CM Punk: The Movie

The supposed last Raw of CM Punk’s stay in the WWE, and perhaps the last of John Cena should he lose his match at Money in the Bank. High stakes equals high interest!

Our show opens tonight with CM Punk, suspended for all of one week. Much to my glee, he also has a megaphone in his hand, which can only forebode good things. As a brief aside, I can’t believe how much Punk’s hair has changed over the years, from long and shaggy to a greasy buzz cut. Well, Punk sits down in the ring with a mic, and makes sure that the thing works before he starts. He recaps the general plot (he’s leaving and intends to take the belt with him), and then points out that the reason he got suspended because he has the balls to say what no one else will. And, just in case anyone has any ideas in the production truck, he has a megaphone to back him up in his rampage. I love how Punk is going out on as big a wave of heel heat as he ever did in his career. It truly is a pity we’re at the end of the road with him, but best to go out with a bang. He then goes on a tirade about how his little explosion two weeks ago has made the WWE relevant in the mainstream press, and now he’s receiving offers from the front office to resign his contract. Well, Punk says, if Vince wants him back, he’s going to have to come out to the ring for a contract negotiation. These things never go well, so I can’t imagine why Punk wants this to happen. I bet someone goes through a table.

Out comes Cena, whom Punk protests is playing his music too loud. Punk is less than grateful for Cena getting him reinstated last week. He correctly points out that the threat of Cena being fired is a bit silly, as last time he was fired, it lasted about a week. Cena has his serious face on tonight, and I love how he’s shutting down the smugness of Punk, who’s playing this like it’s a game. Nonetheless, they have a back in forth that impressively sounds like an actual conversation as they let one another talk rather than just monologue. Cena goes through a lengthy diatribe about how he doesn’t care about all the plot points going into the match at Money in the Bank, all he looks forward to is kicking Punk’s ass. I’ve said it before, but it bears saying a hundred times: Cena works as a hero because he knows when to play and when to be serious. He’s not going to come out with his usual happy-go-lucky style here because he knows the tension of the situation is to be played up rather than diminished. Also, I notice that they’ve really let themselves go on the PG language here, making me wonder if they’re doing this just for effect of the quasi-realistic storyline that’s being developed, or if this is a permanent thing.

Cena won’t be kicking Punk’s ass just yet, though, as the Morally Ambiguous Lappy GM says that Cena is to have a match next. Indeed, it’s a handicap match against the New Nexus… or, at least, Otunga and McGuillicutty. Man, remember when the Nexus came down to the ring and you were actually concerned about the outcome? I never cared for the Nexus really, but at least they used to be potent. They’re now down to two men, and have long since ceased to be a faction, and I think they ought to get a new name. At any rate, it seems that Cena wants to show that he can actually wrestle here, starting things of with a couple of grapples and a snapmare against Otunga, and a hip toss to McGuillicutty. I’ve always thought it unfair that Cena never got his due as a wrestler: yes, smarks, he isn’t the man of 1000 moves, and he does tend to be move-set challenged for many of his matches, but the man isn’t lost in the ring, and is more than capable of breaking out the technical aspect every now and again. Also, it helps Cena’s cause that the Nexus are so unbearably boring that anyone looks good in comparison. The Nexus battles back, and I can’t bring myself to care. It’s a bit sad when you’re practically begging Cena to Superman it up, just so that the other guys stay down and end my boredom. Cena eventually gets in the top rope leg drop, which I haven’t seen him do in a goodly while, and tries to lock McGuillicutty in an STF before Otunga breaks it up. All to no avail, as Cena gives the Attitude Adjustment to McGuillicutty and tosses Otunga over the top. It occurs to me that maybe the reason that Cena might seem to god mode in his matches isn’t so much that he never loses, but because the people he has matches against on a regular basis simply are so mediocre that the audience doesn’t believe that he’ll lose to them. Cena wins.

It is announced that Big Show and Mark Henry will be fighting at Money in the Bank. I’m actually quite excited for this match, as the two men are actually very capable of wrestling, but have an easier time with men their own size.

