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CALDWELL'S TAKE
CALDWELL: WWE Draft Week 3 - Analyzing Raw's Draft Picks and their contributions to the Raw brand
May 12, 2009 - 1:30:39 AM


By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

During the Raw post-game show I hosted with MMATorch.com editor Jamie Penick on Monday night, we discussed a lack of consistency to this week's WWE Raw TV episode. (VIP - Raw post-game audio show)

With many wrestlers shifting over to the Raw brand in the recent Draft, the writers seem to be trying to find a right way to utilize new talent in programs that seem to mean something while still maintaining the show's focus on Randy Orton and the McMahon family.

The feeling-out process has produced some greatness from The Miz and some nothingness from Hornswoggle and the Bella Twins just to fill a minute or two of TV time. Jamie and I both agree WWE could do a better job of establishing these new faces on Raw to create compelling TV that doesn't feel like a wasted segment.

Following is a break down of how I perceive each of the new wrestlers who officially came over to the Raw brand in the recent Draft and whether their stock is going up or down based on how much "quality" TV time WWE is investing in the person's character or storyline.

Best Performing Draft Picks

(1) The Miz. Miz has been the best thing to happen to the Raw brand after the official Draft season started. Miz has shown passion, intensity, and energy in his program against John Cena. Jamie said it best in the post-game show that Miz is carrying himself like he thinks he's capable of being a main event star and he belongs in a program with Cena. That attitude is pushing him to be a great performer thus far on the Raw brand. (Stock Rising)

(2) MVP. MVP had a great first night on Raw, then he was booked in a so-so role last week before shining this week with the VIP Lounge segment and a tag team victory over William Regal. MVP isn't receiving the consistent main event push like Miz, but he's in position to be a legit star on WWE's top show. (Stock Rising slightly)

(3) Matt Hardy. Hardy is a different kind of heel than Miz, who is cocky and arrogant. Hardy's character is whiny and quick to make excuses. Both characters have a place on the show. Hardy is in a position to have a nice run once his hand heals, but until then, he's limited in what he can do storyline-wise. (Stock Holding)

(4) Chavo Guerrero. Chavo is receiving significant TV time next to authority figure Vickie Guerrero. Chavo is under-rated as a "character performer" and he's done well enhancing Vickie's character. (Stock Holding)

Need to see more

(5) Carlito & Primo Colon. WWE hasn't utilized Primo, which is a shame. Primo was having some break-out individual performances on the Smackdown brand prior to the Draft, but WWE hasn't showcased him yet. Meanwhile, Carlito is in a program with Brian Kendrick that's barely receiving TV time. Colons are the tag champs, so they have a secure place on the card, but WWE hasn't exactly utilized them just yet. (Stock Holding)

(6) Big Show. Need to see how WWE utilizes Show after his program with John Cena runs its course at Judgment Day on Sunday. (Stock Holding)

(7) Maryse. The Divas champion received some promo time on this week's Raw, which was a good sign for the title program with Mickie James. Maryse has taken two losses in a row to Mickie James, though, but at least there's an actual program in the women's division on Raw. That wasn't the case before the Draft. Can't actually remember the last legitimate program in the women's division. (Stock Rising)

(8)The Brian Kendrick. TBK picked up a win this week. TBK doesn't have a partner for a tag title run, though. TBK could be lost in the shuffle if WWE doesn't figure out how to utilize him or have a legit partner in find for the tag title program. Lots of question marks here. (Stock Holding)

(9) Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle started on the Raw brand in a familiar role of tormenting people, but that's going to become old after a while. This week, he ran away scared from Cody Rhodes to help Batista, who is representing the McMahon Family. Perhaps he's working for the McMahons, who once ran an entire storyline looking for Vince's illegitimate son and they landed on Hornswoggle, who was revealed to be Finlay's illegitimate son in the storyline. Unless Hornswoggle is somehow mixed into the McMahon deal, then there are plenty of questions - if anyone is asking them - on how he'll be "utilized" on Raw. (Stock Dropping)

Nothing to report yet

(10) Triple H. Hunter has been off TV since the official start of the Draft period to sell injuries from Backlash and perhaps to allow the other Draftees some room to breathe. We'll see how Hunter is used when he returns from hiatus. (Stock Unlisted)

(11) Mr. Kennedy. Kennedy received the video package treatment on Raw to advertise his imminent return. On the post-game show, Jamie and I discussed potential feuds for Kennedy once he returns...Jamie showed no mercy in picking out Kennedy's potential opponents. (Stock Unlisted)

(12) Bella Twins. Not sure what, if any, actual role they have on the Raw brand. Colons apparently ditched them in the storylines. Hornswoggle had his fun with them two weeks ago. We'll see if WWE can find a place for them on Raw. (Stock Dropping)

(13) Festus. You would think a Top Five finish in last week's Torch MVP voting would warrant some love for Festus, but there's just nothing to conclude on how WWE is going to utilize the big man on Raw. He can't sing every week - WWE already tried that gimmick with Trevor Murdoch a/k/a Jethro Holliday. There's simply nothing to report on Festus's role on Raw after coming over from Smackdown where he also had a similar role of doing nothing.


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