Considering the amount of things that Mondays episode of Raw had going against it before it even started, from the counterprogramming of a presidential debate to an unforgivingly long match to open the show, the end result was a fun three hours of pro wrestling -- even if the execution proved nontraditional. Spencer Ware Jersey .This weeks Raw proved to have more entertainment value than having many of its segments make sense in the big picture, which wasnt necessarily a bad thing when you take into account WWEs current reality following its July brand extension and draft.The constant reminders about WWEs new era have proved true in more ways than simply new superstars getting pushes on the main roster. The biggest by-product has been the totality of ones time as a viewer that is demanded each week by the recent changes.With brand-specific pay-per-views rotating every two weeks added on top of the built-in five hours of Raw and SmackDown per week (not to mention NXT and specials like the Cruiserweight Classic), the patience of viewers runs thin much quicker when things become stagnant, with Raws opening segment this week being the perfect example.Just one night after their match at Clash of Champions, Rusev and newly crowned United States champion Roman Reigns opened the show with a lethargic 35-minute title rematch. To make matters worse, the payoff was a double countout.For as many strategic reasons as WWE had for airing instant live action in lieu of a traditional talking segment, looking to hook viewers who might soon leave for the presidential debate, the length of the match and choice of superstars did nothing but add to customer fatigue.Reigns-Rusev exposed the real danger in presenting too many hours of programming in a short period of time that looks and feels eerily similar. Its for that reason that the remaining two-plus hours of Raw proved to be so refreshing and different.With Seth Rollins used sparingly after suffering a legitimate rib injury Sunday that left him medically unfit to wrestle, and Reigns failing to reappear after the opening match, Raw did well to avoid the recent overexposure of its top babyfaces.Others were given room to shine in their place, including a much better push in Week 2 for Raws new cruiserweight division. Despite a lukewarm reception from the Cincinnati crowd (including nonsensical CM Punk and Randy Savage chants throughout), Raw featured a pair of exciting matches featuring debut appearances, high-flying theatrics and a continued focus on storytelling.In addition, more real estate was given to the capable comedic hands of Universal champion Kevin Owens and his on-screen best friend Chris Jericho, who stole the show during Jerichos Highlight Reel segment. And, for as little sense as their subsequent main event tag-team bout against Enzo Amore and Big Cass seemed to make overall, the match proved plenty entertaining and was a microcosm for the episode as a whole.For as fast-moving as Raw was after a slow start, giving good play to new chapters in the Charlotte-Sasha Banks and Cesaro-Sheamus rivalries, theres still a five-week gap before the next PPV, with plenty of time to slowly build toward the next chapter of most marquee feuds.Raw proved Monday that sometimes taking a break from monotony in order to offer loyal fans something different is the perfect medicine for fatigue. As a result, WWE saved an episode that likely would have been forgiven as a throwaway considering the massive amount of competition it faced during the live broadcast and made it a worthwhile ride.Hits and missesAfter a month of predictable outcomes in their best-of-seven series, it was refreshing to see Cesaro and Sheamus embark on a series of unforeseen turns from their brutal no-contest on Sunday to their unlikely pairing on Raw. Give credit to general manager Mick Foleys impassioned speech backstage for adding legitimacy to the idea by saying, Every once in a while you can put together two people who dont like each other but they have gained each others respect and they create magic. While it remains to be seen whether they can create the kind of underdog buzz that Heath Slater and Rhyno have on SmackDown, its certainly worth a try. For as hard as WWE has tried to push Cesaro as a solo act, his best work with the company remains his run as tag-team champion alongside Tyson Kidd.Multiple honorable mentions for line of the night go to Owens during the Highlight Reel, including when he called out Rollins for injuring Sting, John Cena and Finn Balor. But after Rollins was being held back by security while attempting to rush toward the ring, Owens got in one more dig by saying, Come on Seth. Go redesign, rebuild and reclaim your couch buddy.Jericho, who seems to have made a smart full-time transition from wrestling trunks to leather rock star pants, can currently do no wrong on the microphone, as evidenced by his subtle touch of adding the camera man to his List of Jericho. But its becoming clear that Jericho isnt just