Almost Live, Definitely Half Assed Review of WWE Raw – 15 Feb. ’16

Anaheim Ice designed by Frank Gehry. Saved from apacf.org

Anaheim Ice designed by Frank Gehry. Saved from apacf.org

(Next Day Note: Anaheim Ice is one of the few recent project by Frank Gehry that he didn’t just crumple up some paper, 3D model it then call it a “design.” The undulating wooden beams are a thing of beauty that recall Gehry’s own Disney Concert Hall. The exterior itself is supposed to recall the design of quonset huts from the World War II era. Which leads me to my amusement with the Wikipedia page of Anaheim Ice. Michael Eisner wanted the “next generation of American Architects” to design this building. Gehry was born in Canada and was 66 years old at the time of the design in 1995. I still have a long time before being considered for another wave of American architects.)

Raw starts with a review of Dean Ambrose‘s antics from last week. He then hits the ring first. He is expecting revenge out of Brock Lesnar. He awaits his arrival when Stephanie McMahon shows up. For some reason, people cheer Ambrose being injured again. The F5 tonight is a Fatal Five Way. Stephanie tells him Roman Reigns can’t interfere. If he does, it’ll just be Reigns vs Lesnar on Sunday.

Dean Ambrose defending the Intercontinental Title against Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens, Stardust and Tyler Breeze. First pin fall attempt comes with Ziggler drop kicking Ambrose after he had tossed Owens from the ring. Stardust takes out Ziggler. Breeze takes out Stardust. Owens power bombs Breeze onto Ziggler & Stardust. They’re doing a decent job so far of managing this person filled of a match. Owens goes for a cheap pin on Ambrose who had been taken out by Ziggler. Owens gets caught going for a Cannonball by Tyler Breeze. That was a surprise. Breeze gets chucked out of the ring quickly after. Moments after that, Owens Pop Up Power Bombs Breeze for the win. He’s the new Intercontinental Title. I think we all know what match just got added to the Wrestlemania card. I don’t need to type it out, do I? We’re all thinking Owens vs Ambrose. (Next Day Note: I’m not a big fan of the hot potato they have been playing with the IC Title. It could mean, as suggested in the next segment, that Ambrose will get a crack at HHH at Wrestlemania. It’s worked to keep any title on someone for a sustained amount of time and keep them on TV. Why does the WWE do hot potato so often?)

Ambrose is mad about losing the IC Title but it’s just telling him to concentrate on the bigger prize. Kevin Owens wants recognition from Renee Youg. Dolph Ziggler gives it to him mockingly then challenges Owens for Fastlane. Owens declines.

The New Day come out and make fun of Edge & Christian since they’re the hook for Edge & Chrsitian’s show. They then turn their ire to Mark Henry. He comes out for a match against Big E.

They start the match after a break. Henry is in control early. Big E takes over after a double distraction by Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston. Big E connects with the splash but only gets a two count. Henry starts a come back when Woods jumps on the apron. Henry misses a corner charge. Big E goes for the Big Ending but Henry slips out. He appears hurt so Big E pins him for the win. (Next Day Note: I browsed through the news and didn’t see any Henry injury reported so the end of that match is weird.)

Brie Bella comes down to be interviewed by Byron Saxton. Of course he is over shadowing her. Charlotte interrupts proceedings. She doesn’t want to be rude but is any way. Charlotte wants her to give up her match at Fastlane. She keeps talking down to Brie. Charlotte tells Brie that her husband & sister need to be taken care of. Brie tells her that Charlotte thinks she’s an easy “beat.” Brie ends up attacking Charlotte. Brie gives her the ground kicks. Very good segment.

