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This week’s RAW featured two solid TV matches which got over 10 minutes each, and one amazing segment between, you guessed it, CM Punk and Paul Heyman. I was looking forward to their promos, knowing that only these two could make it memorable, and they did. I gave this week’s RAW a 3. 25 out of 5 in ratings. So what were the talking points coming out of the show? In this article, we look at 5 memorable moments/talking points from this week’s RAW.
5. RAW Money in the bank competitors revealed
This week on RAW, Stephanie McMahon announced the names of the 7 participants, who will take part in the Money in the Bank ladder match for a chance to win the WWE title. The match, surprisingly, includes all faces (good guys), and includes a couple of surprise entrants, such as Randy Orton and Sheamus. The complete list includes previous MITB winners such as CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Rob Van Dam, along with Sheamus, Randy Orton, Christian and Kane. I initially thought WWE might have over stacked the match, but looking at it now, it can be one of the greatest Money in the Bank ladder matches if booked right, as it has some of the greatest high flyers as well as technically sound performers. I’m happy for Christian, as he was brought back in time for the PPV. Daniel Bryan is the odds-on favorite to win the brief case and cash it in at Summerslam, and I’m also predicting a Lesnar interference to cost CM Punk the match and a title shot in the future.
4. The Divas division is finally interesting
I don’t know who it is that has been booking the Divas division for the past few weeks, but it has been a welcome change. At Payback, the Divas match received more than the normal 3 minutes, and it was more than just a “face vs heel” match. The feud between AJ and Kaitlyn is being booked well, and it is nice to see the division finally going in one direction. Although a lot can be improved, I for one have been enjoying their feud. I still wish Natalya could somehow be injected into the feud, as she is arguably the most talented jobber on the roster, and being Khali’s on-screen girlfriend is almost a sad joke on her family’s legacy.
3. Dolph Ziggler vs Del Rio at MITB PPV
This week, Del Rio and Jericho faced off in a solid TV match, which ended with Ricardo causing a disqualification by attacking Jericho. This brought Ziggler out, as he attacked Del Rio and dropped him with a Zig Zag. This led to Jericho and Ziggler locking eyes, and Ziggler repaid Jericho the favor for delivering the code breaker to him on Smackdown! last week, and put him down with yet another Zig Zag.
With Ziggler vs Del Rio being confirmed for Money in the Bank PPV, Ziggler can now start his ‘title hunt’ angle, going after Del Rio. It’s interesting to note that Ziggler hasn’t been associated with AJ Lee for the past couple of weeks, and hence, I for one am intrigued to see how that would unfold. Ziggler can make 2013 his year, and his feud with Del Rio holds the key to his success or failure as a big time player in the organization.
2. Punk – Heyman segment
When RAW kicked off, I was looking forward to two things. One among them was the Punk – Heyman segment, and I wasn’t disappointed. The masters of promos showed just why they’re considered ‘great’ mic workers, as they both countered each other’s statements. Punk didn’t play up to the fans as a face, but asked Heyman if he was lying. Heyman sounded genuine for the very first time, and Punk aired some truth about the management not wanting him to work for the company, and how Heyman, who has backstabbed people in the past, stood firmly behind Punk. The segment ended with both of them hugging each other, and then Heyman sent Axel to save Punk from an attack by Prime Time Players. This might lead to Heyman turning on Punk next week, and opens up many possibilities which makes this feud all the more interesting.
1. Daniel Bryan steals the show
It has almost become a norm to write about Daniel Bryan stealing the show every week. He faced Orton not once, but twice in the night. RAW kicked off with Bryan facing Orton, but the match ended in a double disqualification, and a rematch was made as the main event to get a decisive winner. What followed was yet another great TV match featuring Bryan, and Bryan picked up the victory after a hard fought battle. Post match, Orton shook Bryan’s hand, as RAW faded with Bryan celebrating in the ring. I would have liked it if Orton turned heel giving Bryan an RKO, but I guess the WWE are building up the heel turn slowly. In the end, it was yet another great RAW for Daniel Bryan.
