The Cheap Shot [issue 1]

uh....ohhhh....

Hot off the heels of yet another WWE Pay-Per-View, and with only two weeks (seriously) until the next one, I thought I'd fire this brand new concept onto the EC/WC in the same ramshackle and disjointed way that we're being presented with World Wrestling Entertainment at present. It's called The Cheap Shot, and I'll toss a few of them out each month to air some general views in between 'properly written' pieces of journalism.

-Judgement Day: Definately not worth the fifteen quid. The only match I could really get into was HBK v. Y2J. Shawn could drag a five star match out of The Great Khali, so it's no wonder the two men worked so well off each other. Nice show of respect afterwards too.

-Jeff Hardy's back, and he's looking great. However, i'm not entirely impressed by his return-results. For him to have violated wellness for a second time (reportedly with Crystal-Meth) and return from a 60-day suspension to pick up wins over MVP and Umaga x2 doesn't exactly display a great role model. I'd like to see Hardy fighting his way back to where he was, get jobbed a few times and put some heels over, as opposed to having it handed to him. Perhaps the house fire means WWE are going easy on him? Either way, Hardy: thumbs up.

-Speaking of the Wellness Issue, it was reported on WWE.com this week that William Regal (see top) has been suspended for 60 days for his second violation. We saw Ken Kennedy tying up the loose storyline ends on Raw, but with Teddy Long looking to Holla his way into the GM spot on Raw, what will be left for Regal upon his return? I hope he doesn't waste the wrestling talent that he has. It's sad to see another man getting some deserved recognition with a main-event push, only to squander it.

-Randy Orton's new music is the dog's danglies.

-Did you hear the heel-heat that Vickie Guerrero got at Judgement Day? I thought the roof of the arena was coming down. I haven't heard that much spiteful hate since John Cena took on RVD at the first WWE controlled One Night Stand in the old ECW arena...(and if you haven't seen that match before: [contains swearing...and rabid, rabid hate]) It's definately good to have the top heel of your brand get such a reception, but it leaves you wondering how much more WWE fans can take of La Familia. She's not just a heel...the woman makes me want to scratch my eyes out. Edge could be used a whole lot better.

-Am I the only one getting slightly bored of main events involving Randy Orton and HHH? If Orton applies one more resthold, or indeed if HHH wrestles any slower, the image of the pair will forever be burned into my TV. Not good.

-Miz and Morrison: is it so wrong that they're quickly becoming two of my favourite wrestlers in the WWE? I hope they continue restoring credability to the tag titles...well, half of the tag titles. *sigh* Johnny's gimmick change from Nitro to Morrison is the greatest thing that ever happened to him.

-John Cena seems to be taking a lot less heat across the board than times of old. Maybe taking the title off him and not pushing him so hard will finally give him the organic positive crowd reaction that WWE has been looking for, a-la Jeff Hardy.

-Can anyone explain the end of Smackdown! to me last week? It was my understanding that if Vickie and La Familia lost to the Undertaker she would lose her spot as GM? It ended as a no-contest? Alright...I can't lie, I fast-forward through most of Smackdown...what have I missed?

-It was apparently Vince McMahon's personal decision to take the title off the Undertaker. Something along the lines of wanting a top face to be chasing a top heel. The rumours are that he wants it back on Edge. Better for business? You decide.

-Speaking of which... CM Punk for World Heavyweight Champ? Or will he turn on his new buddy Kane? Just a thought...