Chris Jericho is at ring side for the match between The Miz & AJ Styles. Jericho tries to pretend like he still has credibility. The Miz barely has less at this point. The Miz is actually looking decent this match and Jericho is selling Miz too. The Miz starts jawing at Jericho. Styles blind sides Miz with the Flying Forearm. Jericho better stop, he’s acting like a real wrestler. Styles connects with the Flying Forearm in the ring. Skull Crushing Finale only gets The Miz a two. The Miz charges in. Styles rolls through into the Calf Crusher for the tap out victory. They do the obvious thing and set up Chris Jericho vs AJ Styles at Fastlane. Jericho tells him the answer can wait for Smackdown. Jericho is even trying to make Smackdown important.

The Dudley Boyz come out to make their speech again. They request the Usos. They don’t get them. The Dudleyz are going anti-tables just in case you don’t watch Smackdown.

Paige is taking on Summer Rae. Summer is the aggressor early. Paige takes over quickly though. Paige knee lifts Summer through the ropes. Spinning heel kick connects against Paige. Summer starts working over Paige. She turns it around and connects with a variety of knees on Summer. Summer rolls up Paige and keeps her pinned. Is Summer going to get an actual push? (Next Day Note: Or more likely, they want to punish Paige for any of the numerous dumb things she’s done because Summer didn’t look vastly improved in the ring.)

Paul Heyman is in the ring advocating on behalf of Brock Lesnar. He requests Roman Reigns, who obliges. They both admire the Wrestlemania sign.  Heyman has a lot of respect for Reigns but doesn’t think he can beat his “Beast.” Even with the help of Dean Ambrose. Heyman tells him he has to choose between his family and Ambrose. Reigns tells Heyman that he’s good. He thanks him for being honest. Reigns says he didn’t beat Lesnar but he beat his ass. Reigns says he’ll do whatever it takes to take on HHH at Wrestlemania. Heyman walks away. The Dudley Boyz attack. The Usos must not be around because they didn’t make the save. Dean Ambrose did.

Zack Ryder is set to take on one of the Social Outcasts. Heath Slater it is. Slater ducks outside and leads a victory lap. I stopped paying attention when The Wife stopped up. Slater won somehow. (Next Day Note: I saw someone had a Youtube video of this match. I choose not to re-watch it because it doesn’t really matter. It’s one jobber beating another jobber.)

R Truth was trying to have a nice dinner with his wife when Goldust interrupts. Goldust ends up “jizzing” her with champagne.

Kalisto, Sin Cara & Neville are taking on Alberto Del Rio, Rusev & Sheamus. A triple dive to the outside leads to a commercial. Kalisto ends up taking a beating for the baby face team. Sin Cara gets in to take on Del Rio. Sin Cara gets in some quick strike offense. Sin Cara tosses Del Rio outside with a back drop. Sin Cara connects with a suicide dive. Sin Cara takes the World’s Stupidest Finisher that was made even stupider with Sin Cara being in the middle of the ring. (Next Day Note: Del Rio must have had more offense before that finisher but I again don’t care. Sin Cara hung onto the ropes for thirty seconds just waiting to be stomped. How stupid can you be?)

Renee Young leads Alberto Del Rio down the mosquito road. He wants their match at Fastlane two out of three falls.

Becky Lynch is out. Third Divas segment of the night. Naomi is her opponent. Tamina is at ring side. Lynch suplexes Naomi out of the ring. Naomi kicks Lynch in the head on her way back into the ring. Naomi gives her rapid fire kicks and a drop kick. Naomi works her over. A few pin fall attempts turns into a Disarmer tap out win by Lynch. Sasha Banks shows up. Tamina Samoan Drops Lynch while Banks saunters around the ring. Banks then makes the save.

Bray Wyatt is residing in my “Pay No Mind” list at the moment. I suppose it’s good that they’re keeping this bad match to a minimum. Big Show is taking on Braun Strowman in the main event. It was a fairly even match up until The Family decided to attack for the DQ. Big Show gets beat down. Ryback tries to make the save. It works for a bit but he gets knocked down too. Kane comes up through the ring. The baby face trio cleans house. What a weird, weird baby group. – Kevin

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