In the RVD/Holly match we saw “Hardcore” Holly and Rob Van Dam return to their roots.

Mid-card status.

That didn’t stop them from literally stealing the show with the best match of the night, and what was possibly the best match of the season. Even prior to Holly’s back being lacerated (a wound that needed 24 stitches to close according to reports) the Match was reminiscent of the old ECW matches from the mid-90’s. It used extreme rules to emphasize the brutality of the participants, not as a crutch for wrestlers to lean on when they’re not feeling creative.

In other words, it was a departure from standard WWE “extreme” fare, and a nod to the days when a hardcore wrestling match included some actual wrestling.

The main event, where the Sandman challenged Big Show, was slow and uninspired enough on it’s own that having it follow the RVD/holly match was one of the worst programming mistakes I’d seen in a long time, maybe since the last season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Even with the “catfight” between Ariel and Francine to buffer it, the so-called main event was a severe disappointment as the conclusion of the show.

Unfortunately, our man on the inside says RVD may have to stick with the mid-card until corporate are sure he’s cleaned up his act, and Holly’s not a first choice as an opponent, being that he’s got a reputation for being, shall we say, high strung.

Fans will just have to accept that the best matches will be in the middle of the show, which is just the way advertisers like it.