Some thoughts on last night’s Raw:

Randy Orton’s vicious sneak attack on John Cena, who was laid out six days before the No Mercy pay-per-view, was an effective way to cap off an entertaining show. The angle went over big with the live crowd and Jim Ross sold it as only he can, yelling, “Is there any way John Cena can survive?” as the show ended.

Once again, Cena looks like the underdog heading into a WWE title defense. Which, of course, means that Cena has Orton right where he wants him.

I don’t know if Cena is ever dropping the belt to Orton – the two are scheduled to meet again at Cyber Sunday at the Verizon Center on Oct. 28 in a match in which fans pick the stipulation, according to wrestlingobserver.com – but I will be sorry when this feud ends. Orton has excelled in his role as the company’s top heel, and he and Cena play off each other well.

I thought Cena cut a really good, intense promo earlier in the show, which was a nice contrast to Orton’s more controlled, cocky promo. …

Mr. Kennedy, Umaga and William Regal all returned from their “hiatuses.” I thought it was odd to give away the first match between Kennedy and Cena on Raw rather than having it on a pay-per-view. I was surprised, as well, to see Cena win clean with the STFU. … Umaga, not surprisingly, interfered in the Vince McMahon-Triple H match to build up his match against Triple H at No Mercy. … It was good to see Regal back as Raw general manager. Jonathan Coachman tries hard, but Regal is better suited for the role. …

I wasn’t excited to see Steve-O on Raw, but at least his appearance was brief. …

In the past two weeks, Hornswoggle has gone after Melina while she was taking a shower and stripped her of her clothes while they were both under the ring. Doesn’t WWE’s Human Resources department offer sensitivity training? …

Santino Marella was as funny as ever. Having him trash The Condemned is actually a pretty clever way to promote the DVD. So, what is the over-under on when Marella gets a stunner from Steve Austin? Val Venis, by the way, got what he deserved for interrupting Marella. …

Beth Phoenix was a lot more intimidating when she was silent. Her not-so-menacing voice makes her the Bobby Lashley of the women’s division. …

It’s no shock that the six-man tag match pitting Jeff Hardy, Paul London and Brian Kendrick against Shelton Benjamin, Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch was the best match of the night. There was so much action that the cameras missed a couple of London and Kendrick’s high spots.