Powell Editorials WWE Raw Hitlist: Ric Flair returning to television, JBL and Shawn Michaels, Legacy and Shane McMahon, John Cena vs. Chris Jericho, Mike Knox and Kane vs. Rey Mysteiro and Kofi Kingston By Jason Powell Feb 3, 2009 - 11:08 AM Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing WWE Raw Hits Legacy: They got the group back on track following last week's embarrassing attack by Shane McMahon. I enjoyed the Four Horsemen-like beatdown on Shane backstage and the way Orton lined up to go Chris Kluwe on Steph's head. The finish of the Cryme Tyme match was really weak and didn't make much sense, but at least the show established that these three can do serious damage together. Now if only they would work on establishing personalities for Ted and Cody. Ric Flair returning to television: I'm happy to see that Flair and WWE have put aside any bad feelings that may have existed over his decision to leave the company. It will be great to see Flair back on television. My guess is that he's still going to play Mickey Rourke's mouthpiece and cornerman for the actor's WrestleMania 25 match with Chris Jericho. I know what Rourke's publicist has been saying, but I believe that was a reset for the angle that Rourke essentially gave away on the red carpet. Plus, it pulls the heat off Rourke heading into the Academy Awards. Bonus points to Chris Jericho for the classic promo he cut on Flair to set up his return next week. Mike Knox and Kane vs. Rey Mysterio and Kofi Kingston: Knox and Kane made a great badass tag team. I'd rather see Knox get a run as a singles heel, but this is a pairing that WWE can always go back to if they ever get serious about tag team wrestling and need a monster duo. The match was well done and I loved the way the cameras stuck with the shots on Rey and Kofi selling the beating they took for a few extra seconds. JBL and Shawn Michaels: I was concerned that JBL's desire to take over the rights to the name Shawn Michaels and Heartbreak Kid wouldn't register with most viewers, but he did a great job of explaining how it would work. My only disappointment about this angle is that there isn't more time before the pay-per-view because I'd love to see JBL taunt HBK for a few more weeks to build up even more tension heading into their match. John Cena vs. Chris Jericho: A strong television main event. Cena is shining on the mic these days. He's delivering straight forward promos and isn't pandering to the fans like he did when he first returned from neck surgery. His promo on Jericho last night gave the match a purpose and fired up the live crowd and viewers for the main event. I must admit, though, that I was surprised Cena won so decisively given that Jericho is the most credible heel in the Elimination Chamber match. WWE Raw Misses Shane McMahon: I couldn't stand the way he outsmarted Legacy and ran them off with a kendo stick. Sure, they got their revenge later in the show, but I groaned when he cleared them from the ring. I also didn't care for the way he said he wasn't out to pin Orton at the pay-per-view, which is the classic way for a babyface to build in an excuse for not winning the match. Worse yet, I hope they don't use the punt kick he took the ribs as an excuse when he loses to Orton. Randy Orton's excuse for Legacy not fighting back last week: Orton claimed that he told Ted and Cody not to fight back while Shane McMahon was walking to the ring last week. I realize they were trying to right the wrong from last week, but the excuse was flimsy. I expected the excuse to be that the lawyers had advised Legacy not to fight back if Shane or another McMahon attacked them in retaliation. This seemed more realistic and it would have played into the storyline given that Orton could threaten his own lawsuit against the McMahons to wipe out any threat of legal action against him. 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