Backstage, Dolph Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero are having a talk as Dolph is practicing talking to Vince McMahon into just firing Punk and Cena, as Dolph and his US Title are now the premier Champion and Championship on the show. To this end, Vickie and Drew McIntyre are helping with their impersonations of Mr. McMahon. I really love Drew’s, as he does the silly swagger that Vince does. Well, as this is a hilarious bit of misdirection, Vince is, of course, listening in. Oh, the irony! Ah, well, it does its job, even if it’s not clever.  Vince, being jovial, informs the pair that they’re to have a handicap match against the Big Show later in the evening. Hey, you mean… Drew actually gets a match? Holy crap, this is, what, the second one he’s had on air since the draft? Thank you, Raw!

Now, I was bent to ignore the Divas match tonight, as its more Kelly, and thus disgusting. But the opponent tonight is Melina, who makes Kelly look as chump-like as she is. Seriously, this is a savage mismatch. Melina is as kick ass as they come, and her ring attire is actually practical. I mean, wearing pants and a top? Scandal! True to form, Melina starts the ball off by wrenching Kelly’s arm and putting her in a surfboard stretch. Kelly has her pathetic excuse for a clothesline, and her silly leg drop. Actually, since Kelly has no moves, I’m going to discuss the impracticality of her ring attire: she’s not even wearing shorts now. At best she’s wearing a bikini bottom, and her top is barely holding her breasts in. I mean, all that goes to prove is that Kelly is fan service. Kelly wins in the loosest sense of the term, and then is attacked by the Bellas. I notice that when Kelly is down, she is shrieking like death. That’s not very champ like of you, Kelly. And then who should run out to the rescue but Eve (who, incidentally, is wearing jeans and a tank top. Attractive, yet practical. See, it can be done!). I love how Eve has to constantly rescue Kelly; it just emphasizes how much more capable Eve is than Kelly. If Kelly were any bit a Champion, she’d be able to stand on her own, but she has to be constantly bailed out. She’s not believable, and the sooner she drops the belt to someone who I can buy, the better. And it’s not like there are no candidates for a legit women’s champion: we have Beth, Eve, Melina, Gail Kim, and Natalya kicking around in the back. Less Kelly Kelly, please.

Time for a Miz promo, with the ring surrounded by ladders. Miz climbs his ladder under the Raw MitB briefcase (does that thing just hang there all evening, or what?) and informs the audience that he’s used to sitting on the top and looking down on the little people. He’s also more than aware of what it takes to take the route to being a Champion, more than the rest of us could, and thus he’s more than confident of his success in the ladder match this Sunday. Well, Jack Swagger is a little miffed about this blustering, as he’s won a MitB match too. The difference is, a lot more people forgot about Jack’s win than Miz’s. It’s sad, but true. Mis points out that no one even remembers Jack’s reign, but he’s interrupted by Evan Bourne, who’s just so darn plucky. Sorry, I can’t take the guy seriously. He’s like a koala bear. He claims he’s going to win, and I’m happy for his confidence, but I really can’t see the WWE ever backing a guy his size, unless he becomes as marketable as Rey. Out comes Kofi Kingston, who actually gets some mic time tonight, and I’m once again impressed with how fluid his speech is, if for no other reason than because he doesn’t get to talk that much. Kofi points out that nothing is decided by how much talking he does tonight, but what he does on Sunday. He also summons the memory of Edge and says how matches like this forced him to retire. A bit random, really. Next man out is R-Truth, and wouldn’t you know it, there’s a conspiracy afoot! He’s still angry that he’s beaten John Cena in a table match, and yet he’s still forced to compete in a ladder match for a title shot. What’s more… Truth is afraid of heights! Or, that’[s what he means. What he says is arachnophobia. Luckily, he rallies hardcore from this, and goes on a mini rant about how if there are any spiders on that ladder, or in that briefcase, he’ll flip out. Good save, Truth. It’s also the most hilarious piece of adlibbing I’ve ever seen. Riley’s out next, and he doesn’t even bother talking, just going after Miz and chasing him out of the ring. Finally, we have Del Rio, who points out that he won the right to be #1 Contender last week, and yet due to Punk’s reinstatement, he’s back in line. He makes the claim that Cena is afraid of him, but sooner or later, he’s going to get his chance, and Cena can’t back out.

