I, like many dedicated wrestling fans, have been discouraged with the current WWE product. It seemed that every angle WWE pushed on us failed or didn't live up to expectation. Remember Katie Vick?...or Big Show as Champion? Maybe they were just trying too hard to keep us around. Or, maybe the "Creative Team" thought everyone loves to see Triple H all the frigging time. Don't get me wrong, I have been a fan of Trips before he stuck his own head up his ass. As an athlete and a worker, no one seemed better in the WWE from 1999 to 2001 than Mr. H. But as soon as he came back from his quad injury, things changed. He obviously had some ring rust, but once that wore off he just didn't impress me as much. I guess when you're the top guy because you're dating the boss' daughter, it's easy to not give 100% all the time. Can someone finally shut Triple H up?? Enter Scott Steiner. I liked Steiner's in-your-face attitude towards Trips. Finally someone was making him back down and shut up. But even the match between the 2 at RR bombed. I didn't get the displeasure of seeing it, but just hearing that Steiner was sucking wind 5 minutes into the match is discouraging. Putting the title on Steiner probably isn't a good idea, since he'd probably just drop it back to Trips a month later. So, I liked the DQ result. Plus, if Steiner can't hang with Trips, how could he hang with RVD or Booker T?
Speaking of RVD, why in the hell hasn't he been given a title shot? Oh yeah, now I remember...flashback to Elimination Chamber when he frog-splashed Trips and almost crushed his larynx. Let's see...the WWE Golden Rule must be "Do unto others, but don't hurt Triple H". It was an accident what goodness sake. But RVD hasn't seen a main-event since...in fact the next month's PPV Armageddon saw RVD eating at WWE's The World. And what about Booker T? He's one of the hardest working guys on the WWE roster. Plus, he's way over with the fans and as a tag team with Goldust. But that dream got shattered too...(pun intended) since they held the tag belts all of 3 weeks.
On the upside, RAW has some good things going for it. First and foremost, it seems inevitable that Stone Cold is returning. At least that's what we are been told. One thing is for sure, Stone Cold = Ratings. That's what RAW needs the most, other than better storylines. With Stone Cold there can be many positive happenings. Fan interest will increase, and it seems that with the RAW rating from last night (4.1 - Highest in months) that is taking shape. Fans are under the impression once again "Anything can happen in the WWE". Maybe Austin can save the WWE. If not, maybe Orton and Batista with the look-a-like 4 Horsemen can. These 2 guys really impress me, especially Orton. I like him as an annoying heel...kinda like Kurt Angle. And Batista hopefully will only get better. Time will tell.
Random thoughts...
If Austin does not return how many fans will still tune in each week just to see if he will?
How can showing a little underwear suddenly make Victoria a sexy diva?
Didn't that work for Lita?
Why would we see Shane O'Mac at the horrible 10th Anniversary show if he isn't coming back soon?
Will Austin really work on a show with the man who fired him on the phone?
Why was Raven given a match on RAW after not being on RAW for 6 months and then let go 2 days later?
Was that a show of thanks to one of the greatest hardcore wrestlers of his time?
Will Austin kick Triple H's ass so hard that his head finally pops out?
That's it for this weeks RAW rants....thanks for reading and check back for more rants as I'll be updating the Columns section often.
January 29, 2003
