Schiavone Resurfaces, Heyman Comments On Lastest Run, Other News

-This is quite possibly the biggest interview in the history of our sport.

Arda Ocal (@arda_ocal) of The Score Television Network and the Baltimore Sun spoke with Tony Schiavone (@tonyschiavone24). Highlights:

• His thoughts on the infamous moment where he spoiled Mankind’s championship victory on Nitro and fans switched to watch it on Raw. “I would have turned the channel.” Also, he talked about the moral battle he had with spoiling the competitors results on live TV.
• The recent run-in he had with CM Punk at his radio station.
• His career highlight calling his first match at Madison Square Garden with Lord Alfred Hayes.
• Why he decided to move on from Pro Wrestling after the sale of WCW. “Now’s the chance to get out of it. Why don’t I take it.”

Here's the a link to the interview:(Credit for story goes to SEScoops.com)

Now For Some Classic Schiavone Moments, just for fun. The first one comes from a worked shoot done during one of his few appearances in TNA:

He had the balls to call the nWo "Losers" as well...

Epicness from the night after Souled Out 1999...



And, aw... what the heck: Here's a shoot from WCW's Jim Ross from the final episode of Nitro.



-Paul Heyman recently spoke to Fighting Spirit Magazine and talked about having an “absolute blast” with his current WWE run and the the differences between managing Brock Lesnar and CM Punk stating. Here’s what Heyman said about:

His Current WWE Run: “I’m having an absolute blast, it’s the best of all circumstances. … Because I’m working with people I absolutely adore working with. I originally came back to work with Brock Lesnar and I couldn’t think of a better scenario to come back to WWE (than) with Brock. Then, after Summerslam when Brock went away, I was going away, too, and then came the opportunity to work with C.M. Punk.”

The Differences Between Lesnar & Punk:“With Brock, I did all the talking and I advocated the position and then he backed it up in the ring. With Punk, it would not make any sense for me to do all the talking. I should do very little talking. ‘Ladies and gentleman, my name is Paul Heyman and I’m here to represent the WWE champion C.M. Punk,’ and then boom. That’s all I should really every say. So, it’s a Meyer Lansky-type of position more so than the guy that [is] up front completely delivering the message for — by way of example — Brock Lesnar.”

-And finally, I bring to you.... a press release.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. : WrestleMania® 29 Tickets on Sale Saturday, November 10

WWE® (NYSE: WWE) announced today that tickets for its annual pop-culture extravaganza, WrestleMania 29, will go on sale Saturday, November 10 at 10 AM ET. WrestleMania 29 will take place Sunday, April 7, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

Ticket prices range from $35 – $850. There will also be a limited number of “Gold Circle” VIP Packages available for $2,000. The Gold Circle packages include seating in the first four rows ringside, an exclusive Gold Circle VIP Stadium Entrance, a collectible WrestleMania 29 ticket holder and the commemorative WrestleMania 29 take-home folding chair. Tickets can be purchased through all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. All tickets are subject to service charges and facility fees. Starting Monday, November 12th at 11 AM ET, tickets will also be available at the MetLife Stadium and IZOD Center box offices.

WrestleMania is more than just a one day event; it is a week-long celebration. WWE will take over the greater New York/New Jersey area during WrestleMania Week. In addition to WrestleMania 29, other activities will include: WrestleMania Axxess – WWE’s four-day, interactive fan festival at the IZOD Center; WrestleMania Reading Challenge Finals; the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Madison Square Garden and other activities designed to give back to the host community including Be a STAR rallies in support of WWE’s anti-bullying initiative and hospital visits. Additional information on these events will be announced in the future at www.wrestlemania.com.

Last year, WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami set multiple records. The event became Sun Life Stadium’s largest attended event and highest-grossing, entertainment event in history with 78,363 fans from all 50 states and 36 countries in attendance. WrestleMania XXVIII also became WWE’s highest-grossing, live event in history, with a gross of $8.9 million. In addition, the event generated a record-breaking $102.7 million in economic impact for the city of Miami and Miami-Dade County.

- Plans could change but as of this weekend, the only match scheduled to take place inside the Cell at WWE's Hell In a Cell pay-per-view is Ryback vs. CM Punk for the WWE Title.

Also....

