By Jason Powell

WWE Raw on the USA Network
Live from Anaheim, California

[Q1] The annual MLK video tribute aired... The opening video played... Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler checked in from ringside and hyped that we are less than two weeks away from the Royal Rumble pay-per-view...

Mick Foley was introduced by ring announcer Justin Roberts. Meanwhile, it was announced that C.M. Punk and Daniel Bryan would face the team of Mark Henry and Dolph Ziggler, and Zack Ryder is scheduled to face Jack Swagger for the U.S. Title. Cole questioned whether Ryder will be physically able to defend the title.

Foley stood in the ring and soaked up some cheers before getting the obligatory cheap pop out of the way. Foley said he was initially happy to return in a nostalgic role. He recalled headlining WrestleMania in Anaheim with his wife and two of his kids in attendance. Foley said his other kids weren't old enough to see it. Thus, Foley announced his intention of being one of the entrants in the Royal Rumble match.

Vickie Guerrero interrupted with an "excuse me" or three. She and Dolph Ziggler walked onto the stage and then headed to the ring. Cole reminded viewers that Vickie is banned from ringside during Ziggler's title match at the Rumble. Ziggler took offense to Foley showing up and taking one of the "30 golden tickets to WrestleMania." Foley said yes.

Ziggler said that he's been to one of Foley's standup comedy shows. He said if this is a bit, then he gets it and he thinks it's funny. Ziggler did an impersonation of Foley's children cheering as he entered the Rumble and then being disappointed when he was eliminated seconds later.

Foley admitted that could happen. He said that one of the great things about the Rumble is that you never know what is going to happen. He said it's possible he'll find magic. Foley said he wants to perform in front of his two kids, but he's not just there to participate. "I'm not just in the Royal Rumble to be in it, I'm in the Royal Rumble to win it," Foley said.

Ziggler said he worked all year long to prove himself. He claimed to have beaten John Cena last week when he ran away. He said he beat C.M. Punk two weeks in a row. He talked about his credentials and then called Foley a glorified stuntman. Ziggler said Foley came to make a fool out of himself one more time. "For once in your entire career, you succeeded," Ziggler said. Ziggler told Foley that it's over. He told him to eat a salad and go away.

C.M. Punk's music played and he headed to the ring carrying the WWE Championship in his hand. Punk said he and Foley are alike in that they don't attempt to look or talk like every other Superstar. He said they also don't hide behind a woman. Punk said he and Foley have earned everything they've achieved unlike the guy with the referee in his back pocket.

Punk mocked John Laurinaitis by calling him "Johnny 'Nobody Gives a Crap About Me' Laurinaitis. Punk vowed to retain the WWE Championship despite having the deck stacked against him. "And do you want to know why?" Punk asked. "Because I'm the best wrestler in the world."

[Q2] Punk said he will win at the Royal Rumble and go on to defend the championship at WrestleMania, and he thinks it would be cool if he defended the belt against Foley. John Laurinaitis walked onto the stage and said he had an announcement. He said that he would be unbiased during the Punk vs. Ziggler match. He also said that in an effort to show how fair he can be, he said he could consider Foley's request.

Laurinaitis said he thought long and hard about Foley's request. "My answer is...no!" Laurinaitis left the stage. Foley didn't look please. Vickie started laughing and got in Foley's face. "He said no!" she said...

A shot aired of Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston walking backstage. Cole said you may notice that they didn't have their championships because they were defeated on Sunday night. They said Air Boom had invoked their rematch clause and would get their title shot tonight... [C]

Powell's POV: A very good opening segment. The additional of Foley (and I assume it will still happen) would be a nice extra hook for the Rumble match and wouldn't require him to expose his limitations. Ziggler did a nice job on the mic, though I wish he would dress the part. I'm all for the guy trying to stand out by not dressing like every other heel in a suit, but his ode to Don Johnson neon shirts make him look low budget. That said, everyone involved shined, and Vickie laughing maniacally at Foley was hilarious. Unfortunately, the announcement of the tag title change left a lot to be desired, so hopefully the followup during the match will be better.

1. Primo and Epico (w/Rosa Mendes) defeated Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne to retain the WWE Tag Titles in 2:15. The announcers narrated highlights of the title change footage. Lawler drooled over Rosa, and Cole said the champs have been nearly unbeatable since she joined them.

Air Boom controlled the bulk of the offense and scored a couple of near falls. Bourne tagged in and set up for his finisher, but the illegal men in the match fought at ringside and distracted him. Epico recovered and knocked Bourne off the top rope. Epico hit the Backstabber and scored the pin. The camera immediately cut to Rosa jumping at ringside...

