Who did Chavo p--- off? They are making him look bad every week.

Raw was better than last week but I wanted Alicia Fox to win the divas battle royal. I mean she did pin Mickie last week and I thought creative would follow up on that. Hopefully they do in the near future.

I attended RAW last night in Detroit. After Raw went off the air Triple H got on the mic and said "That didn't really go the way I expected it to. Why don't you girls come back down to the ring and try that again." Dark Match Cena & DX vs Legacy. Good Match, Shawn spent a lot of time getting beat up, Orton ran over and knocked HHH and Cena off the ring so Dusty got up and reached out for Shawn to tag. He came in the ring and danced a litte before delivering elbows to each member of legacy's head. DX ended up winning, Then after the match DX, Cena, & Dusty Celebrated together and did the whole "Are you Ready" Skit together. It was awesome. Then Shawn and HHH went around the whole baricade slapping hands and talking to kids, even all the way up by the stage and titantron. I was five rows up and ran down and slapped hands with HBK. Might not wash my hand for a while!

I liked the Dusty stuff too, but I hope the WWE does not miss out on this opportunity to use the events of RAW to help elevate the fledgling ECW show.

Amidst all of the Rhodes family love, one important member was left out of the party. Granted, Dustin is not on RAW, but to not mention his name as Cody is given the favorite son treatment is odd. UNLESS, there is a plan for Dustin to appear on ECW tonight as himself to either apologize for his father's actions, lament the fact that Cody has been put over Dusty's first born, or both. I could see Dustin break a little from character and give his daddy the business only to be answered by Sheamus with some verbal jabs for his whining. This would of course lead to a brutal beatdown and an escalation of the rivalry into the most hardcore affair the PG WWE can offer.

I fear that the most we will get tonight is a RAW Rewind segment and a passing mention during a Goldust match, but maybe the planets will be aligned and we will see something special.

Great recap Kevin! I was surprised how strongly the crowd turned against Dusty. Probably the loudest boos of the night... Did he ever have a heel turn?
Anyway, the Shockmaster thing was classic. You didn't mention Arn on the mic. I marked out when the camera turned to him and he says 'sorry Dream!' Here's a youtube of Dusty explaining the original Shockmaster was voiced by Ole. Good stuff!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3CL28vgE4U

The Bob Barker appearance will take RAW to ratings heights it hasn't seen in years. Not a BB fan, but take it to the bank.

I'm pretty sure Triple H has been taking potshots at Mero long before the Benoit incident. He buried him on his DVD too.

And yeah, Barker's still alive and kicking. C'mon, he's not even been off the Price is Right for two years! He's like the Hugh Hefner of game show hosts, he's immortal! He actually just made a guest appearance on the Price is Right a couple months back.

KEV your just NOW getting tired of the Chavo-Hornswoggle garbage i was tired the first week of it has been going on for months now enough is enough
One question though do you think it would be in Chavos best intrest to switch over to TNA???

I imagine that Chavo has a beef with how he has been booked on Monday nights. He must wish that he could moooooove back to ECW where the grass is greener, for the A Show has sent his career to the slaughterhouse and served it Raw. And that's no bull.

Sort of a silly technicality question ... during the 4-way match, at one point Kofi hit a leg drop on Carlito, who was laying on top of Swagger (I believe). Shouldn't the ref have counted a pin there? Carlito's legs were draped across Swagger's chest, and both mens' shoulders were on the mat.

Wow. Trips sure had a less-protruding forehead back in '94. I wonder what could have "enhanced" it so much since then? Fair drug tests in WWE? - my a--.

Every guest host has been in segments with DX since their return. So Barker and DX together should be pretty good. Looking forward to it. Fans will be surprised at how well he adapts. Hope he and Vinces are in segment together too.

Dusty did a great job. Cody did well also. I wish people would stop giving him such a hard time.

Gail will be fired soon. I like her but the WWE may not take kindly to two weeks of botched spots.

Santino does it again this week!

Chavo-Hornswaggle aside, this was the best Raw in quite a while. The Shockmaster segment was great, as was Arn Anderson.

My main complaint is Evan Bourne, one of the best talents in the business, getting puled into the worst program in recent memory. Maybe he's banged up and needs a few weeks off, but even if that's the case, couldn't he get involved in an angle that's actually going somewhere?

