed a taped American show to let me know that. I'd be ashamed if I was English.

[NeanderCarl]

Fuck off, Robbie Brookside? Regal's old 80s partner? Toughest guy in Britain? hah! Where's Doug Williams? Sheamus O' Shaunessy? Nigel McGuiness?

[NeanderCarl]

Why am I the only person posting? There were loads of people on last week's Italian Raw thread...

[NeanderCarl]

Robbie Brookside was once a promising young wrestler, who may well have made it in WCW... but now.... washed up...

[NeanderCarl]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but he may have worked for WCW for a while, actually...

[Linkbowler]

What the hell kind of purpose does this serve?

[NeanderCarl]

Why was Shane giving Brookside a heel's introduction before facing him in a match?

And all this serves to do is deflate the UK audience after an Italian hometown hero got a big win last week... this week let's take a Brit and squash him the fuck out.

[Linkbowler]

It also serves to make me switch back to 24.

[ClockShot]

IT'S ODDJOB!

[NeanderCarl]

Vinnie Mac has gone back to his old loud dress sense of the early 80s by the looks it.

[NeanderCarl]

WWE will barely let RVD use the Van Daminator unless it's a "special occasion", yet Shane McMahon is busting out Van Dam's creation, the Van Terminator, on a weekly basis.

[RVDmark]

Vince looks like Mr Benn

[NeanderCarl]

NICE video package of the Cena/Michaels match right there. See, who needs Dave Sahadi after all??

[Linkbowler]

Todd Grisham's "announcer voice" blows.

[RGWhat316]

It does seem odd to squash a British guy this week in England after letting an Italian guy win in Italy last week.

[RGWhat316]

Looks like they are going with the London/Kendrick routine with singles losses on the show, yet retaining on ppv.

[Skippord]

What the hell was that?

[RVDmark]

I've seen that guy wrestle live he was pretty good on ring and on the Mic IMO.

[NeanderCarl]

I've seen that guy wrestle live he was pretty good on ring and on the Mic IMO.

He was Britain's closest thing to a "hot prospect" 10-12 yrs ago, but never got anywhere. Now there are tens of better wrestlers on the British circuit.

[Destor]

So far RAW has been shit. Yeah.

[Destor]

Where is Steele to see the satnd by logo?

[NeanderCarl]

Eh? Randy Orton vs Edge? Thought Orton was "sent home"? Maybe there will be some kind of angle.

[RGWhat316]

HHH was just back for a second, lol.

[Skippord]

lol at the technical difficulties thing

[Skippord]

I would pay for sex with Maria

[RGWhat316]

Damn, Maria is smokin', but horrible music.

[Destor]

id hit it

[ClockShot]

Where's Michael Buffer when you need him the most?

[The Optimist]

Lol at JR selling Maria like she's a monkey's paw.

[ClockShot]

KHALI SMASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NeanderCarl]

Carlito vs Khali.... Carlito's real name is Khali.





Well.... Carly.

[NeanderCarl]

If I ever became a wrestler, I'd have to change my name now, thanks to Carlito.



Yeah, because THAT is the only thing holding me back....

[The Genius]

jr said khali is undefeated overall. i guess they disregard his smackdown tenure when he lost to Taker in that no holds barred match.

also todd grisham is a terrible ring announcer.

[NeanderCarl]

Does Khali have a single athletic bone in his body?

Why is this Raw sucking so much?

And why do I become so quizzical on Monday nights?

[Linkbowler]

Does Flair even know Spanish?

[parkmania]

Open letter to WWE:

Dear whoever the crap actually reads this,

Please, if you EVER let Todd Grisham be the ring announcer again, remind him that his name is NOT Michael Buffer.

[NeanderCarl]

If WWE wants to get Khali over, they should take a look at how ECW booked Sid Vicious in 1998.

One of the most abysmal ridiculed flops in wrestling history + the most demanding and knowledgable wrestling audience known to man should have = absolute disaster. Instead, thanks to Heyman, Sid got HUGELY over.

[IC Champion]

OMG Trevor Murdoch just did a Code Red/Canadian Destroyer

[NeanderCarl]

Eh?

[NeanderCarl]

The Mickster!

[NeanderCarl]

I have that jacket. I'm embarrased to have the same jacket as "The World's Scruffiest Millionaire".

[RGWhat316]

LOL, Edge and Foley together can be comedy gold.

[NeanderCarl]

Just like every WWE Films release before it, the curious interest I had in watching The Condemned has rapidly decreased due to shoving it down my damn throat every week for months on end.

Every film they have released, I have seen the trailer and thought "I actually wouldn't mind seeing this." By the time they have been released, I have zero remaining interest. It's a little thing called overkill. Will WWE never learn?

[RGWhat316]

I kinda get the same way. I'm even a big Austin fan, but these promos get to be too much after a while.

[RVDmark]

Is Edge not being heel tonight?

[Corndad]

Evening Fellas. What have I missed so far?

[Linkbowler]

You haven't missed anything. Seriously.

[Corndad]

I had a feeling. What exactly did Mick and Edge do and why is Cena-HBK on now? what is the Main Event gonna be?

[Linkbowler]

I missed the Foley/Edge thing, and JR said that this was the main event. Take it for what it's worth, but it looks like this is going to be a long one, probably with a promo to end the show.

[KingofOldSchool]

LOL @ them plugging Edge/Orton tonight

[Linkbowler]

Did Cena just use the throwback? Haven't seen that in a while.

