As someone that grew up in Teddy DiBiase's neck of the woods, I'm stoked that the Million Dollar Son has made it to primetime.

I would say DiBiase's promo was "simply priceless" had it not been for the moronic "what?" chants.

His mannerisms and look remind me of a more white-collar, tattoo-less version of Randy Orton.

A title run is a foregone conclusion; surely, the WWE brass wouldn't make him job to Rhodes and Hardcore in his debut match. The real question is who will his tag team partner be?

I could have sworn that Katie Lea took a shot at Ashley last week as well.

I wonder if this is going to be a weekly thing.

Kevin, can you please call someone at WWE and ask them to please get rid of that awful belt that Triple H is running around with. It was unique for a while for Cena, but time for that thing to go away.

Hey Kevin, ya noticed a few weeks ago shawn Micjaels started growing a beard? When he starts growing a beard normally a heel turn comes not long after. I agree that Ashley shoulda stand there instead of Mickie. Maybe Ashley had an appointment with some big shot senator. The Piper storyline is about the same when Hillbilly Jim/Hogan started and oddly enough Piper was involved in that to. I'd love to see a heel stable form haven't seen one since Evolution. But I doubt we will see that until after the draft in 4 weeks.

I agree with you about Orton- I think he gets a bit of a bad rap as far as his mic skills. He more than held his own with HHH during their exchange. it's a shame that they have to have HHH go over Orton 3 times in a short span( I think it's fair to say HHH will win on Sunday) and diminish the "Age of Orton" so quickly, as he has the potential to be a terrific main event heel for some time.
it was quite amusing to watch Vince act offended by JBL's comments towards Vickie; I think he's said (and behaved) much, much worse to the divas in his day.
I was also wondering if DiBiase Jr. had worked out all the details on his plans to dethrone Rhodes/Holly as tag champs. detials, such as, say, a partner? maybe that's where this new heel stable might come in.

This RAW give-away is not $1-million each week, but on-going give-away's every week in the sum of $1-million, so the first week might be $100,000, and the next week $200,000, which would leave $700,000 for the following week(s). Although I doubt that the weekly sums would be anywhere near $200,000.

I could care less about total strangers getting money. If Vince feels like giving away money so bad, he should give some to his actual wrestlers who have to spend thousands of dollars a year on rental cars and hotel rooms because the company won't pay for them.

I liked how DiBiase Jr. cut a promo talking about how he wanted the tag championship. I hope he realizes that he needs a partner.

I knew they would get a hooker joke in somewhere down the line.

Kevin,

As always, thanks for the insightful entry. I usually agree with you, but I have to disagree on the Michaels-Jericho matches. I think these talented stars are being wasted. If executed differently, the Michaels injury fake could've been the shot in the arm the WWE needed. A superkick and slow walk to the back did not justify the hype. Michaels might be the most engaging heel the company ever had. Not just his superior mic skills, but his general style in the ring, the way he sells and sets his opponents up--he just gets it. I liked your idea of turning Cena, but I don't think Cena, or really anyone else in the WWE, could turn and be so effective so quickly as Michaels could. Shawn has a firm grasp of every aspect of playing the heel, whereas Cena would really have to learn as he goes. If the WWE ever needed a sure thing heel, they really need it right now. Randy Orton is a great talent, but I read that his ONS match with HHH will be his 12th or 13th consecutive PPV WWE Title Match. He needs some help. I think if people are tired of Orton, it's not because of any lack of ability on his part. It's a matter of overkill. JBL is great, but I don't think anyone wants to see him as that main event heel anymore.

Lately, Shawn comes across as a little apathetic. He's been very quiet. I know Michaels is so over as a babyface that people still cheered him for faking an injury. I know it's tough to turn a guy like that. But the WWE has too many faces, especially with Kennedy turning and Regal out of the picture. What do you think? Would a Michaels turn improve the product?

Also, it sure looks like the WWE has no idea what to do with Jericho, which is a shame. His highlight reel segments are terrific. What's not terrific is watching him and Vince bore the hell out of me talking about changing a theme song. Has the WWE forgotten that he's also the IC Champ? Instead of using him to build Michaels-Batista, let's find him a challenger.

One million reasons to watch Raw . I have just one NOT to - Vince McMahon . Off topic Kev , Having followed the blog for approx. 6 mos . I recently took the time to peruse your archives . It's neat to see how much it's improved , and interesting to compare your earlier observations to now . Also the number of people responding seems to multiply . Good stuff Kev .