At last, everyone is interrupted by the GM. Since there are so many people kicking around in the ring, they might as well have a match. Well, that’s awfully practical of him. It’s going to be a six man match between Bourne, Kofi, and Riley against Truth, Swagger, and Miz. Del Rio can’t wrestle because he’s wearing a suit, you see. Things start off, as they should, with the heels beating up on Evan Bourne. It sucks being the shortest. This beatdown of Evan goes on for an awfully long time, until he knees Truth in the face and tags in Kofi. Kofi, being awesome, starts flying and amping up the energy, which you really need to do after a lengthy heel beatdown, which can seem monotonous at times. Eventually, him and Miz start to mix it up, and I do like how the heels are mixing up their tags. If I have a complaint here, it’s that we’re kind of just letting the faces take their time getting beaten up before tagging in a replacement. It makes their game look much slower in pace than the heels, like everyone is just waiting their turn before they can get the last tag in to do the miraculous comeback. To Kofi’s credit, he gets in a really nifty double DDT before tagging in Riley, who opens up a can of aggression on the bad guys and getting the win. I have to say, I’m not a big fan of the ultra powered push that he’s getting. Not because I don’t like Riley; I’m a big fan, and that’s why I don’t like that all he gets to do is show off a few power moves rather than give a good match that I know he’s capable of.

And, just because we haven’t had our quota of Del Rio flavoured jerkishness for the night, Alberto shows up after the match ends and levels everybody with the ladders still left at ringside. Now that’s how you be a mega heel: take advantage of a situation, do it yourself, and do it to everyone to show that you don’t care about friend or foe.

The next match is between Drew and Dolph  vs. The Big Show. I notice Drew doesn’t get to enter to his own theme, and has to come with Dolph’s. Sad days, though I do wish Drew would get a more upbeat theme regardless. Show comes out looking very angry. I don’t care much for his new shirt. It’s a bit boring. Dolph pusses out early and tags in Dolph. Show tosses Drew aside and slaps Dolph regardless. Sadly, it seems to be Drew’s lot tonight to receive the Big Show’s anger in order to put him over with the match for Henry. I’m disappointed, as this is the first McIntyre match I’ve had in forever, and he’s not even allowed to show his stuff. Show wails on Drew outside of the ring until they’re counted out, and then tosses him about the entrance ramp. He sets up to chokeslam Drew off the stage, but literally out of nowhere, Mark Henry dashes out and rams into Show, sending the lot of them flying off into the conveniently placed downing at ringside. Now, let’s not have any illusions: sure, there’s padding, but you’re still falling a good ways, and landing on a concrete flooring, not to mention that both Show and Henry are over 400 pounds and can’t land very lightly. Also, they don’t fall very cleanly, and I think Henry actually clips Show as they go over. For Drew’s part, he’s tossed over the lip of the downing, and you don’t actually see what happens to him. All together, it’s a good spot to try and drive up interest in their feud, coupled with two weeks ago when Henry chucked Show through the cage, so no one can complain about these two giants being boring. Also, storyline wise, it shows that Mark is ready to chuck himself over the edge to hurt Big Show. The escalation here is carried out quite well, with the motivations and the spots becoming more and more intense. The imagery I would choose would be two steam engines heading towards one another and neither one slowing down.

By the way, Dolph spends this entire time cowering at ringside. Ineffectual, but a fun cowardly heel thing to do.

Our main event isn’t really a main event so much as a much ballyhooed segment between Punk and Mr. McMahon. Vince keeps popping in and out from the stage, until he gets the reaction he wants from the crowd. God, I can never decide if I love or despise that man, and I think that’s part of the wonder of Vince McMahon. He informs us right away that he’s not going to be joining the CM Punk “Kiss My Ass Club” any time soon. He’s also no fan of public negotiations, but if he must, he must. Punk does indeed come out, mocking the patented McMahon swagger as he does so, and I find myself shaking with excitement as I wait this promo to happen. Vince presents the contract, complete with the provision that Punk will get his own collectors cups. Punk is having fun with this, and he says he’s surprised that Vince is so over eager, clearly having no faith in Cena. I do find myself interested with how much the writers are putting forward the idea that Cena will fail. Punk’s brought his own contract, and it has a couple more provisions. The first provision involves Punk getting to push Vince. Second, he wants his own jet. Third, his face will be all over the place, wherever it can be marketed. Fourth: CM Punk: The Movie. Fifth, the main event of next Wrestlemania will have CM Punk. Finally, Vince has to apologize to Punk for suspending him. Punk then gets on a small tirade about how Vince is the biggest bully of them all, and how many of Punk’s friends have been kicked to the curb, and how Vince has lost touch with the fans. I’m impressed with how much leeway Punk is given to criticize Vince’s policy decisions regarding how he doesn’t understand wrestling anymore. Because, trust me, this wouldn’t fly if Vince didn’t give it the okey dokey. Also, it should be noted that Vince is allowing himself to be the target of the smarks and the marks, while Punk voices their concerns. One wonders if this indicates a sense of self awareness form the Chairman.

