In the mist of the blown call this weekend in the Ravens game(and others), I took the ending of the Kane-Orton match as a missed call by the ref. Maybe an occational blown call by the refs would add credibility. We've seen it happen as an angle, but how about it happening a little more. Not a dirty ref or mcmahon getting involved story. Just a missed call like in the NFL. I think it adds the ref into the storyline. How about a few title matches ending this way. My wife and I asked the same question you asked."was it missed or planned" It definatly wasn't expected by the viewer.

It's good to see Stephanie and Jericho as foes again. Suppose Vince fires Stephanie and replaces her as RAW GM with Jericho?

Like Candace, Mickie James doesn't seem to have much to do these days with Melina and Beth Phoenix in the midst of a program. I wouldn't be shocked if Mickie is moved to Smackdown and becomes an adversary of Michelle McCool who is generating some good heel heat. Yes, I know Gail Kim is coming but a Kim/Mickie alliance would be good with one of them eventually turning heel.

Yes, Manu and Sim Snuka need to do something because right now nobody has a reason to care about them.

"I’m not sure if the referee made a mistake when he made the three count on Kane or if it was the planned finish. I have a feeling it was the latter. …"

Regarding the 3 count on Kane. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that the ref was an Armstrong boy. Also a 2nd generation performer.

Lots of interesting (if not, rhetorical) questions there….
-We should expect Jericho to simply get rehired by Mr. McMahon, so if there is anything more creative to it, then we can appreciate it.
-No, we viewers did not need the video packages to remind us who Mr. McMahon is, but the production crew needed to remind WWE how valuable they are after 10% of its work force was released last week.
-No, not everyone saw the Ted DiBiase swerve coming. Michael Cole, for one. Then, there were probably a handful of viewers who did not care enough to watch the segment with any expectations. Otherwise ... yeah, I'd say everyone saw it coming.
-Yes, Kelly Kelly should have played a visual role in the match – such as watching the match on a monitor backstage. RAW missed a small, yet effective, opportunity there. Good call!
-Yes, Cody Rhodes and Mickie James were discussing the weather, but c'mon, man, it was like a totally wicked snow storm, ya know?
-Finally, babyfaces used to be only allowed to mingle with other babyfaces, but based on those aforementioned cutbacks, WWE was forced to merge the locker rooms, so I suspect Stephanie McMahon kindly told the roster before the show: "please, do not attack each other back here – as a favor to me."

Keep up the good work!

I like the recent touch of realism involved with the divas: Kelly Kelly dating Randy Orton, Mickie James chatting with Cody Rhodes ... I have never been a fan of the idea that faces and heels should not mix. If they are not involved in a feud with another, there's no reason why they should hate each other. I wish they would extend this concept so that we could see faces & heels team up randomly, like say Regal & Mysterio vs Punk & Knox. It seems so convenient that faces would almost always team up with faces only and vice versa.

There's currently three top heels on Raw with Orton, Y2J and JBL but only one top heel on Smackdown with Edge. Recently, they've been teasing an Edge face turn (keeping Jeff Hardy in his prayers, etc.) so perhaps getting fired was a way for Jericho to switch brands.

Incredible match to close Raw last night. People need to appreciate not only how good Shawn Michaels is, but how much better Cena is than people give him credit for. Hopefully matches like that on regular TV can help win over all the Cena "haters" out there.

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I have been saying that about Cena for a a while. People don't have to like Cena, but at this point, if anyone thinks he can't wrestle, they are in denial.

I know most fans would prefer not see 15 minute matches involving WIlliam Regal. But something must be wrong with Regal. Maybe he is out of shape, but since he returned Regal has not wrestled in a match longer than 4 minutes. I have a hunch that it wont changed at next week in his DQ match.

Seems like Miz, Morrison, and even Matt Hardy and Finlay have been working Raw and Smackdown each week a lot lately beyond just ECW.

I guess the logic is that the more established guys on ECW that can should do more than just put over new talent on ECW.

Great Raw.....

I always like the mixing of Heels and faces (mickie james and Cody) I think it adds to a potential unpredictability factor (after the Dibiase ---turn--- thats a good thing).

Chris Jericho has proven that even with a total different personality he can be a star. His robotic voice interviews and unfairly treated character is as enjoyable as the "Steph is a trash bag eating bottom feeder!"

But with the economy bad I hope Jericho has invested well now that he is unemployed! (Had to throw that in there!)

Good read Kev.

Yea Kevin I agree RAW was better, the cena/hbkmatch was the match of the night. I was surprised that JBL didn't interfere more then just holding the ropes. But the match was better without him involved.

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Bill, I had to delete the second part of your comment because it included a spoiler. There are people who read the blog who get upset with me when I "ruin it" for them, so I usually avoid spoilers.

