Kester's WWE Raw Rundown: CM Punk steals the show, Jerry Lawler makes his return, John Cena and AJ flirt, and more

By Ryan Kester

CM Punk

CM Punk, once again, was on fire last night. Every segment he was in worked and his exchange with Foley was one of the best promo exchanges of the year. The chemistry between those two men on the mic is superb.

I wasn't as bothered by the exchange during Lawler's return as some people were, including the Paul Heyman fake heart attack, but I hated the footage of the EMTs trying to revive Lawler. That made for some of the most uncomfortable television imaginable and made WWE looks like shameless, exploitative bastards.

John Cena and AJ

This needs to go ahead and stop. It is every bit the painful television that the Styles/Claire storyline was in TNA and it's producing some truly channel-change worthy content.

The one silver lining to this entire angle is that the crazy is creeping out of AJ again. She really needs to recapture the magic that she displayed when Punk, Kane, and Bryan were feuding over the belt and she was the hottest act in wrestling.

Sheamus and Big Show

WWE is doing a good job of making Sheamus serious again in his feud with Show. The Regal friendship feels freshly pulled from creative's backside, but everyone involved is selling the idea enough to make it work for me.

I hope WWE keeps up this change with Sheamus after he goes over. He is a much more convincing character when he isn't doing his best John Cena smiley face impression.

Overall Show

Last night's show was solid. There were several segments that did a lot to sell me on the PPV. While last night was better than most, I still feel that the three hour format is a hindrance to WWE rather than a benefit.

If you have any questions or comments or just wish to chat with a fellow wrestling fan about whatever, then feel free to email me at ryan.kester@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter.