UseTheSledgehammerUh 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2004 Taking a look at the big scenarios from Backlash 2003 to this month's PPV, Backlash 2004. The #1 story was the debuting Goldberg, who was receiving lukewarm, mediocre crowd responses, and received many boo's at the PPV, Vs. The Rock, who was ending an entertaining heel run. Neither are around today. *** + for us for not having to watch Goldberg wrestle. *** - for The Rock not being around to actually lose to WORTHY stars. The Intercontinental Title was inactive. Today it's around the waste of Randy Orton, who is getting much better every week despite constant internet bashing at lack of heat. This month, however, Orton will face Foley most likely, with the title not really the focus. ***Call it EVEN for the I-C title being worthless for two straight Aprils. A six-man bout featured the unbeatable World Champion Triple H, his old mentor Ric Flair, and the "second stringer" Chris Jericho against the returning Kevin Nash, former title challenger Booker T, and Jericho/HHH-nemesis Shawn Michaels. Today, Triple H has regained quite a few steps from his all-2002/most of 2003 slow-worthless years and is a fresh heel for Smackdown. Definately a plus. Flair is Flair, older, and actually holding a title?!?!? Minus for insulting us. Jericho has become an individual again. + But is a boring face. - Booker T is in tag team misery, or was. - Michaels has had one of the best year's of his career, and is main eventing. + Nash is gone. + So let's just say that the RAW uppercard has progressed....VERY slightly. The RAW Tag Straps were held by RVD & Kane...a makeshift "two singles stars become tag champs" team that was together for roughly 7 months. Today, the Tag Straps are held by Flair & Batista. Given the lack of teams on RAW, I'd say this is about EVEN to last year's situation. I'd rather have a united team from a stable hold the straps then two singles stars who lose credibility in a team. Still, Flair's like 56, and harder to watch each day. Call this EVEN I suppose. Women's Divison included Champions Trish & Jazz, with Molly's push upcoming and Gail Kim on the horizon. Victoria had become an afterthought. Today a (lame) face Victoria is the titleholder. Molly is bald. Lita blows spots. Jazz is being defeated (by LITA, nonetheless in 50 seconds). The Women's Divison is worse off. At least 2003 had solid wrestling. MINUS The World Title scene may be RAW's lone saving grace. Chris Benoit could potentially lose the title to any of the big names, given this is his first run and the fans are still unsure of how long a reign he'll have. Add a PLUS to the unpredictability level...right? Eh. I guess. Benoit's challengers include: Shawn Michaels (we're enjoying HBK's ringwork...but a title run is unlikely) Randy Orton (busy with IC run) Rhyno (crushed on Raw this week, and sucks, quite frankly) Booker T (lost many steps since last Benoit feud in WCW) Edge (just returned, and has never had a world title feud) Kane (probably the next big challenger that has a chance at taking the title) and Christian/Chris Jericho (who seem quite busy with each other) Still, it does feel good to make a list of RAW Challengers and not see the following names: Triple H Goldberg Mark Henry Doesn't it? Call me apathetic for a good 2004 out of RAW, save for the World Title scene, probably. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cawthon777 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2004 Raw is 10 times better off now that we don't have KEVIN FREAKING NASH as the top contender for 3 months straight. No Nash ... no Triple H. I'm happy. Major thumbs up for putting the strap on Benoit. When the belt is on an underdog face (and when pitted against HBK, Triple H, Kane, etc he IS the underdog), that puts just about everyone in the title picture. And Benoit is the type of wrestler who can make everyone look like credible contenders - even better. I'm much more an optimist this year than I was last year at this time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeDirt 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2004 Raw is 10 times better off now that we don't have KEVIN FREAKING NASH as the top contender for 3 months straight. No Nash ... no Triple H. I'm happy. Major thumbs up for putting the strap on Benoit. When the belt is on an underdog face (and when pitted against HBK, Triple H, Kane, etc he IS the underdog), that puts just about everyone in the title picture. And Benoit is the type of wrestler who can make everyone look like credible contenders - even better. I'm much more an optimist this year than I was last year at this time. Ditto. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted March 23, 2004 I don't care what anyone says, but Chris Benoit vs. Kane will be an interesting PPV Main Event. The Unstoppable Monster (who is only stoppable when facing Taker) vs. The Pure Wrestler with Aggression. Has Kane ever tapped out (officially)? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeDirt 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2004 I don't care what anyone says, but Chris Benoit vs. Kane will be an interesting PPV Main Event. The Unstoppable Monster (who is only stoppable when facing Taker) vs. The Pure Wrestler with Aggression. Has Kane ever tapped out (officially)? I believe he tapped to Angle once before. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest NitroJMS Report post Posted March 23, 2004 Triple H has gone to Smackdown. Raw HAS to be better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisMWaters 0 Report post Posted March 23, 2004 I don't care what anyone says, but Chris Benoit vs. Kane will be an interesting PPV Main Event. The Unstoppable Monster (who is only stoppable when facing Taker) vs. The Pure Wrestler with Aggression. Has Kane ever tapped out (officially)? I believe he tapped to Angle once before. Your belief is correct. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
