WWE Unforgiven Hits

Chris Jericho wins the World Hvt. Championship: A pleasant surprise that I didn't see coming. I'm disappointed that the company took the strap off C.M. Punk without giving him a legitimate chance to succeed, but this was a nice consolation prize. One of the problems with Punk is that he didn't have any credible heels to work with because Jericho was feuding with HBK, and Orton was on the shelf with an injury. Meanwhile, Jericho has readymade programs with Punk (who never actually lost his title), Batista, Rey Mysterio, and Shawn Michaels.

Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho: The match was everything it should have been with HBK beating the hell out of Jericho for everything he's put him through and the lack of remorse he showed for striking his wife. An excellent brawl that captured the intensity of their program.

Triple H wins the Smackdown Championship Scramble: This would have been a lousy spot for Jeff Hardy to capture his first WWE Title. He didn't have any momentum coming into the match and WWE should build to that moment. The Smackdown version of the Championship Scramble was the best of the three gimmick matches. It was fun to see guys like MVP, The Brian Kendrick, and Shelton Benjamin get a rare moment in the spotlight.

Randy Orton: It looks like WWE is finally following through with their plan of having Orton lead a faction of fellow second (and third) generation wrestlers. Orton added something to Raw last week and he made a big impact on the pay-per-view.

WWE Unforgiven Misses

Championship Scramble concept: I'm not a fan. Too much commotion and too many meaningless pinfalls that the live crowd didn't take seriously. I'd rather see this idea tossed on the scrap heap than turned into a concept they bring back on an annual basis.

Raw version of the Championship Scramble: This was the worst of the three scramble matches. Part of the problem is that no one takes JBL or Kane as legitimate threats to the title. The action was slow paced and the big question of whether C.M. Punk would wrestle or be replaced made the live crowd sit around and wait for the answer.

MVP: He didn't get a big spot in the match and he took the deciding pinfall. I realize the guy has some heat with management, but they need to put it aside and give this guy the push he deserves. He's one of the company's better workers and there's so much they could with his character.

Manu: Afa Jr.'s look didn't impress me. He looked like a discount version of Umaga and he didn't fit in well with Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Ted DiBiase. Of course, it was only his first night in, so I'll give the guy a chance before I come down too hard on him.

READ OUR INSIDER NEWS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE! BECOME A MEMBER AT OUR CHARTER RATE OF JUST $5 A MONTH - GET THE FIRST LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DOT NET NEWS, TONS OF EXCLUSIVE AUDIO CONTENT, MEMBER MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, START YOUR OWN BLOG, AD-FREE MAIN LISTING: SIGN ME UP (or MORE INFO)

GOT AN IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH? THEN BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW FREE iPhone APP: (click here!)
(or SEARCH "pro wrestling" in iTunes App Store)

FOR MORE BREAKING WWE & TNA NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE PWTORCH.COM (click here!)

FOR MORE MMA & UFC NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE MMATORCH.COM (click here!)