Powell's POV: The match was much quicker than I hoped it would be, but they did a good job of establishing the new tag champs as being somewhat vulnerable while putting over Rosa in a big way. They could have done a lot more to establish that the

Backstage, David Otunga said "you know who" was waiting outside the door. Otunga let the man in the room, and Laurinaitis informed him that he would be teaming with Daniel Bryan and C.M. Punk to face the team of Henry, Ziggler, and Otunga. The camera showed a smiling Chris Jericho. He turned off the lights in the room and turned the lights on his jacket on. The crowd chanted Y2J... [C]

An ad for Smackdown hyped "Sin City Smackdown" for Friday...

Powell's POV: I'll be surprised if we get a major Jericho development tonight. The World Title matches are already set, so my guess is that Jericho doesn't show his cards during the main event or they put him in a temporary feud with David Otunga before going to a heel turn after the Rumble. Either way, the already entertaining show just got a lot more interesting.

[Q3] The announcers spoke at ringside about the main event. Lawler said Otunga gave Laurinaitis an envelope that contained a doctor's note regarding Zack Ryder...

Backstage, Josh Mathews interviewed Ryder and Eve. Ryder, who had his ribs taped, said he would not forfeit his title. He said he was going to the ring. Eve said she was going with him...

A video recapped the Kane drama from last week... Jack Swagger and Vickie Guerrero made their entrance for the U.S. Title match... [C]

Powell's POV: They set up a nice hook in terms of Ryder entering the match wounded. Plus, it's still possible that Laurinaitis could intervene based on the doctor's note that Lawler mentioned.

2. Jack Swagger (w/Vickie Guerrero) defeated Zack Ryder (w/Eve) to win the U.S. Title in 2:25. Swagger jumped out to the early advantage as Ryder sold his injuries. A "Let's Go Ryder, Woo Woo Woo" chant picked up briefly. Swagger dominated the match and hit a gut wrench suplex. He targeted Ryder's back throughout the match and finished him off with a gut-wrench powerbomb and a clean pin...

The announcers hyped the six-man tag main event...

Powell's POV: A good story with Ryder being protected due to the storyline injury, and Swagger looking like a badass while roughing up the injured Ryder. Very good show thus far.

[Q4] [C] A WrestleMania video hyped The Rock vs. John Cena and that tickets are on sale now...

Powell's POV: There's a video that WWE officials probably didn't think they'd have to produce. If someone had told you two years ago that Rock vs. Cena was going to headline WrestleMania, I think most of us would have assumed it was a quick sellout. This year? Not so much.

Backstage, a trainer checked on Ryder while a concerned Eve sat by. Laurinaitis entered the room and said he just opened the doctor's report. He said Ryder should not have been allowed to compete. "My bad," Laurinaitis said. Eve got upset. Laurinaitis told her to shut her mouth...

Powell's POV: Eve is doing a nice job of showing concern and now frustration tonight. She's not treating Ryder's character like a tool. Maybe she should have pointed out that the match shouldn't count since Ryder wasn't eligible to compete. Isn't that how Mark Henry retained the World Hvt. Championship when Daniel Bryan cashed in the first time?

Justin Roberts introduced Perez Hilton, who received a mix of boos and mostly silence. He ran down the ramp and searched for hands to slap. He wasn't very successful. Once he took the mic, he was booed heavily. He introduced the Divas match...

3. Kelly Kelly and Alicia Fox beat The Bella Twins in 1:00. The Bellas tried to do the Twin Magic bit, but Hilton pulled out one of them out of the ring. Kelly pinned the legal Bella for the win. After the match, one of the Bellas shoved Hilton, who took the worst bump ever. The babyface duo intervened on his behalf...

The announcers hyped that Daniel Bryan would provide an update on A.J.'s condition later in the show... [C]

Powell's POV: Cole's scripted endorsement of Hilton was comically forced and awful, yet even that that had nothing on the bump that Hilton took. Did old man Vince confuse Perez and Paris Hilton? By the way, Will Pruett pointed out that actor Denis Haskins (a/k/a Mr. Belding) is seated behind the announcers.

The Royal Rumble flashback focussed on Ric Flair winning the match in 1992...

Powell's POV: My favorite Rumble match to date. It was a great moment for Flair fans despite the haircut.

R-Truth made his entrance. Before he could speak, Wade Barrett's music started to play.

[Q5] Barrett headed to the ring dressed in his ring gear, whereas Truth was in street clothes in the ring. Barrett questioned whether R-Truth was actually a real name. He said Truth will hear Wade Barrett be named the winner of the Rumble match. He took exception to the idea of Mick Foley entering the match.

