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By BEN LESTER
YOUTH CORRESPONDENT
It's been awhile since I've been to a WWE event. However, going to see the real thing when Washington's Verizon Center hosted "Monday Night Raw" this week reminded me of how much of the experience I miss out on watching it on television.
It was a phenomenal event, and I wanted it never to end. The athletes (yes, I say "athletes" because it takes talent and ability to do what they do) of "Raw" went over the top to give fans a memorable show.
The first match started at 7:30 p.m. It was between two indie wrestlers, Christian York and Washington native Fred Sampson. The two gave a solid match, but didn't really generate anything from the crowd until the end, when Sampson, who played the "face" (good guy), won, and the crowd went crazy.
The next match was a huge battle royal--a match where a large number of superstars are placed in the ring, and the only way to eliminate someone is to put him over the top rope. (The last one standing in the ring wins.)
The match was to determine who would go on to face John Cena for the title later that night. Though most were eliminated pretty quickly, with half of the night's roster in the ring it was a long bout nonetheless.
It came down to the fan favorites D-X (Shawn Michaels and Triple H) against Edge, Randy Orton, Kenny and a hillbilly named Murdoch. Triple H put up a great fight, but was overpowered and thrown over the top rope. Shawn Michaels was then at a disadvantage, but managed to eliminate everyone except for the sly Edge, who manipulated his way to the win.
One of my favorite parts of the night was an interview with Sylvester Stallone. Jerry "The King" Lawler interviewed the superstar, who mainly plugged his new movie, "Rocky Balboa."
Stallone "put over" (gave credit to) the WWE as well. He stated that wrestling in the WWE was one of the hardest things he'd ever had to do. He also noted how funny it was that celebrities such as Kevin Federline now are trying to wrestle. Trust me, Sly, we all think that.
Another highlight was the anticipated WWE Championship match, between the night's earlier winner, Edge, and the champion, John Cena. Edge played his typical dirty character, and wrestled cheaply. That shouldn't discredit his ability and his athleticism, though, because he's one of the best in the show.
As the end approached, it seemed that Cena was going to take the win and retain his title, but Randy Orton (Edge's World Tag Team Championship partner) came out and interfered in the match. That gave Edge the upper hand, until D-X ran out to make the save, attacking both Randy and Edge. In the end, Cena got the cover and the crowd went crazy, both ways.
John Cena has to be one of the most confused wrestlers I've seen--I feel bad for the guy. He just can't seem to get a solid reaction. Either the crowd cheers with joy or boos him out of the ring. Anyway, due to the huge amount of interference, it was announced that D-X and John Cena would be facing Rated-RKO (Orton and Edge) and the bizarre, oft-grunting Samoan Umaga.
Following an offensive skit that involved a George W. Bush impersonator flipping the bird and nearly dropping the N-word, the one and only K-Fed came out and attempted to be tough.
He stated that he is an artist who should be taken seriously, and come "New Years Revolution" (an upcoming pay-per-view event), he will get the respect he deserves. From now on, he said, it's imperative that we treat him with dignity and call him Kevin Federline, because "K-Fed is out !" Give me a break.
The final, main event of the night was the third appearance by D-X, Rated-RKO and John Cena. Umaga came out, and his entrance was nothing but strange and absurd. The match was short, and Edge and Orton came out on top. D-X were horribly attacked by the pair and were left bloody and shaken. The arena went quiet after that. When D-X got up (with assistance), the crowd gave them a great ovation.
Everyone should go see WWE at least once in his life. Even if you aren't a fan, it's a whole different story when you're up close and seeing the action as it happens. They have a habit, too, of throwing cool souvenirs into the crowd.
If you want to see a world-class performance by athletes whose passion is performing, then don't wait any longer to find out when WWE comes back to town.
"Raw" airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on the USA Network.
BEN LESTER is a senior at Massaponax High School.
