It was no grand surprise that Ryback was the final piece of Team Foley's puzzle for his Survivor Series team. I think most people could see it coming a mile away after the finish from Hell in a Cell and the beginning of RAW tonight. It's not really a sign of weakness unless you're Vince Russo. It might be a bit weak to present it as a grand surprise, but at the same time, it's story advancement. If they are able to weave a tapestry from this featuring all the feuds they've entangled into this match, then no one will remember the underwhelming "reveal" of Ryback. OF course, there are serious doubts as to whether they'll be able to do that, but hey, it is what it is.
The final segment didn't take away for me that it was a strong show overall, anchored by a phenomenal tag match between the Rhodes Scholars and Team Mexico. Again, RAW's formula of matches upon matches upon matches works for them, and the story stuff they've sprinkled in has worked more than it hasn't for me. The 3MB Behind the Music spoof was pitch-perfect. They've actually found a way to make Jinder Mahal palatable, and that's a miracle in and of itself.
The only real downers for me were the confirmation (well, apparent confirmation) of Beth Phoenix's departure from the company and that godawful Komen masturbation before the final segment. Don't get me wrong, I like that they hate cancer enough to want to do something for it. I might even have forgiven the self-congratulatory nature of the segment if it was for a foundation of reputable providence like the American Cancer Society. However, Susan G. Komen Foundation has proven itself to be dubious at best, having politicized their organization (irrelevant as to whether it's to the right or the left, cancer shouldn't be politicized) and made it unattainable for the common person to contribute to them without having to seek out a MASSIVE fundraiser. Believe me on the latter, I know from firsthand experience.
I feel nominally dirty coming out so hard against what the rank and file wrestlers, ESPECIALLY Layla El, have thought to be a great cause. That being said, I just don't want to see organizations of a dubious nature indirectly get my money and the money of people who might not contribute if they knew the whole story.
The final segment didn't take away for me that it was a strong show overall, anchored by a phenomenal tag match between the Rhodes Scholars and Team Mexico. Again, RAW's formula of matches upon matches upon matches works for them, and the story stuff they've sprinkled in has worked more than it hasn't for me. The 3MB Behind the Music spoof was pitch-perfect. They've actually found a way to make Jinder Mahal palatable, and that's a miracle in and of itself.
The only real downers for me were the confirmation (well, apparent confirmation) of Beth Phoenix's departure from the company and that godawful Komen masturbation before the final segment. Don't get me wrong, I like that they hate cancer enough to want to do something for it. I might even have forgiven the self-congratulatory nature of the segment if it was for a foundation of reputable providence like the American Cancer Society. However, Susan G. Komen Foundation has proven itself to be dubious at best, having politicized their organization (irrelevant as to whether it's to the right or the left, cancer shouldn't be politicized) and made it unattainable for the common person to contribute to them without having to seek out a MASSIVE fundraiser. Believe me on the latter, I know from firsthand experience.
I feel nominally dirty coming out so hard against what the rank and file wrestlers, ESPECIALLY Layla El, have thought to be a great cause. That being said, I just don't want to see organizations of a dubious nature indirectly get my money and the money of people who might not contribute if they knew the whole story.
