"Plus, we all know who is going to win anyway (of course, the same thing could be said about Undertaker’s match at WrestleMania regardless of who his opponent is). ..."

I may have misunderstood, but are you implying that Taker would win again? I, for one, actually think that if the rematch does take place, it would be a no-brainer that Michaels wins...

Raw was at least bearable this time. Do you see Jericho/Show regaining the unified tag titles next week, Mr. Eck?

RESPONSE FROM KE: I don't think Undertaker is ever losing at WrestleMania, and if he does, it should be to a guy who is "the next big thing." That's not Michaels.

"For the second straight week, the final shot on Raw was of an annoying Irishman."...Us Irish take exception to that..

RESPONSE FROM KE: IS Hornswoggle even really Irish?

"What?"s are the best part of promos! [What?] They're a great throwback to Steve Austin [What?], they show that the crowd is into the promo [What?] or that the crowd wants to harass the speaker. [What?] I always enjoy when the Great Khali gets on the mike [What?] and the crowd yells "What?" while he's speaking [What?], even though they don't understand a word he's saying. [What?] WWE fans may not have all the great ECW chants [What?], but they do have "What?". [What?]

"I don't think Undertaker is ever losing at WrestleMania, and if he does, it should be to a guy who is "the next big thing." That's not Michaels."

__________________________________

Four months ago, I was hoping that CM Punk would get the ultimate put over. Now, I would have to drink Jack Daniels, pop pills, and smoke all kinds of things in order to believe that.

Hart & Micheaels agianst McMachon and a partner of his choice at Mania. Michaels does all the work and Bret gets a couple of spots on McMachon.

Cena vs Undertaker @ Mania...let's hope for it.

Edge vs Jericho @ Mania

I was very disappointed that Legacy wasn't disbanded last night. It's dead in the water. Why is a sociopath loner like Orton doing leading a faction? And isn't DiBiase supposed to be promoting that horrible new movie? Heels can't promote movies.

Finally! Excitement is back on RAW. I was literally on the edge of my seat, jaw dropped, staring wide-eyed at the TV when Michaels/McMahon were speaking. There are a million different storylines they could do here, and they would all get over huge because the issue is so real and the conclusion such a long time coming. Bret deserves this next 4 months, hands down. Maybe it's because I'm Canadian, maybe not, but this storyline seems to resonate deeply.

The "Horny for DX" sign did garner a chuckle or two...until I recognized that DX is in their 40's...then I kind of shuddered a little.

I found it hugely significant that Triple H had absolutely nothing to do with the Hart introduction, and instead, was preoccupied with taping a leprechaun to a skateboard. Hmmm....I wonder if he has more heat with Bret than Michaels does at this point. The last time Trips had any interaction with Bret, Julie Hart was tearing him a new one in the hallway in Montreal...

I can't wait for next week...I don't think TNA has a prayer, Hogan or not. WWE will simply be too compelling for them to match.

I loved what Vince said when the crowd was doing the "what!" chants:
"If you're an imbecile and you're from Hartford, you'll say..." and some kept saying "what!" Can't deny the REAL jokes from Vince when they are said. Brilliant!

At last, a RAW I wasn't ashamed of admitting I watched! The best part clearly had to do with Bret Hart's return. Thnaks for the explanation about "good things will happen", as I was lost on that one. I think Legacy will dump Orton (or at least, they should). There are some next generation wrestlers in Florida Championship Wrestling (every Weds night at 10pm, here in Florida!) They may be just about ready to debut in WWE, and they can all kick Orton out.

Let's get one thing straight. Undertaker should never ever eeeeevvvvvvver lose at Wrestlemania. Ever. It is one thing that makes him unigue as a performer and I don't care how badly the WWE needs to put a "Next Big Thing" over they shouldn't mess with Taker's streak. When he gets inducted to the WWE Hall of Fame it would sound so much better when they list his credentials as being 20+(?)-0 on the biggest stage of pro-wrestling. An honestly I don't see anyone worthy of being able to say they ended his streak. That would be bigger than any belt you can put on a wrestler in my humble opinion. And if there is a wrestler out there who end it then they need to have staying power,charisma and drawing power.

