I wasn't a big fan of this week's delayed tape airing. Let's review:
Ricky Hatton:
1. 45 wins, 32 by knockout. REACT: There's no denying Hatton is a great boxer. But many U.S. fans don't know much about him and those looking at him for the first time probably aren't impressed. He's not tough-looking and he's a boring talker. The man can box, though.
2. Hometown hero. REACT: Sheffield, England, loves this guy. That was one good thing going for him. The fans were really loud for him.
3. Big Show/Chris Jericho. REACT: I'm getting a little tired of the same wrestlers interacting with the guest hosts. Can't anyone else bring something to the table?
4. Funny. REACT: Hatton made me laugh when he said he was a Big Show fan due to Big Show being knocked out at WrestleMania. His dry humor had its good moments.
5. Hatton's fitness facility. REACT: Refreshing clip.
5. Hatton's fitness facility. REACT: Refreshing clip.
6. Darts with Santino Marella and Chavo Guerrero. REACT: Like Big Show/Jericho, I'm tired of the same wrestlers interacting with the guest hosts. Santino did his usual sucking up. This segment was done to set up Guerrero-Hatton.
7. Ricky Hatton beats Guerrero in a "Boxer vs. Wrestler" Match. REACT: A squash, which is fine since Hatton is the host. Poor, Chavo.
Final grade: The real Hitman, Bret "The Hitman" Hart, would have been more interesting. While I can't say I'm too versed on Hatton, he didn't impress me as a guest host. Even his boxing match fell flat. Grade: D+.
The matches:
1. Alicia Fox beats Kelly Kelly. REACT: Alicia had to win since she is the No. 1 contender for Melina's Divas title. This wasn't the best match.
2. Sheamus beats a local competitor. REACT: I hate matches against jobbers, as they are pointless. This one was no different, although Sheamus did a great job impressing me with the beatdown.
3. Evan Bourne beats Jack Swagger. REACT: Strong match. I thought Bourne would lose even after The Miz strolled out. Swagger's win streak is done, which is a total shocker.
4. Randy Orton beats Mark Henry. REACT: This match was slow. Orton did his usual stomping on the bigger Henry, but this was a squash.
5. Triple H/Shawn Michaels beat Unified Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho/Big Show in a Non-Title Match. REACT: DX sold a decent beatdown and Jericho kick-started a slow match. It was good to see Michaels get the pin on Jericho, as Michaels needed it.
Raw grade: Raw elevated Orton vs. Kingston and pushed potential Survivor Series conflict between teammates. But the matches were subpar and the show was flat. Even the crowd got quiet after the opening match. Grade: D.
Other thoughts:
1. Hulk Hogan. REACT: I was stunned WWE promoted some Hogan DVD on his scroller. There was also a fan in a Hogan shirt and a look-a-like in the crowd, which the camera didn't ignore.
2. WrestleMania clips. REACT: I'm not surprised Phoenix didn't sell out WrestleMania tickets. Everything is a tough sell these days. The count, reportedly, is strong, though.
3. The Miz and Jack Swagger. REACT: As a fan of both of these guys, this segment annoyed me as it was too verbally confrontational.
4. Kurt Busch clip. REACT: Great win and great free publicity for WWE. Smart.
5. Race issue. REACT: I hated how WWE pushed a race angle with Orton dishing out common criminal and hood comments towards the team of MVP, Kofi Kingston and Mark Henry. Orton-Kofi doesn't need this stupidity.
6. Nickelback's "Burn It To The Ground." REACT: Great choice for Raw's new theme song.
7. DX-John Cena-Hornswoggle. REACT: Make it end!
8. Cena picks Big Show to win Survivor Series match. REACT: Of course, Show is the underdog.
Future hosts:
1. Roddy Piper confirmed for next week. REACT: Will be very entertaining.
2. Dennis Miller will host the Dec. 14, three-hour Slammy Award Raw. REACT: Good move.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
WWE
* WWE cutting pay-per-views to 13 in 2010. REACT: What happened to once per month?
* Lilian Garcia assaulted during Yankees ticker tape parade in New York City. REACT: Pathetic. Glad she's OK.
* Jeff Hardy laying low. REACT: Smart move.
* Jamie Noble considering retirement, in story lines, after Sheamus beating. REACT: I hate considering angles, especially when they never happen.
TNA Wrestling
* Hulk Hogan claims he is bringing in Rob Van Dam. REACT: 60 percent chance of yes on this.
* Hogan said he is having difficulty walking. REACT: His body is beaten down.
* Hogan touts Steve Austin, Randy Savage and the Nasty Boys coming in. REACT: Well, 2 of 4, that being the latter, is still good.
* Kurt Angle, Trenesha Biggers agree to no-contact order. REACT: The best thing for all involved.
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