Blog Archives
Notes In Observance – WWE Raw 1/16/17: There’s A Rumble Brewing
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 1/16/17)
There’s A Rumble Brewing
– One week removed from Roman Reigns’ loss of the WWE United States Championship to Chris Jericho, we figured the opening video would highlight all of that. Not on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, no no. Instead, we got the traditional classy soundbite of King’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech with some spiffy production as always. Dear lord WWE, don’t transition that into a Reigns promo. Just don’t.
Notes In Observance – WWE Raw 1/9/17: Saved By The Gong
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 1/9/17)
Saved By The Gong
– The Commissioner Stephanie McMahon/General Manager Mick Foley/Seth Rollins/Braun Strowman backstage segment was packed with enough tension to start things off interestingly. Apparently, Jan. 9 is official Raw GM Performance Review day, as Steph spoke about Foley’s (who sported a circa 2000 haircut) promise to bring The Undertaker. Rollins’ portion was newsworthy in a special Rollins way as he informed them he was now in the Royal Rumble match. That was followed up by Strowman, who demanded either Goldberg or WWE United States Champion Roman Reigns for the double spear. Rollins being Rollins made him go right at Strowman, to Steph’s disapproval. In classic Steph fashion, she told Foley to get things under control and summon the ultra lord of darkness to the red brand. Or else. Pretty to the point stuff.
Notes In Observance – WWE Raw 1/2/17: The Season Premiere
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 1/2/17)
The Season Premiere
– The General Manager Mick Foley/WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens/Chris Jericho/Commissioner Stephanie McMahon opening in-ring segment was a “Raw” way to start the new year – 20-minute talking segment. Woot woot. Anyways, Foley sported shorter hair in a cut that didn’t look finished. We have to take him seriously now? He poked fun at his lack of ability to remember the city he was in, as he used it for a cheap laugh. Owens/Jericho made claims that Foley abused his power and criticized that Seth Rollins was rewarded for his deviant behavior. In turn, Foley booked the first episode of The Kevin Owens show as a talk show where Goldberg would be his first guest. Steph’s portion involved some brief disagreements with Foley, but she stood by him and subsequently booked Jericho to face WWE United States Champion Roman Reigns for the Title. She added that if Reigns was counted out or disqualified, he’d lose the belt. Afterwards, she brought up how “sick” she was that SmackDown Live beat them in the ratings last week (interesting) and booked Owens against Rollins, where the loser would be banned from ringside during the US Title match. Guess now it can be a “ratings war” since SD Live beat Raw for once, but wouldn’t that be something for Raw to stay away from? It’s as if they invited people to skip them and watch SD instead. Anyways, good hype for later segments and the Owens-Reigns WWE Universal Championship Royal Rumble match where Jericho would be hung in a shark cage.
Notes In Observance – WWE NXT 12/28/16: Osaka, Osaka
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 12/28/16)
Osaka, Osaka
– The opening video hyped up the NXT Championship rematch between Champion (at the time) Samoa Joe and Shinsuke Nakamura. Yup, they’d show the entire match again in its entirety (this was even before their steel cage match), but the good part was that we’d see the rest of the Osaka event. A two-hour NXT show on a holiday week? What a gift. By the way, to read our review of the Joe/Nakamura match, check it here.
Notes In Observance – WWE Raw 12/26/16: Multitasking Mayhem
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 12/26/16)
Multitasking Mayhem
– The opening video pleasantly recapped recent storylines – Braun Strowman will toss everyone around (particularly Sin Cara into Christmas Trees) in pursuit of Sami Zayn, who “defeated” him at Roadblock: End Of The Line. Strowman entered himself into the main event picture to target WWE United States Champion Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, much to the delight of WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho.