You can't have someone come in and end it and then get thrown on the back burner because they aren't some juiced out musclehead who looks good in a pair of trunks. Unfortunately with the way the WWE is run I could see HHH or one of his buddies being selected to do the deed. Here's hoping TNA does the unlikely and makes the WWE step-up their quality of product.

/end rant

RESPONSE FROM KE: I really don't think The Streak will ever end. Like I said, the only scenario I see as remotely possible is for a can't-miss star who is being counted on to lead the company for years ending it when Undertaker is ready to retire. Undertaker is all about respecting the business, and I could see him insisting on doing the honors on his way out.

Kevin, do you think that we will actually see a Bret/Shawn Wrestlemania match? I'm skeptical, but wouldn't a win over Michaels be the ONLY reason Bret would agree to come back for (other than the Hart Foundation DVD). Also, I believe that Shawn would "take one for the team" and give this one last dream match and put Bret over. He knows it will do big business for the company and like you said, he would come back over huge as a babyface after the Bret-WWE short term deal is over. Am I crazy to dream? Can this actually happen?

RESPONSE FROM KE: The question is if Bret is healthy enough to work a match. I don't think he'd want to come back and have a stinker.

I thought the worst kept secret in pro wrestling was Jericho's return to the WWE - it was announced in their magazine a before he came back.

I'm a huge Shawn Michaels mark but I'm not trying to see him face Taker again. Their match was one of the greatest matches I have ever seen but they wont top it. And as far as Takers streak goes, I would like to see him go 20-0 and then fade into obscurity. And if someone does break his streak, it should be someone like Ted Dibiase who has obvious star/staying power.

On another note, I would like to see Bret Hart do some underhanded stuff to help Jerishow win back the titles so Shawn can (hopefully) just focus on Bret. Plus I'm a Jericho mark and want to see him on Raw every week.

lastly, Timbaland sucked as guest host. I'm just sayin...

The vince/michaels segment was brilliant. I loved it. Best RAW in a while. I really hope shawn doesn't "make up" with Bret.

Jericho is too awesome to leave RAW. I see them winning the belts back.

By the way, Cena's winning streak is technically already over.

RESPONSE FROM KE: How so? Cena beat Sheamus by DQ, right?

I honestly don't believe that anyone deserves to end the streak who are working in wwe right now.The only one who deserved was Brock Lesnar..You like it or not he was truly "the next big thing".(Well unless wwe brings samoa joe.)

RESPONSE FROM KE: I agree that Lesnar might -- and I stress the word "might" -- have been the guy to pass the torch to. Can't disagree more about Samoa Joe, though.

"WWE champion Sheamus (that still doesn’t sound right)..."

It really doesn't -- there's just nothing compelling about him. He's an angry Irish guy with weird facial hair and that's about it. I think they should go all the way with the "Celtic Warrior" gimmick -- make him come out to creepy old Irish music and have him wear a black/green hooded cloak to the ring or something. Anything to give him some personality.

Kevin, do you think the Bret storyline is in response to TNA being on the same night? If so, then the fans are really winning out here. My second question is, would the WWE ever admit that it was TNA that motivated them to raise their game? What else is there to say about Sheamus, but that he is BORING!! The only thing I can figure is that he was given the title to lose it to another babyface along the line, maybe someone who isn't a face right now!? They maybe should have done with him what they did with Batista--establish him physically as a henchman first. I have a hard time believing that he could be losing to Golddust, then suddenly getting the beast of the company's biggest face!?

RESPONSE FROM KE: I do believe the timing of Hart's return is a reponse to Hogan, but, no, I don't think WWE would admit that.

Was I the only one surprised that they didn't censor "World Wrestling Federation" and the old logo in the Bret Hart clip? Don't they usually?

The Maryse-Kelly Kelly match was the best women's match from WWE in a long time.

Please no HBK-Taker Part Two. The first one was classic, no need to revisit it.

