Top 10 Talking Points: WWE Raw 6/2/2012

This week’s WWE Raw at Oklahoma City had high level of expectation especially after the confrontation between Triple H and Undertaker, last week. Moreover, Chris Jericho directed his attack towards CM Punk for the first time since returning a month ago. Both these confrontations had consequences which played out during this week’s Raw, and hence there was plenty to be discussed about. Here are the top ten talking points:

1.Triple H rejects Undertaker’s proposal:

Raw started in the best possible manner as the fallout from last week’s epic confrontation between Triple H and Taker was given top priority. Triple H rejected Undertaker’s proposal for a Wrestlemania rematch, citing his respect for the Phenom and the fact that he incapacitated him at last years Wrestlemania. Triple H did a balancing act by not completely trivializing Undertaker or himself during the course of this segment. He also touched on John Laurinaitis by revealing that the final decision would be made by the board of directors. For those who aren’t aware, John Laurinaitis has been given a clean chit and hence, he will continue to be the General Manager of Raw.

2. Undertaker says that it’s not over yet:

Just when we thought that we wouldn’t hear Undertaker’s side of the story, we heard the gong interrupting Triple H’s exit and a hysteric video played out portraying the Undertaker asking for a rematch with Triple H. In this video, the Undertaker was quoted saying, “This is not over yet”. There is perfect logic in whatever they’re doing towards building an epic rematch at Wrestlemania. Like many, I wasn’t very eager about seeing Taker Vs Triple H part 3 at Wrestlemania, but with the kind of storyline they’re building, I’m pretty much into this match currently. It is somewhat fresh seeing Undertaker go after an opponent. For a while, it has always been the other way around when it comes to an Undertaker match at Wrestlemania.

Undertaker: This is not over yet

3. Daniel Bryan accuses Big Show:

Another Big Show- Bryan match had an inconsequential ending. Big Show prevented himself from bumping into AJ again, which forced Bryan to accuse him of doing it intentionally the first time, a few weeks ago. The heel persona makes Bryan far more believable than before. It suits him better. This has been the main feud on Smackdown and I don’t understand why they had to put this match on Raw.

4. Randy and Khali have a fun tag-team match:

The first two of the Smackdown elimination chamber match – Bryan and Big Show had a singles match on Raw. The remaining four battled in a tag-team match with Randy Orton and Great Khali on one side and Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett on the other side. Randy and Khali, the eventual winners, did not bode well as a team and made harsh tags on each other which was actually funny to watch. However, Randy did not take it funny as he hit an RKO on Khali after the match ended. I’m sure that this will have some Elimination Chamber implications.

Randy Orton delivering a picture perfect RKO to the Great Khali

5. Chris Jericho reveals the mystery behind his return:

Finally, Chris Jericho spoke more than a sentence. He made valid points when talking about the current wrestlers plagiarizing his methods. It will be the end of the world because he had come back to take back what is rightfully his. He bashed all his 5 opponents in the Raw Elimination Chamber match and named them as wannabe’s. He also addressed CM Punk as the biggest culprit of them all. While Jericho’s explanation was good, it would have been better if it had been done sooner.

6. CM Punk retaliates Jericho with silent treatment:

CM Punk came out with his pipebomb and did not drop it as Jericho got a taste of his own medicine. This was really good. But some may be disappointed that there wasn’t any verbal exchange between them. Don’t worry folks, there is plenty of time for Wrestlemania 28. We will get to see a lot of Punk-Jericho exchanges in the near future.

7. Six pack challenge:

A good match to decide the last entrant in the Raw Elimination Chamber match. R-Truth injured himself in this match courtesy of The Miz. With his sudden ouster, the balance of this match was upset which explains its slow pace. Chris Jericho stole the victory from CM Punk, furthering the feud between these two. This means that Jericho will be the last entrant in the Raw Elimination Chamber match which increases the odds of his victory in that match.

Chris Jericho with the WWE Title, mimicking CM Punk

8. David Otunga gets squashed by Sheamus:

David Otunga fell victim to yet another Sheamus squash. Though Sheamus has announced that he will decide on the title he wants to go after, only after Elimination Chamber, it does not mean that he has to remain relevant by squashing other wrestlers. He should have been put in a short feud which would have enabled him to remain relevant with the crowd.

9. Kane traumatizes Eve:

In the closing moments on Raw, Kane scared Eve yet again as he talked about Cena beginning to embrace yet. He concluded that everyone needs to be afraid of him because he is afraid of himself. I did not understand what this segment was intended to emphasize upon. An Ambulance match is scheduled to take place at Elimination Chamber between John Cena and Kane.

10. No John Cena?

Kane was there but John Cena wasn’t involved in any part of Raw, which was baffling since it should have been the other way around considering what happened last week. Previously, John Cena brutalized Kane, leaving him battered and bruised and running for cover. There wasn’t a proper explanation for Cena’s absence on Raw. However, he was involved in a dark match (after the taping) with Kane. We are used to seeing Cena come out and perform every monday night and it was somewhat odd that he wasn’t used in person this week. Only a video package hyping his match with the Rock at Wrestlemania was shown. Is WWE testing waters for a Cena heel turn?