WWE Raw: Results, Analysis, Highlights, and Grades for March 26
By Bryan Heaton
Respect The Authoritah
Words cannot express how much I love this segment. And I swear on my life I am 110% serious.
When it boils down to it, this is just the modern version of Vince McMahon’s training video from 1999. There’s less overt comedy, but it’s still there with Triple H and Stephanie. “We’re here because Kurt Angle is an idiot”? Line of the night.
"This is OUR WORLD and nobody is going to come into our world to TAKE US DOWN!" @TripleH and @StephMcMahon look forward to "humbling" @RondaRousey at #WrestleMania. #RAW @RealKurtAngle pic.twitter.com/GJzf1gUoPj
— WWE (@WWE) March 27, 2018
But the reason this video works is because it’s very clearly supposed to be ridiculous. Watching their personal trainer come on screen to vouch for their preparation is like the rich kid bringing his ski instructor to the big race to save the rec hall. Like, Triple H just knows that no one will believe him because he’s so evil, so he brings his coach to say, “No, seriously guys, they’re sooooooo jacked.”
It’s like the most clever self-parody WWE has done in years. We all know that – in kayfabe – Triple H and Stephanie honestly believe that they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Hell, maybe in real life, they really feel the same way. But by going all in on this delusion, WWE is acknowledging they’re in on the act, and they know exactly what the perception of the authority figures is.
"Quite frankly, it is the opposite: @RondaRousey should be intimidated by ME!" - @StephMcMahon #RAW pic.twitter.com/BUI8eIKdgc
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 27, 2018
I am so ready for this match – as long as it isn’t the main event.