Kyle Busch and Joey Logano should have stayed in their cars.
ZZ Top on July 20. Sgt. Slaughter on Aug. 10. Al Sharpton on Sept. 28. Nancy O'Dell on Oct. 12.
Why do I mention these past Monday Night Raw guest hosts? Because Joe Gibbs teammates Busch and Logano were just as bad as this bunch. And that means they were really, really bad.
Let's review:
1. The No. 18 and No. 20 car did some burnouts in the parking lot and drove into the arena. REACT: I liked this, as did the popping crowd. Unfortunately, it was mostly downhill from here for Busch and Logano.
2. Kyle Busch a heel. REACT: I'm OK with that. He did get some good lines in about Buffalo not having made it to the playoffs since Hulkamania and he also bashed Terrell Owens.
3. Joey Logano as a face. REACT: Logano made the main event of Big Show vs. Triple H. That's about all Logano did.
4. Hey, Kyle, it's Kofi Kingston, not Kofi Johnson. REACT: This mistake ended a brutal and boring job on the microphones from Busch. Maybe Logano should have done the majority of the talking.
5. Race promo one week from Saturday. REACT: This segment wasn't horrible, as Eve, Jack Swagger and The Miz carried our NASCAR hosts.
6. They have the power. REACT: For as little as they did, Busch and Logano did make the main event match for Summerslam (John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H). I didn't care for Cena heavily pushing "no more Randy Orton" and bashing The Legacy ("baby oil boys club").
The grade: D. I'm sure Busch and Logano brought in a few extra viewers, but they weren't on TV much and did very little. They were also extremely boring and unrehearsed on the microphone. Maybe since they are not rambling off sponsor names it's more difficult?
Next week: Expect Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne to generate an interesting fan base.
The matches:
1. Kofi Kingston beats United Tag Team Champion Chris Jericho. REACT: I'm surprised, and glad, Kingston won. He's entertaining and athletic (double leapfrogs, leap from rope, rope toss counter). There were some weak spots, but the ending was decent with a nice Walls counter and Jericho arguing with the referee.
2. Divas Champion Melina/Santino Marella beats Chavo Guerrero/Jillian. REACT: Sloppy but comical match. I'm glad Hornswoggle got a cease-and-desist order from DX. Now, if only he would follow it. (I am interested in how Hornswoggle is used next.)
3. MVP/Mark Henry beat Cody Rhodes/Ted DiBiase. REACT: Good match angle in taking out Henry's legs and MVP picking up the pace. The finish was decent with Henry's interference clothesline, but the referee took forever to count the three.
4. Evan Bourne beats United States Champion The Miz in a Non-Title Match. REACT: The match was slow until Jack Swagger came out for the save. I was surprised Bourne won (by countout). Eve is in a decent angle that set up a triple-threat with Bourne-Miz-Swagger.
5. Sheamus beats Jamie Noble. REACT: The promo early in the show was good. The crowd was dead when Busch/Logano introduced Sheamus, who had a very impressive debut.
6. Triple H beats United Tag Team Champion Big Show. REACT: Poor, Big Show. The odds were against him with Jericho leaving ringside, Raw lumberjacks coming out, a no DQ and John Cena as referee. It was unfortunate the match took a very early commercial. What we did see (sleeper, spear by Big Show, headbutts, DDT counter) wasn't horrible. Cena stopping on a two count was a little unexpected, but it led to numerous finishing moves on Big Show from the Raw wrestlers.
The angles:
1. I thought the show should have led off with Cena, but it turned out to be the right move starting with Raw vs. Smackdown. However, not really mentioning Cena's win until 26 minutes into the show was inexcusable.
2. The Big Show vs. the Undertaker. REACT: This will be ugly, but does anyone else think Undertaker might be defending his title with the streak on the line at WrestleMania? I do. This is simply a time filler.
3. Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton. REACT: Something fresh is refreshing. I like how Orton attacked Kofi and how the car The Legacy bought for Orton was incorporated (Orton's enthralled looks at the car were concerning). Kofi had an awesome segment destroying Orton's car -- the key, crow bar and red paint were simple yet effective touches. Kofi's "Is that a bug on your hood" line was funny. And didn't Kofi look like Coolio?
Raw's grade: The wrestling/angles saved the show from two downright brutal guest hosts. I'll give Raw a C+.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
WWE immediately cleans up John Cena's blood Sunday. REACT: Reports suggest Linda McMahon's Senate run was the reason, as opposed to the new PG rating. WWE said it had to do with the new PG rating. I agree with the latter.
Sick Brock Lesnar pulls out of Nov. fight. REACT: First time Lesnar has been taken down in MMA. Best of luck in his recovery.
