From the promos on Smackdown! this evening, I noticed two things: first, I'm dropping my theory that Mordecai could be a repackaged Scott Steiner (seeing his full face proved he wasn't). Second, Kenzu Sasake is now coming in under his own name, instead of as the lame Hirohito character - and possibly on SD! because of the placement of his promo.

This show was a step toward making the brand interesting again. The matches were overall enjoyable. I just still don't care about JBL.

Well, it looks like us smarks were wrong: based on this week's RAW, Eugene is popular with fans!

He was part of what I found an enjoyable RAW. There were some small bumps in the road (Tajiri being used to elevate Batista for one), but overall I enjoyed it.

Sadly the ratings were a bit low despite that.

Wow... it looks like "Grand Master Sexay" Brian Lawler (Christopher) burned his bridge with the WWE again... he was let go right after RAW apparently.

He wasn't popular with the boys in the lockerroom... and despite warning still came late to everything.

Granted, they weren't really doing anything with him, so he won't really be missed.

Man it's been a long time since my last post here... my PC hardware issues kept me away. Ultimately, my motherboard was replaced. With a lot of file reinstallation, I'm back.

Since I haven't been here in so long, this will be a huge catch-up post:

* Apparently, Scott Steiner's contract is being paid out, but he isn't being used. I'm still not going to buy that as gospel though; Mordecai sounds like him, his face looks similar. Until he debuts, I won't buy into that story.

* Two ECW alumni have announced they have wrestled their last matches, though they'll still be working with the WWE: Lance Storm and Tommy Dreamer.

It was always a shame how poorly both were used by the federation, but at least they won't be out of work. Still, they make two more opportunities lost.

* Speaking of RAW: I think it's been proving my guess that the writing teams were changed in the draft as well... yet again, it's had the more consistently entertaining shows. It seems that next week's show alone will be better than the upcoming Smackdown! PPV.

That's not to say it's perfect: the whole Matt Hardy-Lita-Kane storyline is pretty bad, but it's still far better than the alternative...

* -which has been consistently bad. How bad was Smackdown! last week? So bad that I skipped the second hour for the Friends finale. Granted, that wasn't a difficult choice... the ratings prove I wasn't anywhere near alone in that decision.

Still: stupid skits with Booker T visiting a voodoo mambo, this feeling that the roster is actually much smaller than it is, and this constant vibe of it being a "minor league"... when you push someone as dull as John Bradshaw Layfield as your top heel, you're doing badly - and the product is showing how bad writers can ruin either brand when given a chance. It just isn't earning my interest.

* Jackie winning the Cruiserweight title is just a short-term idea. Originally, Matt Capatelli from Tough Enough 3 was supposed to debut in this match... problem was, Bob Hardcore Holly messed him up in a match in a house show, giving him a concussion.

Cut this headache worker already!