RAW Review (30/3/2009) - Last RAW Before Mania Signs Off With Unconventional Booking

RAW signed off their last show before Wrestlemania in style, although the trend of unconventional booking continued. It's usually common ppractice to keep opponents of a pay-per-view, let alone Wrestlemania, physically apart before the event, but WWE hasn't been doing that lately.

Last night, Triple H and Orton had yet another physical brawl, we saw another John Cena-Big Show match (the third between two members of the Triple Threat Match), and even had a non-title match between JBL and Rey Mysterio six days before they meet at Wrestlemania. That being said, the go-home show before the biggest show of the year sells itself, so it was still entertaining, and definitely didn't deter my interest in watching the pay-per-view.

• Randy Orton's "Wrestlemania Address" was great, which is what we've all come to expect from him. I loved that he brought up the fact that he was turned on by Triple H, and I like the idea that he's been plotting these actions for four years. This has been the best promoted match in my opinion. The segment, and the show, ended with Vince, Shane, and Triple H brawling with Legacy. (Although I found the fact that Vince was physically dominating Dibiase a little too much)
• I just can't wait for the Michaels-Taker match. The funeral Shawn held for the Undertaker may have been the exact same thing that Edge did last year, but these two made it brilliant. I love the way they've handled the buildup, with Michaels getting the better of Taker every week, and triumphing in the mind games. It's great to see Undertaker getting to show some emotion, as he's frustrated week after week. Of course, all this makes it all the more obvious who's winning...
• I was surprised to see Big Show getting a clean victory over John Cena, but I suppose the logic was to give him a boost and make him look like the favourite. Looks like we can rule him out as a winner too.
• Chris Jericho has been phenomenal recently. I thought Jerry Lawler was pretty good in the ring. I feel bad that "The King" has never got the chance to wrestle at Wrestlemania. They could have had him in place of Snuka. I also feel bad that Chris Jericho didn't get Austin...
• Kane winning the Battle Royal means whatever minute chance he had of being Mr. MITB has vanished... I'm rooting for Christian or Shelton Benjamin to win that one.
• Does anybody care about the JBL-Rey Mysterio match? I hear JBL is looking to retire at Wrestlemania as the IC Champ. In that case I hope he fills the announcing position left vacant by the departure of Tazz, as he was a hell of an announcer.

I guess that wraps it up. Here are my picks for the best of the night.
Best Performers: (1) Randy Orton (2) Big Show (3) Shawn Michaels
Best Match: Jerry "The King" Lawler vs. Chris Jericho
Best Promo: Randy Orton