WWE: 7 Ways John Laurinaitis Is Coming into His Own on Raw

Since being appointed to the role of interim Raw General Manager by WWE's Board of Directors in October, John Laurinaitis, the company's real-life Executive Vice President of Talent Relations,has blossomed as an on-screen performer. 

Fast becoming one of the few highlights of a struggling Raw product, the deep-voiced Laurinaitis shines as the bumbling, dorky yes-man attempting to save his own bacon, rather than running the flagship show to the best of his abilities.

With this in mind, here are just seven of the ways "Mr Excitement" is coming into his own as a performer...

Battling with CM Punk

While none of the Raw's baby faces like him very much, Laurinaitis has greatly irked one WWE Superstar in particular since he took on the role of Raw GM: CM Punk.

Indeed, the two contrasting personalities have had lively battles back and forth on promos on various episodes of Raw, as Punk attempts to establish himself as Raw's top name in the face of interfering middle-management man Laurinaitis. The rebellious, loudmouth Punk can't stand the stuffy, boring general manager and is certainly not shy about saying so.  

An updated version of the legendary Vince McMahon/Steve Austin feud, the Punk/Laurinaitis is an intriguing angle that could help rejuvenate the stale Raw product.

Oh, and don't forget the ice-cream bars.

Future Endeavors

Sure, turning WWE's token "We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors" line into John's catchphrase on television may be a bit tasteless and insensitive (as former diva Cherry recently complained), but it is rather funny, and chimes in perfectly with the sleazy, callous nature of his character.

Indeed, fans everywhere were rolling on the floor laughing when he delivered the infamous line on camera to ex-WWE star John Morrison on last week's episode of Raw.

He's Is Drastically Different from Any Other Authority Figure WWE Has Had

Vince McMahon is a loud, boorish nutcase, Vickie Guerrero is screaming shrew, Teddy Long is the affable bayface GM who tries to do the right thing...all perform their roles admirably, but the gruff-voiced, ass-kissing John Laurinaitis is something altogether different.

He's unmistakeably a heel, for sure. But unlike Vince or Vickie, he does not have to resort to yelling loudly or viciously berating the baby faces over the mic to get what he wants. Indeed, John's act is far more sinister and insidious; he is out to sabotage the baby faces, of course, but he just isn't going to be too honest about it.   

He Is Mr. Excitement, After All

Come on, how can we not love him? As he noted to Punk on Raw last week, far from being a dull, stuffy middle-management man, he is actually the life and soul of the party! He is hip, he is cool. He is down with the kids!

All hail "Mr. Excitement!"

He's Easy to Hate

Whether it his gruff and ridiculously deep voice, his bumbling demeanor, or his real-life reputation for ass-kissing and backstabbing, there is something to easy to dislike about the corporate executive, as the vociferous boos he has been garnering in the arenas in recent times will attest to.   

He Is Improving on Promos

When he first emerged as on-screen character in July as part of CM Punk's shoot/work storyline, Laurinaitis seemed uncomfortable and unsure of himself on promos. This wasn't a surprise: it's been years since he was an active wrestler and television performer, after all. Of course, he had missed a step and didn't look like he belonged out there.

However, since his debut, he has drastically improved in his talking and delivery, to the point he can now go toe-to-toe with great promo men like John Cena and CM Punk and not look out his depth.  

He Take Bumps

Unlike Vince (who is getting too old) and Vickie (not a trained wrestler), Laurinaitis is a heel authority figure who will be able to take brutal moves from WWE's top baby faces (like he did at Money in the Bank when his interferences in the Punk/Cena match backfired). The now retired wrestler will likely even work a gimmick match, with Punk possibly, at some point in the future.

Considering fans like to see their top heels get their well-deserved comeuppance, this is surely one major positive of Laurinaitis being a major on-screen character.