Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Rumble Race & 100% Stratusfaction


This past Monday's Raw produced a set of 4 wrestlers who will know square off in a Fatal Fourway on next week's show. Two of the matches were won cleanly, with the other two having questionable results. Shawn Michaels pulled off a win against Kane using Sweet Chin Music, despite fans booing him throughout the match. Next up, JBL faced Rey Mysterio, with Shawn Michaels getting involved. Michaels looked like he was saving JBL, but then slapped him outside the ring. The ref called for a DQ due to Shawn's interference. An interesting call which gave JBL the win. With all the outside interference that is allowed in WWE matches, you've gotta question the consistency factor here. Nonetheless, next up Randy Orton won a match in which he didn't even fight. His Punt kick last week left Batista unable to compete, therefore causing a forfeit. That makes 2 out of 3 weeks now a Batista match has been changed after being advertised to fans ahead of the show. (previously it was the Batista vs. Triple H contest during the Slammys)

Canada's Finest definitely made the show in Toronto though. In the fourth and final Race to the Rumble match, CM Punk took on Chris Jericho. Jericho put on quite a show, probably the best performance of the night. His escape from Punk's GTS right before his head was about to hit Punk's knee was brilliant, followed by a reversal into the Walls of Jericho. Then came the icing on the cake as Punk tried to springboard at Jericho off the ropes. Jericho jumped up and delivered the Code Breaker on Punk in the air to win the match. Amazing move and performance by 2008 Superstar of the Year. The fans definitely were back him as well. With next week's Fatal Fourway we get Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton vs. JBL vs. Chris Jericho. Most likely, Randy Orton is going to take this Fourway match and go on to face Cena at the Rumble. I have a strong feeling we will get a Batista vs. Cena match for the title at Wrestlemania 24 now, if not a Triple Threat of some type. It's looking very likely that JBL and Michaels will somehow cancel each other out or cost someone the match. Jericho's faced Cena twice and now it appears to be Orton's turn in 2009.

There were just a few other matches included along with Raw's 4 main event matches for Race to the Rumble. Kofi Kingston pulled off a great surprise win against Manu, causing a rift within Team Priceless and Orton. Sima Snuka made his case with Orton to be included in the Team. In a divas tag match, it was Melina and Mickie James picking up the win over Jillian & Layla. However, it appears during the match Mickie James sustained a real injury to her knee/leg. No diva cries tears like that while acting, and Melina truly appeared to be telling Mickie things would be ok. Ironically, Melina suffered a similar injury after being pushed to the outside by Beth Phoenix and landing funny on her leg. Note to WWE: Maybe that move isn't the best idea for divas wearing high boots as the landing seems to produce bad results. Let's hope Mickie can return to action as soon as possible.

The biggest surprise moment of the night came during the main event. John Cena was left without a diva partner for his main event mixed tag match against Glamarella. His first choice, WWE Diva Kelly Kelly rushed out of the arena after discovering her hotel room had been ransacked and trashed. Cena came to the ring and informed Santino and Beth he found himself a new partner, thanks to Santa granting his wish. Surprisingly, Toronto's own, former WWE Diva Trish Stratus headed down to the ring ready for battle. Trish looked just as spectacular as always and still looked to be in good wrestling shape. The fans gave Trish quite the ovation, all while easily switching back to boos for the champ John Cena. In the end it was Stratus and Cena taking the victory after a FU was delivered on Santino. Afterwards, the fans continued to praise their hometown diva hero.

Raw made for a great show in Toronto, and unfortunately for the WWE Universe, Trish's appearance does not immediately signify the gorgeous diva's return to Raw. Nonetheless, Trish provided 100% Stratusfaction for the fans of the WWE Universe once again and we can only hope tonight's match got her itching for a return to action.

Full recap of 12.22.08 WWE Raw episode.

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