The One and Only Raw Thread (May 10, 2004)

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Probably like this...

 

Tajiri/Batty: 4 minutes.

Eugene/Conway: 4 minutes.

Edge/Orton: 10-12 minutes.

HHH/Shelton: 8-10 minutes.

Cage Match: 17-22 minutes.

 

Anyone else hoping that:

 

1) Michaels and HHH keep their issue with each other to JUST THAT, *each other*.

2) Benoit does commentary for the Main Event? "Well Chris, both men have expressed wanting a title shot..."

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Eugene/Conway- I'll be watching this just to see how well the crowd responds to Eugene. I think he'll be more over then people realize because, in esscence, the guy is a perfect babyface. They could really work this well, have him go around the arena hugging fans, shaking hands at ringside etc....

 

Tajiri/Big Dave- This is going to surprise people. Tajiri's underrated in how good he makes people look and Batista is improving by the week. Give Tajiri the upset victory and then work it onto PPV and give Tajiri a "giant killer" type of push.

 

Orton/Edge- This could be good but it's also a potential disaster. Both of these wrestlers are not used to being the leader in the ring and if they don't decide quickly who controls the pace (which should be Edge) the match could be lost. I don't really care who wins, but if Edge does win I'll mark out because I am a huge fan of double gold and Benoit and Edge would look good rockin' all them titles.

 

X/Jericho- Sure, the match will be good but this isn't the right way to end the feud. They could easily have drawn out another 2 weeks of Jericho trying to get through Tomko in order to get to Christian. Booking 101 says that "Face must triumph over heel's hired help in order to get to heel" and that hasn't happened. Which, having said that, makes me think they pulled the plug on this blowoff a few weeks early because Jericho or Christian are facing Benoit at the PPV (I'm not buying into this Kane nonsense)

 

HHH/Benjy- I don't really care to see Benjamin get another victory over HHH. Match-wise I'm sure it'll be fine, I just don't really care. Move Benjamin onto a feud with Orton (if he retains).

 

Looks like a good, potentially really good show.

 

*Realizes that the Hardy/Lita/Kane angle will be on the show tonight*

 

Ok, so It'll be just a good show.

[haVoc 0]

Is Hirohito debuting tonight? I thought I read some where they were pushing it back, because they're going to change his name and gimmick, or some shit like that?

 

EDIT: Nevermind

 

The other major change is that the Hirohito name has been dropped. After word got out in Japan after the first vignette aired, the fear among those who heard about it was that it would a very negative image in the country. The Hirohito character was scheduled for a huge push at first, apparently to be the top heel on the Raw side aside from the Evolution group. Vignettes for Hirohito haven't aired in the past two weeks. The character is still in line for a major push, although not at the level first planned which was right near the top of the cards immediately. He is still expected to debut on 5/10 in San Jose, possibly with the name Kenzo. He will have an entourage consisting of a manager/bodyguard type, as well as a woman who comes to ringside with him.

 

Credit: Observer

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

So basically "Kenzo" will be using Berlyn's gimmick? Bodyguard. Woman at ringside. Evil forreigner.

 

Yay.....zzzz.....

[Lord of The Curry 0]

With such a loaded card match-wise and the Benoit/HHH/HBK love triangle still going on, where are they going to fit Kenzo in on the card? If he was debuting as a face then the Tajiri/Batista match would work well as he could save Tajiri from an Evolution beatdown or some shit but if he's a heel, I'm clueless. What face would they stick him in a program with?

 

*Prays it isn't Benoit*

[Zack Malibu 0]

Hey, that Berlyn gimmick was over until no-selling bastards like Bagwell and Duggan shit on it. Then the useless bodyguard became the one with the push.

 

Anyhow, I just read that Trips/Shelton will open RAW up, so I'm going to assume they'll end the night with the cage match. I'm figuring this is H's vengeance for the two losses against Shelton, although if they plan on keeping life in him, they need to have Benjamin take everything and more before finally succumbing (I'm thinking Orton helps Triple H get the win as payback for Benjamin saving Race two weeks back).

 

I'm also looking forward to Eugene/Conway, as these two guys have worked together long enough (as rivals and as a tag team in OVW) to know how to put on a good match. Conway'll get in trouble, Grenier will try to intervene, only to be knocked out with the Power Of The Punch from Regal, and Eugene will get the win.

