Opening segment
AJ is in the ring with Tamina. Both are wearing sweatshirts, hands in pocket. AJ is holding the mic in her left hand.
AJ: There is a name that we can't say right now around here. There is a name that The Authority wish you all would forget.
She pauses, waiting for the crowd to start a CM Punk chant.
AJ: That's the one. You see, I'm not allowed to say that name, despite that man being a very good friend of mine. But you see, that man, that man whose name I cannot say, he isn't just a good friend of mine--he's a good friend to all of the wrestlers in the back who have hit the glass ceiling, those who have been held down because they didn't suck up to the right people.
AJ makes the "Yes!" gesture with her left hand.
AJ: Yes! Yes! Yes! Even Daniel Bryan has that unspeakable name to thank for helping down those barriers. You see, before Daniel Bryan, Punk....
AJ covers her mouth.
AJ: Oops, guess I slipped. Before Daniel Bryan, that unspeakable man had the same powers that be look at him and dismiss him as nothing more than an independent wrestler who would do no more than enhance the bulbous monstrosities who normally run roughshod over this industry. When he left, he warned me that I would probably face some fallout from our friendship, from our relationship. But last night, I was robbed of something I hold very dear to my heart, something I fought for, that I earned. If anyone thinks The Authority wasn't behind Nikki Bella stealing my championship, THEY'RE the delusional ones.
AJ shakes her head looking down at the ground.
AJ: I've read the stories, calling that unspeakable man a coward for leaving, saying he wasn't a man for not honoring his commitments. But see, he was fighting for something larger. He wasn't fighting just for himself, he was fighting for the guys in the back. He was fighting for you.
AJ points at the crowd.
AJ: No, he wasn't a coward. If anything, it was the bravest act I've ever seen. Walking away from guaranteed money, walking away from a Wrestlemania paycheck. After last night, I wish I had the courage demonstrated by that man, but I don't.
AJ shakes her head again, looking down.
AJ: But I don't.
AJ raises her head with a smile.
AJ: But I'm going to be strong in a different way. I'm going to fight The Authority from the inside. There are several guys on our side, who want to join the revolution, who recognize that the unspeakable man may not have been our messiah, but he is our savior. (Shirts could be made of this with the wrapped hand on the front and half the phrase on that side, with the rest on the back.)
AJ removes her right hand from her sweatshirt pocket as does Tamina. Both raise them to the sky, revealing they are wrapped in CM Punk fashion.
AJ: This is the symbol of The Punk Revolution. This is the symbol of resistance. He may have left, but he is not forgotten. We will continue to fight in C.....M.......
HHH's music plays as he approaches the ring.
HHH: That's enough of your little temper tantrum about losing your title. The Authority wasn't out here interfering in your match. If you have a problem with Natalya, maybe you should go resolve that with her instead of dragging us into your little catfight.
AJ: And that's the problem right there, dismissing me, dismissing the other divas as nothing more tawdry entertainment between the "real" wrestling. But I'm not afraid of you. You already took the only thing I care about.
HHH: Oh, you should be very scared of me.
HHH backs her up into the corner, she's looking down, hair covering her face. After he's done, she pushes the hair from her eyes and reveals she is smirking.
AJ: You're the one who should be scared.
AJ ducks out of the way as Brodus Clay has entered the ring and splashes HHH in the corner. AJ, Tamina and Brodus extend their right hands to the air, showing unity through their taped fists. The monster Brodus is back.
Backstage segment.
The Wyatt Family with Daniel Bryan.
Bryan: Last night, I overcame all odds, eliminating all five of the men sent to destroy me. They had one goal--ensuring I didn't reach Wrestlemania. But nothing is going to prevent me from making it to Wrestlemania and living my dream.
Bray: Our dream, Daniel Bryan. Our dream. As we wander through the darkened forest, happening upon the lost among us, we will lead them to their salvation. Overhead, the buzzards circle, waiting for us to fall--and the weak will fall. Some will choose to aid those who falter and they will be lost as well. But the family will continue moving forward. The princess may have found her way back to the castle, but the forest still lurks outside its walls. Roots dig deep and weaken those barriers. When those walls fall, we will storm the castle.
The Wyatt Family exits leaving Daniel Bryan to watch them in a lost manner.
Backstage segment.
HHH is being interviewed. He is being bandaged.
Renee: Last night, Stephanie McMahon escaped the clutches of the Wyatt Family, but she is conspicuous by her absence tonight. Can you shed some light on her whereabouts?
HHH: It's very rare that a McMahon misses a Monday Night Raw. After the ordeal she has suffered over these last few weeks, we felt it was appropriate that she talk with a psychologist to help her make sense of everything. Once she her mind is cleared, she'll return to the show. But there are other things to handle tonight, important things. Punishment is deserved for Daniel Bryan and The Wyatt Family. Daniel Bryan will be facing off against Batista. The Wyatt Family will be facing The Shield. And then we come to this new thorn in my side which presented itself earlier tonight. AJ and associate Brodus Clay. He will be facing Kane.
Daniel Bryan vs Batista
Bryan dominates early on but Batista takes control. Orton comes out, circling the ring. Bryan is distracted which allows Batista to pick up the win.
Shield vs Wyatts
This match breaks down into a melee which causes a double disqualification. The battle rolls into the crowd, all different directions.
Brodus w/ AJ vs Kane
AJ is on commentary.
AJ: A little over a year ago, the nameless one stated a fact--that WWE made this monster Brodus dance with little kids when they should have feared him, when they should have been looking under their bed for him. While management didn't realize it, that was the slap in the face that this man needed. We've been discussing this for months now. You think it was an accident that he attacked Tensai, R Truth, Xavier Woods? No. That was the final straw. WWE was stealing something he had built, that he made. Now the monster is unleashed and there will be no caging him again.
Brodus wins cleanly, dominating the whole of the match..
After the match AJ enters with Tamina. All three raise their CM Punk inspired taped hands.
AJ: The Punk Revolution has only just begun!
Monday, February 24, 2014
Sunday, February 23, 2014
Daniel Bryan / Bray Wyatt Elimination Chamber
Elimination Chamber PPV
AJ vs Nikki Bella
Natalya makes her way out to ringside, sitting in on commentary. "My family has been with this company for the last three decades. We live, we breathe the wrestling industry. The Authority talk about who the face of this company is--that's been the Harts. And now it's time to reclaim that throne."
Natalya interferes as Brie distracts Tamina, allowing Nikki to beat AJ--hopefully eliciting boos from the crowd.
Brie and Nikki continue their beatdown of AJ as Natalya and Tamina go at it.
Four Way Tag Team Elimination Match
The Wyatts relentlessly attack the NAO. The other two teams even look shocked and scared about what's going on. They put the NAO through tables, beat them around. The Wyatts roll them into the ring, looking like they are prepared to eliminate the tag team champs. However, Bray approaches them, taps them on the shoulders and indicates it is time to leave.
All three men exit as Bray looks into the camera. "I told you, Hunter, we are not here for gold. We have higher aspriations."
The match continues with three teams after The Wyatts are counted out. Usos are eliminated. The Rhodes are dominating and looks like they will win until Batista shows. Due to DQ, the titles are retained.
