Evan Bourne's Push: RAW's Unpredictability Mirrors Attitude Era

For years, fans of the WWE have been waiting for a sign that the company is turning back towards a product that, despite a PG rating, we wouldn't be ashamed to share with a bunch of fourth-graders.

Monday's episode of RAW brought a glimmer of hope.

A week after Batista left the company, the flagship show of the WWE was in the need for another star in the main event picture. WWE wasted no time in showing their choice for a push. Before the TV cameras even came on the air, Evan Bourne sent out a challenge to Edge for his spot in the WWE Championship match at Fatal Four Way.

Evan Bourne.

It was certainly unexpected. Logical choices would have been for replacing one heel with another, using Chris Jericho or The Miz, if you wanted to vault a young talent up.

Bourne got in some offense on Edge, and just as he was about to finish him off, Edge countered and speared Bourne. It was the obvious end to the segment, but Bourne got in more offense than most would have expected, which the crowd ate up.

I can't knock the choice of Bourne. Those that know the business have seen Bourne in multiple other wrestling promotions, including Total Nonstop Action, Ring of Honor, and a stint in Wrestling Society X.

WWE also thought highly of him, awarding him as the last OVW Heavyweight Champion, under the ring name Matt Sydal, before cutting ties with the company.

Since coming up to the main roster in WWE, Bourne has not held a championship. Even initially on Monday, one thought back to the first RAW of 2010, when Bourne challenged then-WWE Champion Sheamus to no avail.

This would not be a case of dejavu, however, as Bourne appeared later on in the night as John Cena's replacement partner in a tag team match against Sheamus and Edge. Bourne got much more of his offense into the match, perhaps more than in any match since joining WWE.

A typical Evan Bourne match includes him getting thrown around and tormented, only for Bourne to get some momentum, and hit his shooting star splash, or Air Bourne, for the victory.

As the match wound down, Bourne got the hot tag and was able to get the momentum as usual. Cena hit the best Attitude Adjustment that he has done since changing the name from F-U, which set up Bourne on the top rope. A perfect Air Bourne (as if there is any other kind) gives Bourne the pin fall victory... over Sheamus.

That last part is, perhaps, the most shocking moment in professional wrestling this year. Bourne was able to pin a man that not even Cena has been able to pin. What a way to jolt some credibility into Bourne.

This certainly reminds me of the Attitude Era, which ran from 1998 until 2001. While the Attitude Era saw a lot more hardcore and young adult-oriented programming, this era will have a bit of a more tame feel to it.

As long as the unpredictability continues from Monday night, which also saw Alicia Fox turn on Zach Ryder, as well as Vince McMahon return to television, the excitement of the WWE will solidify the fan base as the young stars of the company are elevated to carry the company into the future.