This week “Ringside Review” will be taking a sabbatical from the “review” part of this column to look at a milestone landmark in WWE history, the thousandth episode of Monday Night Raw. I’m just going to start writing and we’ll see what happens and what ends up being discussed. This may be guilty of rambling quite a bit at times, but I figure that’s not a problem!
I’m going to start with the Main Event. I can see this going down a number of ways. My biggest concern is that Super Cena takes the title off Punk cleanly. This would send Punk back to where he was a year ago effectively. Punk’s entire title run has played second fiddle to whatever Cena has done. It would set a very clear pecking order that Punk will never be one of the very, very top guys in WWE. However, I’m hoping for one of either two scenario’s.
One, which is a bit pie in the sky, is for Cena to capitalise on a weakened Punk turning him heel. Yes, he already is to people like myself I know: but to finalise it and make him heel would set up a mouth-watering Punk/Cena feud for the title that would grab the company by the throat for the next few months for what should be a sensational feud that could run till the Royal Rumble if it was done right.
The other would involve Punk being cost the title by a certain Texas Rattlesnake setting up their muted Mania match next year. Interestingly this would push Austin heel, and I can’t really see a legend playing the bad guy and therefore I doubt this would happen. After guys hit their 40s nobody really wants to boo them (bar Hulk Hogan), so I’m not sure how WWE would develop that. Still, leaving Raw 1000th with Austin/Punk having an issue would be an awesome point to go forward.
Failing either of these scenarios, I’d be delighted if Punk left 1000th Raw as champion. Raw 1000th is also a great opportunity to put over some of the current talent. I really, really hope that they don’t put all the legends over in one shot deals never to be seen again. One of the matches that I would love to see would be Kofi/Truth winning in a 3 team tag match. Love it to be TLC, but obviously that is not going to happen. Not only would it add a tag match people would care about, but it would also put over Kofi/Truth as a strong pair of tag team champions as opposed to beating a bunch of teams hastily put together that no-one cares about. As much I’d love to see teams who were the pinnacle of the tag division when it was really hot, it’s not going to happen. The Dudley’s are at TNA, Edge has retired which eliminates E&C, Jeff Hardy still somehow has a job at TNA while Matt Hardy is enjoying himself in the indies and seems to be a good place, which is good to see after his well-publicised issues last year. Teams that could happen? I’m not sure, but I think this would be a good thing to see happen, especially given the mess that the tag team division is currently in. I’d also like to see the current champs put over by legends, apart from Santino. They can bury him if they want against someone who wasn’t very good in their prime. Kevin Nash can do that I’m sure!
One of my concerns is that this show is going to be loaded there’s not going to be any time for people to shine. I think it might be just a quick wiz through yesteryear and the show will be over unfortunately. I mean seriously, given some of the names reportedly confirmed I really worry about how much focus there’s going to be on individuals, especially with the major storylines still rumbling on alongside the showing of legends. I’m also hoping for the IC and US championship’s to be given a prominent place on the show. Do SOMETHING with the titles! With both titles tied up for the last PPV, what better opportunity would there be to have title matches, with hopefully Santino dropping the US title and dropping it to someone more deserving. Speaking of which, what better way for there for Wade Barrett to make his return on the 1000th Raw taking the title from Santino? A man can dream I suppose!
We’ll be back to normal service next week, where we’ll be looking at possibly the worst wrestling game I’ve had the misfortune of playing (had to endure may be a better way of putting it). But that’s for next week…
Anyway, a slightly truncated edition of Ringside Review this week, with a little more rambling thrown in than usual. Yes I’m a cynic and I’m naturally suspicious about what they’re going to do creativity. Still, despite my pessimism I’m really looking forward to the 1000th Raw. Either way, it’s going to be an unmissable occasion and must-see viewing for all wrestling fans.