Elimination Chamber match--Bryan vs The Shield vs Batista vs Brock Lesnar
Pre-match promo
Paul Heyman: I begged Hunter to remove Brock from this match. I begged him. You do not lock a wild animal in a cage and expect him to be tamed, to do your bidding. Brock Lesnar, when locked in a cage, does what comes naturally to him--he hurts people. He doesn't care who that person is, friend or foe. He simply rends flesh from bone and devours whatever is left. May God have mercy on the souls of those who dare to enter.
During the match.
All three members of The Shield are out first. They of course refuse to attack one another. All three choose to start ripping and tearing at Daniel Bryan's pod. Brock is pacing back and forth in his, looking increasingly animalistic. Batista is out next--he assist The Shield in tearing apart at Bryan's refuge. Finally Brock's cage is opened. He slowly approaches the group. It looks like he might attack them except Bryan's pod is finally breached.
All five gang up on Bryan. This continues until Batista accidentally hits Brock. Those two begin fighting. The Shield tries to break them apart and explain they have a larger mission. Brock grabs Ambrose, Batista grabs Reigns, leaving Rollins who Bryan rolls up and eliminates.
Reigns and Ambrose are shocked, turning their attention back to Bryan, beating him again while Brock and Batista continue going at it. Brock goes to hit Batista but levels Ambrose instead. Bryan picks up another elimination.
Reigns is irate, attacking Batista. But the animal in Brock has been unleashed and he levels Reigns. Bryan picks up another victory.
Now Bryan crawls into his pod and watches as Batista and Brock go at it. When he is rested and both are worn down, Bryan pounces, picking up wins over both, having claimed all five eliminations despite all odds.
Backstage segment.
HHH is angry, seething again. "How did he win? How did he beat five of the best superstars this company has to offer?" He throws furniture before staring into the camera. "As God is my witness, Bray, you are not leaving that ring tonight until I get my wife back."
HHH vs Bray Wyatt
This is a very physical confrontation. HHH is unleashing pent up fury upon Bray when he finally gets control. Toward the end of the match Stephanie comes stumbling down the ramp, looking over her shoulder, seemingly afraid for her life. Luke and Rowan are now following her, but The Shield come down. Steph is on the apron and HHH hugs her, asking, "Are you all right?" She nods. "I'm going to end this," he promises. HHH turns to meet Bray who performs Sister Abigail to get the win.
HHH has Stephanie back but Bray has gotten his blank check from The Authority. Bray looms over HHH. "Sometimes a pawn thinks he is a king and that is when he must be taught his place on the board, Hunter."
Hopefully those who are reading enjoyed the storylines that are forming. I've decided to take on the divas division as you can see in hopes of making them more relevant and entertaining. Tomorrow's Raw Rewrite will start including them more prominently.
As always, feel free to comment and of course follow me on Twitter @calvinsrocks
AJ vs Nikki Bella
Natalya makes her way out to ringside, sitting in on commentary. "My family has been with this company for the last three decades. We live, we breathe the wrestling industry. The Authority talk about who the face of this company is--that's been the Harts. And now it's time to reclaim that throne."
Natalya interferes as Brie distracts Tamina, allowing Nikki to beat AJ--hopefully eliciting boos from the crowd.
Brie and Nikki continue their beatdown of AJ as Natalya and Tamina go at it.
Four Way Tag Team Elimination Match
The Wyatts relentlessly attack the NAO. The other two teams even look shocked and scared about what's going on. They put the NAO through tables, beat them around. The Wyatts roll them into the ring, looking like they are prepared to eliminate the tag team champs. However, Bray approaches them, taps them on the shoulders and indicates it is time to leave.
All three men exit as Bray looks into the camera. "I told you, Hunter, we are not here for gold. We have higher aspriations."
The match continues with three teams after The Wyatts are counted out. Usos are eliminated. The Rhodes are dominating and looks like they will win until Batista shows. Due to DQ, the titles are retained.
Elimination Chamber match--Bryan vs The Shield vs Batista vs Brock Lesnar
Pre-match promo
Paul Heyman: I begged Hunter to remove Brock from this match. I begged him. You do not lock a wild animal in a cage and expect him to be tamed, to do your bidding. Brock Lesnar, when locked in a cage, does what comes naturally to him--he hurts people. He doesn't care who that person is, friend or foe. He simply rends flesh from bone and devours whatever is left. May God have mercy on the souls of those who dare to enter.
During the match.
All three members of The Shield are out first. They of course refuse to attack one another. All three choose to start ripping and tearing at Daniel Bryan's pod. Brock is pacing back and forth in his, looking increasingly animalistic. Batista is out next--he assist The Shield in tearing apart at Bryan's refuge. Finally Brock's cage is opened. He slowly approaches the group. It looks like he might attack them except Bryan's pod is finally breached.
All five gang up on Bryan. This continues until Batista accidentally hits Brock. Those two begin fighting. The Shield tries to break them apart and explain they have a larger mission. Brock grabs Ambrose, Batista grabs Reigns, leaving Rollins who Bryan rolls up and eliminates.
Reigns and Ambrose are shocked, turning their attention back to Bryan, beating him again while Brock and Batista continue going at it. Brock goes to hit Batista but levels Ambrose instead. Bryan picks up another elimination.
Reigns is irate, attacking Batista. But the animal in Brock has been unleashed and he levels Reigns. Bryan picks up another victory.
Now Bryan crawls into his pod and watches as Batista and Brock go at it. When he is rested and both are worn down, Bryan pounces, picking up wins over both, having claimed all five eliminations despite all odds.
Backstage segment.
HHH is angry, seething again. "How did he win? How did he beat five of the best superstars this company has to offer?" He throws furniture before staring into the camera. "As God is my witness, Bray, you are not leaving that ring tonight until I get my wife back."
HHH vs Bray Wyatt
This is a very physical confrontation. HHH is unleashing pent up fury upon Bray when he finally gets control. Toward the end of the match Stephanie comes stumbling down the ramp, looking over her shoulder, seemingly afraid for her life. Luke and Rowan are now following her, but The Shield come down. Steph is on the apron and HHH hugs her, asking, "Are you all right?" She nods. "I'm going to end this," he promises. HHH turns to meet Bray who performs Sister Abigail to get the win.
HHH has Stephanie back but Bray has gotten his blank check from The Authority. Bray looms over HHH. "Sometimes a pawn thinks he is a king and that is when he must be taught his place on the board, Hunter."
Hopefully those who are reading enjoyed the storylines that are forming. I've decided to take on the divas division as you can see in hopes of making them more relevant and entertaining. Tomorrow's Raw Rewrite will start including them more prominently.
As always, feel free to comment and of course follow me on Twitter @calvinsrocks
Daniel Bryan / Bray Wyatt Part 7
Raw opening segment
HHH is in the ring by himself. He looks disheveled, tired, unshaven.
"As you can see, I don't have my entourage with me tonight." He pacing back and forth, manic. "I've been without Stephanie for several weeks now, when the Wyatt family and Daniel Bryan kidnapped her." He looks out over the crowd. "I don't know where you've taken her, I don't know where she is."
The Wyatts appear on the TitanTron with Stephanie who is tied down to a chair. She wearing the same clothes as previous weeks, hair is grungy. Bray is combing his fingers through her hair. "Don't worry, Hunter, the princess is safe. Maybe not as clean as when she was taken, but none of us are truly clean, are we? We all have dirt on our hands. It's been my experience that those who have the cleanest hands, those who inhabit the ivory towers, are those who are the dirtiest." He combs his fingers through her hair again.
