12 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE Raw From 2005
6. 2005’s Version Of Austin/McMahon Worked
WWE had already run with the same formula they used for Steve Austin vs. Vince McMahon a bunch of times by 2005, but the promotion went with it all over again once John Cena jumped over to Raw in the Draft. The new poster boy of the flagship instantly fell foul of GM Eric Bischoff, and Bisch tried to install various challengers who could take the WWE Title from John.
Chris Jericho and Kurt Angle were both inspired picks for that role.
Cena, as a true rising star, worked well opposite Bischoff. They had a good dynamic on TV, basically, and warring with the GM made Cena feel like an even bigger deal than he'd already been on SmackDown. Reliving all of this shows the true value of Eric as a TV character. He didn't mind coming up short, especially if it furthered someone else's career.
Bischoff had a job to do, and even his harshest critics have to give it up for him - there were few better at playing the smarmy heel boss who deserved comeuppance than 'Easy E'. Casting Cena in the 'Stone Cold' position opposite him was actually inspired rather than lazy. His quick-witted style and growing popularity with the fanbase ensured that this was always gonna work a treat.
Somehow, Cena and Bischoff even meshed well inside the ring too. OK, so they weren't working 25 minute WrestleMania matches, or anything, but they could get by on a few mins with some bells and whistles. Backed by a solid, easy to follow story, they nailed their feud in '05.