Momentum: noun.  A property that allows moving things to overcome resistance and keep moving in the same direction.

Raw ended 2007 on a positive note with "momentum" as a recurring theme. It was the best Raw in a long time because it took storylines that were just beginning to bud and began building on them.

Jeff Hardy challenging Randy Orton for the title is my favorite of the new storylines.  I'm not a Randy Orton fan and usually dread seeing him come out and kick somebody in the head, but I'm enjoying this chase for the championship immensely.  I found myself looking forward to the next installment of the soap opera. Did Jeff's brother, Matt, survive the kick in the gut? Will Jeff be able to deal with Randy's distractions and hang in there to win the coveted title?

JBL (and his interminable entrance) debuted on Raw that same night to continue his feud with Chris Jericho.   

And Ric Flair and Triple H engaged in one of the most touching and realistic promos I've seen in quite some time, which was followed by a match that continued the momentum of Flair's quest to remain an active wrestler.

So you'd just naturally think that the first Raw of 2008 would keep the ball rolling, right?

Not so much.

Along came Raw Roulette, which had the effect of turning viewers--and their TV's--off during the first hour. I just hope enough folks stayed around for the remarkable second hour.

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Beth Phoenix has begun to take her Glamazon persona too seriously. Before she became the Glamazon, she was fairly graceful in the ring. However, since putting on her magic Wonder Woman headband, her movements in the ring have become plodding and robotic. I'm sure the reason for the overacting is to give her an appearance of superhuman strength. But instead of coming across as the Toughest Diva on the Planet, her moves come across as deliberate and zombie-like.

With a character like the Glamazon, subtlety is key.

Just a thought.

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. . . or public entertainment for contemporary Americans.

"American Gladiators" is not my cup of tea, but apparently a lot of people are lapping it up. Its ratings have made it NBC's best show so far this season in the early Monday night time slot.  Guess there's no such thing as too much Hulk Hogan.

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*Definitions from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary*

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Thanks for reading and see ya next week.