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Here’s a roundup of the best and worst moments from the July 22, 2013 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, live from Austin, TX.
The Best of the Night
Daniel Bryan vs Jack Swagger, then Antonio Cesaro, then Ryback
Bryan demonstrates his ring mastery and plays the underdog role to a T. Or should I say U? Zeb Colter is good in the paranoid right winger role, but it starts becoming a little obvious that he’s not allowed to say certain anti-PC words. Swagger is hard to take seriously, because he looks like a big lunkheaded kid who’s unknowingly about to kick open a nest of hornets. Cesaro is equally as hard to take seriously, because he has a head like Dopey from the Seven Dwarves. He and Bryan put on a good, exciting match, though. Bryan gets in some unbelievable hang time with his running dropkicks. Things slow down when Ryback does his caveman thing, but Bryan carries their match like the consummate vulnerable face he is. Bryan is definitely the star tonight.
CM Punk vs. Paul Heyman
Punk speaks like a televangelist preaching to a crowd of Ameners. He’s got the intense stare of somebody who’s clearly been wronged and is sure to administer unholy justice on his enemies. Heyman, in the meantime, plays the consummate dirtbag role to perfection. He gleefully taunts Punk and twists his words with Machiavellian fervor. Punk and Heyman’s series of promos thus far are epic.
The Decent
Brad Maddox Storyline
Maddox plays the doe-eyed in-over-his-head chipmunk role well. He makes a better foil than Vickie for Stephanie, HHH and Vince because of his newbness. He’s starting to bloom into a good heel booker personality, getting high with his newfound power.
Christian vs Titus O’Neil (with Darren Young)
Good series of moves when Christian tries a cross-body off the top at Titus, and Titus catches him. He gives Christian a backbreaker, then throws Captain Charisma over his head. Titus looks like the Terminator bot in sealskin. At the end, Titus is about to do the overhead throw again, but reverses it into the Killswitch and gets the win.
Rating: Surprisingly good. Titus looks like he’d be invincible, but convincingly loses to his own brutal stupidity. Christian is always a good worker, but he’s not as spry as he used to be. He’s being given a decent push upon his return, but he’s not main event material anymore.
Darren Young vs Dolph Ziggler
Dolph is really getting into his cocky babyface role. He’s obviously emulating Ric Flair, but he’s still immensely talented. He’s a selling master and maintains a high level of energy during the match. He’s doing his best to make Young look good, but Young moves like a slug.
Rating: Almost thrilling. 100% of the credit goes to Ziggler. He could have a five star match with a mop.
Miz TV
Actually a good segment. Even though the sneak peak dredged through typical Reality TV drek, Eva Marie sparked things back to life when she flashed her mama tiger chompers under all that red hair and slapped Lawler.
The Wyatts
I love this angle. They take what makes slasher movies creepy, notably the eccentric behavior of serial killers, and put it in the wrestling ring. They carry the weird cultist vibe that past creepazoid superstars like Raven, Mankind and Kevin Sullivan used so effectively.
Wade Barrett vs. Rob Van Dam
Hot Damn, Van Dam! RVD is one of the rare performers who gets heat without promos. Barrett however, wrestles like his career is about to expire. Always worth it to see RVD in action, though.
The Not-So Decent
Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio
Sheamus’s near-albino flesh tone is a bright canvas for booboos. He’s sporting a huge bruise on his left thigh, which of course Del Rio targets with kicks. Alboreto has control most of the match, with Sheamus selling leg pain. He misses a Brogue Kick and collapses while attempting to finish Del Rio with White Noise. Another hard luck story for Sheamus.
Rating: Lukewarm. Sheamus is appealing because he’s fun, takes a lot of abuse, and kicks ass. Del Rio however, just sucks the life out of the ring. He needs Ricardo Rodriguez back desperately.
Cody Rhodes vs. Fandango
Fandango’s gimmick is getting old fast. Cody’s getting a babyface push, but it’s kind of sucky that he’s being upstaged by relative newcomer Sandow. Summer Rae provides good eye candy, though.
Rating: You wouldn’t have regretted a rest room break during this match.