I have to disagree with your appraisal of the Michaels-Jericho match. Not only did it have a lame ending (he just ignored the ten count? that made no sense.) but for the 1st half of the match both of them fumbled around each other in a manner that you'd think two workers of their stature would be beyond.

Jericho needs to just drop the "Walls Of Jericho" from his repertoire. If you aren't going to do the actual hold, don't bother. "The Liontamer" was great, this move is just a lazy Boston crab.

Love that heel stable idea.

I think Jericho would make a great heel and besides when was the last time anyone turned recently other than Lance Cade?

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Actually, Lance Cade didn't turn, Trevor Murdoch did. Mr. Kennedy just turned,as well.

Dave, just FYI, HBK returned to Raw back in October of '07 with a beard. He's had it ever since.

I agree about the Y2J/HBK match. It was fantastic, with incredibly quick counters and counters to counters, and fast paced mat wrestling, in addition to a few of the high spots both gentlemen tend to favor. I suppose how someone might mistake the technical acumen for "fumbling around", but the fact is that both men were sharp and clean, with an incredible pace for what they were doing.

Finally, the storyline is just superb. I never mind a non-finish when it furthers character and storyline development. That's exactly what this did. With Jericho snapping and nearly delivering a brutal beatdown before pulling himself back and feeling awful about it, I can't wait to see where this is going.

Personally, I feel the draft needs to come sooner than four weeks because it seems like the story writers have absolutely no clue or creative thoughts left with the current RAW roster. One Night Stand just seems to be a bunch of rematches we've seen before with the label "Extreme Rules" as if we haven't already seen these guys beat the living crap out of each other already in their past matches.

Raw Notes, FINALLY an angle for Paul Burchill - Ted Jr came out I thought brother Mike was going to walk out with him, The Million Dollar Offspring has alwasy had the look and the tools, I believe he is going to be a great talent for years as for a partner, Rhodes heel turn, DH Smith finally out the dog house, Time will tell, and he wasn't forgetting a partner people, it's called a build-up- Heel Stable would be great, I would have loved to have seen Orton, Burchill, Cade & Murdoch as a stable.-I don't see the logic in Breaking up Cade & Murdoch, neither will ever be over superstars as singles-Micheals & Jericho in a match is always a good time, yes the Walls Sucks now, but hey so does the FU so get over it. - Kevin I do agree with you on the money and the Draft, what's the point. ?What happened to Santino & Carlito(Who dropped that ball) they would have been great tag champs, Holly & Rhodes are killing the belts for me. - Who did London & Kendrick tick off in the locker room to keep being used like rag dolls. - Ok Umaga is this unstoppable bulldozer but can we get him a mouthpeice and another World Title shot. Bring in Afa Jr. give him a tag team shot something. - What is the point of the Mickie/John Cena romance thing, I'm lost shouldn't the womens champ be a lil more tough that that. - Orton should never have lost, the Age of Orton would have been a perfect heel gimmick for months. They could have thrown Jericho at him for at least 2 more PPV's(Title Vs Title & GAB) move on to Kennedy for one, Jeff Hardy & JBL at Summerslam, 6 pack match in September, then ok he loses at Survivor Series. Orton to me is the GAME at this point. - When did Melina do a Babyface turn, Why can two heel divas get it on. Three ECW notes, umm, I thought Mr. Money in the Bank was supposed to win matches? - Shelton & Burke need a real push - Kane vs Big Show, wow We have NEVER seen that before! Must be a See no Evil 2 commig out.

Mr.Eck...

I agree with you on the point that Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho aren't being used effectively, or that they could be used MORE effectively.

When Jericho returned, I was hoping to get fresh match-ups pitting Jericho against some of the younger guys (Benjamin, Morrison, Carito, MVP, Edge... even THE UNDERTAKER etc). My feelings are the same with same with JBL.

It's ridiculous to me that all of the WWE's A-list superstars are being clustered together like rain drops in a cloud, having rehashed feuds with EACH OTHER, rather than being used as a vessel to inspire and get the most out of their younger, less established talent. You know who I'm talking about--the afterthoughts!

Overall, the WWE product seems to have fallen into a holding pattern where everyone is at a stalemate in their careers and no one is really moving forward, just sideways.

Raw the game show, O dear, Vince is getting desperate.