HHH screams. "Get your filthy fingers off of her!"
Bray laughs. "You're used to getting your way, aren't you, Hunter. Used to men of greater power doing what you say as you wield the cudgel of wealth. But what about the men who do not care about money? What about the men who have aspirations of greater import than mere green paper?"
HHH is seething. "What do you want?" He tears at his hair. "What do you want!"
Bray laughs again, running his fingers along Stephanie's face. "That's what it comes down to, doesn't it? I've gotten the messages from your lawyers, the offers of money, of title shots. You are free with the money which is not your own, that which you did not earn, Hunter. When I look upon you, I see a kingdom that is rotting from within, at the core. You are that core, Hunter. But what do I want?" He looks at Stephanie, then back to the camera. "I'll make you a deal, Hunter. This Sunday, when it's you and me in the ring at Elimination Chamber, if you win, you get your princess back. But if I win..." Bray laughs. "When I win, I get a blank check, a token I can cash in any time for whatever purpose I want."
HHH shakes his head. "How do I know you'll keep your word?"
Bray's smile is wide. "Do you have any other options?"
The crowd starts to erupt as Bryan has come through the crowd and is standing behind HHH. However, from under the ring comes The Shield. A four on one beatdown ensues until the Wyatt family come running down from the back. HHH and The Shield exit the ring, standing at the top of the ramp.
"I accept your offer, Bray. A no disqualification street fight. You and me. You think you can hang with the big dogs, the Cerebral Assassin? You think YOU'RE good at mind games? I invented them! You hear me? I invented them!" The Shield are dragging HHH away who wants to go back to the ring.
Back from break
The commentators announce that we will have 8 man action later on tonight--The Wyatt Family and Bryan vs The Shield and Batista.
Backstage segment.
HHH is with The Shield, Batista, Orton and the New Age Outlaws.
HHH: Stephanie has to be here. The Wyatts had to have filmed from somewhere in the building. Talk to the production guys, find out where they were. They had to have set up the cameras. Whoever finds her will be greatly rewarded.
Backstage segment.
New Age Outlaws are looking for Stephanie.
Road Dogg: Remember when HHH kidnapped Stephanie?
Billy Gunn: Yeah, what about it?
Road Dogg: They ended up getting married. You don't think.....
The NAO shiver at the idea, then continue searching.
Number One Contender match for the Tag Titles--Usos vs The Brotherhood
Back and forth match until the NAO come out and interfere. The Wyatts run in and counteract the interference. A Fatal Four Way match for the tag titles is made for the Elimination Chamber.
Backstage segment.
Orton finds the chair where Stephanie was tied down. He takes the evidence to HHH.
HHH: You bring me a chair, Randy. A chair isn't Stephanie.
Orton: They're already gone. What could I do about that?
Batista shakes his head. "Always a day late and a dollar short, as always, Randy."
Orton gets in Batista's face. "It doesn't look like you fared any better."
The two stare at each other, hinting at some discontent.
Backstage segment.
Orton and HHH. Orton asks, "Why do you trust Batista more than me? I could take out the Wyatts and Bryan just as easily....more easily than he could."
HHH: Then why haven't you, Randy? I put a bounty on the man's head and he's still walking around here. I didn't leave you out of the main event match tonight to punish you. I did it to protect you.
Orton: I don't need protecting.
Main event--Bryan and Wyatts vs Batista and The Shield, an elimination match.
HHH enters the ring in a referee's shirt, pointing at the ref in the ring and dismissing him. The Wyatts and Bryan dominate the first half of the match before things go badly. Systematically they take out each one of the team until it's Bray and Bryan vs The Shield and Batista.
HHH gets in Bryan's face. "This is what you can expect at the Elimination Chamber. This is what you're going to get!" He slaps Bryan across the face.
Bryan is eliminated.
HHH is in Bray's face. "Where is she? I can make this stop. Where is she?"
The Shield triple powerbomb Bray. HHH drags him back to his feet. "Where is she?"
The assault continues until The Wyatts and Bryan return without the match ending. A brawl commences. The New Age Outlaws and Orton arrive but so does The Brotherhood and the Usos. Shows goes to black with massive carnage in the ring. Bray has climbed up the ramp, watching from his chair, bleeding but smile at the chaos.
Bray looks to the camera. "We have just begun."
HHH is in the ring by himself. He looks disheveled, tired, unshaven.
"As you can see, I don't have my entourage with me tonight." He pacing back and forth, manic. "I've been without Stephanie for several weeks now, when the Wyatt family and Daniel Bryan kidnapped her." He looks out over the crowd. "I don't know where you've taken her, I don't know where she is."
The Wyatts appear on the TitanTron with Stephanie who is tied down to a chair. She wearing the same clothes as previous weeks, hair is grungy. Bray is combing his fingers through her hair. "Don't worry, Hunter, the princess is safe. Maybe not as clean as when she was taken, but none of us are truly clean, are we? We all have dirt on our hands. It's been my experience that those who have the cleanest hands, those who inhabit the ivory towers, are those who are the dirtiest." He combs his fingers through her hair again.
HHH screams. "Get your filthy fingers off of her!"
Bray laughs. "You're used to getting your way, aren't you, Hunter. Used to men of greater power doing what you say as you wield the cudgel of wealth. But what about the men who do not care about money? What about the men who have aspirations of greater import than mere green paper?"
HHH is seething. "What do you want?" He tears at his hair. "What do you want!"
Bray laughs again, running his fingers along Stephanie's face. "That's what it comes down to, doesn't it? I've gotten the messages from your lawyers, the offers of money, of title shots. You are free with the money which is not your own, that which you did not earn, Hunter. When I look upon you, I see a kingdom that is rotting from within, at the core. You are that core, Hunter. But what do I want?" He looks at Stephanie, then back to the camera. "I'll make you a deal, Hunter. This Sunday, when it's you and me in the ring at Elimination Chamber, if you win, you get your princess back. But if I win..." Bray laughs. "When I win, I get a blank check, a token I can cash in any time for whatever purpose I want."
HHH shakes his head. "How do I know you'll keep your word?"
Bray's smile is wide. "Do you have any other options?"
The crowd starts to erupt as Bryan has come through the crowd and is standing behind HHH. However, from under the ring comes The Shield. A four on one beatdown ensues until the Wyatt family come running down from the back. HHH and The Shield exit the ring, standing at the top of the ramp.
"I accept your offer, Bray. A no disqualification street fight. You and me. You think you can hang with the big dogs, the Cerebral Assassin? You think YOU'RE good at mind games? I invented them! You hear me? I invented them!" The Shield are dragging HHH away who wants to go back to the ring.
Back from break
The commentators announce that we will have 8 man action later on tonight--The Wyatt Family and Bryan vs The Shield and Batista.
Backstage segment.
HHH is with The Shield, Batista, Orton and the New Age Outlaws.
HHH: Stephanie has to be here. The Wyatts had to have filmed from somewhere in the building. Talk to the production guys, find out where they were. They had to have set up the cameras. Whoever finds her will be greatly rewarded.
Backstage segment.
New Age Outlaws are looking for Stephanie.
Road Dogg: Remember when HHH kidnapped Stephanie?
Billy Gunn: Yeah, what about it?
Road Dogg: They ended up getting married. You don't think.....
The NAO shiver at the idea, then continue searching.
