RAW... IS... GOOD?

Well what do you know? RAW was actually really good from beginning to end last night. I don't get much into the backstage politics, but it sort of felt like someone new got the book and decided to undo the sins of the past. The first Triple H-less RAW went off great. It felt like a new beginning of sorts. Here's what I liked about the show:

- Rated RKO: Ladies and gentlemen, I think we've finally got our top heels. Edge, as always, was fantastic. He's really become an MVP on that show. While Orton on his own doesn't excite me, I think they're a great pair. One thing they have that's been missing from heels is that they're dangerous. They can be cowardly at times, but they also have to pose a real threat to the good guys.

Last night, Rated RKO was completely in their element. They started the show by dragging out a bloodied-up Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Looks like someone has been watching their Hitchcock - the violence that one doesn't see is always much more horrific than the violence one does.

While I thought the Duggan bit was good, I absolutely LOVED when Rated RKO made security confiscate all the D-X signs. What a great and innovative way to piss off a crowd. It was simple and original - a winning combination that we haven't seen on WWE in a while.

- Vince's promo: There's been something bothering me about the WWE lately: it seems like it's trying to be something it's not. As I mentioned in my Cryme Tyme post, I got kind of a nauseated feeling when WWE.com tried to get out ahead of the inevitable negative press by calling Cryme Tyme "a Saturday Night Live-style parody." Eeesh. I don't even like when Saturday Night Live does Saturday Night Live-style parodies. Then, in a blatant rip-off of the brilliant Assy McGee, WWE.com started a "Mr. McMahon's Ass" cartoon. When I saw that, I thought "Is this really what Vince McMahon thinks his audience wants to see?" The brand as a whole was on the wrong track.

After Rosie vs. Donald went over like a fart in church last week, it looks like Vince finally got the message. And in a stroke of genius, he made his character the one that has no respect for the fans, saying "You'll like what I tell you to like." And then Carlito comes out and says "People don't want skits. People want to see a fight." Overall, it was a very clever way for the failed sitcom writers behind the scenes to admit that they give up with all the sketch comedy crap. Hopefully.

Remember the old expression: if it ain't broke, don't make a cartoon of your ass.

Breaking News...

... we have officially discovered something at which Kevin Federline is actually genuinely talented. I mean, other than impregnating people.

Am I wrong or was K-Fed terrific last night on RAW? I haven't seen that kind of heel heat drawn in a loooooooong time. And he played it up very well. He's a natural born annoying wrestling villain.

For RAW (which has been specializing in nonsensical booking lately), it was perfect booking. They took the time to have Federline do the whole "I'm not ready to fight" bit. Very old school. And then having him pin Cena and then throw cash on him - very good heel moves. I hate to say this, but I think a lot of the young heels in the WWE could learn a thing or two from Federline.

Granted, he's already universally disliked because of his public image. But man, I was impressed. Now, I don't know if I want to see him on my TV every week. It may have been a one-off and I'm fine with that. But I wouldn't complain about a heel stable of cocky young wannabes with Kevin Federline as their mouthpiece. I mean, if he's not doing anything else.