- Reports from the Ryback vs. CM Punk matches at live events note that they are getting better each night. Ryback is said to be listening to everything Punk says as far as making the match goes. At last night's show in Hartford, both Superstars were evenly matched and Ryback actually controlled a good part of the match.
And I apoligize for not reviewing last week's Impact, but I did watch it, and I say it was a rather good show.

Bound For Glory Recap & Thoughts

This past Sunday, October 14th, TNA presented it's eighth annual Bound For Glory event. I wasn't able to watch the event personally, but here's a full recap of TNA's version of WrestleMania, directly from impactwrestling.com!

Bound for Glory 2012 began with raucous entrances from both Rob Van Dam and TNA X Division Champion Zema Ion, but the champ was quickly thrown from the ring by a series of high kicks from RVD. Zema Ion then unleashed a DDT that RVD will still be feeling in the morning. The X Division lived up to its name as the crowd chanted “TNA,” with Ion flying over the top of the ring to knock RVD into the front row. Back in the ring, the two competitors exchanged headlocks while RVD tried to rally support. After an incredible flying dropkick, followed by a Rolling Thunder and Five star frog splash, RVD captured the TNA X Division Championship.

Reigning TNA Television Champion Samoa Joe brought his patented focus to the Bound for Glory stage against title challenger and former tag team partner Magnus. After sizing each other up, Samoa Joe landed the first real shot with a spinning high kick to Magnus’ jaw. Magnus countered with a jumping high knee and a running elbow, but could only secure a two-count. Magnus was in control after multiple body slams, but the “Samoan Submission Machine” regained momentum with a painful ankle lock. Magnus narrowly escaped the submission hold, but later tried to put Samoa Joe in a “Figure Four” hold, which Joe countered with a rear naked choke in the middle of the ring. Seconds later, Magnus had no choice but to tap out instead of passing out.

The biggest grudge match in TNA history certainly lived up to the hype; so much so that a special enforcer referee had to be brought in to keep the crowd safe and the superstars in check. You already know the match: former Beer Money tag team partners Bobby Roode and James Storm squared off on the biggest stage in a fight over a year in the making. As expected, the street fight match didn’t stay in the ring very long until the mayhem spilled out onto the arena floor. The “Cowboy” tried to line up an “Eye of the Storm” with the announcing booth as the landing zone, but Roode escaped and proceeded to beat Storm senseless with a chair until blood poured into his eyes. This “No Disqualifications” match bordered on the insane as both superstars exchanged brutal shots to the head with trash can lids, elbows, and even a TNA fan’s crutch. The violent mayhem climaxed with a “Last Call Superkick” from Storm that left Roode reeling in a pile of tacks that he had sprinkled onto the ring surface moments earlier. Beer in hand, Storm basked in the glory of a much-deserved victory, but not before delivering one last beer bottle to the head of Roode.

Former “Gut Check” hopeful Joey Ryan finally got his shot to prove himself on TNA’s biggest stage, but he had to face an angry TNA Talent Executive Al Snow, who was fed up with Ryan’s antics. Snow certainly knows his way around the ring, which was evident by his old-school wrestling technique and poise even when Ryan went on the offensive. Snow thought the match was over after a massive pile driver and cover up, but Ryan showed some guts by kicking out and high-kicking the wily veteran. Ryan tried to kick slide Al Snow under the ropes, but Snow pulled out the ring curtain and trapped Ryan against the side of the bottom rope. With the match seemingly over, Al Snow was blindsided by Matt Morgan, who served up the executive to Joey Ryan for an easy pin and TNA contract.

TNA World Tag Team Champions Christopher Daniels and Kazarian faced challengers Chavo Guerrero, Jr., Hernandez, Kurt Angle and AJ Styles in a three team, six men “Triple Threat Match” with the title on the line. The taunting was in full swing before the entrance music even ended, but naturally the tag team champs immediately stepped out of the ring once the bell sounded to let their challengers mix it up. Guerrero and Styles kicked off the action with matching throws and multiple flying kicks. Hernandez effortlessly lifted Kazarian off the ground and dropped him on his shoulder, but partner Christopher Daniels came to his rescue. All the while Kurt Angle waited patiently, until finally getting tapped in by a beaten Styles. Angle unleashed slam after slam, even whipping out an ankle lock, until the massive match began spilling out into the crowd. Styles appeared to be squaring up an aerial shot on Guerrero, but diverted his course midair to take out both Daniels and Hernandez fighting ringside. Back in the ring, Guerrero tried to pull off a “Three Amigos,” but was thwarted by Angle. A perfectly timed “Moonsault” by Daniels left Styles reeling, but Hernandez and Guerrero refused to let the match get away. Hernandez picked up Daniels and threw him across the ring like a soccer ball, and then Guerrero finished the job with a frog splash from the top rope and pin to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship.

