I gotta be honest man, the main even on raw was a little disappointing. I feel like Cena is being pushed further and further from the spotlight, and there were some mistakes in the match. When Cena and Orton knocked heads and fell to the mat, it looked more staged than i feel it was supposed to based solely on Cena's collision with the turnbuckle. Also, the way the match ended looked bad. You could tell what they were trying to do when Orton kicked Cena in the head, but the angle they shot it from made it look like the kick was weak and that Orton even missed it altogether. I didn't actually know Cena was hit until i saw him laying there motionless. All in all, good idea for a match, but poor execution and poor ending.

1. Regal is the worst thing to happen to wrestling. Even worse than Black Reign, Pacman Jones and The Great Khali.

2. I don't think it was a sidewalk slam that did Hardy in, I do believe it was a tilt o whirl slam. Correct if I'm wrong though Kevin.

RESPONE FROM KEVIN ECK: It was a spinning sidewalk slam.

I also didn't know Kimmel was still on the air until I happened to catch that segment on the air that night - my wife had fallen asleep during Nightline and nobody had changed the channel. Amusing enough, especially since Roddy kept throwing food at the wrong guy.
I though Phoenix showed a couple of weaknesses during her match. They looked good and I'm hoping they were not just missed spots.
I could see the Million Dollar Man making at least a few cameos down the road - especially if a guy currently named Ted Dibiase, Jr is ready to move up.

Oh, yeah. I was sorry to see Batista and Orton/JBL win. I'd much rather see Y2J and, well, almost anyone beside Randy or John at a PPV that I'm planning on attending, Lord willing and the creeks don't rise.

I heard that Regal was suspended for 60 days... Take it for what it's worth though...

We really need to see some new angles on tv soon, it's so stale at the moment - bring on the mvp and kennedy title programs. Feel sorry for Regal as he's a very good performer who is being made a scapegoat for his superiors bad booking and lack of direection. I feel sorry for Chris Jericho also, he just goes around with a meaningless strap doing jobs these days. The promo he cut on Orton when came back reminded me why I loved the attitude era so much - I'd urge everyone to watch youtube footage of the Y2J v HHH title match where the decision was reversed as the pop he gets is unbelievable and shows that he can get a crowd going like few others. It wouldn't be surprised to see him on TNA one day.
P.S if anyone likes the vid i recommended and wants more of the same look at Rock and Y2J vs Benoit and HHH from 01 i think- what a match.

The reason Regal lost is because he violated the Wellness Policy for the second time. I agree kevin the matches were good. But I am kinda tired of Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy, How many times have they faced each other. I am real worried that after every match Jeff always ends up favoring some part of his body. He seems like he is practically crippled. I am ki9nda glad that we will see a feud between Melina and Beth Phoenix. It's about time they do something fresh with the Diva's. You can throw in Natalya with Beth against Awesome Kong and Gail Kim. Two rough and tough Diva's against the 2 best Knockouts. Santino is sorta boring me now. Seems every week is the same thing. Cousin Sal/ PIper thing reminds me of Hogan/Hillbilly Jim from the 70's. Kevin, do you think we will see Katie Lea vs. Mickie James for the Women's Title now that Melina/Beth seem to be in a storyline with each other? Don't know anything about Katie other than being Burchill's sister. I hope the incest storyline is finally dropped. Who will be the next GM of Raw? Teddy Long I think will be the forerunner since he appears to be gone from Smackdown. With DiBiase showing up on Raw, will the promotion of his book put him in the seat of the GM? What will happen with Mr.Kennedy with Regal out for 2 months? He is to good not to be working with somebody. Maybe have him feud with Lance Cade.

World Wrestling Entertainment® Suspends Performer

STAMFORD, Conn., May 20, 2008 - In accordance with its Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy, WWE® has suspended Darren Matthews (William Regal) for 60 days for his second violation of the company’s policy.

I think Dibiase lives near Kansas City, that could have been why he was there.

I'm tired of the same PPV matches again and again. I want totally new feuds after ONS.

I hope Regal didn't get popped on a drug test or something.

Santino just isn't funny to me anymore. He has been down hill ever since he stole Lawler's Subway Sub. That was his peak.

While I also get annoyed by the random "celebrity" that I've never heard of showing up... Cousin Sal seemed to do pretty well in his mic time. Amused me (up to the obviously badly scripted 4th grader comment) and completely DIDN'T make me want to bang my head against the wall.

Exactly the opposite of what happens every time Orton opens his mouth. So at least there's that small upside...

Well, this may have something to do with it:

"STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) — World Wrestling Entertainment suspended performer Darren Matthews for 60 days for his second drug violation.
Stamford-based WWE spokeswoman Jennifer McIntosh declined to say Tuesday what drugs were involved. Matthews wrestles under the name William Regal.
McIntosh said there have been more than 30 suspensions under the WWE substance-abuse and drug-testing policy begun in 2006, which requires tests for steroids and other drugs.
A wrestler faces a 30-day suspension without pay for a first violation, a 60-day suspension for a second violation and firing for a third violation. Performers are tested at least four times a year.
Last August, WWE suspended 10 wrestlers for ordering drugs, mostly human growth hormones, in violation of policy."

good blog; you wonder why regal was the one to take the fall? Well, this might help you out:

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/williamregalsuspended

I guess this clears the air...

I think Taker and Edge are turning into the old Cena-Edge rivalary when they both were on Raw. Looks like we'll be seeing Edge and Taker going at it for quite some time to come if they go towards the same storyline. Also I was kind of hoping to see Murdoch get his start in singles competition last night against Cade. You think Cade is on the way out?

