6 Ups & 7 Downs From WWE Raw (Feb 8)

1. Orton Versus McIntyre, Part 37

Remember when Drew McIntyre versus Randy Orton was supposed to be a PPV main event-quality match? Neither does WWE. Now it’s a match to throw on TV with no build because they’re part of a multi-man Elimination Chamber match in two weeks.

McIntyre and Orton had a decent little match, which ended in a DQ when Sheamus interfered, Brogue Kicking Orton, which led to Drew Claymore kicking the Celtic Warrior. However, while none of that on its face was offensive or bad, the fact that it was just… well, there is offensive enough.

This was the fifth singles match between the two since SummerSlam, which is a lot when you consider that the previous four were WWE Championship matches. Monday’s was just a random singles bout, presumable to “build momentum” to Elimination Chamber, but really it was a match to allow the Sheamus situation boil over.

The question is, did we really need a match here? Couldn’t there just have been an in-ring promo between the two leading to Sheamus’ failed sneak attack? When you hastily book a “PPV-quality” match that already has underperformed multiple times before, you’re just sending a message that you’re throwing stuff out there.