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WWE Raw Hits

Randy Orton, Ric Flair, and Batista: A strong angle to close the show. Sure, Orton missed Flair's head with the big kick, but it was still an effective angle that created even more tension between Orton and Batista heading into Sunday's pay-per-view. Of course, there is the question of why Batista didn't just climb the damn cage, but it was a strong angle for anyone who was able to suspend their disbelief.

MVP vs. Kofi Kingston: Very good near falls down the stretch and a clean finish at the end. The match was given plenty of time and it was one of the real highlights of the show. Here's hoping this frees up MVP to move into the main event mix, and that we'll get more from Kofi beyond the big smile. Their prematch verbal exchange was a good start for Kingston.

The Miz: I was puzzled by the decision to have Chavo Guerrero pin The Miz when this seemed like a great opportunity to have Big Show rough up Cena only to have Miz tag himself in just like Chavo did and score a pin on Cena. I guess they didn't want to pull attention away from the Cena vs. Show feud. The match was nothing special, but Miz delivered a strong promo before the match. He continues to be the most consistently entertaining act on Raw since they started enforcing the rules of the draft.

Batista vs. Cody Rhodes: I'm not a fan of Rhodes and Ted DiBiase losing repeatedly to the top stars, but this was a logical move by WWE. It made Batista look strong heading into the pay-per-view, and his staredown with Orton through the cage was good foreshadowing for the main event angle where the situation was reversed and Orton was the one taunting Batista while in the cage.

Overall show: No Stan Kroenke impersonators, no masturbatory moments from Vince McMahon, no NBA themed matches. WWE got back to the basics and delivered a solid show that sold some pay-per-views heading into Sunday.

WWE Raw Misses

MVP: The heel version of the MVP character had so much potential. There was so much that could have done with the character had they gone all out and made him the Terrell Owens of WWE. The babyface character also has promise because the guy has a great story about overcoming the odds after spending time in prison. Rather than tell that story, WWE sends him to a freaking prom with one of "The View" hens. Is it good exposure for WWE? Sure, but it also makes him look like a tool with the coveted male demographic.

Vickie Guerrero: What's up with the horrible witch laugh? And suddenly she snorts because there's a hog pen match on Sunday? She came to Raw with more heat than anyone in the company. All it took was a couple "excuse me" calls and the crowd was all over her. Since she moved to Raw, she's slowly moved away from heat generating angles and into a comedy program with Santino/Santina. The laugh seems forced and is more annoying than heat generating.

William Regal and Matt Hardy: That was an odd choice for a tag team. I'm cool with it if this was just a way to set up the four-way match that was added to the pay-per-view, but I'd rather see both wrestlers work singles programs. The Raw brand desperately needs top heels to emerge and Hardy should get every opportunity to step into such a role.

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