Kofi is one good storyline away from being a main event star.

He is so over with the fans, has a great new and exciting moveset, works great matches and has buckets of charisma.

A good feud were he can get on the mic a lot, could really put him on the map...though sadly with Raw as it is I don't see anyone having a good feud anytime soon apart from Orton, Cena or DX...

I'm loving the DX return; but aren't they a bit old for messing around now? DX needs someone new, a third member, it could be such a great push for that person and would make DX seem fresh and new...maybe a diva too, kelly Kelly?

I have to say that Dusty Rhodes has been by far, in my opinion, the best Raw host they've had. I went to Raw last week and knew I was going to get shafted when they said Mayweather was going to be the host, after we had heard that it was going to be Mike Adamle. I was highly disappointed in Mayweather, however, Dusty made up for it big time. I was literally screaming at my TV when he said "..sorry John." and let Orton and Cody get a crack at Cena. What a shocker!

Next week on Raw, I can hear it now, "Mae Young, come on down".

Was it me, or was that episode of Raw totally watchable?

What a refreshing surprise.

Im going to start with the best thing about the show. Cody Rhodes. The facial expressions he had at the end was spectacular. Just top notch. Randy Orton's too. The crowd was hot for the right guy, the face, Cena. Which made the whole scene seem spectacular on TV.

The fatal four way. Wow. When Kofi jumped out of the ring and then up on the turnbuckles in two fluid motions, this guy is going to be a top star by this time next year. Also, that was the best Trouble in Paradise i've seen executed by Kofi. He had to jump over the Miz to do it. (who by the way is actually watchable these days. he actually looks like a wrestler. and is getting real heat instead of go away heat). Great booking for the match.

The DX skits were great. I am one of the people that are pretty tired of the DX schtick but the skits yesterday were fantastic, Shawn being his normal self deprecating self.

The women's picture is too muddled. First Gail Kim, then Alicia Fox scores a pinfall. and now Beth is in line for a shot. I dont get it.

Great Raw. Come to think of it, The two best Raws post wrestlemania is the one hosted by the Dream and by the Million Dollar Man. Coincidence? I doubt it.

"Triple H referred to Marc Mero as being a “no-talent guy.” That’s Mero’s receipt for speaking out against WWE after the Chris Benoit tragedy. …"

Maybe. But it's mostly Mero's receipt for being a no-talent guy.

Nobody respects Marc Mero.

"If he isn’t in the mix for a world title at some point in 2010, something is really wrong. …"

___________________________

In order to make room for Kingston, whom should WWE move OUT OF the world title mix? Whom would they move?

Hey Kev, the matches were decent on Raw this week, and the DX Rhodes backstage stuff was entertaining, but I am getting real sick of PG wrestling, and this Hornswoggle Chavo thing is just plain sad for a Guerrero. I ask am I alone in enjoying and awaiting TNA each week now more than Raw?? Dont get me wrong I have been a WWE fan since I was 8 but man this isnt what I enjoyed watching for the past 23 years.

This question is for a gold star: Can anyone remember why Hornswoggle and Chavo are feuding in the first place? This has been so long and drawn out(and ridiculous) I honestly can't remember.

This question is for two gold stars: What's up with Mickey James? Her weight gain is more obvious by the week, she hasn't looked that good in the ring the past few weeks and she doesn't seem to be as spunky, for lack of a better word, than she usaually is.
Don't misuderstand I'm not calling her fat or anything like that, I don't mind the couple extra pounds, she's gorgeous no matter what. I just heard they let Candice Michelle go because she was packing on the pounds. I just don't want to see her go anywhere. It will be alot harder to feed my obssession with her if she isn't on my TV everyweek.

Here's to hoping Good Ole JR comes back to RAW in the next draft if not sooner. Cole and The King have zero chemistry and their fake laughing and lame jokes through the Hornswoggle/Chavo match made it that much worse. JR just has a way of making the most ridiculous things seem somewhat entertaining.

