Every Tuesday and Friday we give you the scoop on what's happening in and out of the wrestling ring.

Recovering from a RAW induced coma...

Chairshots
7-2-02

Raw Thoughts
One week ago the WWE delivered such a horrible edition of Raw that I simply could not bring myself to write a Chairshots. Sure, there were other factors going on in my daily life that contributed, but when it came down to it, I was just tired of watching what I felt was a half-assed attempt by the WWE. So I took the week off and I'm back feeling refreshed. I only wish the WWE could do the same.

This week's Raw actually wasn't all that bad. It kept me entertained the whole night and I even believed for a minute or two that Jeff Hardy was about to get the break of a lifetime due to some hotshot booking.

For starters, the writers did a good job by building to the Jeff Hardy vs. Undertaker ladder match main event. We saw intelligent logical promos by both men and a highlight package showing the underdog's potential. Announcers were able to put that shadow of a doubt in our mind by laying out Hardy's advantages due to the ladder match stipulation. And finally, the wrestlers came together for a good match filled with moments where you actually thought that Hardy might get an upset win over Taker.

Alas, it was not Hardy's night, but it made for some interesting television and that's all I ask. Having Hardy actually win the title might not have been a bad idea, either. It would have been arguably the biggest upset ever for the world title and could have brought back some of that "must see" WWE TV feeling it used to have. Oh well, I have a feeling we will see the Undertaker lose the title soon enough.

I'd actually pay money if Bradshaw would change his ring attire.

Poor Eddie Guerrero. A month ago he started the biggest feud of his life against Stone Cold Steve Austin. This week he wrestled a tag match against Spike and Bubba Dudley. Poor Latino Heat. Chris Benoit is in the same boat as he made his return to the ring without any build up or fanfare.

Rey Mysterio is coming. I'm very excited in a non-homosexual way.

For the first time ever, I'm starting to like the NWO. Losses in the ring actually mean something to them. 7 foot jobbers are not welcome. Over the last few weeks they have trimmed the fat, given themselves focus and a goal, and now they are teasing us with big surprises and heel turns. Shawn Michaels announced last night that Triple H would be joining the NWO.

If HHH does join (and I see no reason he shouldn't), the NWO would once again be able to move into the main event rather than feud with Show and Booker T. I'm looking forward to seeing that and I haven't felt that way in a while.

Note to Jim Ross: You can try all you want to tell me that Kevin Nash guided Big Show into position for HBK's super kick, but you and I both know that Big Show had to squat down so Shawn could reach his chin.

Note to Shawn Michaels: Hitting him with a chair would have worked, too.

This week's edition of Raw did a 3.6 cable rating, which is down from last week. The WWE just isn't doing themselves any favors by having miss and hit shows.

Hart Suffers Stroke
Legendary wrestler Bret Hart suffered a stroke while riding his bicycle in Calgary last Monday. According to the Calgary Sun, he suffered a blood clot in his brain either seconds before or after he fell off of the bike. Hart was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, but was able to use his cell phone to call for help, despite having lost feeling in the left side of his body. While Hart maintains that a pothole caused the bike crash, emergency room doctors have since informed him that the stroke may have caused the fall. Currently listed in stable condition, best wishes go out to Bret and his family. You can read more about the situation here.

Russo Update
This is old news, but it's news that makes me smile. One day after being rehired by the WWE as head writer, Russo's role has been scaled back to a mere consultant. Russo will not be required to attend live events, but rather he will work from home. Something other sites have not mentioned is what caused this demotion. What I'm about to tell you is third hand information and I have no confirmation so treat it only as rumor. You've been warned.

The day after Russo was hired, he attended a meeting with the current WWE writing staff. Vince McMahon introduced Russo and said that he would be helping out with the booking and that he had some ideas for turning the company around. Russo then began pitching his ideas. They began with the relaunch of the WCW. For the company's top angle, Hulk Hogan would be given the world title and hold on to it for a few months. During that time, Big Show would turn face and become one of Hulk's good buddies. Then Show would turn on Hogan and they would feud. Sound familiar? It should. Not only is it a rehash on Hogan vs. Andre the Giant but WCW booked the same angle in 1995 at Halloween Havoc. Oh, and did I mention that Russo booked himself as an onscreen character again?

Russo always has been and always will be a hack. He needs to just vanish from the wrestling world and go make movies with Joel Schumacher.

In other news, Russo's old writing partner Ed Ferrera is finally getting in trouble for some comments he made on the debut pay per view for NWA:TNA. Owner Jerry Jarrett released an official apology for Ferrera's comments about the Special Olympics. Ferrera's basically said something to the effect of "you may win, but you are still retarded." Now if only someone would apologize to Black Americans for letting Ed Ferrera pretend to be one of them.

Chris Jericho Doesn't Like You
Upset over the way some fans reacted to his match with Rob Van Dam at King of the Ring, Chris Jericho composed a scathing commentary to Internet fans and basically told us all to "hit the road, Jerky."

I know I didn't do a King of the Ring commentary last week but I actually enjoyed Jericho vs. RVD and thought it was the best match on the show. It's easy to say that now, but it's true, it's true. You can read more about why Jericho hates you here. Remember, I still love you.

Steiner Update
During Raw last night I actually thought that Shawn Michaels was going to introduce Scott Steiner as the newest member of the NWO. In reality, Scott is allegedly telling friends that he will debut in WWE in either August or September. Steiner was scheduled to take part in the WWA's European tour in July, but that has been cancelled. However, Steiner and WWE still have not come to any kind of contract as of late last week so don't get all excited just yet. Steiner is a certifiable freak, but he'd add some new life to the NWO and the WWE main event.

WWE Media Attention
The WWE's gradual ratings drop is now being reported on by some major media outlets. A Variety article last week looked at some key stats in the decline.

So far this year, Smackdown has lost 35 percent of its 12-17 year-old male audience compared to the same time period last year.

Smackdown ratings have dropped by 10 percent overall.

Raw ratings have decreased 19 percent for 12-17 males.

Raw ratings have dropped 6 percent overall.

One TV industry exec blamed the loss of Rock. (Actually it's the poor writing, but that didn't help either)

A sports business exec blamed the competition from other reality shows like "American Idol" and "Dog Eat Dog." (Are you watching these shows? Because I know I'm not.)

A TV station rep exec blamed competition from CBS's "Survivor" and "CSI." (Ok, these are shows I watch, but I usually record them.)

Mr. Perfect Still in the WWE?
Mr. Perfect gave an interview to a Chicago TV station last week and talked about his recent stint in the WWE. Perfect downplayed the fight that broke out on a flight back from the UK between himself and Brock Lesnar. He called it nothing more than horseplay.

Perfect said his relationship with Vince and family is great and that he has no bad feelings and that Vince is a very busy person. He felt that soon enough this would all heal itself and they would sit down and discuss what happened. Perfect also denied the report on the WWE news site that he had been let go and said that he is actually only on a 120 day suspension. If that's true, then Perfect should or could be back at the start of September. Guess we will see if he's telling the truth in just a few months.

Naughty Divas
Wondering why the WWE lingerie competition, "WWE Divas Undressed" was moved from last Tuesday night to last Saturday night? Apparently TNN thought it was too risqué and had too much sexual innuendo for a Tuesday night. I'll admit I watched it and while it wasn't something I'd let my 2 year old ferret watch, I don't think it was worse than your average episode of Baywatch.

Okay, your average episode of Baywatch where all the women wear thongs and David Hasselhoff makes jokes about "waxing the old surfboard." Speaking of which, I'm outta here. I'll be back on Friday. I swear.

Michael Goodson