While it might have been a slight improvement, Monday's Raw was still not very good. Come on, starting a world title match at 11:02? There was no surprise in the outcome of that. Chavo as Big Show's partner? Dull. Another lame guest host. More DX hi-jinks, which may have the kiddies in hysterics, but for me that act is a channel turner.
But, channel turning is likely what I will be doing Monday. It will be interesting to see what they do with Bret Hart. But, I'm just as interested to see what TNA does with Scott Hall. Hogan's return doesn't excite me that much, but I still think TNA's show (tv production values aside) has a chance to be more entertaining based on what Raw has subjected us to the past few months.

It seems to me that the logical step is to use hart as a means of setting up a DX split for mania. How the heels and faces would play out is tougher to say.

As for the undertaker talk, they should keep the streak, but have him lose his last match at the following summerslam or survivor series (where he debuted). It has to be in a casket match.

With Hart apparently on board for up to three months, they are going to have to do some longer arc story writing and throw a few wrinkles into the plot.

It looks like they've set it up nicely with a possible initial minor issue between him and the Hart Dynasty, who've been spouting off in recent weeks.

Look for Bret to initially teach them a lesson or two (perhaps as Guest Host) and then to turn and assist them later on. He could explain his change in approach by stating that nothing is more important than family.

I think they forshadowed what will probably happen with Bret and Michaels, who will likely eventually demonstrate some mutual respect, and in Michaels case, contrition. This could then be used to spark a row between the two of them on the one hand and HHH and Vince on the other.

All of this will likely culminate in an angle involving Bret, Vince, Shawn and HHH, perhaps with Bret and Vince in some sort of a pseudo match (street rules or whatever) or Bret refereeing a HHH - Shawn match.

I doubt the Hart Dynasty is ready for a major program with HHH and Shawn at this point. However, considering what they've done with Sheamus, they could conceivably go in that direction, too, with Bret possibly interfering to assist his proteges.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out as there do seem to be some potential unresolved feelings under the surface.

That's likely the most interesting part of the whole piece and the part to be watched most closely.

So DX will defend the tag titles against Jerishow and if Jericho loses he leaves RAW for good. Where have I heard this before? Banning Jericho from RAW might soon become the equivalent of the UN Security Council passing sanctions against Iran.

With that said I did like the interaction between Jericho and Big Show. Speaking of Jericho being a conspiracy victim in WCW do you remember the brief angle between Jericho and Big Show (then known as The Giant)? The Giant was a member of the NWO but took exception when NWO members like Curt Hennig attacked Jericho. I remember Tony Schiavone saying there was a "bond" between Jericho and The Giant. But after a few weeks the angle was dropped.

Needless to say I am looking forward to RAW with Bret Hart. In the ratings war, the Hitman will make Hogan tap out.

Timbaland looked like he was sick for the show. At the beginning he had a piece of cotton in his ear, then later in the show he didn't have it anymore. He sounded congested too, so if that's the case, then I commend him for still doing the show in spite of the flu/ear infection.

Did anyone notice that Ted Dibiase missed a spot in his match with Evan Bourne? Evan was attempting to jump over Ted's head and Ted didn't clear him, causing him to hit his face in the bottom turnbuckle. I don't know if that was intentional or not, but it sure did look like it hurt....

I liked the fact that Gail Kim was allowed to talk and interact with the other wrestling talent backstage throughout most of the show including three appearances. I fondly remember her speakable storylines from her TNA days, and finally after 10 months WWE seems to have found her voice.

So Kevin you’re blaming Cena getting a bigger pop because of Sheamus? Do you really despise him that much? And comparing him 2 Hornswoggle (who isn’t even Irish btw) is ridiculous. Let me tell you one the reasons why Sheamus is champion, I believe this business should be made up of unpredictability and when superman Cena was champion it was far from it. As soon as Sheamus became the number one contender everyone including you especially Kevin said there’s no way in hell Sheamus will go over Cena at TLC and how wrong you were. In my opinion that unpredictability factor is essential in Wrestling and I believe the WWE has brought it back by putting the strap on The Celtic Warrior. Now before you play the broken record and say he was the wrong choice and is far too green and what not well that is your opinion and I respect that, but it was time for a change and that very change has most definitely arrived.