Number One Contender match for the Tag Titles--Usos vs The Brotherhood
Back and forth match until the NAO come out and interfere. The Wyatts run in and counteract the interference. A Fatal Four Way match for the tag titles is made for the Elimination Chamber.
Backstage segment.
Orton finds the chair where Stephanie was tied down. He takes the evidence to HHH.
HHH: You bring me a chair, Randy. A chair isn't Stephanie.
Orton: They're already gone. What could I do about that?
Batista shakes his head. "Always a day late and a dollar short, as always, Randy."
Orton gets in Batista's face. "It doesn't look like you fared any better."
The two stare at each other, hinting at some discontent.
Backstage segment.
Orton and HHH. Orton asks, "Why do you trust Batista more than me? I could take out the Wyatts and Bryan just as easily....more easily than he could."
HHH: Then why haven't you, Randy? I put a bounty on the man's head and he's still walking around here. I didn't leave you out of the main event match tonight to punish you. I did it to protect you.
Orton: I don't need protecting.
Main event--Bryan and Wyatts vs Batista and The Shield, an elimination match.
HHH enters the ring in a referee's shirt, pointing at the ref in the ring and dismissing him. The Wyatts and Bryan dominate the first half of the match before things go badly. Systematically they take out each one of the team until it's Bray and Bryan vs The Shield and Batista.
HHH gets in Bryan's face. "This is what you can expect at the Elimination Chamber. This is what you're going to get!" He slaps Bryan across the face.
Bryan is eliminated.
HHH is in Bray's face. "Where is she? I can make this stop. Where is she?"
The Shield triple powerbomb Bray. HHH drags him back to his feet. "Where is she?"
The assault continues until The Wyatts and Bryan return without the match ending. A brawl commences. The New Age Outlaws and Orton arrive but so does The Brotherhood and the Usos. Shows goes to black with massive carnage in the ring. Bray has climbed up the ramp, watching from his chair, bleeding but smile at the chaos.
Bray looks to the camera. "We have just begun."
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Sandbagging the Talent
WWE has a problem with their announcing team.
No, it isn't the constant shilling of the WWE app--though that is an issue all and of itself. I think to a certain degree even they realize the unnecessary inundation of the app and have turned it into a joke.
It isn't even the awkwardness of a three man announce team, though that, too, has its moments.
The problem is their constant sandbagging of the talent. What do I mean by that? Put simply, it's that the announcers seem far more concerned about putting themselves over at the expense of the talent who are the actual product.
Recently, during the "Battle of Cleveland" match, all three announcers took swipes at the talent and the city. Even Lawler only gave half-hearted defense of either one. In essence, all three were playing the role of the heel announcer, which is idiotic. You need at least one announcer to play the role of the fan--not even necessarily a "face" announcer, but looking at it from their perspective. None of the three played that role during that match and this wasn't the only instance of this being the case.
When the women wrestle, the same is true--all three announcers are dismissive of the action in the ring. If the three guys who are PAID to be there don't care about what's happening in the ring, why should I or any other fan? The sad part of that is that I think there are actually more talented female performers available to the WWE right now than there had previously.
I don't know whether this is under direction from Vince, HHH, Stephanie or they are left to their own devices, but it doesn't sell merchandise. Lawler, Cole and JBL don't have t-shirts to sell. Actually, strike that from the record--they do have t-shirts to sell, EVERYONE ELSE'S. That and PPVs. The wrestler in the ring is the product, they are who need to get over, not the announcers.
While Jim Ross was mocked on many occasions for his commentating style, his strength was two fold. First and foremost, he made you believe what was happening in the ring had the impact of a world war. You thought the future of the planet stood in the balance for staged matches, no small feat. Secondly, he put the emphasis where it belongs--on the wrestlers in the ring, a talent the three in the booth right now are devoid of.
I know other people aren't a fan of the man, but I believe Don West had the same talent as Jim Ross. Honestly, I felt more invested in TNA's product when he was at the announce table. The voices behind the product matter. Hopefully WWE can have them refocus where the emphasis should be. I don't think any of the three are bad at their jobs (though I preferred Cole as a heel announcer) but they need to be directed in a better way.
That's my thought anyway.
No, it isn't the constant shilling of the WWE app--though that is an issue all and of itself. I think to a certain degree even they realize the unnecessary inundation of the app and have turned it into a joke.
It isn't even the awkwardness of a three man announce team, though that, too, has its moments.
The problem is their constant sandbagging of the talent. What do I mean by that? Put simply, it's that the announcers seem far more concerned about putting themselves over at the expense of the talent who are the actual product.
Recently, during the "Battle of Cleveland" match, all three announcers took swipes at the talent and the city. Even Lawler only gave half-hearted defense of either one. In essence, all three were playing the role of the heel announcer, which is idiotic. You need at least one announcer to play the role of the fan--not even necessarily a "face" announcer, but looking at it from their perspective. None of the three played that role during that match and this wasn't the only instance of this being the case.
When the women wrestle, the same is true--all three announcers are dismissive of the action in the ring. If the three guys who are PAID to be there don't care about what's happening in the ring, why should I or any other fan? The sad part of that is that I think there are actually more talented female performers available to the WWE right now than there had previously.
I don't know whether this is under direction from Vince, HHH, Stephanie or they are left to their own devices, but it doesn't sell merchandise. Lawler, Cole and JBL don't have t-shirts to sell. Actually, strike that from the record--they do have t-shirts to sell, EVERYONE ELSE'S. That and PPVs. The wrestler in the ring is the product, they are who need to get over, not the announcers.
While Jim Ross was mocked on many occasions for his commentating style, his strength was two fold. First and foremost, he made you believe what was happening in the ring had the impact of a world war. You thought the future of the planet stood in the balance for staged matches, no small feat. Secondly, he put the emphasis where it belongs--on the wrestlers in the ring, a talent the three in the booth right now are devoid of.
I know other people aren't a fan of the man, but I believe Don West had the same talent as Jim Ross. Honestly, I felt more invested in TNA's product when he was at the announce table. The voices behind the product matter. Hopefully WWE can have them refocus where the emphasis should be. I don't think any of the three are bad at their jobs (though I preferred Cole as a heel announcer) but they need to be directed in a better way.
That's my thought anyway.
Daniel Bryan / Bray Wyatt Part 6
Raw opening segment
HHH is pacing back and forth in the ring flanked by his cronies--the Shield, NAO, Batista, Orton. "Seven days ago, my wife was kidnapped by a bunch of rejects from Deliverance. The Wyatts, we've tried to call them but apparently those hillbillies don't have phones. For seven days, one of the pillars of the WWE has been held hostage, kidnapped. Vince wants to call the police, to report the kidnapping. But that isn't what a man does." He removes his coat jacket, starts unfastening his shirt, throwing them to the side. "These buffoons can't stop you. But I can. So I call you out here, Wyatt Family and Daniel Bryan. Come out here right now."
The Wyatts and Daniel Bryan appear on the TitanTron with Stephanie tied down to a chair. She appears scared and Daniel Bryan looks conflicted about the situation.
Bray Wyatt commences his segment. "I told you, Hunter, I told you not go after my son Daniel Bryan, but you didn't listen, did you Hunter. And now the chickens have come home to roost." He laughs. "And it looks like we have the queen hen of the yard." He runs his fingers through Steph's hair as she pulls away.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" The cronies start pulling HHH back, trying to calm him down. "Get out here!"
