Jimmy and Jey Uso will be fine in the long run? I don't see anything from either of these guys. They just don't stand out.

Because Raw was taped last week, Darren Young's appearance might've been weird for the live crowd.

Why was Cena chosen for the 6 pack challenge? All others won their matches on Raw to "qualify" but Miz beat Cena. Therefore, Miz should be in the match instead of Cena. Guess that means he's cashing in after they all beat each other up at the PPV.

Did you notice even the commentators questioning and laughing about the screaming of Melina? She needs to stop.

On one hand I hope this tars a Daniel Bryan-Miz USA title program. On the other hand, I think that The Miz would lose this program.

I think it could be saved if at Night of Champions that Daniel Bryan wins the USA title a little quickly and The Miz takes on the winner of the Six Pack Challenge -- but loses by dubious means. Therefore setting up The Miz with a WWE title shot and establishing Daniel Bryan as a legitimate WWE superstar.

What say you, Eck?

I had a sneaky feeling that Sheamus was going to be conniving and pick a nobody for his title match, and while he was announcing his opponent, I grew more and more confident that the guy I had hoped he would pick would get that chance - Evan Bourne. Cue utter disappointment when he picked Zak Ryder, although I wouldn't have wanted to see Bourne squashed in seconds like Ryder was. Bourne would have been a good choice if Sheamus had stuck to his word and granted his opponent a title opportunity at Night of Champions, as Bourne could've been the Rey Mysterio-type underdog who Sheamus under-estimates.

Ah well, wishful thinking....

This is now two weeks in a row where Raw has been a show dominated by in ring action and matches. The storylines were mainly built around the titles and matches...I wonder if this is a new style for Raw? Less of the cheesy and awful storylines and more of a focus on the actual matches.

Did you notice that Skip Sheffield appeared to be walking fine when he walked on stage during The Nexus' brief appearance???

RESPONSE FROM KE: Yes because Raw was taped last Monday before he was injured.

Kevin, did you notice that Michael Cole was incorporating more of a heelish tone on Monday night? I know that he's been critical of Daniel Bryan all along, but he was slipping in negative remarks about other babyfaces as well, like complaining about/mocking R-Truth's "What's Up?". Considering that Lawler abandoned any heel tendencies long ago, I think it would be interesting for WWE to completely turn Cole as long as they don't go overboard. Your thoughts?

RESPONSE FROM KE: I think Cole is headed that way. I think he's doing well in the role.

Kevin - was Monday night's show taped before Skip Sheffield broke his ankle. He walked out with Nexxus and didn't appear to have any problems.

RESPONSE FROM KE: Yes. They did two Raws last Monday.

Raw just isn't the same when its not live.

Why is the GM a laptop? Why can't they just have someone do it full time like Eric Bischoff did?
I totally agreed with Michael Cole about R Truth. The what's up rap is getting old. I like R Truth the wrestler, dont get me wrong.
I hate to say it, but its time for Santino to go.
And I keep hoping for Kozlov to get a push but that looks like that will never happen.

Night of Champions, I see Cena winning the match "to beat the odds", to have the Miz cash in and steal the title from him.

I am also predicting that the Miz will lose his US title to Bryan on the same night. Since all the titles are "supposed" to be on the line

John Cena is still dha best!!!
Randy Orton is ok but John Cena is tha BOMB!!!!! :)

I think the follow up on the nexus angle was horrable. I like the spot at the end of the show and I liked the build up through the whole show toward the end. What is up with THD? Do they not have to defend the titles anymore, send them to smackdown where there is more tag team action going on. What value doe Khali have to the WWE. I dont understad why he is taking a roster spot from someone who can make more of an impact... ugh I miss the good old days

What happened to orton not getting anymore title shots against Sheamus after summerslam?

RESPONSE FROM KE: The stipulation was that he wouldn't get any more title shots if he lost. He won by DQ.

I noticed Skip Sheffield was there with Nexus. I guess his injury wasn't as bad as reported or he will be in the background until he heals. Maybe I missed it, but I don't recall Miz defending his title in awhile. I don't even think they have any contenders wanting to challenge him for the title. I'm interested in seeing if they're going to let him have 2 titles or not.

Kevin,
You OK with Wade Barrett cashing in his NXT "earned" title shot, then having it turned into a 6-pack challenge?

A MiTB winner wouldn't cash in his briefcase, then have it changed to a Triple Threat match. Barrett should get a one-on-one shot.

