- 12/10/2013 (3:38:17 pm)
- Bob Mulrenin
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Season's greetings everyone. Time is running out if you are going to make JR's products a part of your holiday gift giving via online shopping. Jump on it ASAP at http://www.wweshop.com, http://www.americansoda.co.uk, or http://www.beyondtheropes.co.uk today and place your orders. We certainly appreciate your business. Let's get to cooking....
Some of my RAW observations include:
Great closing segment that exposed what the fans in Seattle and elsewhere seemingly want to see plus it was a magnificent way to utilize all the former champs that were brought in for Slammy business.
That's strategic booking. Utilizing all of one's assets at one's disposal and not over exposing one's perceived weaknesses. That's still booking 101.
WWE got some great market research Monday night from the live audience, who I realize had an emotional and biased investment in the local hero, Daniel Bryan, and through the voting by the fans on the Slammy Awards.
Smart businesses should never do market research unless they are going to use it.
The final segment added some fuel to the fire for Sunday's Unification match, the second in 12 years w/ Chris Jericho prevailing then, and hopefully the last. It also exposed some matchups that fans gravitated to immediately. HHH vs. Punk is money. Daniel Bryan vs. HBK is money even though I DON'T think that it will ever happen and it also put John Cena who stole the segment verbally and then built to a potentially unique situation at TLC as not only Orton's mortal enemy but also an unlikely ally to the Authority. Or not.
Plus, Cena vs. Bryan....Bryan vs. Punk.....are also great attractions if, like every thing within the genre, they are built properly.
John Cena's promo Monday night surrounding by an impressive group of his peers and predecessors really stood out. Perhaps Cena's best mic work to date.
Those that don't like WWE right now for whatever reason likely still aren't going to like it even after the great final segment on RAW but I'm more interested in watching the TLC PPV this Sunday than I was prior to the broadcast. (Some fans seemingly just have more fun "hating.")
I mentioned on Twitter last night when the plethora of ex-champs/talents were all in the ring, that stars are not measured in pounds as there was a wide array of body types in the ring notwithstanding ethnicities and varying personalities. The greats, no matter their size, had the ability to connect with the audience in some unique manner and they also possessed the "it" factor that I don't think can be taught.
Thought WWE had some solid bouts on RAW that would have been made even better if the commentary had been focused on what the viewers were seeing. For example, when a talent is in trouble, selling, agonizing, etc and it isn't verbally documented then that misstep takes one out of the moment. How much trouble or pain can an athlete be in if his angst is being ignored?
Verbally it was a busy night at the announce desk but I do enjoy the two man teams more than three voices chiming in endlessly especially on a marathon, three hour show.
Ironically, WWE is similar to UFC in that they are one case of laryngitis, etc away from being in a bind on a major show regarding their broadcasters.
Thought the video package featuring the champions of yesteryear was spectacular. Content such as this often times is much more effective than a cold, meaningless match that is booked to simply get individuals 'exposure.'
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