Daniel pulls close to Bray. "Maybe this it too much." Looking back to Stephanie, then back to Bray. "I mean, we kidnapped her."
"You question my methods, Daniel Bryan?" Bray puts a hand on Stephanie. "I know there is a Judas among us." He squeezes Stephanie's shoulder. "But I didn't think it would be you, Daniel Bryan. Do you think they would hesitate to treat you like this? For the last six months, haven't they kidnapped your career, held it hostage? Haven't they tied you down like we have done Stephanie?"
Bryan looks to Stephanie, his face changing from concern to anger. "Yes!" He takes a step back, letting Bray continue.
"Now, Hunter, your proposition intrigues me. But it need not be gang warfare like the lesser people who are beneath us. No, Hunter. I'd like to meet you one on one."
"Great, get out here and we'll settle it like men."
"No, no, no, Hunter. See, you are not in control here. I see how that anguishes you after so many years believing you were the puppeteer, the puppet master, believing you were pulling the strings. It made you feel strong, invincible. But now that your weakness has been displayed, you are a lost little child in the wilderness. I am the wilderness, Hunter, and I will devour you. I will devour you at the Elimination Chamber."
HHH kicks the ropes, visibly agitated. "Get out here! I want you now!" Segment ends with the cronies trying to calm HHH.
Back from commercial, HHH and the cronies are still in the ring. He has been calmed down, but quietly seething.
"Here is the deal. Elimination Chamber, you and me, Bray. But Daniel Bryan doesn't get the night off then. Oh, no. He will be competing in the Elimination Chamber. Oh, not the world championship one. Your opportunity, your LAST opportunity, for the heavyweight title will be at Wrestlemania. At the Elimination Chamber, it will be you along with five other WWE superstars." HHH slowly turns to his entourage with a smile. "Who should those five be? One. Two. Three. Four." He touches The Shield and Batista on the shoulder. He turns back to the camera. "But that leaves us one short and I'm already booked for the night." He scratches his chin. "I know." Snapping his fingers. "Brock. Lesnar. But don't think you have tonight off. Tonight, you're facing off against the tag team champions, the New Age Outlaws. See, while I have nothing to threaten Bray with, I know I can threaten you. If you don't show up tonight, I'll have no choice but to say you're in breach of contract which constitutes fair reason to strip you of your number one contendership. Ball's in your court." He throws the mic down angrily. (The main event for Elimination Chamber would be Orton vs Christian vs Cena vs Dolph vs Cesaro vs Sandow)
Backstage segment
The Rhodes Brothers are talking about how maybe they shouldn't have aligned with the Wyatts, how Bray is crazy. Goldust takes the side of the Wyatts, saying people have called him crazy in the past. They talk about how HHH will have it in for them. Kane shows up and tells them they have a match right now and they have to head to the ring.
The Brotherhood vs The Shield (Handicap match)
This is nothing short of a mugging. No rules are enforced. The Shield do their old school beatdown of the Rhodeses. They target Goldust, doing the most damage to him.
HHH comes out with the mic as the Shield continue to do their worst to the Rhodes brothers. "Where are you, Wyatts? Bryan, aren't you going to save your friends? Are you going to sacrifice them?"
No one shows. No TitanTron appearance either. HHH turns to the rings and makes a slash sign across his neck to the Shield who triple powerbomb both Rhodes brothers.
Big Show runs out, but is met by Batista and the NAO. They beat him down, throwing him to the Shield.
Daniel Bryan vs the New Age Outlaws
HHH's cronies line the walkway down to the ring. As Bryan walks between them, he stares at each one, prepared for a beatdown, but they let him pass. The match proceeds with Bryan holding his own until outside interference starts to swing the momentum to the NAO.
Halfway through the match, on the TitanTron, Stephanie has gotten a cellphone and is using the videochat function. "Hunter, Hunter, I've gotten away." She looks over her shoulder, frightened, running. She stops. "I don't know where I am." She frantically looks around, then stares back into the phone. "I don't know." Over her shoulder a lamb mask appears. She looks over her shoulder and screams.
Rowan simply says, "Run!"
While the Authority and its cronies are distracted, Bryan picks up the pinfall and escapes through the crowd, ending Raw.
HHH is pacing back and forth in the ring flanked by his cronies--the Shield, NAO, Batista, Orton. "Seven days ago, my wife was kidnapped by a bunch of rejects from Deliverance. The Wyatts, we've tried to call them but apparently those hillbillies don't have phones. For seven days, one of the pillars of the WWE has been held hostage, kidnapped. Vince wants to call the police, to report the kidnapping. But that isn't what a man does." He removes his coat jacket, starts unfastening his shirt, throwing them to the side. "These buffoons can't stop you. But I can. So I call you out here, Wyatt Family and Daniel Bryan. Come out here right now."
The Wyatts and Daniel Bryan appear on the TitanTron with Stephanie tied down to a chair. She appears scared and Daniel Bryan looks conflicted about the situation.
Bray Wyatt commences his segment. "I told you, Hunter, I told you not go after my son Daniel Bryan, but you didn't listen, did you Hunter. And now the chickens have come home to roost." He laughs. "And it looks like we have the queen hen of the yard." He runs his fingers through Steph's hair as she pulls away.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" The cronies start pulling HHH back, trying to calm him down. "Get out here!"
Daniel pulls close to Bray. "Maybe this it too much." Looking back to Stephanie, then back to Bray. "I mean, we kidnapped her."
"You question my methods, Daniel Bryan?" Bray puts a hand on Stephanie. "I know there is a Judas among us." He squeezes Stephanie's shoulder. "But I didn't think it would be you, Daniel Bryan. Do you think they would hesitate to treat you like this? For the last six months, haven't they kidnapped your career, held it hostage? Haven't they tied you down like we have done Stephanie?"
Bryan looks to Stephanie, his face changing from concern to anger. "Yes!" He takes a step back, letting Bray continue.
"Now, Hunter, your proposition intrigues me. But it need not be gang warfare like the lesser people who are beneath us. No, Hunter. I'd like to meet you one on one."
"Great, get out here and we'll settle it like men."
"No, no, no, Hunter. See, you are not in control here. I see how that anguishes you after so many years believing you were the puppeteer, the puppet master, believing you were pulling the strings. It made you feel strong, invincible. But now that your weakness has been displayed, you are a lost little child in the wilderness. I am the wilderness, Hunter, and I will devour you. I will devour you at the Elimination Chamber."
HHH kicks the ropes, visibly agitated. "Get out here! I want you now!" Segment ends with the cronies trying to calm HHH.
Back from commercial, HHH and the cronies are still in the ring. He has been calmed down, but quietly seething.
