RAW Retort – Triple H loses control

ADR falls short again

I have to say that I was more impressed with ADR’s work in this match than I have been in a while, but I think that’s because Bryan can make almost anyone look that much better in the ring. ADR looked stronger in some way, but he also botched a number of moves that he should have hit without issue.

Looking back I’d like to think that it’s because ADR isn’t used to working matches as long as this one lately, but most of the botched moves were not far into the match.

Actually, the first botch wasn’t even in the match, it was when ADR attacked Bryan outside the ring in front of Trip and Steph. When Bryan waited for ADR in the ring before the match started, he was nursing a swollen cheek and a growing bruise.

For me, that screams botch, as bruises shouldn’t be happening from a simple kick like that, especially when it’s something a wrestler uses regularly, the way ADR does.

Then, early in the mat, ADR was kicking on Bryan in a corner, but the kicks looked very tired, not at all the vicious ADR we’re used to seeing. Then, at the end of the match, ADR throwing punches on Bryan on the mat looked both weak, and terrible. ADR’s blows were landing nowhere near where they should have been landing on Bryan. Such a sad showing by ADR.

On the other hand Bryan also had an obvious botch in this match. When ADR came off the corner with his missile drop kick, Bryan jumped way to early to take the move and made it look a total mess. I have to admit it’s nice to know that the best wrestler on the WWE roster screws things up himself sometimes.

But I loved how the Bella twins handled themselves in this segment. They have proven their worth more and more with Bryan, and I expect that to grow even more when Cena returns and they show some of his relationship with Nikki Bella.

The way RAW should end!

What a fantastic ending to such a strong episode of RAW. I have to say that this episode seemed to be more thoughtfully booked, and finished much earlier than ten minutes before showtime, even if we don’t know the answer to that as of yet.

When I read that the Rhodes brothers would be challenging for the Tag Team Championships, I knew it was going to be a good night for them. I knew they would be walking out with gold. Even when it was made into a No DQ Match, I knew someone would be appearing to help them out. I should have thought of Big Show, but I was writing the RAW Results as fast as my fingers could go, and I didn’t even think of Big Show at the time, even though he was the obvious choice.

Other than Ambrose getting involved, the Rhodes brothers looked as though they could have won this match on their own, but Ambrose is why Trip and Steph made this a No DQ Match. Honestly, I’m blown away by the way Cody and Goldust continue to grow and impress in the ring. Both of them look better than ever, even though both of the brothers each had an obvious botch in the match. I cannot wait to see the two of them grow even more, something I didn’t expect from Goldust at this point in his career, but he’s obviously still full of surprises.

Obviously Trip is really upset about The Shield losing the Tag Team Titles, and that Big Show caused more troubles, but in all of that going down, this was one of the best ending to RAW we’ve seen in a while, and that’s saying a lot after how great RAW ended last week! Looks as though the WWE is on an upswing right now, and the fans are the one who are luckily reaping the rewards.