RAW Report 5/4/15 – RAW is Montreal

For Bret, coming back into Montreal must feel like Buckner walking back into Shea Stadium

RAW emanated from the lovely city of Montreal, known infamously as the title town in the “Montreal Screwjob”, a classic night which saw Bret Hart lose his title on his way out the door, cheated by Vince McMahon, Shawn Michaels, and referee Earl Hebner. HBK walked out with the gold, and Vince staggered out with a black eye after Bret got even backstage. Oh wrestling and its many, many storied tales. Tonight, however, it was home to a fairly innocuous outing consisting of today’s stars and their continued angles, storylines and in many cases, debacles.

Anyone who remembers when I used to do this on a semi regular basis knows, this is not going to be a recap of the night’s play by play. Chances are if you’re reading this, you’re a fan of the sport, and already watched the show. This is how I break down what I believe were the highs, and lows or more specifically, the Good, The Bad, and the Ugly from RAW. Without further ado, let’s hit it.

The Good

Bray Wyatt: Let’s be honest here. Bray’s a talented in ring performer, but what separates him and makes him special is his ability to tell a story and sell on the microphone. I’m begging for the day when he gets someone who can go toe to toe with him in that capacity. Having him face Ryback, well, it’s not fair. Ryback is outgunned, no strike that, he’s WAY out gunned against Wyatt. The only thing the WWE can be thinking here is a rub from Bray might serve to elevate Ryback. Great for Ryback, but meanwhile it wastes the talents of Bray Wyatt.

Randy Orton: I’ve been critical of Orton in the past, but lately, he’s turned the page as far as his mic work, and ability to tell a story with his wrestling has gotten very solid. Doesn’t hurt that he has the most magical finisher in the sport, and his foe, Seth Rollins takes it like nobody has ever taken it. Right now things are pointing up for Orton, and he’s carrying the ball with confidence. His facial expressions, his timing with the audience and character development have grown leaps and bounds. I think he is really finally turning into the guy you can build a promotion on. Good for him!

Dean Ambrose: Dean continues to impress with the skills he has. I just don’t see him as being ready to make the jump into the World Title, but he’s a solid player, and would have tremendous matches with Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler etc.

NXT: First Neville came over and his impressed a ton. He has been in great matches, and is an absolute Spot-Hero, circa Rob Van Dam in ECW. Love these guys and how hungry they seem to be. Sami Zayn came down and had a great match too. I am looking forward to seeing some of the other NXT talent cross over. They are an exciting lot, and represent a fresh and talented leap forward for the WWE.

Lana: Hottest talent on the roster, and over in a big, big way. I could watch Lana do the Fandango dance for hours. She has done a bunch to get over, with limited mic time and her star is most definitely on the rise. Her split with Rusev has to come sooner, rather than later.

Bret Hart: I’m a mark for Bret, always have been, always will be. Coming back into Montreal must feel like Buckner walking back into Shea Stadium. PS: Let’s throw R Truth and Heath Slater into a tag team and call them, The Irrelevants. Yikes.

The Bad

The Ascension: These guys are horrible. Pure and simple, the whole experiment has not worked. They cannot get over, will never get over and they need to somehow be repackaged and shelved for the time being. It was an interesting idea, a new age Road Warriors, but let’s be honest, they don’t have the in-ring talent or mic skills to get it done. If you took The Road Warriors, a pinch of Demolition, a spot of The Headbangers and the talent of Tekno Team 2000, (Yes, I did my homework).

Ryback: Man, the more he tries, the less he impresses. He does his best work when he shows his human side, and tells his story, rather than just being the bottomless pit/robot muscle head. I think he can gain from a program with Bray Wyatt, if he approaches it correctly. I am looking forward to seeing a Ryback angle for the first time, maybe ever.

Rusev: I like Rusev, but lately he seems to be getting a little soft around the middle, and he does the exact same thing, every week on RAW. He’s been booked with Cena now forever it seems, and he needs out of that. I was a big Rusev fan going into WrestleMania, but he’s cooled, and in a big way.

R-Truth: Man, in all honesty, I don’t see why he’s on the roster. He is an average performer and cannot get over on the mic. Montreal was a hot crowd, and R Truth and Stardust just killed it. Truth overacts at every single opportunity and is like the WWE’s appendix. Remove him, and go on living your life.

The Ugly

Kane: We get it, Kane is making Seth Rollins’ life difficult. He’s going rouge a little and marching to the beat of his own drum. That said, he’s worn out, old news and uninteresting.

John Cena: I’m a Cena fan, but come on man, enough is enough. Every single week, the segment is THE EXACT SAME. There’s nothing at all original about what he’s doing. He gets buried, so he compliments the crowd a little, gets back over and calls down an opponent. Enough is enough, no more bluster, no more hype, just figure out a better use for him.

Heath Slater: Just … go gracefully. Everything about him is below average. He’s so important, the WWE hasn’t repackaged him, and he comes out himself to the 3 man band music. Top Notch.

RAW Awards

RAW MVP : Randy Orton

Worst of RAW: The Ascension

More please: Lana, NXT and Tyson Kidd & Cesaro

Less Please: Kane, R Truth and Heath Slater

all images via WWE