"Here is the deal. Elimination Chamber, you and me, Bray. But Daniel Bryan doesn't get the night off then. Oh, no. He will be competing in the Elimination Chamber. Oh, not the world championship one. Your opportunity, your LAST opportunity, for the heavyweight title will be at Wrestlemania. At the Elimination Chamber, it will be you along with five other WWE superstars." HHH slowly turns to his entourage with a smile. "Who should those five be? One. Two. Three. Four." He touches The Shield and Batista on the shoulder. He turns back to the camera. "But that leaves us one short and I'm already booked for the night." He scratches his chin. "I know." Snapping his fingers. "Brock. Lesnar. But don't think you have tonight off. Tonight, you're facing off against the tag team champions, the New Age Outlaws. See, while I have nothing to threaten Bray with, I know I can threaten you. If you don't show up tonight, I'll have no choice but to say you're in breach of contract which constitutes fair reason to strip you of your number one contendership. Ball's in your court." He throws the mic down angrily. (The main event for Elimination Chamber would be Orton vs Christian vs Cena vs Dolph vs Cesaro vs Sandow)
Backstage segment
The Rhodes Brothers are talking about how maybe they shouldn't have aligned with the Wyatts, how Bray is crazy. Goldust takes the side of the Wyatts, saying people have called him crazy in the past. They talk about how HHH will have it in for them. Kane shows up and tells them they have a match right now and they have to head to the ring.
The Brotherhood vs The Shield (Handicap match)
This is nothing short of a mugging. No rules are enforced. The Shield do their old school beatdown of the Rhodeses. They target Goldust, doing the most damage to him.
HHH comes out with the mic as the Shield continue to do their worst to the Rhodes brothers. "Where are you, Wyatts? Bryan, aren't you going to save your friends? Are you going to sacrifice them?"
No one shows. No TitanTron appearance either. HHH turns to the rings and makes a slash sign across his neck to the Shield who triple powerbomb both Rhodes brothers.
Big Show runs out, but is met by Batista and the NAO. They beat him down, throwing him to the Shield.
Daniel Bryan vs the New Age Outlaws
HHH's cronies line the walkway down to the ring. As Bryan walks between them, he stares at each one, prepared for a beatdown, but they let him pass. The match proceeds with Bryan holding his own until outside interference starts to swing the momentum to the NAO.
Halfway through the match, on the TitanTron, Stephanie has gotten a cellphone and is using the videochat function. "Hunter, Hunter, I've gotten away." She looks over her shoulder, frightened, running. She stops. "I don't know where I am." She frantically looks around, then stares back into the phone. "I don't know." Over her shoulder a lamb mask appears. She looks over her shoulder and screams.
Rowan simply says, "Run!"
While the Authority and its cronies are distracted, Bryan picks up the pinfall and escapes through the crowd, ending Raw.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Daniel Bryan / Bray Wyatt Part 5
To start this post, I want to amend the last one just a bit. After re-reading it a few more times, I realized that the ending had Daniel Bryan coming off as a coward which is hardly how one wants the "hero" of a story to be portrayed. So, instead of Bryan voluntarily walking away from the ring, I would have The Brotherhood and Big Show come down and forcibly push a reluctant Bryan through the crowd. This in turn injects those three participants into The Authority storyline after incomprehensibly being removed from it.
2/3/2014 Raw
The Authority, Orton, NAO, and The Shield are in the ring. HHH is on the mic. "It is time like these that people should choose their friends wisely, especially in a business like this one. The person who stands beside you today very well be the man you're facing off against tomorrow. In addition, there are certain.....troublemakers who like to stir the pot for no purpose other than to further their own selfish ends. Last week, we saw a coward, yes, a coward, leave his supposed mentor behind in this very ring to suffer a brutal beatdown at the hands over several WWE superstars. Is that the kind of friend you want to stand beside, the kind of man you want to stake your career on? Tonight, so that we do not have the unwarranted interference that happened last week, the NAO will face off against The Brotherhood in a steel cage match with the tag titles on the line. Big Show, you get a special treat--Brock Lesnar and Batista vs you in a handicap match. The Wyatts, you have drawn The Shield. Lastly, Daniel Bryan, you're--"
Daniel Bryan appears on the TitanTron. "Hey Hunter, last week, I was forced to abandon my mentor in the ring. I realize it was for my own good, that I was outnumbered, but the odds have always been against me in my career. You think you're the first one to doubt my abilities, HHH? You think you're the first one to think I didn't have it in me? I'm guaranteed a shot at the title at WrestleMania and I'm walking out the champion. But tonight, tonight I'm just walking out."
HHH is screaming, "Walking out? You can't do that? You're a CONTRACTED WWE employee. You have to perform when and where we tell you to perform. This isn't some bush league wrestling promotion you indy guys came from! This is the WWE!"
Bryan walks away from the camera immediately revealing he's in The Authority's office. HHH turns The Shield, instructing them, "Bring him out here. NOW!"
After The Shield disappear into the back, the video is still playing on the TitanTron, showing HHH walk by. The announcers are puzzled, asking, "Was that HHH on the TitanTron?"
Coming out from under the ring are the Brotherhood, Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt and the family, circling it. They all storm the ring, taking out the remaining member of The Authority except for Stephanie. Bray approaches her, playing with her hair. The Family pick her up and carry her to the back. As Rowan and Harper abscond with her, Bray gets in HHH's face and says, "I told you, family for family, Hunter. This isn't over."
End of segment.
Backstage segment with HHH who is livid, yelling at The Shield. "Where were you guys? You should have been there to protect Stephanie."
Reigns steps up, saying, "You sent us to the back, not us."
HHH counters, "What kind of man tries to blame another for his shortcomings?"
Reigns back: "What kind of man can't protect his wife?"
The two start staring down until Rollins plays peacemaker, stepping between the two of them. "Look, there are bigger concerns right now. We have to focus on the Wyatts, Big Show and the Rhodes brothers."
HHH: "You guys focus on that, I need to find my wife."
End of segment.
Big Show vs Batista and Brock Lesnar
For the bulk of this match, Batista and Brock would dominate Big Show, almost competing to see who is stronger and the most fearsome of the two. Due to a miscommunication, Batista hits Brock Lesnar. Brock starts to climb into the ring to go after Batista but Heyman jumps on his back. "No, Brock, not here! We need HHH right now." Brock still stares at Batista as he climbs back down from the ring, walking away from his partner with Heyman instead.
Batista is yelling at Brock, asking where he's going. This has given Big Show enough time to recover. Brock stops and turns, taking a few steps toward the ring and then stopping with a huge smile on his face. Batista asks, "What?" Heyman points behind him. Batista turns to meet the KO punch. Big Show picks up the pinfall.
NAO vs The Brotherhood in a steel cage
The NAO, through cheating, win the titles back. The Shield try to scale the cage to get inside but the Wyatts show and prevent that from happening. During this chaos is when the NAO cheat to regain the titles.
The Wyatts vs The Shield
HHH comes out and tells them not to remove the cage, that this match will be held in a steel cage as well with a special referee. He removes his jacket and shirt, revealing a referee's shirt.
Rowan and Harper are disposed of quickly. The four team up on Bray with HHH yelling, "Where is she? Where is Stephanie?"
On his knees, Bray looks up at HHH laughing. "Those who live in the towers always think they're safe. But they aren't. They think they are the machine. But they aren't." Bray gets to his feet, taking a step toward HHH. "The machine will fall."
As HHH prepares to pedigree Bray, Bryan appears on the TitanTron with Stephanie. "I wouldn't do that, Hunter. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, it's simple physics."
HHH: "What do you want?" He lets go of Bray.
Bryan: "I already have what I want, a title match at Wrestlemania. And there's nothing you can do about it."
While distracted, the Wyatts have recovered, taking out The Shield and HHH. The match is thrown out.
End of Raw.