[RGWhat316]

Damn, 3rd commercial break in one match?

[Corndad]

damn this match is gonna go about 40 mins.

[Skippord]

damn this match is gonna go about 40 mins.
30 of which have been a side head lock

[Jordan]

What a fucking great match!

[Corndad]

another commercial????

[RGWhat316]

why another break now?

[Linkbowler]

Pretty good elevation on the legdrop.

[wwe2222]

this should have been their wrestlemania match

[Corndad]

yea this match is 10 times better then the Mania match.

[RGWhat316]

This has to be one of the longest matches in RAW history.

[wwe2222]

yea this match is 10 times better then the Mania match.

think how good it would be if there was the added suspense of it being a title match

[Linkbowler]

This seems like the longest non-ironman match ever in WWE.

[Corndad]

and another break. Don't tell me this is going till 5 after 11 lol

[McLegend]

lol this isn't even a title match? This has been fantastic.

[Skippord]

This match will be over tomorrow

[Corndad]

the only Mania rematch that hasn't been better was Lashley vs Umaga

The ECW rematch was alot better then the Mania match

[KingofOldSchool]

IT'S THE CHOKE HOLD OF EXTREME DISCOMFORT

[Corndad]

IT'S THE CHOKE HOLD OF EXTREME DISCOMFORT

Its called the STFU silly :shifty:

[Corndad]

Wow. Shawn can pull a great match out of anyone. I am a believer.

[KingofOldSchool]

Its called the STFU silly :shifty:

Some Timid Finisher, Umaga

[Corndad]

i just hope this doesn't end stupid with a run in

[Corndad]

Wow. that was great.

[RGWhat316]

About damn time!

[James Steele]

HBK! HBK!

IF ONLY FOR THE TITLE! IF ONLY THIS WAS FOR THE TITLE!

THIS IS HOW WRESTLEMANIA SHOULD HAVE BEEN! THIS IS HOW WRESTLEMANIA SHOULD HAVE BEEN!

[KingofOldSchool]

Note To Self: Kill Todd Grisham

[James Steele]

HBK told a story in this match: "I AM THE FUCKING MAN!"

[James Steele]

God, I love HBK right now. SO SERIOUSSSSSSSSS

[Linkbowler]

Somebody really needs to send Grisham some tapes of Jeremy Borash. You don't need the Michael Buffer voice to be a ring announcer.

[RGWhat316]

I guess the Orton/Edge graphic was a f up then.

[McLegend]

Wow great ending. Just an all around awsome match.

[KingofOldSchool]

Somebody really needs to send Grisham some tapes of Jeremy Borash. You don't need the Michael Buffer voice to be a ring announcer.

The thing is, Borash sucks too.

[Kane Knight]

Did we need a 90 minute Main Event?

[KingofOldSchool]

I guess the Orton/Edge graphic was a f up then.

Pretty big and dumb fuck up seeing how Orton got sent home days ago. Not to mention they had time to edit that graphic out.

[eazey]

When did shawn get his music back?

[The Genius]

the graphic was in error but lawler also promoted it once too. great main event btw too.

i am really getting into this cade/murdoch vs hardys feud too.

[D Mac]

Don't forget Edge promoted his match vs Orton while talking to Foley.

[aaaaa]

WWE.com has the "reason" why Edge vs. Orton didn't make the show:
Squaring off for the first time since their tremendous match at WrestleMania 23, Cena and Michaels spent nearly an hour battling it out in the ring in one of the most impressive contests ever seen on Raw. Although other matches were scheduled for the night, including a contest pitting Edge against Randy Orton, the length of the main event left no room for other battles.

:roll: Yeah, taped shows are so hard to edit and make everything fit. This coming from a company that produces 5+ hours of "live" TV every week.

[RGWhat316]

WWE.com has the "reason" why Edge vs. Orton didn't make the show:


:roll: Yeah, taped shows are so hard to edit and make everything fit. This coming from a company that produces 5+ hours of "live" TV every week.

LOL, yeah like they had no control over how long the Cena/Shawn match was gonna go. I guess they are lucky they got done by the shows actual end time of 11:05, or they might still be going. :roll:

[DAMN iNATOR]

When did shawn get his music back?

I believe he went back to his “Sexy Boy” entrance the night after ’Mania, but someone correct me if this is wrong.

[Destor]

aaaaa, shut up you stupid fuck.

[Mooияakeя™]

UK fans seemed to not mind the 40+ min match (or whatever it was). I mean, great end, yeah, decent match, but why WWE didn't bill it as an Iron Headlock Match" i'll never know.

Funny to see Mourinho being booed.

Decent show and I'm actually happy WWE chose to go with a long match. I've been enjoying the Benoit / MVP matches too.

I think Petey Williams will be chuckling at Murdoch's CD attempt, I know I was.

Does anyone know if they gave any British wrestlers tryouts in dark matches / house shows. I know that's how Katarina Waters got in on a dev contract last May at a UK taping, so just wondering.

[Kane Knight]

UK fans get a televised show once every year if they're lucky. Cena and Michaels could have had a jizzmopping match and they would have eaten it up.

My only ocmplaint about time constraints is more that that was the sort of thing that should have been a PPV match, not a TV match. That, and it started to drag after about 25 minutes. It's probably realistic that both guys are flopping around in the ring like they've run a marathon, but is it fun?s