WWE Raw Hitlist: Triple H vs. Randy Orton, William Regal, Mr. Kennedy, The Highlight Reel

WWE Raw Hits

Triple H vs. Randy Orton: I enjoyed the match until William Regal pulled the plug. I'm not going to give that decision a Hit or a Miss. I didn't mind it and there were plenty of people who felt like I did based on the current Dot Net poll and the feedback I've been getting. Of course, there were also a number of people who hated the conclusion of Raw with a passion so there's no way I can give it a thumbs up.

In case you're wondering, I hated the conclusion to "The Sopranos," yet I didn't have a problem with Monday's Raw. I guess the difference is that one ending wrapped up an entire series and the other closed out just another episode of Raw. David Chase's finish felt like a copout, whereas Regal's felt like a one-week publicity stunt.

It doesn't really compare to NBC's infamous "Heidi" game (the network cut away from a Raiders vs. Jets NFL game to show the movie Heidi back in 1968) because it's not like viewers missed out on anything given that Regal called off the match in the arena. As I wrote last night, I'd be more ticked off if I had paid money to see the show in person and wasn't watching for free on television.

William Regal: I was worried that we were going to get the typical Wrestling King act from Regal complete with the crown and cape. Rather, he seems to be more serious than ever. His no nonsense approach to Mr. Kennedy was great. And I loved the way he was speaking so calmly to the director in the production truck before he finally snapped. You don't have to like the way they had his character end the show to appreciate the great performance Regal delivered on Raw last night.

WWE Raw Misses

The Highlight Reel: I didn't mind that I knew exactly where the segment was going the moment Chris Jericho was shown walking around the backstage area wearing a tux. The problem I had with the segment was that it was boring and received very little reaction from the otherwise hot live crowd. I chuckled over the footage they showed of "Fuji General," but the live crowd's lack of reaction suggested that most people had no idea what was going on. The extended Heidenreich footage was creepy in a Hulk Hogan rubbing Brooke down with suntan lotion strange way (visit OliverRoss.com and thank Jagger K. for point it out). It just felt like there was more clowning around than anything during this segment.

Mr. Kennedy: A good fight with Regal, but there has to be something more to Kennedy than just saying his name. He came up with that gimmick a long time ago and it's served him very well. Now it's time for the creative team to step up. They've done nothing to help his character beyond the name gimmick. And I'm not sure whose idea it was to dresss him up in the Rock-like warmup gear, but I'm not digging it.

Short Matches: The first five matches on the show combined or about 11 minutes and 30 seconds of in-ring action. The first five matches on the show mean nothing because they came and went so quickly. The JBL squash was the right length and I guess I didn't need to see more of Paul Burchill and Katie Lea squashing Super Crazy in the handicap match, but I wish the Paul London and Brian Kendrick vs. Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch match would have lasted longer than Murdoch's tribute to Garth Brooks.

Overall show: We had a wrestler stand on top of the announcers' table and sing a Garth Brooks song, yet that wasn't even the oddest moment of the show. Think about that for a minute. We saw Fuji General, Heidenrape, a wrestler serenading another wrestler with a country music song, and the show went off their air during the middle of a main event match. I'm not saying it was all bad, but it was definitely a strange night.