2/3/2014 Raw
The Authority, Orton, NAO, and The Shield are in the ring. HHH is on the mic. "It is time like these that people should choose their friends wisely, especially in a business like this one. The person who stands beside you today very well be the man you're facing off against tomorrow. In addition, there are certain.....troublemakers who like to stir the pot for no purpose other than to further their own selfish ends. Last week, we saw a coward, yes, a coward, leave his supposed mentor behind in this very ring to suffer a brutal beatdown at the hands over several WWE superstars. Is that the kind of friend you want to stand beside, the kind of man you want to stake your career on? Tonight, so that we do not have the unwarranted interference that happened last week, the NAO will face off against The Brotherhood in a steel cage match with the tag titles on the line. Big Show, you get a special treat--Brock Lesnar and Batista vs you in a handicap match. The Wyatts, you have drawn The Shield. Lastly, Daniel Bryan, you're--"
Daniel Bryan appears on the TitanTron. "Hey Hunter, last week, I was forced to abandon my mentor in the ring. I realize it was for my own good, that I was outnumbered, but the odds have always been against me in my career. You think you're the first one to doubt my abilities, HHH? You think you're the first one to think I didn't have it in me? I'm guaranteed a shot at the title at WrestleMania and I'm walking out the champion. But tonight, tonight I'm just walking out."
HHH is screaming, "Walking out? You can't do that? You're a CONTRACTED WWE employee. You have to perform when and where we tell you to perform. This isn't some bush league wrestling promotion you indy guys came from! This is the WWE!"
Bryan walks away from the camera immediately revealing he's in The Authority's office. HHH turns The Shield, instructing them, "Bring him out here. NOW!"
After The Shield disappear into the back, the video is still playing on the TitanTron, showing HHH walk by. The announcers are puzzled, asking, "Was that HHH on the TitanTron?"
Coming out from under the ring are the Brotherhood, Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt and the family, circling it. They all storm the ring, taking out the remaining member of The Authority except for Stephanie. Bray approaches her, playing with her hair. The Family pick her up and carry her to the back. As Rowan and Harper abscond with her, Bray gets in HHH's face and says, "I told you, family for family, Hunter. This isn't over."
End of segment.
Backstage segment with HHH who is livid, yelling at The Shield. "Where were you guys? You should have been there to protect Stephanie."
Reigns steps up, saying, "You sent us to the back, not us."
HHH counters, "What kind of man tries to blame another for his shortcomings?"
Reigns back: "What kind of man can't protect his wife?"
The two start staring down until Rollins plays peacemaker, stepping between the two of them. "Look, there are bigger concerns right now. We have to focus on the Wyatts, Big Show and the Rhodes brothers."
HHH: "You guys focus on that, I need to find my wife."
End of segment.
Big Show vs Batista and Brock Lesnar
For the bulk of this match, Batista and Brock would dominate Big Show, almost competing to see who is stronger and the most fearsome of the two. Due to a miscommunication, Batista hits Brock Lesnar. Brock starts to climb into the ring to go after Batista but Heyman jumps on his back. "No, Brock, not here! We need HHH right now." Brock still stares at Batista as he climbs back down from the ring, walking away from his partner with Heyman instead.
Batista is yelling at Brock, asking where he's going. This has given Big Show enough time to recover. Brock stops and turns, taking a few steps toward the ring and then stopping with a huge smile on his face. Batista asks, "What?" Heyman points behind him. Batista turns to meet the KO punch. Big Show picks up the pinfall.
NAO vs The Brotherhood in a steel cage
The NAO, through cheating, win the titles back. The Shield try to scale the cage to get inside but the Wyatts show and prevent that from happening. During this chaos is when the NAO cheat to regain the titles.
The Wyatts vs The Shield
HHH comes out and tells them not to remove the cage, that this match will be held in a steel cage as well with a special referee. He removes his jacket and shirt, revealing a referee's shirt.
Rowan and Harper are disposed of quickly. The four team up on Bray with HHH yelling, "Where is she? Where is Stephanie?"
On his knees, Bray looks up at HHH laughing. "Those who live in the towers always think they're safe. But they aren't. They think they are the machine. But they aren't." Bray gets to his feet, taking a step toward HHH. "The machine will fall."
As HHH prepares to pedigree Bray, Bryan appears on the TitanTron with Stephanie. "I wouldn't do that, Hunter. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, it's simple physics."
HHH: "What do you want?" He lets go of Bray.
Bryan: "I already have what I want, a title match at Wrestlemania. And there's nothing you can do about it."
While distracted, the Wyatts have recovered, taking out The Shield and HHH. The match is thrown out.
End of Raw.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Who to focus on next?
I'd like to run another Raw Rewrite storyline but don't know who I should focus on. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. I like to reimagine every wrestler's storyline so I don't care whether it's a low tier or tag team. Send your suggestions.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for reading.
Daniel Bryan / Bray Wyatt Part 4 - Through Elimination Chamber
To cover more ground, I've decided to cover the next month's worth of Raw Rewrites in a single bound. There are four Raws between Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, so we'll be covering all of those along with February's PPV in this post.
Raw 1/27/2014
The day after Royal Rumble--a far different one than the one that transpired in reality. Take that negative reaction and flip it as we had Daniel Bryan walking away with the number one contender position--the crowd would be going nuts at the opening of Raw, anticipating the arrival of Daniel Bryan, not only in the arena but as a bonafide WWE superstar.
Our Raw, much like its real life counterpart, would start with HHH and Stephanie in the ring, although somber and not in the jovial mood he actually was in. The Shield are there as well with their heads hung low knowing that a lecture is coming.
"Last night, I asked the Hounds of Hell to perform a simple task--keep Daniel Bryan from ruining Wrestlemania. This wasn't a selfish request, despite what you out there may think. This wasn't done out of spite nor malice. I have a responsibility to each and every one of you. But more importantly, I have a duty and responsibility to the fans AFTER you, the future. Is Daniel Bryan the future of this company?" Pause to allow a "Yes" chant to break out. HHH gets livid, more so than the previous night, turning his back to the camera, yelling at the crowd. "Do you know how annoying that is?" Again pause for the "Yes" chant to take hold. "You all make me long for the 'What?' chants, you know that?"
"You want Daniel Bryan at Wrestlemania? Is that it?" More "Yes!" chants. "Well, you aren't going to get it. I PROMISE you, he will NOT be the number one contender when Wrestlemania rolls around. He will not be the headliner. He will not be the face of this company." HHH turns to the Shield. "Now, as for you three."
Steph takes the mic and approaches the three of them, poking her finger in the chest of each one. "You let us down. We don't like losers." Stephanie smacks Roman Reigns hard across the face to set up more tension between the Shield and the Authority. Reigns takes a step toward her, but HHH moves between them--a staredown between Reigns and HHH.
Steph continues: "You three have an opportunity to make amends for last night. We have decided to reward any WWE superstar....." Steph turns from the Shield and faces the camera. "Even those of you in the back, so listen well. Any WWE superstar who ensures Bryan cannot make it to Wrestlemania will receive his number one contender position. Consider it open season."
The Wyatt music hits as the four of them enter the arena. Bray is unaccustomed to being cheered and looks visibly uneasy by the turn of events. "I told you not to threaten my son, Hunter. We protect our own, much like you do. Daniel Bryan will no longer be wearing a crown of thorns after Wrestlemania, Hunter. He will wear a crown of gold and reign over these people, over you, Hunter."
