1-9-12 Raw results and thoughts

Coverage and thoughts on the January 9, 2012 episode of Raw

The show starts with Kane’s pyro and music playing and he comes out and tells the fans that they all hate their lives and that when they chant, “Cena sucks” they’re actually chanting that about themselves. Then he mentions how the fans made Zack Ryder a star but that doesn’t mean anything. Then John Cena’s music plays and he comes out and goes after Kane. He clotheslines him out of the ring and then they brawl outside the arena. This was a decent opening segment. The promo was ok and I thought the brawl was alright too.

Sheamus & Santino Marella vs. Wade Barrett & Jinder Mahal. Sheamus & Santino win when Santino pins Jinder. This was meaningless. I don’t know why they have Sheamus teaming with a comedy guy.

The Miz is backstage complaining about R-Truth attacking him and asks Johnny Ace why he isn’t doing anything about it. Ace says that he is going to be the guest referee for the Punk-Dolph Title match at the Rumble. Then he says that he has a huge super show to run and tonight is the debut of Brodus Clay (I doubt it). Then Miz says he wants protection and Ace tells him to get his own protection and says that he is not “Little Jimmy” he is “Big Johnny.” This was idiotic. Also David Otunga stood there with his coffee mug. Why not have Brodus Clay be the body guard for The Miz? That would be cool.

They show a video package for Edge who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. This was well put together. They also had comments from Randy Orton, Christian, John Cena & CM Punk.

They show Miz backstage asking Mason Ryan to be his body guard. Ryan walks off.

Zack Ryder is talking to his dad on his phone & Eve shows up and Zack says that they should go out tonight. Eve gives it some thought and then agrees, but she has a Non Title match with Beth Phoenix tonight and if she wins she gets a Divas Title match. They walk off and then we see a set of doors and when one of them opens Kane comes out. This was ok for what it was.

WWE Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston vs. World Champion Daniel Bryan. Bryan wins by submission. This was too short. These guys can really go and they should’ve let them have at least a 10 minute match. After wards Big Show comes out and gets in the ring. He was going to talk about last week, but Bryan cuts him off and says that he hated that Mark Henry got involved and caused a DQ. He says that he will give Show a Title match whenever he wants. Then Show says that Teddy Long also agrees and he says that they will have rematch on Smackdown and it will be no DQ & no count out. They shake hands and Daniel looks worried. This was a solid promo. Daniel Bryan is doing a good job as a heal.

They show a dressing room door with Brodus Clay’s name on it and they say that he will finally debut (actually return) next. We’ll see if this actually happens.

They show clips from the 1994 Royal Rumble that both Lex Luger & Bret Hart won. I remember this very well.

Brodus Clay comes out doing a Flash Funk type gimmick. Complete with Funkettes! Are they kidding? This is idiotic! The guy is a monster and should be booked as one, not as a funky comedy guy!

Brodus Clay vs. Curt Hawkins. Brodus gets the pin. This was a squash.

Zack Ryder is backstage brushing his teeth and is all psyched about going out with Eve.

The Miz asks Primo, Epico & Rosa Mendes if they’re interested in backing him up. Rosa says they aren’t. Then Miz bumps into Punk who is on his way to the ring for his match with Jack Swagger next.

Before the Punk-Swagger match starts Johnny Ace comes out and says that if Punk beats Swagger tonight then Swagger & Vickie are barred from ringside at the Rumble. Then he tells Dolph that he will face John Cena tonight.

WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Jack Swagger. Punk gets the pin, but it looked like Swagger kicked out at 2. Johnny Ace was at ringside. This was good back and forth match but the finish was lousy.

John Cena & Zack Ryder are backstage and Ryder thanks him for saving him from Kane last week. Then Cena tells him to keep it together. This was idiotic. I don’t know why they have Cena & Ryder as buddies. I thought Ryder was getting over just fine on his own.

The Bella twins are backstage and Ricardo Rodriguez comes in asking why they asked him there. They were about to say why, but The Miz comes in and tells Ricardo to call out R-Truth. Then he says if it doesn’t happen he will injure Ricardo. Then Ricardo asks the Bellas if they want to go to the ring with him and they say no. Miz then tells him to head to the ring.

They show a video package on the Four Horsemen who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. This was well done too. They had comments from Shawn Michaels, Dusty Rhodes, Steve Austin & Jim Ross. Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, Tully Blanchard & JJ Dillon will all be inducted. Ric Flair is already in the Hall of Fame plus he is in TNA so how will WWE manage to have him there?

Ricardo Rodriguez is in the ring and is reluctantly insulting R-Truth. Truth then comes out and says he doesn’t know why Ricardo would want to pick a fight with him. Then he says that he is a good R-Truth and “Little Jimmy” told that he should let bygones be bygones and let Ricardo go. Then he asks the fans if he should and they say no. The Truth says that “Little Jimmy” doesn’t care for Ricardo. Then Truth tells Ricardo to sing “La Cucaracha. Ricardo sings a bit and Truth tells him to one more time. Ricardo has this terrified look on his face and Truth gives him the Lie Detector. Then The Miz comes out and attacks Truth. Truth fights back and Miz hops over the barricade and escapes. This was weird. Truth as this comedic whack job can be funny but having Ricardo sing was dumb. The Miz attack was good, but how come R-Truth didn’t hop the rail and go after Miz?

Justin Roberts announces Chris Jericho as the only guy to beat Rock & Austin in the same night to become the first Undisputed Champion. The lights dim, Jericho’s music plays and he comes out. He does the same bit as last week, getting the fans to cheer him and slapping their hands. Then he gets a mic. The fans chant Y2J and he poses more and acts all choked up by the fans’ reaction. Then he walks up the ramp all emotional. I’m not sure where they’re going with this. I hope this doesn’t become a recurring bit for Jericho. It was the first night, but they continue this it’s going to get old.

They show clips from the 1998 Royal Rumble that Steve Austin won.

Eve Torres vs. Divas Champion Beth Phoenix. Eve is in the ring and Kane’s music plays and Ryder comes and drags her to the back. He gets her in a car, but the tire is flat. Ryder tells Eve to stay in the car while he tries to fix the tire and Eve gets hysterical. Back from commercial and Ryder is still trying to get the spare tire on while Eve still panics. I wasn’t too crazy about this.

John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler. During the match the show Ryder getting the spare tire on from the tron and Kane comes in and attacks him. Dolph locks on a sleeper when Cena gets distracted. Kane chokeslams Ryder onto a crate, Cena exits the ring and Dolph gets the sleeper back on him. Cena rams Dolph into the steel steps and Cena runs to the back. Cena heads outside and Kane attacks him and smothers him with his gloved hand again. The cameras get a close up of Kane to end the show. This was awful! This is the kind of hokey crap that makes fans tune out.

This week’s show was lousy. Miz had some good reactions, but that was about it. Kofi & Bryan had a decent match but that was WAY too short, Chris Jericho’s bit was the same as last week, Brodus Clay’s “Flash Funk” gimmick was idiotic and the whole bit with Cena going after Kane to save his dumb side kick was beyond stupid. I wasn’t into this week’s show.