It was announced by everyone's favourite talkshow host, The Miz, that it would be a 'Champion's Choice' night, in which all the champions would choose their opponents. Ok, so with a majority-heel champions list, I wondered who they'd 'challenge' themselves with?
My feelings were right as Eve picked a returning, 89 year-old, pregnant again (yep, it's 1999 all over again) Mae Young. This didn't happen though due to Mae's pregnancy and Eve had to settle for a beating from Kaitlyn. Again (sigh).
The US Championship match saw Antonio Cesaro beating American hero Sgt. Slaughter and getting some good heat for beating the Sarge in Washington DC. The Big Show also made us think that his title reign was in doubt when he picked the dangerous Ricardo Rodriguez to be his challenger for the night.
This segment will, obviously, be forgotten for the match itself. A positive that did come out of this was Alberto Del Rio - offering his support to Ricardo before the match and also giving appreciation to him for always being there for him. This was then backed up by him admitting that he had treated Ricardo like dirt and this was not on - nobody, including him [Alberto] should treat RR like dirt. This seemed really heartfelt and, for me, has solidified Del Rio as a face. I thought it was a little easy for the WWE to just put Del Rio as Miz's partner at TLC but this interaction on Raw has swayed it for me now. It's something NEW and POSITIVE leading into 2013. Added to this, they'll probably go with a Big Show vs Del Rio angle now.
Another title match on 'Champions Choice' Raw saw Kane/Daniel Bryan defend the Tag Team Championships against 3MB members Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre. A simple enough win for Kane and DB when Daniel pinned Drew after a flying headbutt.
The Champion who decided to challenge himself the most was Kofi Kingston. Backstage, while Kofi was asking if Sheamus was ok (after the beating he took from The Shield earlier in the night), Wade Barrett came up and goaded Kofi into giving him the match for the Intercontinental Title. Kofi could've picked Hornswoggle or Little Jimmy (again, sigh), but he did the right thing and gave Barrett the rematch from TLC. In what was probably the match of the night - due to it being a serious title match instead of a joke booking - Barrett delivered the Bullhammer to Kofi for the much deserved win and change of champion. Barrett Barrage picking up pace going into 2013.
The main event of the evening saw a 'New Year's Toast' conducted by Dolph and AJ (of course, accompanied by Big E Langston). Throughout this, Dolph questioned the WWE Universe's decision to vote John Cena the Superstar of the Year. This followed by Dolph listing the achievements that John has accomplished in 2012; The build up and LOSS to The Rock; Lesnar kicking his arse on the Raw after Wrestlemania; John Laurinaitis PINNING Cena at Over the Limit; Cena being the first to cash MITB in and LOSE and, of course, Cena's latest PPV outing - LOSING to Dolph in the ladder match at TLC.
Cue John Cena coming out for the toast. And John being John and such a great guy; admits that Dolph is right. He then goes on to defend himself and basically challenge Dolph to step up in 2013. This was a really good interaction between the two and is a great way to kick Dolph up the arse going into the new year. It was then finished off with Dolph and AJ being covered in shit to finish the show. Happy New Year!!
Other Raw highlights;
- Punk made the usual appearance while his knee 'gets better'. This week he brought out his own doctor to assure people of the legitimacy of his injury. Vince then made a SHOCKING (as always) appearance to doubt this and say that Punk will compete against Ryback next week on Raw, and if he doesn't the Heyman will take his place instead.
- Sheamus took a beating from a returning Shield this week. Later in the show, The Shield were confronted by Ryback, Sheamus, and a returning Randy Orton. There's six entrants for the Rumble then...
- Maddox was put in his place the best way that Heyman knows how.
- Vickie farted.
@jimmosangle
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