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This article originally appeared exclusively in the PWTorch Newsletter #1037 in July 2008...

At the end of Raw this week, WWE announced a first-ever singles match between two of its marquee babyfaces would take place at Summerslam: Batista vs. John Cena. Yet, all anyone was talking about was Mike Adamle.

WWE threw a curveball at the end of Raw, a surprise appointment by Shane McMahon of a new G.M., the most maligned wrestling announcer perhaps of all time with little knowledge of even the most basic aspects of the WWE product, Mike Adamle.

Vince McMahon has been tough on his announcers in recent, not pleased with all aspects of how the Raw transition to Michael Cole has gone. Adamle, meanwhile, had improved on ECW, but continued by any measure to be an embarrassment who was openly mocked by color commentator Tazz and any guest commentators, especially John Morrison and Miz.

During Raw, the mystery of who would be named as the new G.M. was teased throughout the show. William Regal, the previous G.M., returned on the show, but as a special mystery opponent for C.M. Punk. When Regal came out, Lawler said he thought Regal would be reappointed the G.M., but now that he was wrestling, that probably wasn't the case.

Throughout the show, various people went up to Shane McMahon looking for the scoop, including JBL and Todd Grisham. The Grisham segment seemed a bit odd, but it was a hint of things to come. McMahon didn't give any hints that would eliminate anyone from speculation.

During the show, the G.M. forced Michael Cole into a match, teaming with Jerry Lawler against Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes. The idea was that the G.M. had it out for Cole or just had a general mean streak. Cole wasn't crazy about the idea of being involved, and only entered when a pat on Lawler's back was ruled an official tag, and when Rhodes yanked him into the ring for a brief beating including a clothesline and a pin. He was helped to the back.

After the commercial break, Adamle made his first appearance of the show, replacing Cole. Adamle said he didn't know why was even asked to be at Raw this week, but he was beginning to understand; the G.M. knew he was going to put Cole in harm's way and he wanted a back-up to take over calling the show.

Strangely, a couple segments later, Jim Ross came out to join Adamle. He also said he didn't understand why he was called to Raw this week, or why he was sent out to ringside. The assumption was Adamle's announcing was so bad, the G.M. wanted Ross to save the show. Ross went on to give Adamle a hard time about not knowing the names of basic moves. Adamle said he was doing just fine without Ross. The tension grew during the show.

At the very end of the show, after the main event ended, Shane McMahon stepped onto the stage to reveal the G.M. He looked behind him, then turned to the ring and announced the Adamle decision. The crowd didn't know how to respond. Cena and Batista didn't know how to respond.

Adamle had moved into center ring presumably to interview Batista and Cena. In fact, he was there to announce that as G.M. he was booking Batista vs. Cena for Summerslam. The announcement of one of the biggest matches WWE could present in 2008 was secondary to the stunned almost silent disbelief that the laughing stock village idiot had just been put in charge of the A-show of WWE and was booking matches.

WWE isn't ignoring Adamle's reputation. It's WWE.com story on the G.M. announced described Adamle as being "known to most of the WWE Universe as the typically dunder-headed ECW commentator."

Jim Ross wrote on his website, JRsBBQ.com: "The naming of Adamle as Raw GM was universally considered a shocker by the Raw superstars. I did not see this one coming and it will be most interesting to see how the former NFL running back and sports broadcaster settles into his new, high profile. Some wrestlers were especially vocal regarding Adamle's announcement which was kept as a well concealed secret."

The decision, announced by Shane but agreed to by Stephanie, will be the subject of much conjecture. There is no rationale explanation if the goal was to put someone they'd trust to run the show in charge. So Adamle may have been put in that position of power (from a storyline perspective) to be someone's puppet on a string or as part of an angle for Vince McMahon to return and declare his children incompetent or to humiliate Adamle for a couple of weeks before firing him. From a business strategy perspective, the goal could have been to save face one of the worst judgment calls in WWE history in entrusting Adamle to announce wrestling given his knowledge and general aptitude by turning him into a clown character to be mocked and derided. In any case, was it worth overshadowing the Batista-Cena announcement for that?

RELATED STORY at PWTorch.com: KELLER: A look back at Mike Adamle's infamously disastrous and embarrassing debut as ECW announcer

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