Welcome to all ! We’re celebrating D-Generation X this week, so please be on your worst behavior. Normally that’s where I tell you Claire does her thing on the blog but it’s Sean today. It’s not Claire but it’s damn good. Also? I wish Shawn Michaels didn’t age. Sigh. I just feel old.
Anyway, let’s talk about it Raw!
Only built 4 Cuban Linx…
The Bloodline is a legit crime family and I love it. The whole Roman Reigns thing is a mob boss, which is no secret. But the fantastic opening segment this week with the Bloodline, along with a subsequent follow-up, crystallized just how much this two-year story owes to mob movies and mob history. And the person who puts it everywhere is Sami Zayn.
Every mob film has a mediating character. The cat that makes peace when the other members are at war with each other. More importantly, this person has the ear of the Capo dei capi. They are the most trusted soldier of all bosses. Sami, in a very short time, is that person for Reigns. Because they are both amazing in their respective roles, they bring out the best in each other. Sami allows Roman to show the lighter side of the tribal leader, while Roman allows Sami to be more than just comic relief. This week, Sami did what very few people do: he interrupted Reigns in the middle of a speech.
Before Roman got to his beef with Jey Uso, Sami reminded the champ that he made Jey Uso a Sami Zayn problem. And with that in mind, he wanted a chance to talk to handle Jey. Reigns gave that look that makes everyone scared of him, walked over to Sami and smiled. Because Sami is 1000% right. Sami took center stage and commented on everyone in the Bloodline, including Jey, to which Roman agreed. Before Sami got to his final point about Jey and his bloodline future, Matthew Riddle showed his face. Riddle challenged Roman for a rematch. Reigns said no. Riddle challenged any Bloodline member and Jey nominated Sami, because of course he did. Sami accepted.
Later, Reigns gave Game explicit orders to make sure his Honorary Uce got the win. Which sounds great and all but during the match, Sami told Jey he didn’t need any help.
This is the part of the movie where a family member, determined to prove the most trusted soldier untrustworthy, sows discord by taking the boss’s wrath squarely on that trusted soldier. I understand. I watch a lot of mafia movies and documentaries.
For a while, Sami took care of Riddle. But then the game went to the outside and Sami, expecting Uso help from Jimmy & Jey, received none. Riddle took advantage of the free shots on Riddle while the tag champions watched. Jimmy, Sami’s friend, wanted to intervene but Jey held him back. When Riddle pinned Sami and walked out of Brooklyn with the win, Jey told Jimmy not to help Sami up. According to Jey, Sami said he had it, so let him have it.
To paraphrase The New Day, Jey’s dad told him one thing and his stepdad told him another. So rather than being caught in the middle, he put them against each other under the pretense that he was just following orders.
This story is heartbreaking and Smack down is on view this week.
25 years…
Where were you in 1997? I was an 11-year-old who idolized Shawn Michaels, which meant I felt way too much and did my best to copy the shenanigans of D-Generation X without getting caught. DX celebrated a birthday this week and it wasn’t just self-aware and succinct, but it was… classy? They shouted Chyna and Billy Gunn elegantly while enjoying the adulation of the crowd. Whoever came up with the line about Billy “doing something with office furniture” is a genius.
That’s it. No analysis, no criticism. Just taking this space to say it was a nostalgic good time that didn’t overstay its welcome. Oh and we had this hilarious moment at the start of Raw. As long as I live, I will apparently never grow up because it made me laugh absurdly.
Extracurricular activities
The rhythm continues…
I’m shocked, shocked I tell you. I didn’t predict Johnny Gargano would get a clean W on Austin Theory this week. Not only that, Theory didn’t even attack him at the end of the game. Although I know Theory has this briefcase, in theory – pun intended – an L doesn’t matter. But, it doesn’t matter if the ultimate goal is for him to get a championship around his waist. Again, does anyone believe Austin theory beat Roman Reigns? I don’t believe he beats him in a thumb wrestling match, let alone a pro wrestling match. But I digress.
It was a solid match with a great story of the teacher fighting the student. The student believed he had outdone the professor, even locking Gargano in the Gargano Escape. A really dope segment saw both men go for a super kick, but Theory was just a bit quicker, which also tells a story. In the end, Johnny Wrestling emerged victorious because while Theory may be faster and stronger, he still isn’t smarter. Johnny caught the youngster slipping three times when Theory literally rushed full steam ahead.
