tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9848893503471765992023-11-15T22:47:18.347-08:00The Geektified BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.comBlogger706125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-67463957919783322252018-03-20T20:50:00.000-07:002018-03-20T20:50:40.736-07:00The SmackDown Files: Year Of The American Dragon - Welcome To Rebirth of Daniel Bryan (3-20-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> 3-20-2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas. (Night 2 of 2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Ultimate Deletion of The Raw Exposé:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> My apologies for not posting last night’s Raw Review. Severe weather prevented me from finishing it on time, but I’m back to give my fellow readers their Tuesday Night Fix.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Comeback of the Decade:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Daniel Bryan. Enough said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">SmackDown Live got off to a hot start with Daniel Bryan explaining his amazing return to in-ring competition. Bryan cut a heartfelt promo about how Brie encouraged him to see specialist after specialist in order to get back in the ring. When he was angry or depressed, she pushed him to fight for his dreams. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The fans hung on to every word Bryan said as they showered him with “Yes!” chants. Bryan thanked WWE and their medical team for having his best interests at heart by viewing him as a person instead of a wrestler. He thanked Brie for pushing him to chase after a dream he thought was unreachable a couple of years ago. He thanked the fans for always having his back before wrapping up the opening segment by teasing his in-ring return at WrestleMania. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This was a great way to kick off the show. Daniel Bryan is one of my favorite wrestlers of all-time and it’s amazing that he gets to do what he loves once again. It’s been a long journey, but the wait has been worth it. Bryan’s authenticity makes him stand out from the pack as one of the most relatable and lovable babyfaces in WWE history. This a major game changer that will shake up the world of professional wrestling in 2018. The dream matches are endless and I can’t wait to watch it all unfold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Rusev with an Inside Cradle in a solid match. The bout was too short for my taste, but the action was good while it lasted. The finishing sequence was especially strong with Rusev ducking several of Nakamura’s kicks until he got caught with a jumping Armbar in a great spot. Rusev tried to counter with a roll-up, but Nakamura countered the counter which set up the finish moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">After the match was over, Aiden English attacked Nakamura from behind as AJ Styles looked on from ringside. Rusev joined in on the beat down as Styles took his time getting in the ring. However, The Phenomenal One’s services weren’t needed as Nakamura made quick work of Rusev and English. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Styles and Nakamura had a funny confrontation backstage as Nakamura told Styles that he shouldn’t lack confidence heading into their WWE Championship match at WrestleMania. The delivery of that line was hilarious as Nakamura reminded Styles that he was going to knee him in the face in three weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Baron Corbin defeated Tye Dillinger with End of Days in a short and sloppy match. This was a random bout that was thrown together without any rhyme or reason. The fans didn’t care because both men have been stuck in mid-card hell for months with no sign of escape in sight. It’s sad but true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Natalya defeated Charlotte with a roll-up thanks to a failed Money in the Bank cash-in attempt by Carmella. Charlotte and Natalya were having a really good match that was on the verge of being one of the best television bouts of the year until the controversial finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Natalya dropped Charlotte with a beautiful Superplex from the top rope. Both ladies were down for the count when Carmella ran down to the ring with another referee in tow. She told the ref that she was ready to cash-in her briefcase. Charles Robinson never rang the bell to make the second match official which allowed Charlotte to nail Carmella with a boot to the face. However, the distraction allowed Natalya to roll-up Charlotte for the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This seemed like an elaborate ruse by the heels, but I wanted the match to have a more definitive finish because Natalya and Charlotte were putting on a show until things ended on a flat note. Here’s hoping there’s a rematch because Charlotte needs to get her win back heading into her SmackDown Women’s Championship Match against Asuka at WrestleMania. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Luke Harper defeated Jimmy Uso with the Discus Clothesline in a decent match. It appeared that Harper was going to eat his first loss after Jey Uso nailed him with a Superkick behind the referee’s back. Jimmy followed things up with a Superkick of his own for a near fall. Jimmy climbed up to the top turnbuckle, but Harper slammed his head into the ring post which set up the aforementioned finish. The Bludgeon Brothers continue to claim victims heading into their presumed Triple Threat Match against The Usos and The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jinder Mahal, Bobby Roode, and Randy Orton had a pointless conversation about their Triple Threat Match for the United States Championship at WrestleMania. The segment came to a head when Orton dropped Sunil Singh with a Draping DDT before Roode laid Singh out with the Glorious DDT. Roode went after Orton and almost got nailed with an RKO while Mahal looked on at ringside. Mahal reminded both men that he would see them at Mania as the segment came to an end. This feud sucks. The end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Becky Lynch and Naomi defeated Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan when Lynch made Logan tap out the Dis-Arm-Her. The match was fine, but it was nothing to write home about for the most part. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The final segment of SD Live featured Daniel Bryan admonishing Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for what they did to Shane McMahon last week. Bryan wondered why Owens and Zayn attacked McMahon after he booked them in a match against each other at WrestleMania before taking an indefinite leave of absence as SD Live Commissioner. They won the battle and should’ve been thrilled that arch nemesis was going on sabbatical. Instead, they beat up Shane like a government mule and laughed about it afterward. Bryan noted that this was no laughing matter. After much consideration, Bryan fired KO and Zayn. He told them that they could learn something from this experience and come back someday, but their journey as WWE Superstars was over for now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bryan tried to end things amicably by shaking Owens and Zayn’s hand. Both men were gracious, but their true colors showed when they ambushed Bryan. For the first time in two years, Bryan fought back and delivered his signature running dropkicks to both men as the crowd popped something fierce. Bryan dropped Zayn with a German Suplex before delivering his classic “Yes!” kicks to Owens. Zayn got back in the ring and attacked Bryan which spelled the end of Bryan’s flurry of offense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Owens held Bryan in the corner as Zayn nailed him with the Helluva Kick. The refs tried to break things up, but it was to no avail as Owens dropped Bryan with a Popup Powerbomb on the ring apron as SD Live came to end with medical personnel putting Bryan on a stretcher while Owens and Zayn pitched a fit on the main stage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This was a tremendous way to end the show. Seeing Daniel Bryan take bumps for the first time in almost three years is an amazing sight to see. His brief flurry of offense was great and I admire him for trying to deliver those dropkicks in tight jeans. That is not an easy feat, but he pulled off with the greatest of ease. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were pitch perfect as they tried to kiss up to Bryan before he dropped the hammer on them. Owens and Zayn were conflicted, but that didn’t stop them from unleashing holy hell on Bryan. They were textbook heels through and through as the fans chanted “You’re Still Fired” to hilarious effect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Despite what happened, I have a feeling that KO and Zayn’s firing will be overturned because Bryan and Shane McMahon are going to face them in a tag team match at WrestleMania. New Orleans is going to be LIT!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Overall, I thought this was the best episode of SmackDown Live this year. Daniel Bryan being medically cleared to wrestle is a dream come true. Bryan’s heartfelt promo set the tone for the evening and his beat down capped off an emotional night that won’t soon be forgotten. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The in-ring action was so-so, but Charlotte and Natalya win best match of the night honors despite the shitty finish. Everything else on the show was okay, but WWE is doing a nice job hyping the top matches on the SD Live side of the WrestleMania card. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mania is going to be a stacked show with too many top-flight matches to count on one hand. This could be one the greatest WMs of all time. I don’t know if New Orleans has some magic dust, but they have been blessed with two stellar cards over the past four years. Let’s hope that the show lives up to the hype because it has the potential to be a memorable night for all the right reasons. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Next week’s penultimate episode of SD Live emanates from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steel City crowd should have no reason to sit on their hands with Daniel Freaking Bryan back on the active roster. If that’s not a good enough reason to get hyped, those fans should have their wrestling fan cards revoked. Just saying…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with another installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-22201112090208014462018-03-13T20:35:00.001-07:002018-03-13T23:23:46.424-07:00The SmackDown Files: Welcome to Shane McMahon's Going Away Party From Hell (3-13-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 3-13-2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SmackDown Live kicked off with AJ Styles talking about overcoming the odds in order to walk into WrestleMania WWE Champion. Styles’ road to New Orleans hit some speed bumps, but he managed to navigate the waters to ensure that his dream match against Shinsuke Nakamura came true. The fans started up the always annoying “You Deserve It” chant, but The Phenomenal One said that he earned it which makes him even more likable. He respected Nakamura and admitted that their respective paths to WWE were similar, but the similarities came to an end because Styles was the Champ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nakamura came out and shared the same sentiment, but vowed to make his dream come true at Mania by kneeing Styles in the face in order to become WWE Champion. Styles and Nakamura went face-to-face, but Rusev and Aiden English made their way to the ring to put the kibosh on any physical confrontation as the opening segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a good way to start the show. Styles was the humble babyface thankful for everything he’s earned in order to reach the pinnacle of WWE while Nakamura is ready to knock him off his perch at WrestleMania. This is a lock to be a great match, but there needs to more tension between both men to ensure that this bout lives up to the hype next month. The creative team doesn’t have to do anything batshit crazy, but I expect tempers to boil over sooner or later.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AJ Styles defeated Rusev via disqualification when Aiden English saved Rusev from tapping out the Calf Crusher. Before the DQ finish, Styles and Rusev were having a good match that featured hard-hitting action throughout. Rusev has had an impressive week in the ring despite eating a couple of high profile losses. Hopefully, this is leading up to an Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal victory at WrestleMania because Rusev Day is going to be one of the most over things on the PPV. If not, my faith in WWE will take another kick to the gut. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">English and Rusev double-teamed Styles while Shinsuke Nakamura sat at ringside watching the beat down unfold as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Nakamura stood up, but he still took his time getting in the ring before making the save. He laid out the heels as Styles recovered in the corner. Nakamura bid his Mania opponent adieu as the segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As I mentioned earlier, the Mutual Admiration Society between Styles and Nakamura can only last for so long. This was a nice way to build tension between them without going too over the top. Let’s hope WWE keeps it simple because overcomplicating things might water down the hype for this dream match at WM. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Bludgeon Brothers defeated Jimmy Uso and Big E when Rowan pinned Jimmy Uso with the double chokeslam in a solid match. Jimmy and Big E put up a good fight, but Harper and Rowan were too much to handle on this night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Harper added insult to injury when he charged into the barricade while Big E was leaning against it. Rowan did further damage when he laid out E with a cross body before the duo headed backstage with their mallets in tow. This was another impressive performance by two of the baddest men on SD Live. Rowan and Harper are in the thick of the Tag Team Title chase heading into WrestleMania, but the field is crowded as The Usos still want to keep the division on lockdown while The New Day attempts to become five-time Tag Team Champs. I smell a Triple Threat Match in NOLA. Just a hunch…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Charlotte and Asuka exchanged words about being the best heading into their SmackDown Women’s Championship match at WrestleMania. It was a nice repartee that wasn’t over scripted in nature. How refreshing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jinder Mahal defeated Bobby Roode with the Khallas thanks to an assist from Sunil Singh. Singh climbed on the ring apron to distract Roode, but The Glorious One shoved him against the ring post before heading to the top rope. However, the diversion gave Mahal enough time to knock Roode off the turnbuckle which set up the finish moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mahal didn’t get a chance to celebrate the win because Randy Orton laid him out with an RKO. This is another Triple Threat Match in the making because all three men have an outstanding beef over the idiotic SD Live Top Ten List and United States Championship. This is the weakest feud heading into WrestleMania, but the work rate should be fine considering the talent involved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carmella defeated Naomi with a rollup in a decent match. Carmella channeled her inner Liv Morgan by becoming a windmill dodging Naomi’s kicks until she got kneed in the face. Naomi went for the Springboard Enzuigiri, but Carmella kicked her off the middle rope and yanked her hair first onto the mat to pick up the win. Ms. Money the Bank is on a winning streak heading into the heart of WrestleMania season. Color me pleasantly surprised. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shane McMahon announced that he was taking an indefinite leave of absence as SD Live Commissioner, but he made sure to make a WrestleMania announcement before saying farewell. McMahon booked Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a one-on-one match at WrestleMania as a way to stick it to his long time enemies. Owens was happy to defeat his best friend at the grandest stage of them all, but he could do that at any time. Zayn felt the same way about Owens before focusing his attention on Shane for sucking up to the fans because they wanted to see him and KO rip each other apart at Mania. Zayn decided to give Shane-O-Mac a parting gift by attacking him from behind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Owens joined in on the beat down as they attacked up Shane despite the Commish putting up a good fight. Zayn nailed Shane with the Helluva Kick before Owens finished him off with a Popup Powerbomb. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">WWE officials tried to break things up, but Owens attacked them as well which should lead to a fine or suspension. Zayn grabbed a steel chair from the timekeeper’s area and wrapped it around Shane’s neck before slamming him into the ring post in a sick spot. KO and Zayn dragged Shane backstage and did even more damage as Owens dropped him with another Powerbomb onto a metal grate as Shane gasped for air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">One of the refs managed to shoo Owens and Zayn away as SD Live went off the air with medical personnel tending to Shane. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a great way to end the show. Shane McMahon got his ass kicked and I expect some crazy ass match at WrestleMania involving him, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn. It will be an unorthodox match because it’s two-on-one but it should be very interesting, to say the least. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A part of me thinks Daniel Bryan is secretly giddy about his boss getting destroyed by his former Ring of Honor buddies. Bryan’s reaction to what happened should make for some good television next week. Will he be pissed off or elated that he doesn’t have to answer to a McMahon anymore? This storyline has been simmering since late last year. Will the big reveal finally happen with three weeks to go until WrestleMania? We shall find out soon enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was decent at best. The shoe was bookended by major segments taking place at the top and bottom of each hour. From that respect, WWE hit a home run promoting the major title matches on the SD Live side of the WrestleMania card. The Shane McMahon-Kevin Owens-Sami Zayn saga is this year’s obligatory blood feud which gives them special billing because their storyline has the most longevity despite things hitting a lull in terms of excitement over the past couple of months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The rest of the show featured so-so wrestling with AJ Styles vs. Rusev winning match of the night honors despite the disqualification finish. The rest of the in-ring action was middling which watered down the crowd heat in Indianapolis during the second hour. Things got better during the main event segment, but the creative team needs to put together a cohesive two-hour program during the height of WrestleMania season. Every week should be must-see TV. There were glimmers of that tonight, but WWE has to push through the noise and deliver the goods over the next three weeks. Let’s hope they can get the job done. Fingers crossed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girl! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-71464701500867589112018-03-12T22:48:00.000-07:002018-03-13T23:23:24.892-07:00The Raw Exposé: Special Edition - Hey Pretty Girls...The Revolution Is Being Televised (3-12-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTH1loyUXCgjk5hNt8A7o-n54amV9C9nbdVjT3w0uZUnEyYzbXwDGA-1cbf3eZjNAg5B3d7W7LAXim3ILlHlBMVBi9dTZh4n6r9vrc7JVwWAXnwTACJeF_XqcI59nGP3_CbCTCUreV2Mz/s1600/wwe-raw-tickets_05-14-18_17_5a0c128c57d3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="678" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTH1loyUXCgjk5hNt8A7o-n54amV9C9nbdVjT3w0uZUnEyYzbXwDGA-1cbf3eZjNAg5B3d7W7LAXim3ILlHlBMVBi9dTZh4n6r9vrc7JVwWAXnwTACJeF_XqcI59nGP3_CbCTCUreV2Mz/s320/wwe-raw-tickets_05-14-18_17_5a0c128c57d3e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I’ve been blessed to have several platforms to speak my mind as a wrestling fan over the past five years. Whether it’s via my blog or podcast, it’s been an honor to connect with fans all over the world to talk about the craziness of WWE. Normally, I use this space to talk about the highs and lows of Monday Night Raw. However, a segment that aired tonight has some fans on social media pissed off and I wondered if their feelings were justifiable. Did they blow things out of proportion or is there something at work that needs to be addressed on a larger scale? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Before the segment in question took place, Asuka and Mickie James had a match that was pretty good for the most part. The in-ring action was clean and crisp, but the Detroit fans took it upon themselves to chant for Rusev and CM Punk. So much for a Women’s Revolution. Two women kicking ass and they get treated like shit. Where’s the outrage? Where’s the anger? Fans will be fans is what the consensus says. I don’t buy that. Despite the strides that have been made over the past couple of years, we still have a long way to go to ensure that the women are respected on the same level as the men.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Speaking of respect, this brings us to the main event. No, I’m not talking about Braun Strowman winning a Tag Team Battle Royal for no apparent reason. The main course is Nia Jax getting fat-shamed by Alexa Bliss and Mickie James on national television. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">At first, I thought nothing of the segment because Bliss and James were using Jax for their own purposes. Bliss compared Jax to Shrek which elicited quite the response from some fans on social media. Once again, watching it unfold in real time didn’t bother me because the tea was being spilled for the world to see from a storyline standpoint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Charly Caruso had to remind Alexa and Mickie that they were talking into a live boom mic which meant that everyone could hear their not-so-private conversation. Realizing that their hands were caught in the cookie jar, the Mean Girls decided to run for the hills before Jax caught up to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nia stormed into the dressing room and tore shit up as the segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As a fan, I enjoyed the segment because Alexa got exposed for being a fake ass friend. Nia found out that her so-called bestie was a liar which sets up their Raw Women’s Championship Match at WrestleMania next month. Everyone played their part well which should make most fans excited to see Nia get her hands on Alexa next week in Dallas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Usually, I refrain from reading social media during the show because I don’t want my judgment to be clouded. However, it’s good to test the temperature on the internet streets to see whether a certain segment was a hit or a miss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The reaction ranged from comedic to dead ass serious. Some viewed it as Nia finally learning the truth to others calling out WWE for fat-shaming one of their stars. Most importantly, the people doing the bullying have been teased in the past about their weight in both the real and fictional sense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mickie James was the punchline in one of the most tasteless storylines in WWE history when Michelle McCool and Layla called her Piggie James over and over again during the late 2000s. There were visual graphics and other assorted nonsense that rubbed fans the wrong way. It was hard to watch because making fun of someone’s physical appearance is never cool and it seemed as if some people in upper management were getting their rocks off at James’ expense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The storyline tainted the end of James’ first run in the company. She had a memorable tenure in TNA and is a future WWE Hall of Famer because she’s an awesome wrestler who rose above the bullshit while staying true to herself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In Alexa Bliss’ case, she has been very public about her eating disorder over the past several years. Bliss never shied away from the subject which speaks to her bravery and ability to connect with fans that are dealing with their own weight issues. Seeing both ladies take part in a segment that hits a little too close to home is a hard pill to swallow in hindsight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">However, they are playing a role on television. If WWE is in the business of making movies every week, this was simply another scene being played out for the world to see. Is it classless? Is it a good enough reason to boycott the company because they’ve gone too far? If Triple H humping a mannequin didn’t kill my fandom, this storyline barely registers on the Richter scale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Fat shaming is very common on social media these days. Whether you are famous or not, trolls will pick apart your imperfections because they have nothing better to do. Paige has defended herself against people who called her fat on Twitter and Instagram over the past couple of weeks. Paige has also been very open about her eating disorder over the past few months. Some fans were right to express their concern about her being too skinny. Now that she’s back to her normal weight, she is considered “too fat.” It’s a vicious cycle that never ends, but Paige is proud of her body and is not afraid to give people the middle finger because she is too blessed to be stressed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nia Jax was a plus-size model before joining WWE in 2013. Her curves put money in the bank, but she’s been ridiculed for her size as well. Over the past year, she has embraced every inch and curve on her body while enabling others to do the same. Jax has been presented as a badass since her call up to the main roster in 2016. She’s still green as a wrestler, but she has grown by leaps and bounds. Most importantly, the fans are starting to connect with her because she is a force of nature that you don’t want to mess with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">She’s powerful. She’s beautiful. She’s brave. She represents me and those who wish to live vicariously through her. WWE decided to go in a direction that is all too real, but it’s a great way to get her over as a star because Nia is going to do something to Alexa that’s long overdue. She is going to shut the Goddess up by unleashing holy hell on her former best friend. It’s a storyline that will make Nia a bigger star. Can she carry the division based on her wrestling alone? Time will tell, but she is going to be a player in the Women’s Division in 2018 because the fans want to cheer for her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">For those fans that think WWE is a classless organization for fat-shaming Jax, it should be noted that she was in a romantic storyline with He Who Shall Remain Nameless and some of the same fans wanted them to make out every time they were on-screen. There were no fat jokes or other snide remarks sprinkled in at her expense. Nia was presented as a desirable woman which should be the case for all women size 2 and up. If this was five years ago, the fat jokes would’ve been nonstop. However, the company has shown some progression which makes tonight’s fat-shaming segment a blimp on the radar compared to the Vickie Guerrero fat jokes that were a regular occurrence during the My Network TV/SYFY era of SmackDown in the early 2010s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">At the end of the day, Nia Jax is going to be the hero in this story. She is going to be the one to empower young men and women to embrace what the Most High gave them. There is a bigger endgame than WWE going the fat joke route for kicks and giggles. They are exposing a real-life issue that happens every day online. To say otherwise would be a lie. Were Alexa Bliss and Mickie James the right messengers to convey this point despite what they went through in reel/real life? They are characters playing a role on television. They are no different from actors and actresses telling similar stories on the small and big screen. While some fans are crying foul about tonight’s segment, I choose to take a different approach because I know what’s behind the third eye.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Lexi Kaufman (Alexa Bliss), Mickie James (Actual Government Name) and Savelina Fenene (Nia Jax) are driving around Detroit laughing their asses off because kayfabe is dead. How’s that for reality, ladies and gentleman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, I hope you enjoyed this special edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-58911437308458704572018-03-06T20:36:00.005-08:002018-03-13T23:23:12.875-07:00The SmackDown Files: Me, Myself and I - The One Where Sami Zayn Channels His Inner Kevin Owens (3-6-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date: </span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">3-6-2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sing Like You Mean It:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Shinsuke Nakamura Really Is a Rockstar…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SmackDown Live kicked off with Charlotte and Ruby Riott having a verbal confrontation leading up to their Women’s Championship Match at Fastlane on Sunday. Both ladies did fine, but the material they were given was weak. Ruby claiming that Charlotte was the Chosen One is a load of bullshit because Charlotte had an uphill climb to the top based on her last name alone. History has shown us that lineage can be a blessing or a curse depending on one’s ability to get over as a star. Charlotte shattered expectations and became one of the most decorated champions of all-time which is not a myth or fluke. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ruby signaled Sarah Logan and Liv Morgan to get in the ring to help her triple team Charlotte, but Bobby Roode made the save as the opening segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was an okay way to start the show. The fans weren’t hot for the segment and there were a few vocal assholes who tried to rattle Charlotte early on, but she managed to maintain her composure. The SmackDown Women’s Title match at Fastlane should be good despite the lack of an emotional hook to push things over the top. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jinder Mahal defeated Randy Orton with the Khallas thanks to an unlikely assist from Bobby Roode. After Orton almost killed Sunil Singh with a Belly-to-Back Suplex on the announce table, he tossed Mahal into Roode who was doing guest commentary at ringside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Orton nailed Mahal with the Draping DDT and was about to finish him off with an RKO when Roode climbed on the ring apron to confront The Viper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Both men exchanged words which gave Mahal enough time to shove Orton into Roode which set up the finish moments later. I have a feeling that Mahal will be added to the United States Championship Match in order to further tension between Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan because Bryan wanted to add him to the match a few weeks ago until McMahon overruled his decision. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rusev is going to avenge the vocal chords of Aiden English by challenging Shinsuke Nakamura to a match at Fastlane. Nakamura agreed and vowed that Sunday would be Nakamura Day as he hit that high note like a boss. Very impressive! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Becky Lynch made Carmella tap out to the Dis-Arm-Her in a decent match. Carmella dominated the action for the most part, but the outcome was never in doubt because it is an unwritten rule that all Money in the Bank winners must go on a losing streak before cashing in the contract. