By Ryan Kester

Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H

Another week; another promo segment involving near-retirees and a retiree that I could not have enjoyed more. I can understand and respect the viewpoint of several people online that pine for new talent getting the spotlight and younger guys getting a shot at the top of the card because I have felt that way myself on a multitude of occasions across the top-two wrestling promotions. However, that feeling will always take a back seat to good storytelling and consistency heading into a monumental PPV. I do hope that the New Year brings in new talent with a serious focus from WWE creative, but for now I am enjoying the build to WrestleMania and I look forward to the conclusion of a storyline that has been playing out for the past three years. Any of the young superstars that I hope to see WWE call on soon should be watching the build during this feud intently.

CM Punk and Chris Jericho

CM Punk delivered one of the best promos of his career on Raw, and the timing could not have been better. He delivered the first truly babyface for a mainstream crowd since his turn and he really established himself as an inspirational babyface. With this storyline, this could be exactly what Punk needs to cement his character's place at the top of the card.

Chris Jericho's contributions to the opening segment were well done. Jericho's promo last week was solid and garnered him a ton of heat. The way he seemingly reneged on that this week before switching gears and going after Punk's sister was spot-on. I am normally not a fan of bringing family members into wrestling storylines, as I feel it can be a rather lazy form of gathering heat, but the exchanges between these two these past few weeks have been done so well that they have placated my usual reservations.

I am looking forward to seeing what happens at WrestleMania with this match-up. The crowd reactions to these two men will be very telling, and I hope that there will be a clear divide despite the work rate that both men are capable of getting. It's obvious which way WWE wants the crowds to go come time for the big show, and I hope that the live crowd obliges as it could make for one hell of an atmosphere to what I am confident will be a very well-wrestled match. Previously I would have said that the Hell in a Cell match was the match I am looking forward to the most, but the storyline and the evolution Punk's WWE character has been getting with this storyline has caught my attention considerably.

John Cena and The Rock

The Rock's promo was short, well-paced, and effective. It felt like the type of Rock promo that we have been expecting since the build for WrestleMania began. This certainly felt like it was Rock's week as his good satellite promo, followed by his quick attack on Mark Henry, was very effective.

Cena was more subdued this week and played his role well by putting Henry away decisively before selling his surprise for Rock's Rock Bottom. The past few weeks have taken a lot of the fun out of this feud for me. Whether it's a work, shoot-work, or shoot that they are running with matters very little to me. Ultimately, the build thus far has been an attempt to get both men on equal footing heading into WrestleMania, which just feels forced. I can understand WWE's viewpoint and why they want to get Cena built up for one of the biggest matches of his career, but the content we've been getting has left me wanting more. I will say this, I am looking forward to the final hard sell for this match next week; I simply expected to be a lot more excited for that final sell than I currently am.

It's quite disappointing to see Henry used as a tool to fed to this feud. I would have little issue with that if he was treated as the monster heel he became at the end of 2011 and it was presented as a huge moment, but Henry's involvement in this segment felt like an afterthought and he deserves better than the treatment he has been receiving.

Daniel Bryan and Sheamus

There was some pretty basic booking on Monday night with both Sheamus and Daniel Bryan getting a squash match under their belts. I have been impressed thus far with Daniel Bryan's work and he really is playing the role of the pesky, conniving, and manipulative heel well. Sheamus, on the other hand, while he has been getting a series of good wins under his belt, has yet to really catch my interest. I enjoy his in-ring work, but with how little WWE is paying attention to him, I have to wonder if the plan is for him to lose at 'Mania only to win the World Heavyweight Championship at a later date. I hope that is not the end result as the Royal Rumble match could really use its victor going on to capturing a title at WrestleMania, but based on the build thus far, I could certainly see that happening.

Cody Rhodes and Big Show

I have been enjoying the build for this match. It's been far more light-hearted than the main matches for WrestleMania, yet Rhodes has done a good job of establishing himself as an annoying yet intelligent heel. Whatever the result of their 'Mania match is, the build so far has been entertaining and should provide Rhodes with some forward momentum that he needs to break into the main event.

Kane and Randy Orton

Both men came off as undercard afterthoughts on Monday night, and it's a shame to see what's happening. Kane was white-hot for a brief period after his return, and Orton played a large role in establishing younger talent last year. Kane remained quiet and he looked dominant in his match, and Orton had a decent promo during the show, but this feud just screams "get them on the card" rather than anything remotely relevant.

GM Power Struggle

Speaking of "get them on the card" matches, the twelve-man tag GM power struggle build has left a lot to be desired. With so many good workers involved, I am looking forward to seeing the actual match occur, but with how much focus has been placed on Laurinaitis and Long in the recent weeks, I am simply unable to invest in what I am being presented.

On a side note, the Miz has been in a creative rut since last year's WrestleMania, but I did enjoy his promo before his match with Sheamus. His voice was shaky and full of uncertainty. It was subtle, but it's a sign that Miz can have some range if he just takes the time to evolve. I understand that creative needs to be able to provide storylines for talent, but I would like to see something from Miz that would be able to spark creative's interest. The same look with the same delivery week in and week out became stale, so I hope whatever they are doing with Miz at 'Mania yields a new direction for his character.

Overall Show

From top-to-bottom, Monday night's Raw was well done. I enjoyed the majority of the show's segments and there was a nice flow from one story to the next. I left the show feeling more excited for WrestleMania than I did going in, which makes it a resounding success. One can only hope that the go-home Raw next week delivers in a big way for the final Rock and Cena sell, and I am certainly looking forward to the results.

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 at @TheRyanKester.

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