having a career renaissance at 45 -- hes starting to make an interesting case that this might be the best version of his character that WWE has ever seen.Another impromptu match in leather pants for @IAmJericho! #RAW pic.twitter.com/rxOx9RogFT- WWE (@WWE) September 27, 2016While running back Reigns-Rusev 24 hours after we just saw it felt gratuitous, credit WWE for pulling off the same trick with much better execution in The New Days title rematch against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. The match was physical and quick-paced with a PPV feel, helped by the added stipulation that Cesaro and Sheamus would be awaiting the winner. In addition, Kofi Kingston getting busted open the hard way, only to rally to get the pin with his face covered in blood added a classic 1980s feel to the finish. While it surely wasnt WWEs intention in this PG era (with Kingston earning a set of stitches as his reward),?it was hard to deny the moments impact.Among the many things WWE did better this week in its presentation of the cruiserweight division was the changing out of the ring mat and ropes before the start of each match, which paired with the matching purple mood lights in the arena to make the presentation feel unique.Its hard to take anything away from masked cruiserweight Lince Dorados stunning moonsault from the top rope, which ended with him crashing on top of Drew Gulak, Rich Swann and Cedric Alexander who were waiting on the floor. But it was hard to shake the fact that Gulak was his teammate in the match, meaning his absorbing of the blow made as little sense in the overall storyline as it did when Swann did the same thing on top of Alexander during a high spot earlier in the match.Swanns dance-infused theme song is not only infectious, the same can be said for his overall charisma in general. But the one cruiserweight on Monday who did the best job of making a splash was Tony Nese, who quite simply looked like he belonged on the main roster as a physical and athletic threat in his losing performance against division champion TJ Perkins.Speaking of cruiserweights, the speech Brian Kendrick delivered during his brief appearance interrupting Perkins backstage interview was some of the finest heel work of the entire evening.?The 37-year-olds real-life redemption angle is becoming just as interesting to watch as his feud with Perkins.It was good to see Triple H make his first appearance on Raw since helping Owens to the Universal title, even if it came indirectly during a WWE.com exclusive video shot following the conclusion of Clash of Champions on Sunday. The video of Triple H embracing his wife, Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon, was used nicely to escalate separate arguments between McMahon and both Rollins and Foley, while teasing just enough to where the angle might be headed.The intensity during Charlottes trash-talking segment with Sasha Banks was so electric -- complete with a hard slap from Banks -- it left me hoping this is the rare rivalry that never quite finds its closure.Move of the nightCruiserweight Tony Neses impressive main roster debut was emphatically stamped home by his running backflip onto the floor, in which he crashed into T.J. Perkins while managing to land on his feet?which would have made even Neville proud.#PremiereAthlete? Sounds about right as @TonyNese takes FLIGHT and makes it look easy on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/qBO0F6Z8sN- WWE (@WWE) September 27, 2016Line of the nightNormally I would be out here in a suit with my title, but lets face it, this is Cincinnati, Ohio. I wouldnt be cheering if I were you. This is the city that spawned a living, breathing, walking car wreck like Dean Ambrose. -- WWE Universal champion Kevin Owens taking a jab at Cincinnati native?Dean Ambrose, who wrestles on SmackDown Live. Chris Conley Jersey . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. Bennie Logan Jersey . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. http:///...witzmann-jersey.html . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. The biggest story at the Las Vegas Summer League on Monday wasnt a standout performance by a rookie or a veteran free-agent signing, but the retirement of San Antonio Spurs legend Tim Duncan. ESPN.com spoke to people from around the league to get their reactions to Duncan calling it a career after 19 seasons and five NBA championships.Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks ownerHes a legend. There were a whole lot of wars between our teams and I hated him every minute of it, but I respected him every minute, too. Its sad to see him go.Nick Van Exel, Memphis Grizzlies assistant coachI had a chance to play with him one year in San Antonio. I used to kick his butt all the time because he used to have his little TV and PlayStation with him, so we would just sit up there and play video games the whole flight. He was just competitive, man. The way he competed on the court was the same way he competed with his video games. Everything was competition. He wouldnt want you to win at anything. He was just a smart person, man, a good person. Hes definitely going to be missed.Q: Do you have any standout story or memory with him?We all knew that he was The Man. So its my last year playing with the Spurs, and Pop [coach Gregg Popovich] normally says who hes going to target. His victims are normally Tony, Tim and Manu. Everybody else will fall in line after that. There was one game when [opposing big man] Al Harrington had, like, 22 points in the first half. Tim normally just sits with his head down at halftime, and Pop is just going off on him, Are you going to play some defense? Hes doing this to you. Hes doing that to you. It was extra long. Hes going off and going off. Timmy is just sitting in his seat and he lifts his head up to Pop. Pop was looking dead at Timmy, and as soon as Timmy lifted his head, [Pop] winced and changed the subject completely and started talking about other stuff. It was so funny because Timmy was a big, nice giant, but if he wanted to get mean and mad, he would give you a look. He would just give you a simple look and then you knew to get in line.Q: Is Tim going to disappear off the face of the earth? Are we ever going to see him again?I dont think were ever going to see Tim Duncan again. I swear we probably wont. I think when you do see him, you better get you a picture and frame it because hes going to be a dinosaur soon. Hes going to be extinct around here.Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors coachKerr played with Duncan on the Spurs from 1999-2003.To just walk away without a press conference is just typical Tim. Modesty. Humility. Just a phenomenal teammate that was so much fun to play with.Kerr hesitates to call Duncan the best power forward of all time only because he hesitates to call Duncan a power forward. I think hes a center. The only reason hes called a power forward is because he started his career playing next to David [Robinson], but once David left, Timmy was down on the block all the time. I mean, its just semantics. ... Regardless, hes certainly a top 10 player of all time. I think you can make that argument real easily.Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks coachBudenholzer served as a Spurs assistant coach from 1996-2013.Im just happy for Tim and all the success he had in his career and all the success to the people he brought around him. Amazing teammate, amazing player. He deserves everything hes received and even more going forward.Budenholzer struggled to single out a favorite memory from his 16 years coaching Tim Duncan, but eventually settled on the Spurs first title run in 1999: Theres so many. I think the way he played in the playoffs in 99 and played in the Finals. To be that good that early in your career is a pretty special memory for me.Mike Miller, Denver NuggetsI dont know if you could really put it in words. All the guys, when you start seeing guys like Kobe and Tim, when they retire, first of all, its a sad moment for guys like me who played with them and got to compete against them. But why the [players] are getting paid what theyre paid, what the TV deal is now, has everything to do with those guys -- and I hope everyone thats in the league now, even though they didnt get a chance to play against them, everybody that got to watch them appreciates what theyve done for the game.When asked about being part of the Miami Heat team that handed Duncan his only NBA Finals loss in 2013, leaving his Finals record at 5-1, Miller said: First of all, the 1 part shows how good they were as a team. When you get there, winning a championship is the hardest thing youll ever do, and thats how good their team was, just winning championships, their culture, their structure and everything.Beno Udrih, 12-year NBA veteranI was actually just thinking about the memories, and when I spent there three years [in San Antonio], my first three years in the NBA. What kind of great teammate he is. One of the greatest power forward to ever play basketball. Not a shock, but when you know somebody like that and you see how he changes the game and what he does, youre always surprised that the time came that he decided to retire. It was a sad moment, but he knows whats best for him, and I wish him nothing but the best in the future.Q: Do you have a favorite story or memoryy of Tim?I remember my first year, my European haircut was not on point. Allen Bailey Jersey. We were doing Secret Santa and he had me, so he gave me five Sport Clips passes. He was like, Make sure you go get a haircut. That was hilarious. So that was one of the stories where he was making fun of my hair. He actually gave me a nickname, with Michael Finley. Its One B. Its my name backwards. But back in Slovenia, you would just read it backwards. It would be Oneb. But hes like, No, no, no. In the U.S. its One B. Thats my nickname since then. Hes a great teammate. Great memories. If he wasnt on the team, I