RAWs from England usually end up being flat. Tonight, surprisingly, it didn't feel that warmed over. That being said, it wasn't really all that gangbusters either. Passable show on all fronts. The main event and the segment where CM Punk just sucker punched David Otunga were the best parts by far. It's crazy how over Zack Ryder and Punk are with the crowds in Liverpool, Ryder especially. It was like he was the main eventer and Cena was the guy who was the add-on to the match. Good action too. I liked the synergy with Ryder and Cena doing each other's signature moves. The finish was a bit chinsey, but hey, the heels have to get heat somehow I guess.
The Punk stuff tonight was good too. Obviously, the second segment was way better because it featured Punk doing what he does best - reacting to what people say and then kicking ass. He is the kind of guy who works well as a dude who does whatever he wants and hits whomever he wants. Plus, he took a slick bump into craft services from Alberto del Rio. That wasn't to say his original segment with del Rio wasn't good. It was, but I really can do without the casual racism. Really, we don't need to be calling del Rio greasy to get heat on him. At all.
The rest of the show was just there. Jack Swagger and Santino had a decent match, but I also loved Swagger's victory lap afterwards. Just a great cheesy dick heel. The Divas stuff was kinda dumb, if only because it's the same shit. The Divas of Doom come out and promise to make the "Barbies" cry, the Barbies get the advantage, the fans get to ogle the eye candy. The only thing changed here is that it wasn't a match and there wasn't a fluke pin. Also, we got shortchanged Brodus Clay for Mason Ryan? And Dolph Ziggler lost to John Morrison? Yeah, no.
But the show wasn't a waste on the whole. Good stuff for a pre-taped English RAW, which is an accomplishment.
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