Being live most of the year, Monday Night Raw really doesn't have much margin for error. However, its creative staff, headed by Brian Gerwitz, is still vulnerable to sudden changes it can't control, such as injuries and drug suspensions. On the other hand, a lot has been left ignored for too long.

Following last night's Raw, it was announced that deposed GM William Regal was suspended for 60 days for his 2nd violation of the Wellness policy, just one week after Jeff Hardy had been activated after serving his 2nd suspension. Unlike his 30 day "vacation" last fall, Regal couldn't remain GM. As Vince McMahon pointed out last night, the company has gotten a large volume of negative mail from viewers ever since Regal won King of the Ring last month and began abusing his office as GM. While those abuses have been tame compared to Vicki Guerrero over on Smackdown---and very original, to boot---it isn't good business to have heels running all three brands. While the widow Guerrero is more deserving of dismissal at the moment, McMahon is unwilling to pull the trigger just yet. We think.

As for other problems.....

1. While people like Charlie Haas, Jim Duggan, Val Venis, and Paul Burchill are making appearances on Raw, they're few and far between as they're appearing regularly on Heat, which has been an online-only entity since October 2005. However, Heat hasn't been promoted as much on its parent show unlike the days when it was on cable (1998-2005), and so when the Heat regulars appear on Raw, aside from Burchill, they've been used as JTTS (Jobbers to the Stars). The time, then, has come to move Heat back to TV here in the US, in order to create some continuity between Heat & Raw.

2. Even though he's now an 8-time Intercontinental champion, having won #8 in March from Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho isn't exactly defending the title with gusto much these days. The title wasn't on the line the last two nights in matches against Shawn Michaels & Dave Batista, so what's the point of Jericho being IC champ? Hardy went on suspension after dropping the title, and before being rudely interrupted by Regal last week, the "Rainbow Haired Warrior" made noises about getting the title back. It was reported that Jericho was going to turn heel in the course of all this, and that can still happen, but right now, the IC title isn't a priority to him. That's where a Heat regular like Burchill can come in handy. The quickest way to elevate Burchill would be to put the title on him, and plug him into the hole vacated by his countryman Regal. However, Burchill is stuck with a gimmick involving countrywoman Katie Lea that could spoil those plans.

3. As World tag team champs, Cody Rhodes & Hardcore Holly should be appearing weekly on Raw. Not so. They take their turns at the roulette wheel, eef yew weel, on Heat. As with the IC title, the tag titles are not considered a creative priority, despite the fact that Raw has a more vibrant tag team division than Smackdown does. This is where Creative gets in trouble. Too much time is given to the main event guys, people like Triple H, John Cena, Randy Orton, and JBL. In a perfect world, all 4 Raw titles would be treated equally, and given proper amounts of time.

In contrast, the women are getting more air time, in answer to the positive press TNA is getting for its women's division. As we saw last night, two feuds are set for the summer, as Lea is positioning herself as the next challenger for Mickie James, while former champions Melina Perez and Beth Phoenix will fight amongst themselves. With Candice Michelle questionable because of a clavicle injury that has kept her on the DL most of the year, it makes sense for Katie, who's had 3 handicap matches vs. male wrestlers, partnered with Burchill, in the last month, to finally step in against her fellow divas. In addition, there's the prospect of James having Cena in her corner to offset Burchill, as the writers are teasing a romance between Mickie and the "Dr. of Thuganomics".

That isn't all. Trevor Murdoch's newfound talent as a country singer may have a cross-promotional bent to it. "Nashville Star" is moving from USA to sister network NBC next month, and after Cena appeared on "Star" last year as a guest judge, the chances are good they could do something with Murdoch. All that's required is the requisite crossovers with "Star"'s new host, actor-singer Billy Ray Cyrus ("Hannah Montana"). We won't even discuss the likely trainwreck of a match between Santino Marella and comedian Sal Iacono ("Jimmy Kimmel Live!"), involving Hall of Famer Roddy Piper.

Raw has been the flagship of WWE-TV for nearly 16 years. It has to set an example for the other brands, and now is the best time.