Disappointed with the Punk/Regal storyline. First not enough time given to it. Are they tryin' to drag it to the Rumble or Mania?

The WWE should stop punkin' Snuka and Manu. If we are to believe that the next generation is the best generation, then they all should be able to look strong. Are we even supposed to like Snuka and Manu. We haven't been able to like them yet, therefore they don't have the WWE behind them nor the fans. That equal no push...no fan reations...then no job

Raw was pretty good last night. Perhaps even great. But who cares about that right now? It’s all about the Ravens in the greater Baltimore-metropolitan area, as far as I’m concerned.

With the announcement of Steve Austin as the first inductee into the 2009 HOF, it got me thinking. There’s someone on the Ravens who reminds me of The Texas Rattlesnake. That would be none other than “Stone Cold” Ray Lewis.

They both share an affinity for stomping a mud-hole in opponents and walking it dry. They both reference the Good Book from time to time, albeit for different reasons. And on top of that, they both tend to conclude everything they say with “That’s the bottom line”. The similarities are uncanny!

As far as Raw was concerned, I predict the storyline with Shawn Michaels and JBL plays out as follows. After being weakened by Michaels on Raw, Cena loses to JBL at the Royal Rumble. Michaels is announced as a surprise entrant to the Rumble, and wins it. He goes on to face JBL at Wrestlemania to win the title for the first time in several years in his home state of Texas. Not bad, eh? Yeah, I know it probably won’t happen. But I can just use the conspiracy theory that WWE creative members go about lurking in Ring Posts and other message boards reversing storylines just to mess with everyone. Yup, that’s it.

What are your thoughts on the Hall Of Fame now that Austin has been announced? Von Erichs, Freebirds, Funks? I have seen a site or 2 that said Bill Watts is going in.

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: You read my mind. I'm working on a post about that very subject. I think you're on thr right track.

Just to comment on C.M. Punk's entrance music. Am I the only one who finds myself turning up the volume on my TV to near ear-splitting levels just to bask in that music? haha. I'm a huge Killswitch Engage fan, but every time I hear Punk's ring music I get very excited. I believe its gotta be the best ring entrance music for any wrestler in the WWE!

Eck, I'm not in denial, John Cena is terrible. He looked okay last night, but he was in there with Shawn Michaels, who can make most look good. He moves like a cartoon and sells like Hogan. Just because he is in the longer matches doesn't make him any better of a worker.

hey i thought raw was strong , i think rAw needs those story lines that keep us off guard(like y2j being fired) and the legacy storyline, and lets all not forget both melina&beth phenoix can wrestle there butts off so there match at the rumble will be classic as always, and santino on raw was classic again, raw needs more santino,

over all i give raw a b+ i gave raw a c+ last week

WELCOME BACK VINCE(next week but still)

Once again, great article Big Kev. I honestly saw the DiBiase swerve coming, because when those 3 were walking to the ring together, my wrestling intuitiveness told me DiBiase would turn on them in the ring because they dont look good together. Honestly, Rhodes, DiBiase, and Orton are all young polished white guy where as Manu and Sim Snuka come across as being barbaric. I dont know but, it will be interesting to see where this heads.

Kane shoulder of course was planned, as what other reason be for Kane to leave the ring , than [complaining] to referee up the ramp, this then allowed the Legacy Angle.....

Disappointed with the Punk/Regal storyline. First not enough time given to it. Are they tryin' to drag it to the Rumble or Mania?

The WWE should stop punkin' Snuka and Manu. If we are to believe that the next generation is the best generation, then they all should be able to look strong. Are we even supposed to like Snuka and Manu. We haven't been able to like them yet, therefore they don't have the WWE behind them nor the fans. That equal no push...no fan reations...then no job

"I know most fans would prefer not see 15 minute matches involving WIlliam Regal" Perhaps but i would given the man's actual wrestling skills which seem to be overlooked time and time again, put him in there with somone else who can 'go' and you will get a quality encounter, with plenty of chain wrestling. By the way Eck can Regal still use the STF or has the move been totally stolen by Cena?

I never saw it coming either.

And agreed, she does look great.

"Hopefully matches like that on regular TV can help win over all the Cena "haters" out there."

For me, at least, his matches have never been the problem. I like watching him wrestle. It's when he opens his mouth that I change the channel. All his attempts at "intensity" seem to come across closer to "constipated three year old" to me. Just... far too childish to be taken seriously, like spray painting "JBL = poopie" on the limo. And the whole camo-wearing, salute-throwing thing is really old. You played a marine in a crappy movie, John, you aren't *actually* one of them.

If he looked at the HBK-Jericho feud from last year, he could get some great lessons on how to actually come across as intense instead of looking like an idiot. Putting that with his in-ring ability would make him a lot more popular outside the teenage female demo, I think.

