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The 1,044th episode of Monday Night RAW was a memorable one, as it came to us from Calgary, Alberta and the hometown hero, the Canadian legend, Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, had his very own ‘Bret Hart Appreciation Night’ at the end of RAW. Anyway, this episode of RAW was one of the better ones in recent memory, as it had two very good tag team matches, and had some pretty strong segments which helped the show.
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Cena returned this week and cut a good promo to open the show. He proposed a Three Stages of Hell match with Ryback at WWE Payback for the WWE title, and was interrupted by Heyman and Axel. Cena faced Axel in the main event of the show and, although, the ending was flat, he did a good job.
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Rating: ** ¾
Ryback
Ryback accepted Cena’s challenge, and at the end of the show, distracted Cena by bringing an ambulance into the arena. He tried to attack Cena, but that didn’t work. Nothing special by Ryback on this show.
Rating: *
Alberto Del Rio
ADR faced Big E, and went to win the bout. ADR and Swagger have been kept on the back burner till Ziggler returns, which will happen within the next month.
Rating: **
Big E Langston
Big E lost to ADR, in spite of the fact that AJ tried to help Big E. There are rumors about a face turn for Big E soon, and this could indicate him splitting from Ziggler’s faction.
Rating: *
Dean Ambrose
Ambrose is one of the best performers in the WWE, and him being the US champion brings back the credibility to the title after Cesaro dropped it to Kofi. Dean faced Kofi in a rematch this week and defeated him once again.
Rating: ** ¾
Kofi Kingston
Kofi’s run with the US title was forgettable, and it looks like his feud with Ambrose is coming to an end. Unfortunately for Kofi, WWE can’t see him being anything more than a mid card act.
Rating: **
The Shield
The WWE tag team champions were in action again this week, as they took on Team Hell No in what was yet another brilliant match. A bout which includes two of the greatest workers like Rollins and Bryan will be nothing short of amazing, and that was what the crowd witnessed. The Shield managed to pick up the win yet again to prove their dominance.
Rating: ****
Team Hell No
It looks as if the team of Kane and Daniel Bryan is coming to an end. The Canadian crowd absolutely loved Daniel Bryan, and it’s about time he goes back into the main event scene. They lost their match this week, but not before putting on yet another outstanding match.
Rating: *** ¾
Fandango
Fandango was involved in a match against the Intercontinental champion, Wade Barrett, and won the match after the special guest referee, The Miz, got involved.
Rating: * ¾
Wade Barrett
Barrett continues to lose televised matches, which makes no sense. He will likely face Fandango and Miz at WWE Payback. One has to wonder if Barrett can hold on to the title any longer, as he’s been on a losing streak.
Rating: * ½
Chris Jericho
Jericho hosted the Highlight Reel, and his guest was Paul Heyman. Two of the greatest talkers in the business proved once again just why they’re the masters on the mic, as Jericho challenged Heyman’s client CM Punk for a match at WWE Payback.
Rating: ***
The Bella Twins
The twins were in action this week, as they defeated the team of Natalya and Kaitlyn. Why? I don’t even think the creative has an answer for that.
Rating: Dud
Natalya and Kaitlyn
Natalya not only celebrated her birthday this week, but was performing in Calgary, and yet, WWE continues to book her poorly. I hope she gets into a feud with Kaitlyn for the Divas title soon.
Rating: *
Orton and Sheamus
Yet another 15 minute match that delivered the goods. Orton and Sheamus took on Rhodes Scholars, and you had some of the better workers in the industry in the ring at the same time. Orton and Sheamus picked up the victory, and there are plans for Orton to turn heel against Sheamus this Summer. Let us see how that goes about.
Rating: ***
Rhodes Scholars
Cody was, at least, featured for more than two minutes on this week’s RAW, and he proved why he should be in the main event scene. Rhodes and Sandow ended up on the losing side, but put on yet another good match this week.
Rating: ***
Curtis Axel
Two weeks ago, if you had told me that the son of Mr. Perfect wouldn’t only be maineventing RAW, he would be doing against the WWE champion, I would have laughed it off. But Paul Heyman proved just why he’s one of the greatest managers of all time, as Axel took on Cena, and as the night ended, picked up the count out victory. Curtis celebrated in the ring to close the show, which would have brought a smile to Mr. Perfect.
Rating: ** ¾
