Missing John Cena…And Other Thoughts From Last Night’s RAW

I’ll be the first to say it:  Last night’s show was not all that entertaining.  It lacked excitement, interesting matches and passion.

However, passion was a word that was repeated multiple times by the WWE Superstars who were interviewed regarding John Cena’s impending return.  It got me thinking about his career to date.

His first big splash came against Kurt Angle during “The Kurt Angle Invitational”.  For those who don’t remember, the challenge was issue by Angle that no scrub wrestler could last three minutes in the ring with him.  I recall being very impressed by Cena’s performance.  He then went on to become a main event star.

For some reason, the fickle WWE fans turned on Cena and began to boo him unmercifully.  Vince McMahon needs to be commended for the decision to keep pushing him despite the crowd hostility.  McMahon saw something special in this man and knew it was only a matter of time before the fans would come around.  As usual, he was right.

Like him or hate him, Cena has the respect of his contemporaries.  The words of Batista, Mickie James and JBL were effusive in their praise for him.  They recognize that he is a hardworking, talented and charismatic individual who is a huge part of the current WWE’s attempt to once again be successful.

Were he in Anaheim last night, he may not have single-handedly turned around last night’s show.  After all, there is only so much one man can do.  He wouldn’t have been able to make all the other matches more interesting nor would he have been able to raise the excitement levels by himself.

However, John Cena would have supplied the passion.

Other thoughts from last night’s show:

- Beth Phoenix nearly dropped Johnny Knoxville on his neck and head during that botched bodyslam, a situation that very easily could have resulted in a catastrophic injury.  Wrestling moves, even simple ones, need to be executed safely by both parties involved.  When they’re not, they’ve been known to end careers.  Once more, I must call out the WWE for putting civilians in harm’s way.  They simply do not belong in the ring under any circumstance.

- Speaking of Knoxville, his entire segment?  Um….okaaaay. It was like watching a Fellini film come to life.

- You all know I’m a CM Punk fan.  However, it seems to be that, if Batista really wanted to do some damage to Chris Jericho, there are at least four other guys in that locker room I would have chosen over Punk.

- Speaking of Batista, I have to acknowledge the amazing timing exhibited by him, HBK and yes, even Mark Henry during the execution of the Spear.  If Henry had been even one second too late hitting the ring or Batista started his run one second earlier, this move would have been embarassingly bungled.  Instead, it went off without a hitch. 

- Normally, Jillian bugs me as much as she does everyone else when she “sings”.  However, I found her hysterical providing the backup vocals to the Miz-Morrison rap.  “Bite the deez-ust” indeed!

- Rey Mysterio’s “619″ is a heck of a move to watch.  Nevertheless, I will point out how lazy everyone involved (Mysterio, his opponents and the bookers) has become in terms of setting it up.  It’s gotten to the point where the casual fan can sense the maneuver minutes before it’s arrival.  The shoddy setups detract from the overall impact.  

- I can’t believe that Nancy O’Dell really enjoyed the show.  The WWE doesn’t seem quite like her scene.

- Finally, I have no words about “Haas Hogan”.  Oh wait, I do…I hope this gimmick lasts a long, long time. 

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