Jan 27 2009
Raw Diva Notes 1/26/09
I honestly do not even feel like giving my thoughts about the women of Raw tonight. I really have nothing that new to say in respect to the matches. Let me start like I always do anyway.
Layla was with the same guy she has been with for months now. I am running out of new ways to say it.
Candice and Mickie James got nothing. They may have been out there when many of the wrestlers came out, but I did not notice them. Even if they were, what is that? That is earning your pay? Were either not in the arena that night? At least pointless backstage segments usually put the attention on them in a minimal way, but just standing with the rest of the wrestlers on the stage is a downgrade. You are a face in the crowd. People can argue that they had nothing for them, and I am getting to that.
In terms of wrestling, we got Melina and Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix and Jillian. Sound familiar? It is the same match booked from last month, and the same match booked for a few weeks ago that never started because of a beatdown before the match officially started. Here is another fact, it has been those same four women seeing action every week for the last 4 weeks. Tag match this week, Beth vs. Kelly and Melina vs. Jillian week before that, tag match prior to that, Kelly vs. Jillian and Beth and Melina in an intergender tag match to start it all off. I can understand using Melina and Beth, since they are in the main feud. I can understand using Jillian, because she is the only other credible heel wrestler and needed as a sidekick. I cannot understand, and do not even want to hear an explanation concerning, why Kelly Kelly? She is not the only face diva that can be a sidekick.
Candice or Mickie? As a Mickie fan, I would obviously want them to use her, and it would make sense, and here I am implying the friendship the two were demonstrating before Kelly Kelly took the sidekick role. But I can also understand not giving Mickie the spot, if she is still doing the Cryme Tyme scheme. It would not be fair to leave Candice with absolutely nothing, but that is what they are doing anyway. If they are going to turn Candice heel later, pairing her with Melina early can spark a bond. It will mean a lot when Candice breaks that bond to turn heel later. Is Candice injured? She was wrestling at a house show just a few days ago. Is Mickie injured? I have read no reports on that whatsoever. Is she still healing from her shoulder injury? If that is true, there is no way she would have tried the spot in the last match she had, in which she held on to the top rope after being tossed over the top in the Diva Battle Royal. She showed no discomfort after that spot, so I doubt she was injured again. Even if she was, Candice is still there. Alternate, please.
If Kelly Kelly was actually putting on an amazing job, and I believe I have said this before, I would not complain. Looking at tonight’s match itself, Melina did not get to do much. Jillian was used to take a lot of Kelly Kelly’s offense. Beth did nothing interesting aside from her finisher. Kelly Kelly got to do more flips, and they honestly do not look that smooth to me, even after all these months. She pulled off a spot reminiscent of Mickie James, but I am not the type of fan who says certain wrestlers necessarily own a trademark to spots. I did find it interesting and will rant on it later (Yes, I admit when I do rants). I will admit that Kelly Kelly is finally getting a good ring attitude and demeanor. Nevertheless, I am tired of seeing her same old wrestling ability/improvement. Other women are waiting. Not a very good match, but Beth Phoenix and Jillian defeat Melina and Kelly Kelly.
By the way, the win came thanks to the interference of Rosa Mendez. A day late, Rosa, Beth already lost the title. In a backstage segment, Beth made it official that she was letting Rosa align with her. Things are finally moving a little further away from Sable/Tori. I liked the anger Rosa Mendez (Roucka) used while she spoke. It was not what I would call psychotic, but it was strong. And just because the two are on the same side now, that does not mean Beth may not turn on Rosa later, especially if the latter inadvertently costs the former a match. It is only a matter of time.
For the second week in a row, the most interesting part of Raw in terms of the women, for me anyway, was Stephanie McMahon and Orton. Stephanie McMahon was out for vengeance against Orton for taking out her father, but she was going to do better than fire Randy Orton. Out comes Shane McMahon to squash Orton and his two henchmen. I like how Legacy is actually staying together as a unit through this. I was partially expecting DiBiase and Rhodes to side with Stephanie. I am glad they did not. An Orton vs. Shane feud is in the making. If Orton loses, he loses his title shot? Maybe. The plot may seem linear so far, but the chance for a swerve is still there. Consider if Orton does wrestle Shane, and Stephanie McMahon just happens to be by the ring. She ejects Rhodes and DiBiase, so things are fair, right? Or so it can be easier for Stephanie to stab Shane in the back. Last time both were on Raw, Stephanie told Shane to hit the road, Raw was her show. What if Stephanie wanted Orton to take Vince out of the picture? What if she knew Shane would want payback, and saw a chance to make sure he does not intervene in her reign as GM? As I said before, Stephanie can fit right into Legacy. I am very interested in how this develops further.