Looks like you didn't hear at the time you wrote this, but Willy got suspended for 60 days for ANOTHER violation of the drug policy. As much as I admire him as a wrestler and performer, this is a huge disappointment to the fans and his company & co-workers.

According to WWE.com this morning, William Regal has been suspended for 60 days in accordance with the Wellness policy.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/williamregalsuspended

It's too bad, because I was also enjoying the evil King GM Regal. But there's your explanation for this storyline. This sucks for Kennedy as well, as creative will have to work a new fued for him. Kinda like how Jeff screwed Jericho with his suspension. Hopefully, these guys will start to learn that a violation doesn't just impact you, it impacts you, the fans, and the wrestler that you are in a program with.

The Regal angle was cut short because he was suspended for a drug violation.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/williamregalsuspended

Always wanted an angle in the 90's on The Million Dollar Man buying the WWE. Maybe Vince will do an angle on recruiting potential investors into Raw and the investors will bring Regal back into power?

As we've since found out, Regal failed the Wellness policy for a second time, and he's gone for 60 days. Better not be Teddy Long as the new RAW GM though.

Reason Regal lost last night is he has been suspended for steroids.

I found this on the internet

WWE suspends Darren Matthews for 60 days
STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) -- World Wrestling Entertainment suspended
performer Darren Matthews for 60 days for his second drug
violation.
Stamford-based WWE spokeswoman Jennifer McIntosh declined to say
Tuesday what drugs were involved. Matthews wrestles under the name
William Regal.
McIntosh said there have been more than 30 suspensions under the
WWE substance-abuse and drug-testing policy begun in 2006, which
requires tests for steroids and other drugs.
A wrestler faces a 30-day suspension without pay for a first
violation, a 60-day suspension for a second violation and firing
for a third violation. Performers are tested at least four times a
year.
Last August, WWE suspended 10 wrestlers for ordering drugs,
mostly human growth hormones, in violation of policy.

You may have heard by now, but apparently Regal's been suspended 60 days for his second Wellness Policy violation. That's really disappointing, considering his past troubles and apparent recovery.

I bet we will see Regal again in...60 days...when his drug suspension is over

Another McMahonism , turning a real life drug suspension into a storyline to passify those not knowing the real deal . Shameful .

Report is Regal has been suspended 60 days for the WWE's substance abuse policy. Too bad. Always one of my favorite works, and he looked healthier now pushing 40 than he did back in the early 90s in his 20.

Course, that might just be the drugs too. Either way too bad.

What a shame... Dibiase makes a GREAT heel. Would he be perfect for that role or what? He could generate all the heat in the world with just that amazing laugh of his.

two things i agree with the most. one, king regal, but his suspension explains all, too bad it had to occur in teh midst of the biggest push of his career possibly even a wwe title reign. and two, hhh-orton is stale. why does it have to go on so long? why is it so child friendly? dont kids watch wwe coz they think its adult stuf in teh first place? now onto the solutions, if wwe was truly intent on having a lengthy feud between them, while having hhh win it, this is how i'd have booked:
wm24-orton d. hhh & cena to retain
backlash-orton wins fatal4way in a dirty finish.
judgment day-orton d. hhh in their firt singles encounter since no mercy07
raw-hhh wins no.1 contenders match to get his final shot at ONS
ONS-hhh finally d. orton in some gimick match
vengeance-hhh d. orton in HIAC or something

make the feud personal and have orton get a load of heat. orton looks dominant, hhh wins. hhh=12 time champ.
just a suggestion, your thoughts?

By the way Kev , it's Gorilla Monsoon , not Monson , Or as the " Slickster " used to say , Mon-so-on . :)

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I just called my proofreader to tell him "YOU'RE FIRED!"

In my continuum babbling , I'm just wondering if it is all about the $$$ ( like Kevin ) , re: Ted DiBiase . If I'm not mistaken when he embraced the ministry , didn't he talk about the "sins" of pro wrestling today ? Specifically WWE ? Going so far as to have his own "Christian" wrestling company ( which Sting frequented as well ) . Just a thought.

DiBiase was probably just there to start promotion for his new book. It's coming out in June.

Again spot on Kev.....it is a big, big shame about Regal. I was enjoying the new power crazy Regal...i am sure he will be back and let's hope for his and our sake, no more violations

It was a good episode like you say with good TV matches....I think WWE is not doing itself any favours. Stale feuds...Undertaker/Edge, HHH/Orton, and PPVs too close to each other. Surely it would be a better idea to ditch One night Stand or Judgement Day and just have the 1. As much as I like seeing Hardy and even Umaga, what real build up has there been? And they have faced each other numerous times before on Raw itself. Shawn Michaels and Batista in a stretcher match? Seriously? That does not interest me in the slightest - these 2 deserve a much better match than that.

Couple things...

I definitely agree with seeing Phoenix vs. Kong. That would be an amazing match, Phoenix seems to me like she could execute power moves on Kong, especially after that backbreaker she did on Mickie and Melina at JD. Not really often I would say this, but it's a dream matchup to me.

Also, this is the second time recently that a guy in the midst of the biggest push of their career gets suspended. First Hardy, who probably would have been in a ME program against Triple H over the summer had he not gotten suspended, and now Regal, who seemed like he was going to headline a PPV with a match against Triple H at some point.

Just sad.

Regal was well cool, I reckon cena's lame though because he just doesn't have any kind of interesting on-air personality apart from being the super face all-american family guy: Randy Orton is far superior