Today’s Rundown: Lilian Garcia, Cedric the Entertainer, John Cena and Randy Orton sign their contract, DX promo, Triple H vs. Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger, Jerry Lawler’s memory, Evan Bourne vs. The Miz

Lilian Garcia says goodbye to WWE: I will buy this all the way around in terms of how it was handled. It was very classy of WWE to mention Lilian’s departure from the company and allow her to give a farewell address. Lilian’s speech was the best thing about Monday’s show. I know Lilian is not Ric Flair, or an active competitor, but when someone has the opportunity to speak from the heart and show genuine emotion, I like it. Lilian will be missed and I wish her the best in her life going forward.

Cedric the Entertainer as the host of Raw: I am actually going to buy this even though the show itself was not very good. Sure, that opening limousine segment was dreadfully long. A good friend of mine stopped by the house for a little while and he even mentioned how long the segment lasted. Cedric was solid on the mic and although the material he had to work with was suspect, I thought he personally did a very good job.

John Cena and Randy Orton contract signing: I am selling and if it wasn’t for the United States Championship match, this would have been the worst segment on the show. Does Cena take anything seriously anymore? Everything is a freaking joke to him. Even Cena said it and apparently he didn’t care, but Orton tortured him at Breaking Point. Tortured. Cena’s promos are so hokey and bland, even when he tries to turn it up a notch in intensity. I was never a Hulk Hogan fan, but I never cringed at one of his promos when I was a kid. Of course, I grew up really fast, so maybe the kids love everything Cena does.

DX promo on Raw: I’ll buy this. The “Me” portions of the promo were fun reminders of past DX days and overall, they said what they needed to say. Mentioning past Hell in a Cell history in a feud of old vs. new is effective. Neither man did the “I’m too angry and my head is about to explode” bit, but they had the perfect amount of intensity in their voices. Solid work by both men.

Triple H vs. Cody Rhodes: I’ll buy this as well. Last week, Ted DiBiase faced Shawn Michaels in a one-on-one match and DiBiase dominated much of the bout. When the disqualification finish happened, Michaels was on the verge of winning the match. This week, Jason argued that Hunter was about to win the match, but I didn’t see it that way. He was attempting a Pedigree, but that move gets countered a lot. I think Rhodes, who dominated this match, would have countered Hunter’s finisher. Also, the double team attack seemed like a cerebral (some pun intended) plan, as opposed to last week when Cody got Ted DQed because he was about to lose.

Jack Swagger doesn’t want to win the United States Championship: I am selling this. Sell sell sell. This segment marked a lot of what is wrong with this show and illogical wrestling shows. Swagger had a one-on-one match with a man he has defeated for the United States Title. Miz came out and grabbed the belt. Whoopidy freaking doo. Swagger attacked Miz and took the belt. He decided that was enough for him and he left. Swagger gave up his one-on-one opportunity to be booked into a three way at the PPV. Also, nobody announced anything. Why do (how can) matches end without an actual finish? This is something that has frustrated me for some time now, but this was ridiculous.

Jerry Lawler forgets the Milan Miracle: Cedric the Entertainer momentarily forgot Randy Orton’s surname, but he did refer to the Milan Miracle when introducing Santino Marella. Jerry “Not only do I not watch Smackdown, I forget Raw as soon as it goes off the air” Lawler exclaimed loudly, “The Milan Miracle?” Cole quietly replied, “The Milan Miracle.” I’m guessing Vince blew a gasket and they tried to cover it up quietly. It’s one thing to forget an undercard match at Backlash 2003, but come on, certain things have to stick in your memory.

Evan Bourne vs. The Miz: I’ll buy this and since I was not a fan of the main event, I thought this was the in ring highlight of the show. However, I was extremely disappointed to see Bourne defeated in a way that made it obvious that he is a step below the United States Championship picture. I wish WWE would book Bourne, and other smaller wrestlers, like the original ECW (or ROH) did (does). When Bourne defeated Jack Swagger several weeks ago, it was treated as a fluke. In the original ECW or ROH, the wrestlers getting a push get pushed. When someone wins a match, it is treated as a big deal, but not a fluke. I like that Miz is getting pushed. I don’t like that Bourne does not seem to be because he should be right there.

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