Vince eventually is forced to apologize, much to the glee of Punk, and is about to sign Punk’s insane contract, but is interrupted by Cena. And for whatever reason, Cena is kind of flip flopping on whose side he’s on. He now calls out Punk for leaving in spite of just rallying the fans for his cause. Punk isn’t having any of that, and points out that Cena is the hypocrite: he used to be the underdog, and thinks he represents the little man, but in reality Cena is the man and Punk is the one held down. I love how what eventually forces John, a Boston native, to attack is when Punk tells Cena he’s the New York Yankees. A retreating Punk tears up his bogus contract, indicating that there will be no further negotiations regarding his staying. Of interest to me is how this segment seems almost designed to make Cena look like he’s kind of a jerk, and I wonder if that’s going to go anywhere. The much sought after heel turn of Cena, perhaps?

Thus Raw. It wasn’t a wrestling heavy episode, with the only real decent match being the six man tag match. However, it was very plot heavy, not only with taking the Punk/Cena thing to a climax, but also with Big Show and Mark Henry, as well as trying to build some kind of momentum for the Money in the Bank ladder match. All this shall, of course, come to a head on Sunday, and as I will be watching this one, I shall be able to tell you first hand how it all pans out.

Patriots and Punks

Monday Night Raw falls upon the Fourth of July this year. Do we get fireworks and glamor, or do we get the hangover the next morning?

We start our show with an important announcement: due to CM Punk’s actions last week, he has been suspended, and a new #1 Contendor shall be decided tonight. Or, at least, that’s what would happen if the WWE wasn’t dipping into it’s ol’ bag of tricks from the Attitude Era in seeing how much they can play with audience expectations by blurring entertainment and reality. For no sooner is this announced then out comes John Cena, and you know he’s serious as he does /not/ dash out to the ring in his usual jolly fashion. His beef, it seems, is that he’s more than a little annoyed that Punk was suspended for speaking his mind, despite of the content of what he said. And that’s what I love about Cena as a good guy: he doesn’t shake his morals depending on what immediately benefits him. If this had been Hulk Hogan or Randy Orton, they would have been applauding the suspension, while Cena is upset that this goes against the first amendment. He also does a fair deal of fourth wall breaking, pointing out that Daniel Bryan had been fired last year for choking a guy out with a neck tie, and that some signs have been confiscated at live events for hyping Zack Ryder’s internet show more than the top decision makers want. Now, what you do with this kind of promo is confuse the audience, who are used to having the Champion act in script and not say anything that points the finger at the company. But Vince McMahon, being the despicable genius he is, knows that fans are more often then not unhappy with his decisions, and is intentionally drawing heat to himself in order to get them behind Cena’s rant. To this end, Cena rallies the crowd into a “First Amendment” chant, before he announces that he’s called Vince, and has demanded that he show tonight, so that both Cena and the WWE Universe can get some answers.

Our first match of the night is, sadly, another dose of Bellas and Kelly. Thankfully, Eve is to be the tag partner of Kelly, and to no ones surprise, she will be the one being awesome tonight while our supposed “Champion” hangs about on the side lines. Seriously, we get to see Eve do arm drags, moonsaults, leg sweeps, and, gosh, actually wrestle! We get to see Kelly flail ineffectually and waste my time. Man, I get tired of typing that every week, but it’s so true. Actually, I’m no longer going to talk about Kelly. I’m going to pretend that the title is vacant. I should also point out that on the throw away show of Superstars, Natalya and Alicia Fox had a twelve minute match, and there’s also a Beth Phoenix vs. Gail Kim match. So, these matches exist, but for whatever reason, they’re not on the right show. I’m going to weep into my coffee now.

Oh well, at least R-Truth is still crazy, talking away on his phone to someone named “Floe.” He also points out that he put Cena through a table last week, and shouldn’t have to compete for a title shot. HE also saved  20% by switching to Geico. Damn, Truth, you are too much.

