Raw Review: The Authority Continue to Assert Their Power
By Mike Smith
WWE.com
Daniel Bryan and Stephanie McMahon promo
Bryan said he felt like he did something pretty big the last time he was in New Orleans, but he couldn’t remember what it was. Bryan got a smile on his face and said it was coming back to him, and recounted his big, unexpected rise to the main event of WrestleMania, where he shocked the world to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Bryan said that he declared himself as a participant in the Royal Rumble Match last week, but he felt it would only be right if he returned to the place of his greatest accomplishment, and he declared his intention to win the Royal Rumble and return to the main event of WrestleMania, and reclaim the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Bryan then heard an all too familiar sound, Stephanie McMahon’s entrance music.
Stephanie came out with her fitness DVD in hand, saying Bryan could borrow it, just in case he’s not sure if he’s completely ready. Bryan declined the offer.
Stephanie said that Bryan proved he’s an A+ player with his wins at WrestleMania, but that he wiped that all away when he missed 8 months. She said that A+ players win the main event at WrestleMania, but then they stay on top, something Bryan failed to do.
The crowd continued to serenade her with the Dean Ambrose-inspired, Hacksaw Jim Duggan-style “Hooooooo” chant, something that Bryan even joined in on.
Stephanie then revealed Bryan’s opponent for this Thursday’s SmackDown, Kane.
Kane came down to attack Bryan, but Bryan didn’t wait, and he struck first.
Kane dominated the brawl, and looked to go for a Tombstone, but Bryan countered it and got the upper-hand, before they were separated by referees.
It was really great to see Bryan back in the ring, and see him get physical. He looked a little rusty, but that will go away.
Seth Rollins, J & J Security, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman backstage
Rollins was joking around with J & J about his win over John Cena, when Joey Mercury turned serious and warned Rollins to turn around.
When Rollins turned around, he was staring in the eyes of Lesnar. Lesnar remarked that Rollins was the guy who beat Cena, and the guy who weaseled his way into Lesnar’s title match at Royal Rumble.
Rollins took offense to that and reminded Lesnar that he is the future of the WWE. Lesnar made sure to let Rollins know that the future starts when he says it starts. This is when Heyman stepped in and tried to cool the tensions between them.
Heyman told Rollins that they have worked pretty well together in the past, and that they might be able to do the same at Royal Rumble. Maybe, they can take Cena out of the picture together, then let the better man win.
Rollins and Lesnar stood toe-to-toe, neither man blinking, before Lesnar walked away.
This was contentious, and it felt big. Heyman did a good job of setting the mood, and Rollins looked like a star next to Lesnar.
It’s a tale of two shows, really.