R-Truth said Little Jimmy wants to know if anyone ever told Barrett that he talks funny. Truth set up photoshopped shots of himself with Disney characters (because they were next to Disney Land). One of them had Pinocchio's nose growing because he said Barrett would win the Rumble match.

The Miz attacked R-Truth from behind. Truth started to get the better of it, but Barrett stepped in. Sheamus ran out to even up the sides. Sheamus and Truth cleared the heels from the ring. Teddy Long walked onto the ramp. He said Laurinaitis was busy tonight and it's a SuperShow, so he's taking charge. Long booked an over the top rope challenge between the foursome...

4. R-Truth defeated Sheamus, The Miz, and Wade Barrett in an Over the Top Rope Challenge in 4:15. Okay, so R-Truth's street clothes consisted of a shirt, which he removed and suddenly he was bascially in his wrestling gear. Barrett was dumped by all three men in 1:25.

At 3:50, Sheamus started beating his chest and yelling Brogue. The crowd didn't join him. He went for the kick and missed. Miz pulled down the top rope and tried to dump Sheamus over the top. R-Truth recovered and eliminated both men to win the match. Sheamus blasted Miz with a Brogue Kick at ringside and pointed at R-Truth...

Powell's POV: First Hornswoggle, and now R-Truth. Sheamus is the most gracious battle royal loser of all time. I don't know about you, but suddenly I see R-Truth as a threat to win the Royal Rumble! Wait, no I don't.

Backstage, John Cena was pissed as he stormed into John Laurinaitis's office. He was hot because of Laurinaitis allowing Ryder to compete when he was injured. Laurinaitis said it was just a mistake. He booked Kane vs. Cena for the Royal Rumble. Laurinaitis also booked Cena vs. Jack Swagger for after the break. Cena left the room and Laurinaitis went back to texting... [C]

[Q6] 5. John Cena fought Jack Swagger to an apparent no-contest. Cena came out and beat the hell out Swagger in the ring and then at ringside. Cole said it was ridiculous that the match was even allowed to start. Cena had Swagger lying over a piece of the ring steps. He looked down at him and then picked up the other piece of the ring stairs. Before he could slam the stairs onto Swagger, he was interrupted.

Kane's music played and Cena dropped the steps and reentered the ring. Kane appeared on the video screen. "Very impressive, Cena," Kane said. "I think you're getting it. By the time we meet at the Royal Rumble event, you will have embraced the hate"...

Powell's POV: "Good! Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you."

WWE tooted their own horn for winning an award in the UK...

6. Brodus Clay pinned JTG in 1:10. Brodus and his dancers did their routine. JTG rolled his eyes at ringside. Cole and Lawler both laughed whenever Brodus danced. "Should I beat him?" Clay asked the crowd. He picked up JTG and yelled "suplex." I'm pretty sure you can figure out what followed. He finished him off a short time later with a move that Cole said he calls, "Oh, Funk It"...

Powell's POV: There were some in the crowd who liked it, but it did not seem like Funkasaurus Fever was widespread. The fans were into the power moves and some of the dancing during the match, but the post-match dancing didn't seem to get much of a reaction. Dot Net's Will Pruett is at the show tonight, so perhaps he will tell a different story.

Footage aired of Big Show running into A.J. on Smackdown. The announcers said Daniel Bryan would provide an update after the break...

[Q7] [C] Another Sin City Smackdown aired and showed a graphic for Daniel Bryan vs. Mark Henry for the World Hvt. Championship...

The announcers set up the footage of Big Show running over A.J. from Smackdown...

Daniel Bryan came out and accused Big Show of not apologizing and intentionally harming A.J. Bryan said she will never be the same. He dedicated his Smackdown match to A.J. and said he would show her how much he loves her on Friday. Lawler asked whether anyone ever thought that A.J. wouldn't have been at ringside if it wasn't for Daniel Bryan...

Ring introductions for the main event took place. Bryan just headed to the ring and then the lights went out for Chris Jericho, who slapped hands and was over the top in celebrating as he headed to the ring. He made a trip to the announcers' are and exchanged points with Mr. Belding. He stopped and took a photo of a couple of fans at ringside... [C]

Powell's POV: Lots of boos for Bryan, so the heel turn is clicking. Meanwhile, one correspondent at Raw said Brodus received a big pop when he came out. No word from Will Pruett, who is too concerned with scoping out the merchandise stand in hopes of finding his own light-up jacket.

[Q8] Jericho was still making his over the top entrance after the break. Funny. C.M. Punk made his entrance. Remember that "I'm the best wrestler in the world" line from earlier when it comes to Jericho. He also turned around and showed off the "Best in the World" slogan on the back of his t-shirt while standing on the ramp. The heels were already in the ring...

7. Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler, and David Otunga defeated C.M. Punk, Chris Jericho, and Daniel Bryan via reverse decision in a six-man tag. Punk and Ziggler started, and Cole said it was a preview of their Rumble match. Daniel Bryan tagged in early and was worked over by Ziggler. Cole said Bryan was trending and chalked it up to internet geeks with nothing better to talk about. You know, for once I actually... Never mind.

The fans greeted Otunga with a small "You Can't Wrestle" chant. Punk eventually made a hot tag to Jericho at 5:45. The crowd popped huge. Jericho played it up big and then suddenly tagged in Bryan. Jericho made the tag and left the ring. Bryan flashed a look of shock. Jericho smiled and said, "Yeah!" in an over the top and oblivious manner while walking to the back.

Powell's POV: Hilarious. There's no point in giving away too much with Jericho before the Rumble since his likely opponent Punk already has a match with Ziggler at the Rumble. The live crowd was super hot for Jericho and the way he played it up only to walk out without doing anything was awesome.

The match continued after the break. Eventually, Mark Henry and Bryan brawled to the back. Mick Foley came out and told the referee that John Laurinaitis gave him his blessing to work the match. Foley grabbed the tag rope in Punk's corner and the match continued. The crowd chanted for Foley while Ziggler worked over Punk.

Punk made the hot tag to Foley, who then went to work with punches on Otunga. The crowd loved it. Foley did the running knee in the corner and followed up with a double-arm DDT. Foley pulled out Mr. Socko and applied the Mandible Claw on Otunga until the referee rang the bell to start the match.

[Overrun] John Laurinaitis called out over the mic and Foley's music stopped. Laurinaitis headed to the ring and said that he never told Foley that he could participate in the match. He said he was reversing the decision and gave the win to the heel team.

Punk took the mic and told Laurinaitis to shut his mouth. He said Laurinaitis should take his balls out of his purse and lay them on the table. Punk said Laurinaitis doesn't like him and it has to do with who he is not. Punk said Laurinaitis had the look when he was a "sports entertainer," but he sucked.

Punk said it had to be difficult to have a brother who was one half of the Road Warriors, while never amounted to roadkill. He said it kills Laurinaitis that he never made it to a higher level. He said he went from being someone who sucked to being someone who sucked up. He said he's accomplished more in the last year than Laurinaitis did in his entire life.

Punk said Laurinaitis can't stand that he's the WWE Champion, so he's going to screw him at the Royal Rumble. Punk said it doesn't matter what he does because he'll still be better than him. Punk said he's going to make people talk about Laurinaitis. He said it won't be because of a GTS or an Anaconda Vice, it will be because he looks like he went through a meat grinder because C.M. Punk kicked his pathetic ass.

Punk wound up and teased hitting Laurinaitis, who ducked out of the way. "You're pathetic," Punk said before dropping the mic. Punk left the ring and held the belt over his head while walking toward the ramp.

Inside the ring, Foley held up a thumb. Laurinaitis picked up a mic and introduced himself in his usual way before saying he is the soon to be permanent general manager of Raw. "I am not pathetic," Laurinaitis said. Foley said Laurinaitis should at least have the decency to admit that he's going to screw Punk.

Foley called Laurinaitis a kiss ass. The fans chanted "you suck" at Laurinaitis, who asked Foley who the hell he thinks he is. Laurinaitis admitted that he will screw Punk. "I do my job and I do it well," he said. "I am sick and tired of being disrespected. I'm sick and tired of being pushed around. And I'm sick and tired of being bullied."

Laurinaitis said he puts on the most entertaining show for the WWE Universe and he's not appreciated for it. "I'm not going to take it anymore," he said. "And I'm not going to take it from you. I'm sick and tired." Laurinaitis wound up and slammed the mic into Foley's head. The crowd booed as Laurinaitis lef the ring...

Powell's POV: Wow! Great mic work by Punk, and even Laurinaitis shined in his own meltdown. WWE made the most out of not having the NFL or Bowl Game competition. Foley was reintroduced in a relevant manner and I hope to see him in the Rumble match. Ziggler doesn't feel like a major threat aside from the screwjob factor. He's on the rise, but it's a slower rise than I would prefer.

Overall, an entertaining night that set up aspects of the Rumble well, though not the actual Rumble match. Foley's comments helped, but everyone should be talking about the Rumble. They also told effective stories with Zack Ryder and John Cena. It wasn't the perfect show, but it was a significant improvement. I'll have more to say about the show tonight in my audio review, which will be exclusive to Dot Net Members. Join us on the ad-free version of the website by signing up Prowrestling.net/amember/signup.php.

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