With all the bluster about how the WWE is a "sports entertainment" company, they really do put on shows at times that fly in the face of that party line. Tonight was one of those shows. The curtain jerker, featuring John Cena and CM Punk was a well-worked, main event quality match that had one of the most brilliant finishes I've ever seen. Seriously, catch that on Youtube or on a replay, because it's worth watching. So smart. Cena and Punk have such great chemistry with each other in the ring, almost like a Flair and Steamboat for the '10s. These two could carry WWE for the next 10 years. No lie.
The other huge match on the show featured two guys who know each other well. Daniel Bryan and Miz had a hell of a match that carried the middle of the show. It was a bit choppy early on, but after Bryan saved a botched electric chair spot into a rear naked choke, it picked up. Both guys bumped hard, especially Bryan off a neckbreaker to the apron, and the finish was well done as well. This was almost as good as their Night of Champions match last year. Miz may not be elite in the ring, but he's good in his own right and capable of being carried. With Bryan, there are always fireworks.
Even the other two non-Divas matches were okay. Sheamus does the impossible and makes Randy Orton matches watchable on a regular basis. I don't know, I think it's just because his offense is so brutal-looking, it's a spectacle no matter who's taking it. The tag match was fun if only because of Mason Ryan's interference and John Morrison breaking out his pissed off-striking offense, aka, his GOOD offense.
Hell, most of the out-of-ring stuff worked too. Miz's post-match promo was great, although for those of you wanting him to show more restraint, stop it. Twenty years ago in Memphis, Lawler would have had Miz wiping his ass with a picture of his mother if it meant the act would get more over. But that's neither here nor there. Hell, the stupid comedy was even a hit, as that kiss cam kicked ass. I don't care what anyone says, William Regal kissing Zack Ryder on the cheek was EPIC AWESOME. I don't give a shit whether you think homosexuality is okay or not, the fact that Regal is secure enough in his manhood to do that in front of an audience as chauvinistic as the WWE's is AWESOME.
And when The Rock's music hit, I lost it. I was 12 years old again. Fuck, I love wrestling. I love The Rock. I loved that promo. I love feeling like I'm 12 years old.
This is what RAW should be like every week, top to bottom.
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