In recent years, the popularity of professional wrestling, mainly in part from World Wrestling Entertainment, has declined.

Wrestlers like Triple H, Kane, and John Cena have made popular names for themselves, but have not lived up to standards set by Hulk Hogan and Macho Man Randy Savage in the late 1980s and ’90s.

Recently, the WWE’s flagship show “Raw,” moved from Spike TV to the USA network. Due to “Raw’s” continuous slip in weekly ratings, Spike opted to pass on the renewal of its contract. The USA network, which was the original home for “Raw,” eventually signed the failing show to a new contract, hoping to lead the show to a fresh new start accompanied by a rejuvenated, edgier theme. Fans wanted the show to be more unpredictable and exciting, and thus far, it’s exactly what they’ve received.

For the last two weeks, the show has been focused on the newly crowned heavyweight champion, Edge, and his feud with former heavyweight champion, John Cena.

On the Jan. 9 edition of “Raw,” Edge promised a celebration would take place in the center of the wrestling ring in the form of live sex with his girlfriend Lita.

Knowing “Raw” is televised live and knowing anything can happen, viewers tuned in to the segment. It made it the highest rated “Raw” segment in the last two years. And viewers, mainly male, were not disappointed when Lita, who was trying to stay under the covers in a strategically placed bed in the ring, was caught on camera completely topless.

More recently, on the Jan. 16 edition of “Raw,” Edge faced off against the seemingly invincible and immortal Ric Flair,M in a tables, ladders and chairs match. In this match, an Edge specialty, the world title belt is hung from a wire in the center of the ring and the only way to win the match is to climb a ladder and remove the belt.

In one of the most brutal-looking matches in the history of the WWE, which is saying a lot, Edge demolished Ric Flair. Flair, who lost a fair amount of blood, was taken to the limit and annihilated by a star nearly half his age.

The biggest “bump” of the night was caused by Flair, when he tipped over a ladder which Edge was atop, completely launching Edge over the ring ropes and crashing through a table set up outside the ring.

Shock and awe have been understatements in the last few weeks, and if the last two weeks are any indication of the direction Vince McMahon is taking his company, there might still be some hope for the sport that has been possessed by complete and utter boredom.