Raw Review

One day removed from Wrestlemania as New Jersey hosts Monday Night Raw. I was particularly  excited about this edition of Raw to see what story developments would take hold for WWE's next PPV Extreme Rules. The one thing that stood out most for me was the crowd, the New Jersey crowd was absolutely phenomenal.

Raw opened with the new WWE Champion John Cena and by the sound of it the fans in attendance was not pleased by that. Cena cut his usual promo covered with appalling jokes. He even made a joke about a heel turn which afforded Cena a very loud pop. When are WWE going to get it? John Cena said he doesn't care if his next opponent is The Rock or CM Punk but he wants to defend his Championship tonight, however he was interuptted by "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry. As you've most probably guessed by now this match was going to be scheduled but not for the WWE Championship, this match was going to be a number one contenders match. This match was made by Smackdown's GM Booker T. He also announced that The Rock still has a rematch with John Cena which I anticipate will take place at Extreme Rules? This announcement was met with a very negative response from the electric crowd.

Next up was a match between one half of the Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan and Ziggler's henchmen Big E Langston. This match was not very enjoyable. This match was unsurprisingly won by Big E Langston, it was a dominant showing.

Last night in Wrestlemania's pre show The Miz triumphed over Wade Barrett to become the new Intercontinental Champion but that was Wrestlemania and this was raw and The Miz had his first title defense scheduled. However it was not meant to be as Wade Barrett prevailed and reclaimed the prize using his signature Bull Hammer, I didn't quite understand the thought process behind this one. On another note the crowd was very much behind Wade Barrett in what was a great match.

Jack Swagger and Zeb Coulter teamed up to take on Alberto Del Rio in a handicap match that I wasn't particularly interested in and it's not really worth talking about in my opinion, however what would follow is as Dolph Ziggler silenced his critics and finally cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. The crowd was insanely hot for Ziggler and I'm certain there where moments in the match that had people guessing. Smackdown is certainly worth tuning in for this Friday.

Following that match The Undertaker cut a short promo. The promo wasn't very memorable but the Shield surrounding the ring was. What would follow was also very intruiging, as The Shield stalked The Undertaker Team Hell no made the save which could set a match up for Extreme Rules that I would be very excited to see. This as one of my favorite moments of the night.

3MB vs R Truth, Santino and Zack ryder was next. A pointless squash match that doesn't really develop any stories, this match was won by Truth, Santino and Ryder. Nothing else to really say about this one,

The outstanding New Jersey crowd did not care for a Randy Orton and Sheamus match but the crowd did make the match somewhat entertaining. This match was for the opportunity to face Big Show later on in the show. Two of WWE's biggest babyfaces we're in the ring together and the crowd would rather chant for the commentators, I found it to be very amusing. However nobody won this match as the Big Show destroyed both competitors or more so he destroyed Randy Orton.

Fandango's match with Kofi Kingston was simply not to be, Chris Jericho quickly ran down to the ring and assaulted Fandango. I enjoyed this segment. Chris Jericho was fierce in this attack, he locked on a very impressive Walls of Jericho and silenced Fandabingo with a Codebreaker.

I have no idea why the super talented Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow are losing to Brodus Clay and Sweet T. It's frustrating, Rhodes Scholars are one of the best tag teams in WWE and they've been utterly wasted, they are definitely worthy Tag Team Champions and God knows the tag team division is in trouble.

Now onto the main event between the new WWE Champion john Cena and Mark Henry this was as I anticipated a very disappointed match that John Cena won by count out. However the ending intrigued me as Mark Henry attacked Cena, Ryback appeared to have made the save if not for it been followed by a clothesline to John Cena, is this a heel turn? I don't know, the crowd reacted to it very well. Who is John Cena going to defend his Championship against at Extreme Rules? The Rock? Ryback or Mark Henry?

I found this edition to be enjoyable and disappointing in areas but the crowd made it feel very special to me and the New Jersey crowd have certainly given Ziggler his long over due moment. The only thing that would of made Raw more enjoyable for me would be if CM Punk was there but we did get a very entertaining backstage promo from Paul Heyman who fortunately announced that CM Punk's returning next week. Cesaro not been featured as well was disappointing. So what do you guys think?

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Damian Waudby

With guidance from Kurt Johansson