wouldnt have two championships. For that, Im forever grateful.Q: So he was a funny guy? Most people think hes boring, but from the stories it seems like hes pretty funny.Yeah, he was funny. He was very funny. He had a great sense of humor. He was always joking with everybody. He didnt have any favorites or only put some people under his wing. He made sure that everybody was taken care of. He interacted with everybody, so everybody felt like a family. With what the San Antonio Spurs organization is trying to do, he was the perfect guy to be in that organization. He embraced the whole mentality that they were doing. He was just great.Q: What do you think of his fashion? Are you going to get him some gift cards?Well, I mean everybody has their own fashion. He didnt care. Especially back in the day, there were not a lot of suits and stuff like that. Fashion was a lot different, and he just stuck with it. Im OK with however people want to dress and [what] they feel comfortable with. Im about comfort more than looking the best. I know people are making fun of that, but believe me, if someone doesnt care, its him. Hes like, Listen, Im comfortable. Im good.Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks coachOver 19 years Tim Duncan demonstrated the simplicity of greatness as a competitor, human being and ambassador for our game. It is simply impossible to find enough accolades to describe his wide-ranging impact on NBA culture and history.Jason Terry, 17-year NBA veteranTim Duncan was a true professional. A champion. A true definition of a franchise player. The way he conducted himself on and off the court should be applauded. For my era, he set the standard for excellence.Rudy Gobert, Utah JazzHes one of the best players in history. Hes a great guy. I kind of know him a bit through Tony Parker. Hes just a great guy on and off the court. He never tried to do too much. He never tried too much for his brand. He didnt have a farewell tour or something like that. He just played basketball and thats it.Q: Did you model anything off your game from his game?Gobert: There are some things. Everybody is different. I dont want to be Tim Duncan. I want to be myself. Hes one of the best post players in the game, and he was always an underrated defender. He was always at the right spot. A very tough guy. A lot of things to learn from him.Juwan Howard, Miami Heat assistant coachHes one of the toughest power forwards, some would say arguably the best power forward to play in the game. To have to guard him was very challenging. We all knew about his skill set, but one thing that I dont think a lot of people give him credit for is that he had a level of toughness about him, too. And nastiness. So he was a competitor. You sort of looked at his demeanor and his facial expression because its always the same, but that guy competed. Ill never forget some of the wars that we had in the past. Im always going to cherish those moments. On top of that we lost a great one. I wish him well, and I hope he enjoys his time with his beautiful family.Darvin Ham, Atlanta Hawks assistant coachI think his legacy is quiet greatness. Silent greatness. He just goes about his business. You look at his records and his accolades, theyre right up there with the best of them. Definite first-ballot Hall of Famer. And again, just a solid rock that the staff, the front office, his teammates could depend on night in and night out, day to day, in season and out of season. Just a staple for greatness. Just solid greatness. Never braggadocious or anything like that. Hed just come to work, put his hard hat on, strap up his boots, and let his actions speak for themselves.Q: Do you have a favorite memory of him?I have a worst memory. Losing the 2005 NBA championship to them in seven games [the Pistons lost to the Spurs]. Tims always been great, always been pleasant. When we see each other, well embrace, hug and talk for a few minutes. Hes been a pleasure to watch, and whenever Im around him, a pleasure to be around. Hell be missed.Taurean Prince, Atlanta HawksPrince played his high school basketball in San Antonio.He did a lot for our city, brought a lot of good things to our city, championships. Not only him, Tony Parker, [Manu] Ginobili, Malik Rose, whos here with us [as a summer league coach], Bruce Bowen, all those guys whove done things for our city. Timmy was just that cherry on top. It was just a great thing to witness growing up.Jovan Buha, Tim MacMahon, Adam Reisinger and Calvin Watkins contributed to this report. Wholesale NFL Jerseys Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys NFL Jerseys From China Cheap Nike Basketball Jerseys Wholesale Hockey Jerseys China Nike Baseball Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys China Cheap Football Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Canada Wholesale NHL Jerseys Canada Wholesale Nike MLB Jerseys Canada Cheap NBA Jerseys Authentic Canada Stitched Soccer Jerseys Canada Cheap Jerseys Canada NFL ' ' '