HHH & HBK have each been knocked out with boot during Legacy beat-downs. Who'd have thought that with all the matches in their careers that a cowboy boot would have knocked them both out? LOL

Sorry, I just don't see Kofi Kingston as a main eventer. I don't think he's ever even cut a promo, or at ;east none that I remember. He's definitely a great athlete, but I can't see him being taken seriously against the Ortons, or the HHH's of the world.

Taking bets on what kind of microphone BB will be using.

If the Chavo feud is set up to be entertaining, then someone is being stupid.
If the Chavo feud is set up because Chavo made someone mad, then someone is being stupid.

Loved the ending to the show, we need more twists like that in the future, good stuff.

Orton is so good it's ridiculous.

Is it me or does Cena have the most fake delivery in all of pro wrestling?

As usual, I didn't watch much of Raw. Some history here: I was a huge WCW fan and am now a huge TNA fan. I was one of the silent minority that basically abandoned the WWE and Raw after Ric Flair's retirement.

Now, the portion of Raw that I saw was a total mockery of the WCW product. Funny... well not to me. WCW usually made those Shockmaster mistakes when they tried to copy WWE.

For every Shockmaster, you have Undertaker rising from the grave, Doink the clown, Earthquake camera bouncing .. do I need to go on?. Maybe I am sensitive but I think the WCW should be respected not be forever maligned.

Great post as usual Kevin - I look forward to reading Ring Posts every day - thank you!

In light of The Ring Posts 20 and the Shockmaster's shocking return (had to do it), have you thought of making a Top 20 Worst Gimmicks in Wrestling, or Top 20 Best Wrestling Bloopers/Mishaps etc.?

Bob Barker might be 85 but he is far from dead. He will be great. I'm sure he'll get to work with the Divas and will get to punch someone out a la Happy Gilmore. Hopefully it will be The Miz.

I thought the ending was pretty good,but I almost didnt make it there.I have a low tolerance for Dusty Rhodes and it gets even lower when he's making "smart mark" jokes with the likes of D-X and doing Ferley-Eyes.I bet that sketch had Vince slapping his knee and guffawing.
Well I got to go figure out how to do that cool Shawn Michaels T-shirt thing.Man will I look awesome struttin down the mean streets of Odenton wearing one of those.
Boyeeeeee.

Oh don't worry, John Cena , Triple H and Michaels will RETURN! lol You go John!

Cmon Kevin, bob barker Perfect choice!!!!!! Did you not see Happy Gilmore with Adam Sandler. Barker can pull his own wait and I bet you give it a good review!!!!!!!!

Good Day,

Kiss Kasket

What was the deal with Jericho going to put his leg on the ropes for the pin on MVP then changing his mind at the last minute and pinning him clean?

Dusty's forehead and High Definition TV are not a good combination.

There's one thing I don't understand at all: why did Orton RKO Dusty?
Dusty sets up the perfect trap so Legacy can beat Cena up. When DX arrives, he takes HHH out. Legacy celebrate with Dusty, then Orton suddenly, with no reason, hits an RKO on him.
I just don't get it. Orton is portrayed as a cowardly heel who's using his two acolytes to get the work done for him. Why would he attack Cody's father just like that, risking to provoke Cody's departure from the Legacy? Do you think it was something like "Cody, I am the only man on Earth that you can call a father"?
More: when Legacy were speaking in the locker room, it appeared that Cody was serious about his title shot. Since we are supposed to suspend disbelief during these segments, and believe that we are the only ones to witness these conversations, then why were the members Legacy behaving like that? If they knew from the start that all the "title shot" thing was only a trap for Cena, then why did they keep on pretending it was legit even when they were all by themselves?
I'd realy like to know your thoughts about that, Kevin!

RESPONSE FROM KE: You pretty much got it with Orton. He wants Cody's loyalty to be to him alone. As for your other point, I have to assume that in those segments they knew they were on camera (even though WWE is inconsistent with that).

Great blog (as always) Kevin....I personally thought this was one of the better RAWs of recent months - although I'm thinking next week?!?!!? Sorry, I can't even think of WWE and 85 year old Bob Barker together - WOW --- No disrespect to Bob, but he definitely doesn't belong in the middle of a wrestling ring. Maybe they can have Mae Young escort him in??? I'm just thinking of the interactions of the wrestlers with Freddie Prinze, Dr. Ken, etc. - if they touch Bob, he's probably going to fall over. Unless he's got a spot more or less like ZZ Top who were just there (but not in the ring).