TNA Knockout Champion Miss Tessmacher took on her former best friend and mentor Tara with the title on the line. After a quick stare down, Tessmacher unleashed a flurry of rolls and spins that she learned from Tara herself. Knockout referee Taryn Terrell tried to keep the match clean and fair, but with a title on the line, neither competitor was above a little hair pulling. Tessmacher showed off her aerial skills with a DDT and a flying kick from the top ropes; but she tried one too many high-risk moves. After a missed elbow from the corner, Tessmacher fell victim to Tara’s signature “Widow’s Peak.” Totally immobilized, Tessmacher could only lie there while her mentor and former friend Tara covered up to win the TNA Knockout Championship.

After months of underhanded tactics and unchecked mayhem in the IMPACT Zone, the dreaded Aces and 8s motorcycle gang finally stepped into the ring against two of TNA’s toughest superstars, the “Icon” Sting and Bully Ray. Just one day removed from his induction into the TNA Hall of Fame, Sting brought the crowd to its feet before the “No Disqualifications Match.” Sporting a painted face inspired by one of Sting’s past incarnations, Bully Ray wasted no time grabbing a piece of broken table from a previous match to use as a weapon against the gangsters. The attorney Joseph Park looked on helplessly from the sidelines, handcuffed to the iron crowd barrier. The Aces and 8s were more skilled inside the ring than expected, and were certainly not afraid to do whatever it takes to win. Bully Ray nearly ended the match with a chair shot, but a third member of Aces and 8s decided to crash the party. The lawyer Joseph Park had had enough: he ripped his handcuffs off and beat the rogue gangster out of the ring. With the match once again at even strength, Bully Ray held a gangster atop his shoulders while Sting flew from the top rope for an incredible slam. The TNA superstars proceeded to pull out a table as the final blow, but yet another Aces and 8s member surfaced to thwart their plans. Outnumbered again, Bully Ray found himself on the wrong end of that table slam, leading to a surprise pin by the gangsters. But the action was far from over: Hulk Hogan emerged a man possessed, fighting off gangsters left and right in a last-ditch effort to take control of the IMPACT Zone. In the evening’s most shocking revelation, Hogan ripped off the final gangster’s mask to reveal Bully Ray’s former tag team partner Devon was behind the Aces and 8s all along!

Bound for Glory 2012 had already brought an unforgettable evening of action to TNA fans everywhere before the main event, but World Heavyweight Champion Austin Aries and Jeff Hardy redefined what championship wrestling could be. As winner of the second annual Bound for Glory Series, Hardy earned a title shot, but Aries would not go quietly and certainly showed no fear against the TNA veteran. Aries landed and two leg drop kick that may have knocked Hardy’s front teeth into his own throat. As Hardy’s signature face paint began to run down his face, the “Greatest Man that Ever Lived” Aries lounged peacefully on the top ropes, mocking the “Charismatic Enigma.” Two missed aerial assaults from Hardy left him vulnerable to a “Backbreaker” from Aries. The crowd reached fever pitch as half the arena chanted “Let’s go Aries” while the other half cheered for Hardy. Aries tried a corkscrew from the side ropes but missed. Hardy countered with one of Aries’ favorite moves, the “Brainbuster,” but it wasn’t enough to put away the champ for good. After endless slams and counters, the match bled out into the crowd, with Aries taking not one but two suicide dives through the ropes into Hardy as referee Brian Hebner counted. Bruised and beaten, Hardy took another series of shots on the entrance ramp, culminating with a painful shot to the back of the head. Despite receiving a “Twist of Fate,” Aries pulled off what had to be the move of the entire night: a corkscrew ankle grab to Hardy’s neck, ending with a throw from the corner rope. Totally immobilized, Hardy felt the pain of yet another “Brainbuster,” but somehow managed to kick out of the pin. Hardy ripped off his shirt and pumped up the crowd, setting up a spectacular “Twist of Fate” that Aries couldn’t come back from. Three seconds later, Jeff Hardy had completed his road to redemption, taking the ultimate prize on the ultimate stage. Congratulations Jeff Hardy, on your TNA World Heavyweight Championship victory at Bound for Glory!

