Fed Up with RAW

Despite the apparent decline in popularity of World Wrestling Entertainment, I have continued to follow it over the last few years. Even though Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock have left, I still tune in on Monday night to watch RAW. Despite the inferior quality of the wrestlers and the less entertaining story lines, I still consider myself a WWE fan. But now the WWE is pushing me too far. They brought in Kevin Federline.

This is not the first time a celebrity, or pseudo-celebrity, has gotten involved with professional wrestling. Federline is following in the proud footsteps of Andy Kaufman, Pete Rose, Dennis Rodman, Lawrence Taylor, and David Arquette. All those celebrities were either promoting themselves or some project and Federline is no different. Apparently he is still under the delusion that he has some talent other than getting women pregnant and is trying to get a music career off the ground. After listening to a snippet of one of his songs on KROQ’s Kevin and Bean Show, I’m pretty sure it’s going to stay on the ground.

Aside from the obvious ratings ploy, which apparently is succeeding, it’s not quite clear why Vince McMahon has decided to get Federline involved with the WWE. Maybe they’re trying to boost the popularity of John Cena, Federline’s WWE nemesis. Although Cena has been popular with some of the WWE crowd, other segments of the audience despise him. For a while earlier this year, the boos would drown out the cheers during his matches. I thought he was better as a heel, when he would do a dumb rap to insult the home crowd, than as a baby face, but I don’t have much of an opinion of him.

John Cena stars in the most rest WWE movie, The Marine. Perhaps McMahon was thinking that if he paired up Cena with someone everyone hates, it might make Cena more likeable and might sell a few more movie tickets. Not sure if that’s working though since the movie has only made $16.9 million after being out four weeks. Maybe next time the WWE will focus on making a better movie (its Rotten Tomatoes freshness rating is only 21%) rather than on making one of its wrestlers more likable.

Federline’s first appearance on RAW was surprising and mildly amusing, especially thanks to the resounding chorus of boos that was showered on him. But then he came back the following week and embraced the hate. He also took part in last Sunday’s WWE pay per view event and had a hand in John Cena’s defeat. After realizing that he’s actually enjoying himself and after having to put up with the promotion of his “music endeavor,” I’ve gotten to the point that I don’t want to watch RAW this coming Monday because he’ll probably be on again.

Fortunately there is a light at the end of tunnel. He’s scheduled to face off against Cena in the wrestling ring on New Year’s Day. There's nothing I’d rather see than Federline completely thrashed. But I know that won’t happen so I don’t plan to tune in. But hopefully now that Britney Spears has filed for divorce, Federline’s 15 minutes will be running out soon and New Year’s Day will be the last day Federline will be associated with the WWE. Until then I’ll do my part and stay away from RAW.