Cena Ended up bleeding the end of the show. It was surprising not to see someone with a towell, closing the wound and killing the climax of the situation (as they usually do)...

Was that really Nexus? I thought for sure it was the return of the Killer Bees (not B. Brian Blair and Jim Brunzell, but Saturday Night Live's Killer Bees with John Belushi).
Black and yellow t-shirts with oversized N's! Are you serious? All that was lacking was wings and some bouncing antennae.
I thought these guys were supposed to be projecting evil personas. Instead, I was laughing so hard I nearly fell out of my chair! They are not wrestlers, they are bees, they're banditos, they're desperate!
I figured at any moment Florence Henderson would bring out all the Brady's to beat down the bees.
The days of Stone Cold and The Rock seem so long ago. Yes, Orton, Edge, and Jericho continue to somehow deliver in this G-rated environment. But, the once-mighty WWE is falling hard.

Edge and Orton are my favorite wrestlers, so I really enjoyed their match. Why does Cole keep refering to Orton's powerslam as a scoop slam?

Also, I have more interest in seeing Doink than I do the Usos.

The end of the Orton-Edge match, was the best written segment I've seen. It was obvious that Orton would lose with the Y2J interference, but what transpired next not only had me rewinding 10 times, but Raw showed it 6 times. The banter of unbelievability that Lawler and Cole stressed was the true sell. I was sure it was Bournes payback, and didn't see that one coming. A big push for Orton to win MIB. That move was totally amazing!!!

Is this Gail Kim in any relations to the former knockouts champion that left TNA to pursue a modeling career? They share the same name.

I think Morrison needs a little help from Melina.

Why one earth would they not have waited for that amazing orton/bourne spot until the PPV?!

Didn't look like Bourne was going to nail that Shooting Star because of how far away Orton was, but whether that RKO was a last-minute cover-up or not (most likely not), it was still cool. I'm loving Randy Orton's character. Even as a face, he's still nasty.

Missed the beginning of the Maryse/Morrison/Dibiase promo, but I'm digging Maryse and Dibiase as a duo so far (even if a bit jealous of Dibiase).

Nevertheless, I still wish they hadn't split-up Simply Priceless. I like the second/third generation superstar stable idea, and plus, Ted, Cody, Maryse, and maybe those Rotunda boys could have a major presence on Smackdown.

Speaking of Smackdown... I hope Yoshi and Gail get drafted. At this rate, Gail Kim will be back in TNA before she wins another WWE championship.

So does this mean no MITB at Wrestlemania anymore?

The bad thing about the RKO on Bourne during the SSP, was that Orton was too far away for him to actually land it. But damn it was pretty. I loved that they did keep replaying. Probably to make up for the bad camera angle on the live shot.

I still get good flashbacks when Michael Cole gets up to do the GM announcements because he does the can I have your attention please and it just always reminds me of Lance Storm's "If I can be serious for a minute." He even almost sounds like him.

Indeed, the Shooting Star countered into a RKo was excellent.
I often mentions that new superstars are more and more becoming threats (in terms of skills) to established stars. However, I think that the competition is also getting tougher in promos. You often critisize some younger superstars lacking one thing - charisma. I remarked now that within 2 months, it is changing (exmple: SHeamus). Better promos are no more reserved to superstars like Cena - that's becoming a fact.

I liked the main event but I was surprised that Sheamus saved Cena with a chair. With chair shots banned, was it not risky for Sheamus?

Kevin, Why are the Hart Dynasty being shown as such a weak team? Since they have ben on Raw I think that they only have had one good match shwoing them as a strong team. Your thoughts?

That Shooting Star Press/RKO in the Orton Bourne angle wasn't timed all that well. It looked pretty off, especially when you watched it in slow motion.

being a big fan of the Harts I am finding it harder and harder to watch them lose to the Usos each week.

Cena's humor is no longer funny I can last most weeks but not even a giggle passed my lips this week. WWE needs to let him cut a rap on Sheamus (03/04 quality) to a) give cena a bit more popularity with males aged 14 and over and b) to enject some real humor back into the show.

I am hoping that Mrs Brady will be the last guest host I am just over it already.

I loved the Rko on Bourne I tried to start a "this is awesome" chant here at home, but my cats just wouldn't join in.

The spot in which Orton caught Bourne in an RKO midway through Air Bourne has to be the best thing I've seen in a long, long time on any wrestling show. I mean, Orton's timing of the move could not have been better. Amazing stuff.

Less amazing was the fact that Henry has been included in the MITB Ladder Match in place of R-Truth. That one didn't get me jumping for joy.

This sounds pretty ridiculous, but I actually thought that Carol Brady woman was quite an entertaining guest host. For the short comedy skits she was included in, she came off as a genuinely nice lady who's up for a laugh. Maybe my faith in the guest host format is growing again.

Hey Kev,

I was shocked that you weren't thinking what I was thinking about Sheamus running from the Nexus. I thought it made him look weak. He's supposed to be one of the toughest guys on the roster, but yet he runs? I just think it made him look a little weak. Although it was funny though.

I know who the GM is. It is Eugene, he liked to mimic other wrestlers moves now he is taking their lines! LOL!!!

