6 Ups & 8 Downs From WWE Raw (Jan 17)

1. Babyfaces See Attack Coming Again, Fall For It Again

This is what, twice now in this Miz & Maryse/Edge & Beth Phoenix feud where the babyfaces have fallen for a well-telegraphed attack?

Maryse called Beth to the ring to try to call off their mixed tag match, claiming the women should be friends and have playdates with their kids. Phoenix saw through the charade and told her the match was on, then got in the ring to tangle. But Miz jumped Edge outside – unsuccessfully. Still, this managed to distract Beth, allowing Maryse to whack her with her loaded purse.

Memo to WWE: It’s not enough to have your heroes recognize the heels’ plot and call it out. They actually have to avoid it to be smart. WWE wants to have its cake and eat it too by having Edge and Phoenix sniff out the attack and not look stupid, but they also need the villains to get the upper hand. That’s not how it works.

Instead, Edge & Beth look foolish for knowingly falling for Miz & Maryse’s antics. And once again, WWE’s efforts to artificially add drama to a match that probably will be fine fails miserably.