WWE Raw Hitlist: C.M. Punk wins the World Hvt. Title, Edge, JBL, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston, Jim Ross

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WWE Raw Hits

C.M. Punk wins the World Hvt. Title: I'm all for anything that shakes up the tired Raw format and puts some fresh faces in the main event mix. At first, I was just happy to see Punk get the win even though he wasn't put over strong. Then it started to bother me that he won the belt in such a fluky manner. Next, I was just hoping that he would hold onto the title throughout the show. By the time the show ended, I had a new appreciation for the entire angle.

The direction they chose didn't make Punk look strong. However, I think that's the point and it's not because they're afraid to push him. Rather, they've positioned him as a vulnerable champion who fans will tune in and pay to see defend the title because they're not sure whether he's going to keep it. If WWE plays this right and doesn't take the title belt away from Punk too soon and they let him win some big matches clean, he will eventually gain respect and credibility with viewers.

Edge: They lobbed Edge an easy pitch right down the heart of the plate by having him interrupt Jim Ross during his farewell address in his hometown. Edge didn't just hit the ball out of the park, he hit one of those 1998, jacked up Mark McGwire moon shots that sailed out of the entire park. Great mic work by Edge. I would have been satisfied if they had cut to break there, but instead they gave us Batista's attack and the big title change.

Jim Ross: A classy farewell speech in which he did his best to put over Michael Cole even though the live crowd didn't want to hear it. The line about Vince McMahon being a Longhorns fan was clever, and sneaking in a plug for the BarBQ business was well done. I would give kudos to Vince for letting Ross deliver the farewell address, but it seemed like more of a necessity than a kind gesture given the market they were in.

JBL: A strong night on the mic for JBL. He set up his match with Punk very well by bullying his way into the match against the young, naive champion. This was excellent use of his character. I'm not a big fan of his new security group hanging around long-term (maybe I'm just having flashbacks to TNA's Red Shirt Security), but it worked this week. By the way, here's hoping Cryme Tyme ditch most of the comedy and become more serious.

WWE Raw Misses

Lack of Wrestling: More than one industry source I spoke with last week questioned whether WWE head writer Brian Gewirtz would write to the strength of the roster he received in the draft or make them play to his strengths. I think the book is still out on this one, but I was disappointed by the lack of in-ring action. Granted, there were some brawls at ringside and even in the ring, but I hope this doesn't become the norm. I'm cool with it if the idea was to position the players on this show. I want more wrestling on Raw, though.

Kofi Kingston vs. Chris Jericho: Who came up with that finish? Seriously, since when does a referee disqualify a wrestler for holding his opponent's trunks? This match did nothing for Kofi. This is exactly the type of fluke booking that will prevent Punk from getting over if it happens to him too often. As far as Kofi goes, the fans have no reason to take him seriously even though is the new Intercontinental Champion. By the way, Jericho was great on the stick again this week.