 

Orton/Edge should be a decent, above average contest, however I wouldn't put the belt on Edge, as he really doesn't have a program yet other than being Benoit's backup against Evolution. Keep the belt on Orton and pass it to Benjamin when it's time.

 

Batista/Tajiri could either be entertaining, or a mess. I'd expect typical big man/little man shenanigans, maybe with Tajiri getting the win with the mist again, setting up some type of match at the PPV where Batista goes over him.

 

The cage match has the potential to be a show stealer, as Jericho can go (duh) and I'm really digging Christian's character these days. Jericho will win out despite the attempts at interference from Team Christian, and one of the two will get their title shot at the PPV (I'd assume Jericho, since I think he's going over here.) Just keep Christian away from Edge right now.

[haVoc 0]

where are they going to fit Kenzo in on the card? If he was debuting as a face then the Tajiri/Batista match would work well as he could save Tajiri from an Evolution beatdown or some shit but if he's a heel, I'm clueless. What face would they stick him in a program with?

If they're smart Kenzo and company won't feud with anyone right away. Just feed them jobbers like Grandmaster Sexy until they get over.

 

... If they're worth getting over....

[King Cucaracha 0]

What face would they stick him in a program with?

 

*Prays it isn't Benoit*

According to the news thread, I think that was the plan, but they've soured on Kenzo's in-ring work. Surprise suprise.

 

 

Anyway...I'm pumped for the show, but with all the hype surrounding it I'm pretty worried it's going to be a letdown of a show. Jericho/Christian in a Cage should be good with time. Edge/Orton should be hit or miss. Same with Batista/Tajiri. HHH/Benjamin'll be nothing we haven't seen before, and Eugene/Conway won't get too much time.

 

Not to be pesimistic. But, I half-expect some bad reactions after this is over.

[Guest Coffey]

Yeah, but that's what happens every week. Every single minute won't please every single person.

[HollywoodSpikeJenkins 0]

Is Kenzo the Jap. guy that had that horrid match with Saturn in TNA a couple months back?

[King Cucaracha 0]

Yeah, but that's what happens every week. Every single minute won't please every single person.

Yeah...it's just that this week has had the hype treatment, and is coming off the back of some solid weeks.

 

Then again, it SHOULD be a good show. I'm just a little wary.

 

Is Kenzo the Jap. guy that had that horrid match with Saturn in TNA a couple months back?

 

Yep.

[Guest nikowwf]

The WWE is pulling out stops to make this a good raw for the fans, so as long as they don't give each match 30 seconds im satisfied. They are trying to make things interesting, Benoit is champ, and no one (save Matt Hardy) is getting chopped off at the knees.

 

im happy enough.

NIKO

[Vyce 0]

Is Kenzo the Jap. guy that had that horrid match with Saturn in TNA a couple months back?

Indeed it is.

 

where are they going to fit Kenzo in on the card? If he was debuting as a face then the Tajiri/Batista match would work well as he could save Tajiri from an Evolution beatdown or some shit but if he's a heel, I'm clueless.

 

Oh god, NO. I hope that Kenzo and Tajire never so much as grace the ring together at the same time.

 

Not just because any match between the two would be awful - which it would.

 

But because I'm absolutely sick of the particular WWE tradition with minorities. WWE Law (Like Murphy's Law, only more retarded): If you have at least two of any particular minority / ethnic group, the individuals of that minority / ethnic group will eventually a) wind up forming a team or b) wind up feuding with one another.

[HollywoodSpikeJenkins 0]

Kenzo vs. Maven at Badd Blood.

 

 

I'm calling it.

[AlaskanHero 0]

I'm gonna throw out some predictions that probably will be way off of what actually happens.

 

HHH vs. Shelton- Probably gonna be good, but I see HHH winning because of interference. If Flair's there, I think he'll be doing the hijinks that get Tips the win. Probably gonna be 10 minutes long. Give or take 5 minutes.

 

Batista vs. Tajiri- Tajiri's gonna get smacked around before misting Dave. Right when he goes for the pin the Kenzo runs out and starts making Tajiri his bitch. Ya smell that? That's the smell of ratings.