Notes In Observance – WWE Raw 12/19/16: … Or Else
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 12/19/16)
… Or Else
– The WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens/Chris Jericho/General Manager Mick Foley opening in-ring segment mostly succeeded in setting up the night’s main event and even the Royal Rumble Universal Title match with a worthy twist, albeit one recently seen at NXT TakeOver: Toronto. This was just the Jeri-KO duo back in good graces, then we got some Jericho “List” comedy as he put Santa Claus on the list. The “Hug Of Jericho” bit was also funny. Foley served as the “holiday comedy authority guy” as he donned a ridiculous Christmas sweater and informed the heels of his Rumble plans, where Owens would defend against WWE United States Champion Roman Reigns again and this time, to prevent interference, Jericho would be suspended in the air in a shark cage. The fanny pack bit was chucklesome, as they put Jericho in the cage and actually suspended him above, with the idea that Foley “left the keys behind.” Some tough moments on the mic as Foley did the cheap pop, but named the wrong town. Jeri-KO get props for rescuing him and received good heel heat at the same time. If it wasn’t for the fact that they already announced the tag team main event where Jeri-KO would face Reigns/Rollins, we would’ve been interested to see Jericho hang above the ring for the whole show.
Notes In Observance – WWE Raw 11/21/16: Diss And Make Up
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 11/21/16)
Diss And Make Up
– The opening video nicely recapped the forgettable five-and-a-half-hour spectacle that was Survivor Series. Primarily, Goldberg’s manhandling of Brock Lesnar in his 12-year awaited in-ring return was at the forefront. It was stillshot city of a monumental upset.
WWE Survivor Series 2016 Reaction
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
If WWE in 2016 has taught us anything, it’s that content outweighs logic.
After an hour and 51 minute pre-show came a three hour and 26-minute Pay-Per-View for a total of five hours and 27 minutes of air time.
Nothing screamed “filler” like interbranded 10-man elimination tag matches, with little consequences. Three of them, to be exact.
It’s like watching the World Series between two teams you don’t like. There’s no emotional investment besides the ones who’re directly involved.
Luckily, the best build ironically went to Goldberg-Brock Lesnar, the personification of the overhyped “Fantasy Warfare Just Got Real” catchphrase.
In this case, some things should stay fantasy.
Notes In Observance – WWE SmackDown Live 11/15/16: #900
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 11/15/16)
#900
– It was nice to see SmackDown Live’s 900th episode fall during the Survivor Series go-home week. In the realm of tradition and nostalgia for the blue brand, there was also a purpose. The opening video nicely “relived” various highlights from past talent like Eddie Guerrero, King Booker, Edge, JBL, Booker T and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The DX Bus explosion was shown as was the infamous Gore by Rhyno that took Chris Jericho through the original oval set. It seamlessly transitioned into current storylines where we saw hype for the WWE Intercontinental Championship match between Champion Dolph Ziggler and The Miz, the return of Edge in “The Cutting Edge” and a “Date With The Deadman,” The Undertaker. How lovely. Certainly beats Raw.
Notes In Observance – WWE Raw 11/14/16: On The Same Page
Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.
By Nicholas Jason Lopez
“Notes In Observance” features random thoughts and analysis on recent television shows. Quick results can be found at the bottom of the post.
(Aired 11/14/16)
On The Same Page
– With this the go-home show before Survivor Series, we expected to see “strange bedfellows” as the prominent theme, but could only imagine how much of the show it’d consume. Anyways, the opening segment with General Manager Mick Foley, Commissioner Stephanie McMahon, Seth Rollins, WWE United States Champion Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman, Chris Jericho, WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens, WWE Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, The Shining Stars, Cesaro, Sheamus, Enzo Amore, Big Cass, Sasha Banks, WWE Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte, Bayley, Nia Jax and Alicia Fox was packed, but set the show off right. Steph hyped the appearance of SmackDown Live General Manager Daniel Bryan and SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon for later in a “Survivor Series Summit” and addressed how she wanted everyone to work well together or there’d be changes. Foley booked Cesaro/Sheamus against Owens/Reigns. Steph booked Rollins/Strowman/Jericho against ND. Foley booked Banks/Charlotte against Jax/Fox. At least we had stuff to look forward to, but damn.