Did somebody say 3 minutes!?

I don't think Carol Brady got the memo on not saying "Whoooo!!" as she used it a number of times....

And could not agree more about Gail Kim. She's now job-girl, for women who could not shine her boots. Ridiculous.

Kevin,
As a member of the audience for Monday's show, I have to agree that the Orton/Edge Match was the highlight of the night.
I am a big Bourne fan, but that RKO timing was perfect and well played. I think there was a resounding *thud* as jaws hit the floor in Lexington.
What surprised me the most was the lack of MITB promotions. You would think that the Monday before a new PPV would be stacked with promos, but no. We had a short DiBiase/Morrison promo, a quick confrontation at the end of the Edge/Orton match (including two more members Bourne and Jericho), and a terrible promo to introduce Mark Henry (which was a HUGE let down by the way). Maybe I didn't see much because it was live and I wasn't able to hear Cole/King and see commercials. The only good promo, I thought, came from Edge.

**Interestingly enough, during the Edge promo, the crowd was yelling comments about stealing Orton's gimmick**

I have to say that the highlight of the show happened once cameras stopped rolling. Let me fill you in….
RAW faded out to Sheamus and Cena facing off in the middle of the ring.
At that point, Edge ran out to hit his spear on Cena, who turned and dodged at the last minute.
**I think the plan was to hit the move, but Cena’s busted forehead called for improvisation**
**Cena, by the way, busted his own head open when he botched his ring dive with a chair and hit himself in the head**

Before the 2 on 1 ambush could start, Orton ran out as well.
After a short verbal exchange they agreed to a tag team match putting Edge/Sheamus vs. Orton/Cena
Again, Cena’s head injury called for improvisation. Thus a 2 on 1 tag match started with Orton on his own.
This match was about as good as the Orton/Edge Match earlier (as they did most of the work) and peaked when a revived Cena jumped up at the last minute and tagged Orton out for the save. The brawl ended with a nice double finisher as Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Sheamus as Edge fell subject to the RKO at the same time.

The absolute best moment was the celebration after the tag match; a crazy drunk girl jumped in the ring and started humping Cena’s leg.
Cena just laughed as Orton feigned that he was going to hit the girl with an RKO when she got up.

All in all, not a bad RAW, but I would have expected more before a PPV.

I guess next week the GM will say, "If you smell what the gm is cooking." I thought the whole Seamus running backstage calling for Cena was hilarious, but really just a set up for a swerve for Nexus to help Seamus at MIB. They keep over implying the steel cage will keep everyone out. The Randy Orton spot on Bourne was awesome. They showed it from all angles and the timing was excellent.

Man, that RKO to Evan Bourne was sick. I don't that I've marked out so hard since Shawn Michaels nearly decapitated Shelton Benjamin with Sweet Chin Music as he was flying across the ring. Props to Orton for nailing the move and Bourne for being crazy enough to do it.

I like that they are showing how aggressive the Nexus is by having them attack people backstage. It really shows that they aren't fooling around.

Right on Kevin. The Orton and Edge match along with the post match featuring Chris Jericho and Evan Bourne were the highlight of the show.

Ted DiBiase Jr. should lay off the mic and let Maryse do all the talking. No matter how hard they are trying Ted is just not over.

Not spoiling anything but if you're a CM Punk fan I would avoid watching Smackdown.

It should say a lot about Edge having run his course with the company when he's given the same gimmick that Orton had when they had nothing for him either. Edge isn't even the only one rehashing that gimmick right now as Abyss is doing it and even in a more compelling manner. Orton at least was able to drop the absurdity of it once a better angle presented itself. I don't even see a better angle in the future for Edge at this point unless he starts having an affair with Michelle McCool.

I just don't see what else they can do since he fell flat as a returning face and for me at least the only heat he gains is the "go away" kind.

the anonymous GM is Charlie Haas, from all those times he was doing those gimmick characters, now he is imitating a GM...not going to happen b/c it would be a big let down. The RKO on bourne was sweet.

I really love the Ted DiBiase/Maryse pairing in theory, except they just don't *look* right together!

To WWE's credit, I think they have matched their outfits as perfectly complementary, but if it were just another Superstar dressed the same way or another Diva dressed the same way, they would be the perfect match. Maybe it is Maryse's overtanned complexion that ruins the effect.

I enjoyed their confrontation with John Morrison on RAW. I hope that feud builds into something for SummerSlam, maybe a Mixed Tag match with a returning Melina?

As much as i think Raw has improved since the Nexus angle was introduced, i really believe it has to drop this "PG" image. The beatdowns would have so much more impact without certain boundaries (choking, blood etc). Another thing that bugs me, as you pointed out Kev, is the lame comedy. Cena can cut an awesome promo, but the stupid material makes those promo's lose some of their edge, along with taking something away from Cena's character, in my opinion. On another note, that mid-air RKO on Evan Bourne by Randy Orton was pretty special. I had my doubts about Orton's face turn, but i think he is very close to Cena regarding the number one face of the company. Kev, considering Cena gets booed by some fans (mainly men) do you think if he turned heel, he would be cheered more, if that makes any sense. Also, if he was the top face during an era outside the PG one, for example, the Attitude Era, do you think he would be more liked? Great blog Kevin.

