WWE Champion C.M. Punk led new United States Champion Zach Ryder and new World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan into Philadelphia

Last week WWE delivered arguably one of its top Monday Night Raw shows of the year right in our hometown of Phildelphia, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately other priorities kept us away from the live show, but it was certainly one we would have both liked to have been there for. It was difficult not to notice the flatness of a typically vocal Philadelphia crowd as the night wore on even with a stellar main event featuring new United States Champion Zach Ryder, new World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan and WWE Champion C.M. Punk. Tonight’s Raw from Chicago should go down in front another typically outstanding audience as Punk returns home for the first time since hijacking the WWE title at last July’s Money in the Bank in front of a crowd that was positively explosive.

Read more of this article »

Fallout from last night

WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs from Baltimore, Maryland wrapped up the 2011 pay-per-view calendar last night. Unfortunately, last week’s Raw did very little to put the event over instead showcasing WWE’s annual Slammy Awards. The result was more of recap for the past year leaving TLC to stand on its own. It’s a shame since TLC was a solid pay-per-view among this year’s offerings. Raw with the Slammys was a show that would have been far more appropriate after the event and closer to the end of the year. Looking back on last week in more detail, I think we’re both looking forward to the start of 2012, getting on the official “Road to WrestleMania XXVIII,” and January’s Royal Rumble. All of that begins tonight in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Read more of this article »

Another live contract signing descended into a "Pier Six Brawl" on last week's Raw, but first a photo op.

Tonight’s three-hour Raw SuperShow from Norfolk, Virginia, is a somewhat important show on the WWE television schedule. Not only will the show feature the 2011 Slammy Awards (which can be a truly hit or miss night), but it is also the last Raw before this year’s TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view. We’re sure to get more drama surrounding the main event triple-threat title match at TLC involving The Miz, Alberto Del Rio and WWE Champion C.M. Punk after last week’s contract signing in Tampa, Florida. Also scheduled on the card tonight is the beleaguered John Cena versus World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry.

Read more of this article »

A surprise Piper's Pit opened last week's Raw in front of the latest in a string of anti-Cena crowds.

Last week’s Monday Night Raw from the University of South Carolina advanced the storylines for a number of superstars, but heading into tonight’s show it’s John Cena whose future seems the most in question. As the crowds continue to jeer the one time fan favorite, Rowdy Roddy Piper tried to intervene with surprising results. For the first time in a long time, it’s left both of us very interested in what’s planned for Cena.

Read more of this article »

John Cena's road to WrestleMania XXVIII seems to be leading him away from being a fan favorite.

John Cena recapped the highlights from Survivor Series for a decidedly anti-Cena crowd in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Even invoking popular names like Zack Ryder, new WWE Champion C.M. Punk, and Cena’s pay-per-view tag team partner, the Rock, couldn’t keep the crowd from jeering him. Thankfully, the fans in attendance showed a lot of love for Ryder and Punk themselves even if the Rock wasn’t on hand for last week’s Monday Night Raw. The show went on just fine without him (as well as absent guest star Jonah Hill) even if it’s clear he can still entertain in the ring. We certainly heard a lot about him (and are sure to hear a lot more) as we head into WrestleMania, but the Raw roster put together a solid show.

Read more of this article »