Ok,maybe i was wrong with defending the midget..!!! he's not Irish and is a joke to wrestling!!

"WWE champion Sheamus (that still doesn’t sound right)"...

And it never will.

"The crowd was very hot for Cena; there were a lot less boos than he usually gets. I could be wrong, but I think part of it is because the majority of fans just don’t see Sheamus as championship material"...

Y'know, maybe part of the reason Sheamus is champ is just to finally weed out the anti-Cena champs. Maybe their thought is lets put the belt on someone so undeserving that everyone has to become Cena fans.

I have a gut feeling that the DX break-up is coming and the Bret Hart return will be centered around it - Michaels will attempt to make things right with Bret Hart (which Hunter again told Shawn to stay out of Vince's business...hmmmm) which will make the chairman angry beyond belief. Hunter turns on Shawn and sides with his father-in-law Vince setting-up Shawn/Bret vs. Hunter/Vince at Mania. This will give us everything we want - Bret/Shawn/Vince storyline....Hunter heel turn....DX break-up. I bet Hunter and Vince even claim it was their idea for the screwjob and that gullible Shawn was only a pawn....this will be gold.

Nah, the "E" won't get this right......they will screw it up and we will have Vince vs. Hornswoggle with Bret as Ref or something stupid.

"I don't think Undertaker is ever losing at WrestleMania, and if he does, it should be to a guy who is "the next big thing." That's not Michaels."

Let's hope Shaemus doesn't get a match with Undertaker at WM.

(Only partly a joke...)

I must say that I haven't been this excited for an episode of Raw, or any angle in wrestling for that matter in I don't know how long!

The only thing that could possibly ruin it, is if this is somehow a gigantic swerve and DX bring out Hornswaggle dressed as The Hitman, and then I will be forced to change the channel to TNA :(

So excited about Bret's return and this is definitely the biggest night in pro wrestling in years.

Hulk Hogan will be worth watching as it will be interesting to see his encounters with Sting, Kevin Nash and Mick Foley.

But two encounters will overshadow those mentioned above. That is the Hart-McMahon and Hart-Michaels. I would love to see the Hitman in the ring at WrestleMania but in a limited role (manager or tag-team match) where his weaknesses aren't obvious. But then again, HBK vs Bret would equal 1m buys for WrestleMania as it brings in the old fans of the 1990's.

The Undertaker on the other hand needs a fresh opponent (he can face HBK at a SummerSlam, etc). Taker needs someone like Jericho or Cena.

Personally I would like to see Taker be 20-0 and then put over Ted DiBiase Jr at a Survivor Series. It would bring Taker full circle as it was DiBiase Sr who brought Taker the WWE and his son would take him out. We can even have the million dollar man there. . . . . But having said that lol, I would love to see Taker come back once a year at a WrestleMania and take on contenders taking him to 25-0 +.

How about Ted Dibiase interfering in the Orton/Kingston match? Set up a program between Dibiase and Orton.

Kevin, the easiest way to have Michaels as a heel against Hart and keep DX together as babyfaces is to have Michaels vs. Hart in Canada. Bret is always the babyface in Canada and his opponent is the heel. That's so simple not even the WWE Creative Team can screw that up. Can they?

What do you think about some type of stipulation/gimmick added to the possible HBK vs. Undertaker match? I feel like that would be an easy way to make their match different. Retirement match? Buried alive? Both? Or some new gimmick altogether?

RESPONSE FROM KE: I was thinking the same thing. That's the only way I could see it working, and even with a stip, I think it will be hard to equal last year's match.

HBK-Taker was outstanding at 25, but I'm not sure it even surpasses HBK-Angle which is in my mind the greatest match of all time (perhaps HBK-Taker loses a little steam bc of the obvious ending). I think the only way to top WM 25 would be to have a retirement match between the 2 at Mania with a finish ripped right from the pages of Savage-Warrior at WM VII. 5 elbow drops didn't drop the Warrior, imagine 10 consecutive Sweet Chin Music's on the Deadman over a 10 min span not doing the trick? Damn Vince put me on creative- I look better in a thong than BDJ anyway.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I don't think Undertaker is ever losing at WrestleMania, and if he does, it should be to a guy who is "the next big thing." That's not Michaels.

