Hate It or Love It, LaVar Ball's WWE Raw Appearance Was Brilliant

Whether you watched in disgust or laughed as LaVar Ball acted exactly how you thought he would, the Big Baller's appearance on Monday's episode of WWE Raw was a brilliant move for the company.

Ball has been one of the most polarizing figures in sports over the last several months leading up to the end of his son Lonzo's college basketball career and jump to the NBA. As a brash trash-talker who doesn't shy away from controversy, most sports fans know of Ball and his antics.

Regardless of whether they love him or hate him, people react.

Sports and entertainment shows will be talking about his appearance on WWE programming, and that's exactly what the company wants.

WWE officials were also smart to announce Ball's appearance ahead of time in order to entice casual wrestling fans or people who just like to see what the Big Baller will say next. Hardcore fans may complain about the appearance, but they're already on board anyway.

With Raw at Staples Center in Los Angeles and Lonzo now a Laker, the fit worked perfectly live. L.A. was bound to explode, and LaVar was there to soak in the spotlight. As bad as the segment was from an execution standpoint, the reaction from the fans indicated it worked.

As noted, the segment was a train wreck from a booking standpoint. While Miz and Dean Ambrose worked to keep things heading in the right direction, Ball created heat for himself in the worst possible way.

One day, wrestling fans will look back and think about Ball's appearance the same way people do Michael Strahan's awful showing or the legendary Kathie Lee and Hoda segment. The only difference is that Ball is still in the midst of his 15 minutes of fame.

The hope from WWE is that Ball's appearance generates mainstream buzz and provides a short-term ratings spike. But whether you loved the segment or despised it, LaVar was born to be a WWE Superstar.

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