I didn't notice the Batista spoof right away last night, but I did notice a big spoof in the John Cena speech. I haven't seen a reference to it on your site, but wasn't Cena's speech nothing more than a Tim Tebow knockoff? He didn't repeat it exactly, but they definitely were using that as their reference. I was curious to see if you or anyone else noticed that. He sounded just like Tebow after their loss last year to Ole Miss. Where is the originality?

The thought of Bret Hart hosting the January 4 show gave me chills and at first told me TNA had no chance, but the quality of Raw as a whole may be too much for even an event 12 years in the making to overcome.

Bradley R.

Powell responds: I didn't think too much about the Tebow comparison until I received the following email within seconds of reading Bradley's email.

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John Cena is the Tim Tebow of the WWE. The blue/orange gear, the apology for losing, it all fits... and a majority of college football fans are sick of Tim Tebow, because sports media can't get enough of his clean cut, nice guy image. Pushing John Cena down our throats all three hours of Raw like sports media's pushed Tebow at us for the past four years... it makes perfect sence why I've disliked Raw so much recently... it was Cena being Tebow!

-A.A. Norman
Tulsa, Okla.

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Since you mentioned in your feedback entry you liked positive and negative feedback I'll try to put on my best devil's advocate hat here and say that yes; what was weak on yesterday's Raw was incredibly weak. I wasn't familiar with Dennis Miller's work but I was tired of him within two minutes of on-screen time; I think already DX's 'antics' are taking away from the Tag Belts (I'm one of the few 'core' wrestling fans who finds them entertaining and I would have been amused by their hijinx with the referee if it weren't their first night with belts we're all afraid they won't respect), etc.

However, I felt the stuff that *was* strong on this show, was very strong. While I didn't appreciate the DX in-ring shenanigans, their Christmas shill piece had me laughing to tears; I understand the humble-but-unbowed-serious John Cena promos are an overused tool but I thought he did well with this one and am actually intrigued to see if he can and will keep his promise to go undefeated until reclaiming the title belt, or if this might be another opportunity to put younger talent over.

I'm looking at the DX tag title reign the same way, that at least whoever beats them for the belts eventually, which will happen, will be put over in a major way. Back from my digression though I also found Shawn Michaels' challenge of the Undertaker, Batista's impersonation of Kanye West, and the Bret Hart tease intriguing as well. What they didn't do was a whole lot of mediocre stuff; it was crap, or it was gold.

The Slammy Awards unfortunately aren't terribly conducive to wrestling-oriented programming and that's why I wish they used a Saturday Night's Main Event slot for them as opposed to a full on Monday Night Raw. So I don't disagree with you, but I don't want to lose in all the BS that some interesting seeds were sown for a few weeks, and as we always complain that WWE doesn't plan ahead or build to where they want to go, I think they got *that* right this week, barring baiting and switching along the way.

Sarah Daigen

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I'm sorry, I have been reading your site since the beginning, and I usually share your views. But I have been finding more, and more lately, that your views and the views of your readers (not to mention other writers) has grown extremely bitter.

I won't say that last nights show was 'a hit', but it was far better then most of you say it was. "Worst wrestling program in history!" Is what one of your readers wrote. I don't think your fans remember bad shows. I grew up in the '80s. Yes, I'm an old man at this point... But I remember a time when Damien frickin' Demento was headlining Raw, and the 1-2-3 Kid was the fresh new babyface. And now I am hearing that last nights show was the worst in history. Come on, guys!

WWE and wrestling as a whole is the only program around that people can watch then comeback with a "WTF?" and the next morning complain about. It seems TNA and WWE can't do anything right lately for most folks, and I don't get it. I'm not saying the show last night was the best of the year, or anything like it, but the bitter prevailing sentiment of you, your staff, and your readers, is sort of out of line.

WWE is clearly in the process of resetting the show. Building up some young guys, and adjusting the line up (if you think about it, the new guys now are some of the best in history, and there are more potential top guys in this batch then has ever been before.)
In the real world, sometimes a step backward helps bring about a bigger leap forward, and I'm sorry guys, but Vince knows what he is doing. If he didn't we have all wouldn't have been watching for years.

I will admit John Cena and Randy Orton are the most boring people on the planet, and ending a show with them in the final match does make my eyes close and drift off to sleep. The idea that Cena won't lose a match until he has the belt again, does give me the douche shivers, but worst in history or even of the year, I don't think so...

Consider this... when you can complain about a wrestling show that means life is pretty good. And in my opinion you guys should let things play out before you start jumping ship.

D.A. Beltolo

Powell responds: I labeled it the worst Raw of the year and I stand by that. I didn't think it was the worst show ever, but we're all entitled to our opinions. The overwhelming majority of the feedback I've received has been negative regarding last night's show. Meanwhile, I and many readers praised the TLC pay-per-view, so it's not like we're in hater mode. Likewise, I thought Thursday's Impact was awful, but I also praised their last pay-per-view event. I just call them as I see them.

I have also praised WWE for pushing Sheamus and Kofi Kingston repeatedly. Many of us have been begging for WWE to push fresh faces and they're finally doing that. I'm all for WWE "resetting" Raw as you described it, but I don't see how countless weak comedy skits, a lousy guest host, and throwaway matches (while finding approximately five minutes for the new WWE Champion) accomplishes that. Unless WWE officials acknowledge the flaws in last night's show and learn from them then I don't see how it can lead to a big leap forward. Well, unless you consider the announcement that Little People's Court will take place next week as a big step forward. Oh, and I like Damien frickin' Demento!

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