Kev, they changed the intro in the beginning of the show, what do you think?

RESPONSE FROM KE: Honestly, I didn't see the new intro, although I have heard that Jim Ross' voice is no longer on it.

Sorry to see that Gail Kim has to job to the likes of Alicia Fox. I'm sure she's thinking, "SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!"

That shot The Miz delivered to Mark Henry using the plastic garbage bin looked vicious. C'mon WWE, have we gone to the point where objects that might actually cause pain can't be used?

C'mon, the Miz practically knocking out Mark Henry with a plastic trashcan with nothing in it.......looked too phony

How in the world do Hogan and Flair have supporting statements on the back of Bret Hart's book when he rips both of them in the book's pages? Didn't they read the book or are the endorsement comments bogus?

slightly different take - Super Cena is worse for wrestling than the lame comedy bits. Cena and Sheamus should not be able to hold off all six members of Nexus. And Cena shouldn't "almost" win by hitting the Attitude Adjustment. Remember when Undertake debuted? No one could come close to beating him for a whole year leading up to his match with Hogan where Undertaker totally dominated. Or rembemer when Lesnar debuted? Cena shouldn't be able to handle himself against all six members of Nexus. nexus should be dominating for another month or so.

I heard someone, maybe Dave Meltzer, say that McMahaon doesn't like tag teams because he has to pay 4 or 6 wrestlers instead of 2. So, if that's true, if he puts on tag matches why not let them last more than a few minutes so he gets his money's worth?

Eck, did you catch the revisionist scripting in Edge's promo? He said that no one has won more Money In The Bank matches than him, which is a flat out lie. He only won the first Money In The Bank match. The other one which he cashed in was originally Mr. Kennedy's.

CM Punk is the only two time Money In The Bank winner.

As cool as it was, I was shocked that they allowed Bourne to get hit with the RKO out of mid-air in the shooting-star press. It's got to be one of the most dangerous moves in wrestling and I'd rather not see any other wrestler botch it up for the guy executing the SSP. Seeing someone even put their knees up to "block" it, makes me cringe. Any takers on my argument??

Eve is gorgeous.. and has sure come a long way in the ring. But I got to agree with you.. she was pretty bad on commentary. She sounded nervous.

It sucks where Regal is though. It's never good when you're in an 8 man tag team match with Khali, Kozlov, Santino, Doink The Clown, and Goldust (granted I like Goldust.. but he's just for comedy anymore sadly). Regal deserves so much better. And on that note, so does Primo! He's such a better heel than face but we never get to see him! And I am officially tired of Santino.

That Randy Orton RKO on Evan Bourne is an all-time great in ring moment...right up there with HBK's superkick on Shelton Benjamin in mid-air from 2005. AMAZING.

I was thinking Eve was kinda bad on commentary and that people were going to talk about it. Then I tried to listen to her in a different light an somewhat enjoyed how she just sounded like a real person talking about her upcoming match. Not very "pro wrestling" but I don't think it was all that bad.

Surely someone at WWE knows that the Jumbotron graphic for the Usos should read "Usos" and not "Uso's".

Am I the only one that was annoyed with the crappy camera work during the Evan Bourne spot? BTW, was anyone else reminded of that HBK/Shelton Benjamin spot from a few years back?

So, will Heath Slater be suspended for 90 days for failure to properly tag in during the 6 on 1 tag match...I know the ref didnt see it, but presumably, the GM watching at home did...I will be disappointed if this is not addressed.

Great Post

I figured the crappy live camera work for the Bourne/RKO spot was to "protect" the wwe in case something went horribly wrong (like Bourne breaking his neck). Nobody wants to watch accidents like that, especially not on a PG program, kids would be terrified.

"So, will Heath Slater be suspended for 90 days for failure to properly tag in during the 6 on 1 tag match...I know the ref didnt see it, but presumably, the GM watching at home did...I will be disappointed if this is not addressed."

**Again, as someone that was at Rupp Arena that night, the crowd was in agreance to your suggestion Michael. Several groups were yelling 'Suspend him' when he jumpped in like that.

Kevin, do you think this will be addressed or left alone? Its hard to see them 'suspending' Slater since he's been fairly vocal and up front in the group.

@Loco,
Edge has claim to his statement. CM Punk has won two matches for a MITB briefcase while Edge has won three.

Aside from WM21, he beat Matt Hardy in a Ladder Match to retain his MITB briefcase and he beat Mr. Kennedy for the MITB briefcase, ie "Money In the Bank matches."

That's not revisionist, just a little egocentric.

Sheamus could be the leader of nexus he's young and because of them he is the wwe champ

Cena is starting to look a lot like Hulk Hogan in the ring and during his promos and that isn't a good thing.

By the end of his whole tired routine (formulatic comedy lines, popping up like a jack in the box after absorbing multiple finishers, laughing at his opponents, executing the same four or five moves every match) he has pretty much destroyed any pretense of realism or suspense.

Good point, Nicolas.