Flair leaps cat-like at Punk. Photo credit: WWE.com
Rey Mysterio bested Damian Sandow in a fair opener. The action was solid, I just wish they'd had some more time allocated for the match, as it was it didn't get the chance to really engage you. This didn't really do much for Sandow either, which seems a bit daft considering he just became a number one contender the night before, surely he could've earned even a cheap win with the help of Rhodes?
Booker T presented the "Tell me I did not just see that" Moment of the year' award, which went to Kofi Kingston for his awesome handstand at this years Royal Rumble. After Booker announced the nominees, Boogeyman came on out to a healthy response from the fans and amusingly scared the hell out of Booker.
Kaitlyn beat Eve in a pretty drab and forgettable match up. As usual you can skip the Divas action if you want, you won't miss much.
The New Age Outlaws Billy Gunn and Road Dogg presented the 'Comeback of the year' award to Jerry Lawler after his incredibly fast recovery from a heart attack.
Kofi Kingston defeated Tensai in a decent enough bout. Once again like the opener it should've had more time though, they didn't have a chance to make a real impact. Afterwards Kofi was taken out by a bitter Wade Barrett.
Vickie Guerrero presented the 'Kiss of the year' award to AJ Lee and John Cena, but before she handed it over she demanded an explanation from AJ for her actions at TLC, but AJ stated that she didn't owe anyone an explanation. As her and Vickie began arguing Dolph Ziggler split them up, so to get to Vickie AJ jumped on and snogged Ziggler.
The Great Khali beat David Otunga in a predictably drab and worthless bout. Were you expecting anything else?
Ric Flair presented the 'Superstar of the year' award to John Cena, but Cena instead gave it to 'The Nature Boy' who he felt deserved it more. WWE Champion CM Punk then also came out and listed off truthful reasons why Cena hadn't earned the award this year, and why he had instead. He also argued with Flair as to why he shouldn't have it too. Punk was on superb form here, and Flair retorted pretty well too.
Punk then went on to claim that he could still take out Flair on one leg, so the hall of famer made his way to the ring with Punk following. The WWE Champion then struck Flair with his crutch and cracked it over his back, but 'Nature Boy' wasn't out as he then poked Punk in the eyes and chucked him out of the ring and then applied a Figure Four on Paul Heyman.
But the night wasn't over for Flair as The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins) made their way to the ring and began fighting with Naitch until Team Hell No and Ryback made their way out to help chase the trio off. The four celebrated in the ring afterwards.
Brodus Clay bested JTG in a rather average match up. It was the same old routine we've seen from Brodus numerous times. On the plus side for Clay at least he actually got a win here, mind you it was against JTG...
Santino Marella and Tensai presented the 'LOL Moment of the year' award to The Rock, but of course Rocky was absent so Santino accepted the award on his behalf. A frustrated Daniel Bryan then came out and screamed "No!" at the fans, so Kane had to come drag him away. During the presentation Santino made references to Tensai being called Albert previously, maybe they're thinking of switching Tensai back to that persona? I don't think it would do him any favours really.
Cody Rhodes defeated Sin Cara in a passable contest. Like most of the nights matches it felt a bit more like filler than anything meaningful, saying that I give Rhodes credit for a decent display here.
Zack Ryder and Layla presented the 'Trending now' award to Ryback. The back and fourth between Layla and Zack felt awkward. It's amazing to think of how red hot Ryder was this time last year.
Big Show came to the ring and complained about the disrespect from the fans after retaining his World Championship at TLC. Sheamus soon joined him and admitted that Big Show was "the better man" in their great clash last Sunday and extended his hand, which Show accepted gracefully. But this didn't last as the giant then mocked the Irishman, so Sheamus beat him down with the huge Big Show steel chair and applied a Brogue Kick. Ziggler was then about to cash in his MITB contract, but was taken out by Cena to a chorus of boos.
Backstage a furious Ziggler then told Vickie that their relationship was over after failing to help him out, and that her jealousy of hid kiss with AJ was "old, tired and ugly. Just like you." Harsh! An upset Vickie then booked a match between her and Cena against Ziggler and AJ Lee.
Tommy Dreamer, The Miz and Alberto Del Rio beat 3MB (Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal) in an enjoyable six-man tag bout. The one night only return of Dreamer was unsurprisingly very well received by the fans in Philly. It wasn't the most technically great match but it was simply a fun watch with an enthusiastic crowd, and although I've never been a massive fan it was a nice nostalgia trip to see Dreamer back.
Sheamus presented the 'Newcomer of the year' award to Ryback, who quoted the late great Owen Hart by saying that "enough is enough, it's time for change." It's an appropriate quote for the award winner, and I'd like to see him talk more normally like that in the future.
Ryback won via count out versus Antonio Cesaro in a solid match up. In one of Ryback's best singles matches to date, both men worked well together, with (my personal 'Newcomer of the year') Cesaro as usual delivering in the ring with great technical skill and power. The count out came after the US Champion had enough and left the ring.
'Mean' Gene Okerlund, Jim Ross and Ricky 'The Dragon' Steamboat presented the 'Match of the year' award to Triple H versus The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVIII. That was also my personal match of the year. Triple H accepted the award, with his far better shorter haircut, and announced that we have not seen the last of The Undertaker.
Backstage we witnessed The Shield take out Tommy Dreamer and Ricardo Rodriguez who came to his aid.
AJ Lee had a ladder set up in the ring, and was about to reveal the reason behind her attack on Cena at TLC until Vickie Guerrero interrupted her, claiming that no one was interested anyway.
John Cena and Vickie Guerrero versus Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee ended in a disqualification. It was a pretty worthless main event really, with nothing to grip you about it. I wasn't expecting much at all and was not disappointed. The DQ came after Big E Langston from NXT, led by AJ, came down and took out Cena. This maybe would've had more impact if it'd been further from the Shield's debut, and a bigger talent than Langston.
Overall it was a pretty average Raw, with hardly any substantial entertainment. For some reason most matches had to be rushed, if they'd just cut a couple of the less necessary Slammy awards they could've allocated more time to actual wrestling. The highlight of the night for me was the great promo between Punk and Flair, the six-man tag was also a fairly fun watch.
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