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Another match is set for Fastlane as Natalya and Carmella will team up to face Naomi and Becky Lynch. It’s a random match, but it’s a fine way to get more people on the card since the lineup was paper thin until now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AJ Styles’ Road to WrestleMania has been a bumpy ride so far as he’s been put in matches that have put him at a disadvantage due to the numbers game. However, Styles overcame the odds and will jump through one more hurdle in order to face Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship at Mania. Styles scoffed at Cena’s offer to invoke his rematch clause in order to main event WM in a Triple Threat Match because fans have been clamoring to see Styles vs. Nakamura since both men arrived in WWE two years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dolph Ziggler made his way down to the ring to confirm that he was still a heel after straddling the fence over the past couple of weeks. Ziggler claimed that Styles was wasting his time doing things for the fans because they will turn on him the moment he slips up. Ziggler learned that lesson the hard way and promised to do things for himself because he’s the only one that matters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ziggler has been in WWE for thirteen years, but he’s never had a singles match at WrestleMania. That would change on Sunday when he walks out of Fastlane WWE Champion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Since Ziggler was already in the ring, Styles wanted to get down to business. Ziggler agreed as the match took place after the commercial break. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AJ Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler ended via disqualification when Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn ran down to the ring and attacked both men. Styles and Ziggler were having a good match, but it was pretty one-sided as Ziggler dominated the action for the most part. Styles took some crazy bumps which had me fearing for his safety because he does so much in order to put over his opponent’s offense that it looks a little <i>too</i> real at times. That’s why Styles is my favorite wrestler in WWE today. He goes above and beyond in order to get the job done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shane McMahon appeared on the main stage and booked a Fatal 5-Way match featuring Styles vs. Ziggler vs. Owens vs. Zayn vs. Corbin which took place after the commercial break. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In what has to be considered a shocking turn of events, Sami Zayn defeated Kevin Owens with the Helluva Kick to solidify that it’s every man for himself at Fastlane. Zayn was elated that he beat his best friend while Owens looked on in shock that he got duped by a man that claimed he would lie down for him at the PPV on Sunday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Fatal 5-Way Match was a total spot fest in the best possible way. The action was fast-paced and frenetic throughout as everyone got a chance to shine. The fans woke up down the stretch as they got a sneak preview of what’s to come during the Six-Pack Challenge once John Cena is added to the mix. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">For the second week in a row, SD Live ended on a weird note as Zayn was in the middle of cutting a promo when the show went off the air. I don’t know if Billy Kidman is still in charge when it comes to timing out the broadcast, but someone needs to get his or her shit together because WWE doesn’t have the luxury of using an overrun on Tuesday nights. Outside of that, this was a good way to end the show as the march towards WrestleMania continues. Five weeks and counting…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was decent at best. The second hour saved the show from a wrestling standpoint while the first hour set up a couple of mid-card matches for Fastlane which should boost the overall quality of the PPV. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Like Elimination Chamber, Fastlane is going to feature good wrestling action with predictable finishes because WWE already has a game plan in mind for WrestleMania. That’s one of the drawbacks of having a PPV in March because the company isn’t going to deviate from the formula unless something unforeseen happens. After Sunday’s PPV, every episode of SD Live should feel special because we heading into the home stretch of Mania season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The show has been stagnant from a creative standpoint over the past few months. Is the E waiting for the right time to pop the trunk or is the blue brand doomed to wallow in its own self-pity until the next Superstar Shakeup after WM? Here’s hoping the answer is the former because I believe SD Live is still a good show when it’s firing on all cylinders. We shall find out if that’s the case when the broadcast emanates from Indianapolis next week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-24495058538955528732018-03-05T22:02:00.001-08:002018-03-13T23:22:41.765-07:00The Raw Exposé: That's My B**** - Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns' Custody Battle Over The Big Red Kryptonite Belt (3-5-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTH1loyUXCgjk5hNt8A7o-n54amV9C9nbdVjT3w0uZUnEyYzbXwDGA-1cbf3eZjNAg5B3d7W7LAXim3ILlHlBMVBi9dTZh4n6r9vrc7JVwWAXnwTACJeF_XqcI59nGP3_CbCTCUreV2Mz/s1600/wwe-raw-tickets_05-14-18_17_5a0c128c57d3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="678" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTH1loyUXCgjk5hNt8A7o-n54amV9C9nbdVjT3w0uZUnEyYzbXwDGA-1cbf3eZjNAg5B3d7W7LAXim3ILlHlBMVBi9dTZh4n6r9vrc7JVwWAXnwTACJeF_XqcI59nGP3_CbCTCUreV2Mz/s400/wwe-raw-tickets_05-14-18_17_5a0c128c57d3e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">By: Keila Cash</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 3-5-2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> BMO Harris Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Let’s Get Physical:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Welcome to the Ass Whooping Soup De Jour Starring Ronda Rousey and Stephanie McMahon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tonight’s Blog is Brought To You by the Little B</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">: Bitching Is Fundamental. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After weeks of speculation, Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey will face off against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a Mixed Tag Team Match at WrestleMania. Raw kicked off with Angle calling out Triple H for sucker punching him at the end of last week’s show. McMahon came out to talk Angle down by using the family card in order to play on his sympathies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Stephanie claimed that Angle’s decorated career wasn’t paying the bills and needed to keep his job as General Manager in order to pay alimony to his first wife. The crowd booed at her dig as Rousey made her way down to the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ronda stood up for Kurt while calling her new bosses a couple of schoolyard bullies. Stephanie denied the allegation by reminding Ronda that her dream of wrestling at Mania is about to come true. She could pick any opponent as long as they were on the active roster and not a current champion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ronda picked Stephanie as the crowd started up a loud “Yes!” chant. Triple H’s music hit as he claimed that the match couldn’t happen because Steph was an executive. Angle noted that she had two contracts that laid her out her duties as Commissioner and WWE Superstar. Therefore, the match was on for WM. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hunter had similar language in his contracts which meant that his dance card was open for WM as well. Kurt volunteered to team up with Ronda to take on HHH and Steph as the crowd roared in approval. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Steph tried to slap Kurt, but Ronda grabbed her arm and was about to break it in half until Hunter intervened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Steph and Hunter were about to leave the ring, but HHH changed his mind and went after Angle. Stephanie attacked Ronda from behind, but she ran for the hills when Ronda got up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">HHH tried to Pedigree Kurt, but Kurt put him in the ankle lock instead. Hunter was flopping in the ring like a fish until Stephanie pulled him out of the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">WWE officials checked on Triple H which allowed Ronda to grab Stephanie by the hair and yank her back in the ring. Ronda laid out Steph with the Samoan Drop as the opening segment came to an end with Angle and Rousey standing tall on the main stage while Triple H and Stephanie were trying to gather their bearings in the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a hot way to start the show. Ronda Rousey was very over with the crowd as they loved everything she said and did. This was her smoothest performance so far as she embraced the role of being a badass with a heart of gold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kurt Angle reclaiming his manhood is the cherry on top as he finally stood to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. It was a long time coming which should lead to some interesting television over the next few weeks because he’s no longer afraid to speak his mind. Most importantly, Stephanie was put on her ass on a show not called WrestleMania for the first time in YEARS! It’s a miracle! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka defeated Nia Jax when she made Jax tap out to the armbar in a solid match. Jax dominated the action for the most part, but Asuka managed to wear her down by putting her in the armbar before transitioning to the Triangle Choke. Jax tried to break the hold by power slamming Asuka to the mat, but Asuka held on for dear life. Jax tried a second time, but it was to no avail as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">She tried to break the hold by slamming Asuka against the turnbuckle, but the Empress of Tomorrow wouldn’t let go which led to the tap out finish moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Backstage, Alexa Bliss and Mickie James shared a pensive glance as they realized that Asuka was coming for Bliss’ Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania. Or is she? Hmm…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sheamus and Cesaro defeated The Revival when Cesaro pinned Scott Dawson with the Neutralizer in a solid match. The crowd heat was tepid because both teams were heels which watered down the bout from an emotional standpoint. The Revival losing the match means that they will not face The Bar for the Raw Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania next month. That sucks, but I am guessing that WWE has a bigger tag team match in mind for Sheamus and Cesaro. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John Cena came out to cut a promo he knew wouldn’t be able to say on SmackDown Live because Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and AJ Styles would interrupt him. Therefore, Cena asked Kurt Angle to give him the platform to speak his mind because this would probably be the last time fans would see him on Raw after he breaks Ric Flair’s record by becoming a 17-time World Champion at Fastlane. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cena noted that Styles might feel like his WrestleMania hopes and dreams will be dashed when he loses the WWE Title on Sunday. However, The Phenomenal One can still have his Mania moment by invoking his rematch clause and making the WWE Title match a Triple Threat featuring Cena, Styles, and Nakamura. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In a strange twist, Goldust made his way down to the ring to spout some Hollywood cinema mumbo jumbo that dragged on forever before vowing to ruin Cena’s path to WrestleMania. Before Cena could respond, Goldust sucker punched him which led to a match which took place after the commercial break. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John Cena defeated Goldust with the AA in a serviceable match. Goldust dominated the action for the most despite the outcome being evitable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The premise of the match was stupid and the fans didn’t care until the finish. Goldust usually cuts good promos, but the material he was given was weak and made no sense. There was no gravitas to what he was saying which made the segment and subsequent bout a waste of time which shouldn’t be the case heading into the heart of WrestleMania season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bayley defeated Mandy Rose with the Gator Roll in a decent match, but she didn’t get a chance to celebrate the win when Rose and Sonya Deville attacked her in the ring. Sasha Banks made the save, but it wasn’t enough to patch things up between the two besties. When Bayley turns down a HUG, hell has officially frozen over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alexa Bliss channeling her inner Oprah backfired when she tried to give a pep talk to Nia Jax. I will give Jax credit for being able to cry on command. It’s not an easy thing to do unless your name is The Big Show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Braun Strowman defeated Elias when he dropped a piano on top of The Drifter for the win. This was hopefully the first and last Symphony of Destruction match because it was pretty uneventful until Strowman smashed the upright bass over Elias’ back which was a nice callback to what happened a few weeks ago when Strowman channeled his inner Yo-Yo Ma. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Outside of that, this was your usual run-of-the-mill garbage match with a lot of smoke and mirrors to protect both men. It wasn’t bad, but it left a lot to be desired in terms of execution. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bray Wyatt defeated Rhyno with Sister Abigail in quick and decisive fashion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Hardy Compound! The Ultimate Deletion! It’s the only way to redeem the shit fest that is the Matt Hardy-Bray Wyatt feud. Will there be cameos from Seňor Benjamin, Queen Rebecca, King Maxel, Brother Nero, and Vanguard 1? Most importantly, will Jeremey Borash have a hand in the production because he was an integral part of House Hardy over the past couple of years? If WWE keeps their involvement to a minimum, this could be great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The 3<sup>rd</sup> annual Mizzie Awards took place as The Miz handed out trophies to Seth Rollins and Finn Bàlor for patting themselves on the back while Kurt Angle won the award for Worst Decision Maker. The segment was dragging until Rollins and Bàlor interrupted the proceedings. Miz shaded both men for the inadequacies when it comes to winning big matches as of late. Balor received the brunt of Miz’s tirade as the Intercontinental Champion called him out for not being over and using the Too Sweet hand gesture that doesn’t belong to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Miz challenged Rollins and Bàlor to face him and The Miztourage in a 2-on-3 Handicap Match which took place after the commercial break. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Seth Rollins and Finn Bàlor defeated The Miz and The Miztourage when Rollins nailed Miz with the Curbstomp for the win. Rollins and Bàlor had a friendly game of one-upmanship as they traded aggressive tags down the stretch which set up the aforementioned finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kurt Angle appeared on the main stage and announced that Miz will defend the IC Title against Rollins and Bàlor in a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania. Miz is the annoying pest stuck in the middle of a much more compelling rivalry between Rollins and Bàlor heading into Mania. He’s the dreaded third wheel in his own championship match. What a shame…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Paul Heyman closed the show by cutting an excellent promo about why Brock Lesnar isn’t like everyone else. Heyman mentioned that Roman Reigns became the second man to defeat The Undertaker at WrestleMania last year. No one complained that was the only time Undertaker wrestled in 2017. No one called Taker a sellout or a bitch for having such an easy work schedule. If anyone said otherwise, it would be a bunch of bullshit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Heyman wanted Reigns to understand that The Universal Title was Lesnar’s bitch. She would stay on his shoulder until someone put The Beast down for good. He couldn’t be a shell of himself when it happened. Lesnar had to go down swinging on his own two feet in order for anyone to claim what was his. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reigns needed to know that the title is something that goes beyond family. It will consume his very essence because he needs the belt in order to survive. The man and the championship are connected as if they are one. It symbolizes greatness. It means that you are the best in the world. You are untouchable. Unstoppable. Simply put, winning the richest prize in professional wrestling makes you better than everyone else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">If Reigns is willing to sell his soul in order to get the job done, Heyman was more than willing to bring Lesnar to Detroit next week so The Big Dog could shoot on The Beast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reigns made his way down to the ring and called Lesnar a bitch for making Heyman do his dirty work. That wouldn’t be the case next week because Reigns wanted Lesnar dressed for a fight as Raw went off the air with Reigns standing tall in the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a great way to end the show. Paul Heyman was on fire as he tried to milk the Lesnar-Reigns feud for all its worth. Heyman was at his best as he spoke the truth while sneaking in some colorful language for good measure. Reigns held his own, but he’s not in Heyman’s league when it comes to throwing shade while spitting facts at the same time. Hopefully, Reigns gets to cut loose when he goes face-to-face with Lesnar next week. For real this time…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was a two-segment show that got the job done in terms of WrestleMania hype while the middle portion of the broadcast was undercooked with so-so matches and a bizarre John Cena-Goldust segment that boggled my mind to no end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Every show is not going to be a home run, but the second and third hour was a chore to get through until the main event segment. Several secondary feuds are starting to take shape which should bolster the quality of the program over the next few weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nia Jax turning babyface thanks to a condescending Alexa Bliss will do Jax a world of good because the fans want to cheer for her. She’s a badass who can get over by using her brute force in order to assert her dominance over the women’s division. As long as Asuka is no longer on the receiving end of the ass whopping, it’s all good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sasha Banks and Bayley’s friendship is still stuck in purgatory as they continue to give each other the cold shoulder. Who’s turning on who? We shall find out soon enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meanwhile, the world premiere of The Ultimate Deletion is upon us. It should be a cinematic masterpiece of epic proportions if Matt Hardy has creative autonomy over his baby. If not, this could be an absolute disaster which might cause The Woken Universe to fall apart at the seams. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">With these storylines bubbling beneath the surface, the next few weeks of televisions have the potential to be very good if everything goes according to plan. Here’s hoping next week’s show in Detroit is the first of four slam dunks on the Road to WrestleMania. Fingers crossed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-5217637971134430402018-02-27T20:27:00.000-08:002018-02-27T20:27:19.365-08:00The SmackDown Files: Ain't Too Proud To Beg - A John Cena Reprisal (2-27-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 2/27/2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Staples Center in Los Angeles, California<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">California Dreaming:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Can John Cena dream the impossible dream and headline WrestleMania? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Pancakes Are For Suckers:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Last Team Standing - The New Day vs. The Usos Part IV. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SmackDown Live kicked off with John Cena pleading his case to be added to the WWE Championship match at Fastlane. Shane McMahon came out to remind Cena that he could make history at WrestleMania if he becomes a 17-time World Champion. McMahon was about to make an announcement when Daniel Bryan made his way down to the ring. Bryan told Cena that he has to earn his way into the title match Fastlane and he can do just that by defeating AJ Styles later tonight as the opening segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a good way to start the show. Cena is in desperation mode as he tries to find a path to WrestleMania. His confidence was sky high until he realized he had to face his arch-rival in order to get a WWE Title shot at Fastlane. The solemn look on Cena’s face was spot on which heightens the drama heading into tonight’s main event. LA is in for a treat if Styles and Cena are given enough time to deliver one of the best television matches of the year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Baron Corbin defeated Sami Zayn with End of Days thanks to an assist from Dolph Ziggler. Kevin Owens was being snarky on guest commentary when Ziggler blindsided him with a Superkick. The distraction gave Corbin enough time to hit his finisher for the win. The Lone Wolf didn’t get a chance to celebrate as Ziggler dropped him with the Zig Zag to emphasize that it was every man for himself at Fastlane. The match was fine while it lasted, but the heel vs. heel dynamic left the crowd cold as they started up a “Rusev Day” chant to entertain themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were having a spat backstage about Owens possibly interfering in Zayn’s match. Their constant bickering is so third grade at this point…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ruby Riott defeated Naomi with the Riott Kick in a solid match. Riott won the match fair and square which keeps her strong heading into her SmackDown Women’s Championship match against Charlotte at Fastlane next Sunday. Two down. One to go!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Usos and The New Day had another classic verbal confrontation as Jimmy and Jey cut a passionate promo about being sidelined at the last SEVEN WrestleManias. There was no chance in hell (no pun intended) that they were going to let The New Day steal their moment for the eighth year in the row. Fastlane would be their Superbowl where they would be the real MVPs and All-Stars heading into the biggest show of the year while The New Day sat on the sidelines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Big E had a great rebuttal by stating that same old shtick that The New Day has been doing for the past five years resulted in them breaking barriers for everyone. While E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods were hosting last year’s Mania, The Usos were hanging out in catering. The New Day didn’t have a famous father to help them get their foot in the door. They forged their own path to success and vowed to become five-time Tag Team Champs at Fastlane. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Both teams were about to go at it when The Bludgeon Brothers made their way down to the ring. The Usos and New Day left the ring to avoid certain doom as the segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The New Day has been hit or miss for me lately when it comes to their pancake loving ways. However, they know how to flip the switch when it comes to getting serious. Big E can be so much better than he is based on his promo work tonight. Relying on comedy can only get you so far and I believe he has what it takes to be a main eventer if he’s presented as a legit badass. Tonight proved that E can deliver the goods when called upon to do so. More of that, please!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Aiden English with the Kinshasa in a decent match. Rusev tried to interfere, but the outcome was never in doubt. Rusev being at ringside created a weird atmosphere because Nakamura is supposed to be the most over guy in the match. However, the fans view Rusev as a cult hero which almost outshined the man who has a direct path to WrestleMania. It’s another case of WWE trying to serve multiple masters at once while muddling the heel-face waters at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John Cena defeated AJ Styles with the AA and will be added to the WWE Championship match at Fastlane in a couple of weeks. This was a very good match, but I wasn’t a fan of WWE not showing the viewers at home some of the great near falls that took place in real-time. They replayed the highlights after the commercial break, but it still should’ve been on the actual broadcast to make the bout feel more complete. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Minor criticism aside, Cena and Styles put on a show that was filled with high drama and near falls throughout. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Both men hit their respective finishers, but they weren’t able to keep the other down. Things got dicey at ringside when Cena crashed against the steel steps. The referee started the ten-count, but Styles stopped the ref mid-count and went after Cena. That was a bad idea as Cena put Styles through the announce table with an AA. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Miraculously, Styles managed to get back in the ring before the count of ten thanks to a fan helping The Phenomenal One to his feet. Cena went for another AA, but Styles countered with the Calf Crusher. Cena managed to roll through and hit another AA for the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Styles will now defend the WWE Title in a Six-Pack Challenge at Fastlane. Sensing that the odds were starting to swing in the opposite direction. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn made their way down to the ring to confront Cena and Styles. However, Baron Corbin fired the first shot when he attacked Cena from behind. Chaos ensued as the heels attacked the babyfaces and each other until Dolph Ziggler evened the odds by nailing Owens and Corbin with the Superkick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Styles, Cena, and Ziggler stood tall in the ring but the truce was short-lived when Ziggler punched Styles in the face. Cena dropped Ziggler with the AA as the show abruptly went off the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a good way to end the show. Styles and Cena have had better matches on PPV, but this was still the best SD Live match of the year thus far. Both men know each other so well and their chemistry was on full display once again. The ending gives Cena one more chance to headline WrestleMania. I have a feeling that his hopes and dreams are going to be dashed once again, but a certain Dead Man will be waiting in the wings. Just a hunch… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Six-Pack Challenge for the WWE Title should be very good. This match has been changed three times over the past few weeks which is a bit much for my taste. However, each man can get the job done in the ring which should elevate the quality of the bout. I fully expect Styles to retain the title and move on to his dream match against Shinsuke Nakamura at Mania. Anything less would be idiotic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was solid. The show was more focused from a creative standpoint which was refreshing to see for a change. The in-ring action ranged from solid to very good with John Cena and AJ Styles easily winning best match of the night honors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">However, I am not a fan of the visual presentation of the show as of late. Besides the stupid word graphics, I hate how the camera cuts backstage multiple times during matches. WWE ditched the Second Screen Experience on their app a couple of years ago, but it appears that they are trying to inundate the audience with unnecessary shit that detracts from the overall quality of the show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Watching wrestling shouldn’t be a chore. It should be an enjoyable experience with little to no fluff involved. Perhaps the company should conduct a survey to see if fans enjoy seeing giant words on the screen or various camera cuts that would make Steven Spielberg quit the film business. If the answer is no, here’s hoping that the madness stops because it’s draining me to no end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">To end things on a lighter note, next week’s go-home show from Green Bay, Wisconsin should be good as the creative team puts the finishing touches on the Fastlane PPV. Like Elimination Chamber, this is another speed bump on the Road to WrestleMania. It will be a predictable show, but the in-ring action should be strong. With five weeks to go until Mania, it’s time for the blue brand to get out of their winter funk and deliver the goods because Raw has been kicking their ass of late. Every Monday and Tuesday should be must-see heading into the heart of WM season. Let’s hope the creative team surprises fans with some razzle-dazzle to make up for a rough start to 2018. Fingers crossed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-38187854397516278142018-02-26T22:02:00.002-08:002018-02-26T22:02:51.560-08:00The Raw Exposé: Ghosting The Night Away - A Brock Lesnar Story (2-26-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTH1loyUXCgjk5hNt8A7o-n54amV9C9nbdVjT3w0uZUnEyYzbXwDGA-1cbf3eZjNAg5B3d7W7LAXim3ILlHlBMVBi9dTZh4n6r9vrc7JVwWAXnwTACJeF_XqcI59nGP3_CbCTCUreV2Mz/s1600/wwe-raw-tickets_05-14-18_17_5a0c128c57d3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="678" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTH1loyUXCgjk5hNt8A7o-n54amV9C9nbdVjT3w0uZUnEyYzbXwDGA-1cbf3eZjNAg5B3d7W7LAXim3ILlHlBMVBi9dTZh4n6r9vrc7JVwWAXnwTACJeF_XqcI59nGP3_CbCTCUreV2Mz/s400/wwe-raw-tickets_05-14-18_17_5a0c128c57d3e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 2/26/2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Honda Center in Anaheim, California<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Personal Mea Culpa:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> There was no SmackDown Files last week due to me being under the weather. I am doing better as the Cold 2.0 has been DELETED!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">What Did The Five Fingers Say To The Face:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Slap! Stephanie McMahon just dug her own grave when she slapped the baddest woman on the planet. We’re going to pray for her…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Raw kicked off with Alexa Bliss patting herself on the back after winning the first-ever Women’s Elimination Chamber match last night. Bliss thanked Mickie James for having her back despite their differences in the past. Bliss proceeded to run down her Chamber opponents before proclaiming that she was going to WrestleMania. She vowed to end Asuka’s streak and was thrilled that Nia Jax left the Empress of Tomorrow in dire straits after she rammed her through the barricade last night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka came out to confront Bliss which led to Nia Jax coming out moments later. Asuka attacked Bliss and James first, but Jax eventually laid her out. Jax hoisted Asuka up, but she countered with an armbar. James and Bliss broke things up as the triple beat down ensued until Bayley and Sasha Banks made the save. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Their efforts were quickly squashed when Jax nailed Bayley and Sasha with a double clothesline. Asuka tried to attack Jax with a series of strikes, but Bliss laid her out with a right hand as the opening segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a good way to start the show. Alexa Bliss is great on the mic when she has something meaningful to say. Bliss was given great material to work with which complimented her narcissistic character to a tee. It was a little surprising to see James aligned with Bliss, but it plays into their frenemies storyline which has been unfolding over the last couple of weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bayley, Sasha Banks, and Asuka defeated Mickie James, Nia Jax, and Alexa Bliss when Asuka made James tap out to the armbar. The six-woman tag team match was good, but the last three minutes were especially strong in terms of storytelling. Banks tried to make the hot tag to Bayley, but Bayley jumped off the ring apron and stared daggers at her so-called best friend. Sasha looked hurt, but she shouldn’t be surprised after putting the screws to Bayley at the last two PPVs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka eventually got the hot tag and cleaned house as she delivered a series of vicious strikes to James. Jax tried to get involved but, Asuka laid her out with the hip attack which set up the tap out finish moments later. All in all, this was a nice way to forward several storylines at once while putting the heat back on Asuka after Jax’s attack last night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meanwhile, Bayley coming to Asuka’s rescue but not Sasha’s was emphasized nicely by the announcers as they sold the rift between the besties. After a year, it appears that Sasha vs. Bayley is a go at WrestleMania. It should be great based on their storied history in the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John Cena’s path to WrestleMania gets murkier by the day after his perplexing promo. Cena admitted that he failed to punch his ticket to Mania by failing to win at the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber. He could wallow in his self-pity or pick himself up and find another route to the biggest show of the year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Therefore, Cena decided to do something unconventional by challenging The Undertaker to a match at WM. The crowd popped huge for the announcement as Cena explained that both men have been a part of 39 Manias during their respective careers, but they’ve never wrestled against each other at the grandest stage of them all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">However, Cena stated that it’s impossible for the match to take place which pissed the crowd off to no end. Since he can’t face Taker, Cena is taking his talents to SmackDown Live to see if he can earn a spot on the Mania card as the segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I think WWE is playing a game of chicken when it comes to prolonging the inevitable announcement of John Cena vs. The Undertaker at WrestleMania. Cena going to SD Live has been expected for some time because he’s scheduled to appear at the Fastlane PPV in a couple of weeks. I fully expect Taker to accept Cena’s challenge which should get the ball rolling on their Mania match. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cena hemming and hawing about not having a path to the biggest show of the year is comical. The fans booed his pity party speech until he challenged The Dead Man. This appears to a match the people want to see despite Taker’s disappointing string of WM matches since his shocking loss to Brock Lesnar at WM XXX in 2014. Here’s hoping The Phenom is capable of having one more show-stealing match against Cena because he deserves to end his career on the highest of notes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bray Wyatt destroyed Heath Slater and Rhyno before challenging Matt Hardy to another match. Zzz…I am so done with Wyatt that I can’t find a reason to get mad anymore. He shall be forever known as the Killer of Feuds. No shade, just facts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Seth Rollins defeated The Miz with a Frogsplash in a good match. Miz was more than halfway across the ring, but Rollins still managed to hit his target as Michael Cole sold the moment beautifully on commentary. The crowd was hot for everything Rollins did which pushed the match quality over the top. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Prior to the match, The Miz cut a fiery promo about Kurt Angle yanking his chain when it comes to his Intercontinental Championship match at WrestleMania. Angle informed Miz that he might find out who his Mania opponent is later tonight. Rollins’ win suggests that he’s earned a shot at the IC Title at WM. Before that idea could percolate further, Finn Bàlor came out to rain on Rollins’ parade. Hmm…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After the first match was thrown out due to interference from The Miztourage, the second time was the charm for Finn Bàlor when he defeated The Miz with the Coup De Grace in a solid match. It appears that Bàlor has also punched his ticket to WrestleMania, but Rollins criticized him for picking the bones he left behind. I smell a Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Title at Mania. Just a hunch. I think…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The face-to-face confrontation between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns never took place as Lesnar left the show 30 minutes before their segment was scheduled to take place. Supposedly… Reigns proceeded to read Lesnar for filth by stating that he always showed up to live events no matter how big or small the crowd was. It didn’t matter what city WWE was in, he always kept his word. Reigns put over the locker room for busting their asses night in and night out while Lesnar was a self-titled piece of crap who showed up on his own time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reigns didn’t respect Lesnar because he wasn’t bred the wrestling business. He capped things off by calling The Beast a bitch before heading backstage to get chewed out by the Powers That Be. Allegedly…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was Reigns’ best promo of his career. He spoke with passion and conviction as he read Lesnar for 40 days and 40 nights. It’s hard to determine if The Beast went ghost, but shit just got real in a hurry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sheamus and Ceasaro defeated Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews in a 2-out-3 Falls match when Sheamus nailed O’Neil with the Brogue Kick to score the first fall within seconds. The second fall was a bit more competitive as Crews tried his best to keep his team alive, but it was to no avail as The Bar laid him out with the White Noise/Diving Neckbreaker combination for the win. The outcome was never in doubt, but the work rate was good for the most part. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Braun Strowman defeated Elias via disqualification when The Drifter sprayed a fire extinguisher in Strowman’s face. With Strowman temporarily blinded, Elias slammed him into the ring post before hitting him in the midsection with the extinguisher. Strowman fought back and nailed Elias with a right hand which sent him out of the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias tried to run backstage, but Strowman caught him in mid-stride. Strowman attempted to powerslam The Drifter through the announce table, but he managed to escape. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias scampered backstage with Strowman not far behind. The chase was short-lived as a limo rolled up. Hmm…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias vs. Strowman was fine, but it was slotted in the 10:30 P.M. Lull Period of Death which did both men no favors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The final segment of Raw featured Triple H and Stephanie McMahon trying to clear the air with Ronda Rousey after Kurt Angle dropped the dime on them last night. McMahon stated that Rousey was no longer in UFC and things worked differently in WWE when it came to respecting her superiors. Stephanie noted that Angle answers to her which means that Rousey ultimately answers to her as well. Steph claimed that Angle was suffering from Double Pneumonia which made him say crazy things last night. Therefore, she wanted to make amends and get everyone on the same page heading into WrestleMania season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rousey marched down to the ring to kill HHH and Steph on sight, but Angle managed to calm her down. Angle acted like a sad puppy as he told Rousey that he needed to keep his job. He claimed that everything he said last night was a lie. His “double pneumonia” made him delirious and apologized for his actions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rousey took Angle at his word, but she wanted Steph to apologize for the slap or she was going to rip her arm from her socket. Stephanie offered a mea culpa, but Triple H had the last unspoken word when he punched Angle in the face as Raw went off the air with Angle holding his jaw while Stephanie and Hunter headed backstage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The show should’ve ended on a more explosive note, but Stephanie McMahon wasn’t dressed to fight based on her wardrobe choice. Ronda Rousey was much better on the mic tonight as she spoke with confidence while mean-mugging her ass off. She has a presence about her that stands out which will hush down any boo birds who try to throw her off mentally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It appears that Angle and Rousey will team up to face Triple H and Stephanie in a Mixed Tag Team Match at WrestleMania. WWE has five weeks to milk this feud for all its worth. Here’s hoping they get the job done while getting over their newest acquisition at the same time. Fingers crossed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was decent at best. The first two hours were very good, but the third hour hit a lull before the main event segment. That tends to be the case most weeks even though the show has been better from a wire to wire standpoint as of late. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">WWE is slowly piecing together the WrestleMania card. The Universal Championship match between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar is set in stone. Everything else is in limbo at the moment. The Fastlane PPV should provide more answers in a couple of weeks because I have a feeling that Asuka is going to challenge Charlotte for the SmackDown Women’s Title after The Queen defeats Ruby Riott. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meanwhile, a desperate John Cena is trying to find a path to New Orleans. His Undertaker challenge was a swerve, but I still expect the match to happen. Cena being a Debbie Downer about the whole situation is unintentionally hilarious. The man has main evented WrestleMania FIVE times and been a part of WrestleMania 20-33 over the past FOURTEEN years. Hell, a rotator cuff injury didn’t prevent him from being part of WM 32 a couple of years ago. I’m sure the Wrestling Gods are on Cena’s side which should help everyone sleep easier at night. *Insert Sarcasm Here*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">WWE has already announced a key match for next week’s show. Asuka will face Nia Jax in a rematch from the Elimination Chamber PPV. Asuka’s undefeated streak should remain intact, but I hope she is booked like a badass who doesn’t get beat up by Jax after she wins. If anything, Alexa Bliss and Mickie James should cost Jax the match which should set up the Raw Women’s Championship bout at WM minus Asuka. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Most importantly, what is the status of Brock Lesnar? Did he walk out during a live broadcast or is this a straight up work to make Roman Reigns a beloved hero? WWE has gone down this rabbit hole too many times over the past four years. Is the fifth time the charm? We shall find out soon enough. In the meantime, the internet streets will be talking about Reigns’ blistering promo all week. To quote Eric Bischoff, “Controversy Creates Cash.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-9494257257735154252018-02-19T22:08:00.000-08:002018-02-19T22:08:00.686-08:00The Raw Exposé: The Seth Rollins Is The 65 Minute Man Edition (2-19-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTH1loyUXCgjk5hNt8A7o-n54amV9C9nbdVjT3w0uZUnEyYzbXwDGA-1cbf3eZjNAg5B3d7W7LAXim3ILlHlBMVBi9dTZh4n6r9vrc7JVwWAXnwTACJeF_XqcI59nGP3_CbCTCUreV2Mz/s1600/wwe-raw-tickets_05-14-18_17_5a0c128c57d3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="678" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTH1loyUXCgjk5hNt8A7o-n54amV9C9nbdVjT3w0uZUnEyYzbXwDGA-1cbf3eZjNAg5B3d7W7LAXim3ILlHlBMVBi9dTZh4n6r9vrc7JVwWAXnwTACJeF_XqcI59nGP3_CbCTCUreV2Mz/s400/wwe-raw-tickets_05-14-18_17_5a0c128c57d3e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">By: Keila Cash</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> 2-19-2018</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Talking Stick Arena in Phoenix, Arizona (Night 1 of 2)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Iron Man of the Year:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Seth Freakin’ Rollins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Back to Basics:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The All-Night Wrestling Revue<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In a shocker, Seth Rollins defeated Roman Reigns with a roll-up to survive phase one of the Gauntlet Match. This was a good match as Rollins and Reigns traded rest holds early on before picking up the tempo after the commercial break. The highlight of the match was Rollins hitting Reigns with the Buckle Bomb only for Reigns to counter with the Superman Punch. They’ve done this spot in the past, but it never gets old because it’s executed so well. Tonight was no exception as the crowd popped something fierce. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The finishing sequence was strong as Rollins countered Reigns’ Spear with a knee to the face. He went for the Blackout, but Reigns countered with a roll-up. This resulted in Rollins following through with a roll-up of his own for the win. Next up: John Cena. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In another incredible performance, Seth Rollins defeated John Cena with The Blackout in a great match. Rollins vs. Cena is one of the best television matches of the year in terms of storytelling and work rate. Rollins was running on empty as Cena tried to tell him to stay down. Rollins wouldn’t listen as he took the fight to Cena. Both men traded near falls as Rollins kicked out of the AA. He mustered enough strength to deliver a Suplex from the middle rope followed by the Falcon Arrow for a near fall. The highlight of the match was Rollins rolling through on Cena to hit his own version of the AA for a near fall. It was a shocking spot that the announcers sold to perfection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cena managed to counter with an AA and tried to roll through with another only for Rollins to counter with a knee to the face which set up the finish moments later. This was an awesome performance by both men, but Rollins was the true star as he showed up and showed out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias defeated Seth Rollins with The Drift Away in an okay match. Rollins was favoring his left knee which ultimately played into his downfall. Rollins lasted 65 minutes and had two great matches against Reigns and Cena. He should be proud of his performance. Fans should be even prouder because this was the best first hour of Raw from a wrestling standpoint in years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Finn Bàlor defeated Elias with the Coup De Grace in a solid match. This was a comedown bout after Rollins tore the down the house for an hour. Elias worked over Bàlor’s shoulder which kept him grounded for the most part. The ending was good as Bàlor hit his Slingblade/Running Dropkick/Coup De Grace trifecta for the win. Next up: The Miz. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Miz defeated Finn Bàlor with the Skull Crushing Finale thanks to an assist from the Miztourage. Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel distracted Bàlor long enough for Miz to attack him from behind before the match started. Miz picked up where Elias left off by going after Bàlor’s left shoulder. Bàlor got back on offense, but the Miztourage kept getting involved until he laid them out with a flip dive. Bàlor tried to finish Miz off with the Coup De Grace, but Dallas and Axel got involved which set up the finish moments later. Next up: Braun Strowman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Braun Strowman defeated The Miz with a running Powerslam to win the Gauntlet Match. The bout was fine, but the outcome was never in doubt. The Miztourage tried to help their boss out, but it was to no avail as Strowman dominated the action from start to finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After the match was over, Strowman laid out Miz and the Miztourage with a series of Running Powerslams as the Phoenix crowd egged him on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, this was a great way to kick off the first two hours of the show. The Gauntlet Match never dragged as Seth Rollins set the tone by having one of the best matches of the year when he defeated John Cena in a great match. Renee Young interviewing the men who didn’t survive the Gauntlet was a nice touch as they didn’t believe in moral victories heading into the Elimination Chamber. This was old school wrestling at its best and it was nice to see WWE keep it simple while magnifying the importance of Sunday’s PPV at the same time. All in all, this was a nice piece of business that made me care about who punches their ticket to WrestleMania even though the outcome is damn near academic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka struggled through her promo as she forgot some of her lines during her interview with Renee Young. The crowd was on the verge of turning on the segment, but the boo birds were kept at bay as Asuka tried her best to power through the segment. Nia Jax tried to attack Asuka from behind, but Asuka saw the sneak attack coming and got the jump on Jax first. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jax overpowered Asuka when she laid her out with a Samoan Drop followed by the Leg Drop. This appears to telegraph the finish on Sunday in terms of Asuka keeping her winning streak intact, but stranger things can happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">WWE put together a nice video package of Ronda Rousey training ahead of her contract signing at the Elimination Chamber PPV on Sunday. After a ho-hum announcement last week, the company put their production prowess to good use by hyping Rousey’s official debut to the hilt. It’s about damn time!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Titus O’Neil and Apollo (Don’t Call Him Crews) defeated Sheamus and Cesaro when Apollo pinned Cesaro with a roll-up. This was a nice way to set up a probable match for the Raw Tag Team Championship at Elimination Chamber because it’s currently a three-match card at the moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Make that four matches as Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt has been added to the festivities as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mickie James, Bayley, and Sasha Banks defeated Sonya Deville, Mandy Rose, and Alexa Bliss when Banks made Bliss tap out to the Bank Statement in a solid main event match. Bayley and James played the babyfaces in peril early on until Banks got the hot tag down the stretch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sasha came in hot as she hit everything that moved including a sick double knees to Deville on the outside. Bliss suffered the same fate 2X, but it wasn’t enough to keep her down as she slammed Sasha’s head into the middle turnbuckle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Things got chaotic towards the end when Mickie and Bayley laid out Absolution which set up the finish moments later. Sasha didn’t get a chance to celebrate as Deville and Rose attacked her from behind. Bayley tried to make the save, but it was to no avail as Absolution laid her out as well. The beat down was a bit sloppy which undercut the effectiveness of the closing angle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bliss admired their handiwork but quickly realized that she was next on the chopping block when James made the save. They nailed Deville with a Double DDT as Raw went off the air with the frenemies standing tall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Despite Bliss teaming with Absolution, she maintained her alliance with James by refusing to tag in the match whenever her former mentor was in the ring. One can assume that their truce will come to an end on Sunday, but it should be interesting to see who will turn on the other first. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was very good. The Gauntlet Match set the tone as the in-ring action was stellar due to the Herculean effort of Seth Rollins during the first 65 minutes of the show. Roman Reigns and John Cena deserve props for holding up their end of the bargain, but this was a clear indicator that Rollins can be a top babyface based on his wrestling ability alone. He has been mishandled over the past couple of years due to a shitty face turn by default, but things got better once he reunited with Dean Ambrose last summer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Tonight proved that he has what it takes to still be The Man in WWE if the creative team doesn’t script him like a pompous jackass. Here’s hoping Rollins has a top tier match at WrestleMania because he hasn’t had the chance to deliver a <i>true</i> Mania moment despite his Money in the Bank cash-in a few years and his win over Triple H last year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">WWE did a great job hyping the Elimination Chamber PPV by showcasing every match on the card to maximum effect. The company shook things up by removing the obligatory promo that starts every episode of Raw. Most importantly, there was no General Manager to exert his authority while tripping over his lines at the same time (No shade to Kurt Angle, but I am simply stating the facts). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a show that had a purpose and included one of the best matches of 2018. That’s how the E should get it done heading into WM season. Despite the destination being inevitable, the creative team should make Raw and SmackDown Live must-see television every week instead of coasting their way through the biggest time of the year. Tonight was a prime example of what they can do on a consistent basis. Let’s hope the company maintains that momentum heading into the Chamber PPV on Sunday. Fingers crossed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-89603313271072116382018-02-13T20:38:00.002-08:002018-02-13T20:38:42.162-08:00The SmackDown Files: Five The Hard Way - How Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler Punched Their Ticket To Fastlane (2-13-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 2-13-2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, California<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">When Throwing Shade Goes Wrong:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Jinder Mahal’s SmackDown Live Top Ten List Faux Pas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Who’s The Boss?:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Is it Bryan or Is It Shane? At this point, who really gives a damn?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SmackDown Live was supposed to kick off with Dolph Ziggler vs. Baron Corbin with the winner being added to the WWE Championship match featuring AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn at Fastlane. Owens and Zayn had other plans when they attacked Corbin backstage before focusing their attention on Ziggler.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ziggler took the fight to Zayn, but the numbers game caught up to him when Zayn nailed The Showoff with the Helluva Kick at ringside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Corbin attacked Owens on the main stage, but he also got his ass kicked as the opening segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a fine way to start the show. I wasn’t a fan of Ziggler and Corbin being added to the WWE Title match because they weren’t on the “prestigious” SD Live Top Ten List. Fortunately, WWE righted the ship by having KO and Zayn eliminate the competition beforehand. Both men deserve a fruit basket for a job well done. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Charlotte defeated Sarah Logan with Natural Selection in a solid match. Logan showed grit as she had Charlotte on the ropes for the most part. Logan still needs to clean up areas of her in-ring game, but she has a bright future based on her performance tonight. Two down. One to go. Ruby Riott, You’re Next! (Pun totally intended). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shane McMahon laid down the law as he booked Baron Corbin vs. Kevin Owens and Dolph Ziggler vs. Sami Zayn. If Ziggler or Corbin win their respective matches, the WWE Championship will become a Fatal 4 or 5-Way at Fastlane. If Owens and Zayn get involved in the other’s match, they will be removed from the title bout. My fruit basket is on the brink of being rescinded. Damn it! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Baron Corbin defeated Kevin Owens with End of Days and will be added to the WWE Title match at Fastlane. The match was solid, but the fans checked out emotionally due to the heel vs. heel dynamic. The crowd popped for the finish which ended things on a high note. The booking of the match was good as Corbin went for his running Clothesline only to get kicked in the face by Owens. Corbin hit pay dirt on the second attempt which prevented the bout from feeling formulaic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bobby Roode reinstated the United States Open Challenge and hoped that Randy Orton would be the first man to step up to the plate. Before the match got underway, Jinder Mahal came out to make fun of Orton for being number nine on the SD Live Top Ten List. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mahal talked about Orton being a 13-time World Champion, but not being good enough amongst his peers to rank higher on the list. He tried to create tension between Orton and Roode, but his plan backfired when Roode checked Mahal for not making the list himself. Mahal shut his trap as Roode complimented Orton on his decorated career in WWE. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Roode claimed that Orton didn’t rank higher on the list was due to the fact that Orton RKO’s people out of nowhere. The Viper responded with an RKO to Sunil Singh. Mahal tried to attack Roode, but Orton broke things up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">However, the distraction gave Mahal enough time to hit Roode and Orton with the Khallas as the segment came to an end with the modern-day Maharaja standing tall in the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The segment was fine, but Mahal trying to throw shade is laughable outside of his awesome jab on Twitter when he called out Rob Gronkowski for hindering him at WrestleMania last year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The New Day (Big E & Kofi Kingston) defeated Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable when Kingston pinned Gable with the Midnight Hour in a decent match. Both teams fighting over pancakes is dumb, but it’s the newest New Day gimmick that has overstayed its welcome. New Day Pops? Gone! Booty-O’s? So passé! Booty Cakes? So meh…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The graphics are back…WHY?!? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">And so it begins. The Usos vs. The Bludgeon Brothers have a future date for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Let the awesomeness commence!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dolph Ziggler defeated Sami Zayn with the Superkick as the WWE Championship match is now a Fatal 5-Way featuring Ziggler, Zayn, Owens, Corbin, and Styles. Zayn and Ziggler had a very good match that featured fast-paced and hard-hitting action throughout. This was Ziggler’s best match in at least a year as Zayn continues to bring out the best in his opponents. The heel vs. heel dynamic didn’t turn off the Bakersfield crowd as they popped for the dramatic near falls down the stretch. The highlight of the match was Zayn dropping Ziggler with a beautiful Exploder Suplex, but Zayn didn’t have enough energy to make the cover. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ziggler nailed Zayn with the Zig Zag after Zayn failed to hit the Helluva Kick for another dramatic near fall. Zayn rammed Ziggler shoulder first into the ring post which put him in prime position for the Helluva Kick. However, Ziggler caught Zayn with the Superkick for the win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ziggler’s character might be a total buzzkill, but he’s a talented wrestler who needs to figure out who he is from a personality standpoint. Is he a Shawn/Bret Michaels Hybrid or is there something deeper underneath the faux Heartbreak Kid exterior that will elevate him to the next level? Careers can be revitalized on a whim. It’s up to Ziggler to find the missing ingredient that has held him back from being a top star in WWE. His talent has never been the question. The start and stop pushes have derailed things, but it’s ultimately up to him to sell his authentic self to the audience. He failed to do that on numerous occasions last year. Will the <i>real </i>Dolph Ziggler show up in 2018? We shall find out soon enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Fatal 5-Way should be very good, but Styles is at a serious disadvantage because he’s the only babyface in the match. However, it appears that Owens and Zayn still have issues after they failed to take care of business in their respective matches tonight. Their rift should provide some much-needed drama at Fastlane despite the outcome being damn near academic. Unless an Act of God prevents the match from happening, Styles vs. Nakamura is a go for WrestleMania. Book it! I think…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was middling at best. The first hour was solid, but the second hour almost fell off a cliff until the main event. SD Live has been missing a spark for quite some time now. The blue brand used to be the go-to show in terms of quality in-ring action and compelling storylines. That hasn’t been the case with the exception of Kevin Owens’ stellar heel work last fall along with Sami Zayn embracing the dark side of the force. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Daniel Bryan-Shane McMahon saga was downplayed this week as McMahon flexed his managerial muscle while Bryan ceded control to his boss. The constant cock teasing has to stop. Every time WWE tries to pull back, they go all-in the following week with both men bickering about the same old shit. Unless they are wrestling at WrestleMania, the company needs to hit the pause button on this feud if they can’t deliver the payoff. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Fastlane card should come into focus over the next couple of weeks as The Usos will presumably defend the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against The Bludgeon Brothers while Bobby Roode faces Jinder Mahal and Randy Orton in a Triple Threat Match for the United States Title. Anything can happen between now and then, but this appears to be the current direction as the final PPV before Mania starts to take shape. Here’s hoping the next few weeks of television is good because SD Live has been a chore to watch as of late. Fingers crossed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-85362022862525636432018-02-12T21:52:00.001-08:002018-02-12T21:52:52.069-08:00The Raw Exposé: Concerto No. 5 - The Ballad of Braun Strowman (2-12-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFgIa49hxmkRSU5GQ5nk0q9ew5mKPPI6A50fxgnuytXdnKc2SoYq8-snZqNcrVNnHNG5dFfgGje7jhtquQOP4ebcoocvETIH0b4NseNE0KVanJz65tLCKVJOLNQKeP4VyhgdijHYimVPp/s1600/wwe-raw-tickets_05-14-18_17_5a0c128c57d3e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="678" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFgIa49hxmkRSU5GQ5nk0q9ew5mKPPI6A50fxgnuytXdnKc2SoYq8-snZqNcrVNnHNG5dFfgGje7jhtquQOP4ebcoocvETIH0b4NseNE0KVanJz65tLCKVJOLNQKeP4VyhgdijHYimVPp/s400/wwe-raw-tickets_05-14-18_17_5a0c128c57d3e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">By: Keila Cash</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 2-12-2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> SAP Center in San Jose, California<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">All About That Bass:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Braun Strowman singing bars on bars on bars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Welcome to the Elimination Chamber Second Chance Sweepstakes:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> There must be a winner. Or two…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Raw kicked off with John Cena waxing poetically about main eventing WrestleMania. However, that dream could be shattered if Cena doesn’t win the Elimination Chamber match in two weeks. He wanted to prove the naysayers wrong by making the impossible possible by surviving the Chamber and beating Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at Mania. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Miz came out to remind Cena that it wasn’t 2013. Miz scoffed at the notion that Cena could beat Lesnar because he is the founder of Suplex City after The Beast destroyed him at SummerSlam three years ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Miz claimed he had a better shot at being a dual Champion because he wasn’t afraid to cross the line in order to get ahead. Cena admired Miz for speaking his mind, but he didn’t give him a snowball’s chance in hell of beating Lesnar at the biggest show of the year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cena challenged Miz to match with the loser entering the Chamber first. Miz turned him down, but it was a ruse as Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel blindsided Cena. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Miz accepted Cena’s challenge and called for a referee. Kurt Angle came out to make the match official as the opening segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John Cena defeated The Miz with a Super AA in a very good match. The action was hard-hitting and physical throughout as both men kicked out of the other’s finisher. Michael Cole noted that Cena has a 3-3 record inside the Chamber with one of those wins coinciding with him entering the match first. Cena’s Road to WrestleMania would be hard, but manageable based on his .500 Chamber record. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cena went up to the top rope, but Miz knocked him on the turnbuckle to set him up for the Skull Crushing Finale. Cena blocked Miz which led to the finish moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a strong way to kick off the show. Over the past few weeks, Cena has been treated like another guy on the roster. This week, he got a chance to verbalize his feelings heading into the Elimination Chamber PPV. Cena wants to main event WrestleMania because it’s the one night of the year where dreams are born and legends are made. If he doesn’t win the Chamber match, he doesn’t have a guaranteed spot at the biggest show of the year. The notion of Father Time catching up to Cena could be a great storyline heading into Mania if he fails to punch his ticket to New Orleans in two weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Miz played his part well as he openly admitted that he was willing to cheat in order to get ahead. Honesty is the best policy…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Revival defeated Gallows and Anderson when Scott Dawson pinned Karl Anderson with the Shatter Machine. Dash and Dawson attacked Gallows and Anderson from behind which gave them the unfair advantage before the referee rang the bell. The match was fine, but the constant 50/50 booking is doing both teams a disservice at the moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kurt Angle made a couple of announcements that have Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania ramifications. Angle announced that Jason Jordan underwent minimally invasive surgery that will prevent him from competing at Mania. A few fans cheered at Jordan’s injury which was beyond tasteless. Angle called them out on it, but he was met with a mixed reaction. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Things got better once Seth Rollins came out and explained that he was in Jordan’s shoes a couple of years ago when he missed WrestleMania 32 due to injury. Rollins was tired of being a part of Monday Night Raw. He wanted to be the centerpiece of the show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rollins wanted a spot inside the Elimination Chamber. Angle noted that he couldn’t change the Fatal 4-Way Match on a whim. Rollins agreed and wanted to make the bout a Fatal 5-Way. Angle polled the audience and made the match official for later tonight as the segment came to end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The second under the radar announcement from Angle was Ronda Rousey appearing at the Elimination Chamber PPV to sign her Raw contract. The crowd reaction was mixed, but I expect the Las Vegas fans to be a bit more receptive towards Rousey because UFC’s business roots are firmly planted in Sin City which should create an interesting atmosphere, to say the least. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bayley reversed the Hometown Curse when she defeated Sasha Banks with the Bayley-to-Belly from the middle rope in a very good match. Bayley and Sasha have squared off against each other on the main roster over the past couple of years, but they always wrestled tentatively because both ladies were babyfaces. That dynamic went out the window tonight as The Boss heeled it up while Bayley was the Hometown Girl through and through. For the third week in a row, the women’s division delivered the goods which nice to see heading into the first-ever Women’s Elimination Chamber match. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bayley tried to hug it out with Sasha after the match was over, but Nia Jax ruined the Hallmark Moment when she laid them out with a pair of Samoan Drops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Charly Caruso asked Jax why she interjected herself into a situation that didn’t concern her. Jax clapped back by stating that she laid out the two women who almost beat Asuka in seconds while she vowed to end Asuka’s winning streak in similar fashion at the Chamber PPV in a couple of weeks. Her explanation totally made sense while putting Caruso in her place at the same time. Good for her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meanwhile, I liked how WWE delayed Sasha and Bayley hugging it out in the ring. There should be a hint dissension between both ladies heading into the Chamber match. By doing this, it leaves the door open for Banks’ heel turn which should lead to a full-on feud with Bayley heading into WrestleMania. It’s happening a year too late, but I digress…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka is so next level that she has a By-The-Numbers video package detailing her badassery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville defeated Mickie James and Alexa Bliss when Rose pinned James with the Facebuster in a decent match. Paige got involved down the stretch when she distracted Bliss long enough for Deville to pull her off the ring apron which set up the finish moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">She ordered her Absolution sisters to attack James after the match was over, but Bliss made the save which falls in line with the goal of keeping her frenemies close heading into the Chamber match in a couple of weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias’ concert was interrupted by Braun Strowman. Strowman grabbed a big ass bass and immediately broke the strings. He was on the verge of breaking character, but he managed to sing his ditty before kicking Elias’ ass. As Elias was crawling up the ramp, Strowman smashed the bass over The Drifter’s back as the crowd popped something fierce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Outside of the Mixed Match Challenge and the Elf Spoof during the holidays, Strowman has rarely shown his comedic side on broadcast television. He is becoming a well-rounded performer which speaks well for his future. Strowman can bring the funny while scaring the shit out of people at the same time. It’s a win-win situation!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Roman Reigns defeated Sheamus with a Spear from midair in a good match. This bout was in danger of being hijacked by the fans when they started up a Rusev Day chant after the commercial break. However, both men maintained their composure and delivered the goods down the stretch as the last five or six minutes featured hard-hitting action and crazy near falls that popped the crowd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cesaro tried to get involved, but Reigns knocked him over the barricade with a Superman Punch. This set up the finishing sequence as the match avoided the dreaded 10:30 Lull Period of Death. For now…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Fatal 5-Way Match featuring Bray Wyatt, Matt Hardy, Apollo Crews, Seth Rollins, and Finn Bàlor ended in controversy when Rollins and Bàlor pinned Wyatt at the same time. The referee counted to three like an idiot and had the nerve to admonish both men for not claiming the win based on his bullshit decision. Raw went off the air with Michael Cole wondering who won the match as Rollins, Bàlor, and the dumbass ref argued in the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a good match, but it lacked crowd heat during the last few minutes. Some fans tried to start a “CM Punk” chant early on, but they were quickly hissed down. Everyone got a chance to shine, but the flat finish left a lot to be desired. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In some ways, WWE telegraphed the outcome as the announcers kept talking about this being the last chance for someone to possibly punch their ticket to WrestleMania. Based on what happened tonight, Kurt Angle will probably book Rollins vs. Bàlor with the winner getting the last spot in the Chamber. Short of both men sharing a pod, this is the best way out a ludicrous situation. The match should be great, but this was such a shitty way to get from Point A to Point B. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: red; font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">To maintain the integrity of my original thoughts, I am breaking some news that happened after Raw went off the air. Kurt Angle announced that Rollins AND Bàlor earned a spot in the Elimination Chamber. For the first time ever, there will be a seven-man Chamber match. This blockbuster news should’ve been announced on television, but the match should be great considering the talent involved. The end of the main event was still a bullshit soufflé, though. </span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was decent at best. This show was trending towards being pretty good until the main event. The dreaded 10:30 Lull Period of Death reared its ugly head as the Fatal 5-Way left a bitter taste in my mouth. The booking of that match damn near ruined the show. Fortunately, the first 2 ½ hours was strong as the in-ring action ranged from solid to very good. The Braun Strowman-Elias Dual Concert was the best thing on the show from an entertainment standpoint while Sasha Banks vs. Bayley win Match of the Night honors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Also, WWE did nice job hyping the Elimination Chamber PPV by running down the key matches on the card. These points were hammered home to maximum effect until the company dropped the ball during the main event. Now that the situation has been rectified via social media, here’s hoping next week’s go-home show in Phoenix, Arizona is a nice make-good after tonight’s ho-hum ending. Fingers crossed! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-27730408471738023232018-02-06T20:23:00.001-08:002018-02-06T20:23:56.180-08:00The SmackDown Files: And The Idiot Of The Week Goes To...AJ Styles (2-6-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 2-6-2018</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Graphics Be Gone:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> A little complaining takes the WordArt away. For the most part...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SmackDown Live kicked off with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan having a tense conversation regarding their business relationship as of late. McMahon questioned Bryan for giving Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn undeserved opportunities at the WWE Championship in recent weeks. Shane-O-Mac got emotional as he accused Bryan of living vicariously through Owens and Zayn because he can no longer compete in the ring. Before Bryan could respond, AJ Styles made his way to ring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Styles called out both men for their piss poor managerial skills as of late. Styles had no problem taking on all comers, but he was tired of his bosses having a proverbial pissing contest to see who had the real power on SD Live. He told Bryan and McMahon to stay backstage during the Owens-Zayn match because he controlled his own destiny heading into Fastlane and WrestleMania as the opening segment came to an end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a fine way to start the show. Power Struggle 2018 is back in full swing as Bryan and McMahon continue to butt heads over Owens and Zayn. McMahon’s words cut deep which could lead to a possible match between him and Bryan at WrestleMania. This is pure speculation at the moment, but WWE has been dropping breadcrumbs over the past few months. If Bryan is medically cleared, all bets are off. If not, the company is playing a deadly game of Russian Roulette that could bite them in the ass if they’re not careful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Charlotte defeated Liv Morgan with the Figure Eight in a decent match. The Riott Squad tried to interfere down the stretch, but the referee caught them red-handed. The ref ejected Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan from ringside which set up the finish moments later. One down. Two to go. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Bludgeon Brothers destroyed another random tag team when Rowan pinned Random Wrestler #1 with a double chokeslam. It was short, sweet, and effective. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Usos cut another awesome promo about how they reinvented themselves last year. 2018 would be no different as Jimmy and Jey intend to keep the tag team division on lockdown. Most importantly, there was no jail ceil graphic on the television screen during their promo. Perhaps the WWE Graphics Team learned their lesson from last week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The first ever SD Live 10 Ten List has been revealed:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">10) Tye Dillinger </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">9) Randy Orton</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">8) Becky Lynch</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">7) The Usos</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">6) The New Day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">5) Bobby Roode</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">4) Naomi</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">3) Shinsuke Nakamura</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">2) Charlotte Flair</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">1) AJ Styles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rusev failing to make the cut saddens me. The shade of it all…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bobby Roode retained the United States Championship when he defeated Rusev with the Glorious DDT in a good match. The bout was perfectly early on, but it didn’t suck me in emotionally until Rusev nailed Roode with the Machka Kick for a near fall. From there, the action was on point as the crowd cheered for both men. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rusev tried to put Roode in the Accolade, but Roode countered with his finisher for the win. The Glorious One didn’t get a chance to celebrate because Randy Orton nailed him with an RKO out of nowhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Aiden English and Rusev suffered the same fate as the Kansas City crowd popped something fierce. Orton might not be in a front-burner storyline right now, but he is maximizing his minutes by doing very little while getting paid at the same time. The Viper is living the dream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Those damn graphics…Ugh…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable defeated The Ascension when Benjamin pinned Viktor with the Powerbomb/Diving Clothesline combination in a decent match. Viktor looked impressive as his offense was smooth and crisp throughout. It’s a shame that he doesn’t get a chance to showcase his talent on a regular basis because he’s really good in the ring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens ended in a double disqualification after AJ Styles attacked both men at ringside. Before the screwy finish, Owens and Zayn had a very good match that was on the verge of becoming the best television match of 2018 thus far. Both men know each other very well as they delivered the goods with great wrestling and dramatic near falls. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Zayn had Owens on the ropes when he confronted Styles at the announce table. Styles told Zayn to take care of Owens, but Zayn continued to run his mouth. Styles turned away from Zayn, but he swung Styles around which led to the Double DQ finish. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Styles laid out both men and wanted a winner despite how the match ended. Daniel Bryan appeared on the main stage and announced that Owens and Zayn will face Styles in a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship at Fastlane next month. SD Live went off the air with The Phenomenal One fuming in the ring while the announcers bickered about Bryan having an ulterior motive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a strong way to end the show. Styles being on guest commentary during the main event was a clear sign that Owens vs. Zayn was going to have a controversial finish. Styles took the bait and KO and Zayn laid the trap like a couple of weasels. Styles’ words came back to haunt him as he claimed he had everything under control during the opening segment. He was in charge of his own destiny and didn’t need Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon meddling in his business. Bryan did just that which will cause further tension between him and McMahon next week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Styles he has to walk through the fire in order to face Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Title at WrestleMania. The Triple Threat Match should be a Match of the Year contender if it’s not overbooked to death. I have feeling that Shane-O-Mac and Bryan will get involved, but that’s par for the course as of late. Here’s hoping this is leading up to something big at Mania because WWE continues to throw out red meat when it comes to Bryan’s in-ring status. Is this another mind fuck or something more? We shall find out soon enough. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was solid. The main event saved the show from drowning in a sea of mediocrity. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn have wrestled against each other hundreds of times, but they always bring something different to the table. It’s a rivalry that will never get old despite both men burying the hatchet for the time being. Despite getting another shot at the WWE Championship, I don’t think KO and Zayn will cede the spotlight heading into WrestleMania unless one forces the other to do so. We shall see how it all plays out over the next few weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The rest of the show was fine, but it didn’t feel must-see until the main event segment. The in-ring action has been subpar as of late which shouldn’t be the case. There are a couple of feuds bubbling beneath the surface, but the blue brand lacks a spark right now. There is no Miz or John Cena to carry the broadcast from a promo standpoint this year. With one more major PPV before Mania, the creative team needs to lay the foundation for something huge that will propel SD Live to the Promised Land. Here’s hoping they get the job done. Fingers crossed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-70913836461305231372018-02-05T21:48:00.001-08:002018-02-05T21:48:49.030-08:00The Raw Exposé: You Can't See Us - How John Cena and Casper The Friendly Ghost Became Kindred Spirits (2-5-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKMPoq0C_-EnYFX94I7FlBfV01nHqHx-DcycUkMr3tKV0tmQh1n6GkBBf7C7Z_NhmISh8S-qK53USU0dNMJwnTQ3S1scbJojaMHbskbCPfVAcaqN6BGPvlzo5Zi-zQhTa0cxUbk7t1-uL/s1600/WWE_Raw_2016_Logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="534" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKMPoq0C_-EnYFX94I7FlBfV01nHqHx-DcycUkMr3tKV0tmQh1n6GkBBf7C7Z_NhmISh8S-qK53USU0dNMJwnTQ3S1scbJojaMHbskbCPfVAcaqN6BGPvlzo5Zi-zQhTa0cxUbk7t1-uL/s400/WWE_Raw_2016_Logo.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">By: Keila Cash </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 2-5-2018</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Homecoming from Hell:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Jason Jordan burned Seth Rollins’ championship dreams to the ground. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Casper’s New Best Friend:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> John Cena because no one can see his worth as of late. #SpittingTruth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Roman Reigns defeated Bray Wyatt with the Spear to secure a spot in the Elimination Chamber match. The match started off sluggish, but the action picked up after the commercial break. Wyatt had Reigns on the ropes with a couple near falls, but the outcome was never in doubt despite Reigns kicking out of Sister Abigail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Corey Graves oversold their rivalry on commentary by putting them on the same pedestal as Superman vs. Lex Luthor and Batman Vs. The Joker. The Reigns-Wyatt feud from 2015 was terrible, but their matches made up for the shit fans had to deal with on a weekly basis. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Minor criticism aside, I thought the announcers did a nice job emphasizing the importance of the Chamber match being the final playoff game before WrestleMania. It’s the last chance for someone to main event the biggest PPV of the year and that point should be hammered home over the next few weeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After the match was over, Matt Hardy nailed Wyatt with the Twist of Fate to get a measure of revenge after Wyatt cost him a spot in the Chamber last week. Their never-ending feud continues. Yay! *Insert Sarcasm Here*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Karl Anderson and Finn Bàlor defeated The Revival when Bàlor pinned Scott Dawson with the Coup De Grace in a solid match. Anderson shouting Kiai after kicking Dash Wilder in the face was unintentionally hilarious. I’m not thrilled with The Revival and Bàlor Club going 50/50 as of late, but it’s understandable because the tag team ranks are thin at the moment when it comes to the heel : face ratio. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander defeated Tony Nese and Drew Gulak when Alexander nailed Gulak with the Lumbar Check for the win. The match was fine, but it lacked heat despite the acrobatic feats of Alexander down the stretch. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kurt Angle announced the five women who will face Alexa Bliss inside the Elimination Chamber for the Raw Women’s Championship. They are: Bayley, Mandy Rose, Mickie James, Sonya Deville, and Sasha Banks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nia Jax isn’t in the Chamber match, but she will face Asuka at the PPV with possible WrestleMania ramifications. If Jax defeats Asuka, one of the Women’s Title matches will become a Triple Threat affair. The streak and a spot at the biggest show of the year are on the line. Talk about high stakes!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alexa Bliss made her way to the ring and complained about being treated unfairly when it comes to defending her title inside the Chamber. The Universal Championship isn’t on the line in the Men’s Chamber Match which should automatically exempt her from competing in the women’s bout. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Angle stated that Bliss hasn’t defended her title since October. Bliss shot back by saying that he’s responsible for making the matches. Feeling exasperated, Angle asked the audience if they wanted to see Bliss defend her title inside the Chamber. This was a risky move because the fans actually backed Bliss’ argument, but they stayed on the script by chanting “Yes!” as the segment came to an end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bliss had a great point, but she was overruled in the end. If she tried to state her case to Stephanie McMahon, things would’ve ended badly for Little Miss Bliss. It’s like leading a lamb to slaughter…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka defeated Bayley with an Armbar in a solid match. Both ladies delivered the goods, but the outcome was never in doubt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Miz defeated Apollo Crews with the Skull Crushing Finale to advance to the Elimination Chamber match. Miz vs. Crews was surprisingly competitive as Crews had a nice showing. Jonathan Coachman was astute on commentary as he criticized Crews for going to the well too many times instead of finishing Miz off when he had the chance. Crews went for pay dirt, but he got caught between the ropes which set up the finish moments later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The fact is not lost on me that Reigns will get one of his wins back against Miz when he pins him clean inside the Chamber. Just a hunch…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jason Jordan is still not medically cleared to compete which put Seth Rollins in a bind leading up the Raw Tag Team Championship against Sheamus and Cesaro. Roman Reigns was more than happy to provide the assist as Kurt Angle nodded in approval. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sheamus and Cesaro defeated Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns via disqualification to retain the Raw Tag Team Championship after Jason Jordan punched Sheamus in front of the referee. To say Rollins and Reigns were pissed off would be an understatement. Before the bullshit finish, this was a good match as Rollins became the hometown hero down the stretch. He was on fire like the flames on his pants as the Des Moines native put on a one-man show. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jordan made his way to ringside to provide emotional support and helped his partner get out of a jam when he grabbed Cesaro’s leg which helped Rollins score a near fall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reigns told Jordan to hit the showers because he and Rollins had everything under control. Jordan started to head towards the back when The Bar tried to get counted out on purpose. This led to the ill-fated punch which set up the DQ finish moments later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jordan looked guilty, but it could’ve been an act because he didn’t want Reigns to steal his spotlight. If that’s the case, mission accomplished! If not, Jordan just became the most hated man in Iowa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kurt Angle just went Uncle Phil on Jason Jordan…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nia Jax destroyed Vanessa Floyd with a leg drop in quick and decisive fashion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mickie James defeated Sonya Deville with a roll-up in a decent match. After the match was over, Mandy Rose and Deville double-teamed James until ALEXA BLISS made the save. James looked confused as Bliss helped her to the back. Something tells me that Bliss is trying to worm her way into James’ good graces ahead of the women’s Elimination Chamber match. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A Second Chance Fatal 4-Way featuring Matt Hardy, Bray Wyatt, Finn Bàlor, and Apollo Crews with the winner securing the final spot in the Elimination Chamber Match. It should be a good one if everything goes according to plan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias will be the final man to enter the Elimination Chamber as he pinned John Cena thanks to an assist from Braun Strowman. The Triple Threat Match featuring Elias, Strowman, and Cena was fine but nothing special. Cena and Elias joined forces to take out Strowman as they laid him out at ringside before turning on each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cena got back on offense as he nailed Elias with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena tried to finish off The Drifter when Strowman caught Cena and dropped him with a Running Powerslam. Elias knocked Strowman out of the ring and picked up the tainted win moments later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias’ celebration was short-lived as Strowman laid him out with a Running Powerslam. Cena ate a second Powerslam as the fans egged Strowman on. He gave them what they wanted as he laid out both men two more times before Raw went off the air with Strowman fist bumping fans at ringside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a good way to end the show. Outside of Seth Rollins, Strowman was the most over star in the building. It’s weird to see Cena almost treated like an afterthought, but it happened here tonight. This is becoming a disturbing trend as of late because Cena is usually positioned as a top star despite not being featured in a front-burner storyline. Elias needs the rub, but seeing Cena in such a nothing feud is surprising to see in 2018. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Despite his part-time status, Cena should still be a top five star in WWE. Unless the company is waiting to pull the trigger on his rumored match against The Undertaker the night after the Elimination Chamber PPV, I don’t get the creative direction thus far. I know that hardcore fans have been clamoring for Cena to take a backseat over the past several years, but he still has equity as a marquee draw and it’s stunning that the company is treating him like a random guy on the roster with zero cachet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">That might not be the case behind the scenes, but the presentation of his character has been lazy and uninventive ever since his ho-hum return at Survivor Series last November. Here’s hoping Cena has a meaty storyline to sink his teeth into as we head into the heart of WrestleMania season because seeing him swim in the shallow waters of mediocrity is so 2002. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was middling at best. The Des Moines crowd was lukewarm as the in-ring action ranged from decent to solid. This felt like a glorified house show that happened to air on live television. There was no spark outside of Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman kicking ass during the third hour. Outside of that, the fans were subdued most of the night. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">WWE is doing a nice job hyping the Elimination Chamber PPV even though it’s predicated on the two chamber matches so far. The card should feature some decent mid-card bouts, but the show will be bookended by the Chamber matches. I have a sneaky feeling that Asuka vs. Nia Jax might steal the show if they are given enough time to do so. Their match on Raw a few weeks ago was a pleasant surprise. Let’s hope they can recapture the magic in Las Vegas later this month. Fingers crossed!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-17089415900485247442018-01-30T20:27:00.000-08:002018-01-30T20:27:13.987-08:00The SmackDown Files: Trouble In Paradise - Sami Zayn's Near Excommunication From Kevin's Heaven (1-30-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 1-30-2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Philly Fatigue:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Is It Super Bowl Sunday Yet?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Graphic Arts Overload:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The night when the WWE Production Team had too much fun using graphics from Final Cut Pro X.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SmackDown Live kicked off with the winner of the 2018 men’s Royal Rumble describing how he kneed Sami Zayn, John Cena, and Roman Reigns in the face to punch his ticket to WrestleMania. Shinsuke Nakamura noted that AJ Styles would suffer a similar fate at Mania with the WWE Championship on the line. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn came out to burst Nakamura’s bubble because they were screwed out of the WWE Title thanks to an incompetent referee and Shane McMahon’s endless thirst for revenge. Owens and Zayn were entitled to a rematch which would derail the Styles vs. Nakamura dream match at WM. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">KO and Zayn were about to double team Nakamura when Styles came to the rescue. Styles and Nakamura wanted a match against Owens and Zayn. The dastardly duo declined only for Styles and Nakamura to knock them off the ring apron as the opening segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In breaking news, Daniel Bryan made the tag team match official for later tonight while booking a blockbuster main event for next week. Owens and Zayn will face off in a number one contender’s match with the winner moving on to face Styles for the WWE Title at Fastlane in March. To say that the besties were not pleased with this news would be an understatement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The opening segment was nothing special, but Sami Zayn continues to be the saving grace with his over-the-top antics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rusev made Kofi Kingston tap out to the Accolade and will face Bobby Roode for the United States Championship next week. The Fatal Four Way match featuring Jinder Mahal, Zack Ryder, Rusev, and Kofi Kingston was solid. The ending was strong as the bout broke down into a parade of finishes with Ryder dropping Mahal with the Rough Ryder and Rusev nailing Ryder with the Machka Kick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kingston tried to hit Rusev with Trouble in Paradise, but Rusev ducked out of the way. Kingston went for the SOS, but the Bulgarian Brute countered with the Accolade for the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was Rusev’s biggest win in months which means only one thing…There will be many more Rusev Days to come! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Usos cut a hell of promo touting their superiority over the tag team division. Jimmy and Jey were dripping with confidence and passion as they had me hooked from start to finish. They’ve grown so much as performers because they are being themselves which makes them stand out from the pack. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In a sign of things to come, The Bludgeon Brothers came out at the end of The Usos’ motivational speech to destroy a random tag team in 90 seconds with the double chokeslam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Harper and Rowan & The Usos had a great feud a few years ago that set the tag team division on fire. If WWE plans to revisit this rivalry, I am all for it because both teams bring out the best in each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Charlotte avoided disaster when Carmella failed to cash in the Money in the Bank contract after she accidentally dropkicked the referee out of the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Riott Squad soften Charlotte by beating her ass in the ring. Ruby Riott had a decent script for a change and delivered her lines well, but her cadence was forced. It was too Villainess of the Week for my taste, but I digress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Carmella tried to get the ref’s attention, but he was down for the count. Charlotte got to her feet and was ready to fight which caused Carmella to call off the cash in. This was a nice tease because the Princess of Staten Island has five more months to hold the briefcase before her automatic title shot becomes null and void. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Baron Corbin defeated Tye Dillinger with End of Days in a decent match. The crowd heat was virtually nonexistent for the most which made the bout a drag to watch from home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The cracks are starting to show when it comes to the renewed friendship of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. This reunion was automatically set to implode from the moment Zayn saved Owens at Hell in a Cell. Once a backstabber, always a backstabber… Et Tu, Owens?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable defeated Breezango when Benjamin pinned Tyler Breeze with the Powerbomb/Diving Clothesline combination. The match was fine, but it was rough in spots as Gable and Fandango botched a couple moves midway through the match. The crowd couldn’t give two shits about either team as they started up a lukewarm Eagles chant. The Super Bowl can’t come soon enough…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens <s>& Sami Zayn</s> when Nakamura nailed Owens with the Kinshasa for the win. Zayn and Owens bickered throughout the match, but cooler heads prevailed when Zayn broke up a pin count on his best friend’s behalf. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">However, the truce was short-lived when Styles shoved Owens into Zayn which knocked the latter off the ring apron and onto the floor. Zayn told Owens to kick rocks as he headed backstage. Owens put up a good fight, but it wasn’t enough to eke out the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Renee Young interviewed Zayn backstage as he voiced his frustration for only being known as Kevin Owens’ best friend. KO has experienced the thrill of victory while Zayn has been lingering in his shadow for far too long. He vowed to beat Owens next week and defeat AJ Styles at Fastlane to become the new WWE Champion as SD Live came to an end with Styles and Nakamura posing in the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was an interesting way to end the show. The tension between Owens and Zayn has come out of left field despite the fact that their renewed friendship was set to detonate at any time. It feels rushed, but I have a feeling that the creative team is swerving the audience. Perhaps Zayn and Owens will fight to the proverbial death in order to main event WrestleMania. Something tells me that both men have a plan up their sleeves that will come to fruition next week. If not, here comes Chapter 75 of the Owens-Zayn feud. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was middling at best. The Philly crowd was emotionally spent after WWE held four shows in the same building over the past four days. The four for four deal is a great marketing ploy, but it will drain the audience by day three unless it’s WrestleMania weekend. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SD Live felt like an extended episode of Raw during the second hour because the in-ring action was lackluster until the main event. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elsewhere, Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon got along this week which fanned the flames when it comes to both men jockeying for power. It’s been an on and off storyline over the past couple of weeks. Did WWE realize that it’s wrong to give fans false hope when it comes to Bryan being cleared to compete in the event McMahon turns heel or vice versa? If so, the creative team pumping the brakes makes sense. If not, they are playing a dangerous game that could blow up in their face. We still have a couple of months of television to see how it all plays out, but the situation looks dicey at the moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Next week’s show should be better as SD Live emanates from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Owens vs. Zayn should be great if both men are given enough time to shine. I still smell a couple of rats plotting behind the scenes, but we shall see how it all plays out. It should be an interesting night, to say the least. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-14850664892067452682018-01-29T21:45:00.003-08:002018-01-29T21:45:52.363-08:00The Raw Exposé: Why Don't You Love Me? (A John Cena Story)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVV1aEbPg5pQoaDDXMr9w_1FudIA4STu1gjXQw7alKkyrFQRjg1erekU3dvQymDAVfVNfhJ6W-Gt1u4Mruf8Mu7ils-DdPg4RhfoIqJVWdZh6qH_SShbFHXK2bJwVANuVMqZmcD97Ww5E/s1600/59ea0ba72a0fe77937a5cb06.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="533" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVV1aEbPg5pQoaDDXMr9w_1FudIA4STu1gjXQw7alKkyrFQRjg1erekU3dvQymDAVfVNfhJ6W-Gt1u4Mruf8Mu7ils-DdPg4RhfoIqJVWdZh6qH_SShbFHXK2bJwVANuVMqZmcD97Ww5E/s400/59ea0ba72a0fe77937a5cb06.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 1-29-2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Post Royal Rumble Madness:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Ronda Rousey wants to dance with the E. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Welcome to the Japanese Invasion:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka punched their ticket to WrestleMania like a couple OGs <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">WrestleMania Hustle:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Welcome to the Second Chance Mania Sweepstakes starring {Insert Brock Lesnar’s Next Victim Here}<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Here a few observations from the opening segment of Raw:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Stephanie McMahon is officially the Mother Hen of the Women’s Division. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alexis Bliss will defend the Raw Women’s Championship in the first-ever Women’s Elimination Chamber match at the eponymous PPV next month. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka vs. Sasha Banks will take place later tonight per the order of Mother Hen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">All in all, this was a good way to start the show as WWE put the spotlight on the ladies while hyping Ronda Rousey’s debut at the conclusion of the Women’s Royal Rumble last night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Braun Strowman emphatically defeated Kane in a Last Man Standing match when he flipped the entire announcer table platform on top of The Big Red Machine. The referee skipped the obligatory ten count and crowned Strowman the winner. Strowman is the first man to qualify for the Elimination Chamber match. The bout was non-descript, but the ending was great. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias defeated Matt Hardy with the Drift Away to advance to the Elimination Chamber Match next month. Bray Wyatt provided the assist when he distracted Hardy with his Hocus Pocus which led to the finish moments later. Wyatt laughed at Hardy’s incompetence as the segment came to an end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Miz retained the Intercontinental Championship when he defeated Roman Reigns with a roll-up thanks to an assist from the Miztourage. Miz and Reigns had a very good match that featured hard-hitting action throughout. The turning point took place when Miz delivered a chop block to Reigns’ left knee when The Big Dog tried to nail him with the Superman Punch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The injury allowed Miz to put Reigns in the Figure Four. Reigns managed to reverse the submission hold which caused Miz to grab the rope in order to break the hold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">From there, both men traded near falls as the crowd popped accordingly. Miz tried to remove the middle turnbuckle behind the referee’s back, but he got caught this time. However, the distraction allowed Miz to thumb Reigns in the eye which set up the Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. Reigns countered with the Superman Punch for another two-count. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sensing that their boss was in trouble, Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel came to Miz’s rescue. Reigns kicked their asses as he nailed Axel with a Superman Punch before dropping Dallas with the Spear. Once again, Miz capitalized on the chaos which led to the aforementioned finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was Reigns’ last chance to regain the IC Title which means only one thing…He’s one step closer to punching his ticket to WrestleMania. Next Step: Qualify for the Elimination Chamber Match. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Revival defeated Heath Slater and Rhyno when Dash Wilder pinned Rhyno with the Shatter Machine in a quick match. Slater and Rhyno put up a good fight, but the outcome was never in doubt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka defeated Sasha Banks with the Asuka Lock in a good match. Things started off slow, but they picked up the pace after the commercial break. Banks nailed Asuka with the double knees from the middle rope for a near fall before transitioning to the Bank Statement moments later. Asuka managed to break the hold which to the sickest moment of 2018 so far. Banks went for a dive, but she didn’t clear the ropes which caused her to take a terrible spill on the floor. Asuka grazed her head with a kick, but the fall did most of the damage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka briefly checked on Banks before she tossed her back in the ring to destroy The Boss with a series of vicious strikes. It was hard to watch, but glorious at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The fact that Banks had the wherewithal to continue was amazing to see. She dropped Asuka a pair of double knees, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Empress of Tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Banks locked in the Bank Statement once again, but Asuka countered with the Asuka Lock for the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The match wasn’t perfect due to some rough spots and muted crowd heat, but it was memorable due to Banks damn near killing herself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sheamus and Cesaro defeated Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews to retain the Raw Tag Team Championship when Sheamus pinned Apollo Crews with White Noise in a solid match. O’Neil and Crews defeated The Bar in two non-title matches, but the third time wasn’t the charm on this night. Michael Cole is going a bit overboard hyping tonight’s in-ring action. It’s been fine for the most part but, the four-day lull is starting to set in for the Philly crowd. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John Cena defeated Finn Bàlor with the Super AA from the middle rope to secure a spot in the Elimination Chamber match with the winner moving on to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cena and Bàlor had a good match, but it was strange to watch at times. A disturbance in the crowd detracted from the bout early on, but things got better after the commercial break. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cena was selling frustration as he couldn’t understand why the fans hated him for wanting to main event Mania. Jonathan Coachman emphasized that on commentary which helped propel the match from a storytelling standpoint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cena’s overzealousness got the best of him when he taunted the crowd with the Too Sweet sign before delivering the AA to Bàlor for a near fall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bàlor countered with a running dropkick in the corner which put Cena in the drop zone for the Coup De Grace. Cena rolled out of the way as Bàlor landed awkwardly on his left leg. Cena took advantage by putting Bàlor in the STF. Bàlor broke the hold by grabbing the middle rope. He kicked Cena in the head and climbed to the top rope to hit his finisher. However, Cena cut him off and dropped him with the Super AA for the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Raw went off the air with Cena pointing at the WM sign as he tried to convince himself that he belonged in the main event as the fans showered him with a mixture of boos and cheers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a nice way to end the show. Finn Bàlor might’ve lost the right to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Title at WM, but it’s probably for the best because he was going to eat the pin at Elimination Chamber anyway. Delaying the inevitable would’ve pissed the fans off even more, so I understand the booking logic in this case. I’m sure WWE has a feud lined up for him that will serve as a make-good for not having a prominent role at next month’s PPV. The Demon King will have his WrestleMania moment in New Orleans. Against who? We shall find out soon enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was decent at best. The in-ring action ranged from decent to very good as WWE began to promote next month’s Elimination Chamber PPV. John Cena vs. Finn Bàlor wins best match of the night honors while Sasha Banks vs. Asuka takes second place due to the death-defying feats of Banks. The bump she took will be in her Hall of Fame highlight reel twenty years from now. It was that gnarly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Philly crowd was low key most of the night. After NXT Takeover: Philadelphia and the Royal Rumble PPV, the euphoria didn’t carry over into tonight’s broadcast. They popped for certain spots, but it appears that they’re saving their energy for the Super Bowl when the Eagles square off against the Patriots on Sunday. Here’s hoping SmackDown Live ends things on a high note when WWE emanates from the city of Brotherly Love for the fourth and final time tomorrow night. Fingers crossed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Quick side note: Jonathan Coachman has the capability of being a good color commentator. However, I am not here for The Coach playing a game of 20 Questions with Corey Graves for three hours. He needs to take off his ESPN hat and fully immerse himself in the WWE product. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">His affiliation with the E over the past few years should arm him with enough knowledge to put over the wrestlers while schooling Cole and Graves at the same time. I know it’s week one, but his line of questioning and off-putting remarks rubbed me the wrong way. Let’s see how the Jonathan Coachman Experiment fares next week before I pass further judgment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-46043705448844547462018-01-23T20:42:00.001-08:002018-01-23T20:42:47.457-08:00The SmackDown Files: From Kinshasa to Washington D.C. - All Aboard The RKO Express (1-23-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Lucida Sans Unicode, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">By: Keila Cash</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 1/23/2018</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Prelude to the Royal Rumble: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s a bird…It’s a plane…It’s an RKO out of nowhere!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SD Live kicked off with a needlessly long opening segment featuring Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and AJ Styles arguing about who has the advantage heading into the 2-on-1 Handicap Match for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble on Sunday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Styles showed confidence heading into the title bout, but Owens and Zayn wanted to soften him up by using Styles’ words against him. They tossed to a video clip of Styles stating that he was willing to fight both men on the same night during an in-ring interview with Renee Young two weeks ago. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">KO and Zayn wanted Styles to be a man of his word. Before he could respond, Daniel Bryan appeared on the main stage. Bryan was about to wax poetically on Styles’ behalf, but Styles cut him off mid-sentence. Styles didn’t trust Bryan’s motives and decided to accept Owens and Zayn’s challenge to fight them in back-to-back matches as the opening segment came to an end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Zayn’s over-the-top character saved this segment from being a total bore and that’s all I have to say about that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chad Gable defeated Jey Uso with a German Suplex in a solid match. Gable’s amateur wrestling came into play early on until Jey turned up the volume after the commercial break when he laid out Gable with a dive. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jey went for the Splash, but Gable moved out of the way. Jey countered with a Samoan Drop only for Gable to catch him with a sick rolling kick followed by the German Suplex for the win. This was a nice way for Gable and Shelton Benjamin to build momentum heading into their 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at the Rumble on Sunday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Naomi defeated Liv Morgan with a Sunset Flip in a decent match. It was rough in spots, but I got a kick out of Morgan dodging Naomi’s enzuigiri like a human windmill before getting kneed in the face. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After the match was over, Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan attacked Naomi from behind. Becky Lynch made the save as Natalya, Carmella, and Lana joined the fray as the ladies offered a preview of the women’s Royal Rumble match. Natalya was the last woman standing until Naomi and Lynch made her leave the ring. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In a surprising turn of events, Lynch tried to throw Naomi over the top rope, but her plan backfired as Naomi caught herself on the ring apron. Both ladies exchanged a glance as Charlotte appeared on the main stage. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Queen admired Lynch’s moxie and warned the ladies that friendships and alliances are thrown out the window when it comes to getting an automatic title shot at WrestleMania. Charlotte wished them good luck as the segment came to an end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Baron Corbin ended abruptly when Randy Orton nailed Nakamura with an RKO out of nowhere in an incredible spot. Nakamura was about to hit Corbin with the Kinshasa when Orton hit him with his finisher in mid-stride. The crowd went insane as Orton sailed into the air like a gazelle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Corbin suffered the same fate as Orton put the SD Live roster on notice that he was going to win the Rumble in back-to-back years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Before the batshit crazy finish, Nakamura and Corbin were having a good match. It started off slow, but the action picked up after the commercial break. This was one of their better matches as the near falls were on point down the stretch. The non-finish helps both men save face heading into the Rumble despite getting owned by Orton. Will The Viper become a three-time Rumble winner? The Magic 8-Ball says: “Very Doubtful”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) & Bobby Roode defeated Jinder Mahal, Aiden English, & Rusev when Woods pinned English with an Elbow Drop. The match was short, but fun while it lasted. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AJ Styles defeated Kevin Owens when he made Owens tap out to the Calf Crusher in a quick match. Owens has been working a reduced schedule in order to nurse some nagging injuries over the past couple of weeks. This was WWE’s way of giving KO an out heading into Sunday’s PPV which should give him enough time to heal up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sami Zayn defeated AJ Styles with the Helluva Kick-Blue Thunder Bomb combo in a good main event match. It was fairly one-sided as Zayn dominated the action until Styles made a babyface comeback towards the end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Owens was being treated by medical personnel at ringside while the match was going on. Styles took a cheap shot at Owens that cost him early on when Zayn laid him out with a clothesline. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Towards the end of the match, Styles decided to leave the ring on his own power and flip Owens off the stretcher which set up the finish moments later. Styles’ overzealousness got the best of him which puts the Phenomenal One at a serious disadvantage on Sunday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SD Live went off the air with Owens and Zayn standing over Styles as the prospect of them becoming co-WWE Champion is damn near plausible. I doubt it’s going to happen, but all three men will deliver the goods on Sunday if they are given enough time to shine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">As for Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon, their power struggle was on full display as McMahon questioned Bryan’s ability to do his job as General Manager. Expect both authority figures to play a role in the 2-on-3 Handicap Match on Sunday. Who’s turning on who? We shall find out soon enough. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was decent at best. This show was miles better than the dreck that aired last week. The in-ring action was solid as WWE hammered home the key matches taking place at the Royal Rumble on Sunday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The hype for this year’s Rumble has been disappointing. The company has been shilling the card for weeks, but there are no clear front-runners on the men and women’s side at the moment. Maybe the creative team is banking on a few surprise entrants from both matches to justify the so-so buildup thus far. In any event, it should be a good show if it’s timed properly. The Royal Rumble sells itself, but it would’ve been nice if the E put in more effort from a promotional standpoint. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Selfie videos can only do so much when it comes to securing one of two spots at WrestleMania. Everyone else is fighting for scraps on the table which should make the scrum towards Fastlane exciting to watch come March. Here’s hoping SD Live delivers compelling television in the weeks to come because the show has been duller than dishwater as of late. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-20885230007116507682018-01-22T22:04:00.001-08:002018-01-22T22:51:33.718-08:00The Raw Exposé: Motown 25 > Raw 25 (1-22-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrpLEwGLSZs6DHUCkxr67dTEyhtSn3QN2PiOvp6_gQEDBfmYgghcSDCR9Z_q7MeQHz3LpvJ0LFM1z4bxJRzQXkNiv2aBMsueoACQvE12nF2OsmJUr0tldFv0ogTXJSELEaodyEgFkQt02/s1600/raw25-400x240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrpLEwGLSZs6DHUCkxr67dTEyhtSn3QN2PiOvp6_gQEDBfmYgghcSDCR9Z_q7MeQHz3LpvJ0LFM1z4bxJRzQXkNiv2aBMsueoACQvE12nF2OsmJUr0tldFv0ogTXJSELEaodyEgFkQt02/s400/raw25-400x240.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 1-22-2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Primary Location: </span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Secondary Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The Manhattan Center in New York City, New York<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Happy Anniversary:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Raw Turns 25!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rest of the Show:</span></b><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Meh…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shane and Stephanie McMahon kicked off Raw 25 with a video package recapping the most memorable moments over the past 25 years. Afterward, Shane and Stephanie introduced Vince McMahon so he could take a bow for creating a wrestling juggernaut. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vince was moved by the ovation, but things quickly went south when his kids gave him a plaque commemorating the occasion. Apparently, Shane and Steph set up a GoFundMe page which resulted in limited donations coming in. Vince was offended that the gift was so cheap before running down the city of Brooklyn because they had plaque on the teeth and arteries for eating too many hot dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vinnie Mac decided to thank himself for being the mastermind behind Raw and took credit for the show being a success. Before he could continue, Stone Cold Steve Austin came out to a raucous ovation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Stephanie immediately left the ring while Shane stuck around like a lamb being led to slaughter. Vince tried to calm Stone Cold down by claiming that he was a senior citizen suffering from a number of health ailments. Because of his AARP status, Vince appointed Shane to fight Austin on his behalf. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shane-O-Mac tried to make nice with The Rattlesnake, but he got bit with a Stunner instead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Vince grabbed a couple of cans of Miller Lite and shared a toast with his arch nemesis. The beer drinking continued until Austin dropped Vince with the Stunner as the crowd popped something fierce. Austin celebrated by drinking some Steveweisers as Shane McMahon regained consciousness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shane tried to share another toast with Austin, but he got nailed with another Stunner as the opening segment came to an end with Austin giving the audience the double middle finger salute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a great way to start the show. Vince McMahon and Stone Cold had another classic encounter while Shane was thrown to the wolves by his own father. Just like old times! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sasha Banks, Bayley, Mickie James, and Asuka defeated Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Nia Jax, and Alicia Fox when Banks made Fox tap out to the Bank Statement in a decent eight-woman tag team match. However, Asuka reminded her tag team partners that it’s every woman herself at the Royal Rumble when she tossed James, Bayley, and Banks over the top rope. Is this a sign of things to come? We shall find out soon enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Undertaker appeared at the Manhattan Center and cut an ominous promo about the future. It wasn’t a retirement announcement but left me very confused, to say the least. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Miz became an eight-time Intercontinental Champion when he defeated Roman Reigns with the Skull Crushing Finale in a good match. The Miztourage (Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas) paid dividends at ringside as they took cheap shots at Reigns behind the referee’s back. Reigns eventually nailed both men with the Drive-By. The diversion allowed Miz to remove the covering from the middle turnbuckle which played into the finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reigns nailed Miz with a Superman Punch and was about to finish him off with the Spear when Dallas grabbed Reigns’ leg. The ref caught Dallas red-handed which led to him and Axel being tossed from ringside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The distraction allowed Miz to hit Reigns with the Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. Reigns charged after Miz, but the A-Lister moved out the way as Reigns slammed his head against the exposed turnbuckle which set up the finish moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The crowd popped for the finish because they hated Reigns. This was the perfect setting for Reigns to drop the title which should lead to his presumed Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jason Jordan generated the third-most heel heat on the show as he couldn’t get a word in edgewise during his appearance on Christian’s Peep Show. Seth Rollins looked on in astonishment as Jordan died on the proverbial vine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cesaro and Sheamus came out to tell Jordan that he sucked which led to Jordan attacking Sheamus. The brawl was on as Rollins laid out Sheamus with a tope. Jordan held Cesaro so he could take a flying knee from Rollins, but the Swiss Superman moved out of the way as Rollins took out Jordan instead. To say that the crowd was overjoyed would be an understatement. All in all, this was a nice way to hype the Raw Tag Team Championship Match at the Rumble. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bray Wyatt defeated Matt Hardy with Sister Abigail in a subpar match. The Manhattan Center is getting the short end of the stick when it comes to seeing quality in-ring action. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nice cameo by Chris Jericho as he put Elias and his scarves on the list. Y2J deserves a full segment, damn it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The oddest feud of 2018 is John Cena vs. Elias. Elias was singing a ditty when Cena interrupted him. Cena was in the middle of cutting a promo when Elias told him to shut up. He blamed Cena for ruining his moment. Cena told him to do something about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias told him that he doesn’t answer to Cena or the scumbag fans in Brooklyn as he headed out of the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias tried to sneak attack Cena, but he was dropped with the Five Knuckle Shuffle instead. Cena went for the AA, but Elias wiggled out of the move as he nailed Cena with a low blow. He grabbed his guitar and struck Cena in the back before hitting the Drift Away to wrap up the segment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias is such a great asshole. His personality continues to shine and he’s in a high profile feud with John Cena. Their first match on Christmas night left a lot to be desired, but their second outing should be much better once they work out the kinks. Hopefully…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Heath Slater and Rhyno vs. Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews ended abruptly when the referee called for the bell after both teams were disqualified for kicking too much ass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Dudley Boyz helped ease the pain when Bubba Ray and D-Von put Heath Slater through a table. It was a beautiful moment that made the previous match worth enduring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mene Gene Okerlund interviewing AJ Styles was a nice surprise. Styles impersonating Hulk Hogan was surreal, but he sold it like a champ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The DX Reunion was cool as Triple H and Shawn Michaels paid homage to Ravishing Rick Rude and Chyna before introducing The New Age Outlaws. X-Pac made a surprise appearance followed by Razor Ramon. For some reason, WWE cut to commercial which made Ramon’s entrance super awkward. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Fortunately, Ramon had a chance to address the crowd before The Bàlor Club came out. Both factions joined forces for a Too Sweet Salute as the crowd popped for the moment. Billy Gunn was about to say his signature line when The Revival came out to interrupt. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Gallows and Anderson defeated The Revival when Karl Anderson pinned Dash Wilder with the Magic Killer. The match was nothing special, but it was a means to an end as Dash and Dawson took a parade of finishes from the DX-Bàlor Club Kliq. Billy Gunn finally said his catchphrase as the crowd joined in on the “Suck It!” chant. This was nice a dose of nostalgia that sent the Manhattan crowd home happy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meanwhile, all hell broke loose at the Barclays Center when Brock Lesnar nailed Braun Strowman with a wicked clothesline at ringside before hitting Kane with the F5. Strowman went back on the attack as he knocked Lesnar out of the ring with a clothesline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Strowman tossed The Beast against the barricade before power slamming him through the announce table as the crowd popped for the spot. Raw 25 went off the air with the Monster standing tall while the Beast and the Machine licked their wounds at ringside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was an abrupt way to end the show. Lesnar was on the warpath until Strowman put in that work. Strowman has been unstoppable over the past few weeks. However, the outcome heading into the Triple Threat Match on Sunday remains the same. Lesnar will retain the Universal Championship and face Roman Reigns for the title at WrestleMania 34. Anything less would be a shocker. I would love to see WWE swerve us all, but that is highly unlikely unless something crazy happens. Kane will eat the pin while Strowman maintains his street cred for being a badass. Consider it a guaran-damn-tee! I think…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought Raw 25 did a nice job paying tribute to past while putting a spotlight on the future. The show dragged at times as the in-ring action left a lot to be desired. Roman Reigns vs. The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship wins best match of the night honors by default because WWE had a tough time serving two masters as the action was dry at the Manhattan Center until DX came out during the third hour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The company running two shows in two different location seemed like a good idea on paper. However, the execution was so-so as the fans had to watch half the show on the big screen while feeling cheated if certain stars didn’t show up at their venue. It was a hot ass mess, to say the least. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">My favorite part of the show was the poker game involving the APA (JBL can still kiss my ass after blocking me on Twitter), Heath Slater, Rhyno, Ted DiBiase, MVP, The Usos, Natalya, The New Day, and Jeff Hardy. It was mindless fun as Slater kept getting bad beats until he had to resort to cheating in order to win a hand. Dana Brooke busted him which resulted in The Million Dollar Man taking down the pot with a royal flush. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The presentation of former Raw General Managers was cool as well as the women from the past getting their moment in the spotlight. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a few of them appear in the Women’s Royal Rumble on Sunday. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Rock not appearing on the show was a letdown, but his production schedule is super busy these days. Batista making a cameo appearance would’ve been sweet as well, but it wasn’t meant to be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Raw 1000 remains one of the best Raws of all time. Raw 25 had too many lull spots which prevented the show from being an all-time classic. Here’s hoping Raw 30 has a bit more bite in 2023 because the future is bright if the E doesn’t wet and shit the bed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 14.0pt;">·<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Until then, the Road to WrestleMania kicks off with the Royal Rumble on Sunday. Who will punch their tickets to New Orleans? We shall find out soon enough. And so it begins…again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-6956430001664089912018-01-16T20:36:00.000-08:002018-01-16T20:36:31.984-08:00The SmackDown Files: The Go To Sleep Edition (1-16-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 1-16-2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The Laredo Energy Center in Laredo, Texas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sleep Mantra:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> "Enter Sandman" by Metallica <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dream Mantra:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> “The View from Hell is Blue Sky” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jinder Mahal advanced to the finals of the United States Tournament when he defeated Xavier Woods with the Khallas in a solid match. Mahal dominated 85% of the action which didn’t make for exciting television. Woods made a nice babyface comeback, but the outcome was never in doubt. Outside of The New Day rolling their R’s when it came to pronouncing the word Maharaja, this was an uneventful way to start the show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bobby Roode advanced to the finals of the United States Tournament when he defeated Mojo Rawley with the Glorious DDT in a solid match. Once again, the heel was in control until the babyface made the comeback down the stretch. Rawley needs to add variety to his in-ring game, but he held his own against Roode for the most part. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After the match was over, The Singh Brothers attacked Roode from behind as a way to soften him up before his US Title Match against Jinder Mahal next week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mahal appeared on the main stage to gloat, but Roode didn’t want to wait until next week to face the modern-day Maharaja. Mahal scoffed at the notion because he was the one who determines the time and place to fight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Danial Bryan came out to remind Mahal that he was in charge by booking Mahal vs. Roode for the US Title later tonight. The finals were bumped from the Rumble to next week to tonight in less than 24 hours. Best laid plans, be damned! At least the fans popped huge for the announcement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Riott Squad defeated Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Naomi when Liv Morgan nailed Naomi with a double knee facebreaker for the win. The match was decent as Lynch played the babyface in peril until she made the hot tag to Naomi. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Naomi had the match won when Ruby Riott kicked her in the face behind the referee’s back which led to the finish moments later. This was a nice way for the heels to build momentum leading up to the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match in a couple of weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bobby Roode is the NEW United States Champion when he defeated Jinder Mahal with the Glorious DDT in an okay match. The match was fine for the most part, but I was distracted by Roode and Mahal wearing the same color scheme. It was all blue everything from their trunks right down to the kneepads. Batista (AKA Bluetista) must be smiling from ear to ear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvaqMey-M0AbIo6bpoUVIWbK3UcxPbG2kVZEdwZpDzarkofavI3n23nF3OoqUej52c1onfb0fD-WdCDJbuaVUUzAugtraV5gceqqXxZNYQnz6iBl0dR3ccI5t_h9JCBkzWyFo-VlSsgGs/s1600/Evolution-Bluetista.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="679" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvaqMey-M0AbIo6bpoUVIWbK3UcxPbG2kVZEdwZpDzarkofavI3n23nF3OoqUej52c1onfb0fD-WdCDJbuaVUUzAugtraV5gceqqXxZNYQnz6iBl0dR3ccI5t_h9JCBkzWyFo-VlSsgGs/s400/Evolution-Bluetista.webp" width="400" /></a></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mahal dominated most of the action which damn near put me to sleep. Thankfully, Roode scored the pin which ended things on a high note. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan presented the Glorious One with the United States Championship as SD Live went off the air with Roode celebrating in the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The ending was a little surprising because I thought Mahal had the mid-card scene on lock after losing the WWE Title last November. Therefore, I am pleasantly surprised that Roode won his first major championship on the main roster. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">He’s still miscast as a babyface, but the pickings are slim when it comes to viable challengers at the moment. Here’s hoping business picks up after the Royal Rumble because there is a lot of downtime between now and Fastlane which takes place in March. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was boring. The in-ring action left a lot to be desired. Jinder Mahal wrestling TWICE in one night didn’t help matters, but Bobby Roode made everything better in the end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The show lacked star power as the broadcast was filled with pre-taped segments and backstage promos from AJ Styles and The Usos. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were MIA while the power struggle between Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan ceased for one night. It seemed as if WWE was doing some extra event planning for Raw 25 which might explain why tonight’s broadcast seemed thrown together on a whim. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was by far the worst episode of SD Live since the 2016 reboot. It wasn’t dog shit terrible, but it was a chore to watch. Let’s hope next week’s go-home show from Washington D.C. is better because this was a piss poor effort from the E tonight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-89208193819242400192018-01-15T22:08:00.000-08:002018-01-15T22:08:03.515-08:00The Raw Exposé: Strowman Gone Wild (1-15-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ5LNzguMPLWNteuNcbHVomMdq9FIZ3w_sJjAJGdyjyluRXcVQoV8dYxQT6ppndrIWqcxsdEsty8vD8fhyn6T4MYJuAUsUZVJ3hKE-CMiyO8pu2TIrM0THlFa4oh7nFMgvkr_cPe8SquS/s1600/Raw+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ5LNzguMPLWNteuNcbHVomMdq9FIZ3w_sJjAJGdyjyluRXcVQoV8dYxQT6ppndrIWqcxsdEsty8vD8fhyn6T4MYJuAUsUZVJ3hKE-CMiyO8pu2TIrM0THlFa4oh7nFMgvkr_cPe8SquS/s400/Raw+Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 1/15/2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Recurring Theme:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Welcome To the Danger Zone (AKA Braun Strowman’s Rallying Cry)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Throwback Machine Monday:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The Return of the Curbstomp!</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kurt Angle fired Braun Strowman after he tried to kill Brock Lesnar and Kane last week. To say that the fans hated Angle’s announcement would be an understatement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a shocking way to start the show. Strowman cut the best promo his career while Angle was showered with the dreaded “What?” chant. On top of that, the “You Suck” chant actually generated heel heat because of his controversial decision to fire Strowman two weeks before his Universal Championship match against Kane and Lesnar at the Royal Rumble. Despite what happened, I have a feeling that Angle’s decision will be overturned before the end of the night. Just a hunch…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Security tried to escort Strowman out of the building, but one of the dudes made the costly mistake of putting his hands on Strowman which lead to a 1-on-5 ass whopping. It was a glorious sight to behold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">For the second week in a row, Apollo Crews and Titus O’Neal defeated Sheamus and Cesaro when Crews rolled up Sheamus for the win thanks to an assist from Jason Jordan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sheamus and Cesaro had Crews dead to rites when Jordan appeared on the main stage. The distraction gave Crews enough time to pin Sheamus as Dana Brooke celebrated at ringside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Seth Rollins came out to chide Jordan for unnecessarily poking the bear two weeks before the Rumble. Because of his actions, The Bar has extra incentive to kick their asses. Jordan’s slow-burn heel turn continues…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Poor Curt Hawkins. Braun Strowman put him through the catering table before eating a piece of chocolate cake to satisfy his hunger for violence and revenge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cedric Alexander defeated Tony Nese with the Lumbar Check in a good match. The crowd was invested in the action which was refreshing to see for a change. Goldust provided some star power as he taunted Enzo Amore at ringside. I am not a fan of Goldust being a part of the cruiserweight division because it’s a clear admission from WWE that the concept has failed on the main roster. However, Goldie still gets a pop from the crowd which might transfer to Alexander if he develops a personality. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Braun Strowman barged into the production truck and scared the shit out of everybody. No one was hurt, but he separated the tractor from the truck and flipped it over thanks to a slick edit from the production team. The irony is not lost on me that the same crew Strowman traumatized minutes ago still made him look good on television. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Strowman appeared on the main stage and made a beeline towards the announce table. Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Booker T tried to get the hell out of dodge, but only two made it out alive as Booker sacrificed Cole by giving him a hip bump that left him in the direst of straits. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Strowman grabbed Cole and was about to destroy him when Kurt Angle came out to defuse the situation. Angle told Strowman that Stephanie McMahon overturned his termination which puts him back in the Triple Threat Match at the Rumble. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Strowman dropped Cole, but he wasn’t finished with him as he tossed Cole off the stage. The security guards broke his fall, but the spot was still cool. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This entire segment was batshit crazy. Strowman was awesome. The tractor flip was hokey as hell, but I still loved it. Cole almost getting got made my night as well. All in all, this was a classic Raw moment that will be part of the WWE Network Collection for years to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka defeated Nia Jax when Jax was no longer able to compete after suffering a knee injury. Prior to the finish, Asuka and Jax had a good match that had the crowd hooked from start to finish. Jax dominated the action, but Asuka had a few hope spots by putting Jax in various submission holds. Jax powered out each time and took the action to ringside as she slammed Asuka back first into the ring apron. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jax grabbed Asuka and tried to pull her up the steel steps when Asuka kicked her in the thigh. Jax lost her balance and slipped between the steps. She took a bad spill on the floor, but she made back in the ring before the count of ten. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jax tried to stand up, but she fell to the mat. After falling down a third time, the referee called for the bell and awarded Asuka the win. The fans weren’t happy with the finish, but it was a competitive match while it lasted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jason Jordan continues to push his luck by putting Seth Rollins in unfavorable situations. Jordan asked Kurt Angle to book Rollins in a match against Finn Bàlor. Angle agreed and set the bout for later tonight. I’m sure Rollins is overjoyed at this news. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This year’s MLK Day package was great. The WWE production team continues to be first-class. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Revival defeated a random tag team with the Shatter Machine in quick and decisive fashion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dash and Dawson prided themselves on being PROFESSIONAL WRESTLERS who didn’t care about playing video games backstage. They were students of the game and vowed to school the likes of the APA, New Age Outlaws, Shawn Michaels, and Stone Cold Steve Austin next week as Raw celebrates its 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary. Something tells me that a Fameasser, Clothesline from Hell, Sweet Chin Music, and Stunner is in their not too distant future. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Roman Reigns defeated Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel in a 2-on-1 Handicap Match when Reigns nailed Axel with a Spear for the win. The Miztourage dominated the action early on, but the outcome was never in doubt despite The Miz’s outside interference. The San Antonio crowd was pro-Reigns which is a marked improvement from last week’s so-so response in Memphis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Brooklyn and Philadelphia fans are going to boo him mercilessly over the next couple of weeks, but that’s par for the course at this point. Perhaps the short-term Shield reunion garnered some goodwill amongst hardcore fans. Nah!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sonya Deville defeated Sasha Banks with a kick to the ribs after catching Banks in midflight. It was a great spot that made Deville look badass. Paige was at ringside cheering on her fellow Absolution member. There was no mention of her probable retirement from in-ring competition. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Perhaps WWE is saving the announcement for a later date because there is so much going on between Raw 25 and the Royal Rumble. Here’s hoping the company offers some kind of confirmation because the internet streets are talking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Matt Hardy defeated Heath Slater with the Twist of Fate in a quick match. Slater’s deletion went off without a hitch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Seth Rollins defeated Finn Bàlor with the CURBSTOMP in a very good main event match. The match started off slow, but the action picked up after the commercial break. The counters were on point as Rollins and Bàlor traded slingblades and superkicks down the stretch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bàlor went up to the top rope to hit the Coup De Grace, but Rollins caught him with a superplex from the top rope followed by the Falcon Arrow for a near fall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Balor countered with an inside cradle for a 2 ¾ count. Instant replay showed that the ref’s hand hit the mat three times, but he was out of position which played into the controversial finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sheamus and Cesaro came out to attack Jason Jordan, but Jordan found himself in a tight squeeze when he bumped into Gallows and Anderson at ringside. He ducked out of the way as The Bar inadvertently went after Gallows and Anderson. Bàlor broke things up with a flip dive before heading back to the top rope to hit his finisher. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rollins rolled out of the way and bounced off the ropes to charge after Bàlor. Jordan tripped Bàlor behind Rollins’ back which set up the throwback finish moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jordan and Rollins celebrated on the main stage while Bàlor tried to gather his bearings in the ring. The camera stayed on Bàlor, Gallows, and Anderson for an uncomfortable period of time until the show went off the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a very strange way to end the show, but it left the door open for a rematch between Bàlor and Rollins because the ref botched the pin count. They could have a great feud with the babyface-heel roles being reversed this time around. Their in-ring chemistry is off the charts and I hope both men get more chances to shine because they bring out the best in each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rollins being unaware of Jordan’s shady tactics will cause this team to blow up sooner or rather than later. Jordan is trying to act chivalrous, but he’s a snake in the grass who is only using Rollins in order to get ahead. It’s a brilliant storyline that’s playing out perfectly. Jordan still needs to generate legit heel heat, but he’s well on his way based on his actions tonight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was decent at best. Braun Strowman’s rampage carried the first hour as he destroyed people and inanimate objects with the greatest of ease. It was campy, but fun to watch nonetheless. The in-ring action ranged from decent to very good as Asuka vs. Nia Jax delivered the goods while the cruiserweights didn’t die on the proverbial vine thanks to the star power of Goldust. That is not a typo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The San Antonio crowd was hot all night which helped the show breeze by for the most part. The show hit a lull during the third hour, but the main event ended the night on a high note. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Next week is the biggest episode of Raw since the flagship brand celebrated its 1000<sup>th</sup> episode five years ago. Raw 25 promises to be a stacked show from top to bottom. It should be a special evening filled with nostalgia while offering a glimpse into the future at the same time. WWE can’t cling to the past by relying on legends and part-timers in order to get over the hump in 2018. The well is running dry and it’s time for the company to bank on the future because they have the talent to pull it off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This year’s Royal Rumble should be a sign of what’s to come. Fresh Faces! Innovation! Deviation from the norm! Here’s hoping the creative team keeps that in mind while paying homage to the past. Fingers crossed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-19023344427221844412018-01-09T20:44:00.001-08:002018-01-09T20:44:41.938-08:00The SmackDown Files: Just Say The Word - Daniel Bryan's One-Step Guide Towards Match Booking (1-9-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Legacy Arena at The BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 1-9-2018</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rallying Cry:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Roll Tide!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Somber Cry:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Poor Dawgs...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SD Live kicked off with Renee Young conducting a sit-down interview with AJ Styles. Young asked Styles if he thought his 2-on-1 handicap match against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship at the Royal Rumble was unfair. Styles sidestepped the question because he didn’t want to throw Daniel Bryan under the bus. Renee pressed the issue again which caused Styles to admit that he felt that the decision was unfair because Bryan took his sarcasm as gospel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">However, Styles vowed to beat Owens and Zayn at the Rumble to prove that SD Live was still his house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Owens and Zayn came out and accused Styles of backtracking because his mouth got him in trouble last week. The dynamic duo planned to do something that hasn’t been done since the days of Laycool: Become co-Champions! Ah, the good old days… *sniff* </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shane McMahon appeared on the main stage and announced that KO and Zayn will face Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles in a 3-on-2 handicap which will take place later tonight. Despite McMahon not agreeing with Bryan’s decision from last week, he still supports him. For now…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was an okay way to start the show. AJ Styles’ promo was fine, but Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were the real MVPs of the segment as Zayn continues to crack me up with his over the top celebrations. His leaping ability is something to behold. Trampoline be damned!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Becky Lynch defeated Ruby Riott with the Dis-Arm-Her in a decent match. Nothing more, nothing less. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Bludgeon Brothers made quick work of The Ascension when Harper pinned Viktor with a Powerbomb. Harper and Rowan weren’t finished as they dropped Konner with a double Chokeslam for good measure. Total Domination from the two men with no first name. What can I say? It’s a WWE thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mojo Rawley advanced to the semifinals of the United States Championship Tournament when Rawley nailed Zack Ryder with a charging forearm for the win. The match was solid as both men showed nice aggression throughout. Rawley still comes off a bit too hyped for my taste, but I am digging his heel character so far. He’s one of the best talkers on SD Live when he’s allowed to speak in his own voice instead of reading from a script. Here’s hoping Mojo is given more mic time in 2018 because he has potential to get over as a big star if the creative team doesn’t drop the ball on his push. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Daniel Bryan continues to get booking inspiration from wrestlers when Chad Gable put his foot in his mouth by claiming that Bryan wanted him and Shelton Benjamin to defeat The Usos twice in the same night. Bryan agreed and booked Gable and Benjamin vs. The Usos in a 2 out of 3 Falls Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles at the Royal Rumble. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The segment ran a bit long, but Gable saved the day with his quirky sense of humor while Benjamin played the straight man who set up the punchlines like a boss. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In an odd booking decision, Breezango defeated Aiden English and Rusev when Fandango pinned Rusev with a roll-up. The match was fine, but I question the decision because Rusev and English are more over than The Fashion Police. WWE continues to miss the boat on Rusev Day. Sigh…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a No Disqualification/No Count Out 2-on-3 Handicap Match when Orton nailed Zayn with an RKO for the win. Owens and Zayn intentionally got counted out which ended the first match prematurely. Shane McMahon came out and restarted the match with no count outs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Match #2 got underway with the babyfaces firmly in control. Orton was about to nail Zayn with an RKO when Owens attacked him with a steel chair which drew the automatic DQ. Owens went after Styles and Nakamura before he and Zayn scurried up the ramp like a couple of rats. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">McMahon appeared once again to make Match #3 No DQ which resulted in Styles chasing KO backstage while Orton and Nakamura cornered Zayn at ringside. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Orton hit Zayn in the face with the steel steps before dropping him with a Belly-to-Back Suplex on the announcer table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Viper tossed Zayn back in the ring as he got nailed with the Kinshasa from Nakamura followed by Orton’s finisher for the win. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SD Live went off the air with Nakamura and Orton celebrating in the ring while the announcers questioned whether or not Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were on the same page based on their actions tonight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a good way to end the show. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were outsmarted this week, but did McMahon abuse his power by making the duo pay for their sins 2X?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Daniel Bryan can point to Shane-O-Mac letting his personal feelings get in the way of what’s best for business. However, Bryan has shown power-hungry tendencies over the past couple of weeks which puts his impartiality into question as well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Byron Saxton and Corey Graves are playing the roles of Good Conscience/Bad Conscience as they try to defend Bryan and McMahon’s actions as of late. One of them is right while the other is blowing things out of proportion. WWE is doing this intentionally as they try to throw fans off the scent when it comes to who’s playing who. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s a great storyline that keeps people guessing every week. The big reveal will probably take place at the Rumble or Fastlane PPV in March. For the company’s sake, here’s hoping McMahon is the one turning heel because Bryan is not getting booed unless he beats up Captain Planet in a street fight. Just saying…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought this tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was decent at best. The in-ring action left a lot to be desired until the main event ended things on a high note. