Pre-Show Notes:
Not much has gone on this week in wrestling. The E is overseas and TNA put on yet another semi-decent show. Tomko went from being on Christian's side to turning on him a few days later. An old guy fought Tomko & Styles for the titles when it should be LAX or the Motor City Machine Guns. Black Machismo Jay Lethal won the X Division Championship and kicked some major ass. Kurt Angle won again. Nothing much else happened that was big although Robert Roode is something special. I'm sure disgusted with the way TNA has been booked. I heard that they're going to shift everything and focus on the athleticism of their talent rather than the entertainment aspect. WELL DUH! That's what they should have been doing all along but I was referred to as a TNA mark. Hopefully they won't overbook stuff. I mean, interference and ref bumps are two things I'm starting to hate.

Moving on, this week, I'm going to try and be more objective along with a few bits to build up No Way Out. It's one of those weeks where I'm going to be running around with my head cut off because I'm so busy. So, let's get it started with RAW…IS…BLOGGED!!!

RAW is Blogged:
This week's RAW started off with Hornswoggle taking on WWE Chairman, Vincent Kennedy McMahon! This feud has gone it's course and Finlay should have gotten involved earlier. I guess Mr. Kennedy won't be revealed as the true illegitimate son. Hornswoggle goes on to pick up the win with a little help from Finlay. His name is Finlay and he likes to fight. Too bad he'll never be a world champion even though he can wrestle with the best of them.

Backstage, Vince wants Silly Willy to get some dismissal papers together to fire Finlay. Vince, think about it. Finlay can actually wrestle. His potential Wrestlemania opponent, Khali, can't! Think about this Vince! Don't do it!

Next up was Chris Jericho against John Bradshaw Layfield. As much as I like JBL's heel character, he's out of shape. He's improved since he came back but he should have stuck with being an announcer. He was just coming along and then he wants to jump back in the ring. It's one of those things that just bothers me. Y2J picked up the win but it wasn't over just yet. Umaga, or Oomanga, depending on which side of the pond you live on, came on down and gave the Samoan Spike to both Jericho & JBL. So much for that protection JBL bought.

Backstage, Vince says he won't fire Finlay. Instead, next week on RAW, we'll see Hornswoggle against Vince in a cage match! WAHOO! That'll sure bring the ratings! Vince against a leprechaun in a cage! What was funny was after the commercial break, they aired a promo that said something about there being no shortcuts to your goals. I'm guessing they mean performance enhancers. Somebody tell Barry Bonds.

The incest angle debuted this week on RAW. Former Pirate Paul Burchill and his "sister" are the ones involved. Her accent sucked. He said what Katie wants, Katie gets. Can that be the same for me? In that case, I'll take a date with Mickie James, the rest of my college tuition paid, and my graduate school paid for too. While you're at it Paul, I'd like an HD TV. Back to the match, Brian Kendrick was his opponent. I'm guessing Paul London might have re-aggravated his foot injury and that was why he didn't accompany Kendrick. Burchill got the win and I'm already dreading this angle, it's direction, the people involved, and anything that goes with it.

JOOOOOOHHHHNNNNNNN SUUUUUUUUPPPPPERRRRRRRMMAAANNNNN CEEEEEEEENNNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! No, that doesn't mean I've started drinking the Cena-ade or anything. He was out to take out Mark Henry. Mark Henry is about as useless as tits on a boar hog. Sorry, that's an old southern expression basically saying Henry is useless. But, with Vince's fetish for big guys, Henry is here to stay. Cena got the win with the STFU-lazy and then proceeded to get in the face of Randy Orton, who was doing commentary. He told Orton he was 100%. YAY! It also helps to have a pro-Cena crowd...two weeks in a row...in the same place.

I hope they're using "Snow (Hey Oh)" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers for a few promotional spots. I love the song and all but it has no place as the Wrestlemania theme song. We go from "Ladies and Gentlemen" to "Snow?" Come on now.

KENNEDY!!! Out next was Mr. Kennedy, who was in jeans & a shirt because that's a big part of the segment, looking relaxed and ready to roll at No Way Out. He's ready for The Nature Boy Ric Flair to forfeit their match at No Way Out. Flair came out in a suit, as usual, to tell him he's not. For those not knowing, the tux is dating back to his days with the Four Horsemen. WOOOOOO!!! I loved the "I'm a 16-time champion, you haven't won a title once" comment. That had to sting Kennedy. It ended with Kennedy kicking Flair in the leg before we go to commercial.

Our next contest was a Divas match, scheduled for one fall. Whoa, sorry, I went into announcer mode. I think they've stopped saying, "with a 10 minute time limit" or whatever. Melina, with Jillian, was set to take on future Playboy cover girl Maria, who came with out with Santino Marella. I personally can't wait to see Maria in Playboy. Melina picked up the win while Jillian was kissing Santino. Santino got on the mic to tell Maria to choose between him or Playboy. Personally, if I was dating somebody hot enough to pose in Playboy, I would probably let her pose. I mean, if she posed, guys will just be able to look at her while I'll be banging her. Ok, that was a little much for our young readers!

Our main event was between Jeff Hardy and the Heart Break Kid, Shawn Michaels. I wish these two could feud but it would be hard since both are faces. They could turn Michaels heel but that would be a tough job. This match was long. The inverted Figure Four looks pretty cool. I don't remember if they named it yet or if I just missed the name of it. If they said it and I just missed it, somebody let me know what it is. Hardy went over in this match with the Twist of Fate and then a Swanton Bomb. This was probably the match of the night. I mean, DAMN!

I give this RAW:
3 out of 4 ring posts
Decent build towards No Way Out. I'm a little worried No Way Out will have too many changes on the way to Wrestlemania. At least they're having it somewhat early and they've got a month to build towards Wrestlemania.

I'll be back later this week with my previews & predictions for No Way Out!!!

"RAW is Blogged" Match of the Week
Summerslam 2002
WWE Championship
The Rock vs. Brock Lesnar

RAW – LIVE! – Mondays at 9PM on USA

No Way Out – February 17 – 8PM – Only on PPV!