The Shield vs. Randy Orton, Sheamus, and Big Show has been made official for WrestleMania. I'm very curious to see how they book that one. They could either really build The Shield as serious threats or turn them into fodder for three already-established main eventers.
After Raw, The Undertaker and Kane paid tribute to Paul Bearer. The dark match for the show saw John Cena and Ryback defeat The Shield via DQ due to interference. Cena and Ryback hit big moves on the heels to send the crowd home happy, because heaven forbid the heels ever stand tall. WWE has a real problem with its heels looking credible (outside of a select few, like Brock Lesnar or Mark Henry). It's very curious that they didn't have Cena on TV since he's headlining Mania in a few weeks.
There's speculation that C.M. Punk was working Raw hurt. WWE needs him strong facing Taker. They're shooting themselves in the foot with their booking of so many talents that it could be disastrous if he's out for an extended period of time. Out of the 6 top names working Mania, he and Cena are the only full-timers.
Everything else from yesterday is after the break.
The New York Times covered the death of Paul Bearer.
Kofi Kingston talked about his influences.
David Otunga talked about acting. It wouldn't shock me if he ends up as an actor in a few years, since clearly the WWE thing's not working too well for him.
DDP did a big interview about helping Scott Hall and Jake "The Snake" Roberts, WWE stars using his yoga system, not making it big in WWE and more.
Raw did 4.81 million viewers. Not bad. I wonder how it would have done with Rock and Cena aboard.
Triple H will be on the next edition of Raw to answer Brock Lesnar's challenge. I think the stipulation should be that if Lesnar wins, Heyman becomes the new COO of WWE. How awesome would that be?
Wade Barrett talked about being Intercontinental Champion and his recent movie.
WWE has released the logo for its new PPV. Meh.
For my take on yesterday's PWInsider.com questions:
Nothing to add to 1.
2. Most likely. WWE has video game models, action figures, etc. of Bryan with the big beard. I think they'd be pretty ticked if he cut it without their permission.
3. They also sometimes do it when someone wins a championship (Swagger, Mysterio). They're self-destructive in their booking a lot of times. The only theory I've heard that makes any sense for why they don't get super-behind so many stars these days is because they don't want them to get a huge ego and inflated sense of self-importance. Some would say this happened with Goldberg in WCW and Lesnar in his previous WWE run.
4. I make a distinction between William Moody and Paul Bearer, and am ok with them using the TV character's death to further the storyline. I definitely see the objections, but I think ultimately it's not off-limits to get heat by referring to his passing.
5. A little of both. I always kind of cringe when I see someone calling moves since it takes away from the idea that it's not a scripted performance between two people working together.
More wrestling tomorrow.
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