Raw 1-2-12

Welcome to the first show of the year! What an awesome rush!!

Matches:

1. Daniel Bryan v. Cody Rhodes - 4 out of 5
2. Wade Barrett v. Santino Marella - 3 out of 5
3. Sheamus v. The Miz - N/A
4. Dolph Ziggler v. CM Punk - 4 out of 5
5. The Bella Twins v. Kelly Kelly & Eve - 1 out of 5
6. John Cena, Big Show & Zack Ryder v. Mark Henry & Jack Swagger - 3 out of 5


Okay, okay, first things first: Marks all across the internet were vindicated when the 1/2/2011 promos did, in fact, turn out to be for Jericho. Thankfully, my boyfriend didn't have to tie anyone down (rope was ready for Mehe in case it was the Undertaker, or for me if it miraculously ended up Shane), but we were all leaned forward on the couch, waiting and ready to hear what Y2J had to say... which was absolutely nothing. Everyone in the stands and at home went from totally excited, to slightly confused as he ran around like a maniac for ten minutes. There the reactions split. Those who got it, got excited again. Those who didn't, were totally pissed off. Jericho is an amazing, ever-evolving personality, and I can't wait to see what he's up to.

Speaking of amazing personalities, there are quite a few I'd like to talk about. Mehe was saying a while back, before belts were put on deserving performers, that a champion-vs-champion match these days wouldn't mean anything. Now, however, it's a treat to see Rhodes & Bryan kicking off the new year with one. The continuity in this match was amazing, from Cody working Bryan's arm to hopefully take the Labelle Lock out of the picture, to him protecting his face as Bryan backed him into a corner and mercilessly delivered a series of high kicks, the bout was pretty much flawless. And let's not discount our former US champ Dolph Ziggler and current WWE champion CM Punk. I am very okay with these two feuding it out on my TV every Monday. You'll notice that those two matches are the highest rated this week, and that is no accident. I can't wait to see how John Laurinaitis figures into the equation at the Royal Rumble.

Finally, we come to the main event. It was turned into a handicap elimination match at the last second because Kane decided he was not participating. The match itself was nothing spectacular, but what happened AFTER the match was the real meat of the situation. Ryder and Cena were the last two men standing when it was all over, and when Kane's music hit, Cena headed to the ramp to meet him. Unfortunately, Kane didn't enter from backstage... he came up through the ring. By the time Cena figured out what was happening, it was too late. Kane grabbed him and suffocated him for the second straight week, and then he entered the ring to drag Ryder back into Hell with him. Luckily, Cena came to his senses just in time and pulled him out, but a massive explosion of fire from the hole in the ring made the message loud and clear that this is not over... not by a longshot.