"Eck’s Factor": Raw SuperShow 9/26 analysis
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Here are my takes on the big stories from Monday night’s Raw SuperShow that the WWE Universe is talking about on Facebook, Twitter and WWE.com.
Talking point: Alberto Del Rio lays out WWE Champion John Cena and CM Punk with repeated chair shots
Eck’s Factor: Del Rio may have lost his match to CM Punk, but at the end of the show, he was standing over the fallen bodies of Punk and Cena.
As I wrote after last week’s Raw SuperShow, losing the WWE Championship to Cena at Night of Champions has brought out a more intense side of Del Rio. The somewhat amusing “My name is Alberto Del Rio” character who repeatedly spoke about destiny has morphed into a more dangerous and determined competitor (and, therefore, a more compelling character).
With that being said, I’m not sure I would bet on Del Rio emerging from his Hell in a Cell Triple Threat Match with Cena and Punk this Sunday on pay-per-view with the championship back around his waist, but after what I’ve seen on Raw the past two weeks, it wouldn’t shock me if he did.
Talking point: World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry manhandles The Great Khali
Eck’s Factor: One of the great things about Superstars from SmackDown appearing on Raw SuperShow is that I get to watch Henry demolish people two times a week instead of one.
Let’s be completely honest: For the majority of Henry’s 15-year-career, plenty of sandwiches were made and bathroom breaks were taken whenever he appeared on WWE programming. Over the past couple months, however, Henry’s path of destruction has been must-see TV. Henry’s quick disposal of The Great Khali before the match even began – he delivered the World’s Strongest Slam to the 7-foot-4, 420-pound Punjabi giant – was yet another impressive feat of strength and display of ruthless aggression from Henry.
Talking point: Mason Ryan returns, double-crosses Vickie Guerrero
Eck’s Factor: It looked at first like a major coup for Vickie when she brought the Welsh monster down to the ring to team with U.S. Champion Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger against Air Boom and Zack Ryder in an impromptu match made by SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long. However, things quickly went awry, as the massive Ryan turned on his partners. That elicited a big pop from the crowd and led to Ryder gaining his second victory over Ziggler in as many weeks.
It was an impactful return for Ryan, who hadn’t appeared on Raw in three months. Ryan obviously has a great look, but he is still a work in progress in the ring and on the microphone. If he is ever able to put it all together, Ryan will be a major star for years to come.
Talking point: Michael Cole reports that Jerry Lawler is suffering from – among other things – anal bleeding as a result of Mark Henry’s attack on him last week
Eck’s Factor: Anal bleeding? He didn’t say that. Tell me he did not just say that.
Talking point: WWE COO Triple H continues to lay down the law
Eck’s Factor: The Game made it clear that insubordination will not be tolerated, as he doled out punishment in the form of matches and fines to several offenders. To steal a line from Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Triple H’s brand of justice is cruel but fair.
Hey, while he’s at it, perhaps Triple H could punish Booker T. for imitating an announcer. Oh, I kid Booker T.
Talking point: David Otunga offers legal advice to Christian, Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler
Eck’s Factor: Otunga, who legitimately has a law degree from Harvard, suggested to Christian, Rhodes and Ziggler that a lawsuit may be the answer to their problems with WWE COO Triple H. I’m very interested to see where this latest development is headed.
I also think it’s a great idea to have Otunga become the modern-day version of Clarence Mason. He’s much more likely to get over in this role than as one-half of a nondescript tag team.
Talking point: Beth Phoenix is granted yet another shot at WWE Divas champion Kelly Kelly
Eck’s Factor: I realize that Phoenix pinned the Divas Champion in the tag match that saw Phoenix and Natalya defeat Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres, but I’m not sure that’s enough to warrant Phoenix getting another title shot (which will take place at Hell in a Cell on Sunday).
Kelly Kelly has beaten Phoenix clean on the past two-pay-per-views – including eight days ago at Night of Champions in Phoenix’s hometown of Buffalo – so I don’t really see why she should have to defend the championship against Phoenix again. Not that Kelly Kelly is complaining. Kudos to her for bucking the recent trend of WWE Superstars accusing management of conspiring against her.
WHO IS KEVIN ECK?
For those who are unfamiliar with me, I come to WWE from The Baltimore Sun, where I was an assistant sports editor and the author of a pro wrestling blog titled Ring Posts. In between two stints with The Sun, I worked as the editor of WCW Magazine from 2000 to 2001. Follow me on Twitter and send your questions to @KevinEck_WWE.
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