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">With two more live shows until the Royal Rumble, SD Live needs to turn up the volume heading into the first major PPV of the year. The main event and tag team scene is on fire while the women’s division and mid-card scene are treading water at the moment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The women need to branch off into individual feuds after the Rumble while more depth is needed when it comes to viable challengers for the United States Championship. These issues will continue to bog down the show unless the creative team remedies the situation. *Cough* Push Rusev! *Cough* </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Rumble is shaping up nicely, but I need WWE to make me care during the home stretch in order to push things over the top. They’ve got two weeks to get the job done. Let’s hope the E takes care of business because I have a feeling that NXT Takeover: Philadelphia might win the weekend if they’re not too careful. It’s happened nine times over the past two years. Can Triple H make it 10-for-10? We shall find out soon enough.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls! </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-5574938079609572632018-01-08T22:25:00.001-08:002018-01-08T22:25:26.169-08:00The Raw Exposé: WWE Presents - How To Get Away With Attempted Murder Starring Braun Strowman (1-8-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ5LNzguMPLWNteuNcbHVomMdq9FIZ3w_sJjAJGdyjyluRXcVQoV8dYxQT6ppndrIWqcxsdEsty8vD8fhyn6T4MYJuAUsUZVJ3hKE-CMiyO8pu2TIrM0THlFa4oh7nFMgvkr_cPe8SquS/s1600/Raw+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ5LNzguMPLWNteuNcbHVomMdq9FIZ3w_sJjAJGdyjyluRXcVQoV8dYxQT6ppndrIWqcxsdEsty8vD8fhyn6T4MYJuAUsUZVJ3hKE-CMiyO8pu2TIrM0THlFa4oh7nFMgvkr_cPe8SquS/s400/Raw+Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 1/8/2017<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sad Refrain:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Welcome to the Heartbreak Hotel (Leave the light on for the Georgia Bulldogs </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Happier Refrain:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The Miz is back, baby! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Raw kicked off with Roman Reigns putting his feud with Samoa Joe behind him. Reigns was greeted with a mixed reaction that verged on more boos and cheers until Jason Jordan came out to congratulate him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jordan tried to make it a “we” moment, but Seth Rollins was having none of it as he made his way down to the ring. Rollins admonished his tag team partner for stealing Reigns’ spotlight, but Jordan still wanted to celebrate the win as a team while being oblivious to the fact that he is the dreaded third wheel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jordan claimed that their championship pedigree automatically made them the most dominant team in WWE. Rollins and Reigns gave him the side eye for making such a delusional statement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Finn Bàlor, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows came out to assert themselves as the most dominant group in WWE as Bàlor touted his ten-year friendship with Gallows and Anderson while taking a dig at Jordan’s daddy issues. Anderson bragged about his crew’s respective resumes which allowed them to do their own thing before joining forces to take on what’s left of The Shield. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Gallows called Jordan a nerd which almost led to a brawl until Kurt Angle booked a six-man tag team match featuring Rollins, Reigns, and Jordan vs. The Bàlor Club which will take place later tonight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was an okay way to start the show. It was rough in spots because the crowd didn’t care about Reigns or Jordan early on. Jordan is trying to maneuver his way into Dean Ambrose’s spot, but Rollins and Reigns are not here for it. It’s an interesting storyline that should make Jordan a hated heel sooner or later, but he’s generating go away heat at the moment. Here’s hoping he can actively get the crowd to hate him for all the right reasons because he has potential to get over as an oblivious heel that overestimates his worth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sasha Banks and Bayley defeated Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville when Banks made Rose tap out to the Bank Statement. The match was decent as Rose and Deville worked over Banks until Bayley made the save towards the end. This was the babyfaces’ first win over Absolution which should’ve been hammered home by the commentary team, but they dropped the ball. Storyline continuity, be damned! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Woken Matt Hardy defeated Curt Hawkins with the Twist of Fate in a quick match. Hawkins losing streak has carried over into 2018. At least he’s consistent…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After the match was over, Bray Wyatt appeared in the ring to have a laugh off with Hardy. To say this was weird would be an understatement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Miz put Roman Reigns on notice when it comes to regaining the Intercontinental Championship. Miz vowed to become the longest reigning IC Champion of all-time in 2018 while etching his name in the history books alongside the likes of Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. It’s a ballsy goal, but Rolling Stone Magazine’s Superstar of the Year is willing to go for broke while proving the naysayers wrong at the same time. Good for Miz!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cedric Alexander defeated Enzo Amore via count out, but Enzo retained the Cruiserweight Championship because the title can’t change hands unless the match is contested under no DQ rules. Enzo got busted open with a sick kick by Alexander before getting laid out with a flip dive moments later. Alexander landed on Enzo’s ankle which led to the count out finish. It appeared to be a legit injury, but we shall see if WWE releases a medical update later this week to legitimize or downplay the situation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">I had an issue with Alexander smiling after the ring announcer informed the crowd that Enzo was still the Cruiserweight Champion. He didn’t sell frustration or anger. Alexander posed on the top rope like he didn’t have a care in the world. If he doesn’t care about winning the title, why should we? This division continues to circle the drain. It’s sad but true.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kurt Angle booked two huge matches which will take place over the next few weeks. Sheamus and Cesaro will face Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan in a rematch for the Raw Tag Team Championship at the Royal Rumble while Roman Reigns defends his Intercontinental Title against The Miz during Raw’s 25<sup>th</sup> Anniversary special on January 22<sup>nd</sup>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In the first shocker of 2018, Titus O’ Neil and Apollo Crews defeated Sheamus and Cesaro when O’Neil pinned Sheamus with a roll-up. It was a solid match as Crews laid out Cesaro with a beautiful moonsault which set up the finish. Titus Worldwide has a much-needed win under their belt for the first time since forever while noted statistician Dana Brooke narrowly avoided a wardrobe malfunction because her twins were on the verge of popping out for the world to see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Paul Heyman talked a big game on Brock Lesnar’s behalf, but Braun Strowman single-handily destroyed Kane and Lesnar without breaking a sweat. Strowman slammed Lesnar against some production equipment backstage while throwing a road case on top of Kane with the greatest of ease. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Strowman saved the best for last when he grabbed a grappling hook and yanked down the truss on top of both men as Heyman looked on in horror. It was a great spot to wrap up an insane segment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Samoa Joe defeated Rhyno with the Coquina Clutch in a quick match. This was a nice bounce-back win for Joe after coming up short in his Intercontinental Title match against Roman Reigns last week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In other news, Joe announced that he was entering the men’s Royal Rumble match and promised to eliminate John Cena. I’ve been pining for a feud between Joe and Cena since last year. Here’s hoping WWE pulls the trigger because it has the potential to be great due to their history on the California indie circuit during the early 2000s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka’s match against {Insert Opponent Here} never got underway as Nia Jax attacked her from behind. Jax sent a clear message that she was winning the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bàlor Club defeated Seth Rollins, Jason Jordan, and Roman Reigns when Finn Bàlor pinned Rollins with the Coup De Grace in a good main event match. Jordan made two costly mistakes which cost his team the win. Rollins made the hot tag to Reigns, but the referee never saw it because Jordan distracted him. The ref told Reigns to get back in his corner, but the Big Dog didn’t listen as he took out Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows by nailing the former with a Superman Punch and the latter with a Spear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jordan tried to make up for his mistake by helping Rollins to his feet, but Bàlor was charging towards them which caused Rollins to push Jordan out of the way as he ate a running dropkick into the turnbuckle. This led Balor’s first meaningful win in months as The Bàlor Club celebrated on the main stage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reigns confronted Jordan, but they didn’t come to blows as Jordan rolled out of the ring to apologize to Rollins. It appeared that Raw was about to go off the air, but The Miz and his Miztourage ambushed Jordan, Rollins, and Reigns from behind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel double teamed Reigns before Miz laid him out with the Skull Crushing Finale. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">They weren’t finished with Reigns as they dropped him with a Triple Powerbomb to add insult to injury as Raw went off the air with Miz and his minions standing tall in the ring. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a good way to end the show. Jason Jordan continues to be the dreaded third wheel as Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins scoff at the notion that he is on their level. Rollins’ patience continues to wear thin which plays into Jordan’s slow-burn heel turn. He’s owning the role, but he still needs to make the fans hate him for being a spoiled brat instead of hating him because he’s been saddled with a lame storyline. There’s still time to get it right, but it’s been rough sledding so far. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meanwhile, The Miz and Roman Reigns renew their feud which might hint at a title change because Reigns needs to drop the IC Title before WrestleMania if he’s going to face Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship. Miz and Reigns have good in-ring chemistry which should create an electric atmosphere inside the Barclays or Manhattan Center in a couple of weeks as Raw celebrates its 25<sup>th</sup> anniversary. To quote Good Ol’ JR, “It should be a slobber knocker!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was decent at best. The in-ring action was so-so until the main event. WWE made the broadcast newsworthy when Braun Strowman destroyed Brock Lesnar and Kane during the College Football Playoff National Championship halftime show. That gave viewers enough time to witness the carnage before switching back over to the game.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Outside of that, this was a placeholder show as the company continues to hype Raw 25 which takes place in a couple of weeks. Meanwhile, The E has done a good job promoting the Royal Rumble PPV which is a sign that their priorities are in order heading into the first major show of the year. Here’s hoping they can build momentum next week because it’s basically a go-home show leading into another one due to the anniversary tie-in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new edition of The SmackDown Files. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-11391438050631569022018-01-02T20:47:00.001-08:002018-01-02T20:47:37.604-08:00The SmackDown Files: Daniel Bryan Flirts With The Dark Side Of The Force (1-2-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Date:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> 1/2/2018<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> The
Amway Center in Orlando, Florida (The Post-WrestleMania Reprisal)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Mission:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Who’s
playing who in the New Year? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Extra
Intel:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">
Welcome to the first SmackDown Files of 2018!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Power Struggle 2018 is underway as Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon announced that they would be at ringside during AJ Styles’ match against Sami Zayn later tonight. Let the controversy ensue! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It took two tries, but The Usos successfully defended the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin when Jimmy Uso pinned Shelton Benjamin with the Diving Splash. Gable and Benjamin won the Tag Team Titles for two minutes when Gable illegally pinned Jimmy despite Jey being the legal man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A second referee came down to the ring to set the main ref straight. Once the instant replay was shown on the big screen confirming that Jey was the legal man, the first ref declared the title change null and void and asked for an immediate restart which took place after the commercial break. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Gable and Benjamin were on the brink of hitting their finisher on Jey when he dodged Gable’s Diving Clothesline which allowed Jimmy to nail him with a Superkick in midflight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Usos nailed Benjamin with a double superkick which led to the finish moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Both matches left a lot to be desired because I wanted more from an in-ring standpoint. Both teams shouldn’t be subjected to bullshit booking because they are capable of delivering the goods on any given night. The fans were cheated out of a great match that could’ve set the tone for 2018. WWE will probably announce a rematch at the Royal Rumble which might explain what happened tonight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Bludgeon Brothers destroyed Breezango and The Ascension with the greatest of ease. Hulk! Smash!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Xavier Woods advanced to the semifinals of the United States Championship Tournament when he defeated Aiden English with an Elbow Drop from halfway across the ring. The match was solid, but it was a little rough around the edges at times. Once Woods and English build a rapport with each other from a chemistry standpoint, they will have a much better match in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Riott Squad defeated Natalya, Carmella, and Tamina when Sarah Logan nailed Tamina with the Hail Mary (Reverse Handstand into a Kneedrop) in a decent match. The heel vs. heel dynamic tempered the crowd response, but they cheered for Tamina towards the end due to her powerhouse performance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ruby Riott tried to tell the crowd that magic wasn’t real which resulted in her getting showered with the dreaded “What?” chant. Riott announced that her crew was entering the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match because it’s high time that people start taking them seriously. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Charlotte came out to restore humanity as she told everyone to follow their dreams because they can come true due to persistence and hard work. Since the Riott Squad wanted to give everyone a reality check, Charlotte decided to do the same by helping Naomi and Becky Lynch get a measure of revenge on the dastardly heels that attacked them during their main roster debut last November. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The babyfaces cleaned house as the Riott Squad scurried up the ramp to fight another. The segment started off iffy but ended strong with the surprise return of Lynch as she dropped Riott and Liv Morgan with a pair of Exploder Suplexes. The women’s Royal Rumble is shaping up to be a good one if everything goes according to plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sami Zayn defeated AJ Styles with the Helluva Kick thanks to an assist from Kevin Owens. The match was good, but it ended in controversy when Shane McMahon shoved Kevin Owens to the floor after Owens distracted the referee long enough to miss Styles’ pin attempt on Zayn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">McMahon ordered the ref to eject KO from the match. The ref agreed, but Daniel Bryan grabbed the mic and suggested that Shane remove himself from the match as well. This set off a chain of events as Owens distracted Styles long enough for Zayn to hit his finisher for the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A very pissed off Styles cut a promo about KO and Zayn taking the easy way out in order to get ahead. He also admonished the SD Live Commissioner and General Manager for bickering like children. The Phenomenal One had the perfect solution as he sarcastically challenged Owens and Zayn to a 2-on-1 Handicap Match. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bryan signed off on the idea, but he took things one step further by putting Styles’ WWE Championship on the line at the Royal Rumble PPV. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Styles looked on in shock while Shane gave Bryan the side-eye as he led the crowd in a tepid “Yes!” chant as the show went off the air. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a shocking way to end the show. Daniel Bryan took Styles’ sarcasm as gospel by booking him in a match with the odds stacked in the heels’ favor. This was the first time that Bryan showed true heel tendencies which tilts the balance of power heading into WrestleMania season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">WWE is trying to convince the viewers at home that Bryan, Owens, and Zayn are in cahoots when it comes to putting the screws to Shane McMahon. As I mentioned last month, the creative team tends to plant red herrings in order to swerve the audience with the big surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Despite Shane-O-Mac being a so-called champion of justice, he’s inherently evil by default. He will eventually show his true colors because Bryan is too likable to get booed unless he tosses a kitten from a ten story building. The twists and turns in this storyline have been fun to watch so far. Here’s hoping the Powers That Be doesn’t book themselves into a corner by getting too cute for their own good. Fingers crossed!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought the first SmackDown Live of 2018 was middling at best. The in-ring was so-so until the main event segment. It felt like WWE was suffering from a New Year’s Day hangover which carried over into tonight’s show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Tag Team Title match was marred by questionable booking while the mid-card scene continues to tread water until a new United States Champion is crowned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The absence of Shinsuke Nakamura, Randy Orton, and Bobby Roode hurt the broadcast as well. SD Live is rich with main event talent, but they’ve been used sparingly as of late which drags down the overall quality of the show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">With such top-level talent jockeying for the main event spot, the mid-card is light on legit threats outside of Jinder Mahal and Baron Corbin. There are no viable faces to balance things out which exposes how shallow the roster is. The problem won’t be solved until after WrestleMania, but WWE can give some stars a much-needed push in the interim. *cough* Rusev *cough*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The power struggle between Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon is keeping SD Live afloat, but the endgame will suck if Bryan isn’t cleared to wrestle if he’s the one turning heel. I don’t’ want to see him choose a proxy to fight on his behalf at WrestleMania. Unless WWE is ready to pull the trigger on Bryan’s comeback, the cock teasing needs to stop. It’s fun for now, but the E shouldn’t get people’s hopes up if they aren’t going to give them or Bryan what they want.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-43967156504148627732018-01-01T22:04:00.001-08:002018-01-01T22:04:34.602-08:00The Raw Exposé: Paul Heyman vs. The Plural - Welcome To The First Great Feud Of 2018 (1-1-2018)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ5LNzguMPLWNteuNcbHVomMdq9FIZ3w_sJjAJGdyjyluRXcVQoV8dYxQT6ppndrIWqcxsdEsty8vD8fhyn6T4MYJuAUsUZVJ3hKE-CMiyO8pu2TIrM0THlFa4oh7nFMgvkr_cPe8SquS/s1600/Raw+Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ5LNzguMPLWNteuNcbHVomMdq9FIZ3w_sJjAJGdyjyluRXcVQoV8dYxQT6ppndrIWqcxsdEsty8vD8fhyn6T4MYJuAUsUZVJ3hKE-CMiyO8pu2TIrM0THlFa4oh7nFMgvkr_cPe8SquS/s400/Raw+Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hello everyone and welcome to the first Raw Exposé of 2018. Tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw emanated from the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. The New Year represents a fresh start for WWE as the Road to WrestleMania makes its first pit stop at the Royal Rumble in a few weeks. It’s a new year that should bring change in the best possible way. Did the E give us a sampling of what’s to come or did they drag along the carcass of 2017 instead? The answer to that question can be found throughout this blog. Without further ado, let’s dissect tonight’s show in no particular order. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The first Raw of 2018 kicked off with Kurt Angle making a major announcement regarding the men and women’s Royal Rumble matches. The rules for the men’s Rumble match will apply to the women’s as the inaugural bout will feature 30 entrants with each elimination consisting of the women being tossed over the top rope with their feet hitting the floor. Parity is alive and well!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sheamus and Cesaro interrupted Angle mid-promo and blamed him for costing them the Raw Tag Team Championship last week. The Bar accused Angle of favoritism as he gave Jason Jordan a title shot based on his DNA alone. They wanted a rematch tonight, but Angle turned them down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jason Jordan came out to defend his father by referencing his track record for earning a shot at the Tag Team Titles last week. Cesaro and Jordan got into which resulted in Angle booking them in a singles match which took place after the commercial break. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Seth Rollins came out to support Jordan, but he didn’t do it out of the goodness of his heart. Rollins accused Jordan of being self-absorbed which could result in his downfall if he wasn’t careful. Despite winning the Tag Titles last week, there is still tension between Rollins and Jordan which could lead to a heel turn from the latter sooner rather than later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jason Jordan defeated Cesaro with an Elevated Neckbreaker thanks to an assist from Seth Rollins. Jordan and Cesaro had a good match, but it lacked crowd heat because the fans are not buying Jordan’s goody-two-shoes act. Cesaro targeted Jordan’s left knee and dominated the action from the mat with a series of submission holds. Jordan made a comeback by dropping Cesaro with back-to-back Northern Lights Suplexes for a near fall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cesaro countered by putting Jordan in the Boston Crab, but Jordan grabbed the bottom rope to break the hold. Sensing that Sheamus was about to take another cheap shot at Jordan behind the referee’s back, Rollins laid him out at ringside which led to the finish moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rollins wanted to celebrate the win with his tag team partner, but Jordan hogged the spotlight for himself instead. WWE is not veering off course when it comes to turning Jordan heel. It’s a slow burn process that feels inevitable based on his shaky partnership with Rollins. He still needs to draw the right kind of heat because the fans should want to see him get his ass kicked instead of chanting “This Is boring” during his matches. Jordan is getting better, but there is still room for improvement when it comes to fleshing out his quasi-heel character. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bray Wyatt defeated Apollo Crews with Sister Abigail in a solid match. Crews got in a surprising amount of offense and almost won the match when Dana Brooke climbed on the ring apron to distract Wyatt. Brooke’s plan backfired when Wyatt scared her off the apron which caused her to fall on top of Titus O’Neil. The distraction allowed Crews to nail Wyatt with an Enzuiguri which stunned the Eater of Worlds. Crews tried to finish him off with the Spin-Out Powerbomb, but Wyatt countered with Sister Abigail for the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After the match was over, Woken Matt Hardy appeared on the big screen and dropped some whimsical knowledge on Wyatt before laughing manically to end things on a bizarre note. The Great War of 2018 is upon us, ladies and gentlemen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Asuka defeated Alexa Bliss with an armbar in a good match. Asuka dominated in the action early on, but Bliss took control after the commercial break when she targeted Asuka’s midsection. Bliss’ ground game was impressive as Asuka did a great job selling the rib injury. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bliss’ cockiness got the best of her when she slapped Asuka in the face which resulted in the Empress of Tomorrow returning the favor. Asuka nailed Bliss with a serious of stiff kicks and knee strikes before making her tap out for the win. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was one of Asuka’s better matches since coming to the main roster. If both ladies are given more time to clean up the choppiness, they can deliver an even better match down the road. All in all, this was an enjoyable non-title bout. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Samoa Joe throwing shade in front of Renee Young when it comes to Dean Ambrose living off her paycheck was awesome. Joe is the best heel in WWE because he gives zero fucks about other people’s feelings. I love it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Braun Strowman defeated Rhyno with a Running Powerslam in a quick match. Heath Slater got involved at the behest of Strowman, but he took both men out with the greatest of ease. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">After the match was over, Strowman put on a show as he dropped Slater and Rhyno with a series of powerslams that popped the crowd something fierce. This was the best thing on the show by far. Big Hoss FTW!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jason Jordan trying to talk tough to Roman Reigns was hilarious. The best part was Reigns and Seth Rollins giving Jordan the side eye after he left the locker room. My theory of Jordan trying to become an honorary Shield member might come to fruition after all…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Roman Reigns retained the Intercontinental Championship when he nailed Samoa Joe with the Spear in a very good match. It was a hard-hitting bout that had the crowd hooked from start to finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">It should be noted that Reigns could lose the IC Title if he was disqualified. He was tempted midway through the match when Joe slammed his head into the steel steps. Reigns wanted to retaliate by throwing the steps on top of Joe, but the referee talked him down. Reigns eventually nailed Joe with a pair of Superman punches for a near fall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reigns had the match in hand when Joe shoved Reigns into the ref. The official was about to disqualify Reigns, but Joe took advantage of the situation by dropping the Big Dog with an Urnage for a near fall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joe tried to put Reigns in the Coquina Clutch, but Reigns rolled through and hit Joe with the Spear for the 1-2-3. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was a strong match, but it hurt Joe because his tough talk rang hollow in the end. This would’ve been the perfect time for a title switch unless WWE is holding it off until the Rumble. It should be interesting to see how Joe gets a rematch after losing so decisively tonight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cedric Alexander and Goldust?!? defeated Drew Gulak and Ariya Daivari when Alexander pinned Gulak with the Lumbar Check. I guess the 205 Live weight limit doesn’t apply to Goldust…The match was fine while it lasted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Finn Bàlor defeated Elias, Curtis Axel, and Bod Dallas when Bàlor pinned Dallas with the Coup De Grace in a decent match. Seeing The Bàlor Club team up was “too sweet” (pun intended). A part of me wants to see them feud against The Shield, but Dean Ambrose’s injury has put the kibosh on that for now. *sniff*<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Paul Heyman cut a fiery promo about how WWE likes to stack the deck against Brock Lesnar by booking him in a match against multiple opponents. Back in the day, the challenger would face the champion one-on-one. In 2018, the<i> challengers </i>didn’t have to pin the champ in order to win the Big One. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Therefore, the odds would always be in Lesnar’s favor because no can beat him. Heyman was bold enough to say that Lesnar would destroy everyone in the Royal Rumble match which caused Corey Graves to say that such an assumption was a slight exaggeration. Heyman read Braun Strowman and Kane their last rites in Latin before dropping the mic like a boss. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kane came out to confront Lesnar. Both men eyeballed each other until Kane dropped Lesnar with a chokeslam. The Big Red Machine was about to leave the ring when Lesnar sat up and laughed at Kane for not finishing the job. Lesnar grabbed the Universal Title and knocked Kane off the ring apron as both men fell to the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kurt Angle called for reinforcements as the locker room cleared out to separate both men. Lesnar got in one more cheap shot as Raw went off the air with The Beast standing tall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was an anti-climactic way to end the show. The brawl between Lesnar and Kane was fine, but it ended abruptly. Strowman watched the action unfold backstage and kept his word that he would take care of Lesnar on his own time. The Triple Threat Match featuring Strowman, Kane, and Lesnar for the Universal Championship should be a beautiful disaster if it’s booked properly. The Philly fans will either push things over the top or hijack the Rumble PPV because they want to see Finn Bàlor vs. Brock Lesnar instead. We shall see how it all plays out soon enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was decent at best. The first hour was so-so, but the second and third hour featured good wrestling action that kept the crowd awake. The nail-biting conclusion of the Rose Bowl probably drew viewers away from the USA Network early on, but the rest of the broadcast gave diehard fans a reason to tune in once the insanity was over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The build for the Royal Rumble continues with more stars on the men and women’s side throwing their names in the proverbial hat. It should be a star-studded night in Philly if everything goes according to plan. