Around the Ring: Naitch's last run?

WHAT? TWO WEEKS IN A ROW?!? You have got to be kidding me. Christmas is coming early for me (and I hope for the rest of you wrestling fans) because WWE delivered a good PPV and then TWO excellent RAW programs in a row.

First off, we get the return of THE NATURE BOY “WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” RIC FLAIR. I'll tell you I thought that with the way Flair was carrying himself that he was actually going to announce his retirement right at the beginning of the program. I know that being back home in Flair Country, he always gets a little emotional, but I thought he was going to break down right then and there and say that he's unfortunately finished. All of a sudden, he's hopping around screaming that he's never going to retire! I didn't really see that coming considering how well he played it out. Then Vince makes his appearance.

McMahon's new stipulation for Flair is that as long as he keeps winning, he keeps his job. I think this is a pretty stupid stipulation to put on someone and try to get people to buy it as something real, but as a wrestling angle, it's going to keep Flair's angle as a fighting, active wrestler very interesting until he finally loses (prediction: around WrestleMania next year). Could he have one more title run? I don't see why not. All the internet marks know that he's just signed a new three year deal and that will keep him around in the back and possible on TV as a GM or manager. Let's all enjoy these last couple months watching the “dirtiest player in the game” work his magic.

Santino Marella was great working with Chris Jericho...both in the ring and on the mic. Actually, I really enjoyed Santino a little more than Jericho on the mic. His retorts are so well timed. As for the match, both men held his own and Jericho really looked like he practiced quite a bit. His new finisher is pretty cool, too.

Don't tell me that Jericho's involvement in the Flair/Orton match was surprising to any one of you. It was the perfect way to infuriate Randy Orton to accept the title match at the December PPV.

Speaking of that PPV, HHH vs. Jeff Hardy should be pretty good. I hope Hunter actually does the J.O.B. and let this turn into an angle of respect between the two. Mind you, Hunter's comments backstage were great: “I don't think there's any person I've teamed with that I haven't turned my back on.” Touché, Hunter. Touché.

On my...here's the end of this week's rant and I didn't touch on TNA OR Smackdown. Here's a quick comment for each: ‘Taker tombstoning Vickie Guerrero was awesome and sets up the feud between him and Edge even better. The violent “Match of 10,000 Tacks” at the next TNA PPV featuring Abyss will be awesome. It's the highlight of the show (not Scott Hall's drunk ass working with the stiff moving Kevin Nash in the main event).