RAW Retort - Big Show's big return

Steph in control

I have always loved the chemistry between Steph and Trip, but her flinging the McMahon money in in Trip’s face was priceless! They both played that beautifully, and set up for so much going forward.

Axel drops the ball

I normally love Ziggler, but this match was like pulling teeth! Ziggler is fun, Axel is technically wonderful, and this match was five minutes of pure boredom! I honestly don’t understand why Axel is still strapped, and I’d love to know the reason why Axel didn’t work his match at Hell In A Cell as he’s claiming his hip isn’t injured, but the WWE’s website said it was. Too many questions without answers surrounding a wrestler who’s technically sound, just so boring!

Usos take a step back

Axel is boring, and 3MB are glorified jobbers, and aren’t even prestigious enough for the Usos to be facing at this point. The Usos have taken huge steps forward, and have helped give us some of the best tag matches we’ve seen in the WWE this year, but then they’re stuck facing Slater and McIntyre.

Now, I’m not saying that Slater and McIntyre are not good enough, because if they were actually booked to their skills, those two men could be sensational. I won’t say that they are main event talent, but I will say they are much better than the jobbers they have been lately. Sad but true, and hopefully the Usos will step back up from dealing with jobbers.

Poor Renée

Renée as really proven herself as a solid backstage interviewer. She could, if given the time and the scripts, follow in the footsteps of the likes of Josh and Coach. I really like Renée, and feel terrible for her having to deal with sexist segments like the one with Los Matadores. Okay, it wasn’t exactly only Los Matadores, it was El Torito who was disgusting.

Honestly, if Renée hadn’t been betrayed as so professional backstage, then I went have any problems with it, but she has been portrayed is completely professional, so this was a sexist mess. They either need to loosen up her character a bit, or steer clear of leering moments like this.

Divas get worse

Okay, I claim that the Divas got worse, but in reality it was only one Diva that bothered me. Tamina looked solid, and the Bellas looked better than ever. I am floored by the progress both of the Bellas have made in the ring. I honestly did not think it was possible, or that they would put in the time, but they proved me wrong and I couldn’t be happier for it. I actually have to mention Brie missile drop kick off the top, because it was just lovely.

Finally the Divas division is starting to look like something worth watching again, except for the likes of Summer Rae and Eva Marie. I said earlier that there was only one Diva worse than Summer Rae, and that’s Eva Marie. That they had her tag in to pin Tamina was laughable. I guess we should be glad that the only move she made was to pin Tamina, and didn’t actually try to wrestle in the match.

Big Show’s big return

While I’m thrilled that Big Show has returned, I’m not thrilled that RAW ended with another Trip led beat down. I know in many ways that it’s the perfect way for The Authority to show their authority, but it so cliché!

The Authority spent a couple months beating down Bryan each and every week, and now it’s Big Show’s turn? I just, the whole thing feels too dirty for me. Yes, in some ways it’s very much Attitude Era, but many people seem to forget that there were serious issues with the Attitude Era, specifically every show ending the exact same way.

I imagine that Big Show will get his revenge, possibly at Survivor Series, but if Big Show is beaten down each week until then, then the great direction the WWE could fall apart.