Talking Points:

IT WAS DEVON! IT WAS DEVON ALL ALONG!

As expected, Aces & Eights won their No-DQ tag match between Bully Ray & Sting with help from one of their masked members.

What was not expected, however, was what happened after the bell. Hulk Hogan & Joesph Park(*Cough*ABYSS*Cough*) whooped some ass, but Hulk unmasked the Aces & Eights member who screwed them over... and it was shockingly Bully's former tag-team partner, Devon, who legitimately left TNA 2 months ago.

Some might say that the reveal was a bit disappointing, but I disagree. I mean, it was actually logical, which is a rarity for TNA, & lets be honest: No one saw this coming. No one. Kudos to TNA for pulling off the massive swerve perfectly. Heck, they might have even turned Bully into a face with this, or at least a tweener.

Plus, the look on the Hulkster's face in the photo is absolutely priceless.

WHO'S ON THIRD? STORM & ROODE.

One of the most intense, personal feuds in not just only TNA, but perhaps all of professional wrestling history... and it's epic conclusion, which was hands-down the match of the night, was the third- yes, third- match of the evening.

Why this highly anticipated match was placed so early in the card, when it actually justifiably could have been the main-event of the evening, is puzzling.

Anyhow, just from reading the recap above, this match was awesome. King Mo did what he needed to do, but stayed out of the way for the most part, and that was a wise decision, allowing Roode & Storm, who have awesome chemistry.

Another thing of note, at least on a personal level, is that we got to see some announce table destruction, which is a rarity for TNA. In case you didn't know, I'm a big fan of Announce Table action. Haha.

HARDY FINISHES TREK TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN.

Let me start by saying that until Thursday's closing to Impact, I didn't care about this match at all. Until Aries' promo, I just wasn't interested in this match, despite the fact that it was supposed to be the top program heading into the event. But Aries' promo changed things and the match more than delivered, as Hardy walked out with his third TNA World Title.

Obviously, the belt was placed on Hardy to keep him happy so that he'll re-sign with the company in February, but Hardy deserves it after a year of getting back on track following his infamous Victory Road match in 2011. But Aries had a solid run as champ, and this feud isn't over in my opinion.

CONCLUSION:

I'm seriously considering get TNA's DVD of the event, and I've never, ever said that before about a TNA event.

This event was awesome, and one of, if not the best TNA PPV ever. It continues a banner year for the organization, and with awesome shows like this, TNA might very well become the #1 Wrestling Organization in the world.

This week's Impact Wrestling should be interesting, and I'll make sure to cover it.

Raw Review: Feed Ryback Punk!!!

Before I get started with this review, I would like to say that I'm sorry for not covering Impact Wrestling & especially Smackdown in recent weeks. A lot of stuff has been going on, and I'm trying my best to cover everything.

Now... onto RAW...

The term I'm using to describe the show this week is solid, but uninspiring. It wasn't near as good as last weeks episode, while it also wasn't anywhere near as awful as Raw from 2 weeks ago. It did it's job, but that's about it.

That being said, we do have two new matches scheduled for Hell In A Cell:

WWE Champion CM Punk will put his title on the line against his challenger, Ryback, in the 26th ever Hell In A Cell match in WWE history.

This one is interesting for many reasons.

WWE has a tough decision ahead of them.

If Punk loses, his long title reign ends, and quite honestly, I think now IS NOT the time for it to be over. It needs to end at Royal Rumble, against the Rock.

At the same time, if Ryback were to lose, his undefeated streak would end, and that could very well kill his good heat. It's a tough decision.

Another match happening is Randy Orton vs Alberto Del Rio, which should be entertaining.

Overall, this week's Raw was sort of a placeholder. Not great, not horrible. Oh, and Miz might have sustained a concussion. That screws up Main Event, now doesn't it?

Raw Review: Vinny Mac Is Back, And Returns To The Ring On A Show Featuring Larry King...

If you didn't read my Raw Review from last week, I'll sum it up for you: It was a poor, poor show.

This week, however, was an entirely different story.

This week's Raw was OUTSTANDING. Even with the controversy that arose in the last minute of the show, which I'll address later, this was a major improvement from previous weeks, and was without question the best 3-Hour episode since the 1,000th Episode in July.