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Meanwhile, the Jason Jordan Heel Turn is back on track based on his actions tonight. Jordan tried to elbow his way into The Shield as Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins brushed him off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jordan turning heel should remain the end game because it helps him generate heat for all the right reasons. Rollins doesn’t trust him while Angle remains the doting father who is blind to his son’s underhanded ways. It’s a good storyline that can go in several directions if the creative team plays their cards right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Besides The Miz’s return, nothing else was advertised on next week’s show in Memphis. The College Football Playoff Championship Game is going to kill WWE in the ratings unless they load up the broadcast. Here’s hoping the social media team generate some buzz online because I have zero incentive to watch the show at the moment because my Georgia Bulldogs are one step away from winning their first national championship since 1980. Go Dawgs! Just saying…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. Happy New Year, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-80177235342385521572017-12-26T20:45:00.001-08:002017-12-26T20:45:31.144-08:00The SmackDown Files: How Rusev Won Christmas 24 Hours After The Fact (12-26-2017)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s1600/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="1000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvOo5E8XNK5BDEAwZGNyYlDCehCbiOSF8dDi4MrhxWh3XBhop3GPgCc6ngJHNGzaoWf91bypDhokmPnaq4E2w9NBX1ZtLBAVIaQMFpCB3IlOKczaliKjPpi_MwhlivgeSel1TDFK0IBmt/s400/wwe_smackdown_live_logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">By: Keila Cash </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hello everyone and welcome to another installment of The SmackDown Files. Tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live emanated from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. It’s the final live broadcast of 2017 which should give WWE extra incentive to end the year on a high note. Did the company rise to the occasion or did they fall flatter than a flapjack prepared and plated by The New Day? The answer to that question can be found throughout this blog. Without further ado, let’s dissect tonight’s show in no particular order. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SD Live kicked off with Daniel Bryan announcing a tournament to determine a new United States Champion after Dolph Ziggler relinquished the title last week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bryan announced Baron Corbin vs. Bobby Roode and was about to make another match when Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin interrupted him. Gable and Benjamin wanted a shot at the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Aiden English and Rusev & The New Day tossed their name in the hat as well which resulted in Bryan setting up a Triple Threat Match to determine the number one contender for the Tag Team Titles which took place immediately due to the first hour being commercial-free. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable defeated Aiden English and Rusev & The New Day (Big E and Xavier Woods) when Gable pinned Big E with a Powerbomb/Diving Clothesline combination in a great Triple Threat Match. This bout featured insane action throughout as each team got a chance to shine. Rusev was the most popular wrestler in the match as the fans showered him with “Rusev Day” chants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">From Gable dropping Big E and English with a double German Suplex to Rusev nailing everyone with Machka Kicks, there was no shortage of breathtaking spots that popped the crowd something fierce. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">English had a strong showing as he got a chance to show what he can do in the ring for an extended period of time. His Frog Splash onto Gable was a mirror image of his late father-in-law Eddie Guerrero which put a smile on my face. Viva La Raza! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">However, the highlight of the match was Rusev putting Gable and Xavier Woods in a double Accolade. Woods was about to tap out when Benjamin broke the hold. From there, Big E was on the brink of winning the match for his team when he set up Benjamin for the Big Ending only for Old Jason Jordan to block it which set up the finish moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Gable and Benjamin will face The Usos next week for the Tag Team Titles which should be very good. However, I have a soft spot for Aiden English and Rusev because they are starting to get over as hot babyface act. The Chicago crowd loved Rusev which made my night. WWE has to realize that there is money to be made with The Bulgarian Brute in 2018. He is charismatic and has the in-ring talent to get over as a big-time star. Here’s hoping the Powers That Be read the tea leaves because they should push Rusev and English to the moon next year. Fingers crossed! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Bludgeon Brothers defeated Breezango via disqualification when The Ascension saved Tyler Breeze and Fandango from eating another loss. Their chivalry resulted in Konnor and Viktor putting their “best friends” in another match against Harper and Rowan next week. How sweet… <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Ruby Riott defeated Naomi with the Riott Kick in a quick match. Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan provided the distraction which allowed Riott to pick up the tainted win. The match was pretty nondescript for the most point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Riott Squad were putting the boots to Naomi until Charlotte made the save. The numbers game caught up to The Queen as the heels laid her out with ease. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Natalya, Tamina, Lana, and Carmella confronted The Riott Squad as the heels left the ring when they no longer had the numbers advantage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">A brawl broke out at ringside as Natalya & Company beat down The Riott Squad before the trio ran backstage to fight another day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bobby Roode defeated Baron Corbin with a roll-up to advance to the next round of the United States Championship Tournament. The match was solid as Corbin and Roode worked well together in order to put on a show for the Chicago crowd. This was a nice sampling of what both men can do when they are given a chance to shine. Corbin being pushed out of the mid-card title scene is a little jarring since he beat AJ Styles clean as a sheet a few months ago. It’s curious booking, to say the least. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Jinder Mahal defeated Tye Dillinger with The Khallas to advance to the next round of the US Championship Tournament. The match was decent and it appears that Mahal is firmly slotted in the mid-card for the foreseeable future. Yippee!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kevin Owens defeated AJ Styles with a roll-up thanks to an unlikely assist from Shane McMahon. The Styles-Owens feud from earlier this year has been marred by questionable booking which watered down the quality of their matches. It’s only appropriate that their final match of 2017 ended in similar fashion with McMahon getting involved down the stretch. At least the in-ring action was strong before the shenanigans ensued. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Sami Zayn ran interference on KO’s behalf which led to his best friend picking up a near fall on Styles after he nailed the Phenomenal One with a Superkick. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Shane-O-Mac made his way to the ring and told the referee to eject Zayn from the match. The ref acted accordingly, but he missed Styles visually pinning Owens with an inside cradle. Styles confronted the official which led to the aforementioned finish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">SmackDown Live went off the air with Owens and Zayn celebrating in the ring while Shane looked on in disgust from the main stage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was an interesting way to end the show. Shane McMahon’s overzealousness cost Styles the match which could lead to another ass whopping in the parking lot if McMahon continues to stick his nose in other people’s business. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Plus, it gives Daniel Bryan more ammo to use against Shane because he’s afraid that his boss is turning into Mr. McMahon 2.0. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn will continue to fuel tension between their superiors as the great Power Struggle of 2018 heats up. Who’s turning on who? We shall find out soon enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live was solid. This was a nice way to cap off the year as SD Live delivered a late entry for one of the best television matches of the year as the Triple Threat Tag Team Match featuring Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin, Aiden English & Rusev, and The New Day stole the show. The tag team division has been on fire for the past six months and this was a great way to put an exclamation point on things. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Here’s hoping 2018 is the Year of Rusev because WWE has a true star on their hands if they don’t screw it up. Aiden English also deserves credit for reinventing himself and finding a kindred spirit in Rusev. After a record number of tag team breakups this past year, their unlikely partnership has been a bright spot in a sea of doom and gloom. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elsewhere, it appears that Kevin Owens is in line for a WWE Championship match after defeating AJ Styles. Let’s hope their presumed title bout isn’t overbooked to death because both men are capable of delivering the goods if they are given the chance to do so. Rosy optimism aside, expect another bullshit finish from the usual suspects because it’s all about the game and how you play it. We can thank noted philosopher Triple H for giving us those words to live by for over twenty years. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The SmackDown Files. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back next week with a brand new installment of The Raw Exposé. See you later, boys and girls! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-5557493362797641822017-12-25T22:18:00.000-08:002017-12-25T22:18:14.293-08:00The Raw Exposé: Have A Holly Jolly Strowmas (12-25-2017)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ5LNzguMPLWNteuNcbHVomMdq9FIZ3w_sJjAJGdyjyluRXcVQoV8dYxQT6ppndrIWqcxsdEsty8vD8fhyn6T4MYJuAUsUZVJ3hKE-CMiyO8pu2TIrM0THlFa4oh7nFMgvkr_cPe8SquS/s1600/Raw+Logo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ5LNzguMPLWNteuNcbHVomMdq9FIZ3w_sJjAJGdyjyluRXcVQoV8dYxQT6ppndrIWqcxsdEsty8vD8fhyn6T4MYJuAUsUZVJ3hKE-CMiyO8pu2TIrM0THlFa4oh7nFMgvkr_cPe8SquS/s400/Raw+Logo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">By: Keila Cash</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hello everyone and welcome to the Christmas Edition of The Raw Exposé. Tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw emanated from the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois. This is the first time WWE has aired a LIVE show on Christmas night which is quite remarkable, to say the least. Did the company give us something to cheer about this holiday season or did they give us a lump of coal instead? The answer to that question can be found throughout this blog. Since the first hour of Raw was commercial free, here is my random stream of consciousness covering all the yuletide festivities. Enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John Cena is a classic act for giving his t-shirt and hat to a young fan in the audience. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias saying that WWE stands for Walk With Elias is absolutely genius. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias serenaded the crowd with a song dissing the city of Chicago. Cena cut him off and told The Drifter to make amends for being a jerk. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias agreed and remixed the song to make it more fan friendly. Cena joined in by singing the last line from “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, but Elias sucker punched Cena as he dissed Chicago and the Christmas holiday for being overrated. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Elias challenged Cena to a match which took place <s>after the commercial break</s> moments later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">John Cena defeated Elias with the AA in a decent match. Elias dominating 80% of the action got a little tedious down the stretch, but this was a nice spot for him to showcase his stuff against the biggest star in WWE. Elias has grown by leaps and bounds since his main roster call-up, but there is still room for improvement heading into 2018. His future is super bright versus the go away heat he received in NXT. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Kurt Angle announced two championship matches set for later tonight as Sheamus and Cesaro defend the Raw Tag Team Titles against the unlikely duo of Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan while Roman Reigns squares off against Samoa Joe for the Intercontinental Championship. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Hideo Itami defeated The Brian Kendrick with the GTS in a decent match. Kendrick had a few hope spots, but the outcome was never in doubt. Itami should fit in the Cruiserweight Division if he rediscovers the fire that burned so brightly in Japan before the injury bug bit him during his run in NXT. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Absolution defeated Bayley, Mickie James, and Sasha Banks when Paige pinned Bayley with the Ram-Page in a good six-woman tag team match. The heels dominated the action early on with the best spot of the match taking place at ringside when Sonya Deville nailed Banks with a sick clothesline. Banks played the babyface in peril until she made the hot tag to Bayley. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Bayley and Paige went at it and appeared that Bayley had the match won when she dropped Paige with the Bayley-to-Belly, but Mandy Rose and Deville pulled their leader out of the ring before the referee counted the pinfall. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This led to a full-on melee which saw Banks and James take out Rose and Deville which allowed Bayley to take out Paige by herself. However, Paige outsmarted Bayley and pinned her clean as a sheet as the first hour of Raw came to an end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The Chicago crowd cheering on Bayley put a smile on my face because her character has been put through the ringer over the past six months or so. Major market crowds have turned on her, but Chi-Town still showed the Hugger Extraordinaire some love because they can see through the bullshit booking. For that, I give them virtual air kisses and hugs for not being bamboozled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Step one of Rhyno toughening up Heath Slater backfired when Kane defeated Slater with a Chokeslam in a quick match. Rhyno tried to avenge his tag team partner, but he ate Chokeslam as well. Season Beatings! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Curtin Hawkins’ losing streak now stands at 0-147 as Finn Bàlor pinned Hawkins with the Coup De Grace in a quick and decisive match. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Woken Matt Hardy unleashed his new character in front of a live audience for the first time when he attacked Bray Wyatt from behind. Hardy tried to nail Wyatt with the Twist of Fate, but the Eater of Worlds rolled out of the ring. Hardy grabbed the microphone and laughed manically as he led the crowd in a Delete chant while Wyatt looked on from the main stage. The Great War of 2018 is upon us. Yaaaaaaaassss!!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Cedric Alexander, Mustafa Ali, and Akira Tozawa defeated Drew Gulak, Ariya Daivari, and Enzo Amore in a Miracle on 34<sup>th</sup> Street Fight when Alexander nailed Daivari with the Lumbar Check for the win. Christmas Trees, wrapped presents, candy canes, and cookie trays were used as weapons as the crowd ate up the holiday hijacks. It was a harmless and fun way to set up the Cruiserweight Championship match between Enzo and Alexander which takes place next week from Miami, Florida. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Nia Jaz and Enzo Amore were about to share a kiss under the mistletoe until Alexa Bliss cock blocked her best friend. Bah Humbug!</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Samoa Joe defeated Roman Reigns via disqualification when Reigns kicked too much ass which caused the referee to ring the bell. Until the bullshit finish, Joe and Reigns were having a good match that featured hard-hitting action throughout. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Joe putting Reigns in the Coquina Clutch was the highlight of the match as the fans became unglued at the possible tap/pass out. Joe had the hold cinched in, but Reigns grabbed the rope to break the hold. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">From there, Joe targeted Reigns’ left elbow as he dropped him with a tope which caused Reigns to slam into the barricade. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reigns got back on offense by using his right hand to attacked Joe in the corner which resulted in the DQ moments later. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reigns didn’t let up as he nailed Joe with a Superman Punch before hitting him in the shoulder with the steel steps. He nailed Joe with another Superman Punch at ringside and was about to finish him off by hitting him with a steel chair, but he hit the ring post instead as Joe moved out of the way to avoid certain doom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Reigns wanted to avenge Dean Ambrose and almost succeeded by taking out Joe’s elbow. The Battle of the Badass Samoans will continue because Joe is due a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship after Reigns got intentionally disqualified. It should be a good one if no one gets DQ’d the second time around. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Braun Strowman destroyed Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel in a Secret Santa match when Strowman pinned Dallas with a Running Powerslam. Axel suffered the same fate as Strowman gave everyone what they wanted 6X over. Have a Holly Jolly Strowmas!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Alexa Bliss cut a great promo about wanting credit for the women having the first-ever Royal Rumble match next month in Philly. Asuka came out and announced that she was entering and winning the Rumble because no one was ready for Asuka before kicking Bliss in the head. I guess the message sent and received accordingly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Who says title changes can’t take place on Christmas. Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan defeated Sheamus and Cesaro to become the NEW Raw Tag Team Champions when Jordan dropped Cesaro with an Elevated Neckbreaker for the win. This was a very good match that featured fast-paced and hard-hitting action throughout. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Rollins played the babyface in peril as The Bar isolated him from Jordan early on. Jordan tried to intervene, but Sheamus slammed him against the barricade which prevented Rollins from making the hot tag. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The crowd willed Jordan on his feet as he got back in the ring to attack Sheamus. This allowed Rollins to make the tag as Jordan cleaned house. Jordan was in a couple of near fall situations, but Rollins bailed him out of trouble. Rollins took out Sheamus by slamming him against the steel steps which led to the finish moments later. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Raw went off the air with Rollins and Jordan celebrating in the ring while Sheamus and Cesaro sulked on the floor as their 2017 came to a disappointing end. </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This was an interesting title switch. One can assume that Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose were going to win the Tag Team Titles until Ambrose’s elbow injury sidelined him for an unspecified period of time. Jordan being Ambrose’s surrogate should create an interesting dynamic heading into 2018. Jordan had no problem saying that he was better than Ambrose and proved it by winning his biggest match to date. Will he become an honorary Shield member or is he too vanilla to don the SWAT gear? </span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">In all seriousness, don’t expect Jordan to change his less than innocent ways based on this title win. He is a wolf in sheep’s clothing and I expect the other shoe to drop sooner or later because WWE has been dropping hints that Jordan is not exactly the boy next door. The big reveal should be good if everything is executed properly. In the meantime, Angle is the doting father celebrating his son’s biggest win to date. All is right in the world. For now…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Overall, I thought tonight’s episode of Raw was solid. It was a light and carefree show that featured good wrestling action throughout. WWE didn’t go overboard with the holiday hijinks as they kept the cornball comedy to a minimum. All in all, this was a nice way to spend Christmas night as a diehard wrestling fan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">On that note, this wraps up another edition of The Raw Exposé. I hope you enjoyed it and I will be back tomorrow night with a brand new installment of The SmackDown Files. Merry Christmas, boys and girls! </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04172412003264426102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-984889350347176599.post-71773279075750354682017-12-13T11:38:00.000-08:002017-12-13T12:00:47.709-08:00A Binge Worthy Review: Marvel's the Defenders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidElSp-U7VDL5IOGQ7Fzi1v9J7Q85iFppG3tDgkfIpmYY_18K69Gybeqr3Xkukzx-uEXTFug9jCa7AfKmDGHI30P-3uletBvmvbi3R2EVHTnpQLv2Aq35AfsARmRQaxlC4Yg8nr9Qx3VWh/s1600/Defenders-Netflix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="1160" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidElSp-U7VDL5IOGQ7Fzi1v9J7Q85iFppG3tDgkfIpmYY_18K69Gybeqr3Xkukzx-uEXTFug9jCa7AfKmDGHI30P-3uletBvmvbi3R2EVHTnpQLv2Aq35AfsARmRQaxlC4Yg8nr9Qx3VWh/s400/Defenders-Netflix.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Did you
watch <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Marvel’s the Defenders</i>? I did
but unfortunately, not many others tuned in to this small screen superhero team
up. For some reason, our small screen heroes have higher ratings in their
series than they did together. Seems to be the opposite effect for these heroes
on the big screen. Viewership for the next Avengers is sure to blow all the
solo movies out of the water. But I’m not sure why seeing the Defenders wasn’t
as rewarding for viewers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, let's pull
this series apart and see where it shined and where it fell short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From this moment on there will be <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SPOILERS </b>ahead, and if you haven’t seen
this show, maybe this review will persuade you to check it out. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">First things
first if you think you can jump right in with this show you’d be wrong and
incredibly lost. Because I have watched all the series and I was still
lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This show is very interconnected
with each other which is great, but as a viewer that watches countless shows,
you tend to forget somethings. Luckily it didn’t ruin the experience for me I
just had to recall moments as I was watching the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, if you haven’t watched each Hero’s solo
series, I recommend that you do because they’ll all great. No, wait <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jessica Jones</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Daredevil</i> were great from start to finish. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Luke Cage</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Iron Fist</i>
took a little while, but they’re overall great shows. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">When it
comes to any superhero show or film, there is always the big bad. And in this
series our heroes you up against the hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No relation to the foot from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles</i> who are also ninjas who have been around for quite a
while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql4SnRvZhyphenhyphenj4TSdgLVE-Vt_Nna-L3axQ2nfGHpKOxYeQF9Ksmq0wNQZjIKQYrEl8W2ULCClpTAyU_tqccQY5vz9RTRGPuLjSSOk9mBSkvIvr1TWuviHTZHdStL31GO77tRGoZIpDHFHTs/s1600/200.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="375" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhql4SnRvZhyphenhyphenj4TSdgLVE-Vt_Nna-L3axQ2nfGHpKOxYeQF9Ksmq0wNQZjIKQYrEl8W2ULCClpTAyU_tqccQY5vz9RTRGPuLjSSOk9mBSkvIvr1TWuviHTZHdStL31GO77tRGoZIpDHFHTs/s400/200.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Alright back
to the hand which is a secret and very covert organization who have been around
for centuries. And who have found ways to outrun death. So apparently the
leader is none other than Sigourney Weaver. She is close to death and has put
all her cards and hopes on the Black Sky who is, Elektra. We also see the other
members from the hand who have popped up in the other series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And are now joining together to destroy an
entire city. And the only ones around to stop them are some street level heroes
known as the Defenders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, with that bit
of background let’s talk about some of the highlights of the series and what to
expect next for these heroes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanzQfMC19EFXkAy6XzporTLFg4RxGbtcmuKQFSlG7LBrY5TicFutwUGnXvYRN-uc9z5APp6sE9frV5Po2XDFd3CoRoStLzA79BZ7P58UVSenQYQy9gM8JF34vdU4rUk1JCwjnrIxLfzuE/s1600/demb6e3wzduhljcknmdn.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="790" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjanzQfMC19EFXkAy6XzporTLFg4RxGbtcmuKQFSlG7LBrY5TicFutwUGnXvYRN-uc9z5APp6sE9frV5Po2XDFd3CoRoStLzA79BZ7P58UVSenQYQy9gM8JF34vdU4rUk1JCwjnrIxLfzuE/s400/demb6e3wzduhljcknmdn.gif" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The number
one thing this series did well was the choreographed group fight scenes. They
all highlighted each of the heroes and got better as the series progressed
because the heroes started coming together and fighting better as a team. We
already know there all bad-ass individuals, but it was refreshing to see them
as a bad-ass team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2wSO1k927Ae7QeLjwNkYMGsEF2Jq9JDvu6y-xFAzq7fBs9eLcxG2oUjvMcGHbTbcNFBgD04EXl_i_YZ6b6k9AXoSyJ25O8syemf6Tc-0KbP18xr04TtAFir91pe69Z1j0-X-K3RO7ree/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2wSO1k927Ae7QeLjwNkYMGsEF2Jq9JDvu6y-xFAzq7fBs9eLcxG2oUjvMcGHbTbcNFBgD04EXl_i_YZ6b6k9AXoSyJ25O8syemf6Tc-0KbP18xr04TtAFir91pe69Z1j0-X-K3RO7ree/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">My favorite scene
with them together would have to be the one in the Chinese restaurant. Jessica
Jones kicks it off with ramming into the restaurant with a car and knocking out
Elektra. She has been kicking the Defenders asses up to till this point. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWjFuP9UiHU-hf4CJXP1xEaHeu78oXBIIZyUOIbwMQCfzFMEpufeJa0v2WaUesZQI2_B4AgpWhtxx2cmJkPBxmduBgkt7mLQ9v4Mac0EER8mfAmFuM_uOB-vZ46Q_eVwmUajymm1xc-0w/s1600/defenders-3.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="556" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWjFuP9UiHU-hf4CJXP1xEaHeu78oXBIIZyUOIbwMQCfzFMEpufeJa0v2WaUesZQI2_B4AgpWhtxx2cmJkPBxmduBgkt7mLQ9v4Mac0EER8mfAmFuM_uOB-vZ46Q_eVwmUajymm1xc-0w/s400/defenders-3.gif" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">I will say
that Elektra was one of the standout characters in this series. Each scene she
was in was binge-worthy goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was so unpredictable and kicking ass at every turn. I mean she was in the most
shocking moment of the show where she straight up kills the big bad Sigourney
Weaver. And then she takes over has the big bad in the show. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ugo8KTOYsNDErRyDNYV5nGl_ylZw-Djq9mGwxKZn08XV8_QfNOrFBUQW-_IvIUnTphfTq998wbPOpIEgp0J1JAJRADq6dEQOhtw22GRnOW92E9abiKwGhl4B1XqKQYiqpFVO4hLNpeRk/s1600/4f1389a32f48a2d5656adeb855dd68f2a7629d88.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ugo8KTOYsNDErRyDNYV5nGl_ylZw-Djq9mGwxKZn08XV8_QfNOrFBUQW-_IvIUnTphfTq998wbPOpIEgp0J1JAJRADq6dEQOhtw22GRnOW92E9abiKwGhl4B1XqKQYiqpFVO4hLNpeRk/s400/4f1389a32f48a2d5656adeb855dd68f2a7629d88.png.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Our heroes
in the show were great, and I loved the dynamic between Iron Fist and Luke
Cage. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHIexThrTGZpXmj9HB5vX3-XgqcR3A_k48-4quHhRqORkEgmFlSbzmOPT0OpqeL-pec_MGfvFL4n41zEMoROuY-NT8ymXkNEAbsybz6jSCVtEEaw8-9ZUcrHZg8qlI8TQVLTKBlay1KKl/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHIexThrTGZpXmj9HB5vX3-XgqcR3A_k48-4quHhRqORkEgmFlSbzmOPT0OpqeL-pec_MGfvFL4n41zEMoROuY-NT8ymXkNEAbsybz6jSCVtEEaw8-9ZUcrHZg8qlI8TQVLTKBlay1KKl/s400/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The only thing I didn't care for was the way Karen and Foggy were hero
shaming Daredevil. What I mean by hero shamming is that the entire time things
were going down they didn’t want him to get involved. They wanted him to give
up Daredevil and remain Matt Murdock. But what they don’t understand is that
the two are one in the same. The beginning of the series shows how miserable he
is after no donning the suit for months. Because he shut off a piece of himself
and when he puts the suit on again he is complete. His whole demeanor changes
and he is pumped to kick some hand ninja ass. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">In the end,
our heroes defeat the hand but not without some casualties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Misty losses a hand in the last battle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Daredevil and Elektra are presumed dead.
But the final credits show Daredevil healing up in some place that will
probably be revealed in the next season of Daredevil. Luke Cage will have to
battle against Shades and Mariah to protect Harlem. Iron Fist will have to
reinvent what it means to be the Iron Fist and what is his new purpose. Jessica
Jones will be on a journey to decipher how she got her abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will say that this show kicked off some
interesting things to come in our heroes upcoming series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall, I will give this show a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4 out of 5 stars</b>. I encourage you to go
and find out what makes this show binge-worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FaGP3FOkomW9Mi7Maxfh8My-v9_2m03yjaMxGh6BO4M4sjlhdF7FG5Y9DKd8ZpHtsZ9C6bUGwsBRoQSRJf1mwOgWSVaa9khw4nDtM7InyR4FKiRESmWlE-7rghYuL_D1rAH7NTY-op2m/s1600/defenders-featured-image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1024" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5FaGP3FOkomW9Mi7Maxfh8My-v9_2m03yjaMxGh6BO4M4sjlhdF7FG5Y9DKd8ZpHtsZ9C6bUGwsBRoQSRJf1mwOgWSVaa9khw4nDtM7InyR4FKiRESmWlE-7rghYuL_D1rAH7NTY-op2m/s400/defenders-featured-image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Photo
Credit: <span class="r3">theodysseyonline.com,</span></span> <span class="r3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Den of Geek.com,</span></span> <span class="r3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">gizmodo.com.au,</span></span>
<span class="r3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My Everyday
Lifestyle.com,</span></span> <span class="r3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Comics Verse.com,</span></span> <span class="r3"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">CinemaBlend.com, <span class="r3"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pure Fandom.com</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Created by:
Jasmine Yard<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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