Thoughts on this week - RAW, NXT

Just a busy week and not enough time to get to the two shows individually and on time. So I will offer some quick thoughts on both. Also, if anyone is wondering I do watch Smackdown, but always on DVR. And I usually do not finish it until a few days after Friday making it feel - much like this post does now - like a moot point. Anyways, here goes...

RAW
- I have to wonder if they are planting the seeds for a HHH turn. There seems to be a lot of ways they could eventually go with this. Maybe HHH calls out HBK on the Raw after Wrestlemania (after he loses) and breaks up DX because Shawn just "doesn't have it anymore" and he makes him sick, setting up a feud between the two when HBK comes back from "retirement".

- I'm enjoying the Legacy feud. But I have to wonder why they are giving these matches away now on TV. There's supposed to be a triple threat between Orton, DiBiase, and Rhodes on Monday. Shouldn't they save that for Wrestlemania? Maybe they will add a stipulation to make it more attractive at the big event. Whatever happens, Orton is coming out of this feud a face.

- Good to see Santino in a match, albeit for about 30 seconds. I like Swagger and I am glad to see he will be in Money in the Bank. He's not winning, but it will be a good opportunity for him to show us what he's capable of.

- Gotta admit, I fast-forwarded through the Batista-Cena exchange. I just don't care what Big Dave has to say. I like Cena on the mic, but nothing these two can say is really going to change the anticipation of the match. People know that the times these two have face each other are few and far between, and that is reason enough to want to see them go at it at Wrestlemania.

- Loved seeing Zack Ryder in action. Hated how quickly he was beat though, although I like MVP and am happy with him in MitB. A little continuity is all I am asking for. Ryder went a much longer match with Christian about a month ago, but suddenly jobs out to MVP in a minute and a half? That's just silly.

- I really wish the MitB qualifying matches were not so predictable. With the exception of Kane/McIntyre and Ziggler/Morrison/Truth, it was painfully obvious who was going to win. These matches could be really exciting, but instead it's just "oh, hey Swagger, go beat this guy you've already beaten a dozen times and hasn't been anything but a comedy act for the last 2 years, and you're in". LAME.

- So we are definitely getting Bret Hart vs. McMahon. I'm excited, very excited. BUT... I really hope Bret is okay to do this. Why the leg injury ankle? Is this to cover what they fear will be a sub-par performance by Bret? Or are they just trying to give the illusion that McMahon has the upper-hand? I really hope it's the latter and Bret shows us all he's still got it.

- And they are going with Sheamus and HHH at mania. What will Sheamus' reasoning for going after Trips be? Did he steal his gym bag last time they worked out together? I couldn't resist!

- Lastly... not very much wrestling on this episode, huh? Even for Raw, I can't believe how little in-ring action there was. I guess the most important thing right now is furthering the storylines for Mania.

NXT
- Not as good as last week but still entertaining. I think they are still trying to figure out the format on the fly, but the foundation is there. Matches, interviews, and angles. That's how you get guys over!

- I have no interest in Darren Young. His domination of Otunga seemed really silly after the quick loss last week. Otunga is the one with the potential here. It seems they want to make him a heel and a feud with his mentor R-Truth could work.

- Of course I hated Daniel Bryan losing too Wade Barrett but I am not that worried. He's already been built up as the best in the competition. It's probably the right move to take him down a few pegs, give fans the illusion that he's not going to win, and build him back up again. He's small and normal looking, so he fits the underdog persona better anyway. Wade Barret on the other hand should just stick to talking in his think English accent. At least he does that well.

- We didn't see much, but I did like what was presented of Justin Gabriel. He definitely has a look and style to get over in WWE. And it's not hurting at all that he is paired up with Hardy.

Things are really shaping up for Wrestlemania. I believe it has a ton of potential. I'm looking forward to it for sure.