THE RAW REVIEW

This week’s RAW, right from the start, demonstrated the value of deviation.

One of the most consistent and entirely accurate constructive criticisms leveled at WWE’s three-hour broadcast is that the show adheres to its formula at the expense of offering unpredictable, exciting content for its regular viewers. This is a good constructive criticism that comes from respectable minds and respectful fans - not just from an angry internet contingent who behaves like an unruly, spoiled child. The people who offer this criticism are sympathetic to the difficulties of creating a massive “Sports Entertainment” spectacle like Monday Night Raw; they simply want the show to be as watchable as possible.

THE RAW REVIEW

The only thing anyone will remember about this episode of Monday Night Raw is that Triple H danced with New Day. And while a small smile might have cracked on my face when Triple H started dad-dancing, the fact that this is the only moment to really entertain people and get people excited is something we should all be ashamed of - WWE and fan alike.

Ten seconds of dancing, on a three hour "Sports Entertainment" show is shameful.

THE WORK OF WRESTLING - W/MICK FOLEY

THE PODCASTTim KailAugust 17, 2015mick foley, mick foley interview, mick foley podcast, pro wrestling blogs, professional wrestling, pro wrestling art, wwe network, wwe, wwe blogs, blogs, summerslam, the authority, triple h, stephanie mcmahon, pro wrestling, sports entertainment, i am santa clause

THE RAW REVIEW

I sit here before the computer trying my best to discover an entry point into this particular RAW REVIEW. I cannot come up with anything - other than being honest with you.

Monday Night Raw has become background noise for me.

That is both a reflection of the quality of the show of late and a reflection of my viewing habits.

Even when I focus on what I’m watching I can almost feel my consciousness flickering in and out of the show; the three hours blend together in an infinitely recycling loop of deja vu on top of deja vu, each scripted promo or strained attempt at self-referential humor occasionally inspiring a cringe. The show openly mocks itself and the show openly mocks the WWE's past. As a result, I can't help but feel mocked. Because I want to like RAW and I want to like the WWE's past.

THE RAW REVIEW

The purpose of The Work of Wrestling is, first and foremost, to prove the artistic merit of professional wrestling by dissecting the narratives and the subtleties of the craft. Pro-wrestling isn’t a legitimate sport. It’s a form of theater. As such, it naturally demands more than top ten lists, rumors, dirt, predictions, impressions, and click-bait.

THE RAW REVIEW

Forty minutes.

That’s about how many minutes of legitimately good (or entertaining) television existed on last night’s three-hour RAW broadcast. This is an estimate based on the opening match, Daniel Bryan’s segment, and the final segment.

THE RAW REVIEW

“I feel like I’m watching something that hates me, and hates itself.”

This is what I texted to a friend in the middle of Monday Night Raw. This is what watching Raw’s laborious three hours can feel like for a fan, and especially for someone who’s been writing about the show for three years.

THE RAW REVIEW (10/27/14)

The Good WorkerOctober 28, 2014WWE 2K15, monday night raw, raw, ryback returns, seth rollins vs john cena, seth rollins, stephanie mcmahon, survivor series, the authority, the raw review, triple h

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