I only have one comment this week. The nexus storyline is more then likely about to play out, before it's time unfortunately. With Skip Shefield injured they have lost one of the two cogs that hold that group together as a truly effective threat. The Nexus only had three members who were any good on the mic and four with decent in ring ability. Shefields injury and subsequent lose of TV time reduces both numbers by one. Unless one of the other two good ring performers, Slater or Gabrial, step up in mic skills or Otunga improves dramatically in the ring, the Nexus is going to rapidly deteriorate. Just my opinion, would like to know what you think Kev.

For the life of me, I can't understand what people see in the heel Michael Cole. He is the primary reason why I am not watching much Raw these days.

This how i see WWE championship picture John Cena wins the 6 pack Miz cashes in MITB then Randy Orton wins the the title at Survivor Series .

The blowdart kiss Tamina blew was made even more hilarious by Santina getting "hit" by it. That was by far the best receipt of a kiss I have ever seen.

Kev,

So have you officially turned your "mark" affection over to RKO now that HBK is retired? Sure seems that way. Not that I'm hating on him, but you def seem to have a man-love affair with the Viper. I didn't get to the MCW show that pitted you vs. Schmuck, but I did watch the video, and noticed that you stalked Pete with the mat pounding just like Randy. Just don't let it get away from you like you did with Shawn, k?! You write an awesome blog keep it up!

When Sheamus was making his announcement about giving an opportunity to someone new Zack Ryder was the first person to pop in my head....to bad they buried him completely he's better then what he gets credit for.

As for the tag team division - I don't think there is a clear number one contender now that the Uso's are jobbing to Santino/Kozlov...I think they should have a mini tournament to determine who should be next in line to face THD who haven't lost since before Wrestlemania
(excluding 3-3 matches)

There appeared to be a number of unfortunate bait and switches in this show. Barrett was promised a title shot on a PPV and that is how NXT was spun out as a show. Now it is essentially a Royal Rumble type set up with him as one of *six* competitors. Seems like they don't trust him in the ring or are placating the veterans who were waiting for such a shot themselves.

The NXT angle seems to be running its course. Throwing Young out, when combined with Sheffield's injury, really leaves little left to work with.

The Sheamus - Ryder match was a travesty. A rerun of the old SD Jones - Bundy WM match. No one wants to see that stuff. It does nothing for the winner and permanently tarnishes the loser. Ryder actually had some potential in that tag team with Hawkins. Sobering booking.

Finally, why was Cena programmed into this six way match? He lost his bout.

The WWE just can't stop force feeding us the same four or five guys in the top slots. It must be frustrating for the others.

smh don't listen to mike, and how did it get away from him to where it might affect his writitng or judgement? Seems no one can be a fan of hbk without being a mark (that display isn't only on here btw) but anyone can be fan of anyone else though, smh

"The final move of the segment was Orton’s RKO on Cena, perhaps symbolic of an imminent changing of the guard."

I usually agree with you Kevin but not this time. You know Vince McMahon is strongly opposed to turning Cena heel since Cena's the top money maker in terms of merchandise. I would love to see Cena turn heel it would be great for his character. He's been a face for too loooong.

Kevin,
Really enjoy the job you do here.I have a question.Do you think the Nexus storyline would have been furthered,if they had been the ones to take out the Undertaker.I never saw anyone guess them,but i feel it would have opened up an entirely new and interesting story and feud.I know it's crossbrand,but... Any thoughts??
richard

So, not to bash Orton's work lately, but is the RKO supposed to be the new Sweet Chin Music? That RKO Morrison ate was vaguely familiar to what happened to Shelton Benjamin in the match against Michaels.

I personally never saw what was so devastating about the RKO anyway. The face is cushioned on the bicep. Sorry, but it is.

Kev listen to yourself of course Orton is getting over more than Cena is Hogan reincarnated and a afew years it gets old where as Orton is more like Austin and is closer to be more realistic. I think when i was younger Iliked hogan until I got to be a teenager and then his act became stale unlike Austin who was the embodiment of what everybody wanted to do their boss.

"I keep hoping for Kozlov to get a push but that looks like that will never happen.

Posted by: Peter"

He was pretty much pushed to the moon right after he debuted. If I remember correctly, he cleanly pinned both HHH and the Undertaker. But he had no heat at all other than the "go away" kind, so his role was severely reduced.

I had to laugh when Sheamus was calling
the little kids fella and the first one was a
little girl. To many pints.

So Ryder was good enough to retire Tommy Dreamer but he wasn't good enough to last 5 seconds with Sheamus? That pretty much ruined what little momentum he had on the RAW brand. Woo Woo Woo, you know it !

Serious question. What is the OFFICIAL shortest losing time for a title match with a pinfall. The kick has to be quick, but was it the fastest ever???

well randy orton defeated ted dibiase, jr on raw on july 6, 2009 and randy orton defeated ted dibiase, jr. on raw on october 19, 2009.