The WWE RAW Review: Ryder Trucked

This past Monday night Kane’s mysterious assault on all-things John Cena continued with Zack Ryder paying the price. Now, when I say “mysterious”, I’m actually referring to the curious decision to book Kane in such a silly storyline and by “paying the price” I’m referring to a rising star like Ryder having to look like a chump against a regurgitated character.

But we’ll get there in a second since the show started out…oh yeah, also with Kane.

If you can’t tell I’m obviously taking Kane’s lead and embracing the hate, in particular towards the way his character has been used. The “supernatural” phenom simply doesn’t work anymore. Audiences are more intelligent than they were 7-10 years ago. Even The Undertaker has brought his move-set more in line with reality, i.e. no more lightning bolts. When Kane attempted to drag Ryder to hell through the ring last week I gave up all hope in the storyline, or at least the shreds remaining after his miserable “Cena Sucks” promo a week earlier.

The backstage brawl between Kane and Cena on Monday was standard fare, and correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t R-Truth also stalking someone backstage? Unless WWE shows he and Kane kicking it in a janitor’s closet, playing cards and laughing it up, consider me unimpressed with the writers.

Next up was a forgettable tag match to REALLY get the crowd going before one of the evening’s true highlights took place – EDGE in the Hall of Fame! It seems a little fast to throw him in, especially with some of the greats still waiting for a call from Titan Towers, but I have no problem with him getting the nod. He was part of a historic tag team, had a ton of singles’ success, and was involved in some very memorable moments. I will be disappointed if anyone other than Christian inducts him and a TEN second pose is involved at the end of Edge’s speech.

Brodus Clay was fun and I am 100% “behind” his dancers as in I’ve got their “backs” as in…you get the point. The ladies were lovely and he brought some excellent energy with him, as well as some unique moves. I’ll be interested in his progression, and if it continues along the lines of the potential shown a few days ago I may just call my mama and let her know.

I’m assuming the flubbed count in CM Punk’s bout with Jack Swagger will allow for a Vicki Guerrero and “The All-American American” to be ringside when Punk defends his title against Dolph Ziggler at The Royal Rumble. David Otunga, anyone?

The Four Horseman! It was great to see highlights from wrestling’s first real stable and I look forward to their induction as much as I suspect Ric Flair is looking forward to spending the paycheck coming with the honor.

For some reason I can’t get into the feud between R-Truth and The Miz though I will say Truth has impressed me with his charisma. He was obviously set for a “face” turn after the two split and it could be interesting to see how far he takes it once he and Miz settle their score. On the other hand, I’m digging the Chris Jericho stuff. He’s always been one of the more creative talents in wrestling and I like the way he’s been teasing crowds before bailing on them. His emotional breakdown was obviously fake and let’s face it, who isn’t more interested in hearing what he has to say now than they were when he first returned last week? Only “Y2J” would think to make NOT talking more interesting than the alternative.

Cena and Ziggler put on a nice show before the inevitable happened and Kane attacked Ryder who was, ridiculously, trying to change a tire while Eve sat in the car urging him on. Let’s see…you’re terrified and trying to escape a monster, yet you don’t think to call a cab? Eve doesn’t have a car of her own she can use? It was a silly and obvious conclusion, as was Ryder being choke-slammed off the loading bay. Why not have Eve try to intervene and end up paying the price for it? Doing so would have gotten Kane over as heel to an equal extent if not more so PLUS planted a seed of contempt between Ryder-Cena to play on at a later date, i.e. Cena got Ryder mixed up with his problems and Eve was hurt as a result. The ensuing brawl between Cena-Kane was nothing special either. I don’t know if the WWE creative team is still experiencing a New Year hangover but it’s been a miserable run thus far in 2012.

PHOTO CREDIT – WWE