It’s a big win for Johnny Wrestling, but I still wonder what the ultimate plan is for young Austin.
Corey Graves should never say “nahmean” again in his life.
Either way, after Rey Mysterio dispatched Chad Gable with the 619, Dominik and Rhea continued to make his life hell. Dom physically antagonized his dad this time, pushing, shoving, and even slapping his dad while begging for retaliation. When the rest of Judgment Day rolled around and it looked like Rey could finally let off steam by beating Finn Balor, Dom attacked his old man next Monday, attacking him from behind and hitting him with his own 619.
It’s still a compelling thing, enhanced by Rey’s tears while fighting all of her physical urges. And every thing Dom does or says makes the crowd hate him even more. Once Brooklyn saw Rey cry, the boos went up several notches.
Rey is a showcase of emotion and we all feel it.
Califoooooorniaaaaa
Look, if they’re going to call it “The OC,” then I’m referencing the early 2000s Fox show that I never watched, but the kids in my dorm did.
Let’s not bury the lede here: Gallows & Anderson are back, and they’ve got AJ Styles’ back. Finn gave Styles an ultimatum, Styles came out and tricked Finn into thinking he had joined Judgment Day, quoted Jack’s New Town, then out came the Good Brothers. Judgment Day didn’t know what to do with all the heat, so they rushed in like cockroaches when the lights came on and chose to fight another day.
It’s a great look for AJ, while also giving us some rich history as Finn’s new family faces off against his old family. It’s time to play the quarrel!
OH! Finn Balor? Never say “too legit to quit” again. Thanks.
Resumption of the CNTRL
Bayley was hot. After losing to Extreme Rules, the model took out her anger on Candice LeRae this week. Well, she tried. Candice, working on a bum knee, caught Bayley off guard and got the W. Solid match that needed more time. But hey, what can you do but complain?
The most intriguing part was Bianca Belair coming to the aid of Candice after Dakota Kai and IYO SKY participated in the standard tailgating. But even Bianca wasn’t enough, as she and Candice were no match for Damage CNTRL. Apparently Asuka & Alexa Bliss aren’t part of that anymore? Otherwise, I wonder who helps Belair & LeRae? Maybe a boss? Suffice it to say, it makes a lot of sense.
Blame Brock
Seth Rollins is your new United States Champion! It wasn’t really a game to speak of as far as “quality” goes. And you can thank Brock Lesnar for that. The Beast has arrived in Brooklyn with a message for Lashley. Not so much in words as in violence, as he punched the now former champion several times and locked his arm in the Kimura Lock.
Bobby, clearly more ready for competition, let Seth push him into a match. Seth called Bobby a bad soldier and a disgrace to the country, etc. So yes, Bobby fought valiantly but the damage was done.
IF you take the title away from Lashley and set him up for a match with Lesnar at crown jewel, that’s probably the best way to do it. However, Brock destroying another black champion with the ease of an adult throwing a ball in the air is definitely something WWE needs to recognize. While not intentionally racist, appearances are everything.
Delete
This isn’t my first complaint about the Dexter Lumis and Miz affair, but it’s the latest. Miz’s birthday party, where Maryse gave him a bat and two giant balls – how smart – just didn’t work for me. Couple that with Dexter Lumis’ “surprise” reveal, Maryse doesn’t actually have a face full of cake, and yes, no bueno.
The good news is that we finally get some resolution. Next week, Miz fights Dexter. If Miz wins, Dexter is gone. But if Miz loses, Dexter gets a contract with WWE. So, yeah, expect Miz to lose.
Kudos to Road Dogg for hearing my complaints from my couch and responding to them in real time. Thanks to D-Generation X, who answered all my questions since 1997.
WWE squash
Yes, Omos still crushes cats.
Raw started strong and ended strong. The first two hours flew by but the third hour dragged on a bit. I know it don’t happen but two hours Raw sounds like one hell of a show. As it stands it was a good one, not a great one. In fact, it was a very good one.
Grade: B+
This is my note and I stick to it. Your turn.
#Raw #recap #reactions #October #family