Our next tag match is between Santino and Vladimir Kolsov vs. Mike McGuillicutty and David Otunga. Out of curiousity, what are those two going to do once Punk leaves? Will the find a new leader for Nexus or is it finally the end of the game for the big N? This match is actually more fun than I would have thought, with the action being kept constant, and the narration not being the usual style of the heels beating on Santino who then comedically comes back. The back and forth is actually kept up fairly well, with multiple tags on both sides and each team getting an upper hand at one point. Also a good couple of double team moves, with Koslov throwing Santino into McGuillicutty, and the Nexus doing a double cross body. The ending has Santino setting up for the Cobra, but misses, and McGuillicutty gets the win. Well, that was uneventful…

…Until, unexpectedly, Zack Ryder comes out and drops his catchphrase, smiling ominously at the Nexus members. Odd, but I hope this builds to something in the future.

In the back, Miz is irate that he’s not in the mix for the Number 1 Contender match due to Alex Riley beating him last week. He’s sick of Riley being a distraction to his cause, and is gunning to kick him to the curb once more.

Not only that, but Sgt. Slaughter is hanging around in the back with his little buddy, Evan Bourne. It seems that Sarge, being patriotic, wants to be here for the fourth of July. This doesn’t sit well with Jack Swagger, who, as we all know, is the real All American American, and he gets a good shot in by pointing out Slaughter was around when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Slaughter regrets that Swagger’s parents didn’t use better birth control. Ouch. As such, the two of them are going to be having a match. I briefly wonder why Jack is having so many matches with retired wrestlers as of late (first Booker, then Sgt. Slaughter), but I’m not overly inclined to complain, as he’s getting a push alongside Evan Bourne at the same time. Besides, nothing builds heat like not giving your elders respect.

Before the match starts, I love how King forgives the memory of Slaughter being an Iraqi sympathizer with “everyone makes mistakes.” It’s true, but it’s a sentiment that never seems to come up very often in wrestling. Well, the match is over pretty quickly, with Jack hitting a Swagger bomb after about two minutes. I’m not too upset about this, because there’s no point in dragging out a match like this when Sarge probably can’t go for too terribly long. Jack, being a jerk, puts Slaughter in an Ankle Lock, but is stopped by the plucky Evan Bourne. Just as you know you’re a heel when you fight old legends, you’re definitely a hero when you get to save one. Sarge then leads the audience in a rendition of the pledge of allegiance. Or, at least, he says it, while the audience kind of sits by in a muted mumble. Sounds like a whole lot of people aren’t feeling very patriotic.

We now get our Triple Threat match between Rey Mysterio, R-Truth, and Alberto Del Rio. Surprisingly, Del Rio starts by going after Truth. I suppose I’d try and take out the crazy man first as well. Del Rio then gets on a roll on Mysterio, while Truth lays outside the ring. Unfortunately for Alberto, he misses a slide through the ropes, tumbling to the outside, convientiently just in time for Truth to recuperate and come back into the match. My, what luck. Well, Truth gets to slap around Rey for a bit, and much fun is had by all. Except, of course, for Rey. I’m always annoyed when Triple Threat matches do the plot line of having two guys in the ring while one man lays outside, as it seems that the match is only using half its potential. You have three people there, but you’re only using two. If nothing else, though, Tuth gets to have a good showing in his beatdown of Rey, finding a multitude of ways to beat him rather than just throwing punches. Things do finally pick up as Alberto Del Rio sets up Truth on his shoulders and Rey hits a clothesline from the top turnbuckle, but quickly goes back to the one-on-one style, this time with Del Rio and Rey, until we get some near falls and break ups by the three.  Eventually, Rey manages to 619 Truth, only to have Del Rio lock in the Arm Bar and forcing Rey to tap out. I always find it weird to see Rey tap out, as the ultimate good guys rarely do. At any rate, it would appear that Alberto Del Rio is our new #1 Contender.