 

Eugene vs. Conway- This is the only match I really want to see. Eugene's antics make me laugh and I wanna see him wrestle. Anyways, we'll have Rob laugh at Eugene as Dinsmore does some funny thing before actually getting to wrestling. Eugene will surprise Conway before getting the win after a failed Sylvan interference. You still smell the ratings? Good.

 

The Orton vs. Edge- Orton wins. Period. Orton's still being groomed to be the next Rock (IMO). If you look at how The Rock's career was when he first started and compare it to Orton's then you'll see how eerily similar they are. Anyways, Orton will win after a back and forth match, by cheating (he's gonna grab for the tights during the rollup and MISS!). Something will cause Benjamin to come out and now Orton and Shelton can start their feud.

 

Christian vs. Jericho- This had better be the end of the feud. I mean, once you've kicked each other's ass in a cage what else can you do? Anyways, Christian will win probably because of Diesal Tomko doing something evil. Or Jericho could win because he's the one who got hit with the oppression card. Christian stole Jericho's bitch! HOW DARE HE!

 

Hmm, if Tyson is supposed to be Diesal, could it be a sign that Christian is to be the next Shawn Michaels? Just my thoughts.

 

Anyways, those are my guesses on tonight.

[Downhome 0]

I mean, once you've kicked each other's ass in a cage what else can you do?

You can have a good ol' fashioned Chamber of Horrors match!

[razazteca 0]

I expect Test to run-in and beat up Tyson Tomko for stealing his gimmick of being a Diesil clone.

[razazteca 0]

I mean, once you've kicked each other's ass in a cage what else can you do?

You can have a good ol' fashioned Chamber of Horrors match!

TLC in HITC on a PPV with Y2J to get the WIN.

 

[deancoles 0]

I wonder what Kenzo will use as his finisher when he debuts? His Spear probably won't be used and I doubt the Road Agents will want a guy his size doing a Shining Wizard.

 

I bet they give him the Orient Express or Yokozuna theme.

[razazteca 0]

Kenzo will use some powerbomb which will be named after the bomb attacks from WWII. Maybe he would sneak behind his opponet for the powerbomb so JR can yell out "BAWH GAWD KENZO JUST PEARL HARBORED HURRICANE!"

[DrVenkman PhD 0]

Ok, this is from Meltzer's Monday update:

 

HHH vs. Benjamin will be the opener starting at 9 p.m. Eastern time as apparently they are doing a new policy of starting the show off with a hot match trying to get viewers to tune in from the start. A few weeks back when they did a match right at the start of the show, it opened far stronger than usual and led to the best of the recent Raw ratings. Funny thing is it was the week when they did the women's tag match right at the start. I'm of the impression there will also be a Kane vs. Matt Hardy match, or at least an angle. They did the Christian vs. Jericho cage run through last night. If you want to know what happened (although they may not necessarily do the same finish tonight, but the bout will probably be similar), you can check the Fresno results. The Fresno finish got over strong live. Originally Kenzo Suzuki was also going to debut tonight, but with so much on this show, I don't know if that is still the case.

[Downhome 0]

HHH jobs to Benoit, Benjamin, Eddie, Benjamin again, Benoit again, gets punked out by Tajiri and then makes him look very good in a match, start off RAW last week in the first match and his team loses, and he is starting RAW off again this week.

 

This has been going on for most of this year.

 

Hmmm...

[Guest Choken One]

He's gonna beat them all in a 6 pac 2/3 falls match where he pins everyone twice.

[Lord of The Curry 0]

I wouldn't exactly call losing to Eddy via dq a job.

[Downhome 0]

I wouldn't exactly call losing to Eddy via dq a job.

It's closer to a job that HHH did for the majority of two years before this year, so whatever. The point being that HHH is on something of a losing streak.

[Guest Choken One]

this will be the first raw I taped since Flair's return.

[HollywoodSpikeJenkins 0]

And here we go...

[ChrisMWaters 0]

And here we go!

 

Video package of HBK vs. 2 Gold Benoit!

[Downhome 0]

Cross your fingers, because if all goes well this could be a great night for us fans.

[ChrisMWaters 0]

OH! Before the show officially starts...I still want Eugene to use the Garvin Stomp for some reason.