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http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/sports/columnists/detore/s_195325.html

Even predictable 'Raw' trumps 'Smackdown'

By Rennie Detore
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, May 23, 2004 

The steady stream of predictability showcased by the "Raw" brand
hasn't deterred fans from tuning in or proclaiming that the Monday
night staple finally has returned to form.

Behind the return to prominence of "Raw" are two factors: Vince
McMahon's "monumental" draft lottery and the steady demise of
"Smackdown."

When McMahon announced that it was time to shake things up in the land
of WWE, he really meant that his once mighty Monday night phenomenon,
"Raw," became stale and lacked the kind of excitement usually
associated with a live show.

So, McMahon gave "Smackdown" the ultimate shakedown when he raided the
roster and stacked "Raw's" lineup with more main-event muscle.

The program anointed Chris Benoit as its new World Heavyweight
Champion and has done an admirable job of turning the "Crippler" into
a household name. Surrounding Benoit is an all-star cast such as
Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Ric Flair and Kane, the newly
crowned No. 1 contender.

The Rock even dropped by last Monday to endorse the "Eugene" character
-- that segment drew a 4.6 rating -- and helped "Raw" score a 4.0
rating.

That group is flanked by a strong mid-card crop highlighted by
Intercontinental champion Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, Edge,
Christian, Batista and Matt Hardy.

The influx of fresh talent mixed with well-known superstars creates a
renewed Monday night atmosphere bordering on the glory days of the
"Monday Night Wars." The show's writing team, criticized for being too
silly in the past, remains focused on the task of selling wrestling
and the importance of long-term feuds.

Even storylines that wreak of the obvious still come across strong in
the execution phase. Michaels costing Triple H a world title shot was
predictable but translated into an enjoyable segment nonetheless.
That's because the Michaels-Hunter feud is surrounded by simple
Wrestling 101 booking mentalities such as wrestler suspensions
(Michaels) and the revenge factor (Hunter interfering in Michaels'
world title match two weeks ago).

"Raw" simply is selling plain, old wrestling. And to the show's
credit, it has sustained interest in Michaels vs. Triple H even after
countless bouts between the two. The two will meet June 13 at "Bad
Blood" in a Hell in the Cell.

The writers on "Raw" aren't trying to undermine WWE's audience. The
show features pay-per-view quality main events, significant hype for
them and in-ring promos that finally emphasize championships and the
importance of winning or retaining them.

There are no lame "My mom is having a heart attack" angles or feuds
involving spooky lighting and Madame Cleo skits.

Those have been reserved for "Smackdown" on Thursday nights. 

Whether it's the mother of Eddie Guerrero having pseudo chest pains or
Booker T fighting off The Undertaker with urns, fortune tellers and
magic candles, "Smackdown" lacks direction and substance and clearly
cares little about its titles.

That became painfully obvious when Guerrero hooked up with John
Bradshaw Leyfield for his first world title feud.

The roster, too, cannot compare to the one offered by "Raw." The
departure of Brock Lesnar, the draft and injuries to The Big Show and
Kurt Angle have hampered "Smackdown."

Here's a few of the "superstars" featured last Thursday: Bob Holly,
Billy Gunn, F.B.I., Billy Kidman, Spike Dudley and Funaki. It's not
that the aforementioned wrestlers aren't athletes, but they don't have
any momentum or quality storylines behind them. Simply throwing
matches together for the sake of filling two hours isn't enough to
sustain an audience.

You don't see "Raw" throwing Rob Conway or Garrison Cade, two fairly
new superstars, in front of an audience without some kind of
storyline. Cade found a home alongside The Coach, and Conway has been
battling the babyface Eugene for the past two weeks.

Even new "Smackdown" star, Mordecai, debuted to a resounding thud last
Sunday at "Judgment Day." His gimmick, a throwback Undertaker-type
character, epitomizes the newfound mentality practiced by "Smackdown."

Mordecai's elaborate, devilish costume and would-be eerie ring
entrance can't mask the fact that he's very green and, for now, has
little wrestling ability.

The same way "Smackdown," with all its fancy smoke and mirrors, still
can't emulate the fire generated by a simple, straightforward "Raw."


--- Internet Rex 2.29