Sometime during the commericals, we find ourselves with a patriotic rug set up in the ring, and a cake (which means someone is getting put through it, or wearing it). Things become more clear as Vickie and Dolph Ziggler arrive, and Vickie announces that not only is it the Fourth of July, it’s also Dolph Ziggler’s birthday. Well, gee. Vickie sings us Happy Birthday, and gosh, Vickie has lost a ton of weight. Seriously, King’s rudeness becomes more and more asinine as time goes on. Ziggler also has to say that the people here are all too lucky to see Dolph in his prime. Forget Punk and Cena, because Dolph is the US Champion, and thus it’s the only one that matters. Mr. Ziggler is definitely improving on the microphone. But we couldn’t have a birthday party in the ring without an interruption, and out comes Kofi Kingston. He’s annoyed that he wasn’t invited to this party, and also has to point out that without Vickie in his corner, Dolph cannot beat Kofi. And, of course, Vickie takes a header in the cake. Why would any sane person ever bring a cake into a wrestling arena? The two men brawl and take their fight out of the ring, while Vickie, keeping her cool, exits the arena. I wonder how much that poor women gets paid to take more beatings than most men?

Our next match is between Miz and Alex Riley. We actually start off, oddly, with a vignette for Alex Riley as get to relieve the abuse he used to take from the Miz. Peculiar. I guess the WWE is concerned that can’t remember the last couple months. Our match starts, and Miz gives a good impression that he wants to hurt Riley. He has his crazy grimace on, and is on the attack from the get go. I’m a bit disappointed with how dead the crowd is for this. Then again, a good chunk of this match is carried by the Miz as he unloads his moves on Riley, but then, the story being built is Miz looking for his revenge, so that’s unavoidable. The ending of the match is a neatly done one, though, as Riley manages to reverse Miz’s reverse neckbreaker into a backslide for the pin. Also priceless is the Miz’ reaction afterwards: he looks completely stunned, as if losing hadn’t even entered his mind, before slowly growing his dazed expression into a furious glare and attacks Riley from behind. He takes the fight out into the seats at ringside and beats Riley against the barricades. He eventually leaves Riley as most broken minions wind up: through the broken announce table.

Finally, the moment we’ve all been waiting for: Vince McMahon comes out to the ring. As per usual, the man seems to adore how much he’s getting booed. The CEO doesn’t waste time in gaining heat, explaining that Punk was suspended because he deserved it. He then proceeds to do his best smarmy politician as he tells the audience that he was doing it for the best of the people. But then, he kind of waters it down by saying that Punk wasn’t being resigned because he was asking for too much money. That kind of negates what went down last week, as it doesn’t look like the drama here is so much from Punk going renegade as it is Vince trying to make it more about himself. This is the usual unfortunate consequence of tying Vince into things: he doesn’t sell others especially well if their name isn’t Stone Cold Steve Austin. Well, Cena is none too happy about this either, and confronts Vince whether or not he believes in free speech. He also points out that the fightin’ Vince McMahon of old had been replaced with a coward who can’t handle a few nasty words. Vince then adds another layer of intrigue: he suspended Punk so that he couldn’t walk away with the WWE Title and go to another company with his belt. This would make more sense if a bigger company like WCW was still around, and that this was still a threat. John is more concerned with the fact that Vince thinks he can’t beat Punk, and gets the crowd pumped up for the potential of a Cena/Punk match. I’m impressed by the amount of Cena chants are going on here. It’s a nifty bit of double-standard here as the Cena fans and Punk fans get together for a united cause. Vince emphasizes  that it’s his company, and he’ll do what he likes. Then, in a dramatic move, Cena hands the belt over to Vince and storms off. Now, can you imagine Orton giving up the belt on a moral dilemma? No, you can’t. That’s why Cena is always the better hero. Well, Vince is a crafty fellow, and informs Cena that he has his wish: he’s going to have his match against Punk at Money in the Bank. But, he adds, if Cena loses, than he’s fired. Now, that’s a good add on to this story line: No one was going to buy the thought of the title going to a different company, but the thought of having Cena fired is at least a realistic threat plot-wise. Also, I can forsee Punk winning, then losing the belt to whomever wins MitB, thus keeping the belt on Raw and still getting Cena canned. A very intriguing development to be sure.

And thus Monday Night Raw for the Fourth of July. As I continue to deny that the women’s division even exists any more, I’m left wondering what’s going to happen with Alberto Del Rio, as Punk has his title match again and Del Rio having been named the #1 Contender. The rest of the show was decent, though not spectacular: the tag match and Swagger/Slaughter were kind of throwaways, and the Miz/Riley wasn’t as good as some of their previous encounters. Still, it was an important plot development episode, and I’m interested in seeing how this saga pans out.