Powell Editorials WWE Raw Hitlist: Vince McMahon returns to television and takes a kick from Randy Orton, final hype for John Cena vs. JBL with Shawn Michaels, C.M. Punk captures the Intercontinental Title, Mike Knox doesn't know why he beats up Rey Mysterio By Jason Powell Jan 20, 2009 - 11:35 AM Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing Dot Net Members will be listening to my audio recap on the show later today. To gain instant access to all Dot Net Audio and the other perks of membership for only $5 per month, visit the Dot Net Members' Signup Page. WWE Raw Hits Randy Orton punt kicks Vince McMahon: I have mixed feelings on this angle. On one hand, it was a hot angle delivered at a time when they expected high ratings for Vince's return. On the other hand, the angle overshadowed the Royal Rumble. I assume there's a reason the angle took place this week rather than next week, but I still don't understand why it took place at the end of the show on the go-home edition of Raw heading into the Royal Rumble. I'm surprised they didn't use the final minutes to push the Rumble in some manner. In their defense, it's possible that they feel the Rumble sells itself or they'd already done enough to push the show. I guess we'll find out. I was also surprised to see Orton flash a look of regret after he attacked Vince. I realize he attacked his boss, but since when does Randy Orton show any remorse for his actions? John Cena and JBL contract signing: Standout performances from all three men. Cena especially shined in his role of trying to get through to Michaels. I'm blown away by how they've managed to take what looked like a throwaway title match on paper and turn it into a major selling point of the Royal Rumble pay-per-view. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. HBK has the Midas touch. C.M. Punk vs. William Regal: This is the match we've been waiting weeks to see. The two short matches they had over the last two weeks backfired in the eyes of this viewer. They were so short and meaningless that I lost interest in the feud. Had those matches been longer and more intense, it would have generated more interest in the feud and left people wanting to see a real finish. Unfortunately, they just felt like cheap finishes to throwaway matches. That being said, I really enjoyed this match and the celebration with Punk winning his hometown was great. The Chicago fans haven't been this responsive to Punk in the past, so their overwhelming reaction to everything he did last night shows that he's gaining popularity. Mike Knox: There were plenty of memorable lines on this show, but none stood out to me more than Knox saying he's not sure why he keeps attacking Mysterio. I didn't see that one coming and I thought it was a great way to show that he has a screw loose without resorting to the typical screaming promo. Great delivery from Knox. They have to protect this guy because he has tremendous upside as a monster. As much as I enjoyed the line, I still believe James "Sinister Minster" Mitchell would be the perfect mouthpiece for Knox. WWE Raw Misses Vince McMahon meets Dolph Ziggler: Why put a damper on Vince walking through the curtain for the first time in months by having his first appearance take place in a silly backstage skit? Strange. Battle Royal: Horrible Royal Rumble preview. At least they established that the Legacy members are on the same page and will be a threat in the Rumble. I just wish they would have given them more than two minutes to tell the story and get people excited about the Rumble. Match length: There were four matches that lasted less than two minutes on last night's show, and only one match that lasted longer than two minutes and 30 seconds. They accomplished little or nothing in most of those short matches and it's frustrating that a show that lasted roughly two hours and 20 minutes featured roughly 18 minutes of actual in-ring action. HELP SUPPORT DOT NET! BECOME A MEMBER AT OUR CHARTER RATE OF JUST $5 A MONTH - GET THE FIRST LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DOT NET NEWS, TONS OF EXCLUSIVE AUDIO SHOWS, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, START YOUR OWN BLOG, AD-FREE MAIN LISTING: SIGN ME UP (or MORE INFO) GOT AN IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH? THEN BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW FREE iPhone APP: (click here!) (or SEARCH "pro wrestling" in iTunes App Store) FOR MORE BREAKING WWE & TNA NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE PWTORCH.COM (click here!) FOR MORE MMA & UFC NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE MMATORCH.COM (click here!) CLICK TO RETURN TO DOT NET MAIN LISTING OR SELECT A LINK BELOW FROM THIS CATEGORY Powell Editorials Latest Twelve Articles Powell's TNA Impact Hitlist: Dixie Carter's speech to the talent crew, hype for Hulk Hogan, the build for A.J. Styles vs. Daniels vs. Samoa Joe, Team 3D vs. Matt Morgan and Hernandez, Tara vs. Hamada WWE Raw Hitlist: Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne host Raw, Chris Jericho vs. John Cena vs. Big Show, Sheamus destroys Jamie Noble, The Miz vs. Evan Bourne, vintage Michael Cole Powell's TNA Impact Hitlist: Hulk Hogan footage, Desmond Wolfe vs. Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe has a brain, Eric Young renames the toy belt, Matt Morgan vs. Rhino, World Elite get new warmup gear, Team 3D vs. Motor City Machine Guns WWE Raw Hitlist: John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels announced for Survivor Series, Kofi Kingston shines, John Cena makes Ted DiBiase and Cody Rhodes look like losers, Hornswoggle can't read WWE Bragging Rights Hitlist: John Cena vs. Randy Orton in an Iron Man match, Undertaker vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Batista vs. C.M. Punk four-way, Raw vs. Smackdown tag match, The Miz vs. John Morrison Powell's TNA Bound For Glory Hitlist: A.J. Styles vs. Sting for the TNA Title, Kurt Angle vs. Matt Morgan, Ultimate X match, Mick Foley vs. Abyss, Bobby Lashley vs. Samoa Joe, ODB vs. Tara vs. Awesome Kong