LIVE Raw thoughts - August 17, 2015

10:50 - I'm going to watch the rest of the show in bed.  Going on Twitter for the rest of my thoughts!

10:43 - The irony of creating this Divas Revolution, only to seemingly deliberately avoid having the Divas Champion defend her title so that she can break a record set by a former personality.

10:33 - Unless they intend to put the Intercontinental title on Miz, wouldn't it have made more sense to do Big Show vs. Ryback for the Intercontinental title, and team Miz with Stardust to take on Neville and Amell?

10:25 - I'm guessing the New Day win the titles at SummerSlam.  Since it appears to be a standard match instead of an elimination style, it's the perfect chance to swap the title without jobbing out the champions.  New Day are far and away the best tag team right now, so they deserve the titles.  I'd love to see a legitimate feud with the Lucha Dragons, too.

10:13 - So Triple H is back to being a heel for this promo.

10:08 - Really good promo from Seth Rollins.  I especially loved when he cut off the chanting -- presumably when Cena was going to make his entrance -- so that he could paint Cena as the villain of the story.  Good stuff.

9:31 - I did like the intensity of and response to Ziggler's return (and Lana hitting that kick was pretty cool), but it'll be for nothing if he just ends up losing to Rusev in their big match.  That's where they always mess up with Ziggler....they always have him ultimately fall short.

9:29 - I was never into Rusev or Lana, but I cannot tell you how much I cannot stand watching this storyline.  No redeemable values.

9:24 - I feel like we've seen Mark Henry vs. Rusev 6,000 times and we've seen the same exact result each time.

9:12 - How has WWE not used "Fight Song" once throughout this entire Divas Revolution storyline?

9:05 - I've said this before, but Roman Reigns is never more likable and relatable than when he's paired with Dean Ambrose.  Having said that, I can easily see the fans turning on him again if this becomes a situation where Ambrose is always the one to eat the pin in defeat, and Reigns is always the one to get the pin in victory.  It seems like Ambrose is always the one who gets cheated and loses against the Wyatts, while Reigns is the one who gets the revenge win.

8:57 - "You say you don't like the Wyatt Family, but you seem to enjoy fighting them."  That is some great insight, JBL.

8:30 - Glad Sheamus ate the pin there.  I find it remarkable how this guy is pretty much guaranteed a highlighted spot on every PPV.  I see now reason why this guy has the Money in the Bank briefcase.  Do love the continued overness of Cesaro, though.

8:03 - It always strikes me as odd when Triple H and Stephanie come down and try to sell a WWE event.  Could you imagine Vince McMahon doing that during the Corporation era?  At least so explicitly.  Like, we're not SUPPOSED to want to do what they want.  I know they're not as consistently heel as Vince, but still.

And is WWE off of PPV altogether?  Because they keep saying "only on WWE Network."  Unless they're just lying to sell some subscriptions.

Also, funny seeing Undertaker and Brock Lesnar being hyped with Demi Lovato playing in the background.

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LIVE Raw thoughts - August 3, 2015

8:40 - Really great match and an excellent example of how you can make somebody look great in losing and make the heel retain a title without having to cheat or look weak.  Neville had the match "won" on numerous occasions, but Rollins found a way out of the situation through fair means.  Great stuff.

8:23 - While I liked the concept here, I didn't love the fact that it took so long for somebody to accept the challenge.  Wouldn't somebody under 6' and less than 200 pounds -- theoretically, somebody who typically doesn't get a shot at the World title -- jump at the opportunity to accept this challenge?  Clearly they must have known about these restrictions, otherwise the whole roster would have run out.

8:18 - Surprising that they had Rollins issue the "winner take all" challenge without any notion that he's just taking advantage of a weakened Cena.  Not a complaint, just an observation.

8:08 - Really great and touching tribute video to Piper.  And I'm glad they didn't completely overlook the Hogan connection.  Very well done.

7:46 - Obviously, the big news in the wrestling world is the death of legend Rowdy Roddy Piper.  Indeed, this is terribly sad news.  As I indicated on Twitter, while Piper is best known as a villainous heel, I grew up with him as a babyface commentator, and some of my fondest memories include him (and Savage) saving Hogan from the Undertaker on the Funeral Parlor, urging Randy Savage to propose to Elizabeth, avenging Bret Hart and defeating the Mountie for the Intercontinental Championship, coming to the defense of Virgil after being mistreated by Ted DiBiase, feuding with Ric Flair, and being a generally bombastic personality.  I was actually refreshed when he turned heel in the late 90's in WCW, because I've ONLY seen him as a hero.  I would later become frustrated when practically every one of his WWE returns saw him perform as a heel, because, to me, that wasn't Piper's legacy.  He wasn't the perpetual villain.  He was a lovable guy.  I'm glad he had the fans on his side for his last few appearances.  Rest in peace, Roddy.  You were a legend.

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