I loved the whole Dusty Rhodes originally pitting Cody against Randy (both of which I hate - great heels) -- I've always considered Cody as the wimpish guy I know in the business (next to Hornswoggle and Jamie Noble) --- but my level of dislike/disrespect elevated at the end of the show. Even not confronting Orton, him not going to bend down and check on his dad??? I know it's entertainment, but he's now my most hated (can't believe he surpassed Orton and Jericho). Do you think this could be the beginning of the end for Legacy?? That's one of my thoughts on this one.

Hornswoggle and Chavo turned old, boring after week one --- Chavo used to be champ when I first started watching about 3 years ago..... Can't believe he's being put into these crazy schemes and allowing them to have him lose to Hornswoggle week after week - but I guess a paycheck is a paycheck....

While I was really looking forward to DX comeback --- I'm not sure other than comedy/interactions with guest hosts, etc., where this will go - there's only so many times I want to watch them fight Dibiase/Rhodes... Possible feud with Jericho/Big Show??? Speaking of Big Show --- thought that was a good match between him and Mark Henry - definitely more watchable than watching Kane/Khali in the ring together.

Anyway, keep up the great blogs. Due to some other commitments, I've been missing some of the ECW/Superstars Shows (Haven't even bothered to tape) --- but your blogs keep me up to date, plus I get some info re: History of things before I became a fan.... Have a great day.

Come on Kev you were really surprised at the main event outcome i saw it as soon as he booked it Why would WWE book the same basic match in the span of 2 months daddy gives son Title match and as far as Orton RKo'ing the Dream as soon as dusty raised Ortons hand you didn't see that 1 either Kev i think i know you better than that. was really shocked though at the DX segments especially mentioning Nash & Sting since they work in TNA which is the closest thing they have to a rival also thought they went a little deep with Shawn making fun of his Title reigns and he was not really their for the comeback and win. Finally this is not the first time dusty did the old swerve and went heel he did it years ago in WCW and joined the NWO and managed the Outsiders.

RESPONSE FROM KE: As I said, I definitely saw Orton and Rhodes attacking Cena and not actually wrestling, but the RKO on Dusty did surprise me, although maybe it shouldn't have.

Happy Gilmore put it best - "I hate that Bob Barker!"

Shawn got me laughing with his outburst about not being in the Attitude Era! Problem is the more its mentioned, the more i think how much better it was back then!

Speaking of "attitude", is the any sign that WWE will return to TV14? I miss seeing blood, Melina's skirt entrance and hearing casual swearing! As you have mentioned many times, there is fine line between Diva cleavage, blading and Big Dick Johnson!

RESPONSE FROM KE: I'm a fan of cleavage and blood. Big Dick not so much.

To quote The Rock, "Who in the blue hell" is deciding on who host these particular shows. Its been more miss then hit with the host. Bob Barker? Bob Barker? WTF! what will he possibly add? I say put diffeneces aside, and bring in Hogan, Savage, and pray hard that Dwayne Johnson host SEVERAL shows. Austin has a good relationship with WWE as well. I just booked one month of RAW with great ratings all for free. I charge next time!

I think Barker will know how to intereact with the talent and be a good host.

He knows how to "play the game".....

If he were a player and not a host, however, he would be on Smackdown with Teddy Long.

Bad pun time over.....

Best spot I can think of for him seriously is for Barker to humor and avoid Orton during most of the show but then at the end for ORton to confront him and threaten a punt or RKO on Barker, and have "the Game" make the save.

Threatening an 85 year old icon like Barker will generate mega heat like never seen....guaran-damn-teed!!!

"He's definitely a great athlete, but I can't see him being taken seriously against the Ortons, or the HHH's of the world."

___________________________

The fans didn't hail HHH as the next big thing when he debuted in the mid 1990's. He got about as much crowd reaction as ECW's Sheamus gets now. Fans began to take Trips seriously when he was pushed hard and put over. In my opinion, Kingston deserves the same opportunity.

