My thoughts on Unforgiven ... and a few Flair tidbits

So first the PPV last night - it was decent. Dealing with the Championship Scrambles first, I was pleasantly surprised by all the matches. The last one for CM Punk's World Heavyweight Title was the weakest, and it wasn't even 'terrible', per se - just not up to the calibre of the other two matches. I was not surprised to see Matt Hardy win the ECW title, and was glad he did. I liked the drama at the end between Jeff Hardy and Triple H passing the WWE Title back and forth, and near-simultaneous pinfalls. It creates the impression that Jeff was a hair's breadth away from his first WWE Championship reign, and sets up for a fantastic feud between these two based on respect and with both of them on an even par. They also did a great job building up Brian Kendrick - this match made that kid's career, believe me. Although I wish he hadn't been the one to soak up most of the pinfalls ...

The Raw Scramble for the World Heavyweight Title is where things fell apart a bit. The action didn't suck by any means, and don't get me wrong - Chris Jericho is a worthy World Champion, especially with Raw's top card being kind of face-heavy right now (Shawn Michaels, Batista, Rey Mysterio, CM Punk), and only a couple of heels (Randy Orton upon his return, Kane-ish, JBL) as legit contenders. I just wish that perhaps they'd inserted him in John Cena's place, or knocked out someone who WASN'T CM Punk, the reigning World Champ who's already being portrayed, and seen by some, as flukey and undeserving. For the title to change hands without the sitting champion even so much as being involved in the match was pathetic. I wouldn't have even minded if Punk came out injured and put in a valiant effort before being beaten ... I'm just afraid the sound we just heard was the plug being pulled on the Punk experiment, and WWE saying they did all they could and the kid just couldn't get over, although they made no efforts to help him do so.

Again don't get me wrong - Chris Jericho and Shawn Michaels are the biggest draws on Raw right now and it's about time that their top-notch feud be for the gold (as if the stakes could be any higher, they now are - the twists they keep adding just as this feud's about to go stale are impressive); I've longed for these two talented workhorses to get the official recognition they're due. But not at the expense of a talented young go-getter like Punk who was never even given a chance and wasn't even involved with the match in which the fate of HIS title was decided. I suppose it sets up a side-feud for Jericho along the way back to Michaels, and perhaps some tag matches along the way (Michaels-Punk vs. Jericho-Orton anyone?) - my problem here is not at all with the end but the means, and only time will tell if the former justifies the latter. Very mixed feelings about this.

As for the undercard - pretty strong. The tag team match and Rhodes/Dibiase's interactions with Randy Orton was great; I'm interested in Randy Orton having his own little faction, and I'm glad he decided he wasn't too good or too big for this. Wasn't that long ago he was a young up-and-comer; way to help those in the same position he was in not a few years ago. Also was fairly pleased with the Diva's match; Maryse and Michelle McCool have come a long, long way as performers and had a very passable match for Diva Search alumni. And I was very impressed with the bait and switch of Big Show helping Vicki Guerrero deal with the Undertaker. This is a feud we've seen before, but it is usually a successful one and should be interesting to see go forward - especially if Edge has a role in there, or Triple H, as these two gentlemen are certainly near the top of the Smackdown roster as well. Can't wait to hear what Show has to say for himself!

And lastly, I don't think I need to comment on the Shawn Michaels Chris Jericho match further than I did earlier - given this match was different from either of these two technical standouts' usual style - a very bloody, heavyhanded brawl - they pulled it off fantastically and we saw a side of Shawn Michaels - his more heelish side, and a side that even demonstrated a bit of fun (he SMILED! he FOUND his SMILE again!) that we haven't in awhile. Can't wait to see this matchup for the world title ... hope they hold off on that to at LEAST headline Survivor Series, however; perhaps Punk-Jericho in between-time at No Mercy. But either way - a basically strong show which entertained me and delivered some good intrigue. I have always complained that while WWE's free television is too promo-heavy without enough action, PPVs are the opposite - the era of storylines being forward on PPVs was over in favour of stronger action - they seem to be doing a few more promos just to add some spice between matches. Let's hope Raw and SD work towards that balance in the opposite direction as well. Good work for Unforgiven - just make up this nonsense about Punk to him and his fans soon.

And finally, I promised a few bits of Flair news - Ric Flair's daughter ... I believe it's Ashley ... was arrested for assaulting a police officer at a local convenience store in South Carolina. Ric Flair was involved in the incident but not arrested or charged. All I can say is ... dude. I would NOT be messing with southern cops. Also an interesting bit of info - Ric's estranged wife Tiffany gave an interview to the Unholy Matrimony show (unholymatrimonyshow.com) about their recent separation; she speaks well of her husband, and of the WWE, and just says that "He wants to be Ric Flair, and I don't think that I have a place in that" ... very magnanimous and understanding of Naitch - although I question his thoughts as he has a beautiful, intelligent-seeming, good hearted young wife, and he still wants to 'Naitch'? Dude ... oh well. ;) Note to girls: at nearly 60 years old, Ric Flair ain't about to change. Buyer Beware.

And that's about it! Be sure to tune in tomorrow for my Raw thoughts, and remember as always Ari and I will be broadcasting around 10pm Eastern Wednesday night with the latest edition of In This Very Ring. Take care until then! Peace.