So here's something strange: I was watching an old copy of Raw from '95 the other night, and there was a match between then superstar Waylon Mercy and some jobber. The match almost prompted me to write to "The Rick" to try and find out what ever happened to the guy, but I never did. Then , Monday night on Raw, for a couple of seconds on in the crowd (and you needed a good eye for this) there's a sign that says "Bring Back Waylon Mercy." Amen brother.

So anyway, Raw was a pretty good show, even though we could see the main event coming a mile away. Still, with all the fallout from the Rumble I wasn't so interested in the main event as I was in lesser points. Well, lesser points, and not-so-lesser points. Truly, one of the most surprising things to happen since Jericho "beat" HHH for the belt on Raw, only to have it overturned, Haku returning to the WWF while being hardcore champ of wcw. I couldn't wait to see him again on Raw since I had this slight fear it was a "one time only deal." This is another weird situation since I had recently written an email to someone arguing that Haku's run as King counted as a title run in some way shape or form. (My logic being that Dibiase was defending his million dollar belt, and hence he was the million dollar champion -- in turn, Haku won the title and subsequently lost it as well.)

Anywho, there seems to be a nice little pairing of him and Rikishi, probably in some Islanders gimmick, hence Rikishi coming to the ring in his ethnic garb as opposed to his urban gear. The only real shame here is that I don't think Rikishi will ever be over as a single's wrestler. Look: he was in the Headshrinkers and pretty over; then goes to that whole "do the right thing" "man from the streets" "man of the people" thing which fizzled; then gets introduced later as Rikishi and isn't over; then gets over as part of Too Cool; then sort of goes solo but retains affiliation and remains over; then goes heel, goes single and becomes not over again. See the trend?

How happy am I that Kurt retained the belt. I'm sick of here's all these web smarks talking about how he'll drop the belt any day now. The WWF should swerve everyone and keep the belt on him up until Wrestlemania - it could happen... but probably won't.

Will Kane adopt a new persona if he REALLY pairs with Undertaker? If I had a brother and beat the shit out of him out of nowhere one day during our last pairing, would he be forgiving like the Undertaker and get my back? Wouldn't it have made sense to have the returning Big Show involved with one of the two brothers? Then again, there's bad blood between Big Show and... well, practically everyone, but I can't see were this new "Unholy Alliance" is going to go in the long run. If they had the belts I couldn't see anyone taking them. It's probably going to turn into a mutual admiration society. Then again, what do I know?

I've said it before and I'll say it again, that whole love triangle thing has so many possibilities... but instead of giving the fans any sort of adequate payoff we have to constantly involve Austin just because for some reason he's seen as the biggest part of the company. Here's a little rant: The WWF has a GREAT roster... I can't remember the last time there was so much positive ability in the roster. Instead of creating great storylines across the board, the WWF for some reason feels they need to involve one of the following 3 people in EVERY main event or main angle, and I don't think it's true: HHH, The Rock, or Austin. One of the hottest Main Events last year on Raw was Lita taking on Steph, and while HHH may have been on the outskirts, he wasn't directly involved in the outcome or overall effect.

We have Angle as the champ, and a strong one at that. A feud between him and Jericho or Benoit would have good to great action, and a solid storyline behind it. And on top of the, would not involve one of the three main players. The crowd could still have the money payoff of these individuals at the show, without focusing the entire goddamned company around them.

And there you have it....

Band of the week honors go to Shuvel, just because I haven't heard anything "new" this week that blew me away. However, I suggest you go out and search out either Jawbreaker's '95 release, which is very had to find, or anything by Steel Pole Bathtub. (I must be in a punk mood.)

Upcoming later in the year: new stuff by Fear Factory (fuck yeah!), Tool, hopefully Kittie, and most probably Slipknot as they're in the studio right now.

Also, on a sad yet heartening note: fans from the New England area should note that Gangsta Bitch Barbie recently changed their name. They are no know as Nullset. I want to tell everyone to go out and grab something by the band, but I don't think it's available outside the region. However, it is HIGHLY recommended, and if anyone is interested further they should drop me a line. The sound is reminiscent of Limp Bizkit's first album, except more raw and more heavy.

Boston band's kick ass.

Later