Two weeks in a row, Raw has been great and I've barely touched the fast-forward.

I know Jericho will likely return in some simplistic way, but it would be interesting if JBL hired him for some position and Jericho had to take it since he was financially unprepared for being let go since (being the 'star' of the company).

That would setup an interesting dynamic where Shawn and Jericho hate each other but have to work together to do JBL's bidding. JBL is hated for putting Shawn in the position of doing his dirty work, but loved for putting Jericho in the same situation. And Jericho gets to scheme and try to sneak in his agenda while doing JBL's.

Actually, it could be really interesting if JBL wound up putting together a stable of wrestlers who didn't really want to be in the group, but had to be for one reason or another.

Seeing the footage of Austin in his prime over ten years ago really brought home the difference in the product now. I understand why WWE moved toward a more family friendly product, but any time I see footage of the old 'attitude' era, I can't help but compare. The edgier product really made for great viewing (although obviously helped by megastars like Austin, Rock etc.)

Anyway, good Raw! As good as it's been in a while. HBK is still the most talented all rounder in the company. I wonder...HBK to somehow get involved in the rumble match, win, and then be told to forfeit his mania match to JBL? Could make a nice angle going into WM...!

Hey kev...
I feel that it is two early for steve austin to go into the hall of fame what do you think???
Secondly what is going on with cryme tyme and mickie james a hacksaw ????

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I don't think it's too early for Austin. He hasn't wrestled for years. Ric Flair was still wrestling when he was inducted.Hulk Hogan wrestled after his induction.

They haven't had an IC title match at Wrestlemania in a long time so why not save that match till then.

I am a big Tennessee Titans fan and we have nobody to blame but ourselves for that loss..we clearly outplayed you but you can't beat the Ravens with turnovers..The blown call may have been huge but it shouldn't have mattered..I will be pulling for the Ravens this weekend

"For me, at least, his matches have never been the problem. I like watching him wrestle. It's when he opens his mouth that I change the channel"

For me, the biggest problem is that freaking "you-can't-see-me" hand sign. That gesture really gets under my skin. In real life, I find it more offensive than being flipped the bird.

As for the Ravens, maybe I'll cheer for them on Sunday for the sake of Ring Posts solidarity.

"When the McMahon highlights focused on his habit of firing people over the years, it was no coincidence that TNA stars Kurt Angle and Mick Foley were shown. It’s probably the closest TNA will ever come to being recognized on a WWE TV show."

Kev, didn't you notice Sting all over the ads for the Starrcade DVD set? Oddly, WWE even put him front and center on the DVD box.

RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: Yes, I have the DVD. The difference is that Sting, unlike Angle and Foley, never worked for WWE, and thus he never left for the competition.

Christopher , get over it it's just a move.....I bet noone ever says anythiing about the dx chops hmmmmm.... that is just as offenceve

Speaking of Layla, did anyone notice what she was wearing at Monday's Raw? Let's just say it was very revealing.

Jake, I freely admit that I am not being rational about this, but liking a character isn't about rationale. I don't like crotch chops, either, but they don't push my buttons as hard.

Kevin, I understand what you are saying about Sting never having left for the competition, but by the same token, he wasn't a "McMahon creation," so I am suprised to read about his prominence in the DVD set's advertising (I missed Raw). Then again, Starcade, itself, was not a McMahon creation, so maybe I shouldn't be so surprised.

Could you feel the sexual tension in the air between Jericho and Stephanie. I think Stephanie wants to take a ride on " Space Mountain " with Chris. WOOOOO

Maybe Jericho will get hired by JBL.

A stable of people having to work for JBL is actually quite interesting. I am entertaining the idea since I have no idea how this story will end. I DO know that at this rate, JBL will definitely win his match at the Rumble. I just don't see him losing right now. Unless Michaels shows some kind of emotion that he may turn on Jibble then JBL ftw at the Rumble.

Let me just say I was HIGHLY ticked that Chris was fired. I'm hoping he's quickly rehired. -_-

Really confused about the Kelly Kelly/Kane/Orton angle but whatever. Maybe it will get better.

I totally called the whole Dibiase staying with Legacy. Why on earth would he leave Cody when they worked so well together before his injury?

And Cena can be annoying but I like him. I also appreciate the fact that he's a hard worker. That being said, he has improved immensely since WM23. I absolutely hated his match at Mania 23 because I thought the ending was unbelievable. Sure he made Trips tap the year before but Michaels is known for NOT tapping to the sharpshooter. What makes the STF any worse? I'd have rather seen him lose by pin fall. BUT their match on Raw made up for it and it was good from start to finish. I loved how the momentum was constantly changing and the ending wasn't bad either. Big ups to Cena!