- Oct 15, 2000
- 30,184
- 1,991
We're 34 days away from WrestleMania, and after last night's Elimination Chamber PPV and tonight's Raw, things should become pretty clear for the top of the card. Last night's show had it's highs and lows. There was some good foundations set for WrestleMania, but some also very questionable decisions. Let's start with the bad. Why exactly did John Cena win the Raw Elimination Chamber? It's clear that we will be getting John Cena vs Batista at WrestleMania. Is the title needed to sell that match? That feud has already been established. They are two of the biggest stars in the WWE. There is already a program with Batista being Mr. McMahon's hitman (no pun intended). So what is the need to throw in the WWE Title? It doesn't enhance the match, and it only takes away from another match on the card. Going along with Cena winning the Elimination Chamber also means that Sheamus lost the match and the WWE Title. I guess the WWE's new philosophy is to push younger talent until WrestleMania gets here. Then it's back to putting the same five or six guys in the main event. Do they still go forward with the planned HHH vs Sheamus match at WrestleMania? I don't see anyone getting excited for that match or giving Sheamus a shot in Hell at winning. And it's a strong possibility that HHH vs Sheamus doesn't even happen now. Then for for Sheamus? Does he become the next Jack Swagger? Or maybe a Kofi Kingston? I don't know. He doesn't have the mic skills or talent to break through like CM Punk. For putting so many eggs in the basket of Sheamus so early and quickly, it sure seems to me that they threw it out the window. Of course, we've seen that plenty of times before.
The Undertaker was about to defeat Chris Jericho, despite first and second degree burns, when Shawn Michaels appears from under the chamber and superkicks The Undertaker allowing Chris Jericho to make the cover and become the new World Champion. It was a simple angle that most everyone saw coming, but sometimes it's the simplest angles that are most effective. The show didn't end by focusing on Jericho winning the World Title, but instead, the last thing we saw was Shawn Michaels standing over a lifeless body of The Undertaker. The build to their rematch has already been great, and now you know The Undertaker will be out for blood (at least until the WWE cut man gets involved) from Shawn Michaels. There are rumors of a possible gimmick match (I would hope Casket as I think Buried Alive is a bit cheesy). I think adding a gimmick would be a good idea and take some heat off both men to match the performance they had in last year's singles match.
And now that we know Batista and Chris Jericho are the heavyweight champions, Edge has announced that he will make his decision on who he will face at WrestleMania tonight. I'm sure the WWE will try to swerve us, but we know it will end up being Edge challenging Chris Jericho for the World Title. It should be a great match and has been building since Edge's injury.
Legacy once again cost Randy Orton a chance at the WWE Title. Cody Rhodes brought a steel pipe to the chamber and threw it in. Ted Dibiase got the pipe and either purposely or inadvertently hit Randy with it and subsequently pinned and eliminated him. So it's now clear that Orton and Dibiase are split, but there are still a lot of questions. Who does Cody side with? He has seemed to always have Orton's best interest in mind, but like a bumbling sidekick, the plan always goes wrong. And who plays the face and who plays the heel? Fans are dying to treat Orton as a face, but I don't know if the WWE will go that way.
The Miz beat MVP once again last night in an impromptu match for the United States Title. MVP has been buried beyond repair in my opinion. He wins meaningless tag team matches, but he never wins a singles match of importance. They focused more on The Miz's student on NXT, Daniel Brian. I still hate the name, but an eventual Miz vs Brian feud is very compelling. I'm actually very excited for tomorrow night's NXT show.
I have no idea what is going on with the Divas Title anymore. I wish they would just do away with the belt. There's no need for two women's titles, not to mention the belt is hideous. Just put Maryse on screen for a few minutes, and I think we'll all be happy.
And I almost forgot. The WWE will follow up on last week's shocking angle where Bret Hart had his leg broken in a car door. Ugh. I had such high hopes for the program before last week's segment. It made me lose all interest.
Oh yeah... A country singer and bull rider host Raw tonight. Can't wait for that.