The main event featured a match between WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon vs WWE Champion CM Punk, which was set up with the above promo earlier in the show.

And anyone who was expecting a dull, boring sham of a match... you were sadly mistaken.

Technically, the match never took place, but the brawl between the two was pretty awesome.

Say what you want about Vince McMahon, but, at age 68, he was fully willing to put his body on the line last night. And even though some of his punches were weak & didn't connect, you can't deny that last night, from a theatrical standpoint, Vince McMahon gave as good as he got.

Another thing... at the end of the show, Punk legitimately struck a fan after he got a little too close. While his actions were unprofessional, my take is that if the fan was too close and touching Punk too much, he was justified.

Also, a major reason behind the show's awesomeness might be the fact that there has been a major shake-up in the creative department. And Vince apparently was not happy backstage. From ProWrestling.com:

"As noted before, there was major heat backstage at last night's RAW and Brian Gewirtz has been dismissed from his duties writing RAW. Gewirtz will remain with the company as a consultant but there's talk that these changes may be the beginning of the end for Gewirtz and even SmackDown writer Ed Koskey. WWE keeping him as a consultant may be their way of working out what's left of his contract.

Gewirtz was actually dismissed on Friday but the word was kept quiet over the weekend. Gewirtz was not the RAW head writer but he had been writing both RAW and SmackDown from WWE headquarters in Stamford with the rest of the non-traveling creative team.

As noted, Eric Pankowski will be replacing Gewirtz. Pankowski has been with the company since February and it's said that Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon are very high on him.

There's expected to be a lot more changes within WWE soon. Most everyone is nervous and scared for their jobs.

We noted last night that Vince held a meeting before RAW and told the writers that he wants results or resignations. Vince added that those changes starts at the top with him. The situation was described as very scary."

Well, Angry Vince is back. I like Angry Vince. An Angry Vince makes for better television. Just my opinion.

In other news from Raw, Larry King shockingly made an appearance. And more shockingly? It turns he can actually cut a good promo. And his wife was awesome. Happy Birthday Miz! >:(

Also, I missed AJ, as she only appeared on the show once. And what is that black stuff on Cena's arm? The weirdest form of rehab I've ever seen...

Overall, awesome match-ups, awesome episode!

Remembering Badd Blood: In Your House... 15 Years Later

OK, so maybe I'm a day late on this, but who cares?

Yesterday was the 15th Anniversary of Badd Blood: In Your House, which emanated from the Kiel Center(now Scottrade Center) in my hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. I actually have a photo from the event, along with the tickets, but I wasn't able to scan them. But I have proof that I attended the event. Maybe it's because I love when WWE comes to town, but regardless, I thought this event was one of the most important in WWE history.

Apparently, WWE thinks so too.

Yesterday, they published a 2 page article highlighting the event and it's importance.

Here's a excerpt:

"It may not have been on the grand stage of WrestleMania, or even during the blazing heat of SummerSlam, but 1997’s Badd Blood has become one of the most notable events in WWE history. It was a night of firsts in the ring — the very first Hell in a Cell Match and the very first sighting of Kane. While the event is mostly remembered for those occurrences, it was also the final pay-per-view to feature Mr. McMahon as a regular member of the broadcast team. Badd Blood’s lineup featured several bouts that were very representative of the early stages of the Attitude Era. The evening was a decoupage of tag team contests, title matches and highly unique battles. Badd Blood was a relic, an event of days gone by."

I'm very happy that WWE wrote this article. This is event had it all, and I am proud to say that I was there!

Impact Review: King Mo Debuts; Aces & 8's Attack To End Another Solid Show

Whereas Raw this week was a mostly boring, uninspired show, this weeks Impact Wrestling was a solid show, both in & out of the squared circle. It wasn't the greatest Impact ever, but it was a good one.

We got a debut, good matches, and a surprise tag team match as well as the in-ring return of a legend signed for the Bound For Glory PPV in 9 days.

Let's go over the two new matches for BFG on October 14th in Phoenix, AZ:

-The two team members that will face 2 Aces & Eights members at Bound For Glory are Sting & Bully Ray. Honestly, even with the backstage promo between the two early in the show, I didn't think Bully would be chosen to be Sting's partner. Anderson was a good pick, but they took an interesting route with this, teaming the face Sting with the heel Ray. My call is that Ray screws Sting and gives the gang "full access" to the Impact Zone.

