Raw Revelations: Batista to Smackdown, 100% Stratusfaction?

The Animal Batista made his big return to Raw last night for a few important reasons. Number one, to bait Randy Orton into coming to the ring to taunt him, so Batista could reveal he was no longer injured and gain revenge on The Viper. Number two, to announce to the WWE Universe that he was saying goodbye, to Raw, and heading over to Friday night's Smackdown program. It was a sigh of relief for fans of Batista, but probably not as satisfying for fans who watch Raw for The Animal. Batista seems to bounce back and forth between shows, and this time it's mainly due to the lack of star power in the World Heavyweight title picture on Smackdown. Right now it's basically Undertaker and CM Punk over there with Undertaker not in the best shape. John Morrison was quickly turned into the Intercontinental Champion, while WWE doesn't seem to want to give a push to Matt Hardy for the big title. Rey Mysterio's out on suspension, Jeff Hardy left weeks ago (and might not be welcome back at this point), and Edge is injured until 2010. It left a gaping hole that The Animal will now fill. The only other potential is Kane who has recent wins against Great Khali, if that counts for anything. We'll likely get some rekindled Undertaker-Batista matches, although Taker is having hip problems which will need surgery. So stay tuned for a CM Punk vs. Batista program, which will be a new one for the show. It'll be interesting to see how Punk dissects Batista's "vices" when he taunts him during promos. Monday night's Batista baiting Orton then revealing his healed arm before attacking was a great bit to open the show though.

Last night's show also saw WWE Diva of the Decade Trish Stratus return to Toronto with brown hair, yet still looking good. Trish returned last year for a surprise appearance on Raw, and her retirement came in 2006. She guest hosted the show in front of her hometown fans, and guaranteed 100% Stratusfaction. Stratus ended up booking Batista vs. Orton No Holds Barred for Raw as well as a Hell in a Cell match for the WWE Title at the next Pay-Per-View. In addition to that, she decided to put herself into a mixed tag match where she teamed with MVP and Mark Henry to face Beth Phoenix, Big Show and MVP. It's funny how Beth and Trish had some sort of argument about Trish leaving so she wouldn't have to face Beth. They faced off in December 2008 in another mixed tag match, when Stratus returned to Raw (also in Toronto) to team with John Cena against Santino and Beth. It was great to see her back in action, and she did look great, but her blond hair was missed. She seemed to be missing some of her previous athletic ability in the ring, but it's been a while for her. Also, Trish did the least promoting off most of the guest hosts so far, although it was noted she runs a yoga studio.

DX and Legacy "rekindled" their current feud, one night after DX' loss at Breaking Point. This time it was a DQ finish with Rhodes getting involved to stop Michaels' Sweet Chin Music on Dibiase. A fight spilled out around the arena with Triple H throwing Dibiase into a cameraman, and the monitor's going black. Lawler and Cole claimed they lost transmission after that, although when it happened the fight was going on in the crowd. Hard to believe there was just one camera out there. The fight had to end somewhere, but it was never reported on again beyond announcing a Hell in a Cell match for the next Pay-Per-View. It'll be interesting to see how many of those matches WWE can put on one PPV without fans deciding it's too many.

Gail Kim and Alicia Kim fought to determine a new #1 Contender for Mickie James' Divas Championship. Alicia took the win with a solid kick to the back of Gail's head, then glared out at Mickie to taunt her. I'm guessing that they are just giving Mickie opponents until Maryse returns to get her rematch...

Good thing that Evan Bourne's partnering with Hornswoggle doesn't involve him having to put on one of those silly green hats like Mark Henry did. It seems Bourne deserves more than Hornswoggle, as does Chavo Guerrero. Chavo finally proclaimed that Hornswoggle had won last night, but I'm not sure what that will mean. Who will Hornswoggle's next target be, or will he be an under-the-ring gimmick that appears from time to time? That's back to square one for the little guy.

Next week's Raw host is going to be Cedric the Entertainer, who can be pretty hilarious. Hopefully he gets to do his own jokes, because it would be a travesty for him and Raw if the WWE creative staff was in charge of them...