So that will be Sheamus, then? ;-)

I think hbk taker 2 is a distraction to keep people guessing about the whole hart involvment. I doubt that hart and hbk will have nothing to do with each other at wm26. Its just too good to pass up. Plus hbk is in a fued with jerishow and teasing one with thd right now so there are a lot of things that could happen. Another possibility is dx and vince vs hart managing jerhico and thd. Usa vs canada 2. I don't have a problem with hornswoggle being in dx because they are the comedy for the show but it should be toned down at wm26. Hornswoggle is vince's "son" so I imagine bret would have something to say about that. A good opponet for taker should be the current wwe champion if they are serious about his mega push. It would give the unpredictibility factor given the current direction. But taker should come out on top and put him in his place and remain undefeated. Anyway the road to wm 26 is promising and will be very intertaining. The only thing that would make it better is if the bald wrestler with a moustach and pre-ripped shirts from the 80's was taking over rival company and try to sink wwe... again. (Someone whispers in ear) ....this is gonna be awesome!!!!

first week of january wwe will make more comercial break profits than it made in the entire 90s

Maybe WWE doesn't have to split up DX if Michaels were to show some heel traits? HHH can do the same thing as well.

I think Michaels - Taker at WM is not happening. They're using it as an enhancement call to whatever is really going to happen. And this will include HBK and Bret Hart (maybe setting up the DX split). And the fact that this WM match whatever it is will be more important to Shawn than facing Taker again will make it more compelling.

I don't think Taker should ever lose at WM. He is special and diserves this one line. I think he should retire immediately after his last win at Mania. He could even push a guy by "giving him" a belt. Saying something like "only one guy diserves this from my hands, I picked him to preserve my legacy..." and *Jeff Hary's music starting*

So next week, Shawn, Hunter, Bret, and a little person will be on RAW. Say, didn't Shawn & Hunter have a little person impersonate Bret in his last RAW appearance? I wonder if the whole "mascot" alignment is going to serve as a catalyst for spraking the DX split, thanks in large part to Bret Hart.

I believe they are setting up a Dibiase/Orton fued come Wrestlemania, since before and after Dibiase's match with Bourne, he was staring at Orton angrily. Cody was not, though. I'm guessing this will be more tension between Orton and Dibiase, spurring the fued to Mania. Maybe somehow, Dibiase will eliminate Orton in the Royal Rumble match?

RESPONSE FROM KE: I believe Orton-DiBiase was always the plan, but I was starting to think WWE changed their minds about it.

I for one believe that Shawn actually may end the streak. For years people have said a new up and coming superstar should end it yet it's never happened. They've had oppurtunity after oppurtunity to do that but they've never pulled the trigger. The Undertaker has always wanted that one Wrestlemania classic match and he got that at the hands of HBK. So maybe Taker thinks that Shawn got the best match out of him so he's perfect to end the streak. They've always relied on Shawn - they could have used a up and coming superstar to retire Flair but they didn't because they didn't believe in any of the younger superstars to do it so Shawn was assigned the task. It's the same with The Undertaker. For a young superstar to break the streak or even to have ended Flairs career, there will always be expectation and what happens if that never materialises. Shawn is the only man that can end Undertakers streak and I believe with all my heart that it will happen three months from now at Wrestlemania 26. It's only fitting that it ends as it will be the 20th year since The Undertaker debuted. We need something fresh at Wrestlemania with The Undertaker. Everyone, every year expects him to win but just imagine if the streak ends and then in order to do something different, Vince decrees that now the streak is over, Undertaker will have to fight for something more important at Wrestlemania - his career. Just imagine the
emotion each year as people try and End Undertakers career. It would be amazing and would be something different. Anyways that's what I think? I'd like to get your thoughts, Kevin?