Tha Raw Report - Monday Night's Main Event!

WOW! It is a very rare occurence these days for "Raw" to provide a match as incredible as last night's main event was. Hats off to WWE for finally (seemingly) listening to its fans and providing us with what we've been begging for - wrestling!

Perhaps, taking a page out of the book of "SmackDown!" (or perhaps because someone in the office has been logging on to Tha O Show one too many times), "Raw" was stellar last night - thanks in no small part to the main event match between Shawn Michaels and John Cena.

Yep, I said it. I popped for a match involving that ever-loathed champion of the E, John Cena.

Now O-sters, don't go jumping to conclusions or anything. Before any of you assume that I have resigned from my position as President of the Worldwide Cena Hate Club, there was a lot left to be desired about the champ's performance last night.

So here goes...

1) Cena's "I have a lot of respect for you" promo was lame, predictable and a simple cover-up for the fact that JUST like in Canada, the States and Italy...Cena gets booed in England too.

2) HBK worked Cena's left arm pretty well last night - lending credibility to the 'story' that perhaps by weakening the arm, it would impede Cena's ability to lock in his dreaded STFU to finish the match. Seconds after 'shaking off' the pain in his left arm, Cena nails Michaels with a series of shoulder blocks. Yep...using his left shoulder. Way to sell, champ.

3) As if the move didn't already suck, do I even have to mention how bad the STFU looked last night? Jim Ross did his best to unshitify the hold by referring to it as a 'modified version' of the move. Folks, 'modified version' is just code word for 'he's fuckin' it up!'.

Okay, now that you know I haven't gone totally crazy, let me get back to enjoying myself. Last night's "Raw" devoted HALF of its broadcast to its main event giving the match the ability to take on a pay-per-view quality. It was nothing short of sensational. It told a great story about Cena and Michaels' need to one-up the other and prove dominance and rightful ownership of the WWE title.

Cena's "this close" references to almost capturing HBK in the STFU a few times during the beginning of the match were annoying...but did help set up the story of how 'evenly' matched these two are.

This continued to be evident as in classic PPV fashion, an initial superkick could not keep Cena down for a three count...just as an FU failed in keeping Michaels down for the pin. Great suspense. The match actually kept me guessing...unsure of who was going to go over.

When I saw the combatants take the match to the outside of the ring and even to the announce table, I remember thinking that if it ended in a double DQ, I wouldn't even be disappointed. The set up for the Fatal Four Way confrontation this Sunday at Backlash, had already been done beautifully.

In fact, I wish that IS how the match ended. Because HBK's CLEAN victory over Cena...done in a great almost out-of-nowhere climatic style...almost certainly secures the fact that Cena will hold on to his title after the pay-per-view comes to a close.

More proof may be found in something I noticed when the match was over and Cena lay flat on his back while HBK knelt beside him. Reading Michaels' lips, I am almost certain he said (about the WWE title), "I don't need it. I just needed to make a little point".

A shoot comment perhaps? HBK certainly made his point last night. He is still the showstopper. ESPECIALLY since he can get a solid match out of John Cena. And while I'm giving credit where credit is due, last night's performance on "Raw" - with all its flaws - was among the best I can remember seeing from John Cena in recent memory. There...are you happy?

While the main event of "Raw" most certainly deserves to take up most of this article, it wasn't the only match last night.

I was happy to see Shane O Mac back in the ring. The always O-worthy son of the boss didn't disappoint. His now-patented "Shane O Mac-inator" (hey, if the E still hasn't named it, we will!) is always good for an O. But with respect to the match, I can't help but wonder if, once again, someone in the E isn't tuning into Tha O Show Radio Hour every week.

Big Daddy Donnie recently commented about how WWE may want to adopt their old school formula of never having their stars lose on free TV. A return to the 'jobber era' may be necessary for proper pushing, he remarked. Interestingly, a jobber going by the name of Robbie Brookside was used for a 3 on 1 squash last night. To prove what though, I'm not sure. Sorry Don, the idea still doesn't work for me.

On a side note, with all of Vince McMahon's money, you would think he could afford a decent suit. Yes, I know he has plenty. But his gear last night was ridiculous. And I know what you smarks are thinking...he was heat-seeking right? But does the biggest heel on the planet really need to? Vinnie's suit gets a NO.

Giving the tag team division a boost, however, gets an O. Kudos to the E for finally getting back to some old school booking by having a singles match between two tag team competitors who will competing for the gold at the next PPV. Here's a NO, on the other hand: to the predictable booking. Last week, Lance Cade beats Jeff Hardy. This week, Trevor Murdoch beats Matt Hardy. Guess which team goes over at Backlash?

Another NO goes to Murdoch's finisher. His attempt at what can only be called a horrible rendition of Petey Williams' Canadian Destroyer was plain ugly. Definitely not a move someone who wrestles his style should use.

Something O worthy: Backlash this Sunday will showcase no less than six title matches. In fact, ALL of the matches announced so far are for belts! The WWE Championship, the World Heavyweight Championship, the ECW Championship, the United States Championship, the World Tag Team Championships and the Women's Championship will ALL be on the line! What a difference a month makes!

Something NO worthy: As if it needs mentioning, The Great Khali and Carlito had a sloppy match last night. I'm still not sure what's up with the Carlito/Flair storyline and where it's going...but it still doesn't interest me.

Another NO: Todd Grisham as the ring announcer. He sucked.

And since this report has, in part, become a somewhat of an "Os and NOs" affair, allow me to rip-off the original ripper-offer, Brian Plunkett. Last night's "Raw" also contained more than one "OH?".

Wasn't there an Edge VS. Randy Orton match announced for last night? I'm sure Edge told Mick Foley that he was set to fight Orton after watching HBK and Cena 'tear each other apart'. I thought it was weird when he mentioned it...weirder when it didn't even happen. Now I know Orton is in some hot water, but wasn't this the case before the broadcast?

And lastly...whatever happened to the new Intercontinental Champion, Santino Marella?

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