Another interesting match now signed is Joey Ryan vs Al Snow. I always thought Snow was an underrated performer. I not exactly sure what Snow's exact position is within TNA at the moment, but it's nice to see he's been given another program, this time with a rookie. I fully expect to see Snow put Ryan over, because it's only right. However, if they're is ever a rematch between these two after the event, I think Snow would win.

Another note of interest on the show was the debut of King Mo, an MMA fighter. He looked good, and the promo between Bobby Roode & James Storm right before that debut was another highlight of the show.

Overall, I enjoyed Impact Wrestling this week MUCH more than Raw. TNA seems to be back on track with producing excellent shows, and this is an exciting period of time to watch them.

Should RAW Go Back To 2 Hours?

News is coming out that last nights Raw was the lowest rated non-holiday episode in 15 years.

The overall rating is a 2.5. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that is not good.

That being said, could the "upgrade" to 3-Hour television be the reason. Many fans have noted that it has been a "test of endurance" to sit through most RAW's now.

And while this is purely incidental, since the move to 3 hours, we have seen multiple botches, a fire, and Jerry Lawler having a heart attack on live television.

Few shows have been truly interesting since the 1000th Episode. So, what do you think? Should RAW go back to being a 2 Hour show?

October 1st WWE Raw Review: Cena Absent For Boring RAW

Welcome to my first RAW review! Unfortunately, we start things out on a low note.

Only two things were good on a show that mostly came off as boring, bad, and awkward. Those two things will be discussed later. Lets get the worst things out of the way first.

The worst thing on the show was that horrid debate between World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and his opponent for Hell In A Cell, Big Show.

Granted, I thought this was going to suck when I first heard about it, but it was way worse than I expected. Here's a portion of the segment:

Both men tried, but it just wasn't any good, and they didn't make me want to see their match later this month in Atlanta. Sheamus is a good in-ring competitor, but I have never been a fan of his mic skills. I feel that as champion, he should be booked as a man of few words, and he should let his talent do the talking. Letting him have a lot of time on the mic is making his reign quickly become stale. I also felt Big Show was over-acting during this segment. Definitely the worst moment of the show this week, although Show's podium accidentally collapsing was pretty funny.

The best segment of the show once again involved WWE Champion CM Punk. While he got to have an epic promo with Mick Foley last week, this week, his promo was with legendary announcer Jim Ross, who was having an appreciation night in his home state of Oklahoma. Speaking of which, I just found this classic video on YouTube from 1999... his infamous RAW segment with Michael Cole where Cole got kicked in the family jewels. Ross was like the 1999 version of CM Punk during this time, coming back from his 2nd Bells Palsy Scare only to be rejected because of it. Hilarious stuff for those who don't like Cole, although the number of his haters probably dramatically decreased after the Jerry Lawler incident 3 weeks ago in Montreal.

Anyhow, where was I? Oh yeah, the segment. JR was starting a promo & Punk and Heyman interrupted. Punk said he respected Ross, which I liked, but then asked Ross to call him the Best In The World. Ross refused, and this led to an entertaining back-and-forth between the two, leading to Ross telling Punk that he would call him the Best In The World, but only if he faced John Cena(who never appeared on the show) at Hell In A Cell and won. Punk gave JR the same ultimatum he gave Cena last week, and since Ross is an announcer and/or didn't have a lead pipe, he started to walk up the ramp... when Ryback came out & led Ross back into the ring.

OK, I like Ryback, but I don't understand why he is involved with this issue at all. Like, it just seems they've stuck him in there to replace Cena for the time being, but he just doesn't fit. He should be chasing after Miz and his title... not CM Punk.

At least they did go through with a legit AP after the show ended, which was awesome.

More Raw Thoughts:

-Did anyone else notice how unbelievably over AJ Lee was? I mean, she obviously wasn't Attitude Era over, but she always got the biggest response of the night.

-I hope to never see her "Executive Coach" ever again. That sounded like a good idea, and it would've been if that person was, say, John Laurinatis, because he was an over heel who fans hated with a passion. I have no idea why they used this guy. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

-Excellent match between Damien Sandow & Sheamus, and a creative & exciting finish!

-No Cena tonight, as he's healing from his elbow surgery. I'm sure the kiddos in OKC were disappointed, because Cena never appeared on Raw from there this year at all(February 6th).

Let me know your thoughts! See you Friday!