Feel free to follow me on twitter @MichaelBrown_91
Ringsidehustle.com 
So much is to be expected next week. Can’t wait
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I don’t think WWE expect many wrestler’s to shine. Character development is not what WWE are thinking for this show IMO. They’re focusing on getting high ratings for every segment of the show. They’re gonna get 4.5 to 5.5 rating IMO, they’ve gotta with that much starpower.
Oh Punk WILL leave WWE champion, I’m 100% sure. You’ll find out why I think this tomorrow!
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In my opinion thought that’s why it’s going to be a poor show. It’s going to have big names, yes, but what are you going to do with them all? You saw it in the smackdown show where all the legends appeared. Barely any were given significant air time. The 1000th Raw is going to have ever more stars who are bigger given that they’re more relevant.
It’s gonna be pop central, not a great wrestling show.
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Look, WWE are pushing LOTS of talent at the moment, but they cannot improve characters every show. Even if WWE tried to push characters on Raw 1000, fans will only be interested in The Rock, DX, Lesnar, Triple H, Cena, Punk etc.. Well they are fully relevant, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be there.
WWE need the first 3 hour Raw show to give us a good flavor in our mouths for future 3 hour shows.
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Yeah I get that! What I’m saying is, say Bret Hart appears for instance. Shot of Bret Hart: “Hey, I’m Bret Hart, this is the 1000th Raw,” then it moves to Mick Foley who gets about 10 seconds screen time. Point is, it’s gonna be that packed and cramped that NO-ONE is gonna get the time or the chance to shine. Apart from Triple H obviously 😛
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It will be a “look back” show for sure, but I do think some people may debut.
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People wanna see The Rock, Cena, Punk. They’re the big 3 IMO who fans wanna see most. With Foley and many they’ll have cameo appearances backstage throughout the show. People will get time, just some will get more than others. Like with all these huge returns, the one thing I wanna see most is CM PUNK and his WWE title. To me, NOTHING else matters as much as that on Raw. WWE must be doing something right with the title after-all! lol.
About character development. Ryback – gonna be a big star. Ziggler – gonna be big star. Rhodes – has potential. Tyson Kidd shun at MITB. Bryan – Look at him now compared to last year. They’re boosting young talent in tag division (it’s moving slow but getting there)
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Plus, we are going to see DX and we had better see Ron Simmons!
I’m off for the night. Going to the midnight showing of Batman. Later!
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I would like to see Punk beat Cena if there is somebody getting involved in the match. Cena’s pissed, because he got screwed out of the title. Punk is pissed, because it cheapened his win.
This is going out there, but I can see it being 20 plus minutes into the match when Hornswoggle’s music plays. He comes down to the ring acting like a goof. Is all smiley, but the smile turns into a serious and nasty face. He calls people out and…the original Nexus shows up(Titus instead of Tarver)! Punk and Cena are both faces now and try to fight them off, but they are just too much. A beatdown like the first one happens(less carnage with more finishers). Hornswoggle grabs the mic and says, “Laugh at me now!” and throws it down. *fades to black* Now, we have a Nexus crew that is more secure with itself and has learned things in the past couple years.
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So building on Hornswoggle being announced as Anonymous Raw GM? I dunno, issue is I missed the Nexus angle. I know a little about it, but not a lot whatsoever. Might be an idea though?
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Well, it would build on it. He could be revealed as the mastermind behind Nexus, like a mad genius.
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Setting up a scenario for Austin vs. Punk:
During Punk/Cena, Rock comes out, interferes in some way. Austin comes out to even the odds. Punk ends up ending, but is upset at Austin for “helping” him win; he wanted to do it on his own. Seeds for Austin/Punk, tahdah!
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So Mania headlined by Rock/Cena 2 and Punk/Austin? That would be awesome! Plus HHH and his opponent, Taker, Jericho (if he’s still around).
My dreams for tonight are set!
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CANNOT WAIT TO HEAR HIM SAY….DAMN! haha. See ya Capt.!
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