The recent WWE fad for the celebrity guest host has certainly had its critics, but if it is publicity what the company are after (and it most assuredly is), then having the Rev. Al Sharpton as host in Albany, New York this week was a success days before the show went live on air.

Sharpton, an often outspoken Baptist minister and civil rights activist, was condemned in several areas of the press for planning to appear on the show, most notably by long-time Vince McMahon critic Phil Mushnick (no relation to legendary promoter Sam) of the New York Post, especially since the company has a history of playing on racial stereotypes, as can be seen with Cryme Tyme's antics. Not to mention those with a voice in print, a vocal minority of fans pledged to boycott Raw due to Sharpton's involvement.

But in any case, the Reverend - who claims he is doing the show to reach out to illiterate youths - did indeed take the mic, beginning with appearing with MVP and Mark Henry on the VIP Lounge. That was not before Chris Jericho & The Big Show interrupted proceedings, however, with Jericho lambasting MVP for not referring to Sharpton as "the most prominent civil rights leader of our time". The two then traded introductory accolades until Sharpton arrived to quite vocal boos from the crowd, which only changed when he made a match between the two teams for the Unified Tag Team Titles.

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