'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
It has been a rather uneventful week in the WWE as things have slowly started rolling out for the Money in the Bank PPV and storylines have taken shape for the longer term. The CM Punk – Brock Lesnar – Paul Heyman feud is being played out for Summerslam, and the McMahon – Helmsley feud is reportedly being played out for the long term, as rumour has it that it will culminate at WrestleMania 30. One has to wonder if it will be when Vince McMahon finally calls it quits and hands the company over to Paul Levesque aka Triple H and Stephanie McMahon for good. Anyway, getting back to the current scheme of things, I take a look at the top 5 superstars of the week, not just from RAW, but even from Smackdown! and WWE’s tour of Japan.
5. Chris Jericho
Some maybe wondering why Jericho is featured in this list. Not only is he one of the greatest performers in the history of the business, but he was a part of the WWE team that toured Japan, where he received a warm welcome by the Japanese faithful. As some of you may know, Jericho made his initial impact in Japanese promotions, working as Lionheart.
So this week, Jericho was involved in a good match against Antonio Cesaro, and during the match, he got into a verbal scuffle with some Japanese wrestlers, such as KENTA and Takayama. Post-match, Jericho cut a promo thanking Japanese wrestlers and the great Japanese fans for backing him from the past two decades. Jericho’s history with Japan goes a long way back, and it was good to see Jericho getting so hyped up and nostalgic even after all the success he has achieved since then.
Rating: ** ½
4. Alberto Del Rio
The new World Heavyweight champion was involved in a couple of matches, first on RAW and then on Smackdown.
On RAW, he took on Cena in a losing effort, and on Smackdown, he took on the Straight Edge Savior CM Punk which ended in a No contest.
Reports also came in this week that Del Rio’s personal ring announcer, Ricardo was suspended for 30 days due to his first Wellness policy violation. There is no concrete news about what it was that Ricardo exactly did, but it doesn’t matter. One of the few good things about Alberto was Ricardo; and without him, Del Rio is one dimensional and monotonous. I hope he comes back soon enough, or Del Rio will drop the title to a more entertaining Ziggler at the Money in the Bank PPV.
Rating: ** ¾
3. CM Punk
CM Punk was involved in a tag team match on RAW with Curtis Axel, taking on the Prime Time Players, and Punk took care of the PTP alone before Axel tagged himself in and scored the pinfall over his opponents; and on Smackdown, Punk was involved in a match against Del Rio which ended in a no contest. Post-match, Punk delivered a GTS to Del Rio and dropped him in the middle of the ring, as his story with Heyman continued. Punk told Heyman not to come down to the ringside, which Heyman did anyway, and was at commentary.
Punk’s feud with Heyman will likely escalate at Money in the Bank PPV, with either Heyman or Lesnar costing Punk the briefcase which will be the catalyst for their match at Summerslam. This is probably the only interesting feud going on in the WWE, and I like the fact that their feud is being played out in its entirety, instead of being rushed.
Rating: ***
2. Randy Orton
Randy Orton has been on a roll recently, having good matches with the likes of Daniel Bryan and Kane.
This past week on RAW, Orton lost to Kane, and then on Smackdown, he was involved in a match with an old foe in Christian, and they put on yet another solid TV match which ended with Orton pinning Christian after delivering an RKO. I don’t know where Orton will go from here, as he looks to be stuck in the middle of nowhere, just having matches with good to great workers.
Rating: *** ¼
1. Christian
Captain Charisma has been impressive since his return, not missing a beat inside the ring. Not only did he pin Dean Ambrose and hand The Shield their second only defeat as a trio, but he was involved in yet another solid match this week on Smackdown against Randy Orton. Although Christian lost both the matches he was involved in this week, his return has been solid, and apparently creative has plans for him unlike the others going into the biggest party of the summer – Summerslam.
Christian is also involved in the RAW Money in the Bank ladder match at the Money in the Bank PPV. Although he isn’t a favourite to win the match, you can never write the veteran off, and his win can lead to some interesting storylines and feuds.
Rating: *** ½
