The show started with Vickie and Paul Heyman coming out to the ring. Although they were showing a 'united front', they both took the opportunity to show the other's song that The Rock sang about them last week. Vickie then caught wind that The Rock had arrived - Vickie had already stated that he would be banned from the arena tonight. This led to a few scenes where Rock would talk to three police officers (indy workers) letting them know that he would get his way into the arena eventually.
Later, CM Punk and Heyman came out to the ring. Punk was carrying his own belt for a change, and this was for a purpose as he went onto say that he holds the championship closer to his heart than most men hold their families. He also referred to it as 'the most prestigious title that the WWE has to offer' - this is a result of him making it prestigious. Agreed. He would then go onto make another valid point - The Rock is here to 'sing songs and tell jokes' whereas Punk is here to 'hurt people and be champion'. Another ace promo from the Best in the World on the mic (making Cena's promo at the end of the show look even more ridiculous!). It baffles me why they leave top level promos like this to when part-timers like The Rock come back - I know it's Wrestlemania season but promos like this make feuds/matches MUST SEE; they should do this the rest of the year.
The last segment between the champion and challenger involved Heyman coming out to the ring by himself (with Punk safely hidden in a private sky box).
Paul explains his job and does some of the usual ass kissing to the champ. Also refers to Rock being 'January's Flavour of the Month'; I really hope he's right there. He also references popular belief that it's a forgone conclusion that Punk will lose at the Rumble. The last few weeks have put doubt in my mind that The Rock will walk away from the Rumble with the belt - a job well done by those involved.
The Rock's music hits and out comes the Great One - with a ticket that one of the cops gave him - Wow, I didn't realise that with a ticket it entitled you to get in the ring and cut a promo?! That's noted for the next time me and my friend go to a show! Some of the usual stuff from Rock before throwing in a few trademark catchphrases and then the lights went out... they then came back onto show The Shield delivering a beating to Rock. After a brief comeback they managed to keep him down and then deliver the triple powerbomb, leaving Rock bleeding from the mouth. The last three weeks have been varied in this feud - week 1 was face to face promo; week 2 a brawl; and now week 3 saw more talk from a distance before adding a potential factor to the Rumble match.
Another main feature of this weeks Raw was a 'Beat the Clock Challenge' where the winner would get to pick their Royal Rumble entry spot. This spotlighted six guys - Ziggler, Sheamus and Orton (World Title contenders), and Barrett, Cesaro and Miz (the best of the mid-card challenge). Despite the loss and draw, Cesaro and Barrett continue to be dominant mid-card champions. Cesaro has been kept strong throughout his US Title reign, and Barrett is heading the same way. It was nice to have a Beat the Clock Challenge where you could see all six guys coming out on top. The usual set-up is to have three favourites against three lower card guys where the outcome is easily predicted. All three matches went 10+ minutes and this was time well spent on these guys. Dolph ended up getting the best time after distracting Sheamus enough in his match, so that the time ran out on him. Unfortunately, Vickie gave him the choice of picking numbers 1 or 2 - possibly a chance to put in a Shawn Michaels/Ric Flair performance? (NB: I miss the Rumble set-ups where they used to have an 'over the top rope challenge' to determine the number 30 spot)
The final build towards the Rumble match was at the end when John Cena came out to stake his claim to winning. He started this promo by talking to a kid close to his age and mental ability. After a long, fast, crazy, stupid, pointless start to this, he eventually got to the point of what he's going to be doing this Sunday. Two questions though: Why didn't he compete in a Beat the Clock Challenge? Does it really matter if he did as whatever position he's in he'll probably win?
After stating he'd win, Sheamus made an appearance to say he'd win. This followed by all the main guys (and a fair few jobbers) coming out to say the same. Commence mass brawl to end the show.
Best of the rest;
- Big Show and Alberto Del Rio both had squashes over jobbers leading into their Last Man Standing match at the Rumble. Not sure the thinking behind having this boring match type again? Basically they both counted to ten; Show in English; Del Rio in Spanish. REALLY liking face Del Rio - this turn was definitely needed.
- Ryback defeated Heath Slater (w/ Jinder/Drew) in about two minutes. This was his first squash in a while and separated the men from the boys leading to the Rumble.
- Diva's division moved on after Eve quit last week: New Champ Kaitlyn was against Alicia Fox in an easy win - watched by Tamina.
- Huge comedy segment with Kane and Daniel Bryan graduating from Dr Shelby's Anger Management course. This stuff is silly as hell but is so entertaining/funny. It's also Kane's lowest point as a monster. If he ever 'snaps' and goes monster heel again, I don't think I can believe it.
- Punk and Heyman run into Vince who informs them that if The Shield interferes in Punk/Rock match then he will be stripped of the title. Hmmm I feel a prediction coming on - urgh I feel dirty!
- Second Hall of Fame inductee: Bob Backlund
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