Great writeup on a great RAW. I grew up watching wrestling in FL with Dusty. In fact, when I first started watching, Dusty was a heel and turned face in a tag match with Pak-Song. Dusty's interaction with DX was awesome, reminded me of the old days when Dusty and the late Gordon Solie would interact, with Solie playing the straight guy.

Bob Barker will ROCK as guest host! Can't wait.

Oh, yeah, I noticed that also, that Jerico seemed to think about putting his leg on the ropes then didn't. Good catch, Big Dave.

The four way US title match was awesome. It's amazing how watching Kofi do a drop kick or a simple high cross body is so exciting. He's got that "it" factor in an untraditional way. He's getting over because he is so unique in the ring, rather than cutting good promos.... maybe he she be given more mic time and a great story line.
I'm amazed they didn't put him on the card at summerslam in favour of the Kane / Great Khali or the useless ECW 2 second match. The crowd (including myself at home) goes nuts when Kofi is leaping all over the place. In my long time fan mind, making people shout and scream (whether cheering or booing) should be the single most important thing.

All I can say is, please, no more Chavo vs. Hornswaggle, good god, what a bad shtick, just like it was the first time it happened, I would take Orton/HHH feuding 'til the end of time over Chavo/Horn. Let Chavo fight another cruiser weight and put them over, maybe like Evan Bourne so he can be a contender against Kofi's title. Their match ruins my whole Raw episode every time, there is no point, it's not like Horn is going to get over and have a real shot at the title, so drop him or move him back to be the 'son' of Finlay. Probably cost WWE more to cancel Horn's contract than to keep him, because I see no use in him being there.

Christopher, the fans (if they ever did - I'm no Triple H fan myself; the man is a no-seller, limited move-set opportunist) really only got behind H after his knee injury, and after the humongous push that Vince gave him via multiple promos.

Anyway, Dusty was great - I liked him a hell of a lot in TNA (his segment with Raven/Sabu = microphone gold), and I love swings in the story that give leeway for more.

Funny how the WWE clowns WCW for the Shockmaster character, yet right after reinacts the infamous incident using Santino Marella...you know, the guy who dresses up as a woman and pretends to be his sister Santina, and goes around pretending to be characters from 24 and movies. Not to mention on the same show they had a match between a "leprechaun" midget dressed as a cowboy and Chavo Guerrero dressed as a cow (and people complain about TNA and Vince Russo's dumb ideas...)

The Big Show has to be one of THE most overhyped, untalented performer ever. The guy cannot wrestle at all, he's slow and boring, cuts horrible promos, and is the worst actor I've ever seen. If he wasn't as big as he is, he wouldn't have lasted 2 seconds in wrestling. And from how DX (2002), Floyd Maywhether, Shaq, etc. have all punked him, has any big man in wrestling been made to look more stupid?

I've gotta give DX props; this week, they made me laugh. Particularly Shawn. (Amazing how long that guy can hold a "buy this DVD" pose and stay totally motionless. It was also a nice touch the way his face twitched when Dusty reminded him of who was winning the Monday Night Wars during the time he was champ.)

Jeanette: I couldn't remember Cody Checking on Dusty either but I re-watched it today and he definitely did stop kneel beside Dusty and seemed to say something (so I am guessing it was an are you ok) before going over and standing in the corner and glaring at Orton. Besides him being tormented sets the perfect avenue for his face turn shortly.

I loved the DX reaction mainly Shawns as they talked about the ratings 1) because he was champion for a portion of that time 2) because he had actually told Hall and Nash (when they left in 96) not to complain when WWE beat them in the ratings... which the WWE pretty much lost for the next 18 months... 3) They actually acknowledged that Kevin Nash and DX are friends on the outside.

But I loved how the 3 sketches each paid out on one of them.
1st one HHH and his title reigns... BTW HBK's line must be nominated for line of the decade (and I am a huge HHH mark)
2nd HBK missing the attitude era, "Half of it was my idea"
3rd Dusty

Cody was brilliant at portraying his anger/confusion. He looked to be bubbling over, but then realised he couldn't get after Orton.
Really good performance.

its a shame how cody rhodes stood by and let randy orton
disgrace his father, althought
dusty kind of got what he deserve, but a only a coward son would do that. then again randy orton might need to watch his back from now on.