Raw's Halloween Muppet Mess

You can usually expect things to get a little convoluted around Survivor Series. They have to start combining feuds to promote those tag matches coming up at the PPV. That is one thing. Looking over what happened on Raw last night, things seemed like an even more unexpected mess, and without even bringing in the Muppets.

First, Raw started off with The Rock answering John Cena's invitation to team with him at Survivor Series. He danced around it a while, then accepted. That is not surprising at all. In fact, given that it was already advertised that he would be wrestling at the event, you could just say it was all just useless ceremony to make it official for those who might not have seen it coming. Besides, you get to see The Rock live on Raw! Via satellite, of course.

They have a battle royal to find another challenger for Beth Phoenix. Eve wins. Again? They showed signs of building up Alicia Fox, but they go with Eve again? Nothing against Eve, but how about giving Smackdown's diva roster more shots at the title to make the feuds fresh? It is all just filler anyway. Once again, unless the WWE has lost confidence in Kelly Kelly or someone is turning heel, they are just building Beth's credibility and momentum up still.

Ryder or Ryan? Zack or Mason? Woo Woo Woo or Batista clone? Zack Ryder picked up another win against Dolph Ziggler, the US Champion. If they are planning to give him the title, fine. My problem is all this flip flopping. It is getting really annoying now. They could have developed a really good feud with either one of these faces, but they have created this mess. Who do they want the average fans to connect with? Zack Ryder is already over. He gained that overness on his own through his web show, which is why the WWE has not been very good on pushing him. They didn't want him over. Is this going to be one of those situations where the WWE bends to the desire of the vocal fans?

That brings me to the last point I want to make. The Michael Cole Challenge. It was postponed. Jim Ross commented that he was in Atlanta, where Raw was held last night, but was not used. Didn't seem like there was too much time for that elaborate segment anyway. Nevertheless, they still had Cole humiliate Jim Ross a little more to add heat to the feud. Cole has never been one who has had trouble getting a reaction, same goes for Jim Ross. Both are relative equals in how the WWE uses them. One is not being used to simply make the other look good. Still, all this bullying of Jim Ross is really getting old now. Not just in terms of the storylines, but just tossing him around when and where you want him in general. But let me get back to my main point. The WWE bending to the desire of vocal fans once again? They fired Jim Ross in kayfabe, then brought him back the next week. The reason being given is that fans hated what happened to Jim Ross. And now Jim Ross is being given a push? Do they really think that this is a good feud to push? I know Michael Cole got some high ratings earlier in the year against Lawler, but they are trying it with JR now? Let's see how this one plays out.