Hunter yells: "He isn't making it to Wrestlemania. Tonight, all four of you will be competing. Bray, Bryan, you will be wrestling Kane and Orton. Harper, Rowan, you're competing against The Shield in a handicap match."
The segment ends with Bray laughing at this match.
Various lower card heels try to attack Bryan in the back, but the Wyatts fend them off in backstage segments.
Harper and Rowan vs The Shield
This match devolves quickly and ends in a disqualification. Bryan and Bray are banned from ringside. Once the disqualification is invoked, The Shield start a beatdown of the Wyatt Family. A lot of damage is done before Bray and Bryan make the save. Paramedics strap Rowan and Harper to stretchers, escorting them from the building.
Bray yells to the back: "You'll pay for this, Hunter. You'll pay for your sins."
Cody and Goldust vs New Age Outlaws (Title match)
At some point in this match, Bray and Bryan come down the ramp, slowly idling their way down, watching. Finally they make their move to the ring, distracting the NAO enough to cost them the match and their titles. An important point here--while I too would love to see Cody vs Goldust, I think the Authority storyline is far more important than that at this point. I would hold off on that match until SummerSlam. Wrestlemania should be an all-out assault on the Authority so this way we could bring The Brotherhood back into it--where they started.
Bray and Bryan abuse the NAO leaving them in a heap. Bray takes the mic, smiling. "I told you that your friends and family were not safe any longer, Hunter. I told you that you were playing with the devil. As you continue to peddle your friends as nostalgia, we will shred the memories and leave them forgotten. Behold the future of the Authority, Hunter." Bray points at the beaten NAO. "Be afraid of your future, Hunter. Be very afraid."
Hunter and Steph walk out with Orton and Kane in tow. Steph shakes her head as she instructs Kane and Orton: "Take out the trash."
Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan vs Orton and Kane
This match goes back and forth until Bray and Bryan finally start taking control. A couple of heels from the back--ADR, Sandow, and Fandango--rush the ring and target Bryan. We have a five on two scenario. All five are more concerned with Bryan than Bray. Bray rolls Bryan out of the ring to save him. "Run, Daniel Bryan. You are more important than me." Daniel Bryan looks conflicted, wants to get back in. "RUN!" Bray turns, arms outstretched to sacrifice himself. The five start to destroy him as Bryan reluctantly does as Bray instructed. Raw goes off the air with Bray getting pummeled and Daniel Bryan watching from the safety of the crowd, still torn about what to do.
Since this post went long, we will end it there and continue with the 2/3/2014 Raw episode tomorrow.
Raw 1/27/2014
The day after Royal Rumble--a far different one than the one that transpired in reality. Take that negative reaction and flip it as we had Daniel Bryan walking away with the number one contender position--the crowd would be going nuts at the opening of Raw, anticipating the arrival of Daniel Bryan, not only in the arena but as a bonafide WWE superstar.
Our Raw, much like its real life counterpart, would start with HHH and Stephanie in the ring, although somber and not in the jovial mood he actually was in. The Shield are there as well with their heads hung low knowing that a lecture is coming.
"Last night, I asked the Hounds of Hell to perform a simple task--keep Daniel Bryan from ruining Wrestlemania. This wasn't a selfish request, despite what you out there may think. This wasn't done out of spite nor malice. I have a responsibility to each and every one of you. But more importantly, I have a duty and responsibility to the fans AFTER you, the future. Is Daniel Bryan the future of this company?" Pause to allow a "Yes" chant to break out. HHH gets livid, more so than the previous night, turning his back to the camera, yelling at the crowd. "Do you know how annoying that is?" Again pause for the "Yes" chant to take hold. "You all make me long for the 'What?' chants, you know that?"
"You want Daniel Bryan at Wrestlemania? Is that it?" More "Yes!" chants. "Well, you aren't going to get it. I PROMISE you, he will NOT be the number one contender when Wrestlemania rolls around. He will not be the headliner. He will not be the face of this company." HHH turns to the Shield. "Now, as for you three."
Steph takes the mic and approaches the three of them, poking her finger in the chest of each one. "You let us down. We don't like losers." Stephanie smacks Roman Reigns hard across the face to set up more tension between the Shield and the Authority. Reigns takes a step toward her, but HHH moves between them--a staredown between Reigns and HHH.
Steph continues: "You three have an opportunity to make amends for last night. We have decided to reward any WWE superstar....." Steph turns from the Shield and faces the camera. "Even those of you in the back, so listen well. Any WWE superstar who ensures Bryan cannot make it to Wrestlemania will receive his number one contender position. Consider it open season."
The Wyatt music hits as the four of them enter the arena. Bray is unaccustomed to being cheered and looks visibly uneasy by the turn of events. "I told you not to threaten my son, Hunter. We protect our own, much like you do. Daniel Bryan will no longer be wearing a crown of thorns after Wrestlemania, Hunter. He will wear a crown of gold and reign over these people, over you, Hunter."
Hunter yells: "He isn't making it to Wrestlemania. Tonight, all four of you will be competing. Bray, Bryan, you will be wrestling Kane and Orton. Harper, Rowan, you're competing against The Shield in a handicap match."
The segment ends with Bray laughing at this match.
Various lower card heels try to attack Bryan in the back, but the Wyatts fend them off in backstage segments.
Harper and Rowan vs The Shield
This match devolves quickly and ends in a disqualification. Bryan and Bray are banned from ringside. Once the disqualification is invoked, The Shield start a beatdown of the Wyatt Family. A lot of damage is done before Bray and Bryan make the save. Paramedics strap Rowan and Harper to stretchers, escorting them from the building.
Bray yells to the back: "You'll pay for this, Hunter. You'll pay for your sins."
Cody and Goldust vs New Age Outlaws (Title match)
At some point in this match, Bray and Bryan come down the ramp, slowly idling their way down, watching. Finally they make their move to the ring, distracting the NAO enough to cost them the match and their titles. An important point here--while I too would love to see Cody vs Goldust, I think the Authority storyline is far more important than that at this point. I would hold off on that match until SummerSlam. Wrestlemania should be an all-out assault on the Authority so this way we could bring The Brotherhood back into it--where they started.
Bray and Bryan abuse the NAO leaving them in a heap. Bray takes the mic, smiling. "I told you that your friends and family were not safe any longer, Hunter. I told you that you were playing with the devil. As you continue to peddle your friends as nostalgia, we will shred the memories and leave them forgotten. Behold the future of the Authority, Hunter." Bray points at the beaten NAO. "Be afraid of your future, Hunter. Be very afraid."
Hunter and Steph walk out with Orton and Kane in tow. Steph shakes her head as she instructs Kane and Orton: "Take out the trash."
Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan vs Orton and Kane
This match goes back and forth until Bray and Bryan finally start taking control. A couple of heels from the back--ADR, Sandow, and Fandango--rush the ring and target Bryan. We have a five on two scenario. All five are more concerned with Bryan than Bray. Bray rolls Bryan out of the ring to save him. "Run, Daniel Bryan. You are more important than me." Daniel Bryan looks conflicted, wants to get back in. "RUN!" Bray turns, arms outstretched to sacrifice himself. The five start to destroy him as Bryan reluctantly does as Bray instructed. Raw goes off the air with Bray getting pummeled and Daniel Bryan watching from the safety of the crowd, still torn about what to do.
Since this post went long, we will end it there and continue with the 2/3/2014 Raw episode tomorrow.
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