WWE News: Reviews, Analysis and Rumors for Week of Jan. 1
With the revealing of the person behind the "It Begins" promos taking place on Monday's episode of RAW, this was poised to be a big week in the WWE. Indeed it was, as Chris Jericho made his return to the company after about 15 months away from wrestling.
That wasn't the only news swirling, however, as a number of additional WWE returns have been rumored and the road to the Royal Rumble is beginning to take shape after the first match on the card was officially announced on RAW.
There has even been some talk further ahead to WrestleMania in terms of some matchups, even one that isn't WWE sanctioned, that could take place as well. It is very clear that big news will continue to roll in as the weeks go by, but here are the biggest WWE stories for the week of Jan. 1.
Chris Jericho 'Quietly' Returns to RAW
1 of 7As many expected, Chris Jericho returned to the WWE on Monday and was revealed as the object of the cryptic "It Begins" vignettes that have been airing on WWE programming over the past several weeks. While the return in and of itself wasn't surprising, the manner in which it took place was.
Jericho entered the arena wearing what appeared to be chain mail adorned with Christmas lights. Nevertheless, he was predictably showered with a cascade of cheers. Jericho played to the crowd for a little bit, and just when he looked like he was going to speak, he dropped the microphone.
His antics carried on for a good 10 minutes before he ultimately went up the stage and left. Before he exited the cheers that had once engulfed the arena turned largely to boos and there was a noticeable change in Y2J's facial expression.
My Take
Jericho's return infuriated many, as it didn't seem like a proper payoff to the weeks of buildup, but I ultimately believe that it was a fantastic way of going about things. Jericho has said that he prefers to play the heel, but because of his status it was obvious that he would receive a warm reaction from the fans.
Rather than having Jericho berate the fans in typical heel fashion, he simply teased them and failed to deliver what they were clamoring for. The fact that he was essentially the biggest face of all time when he entered the arena and was being booed by the time he left was pure genius.
The thought on everyone's mind is a match between Jericho and WWE Champion CM Punk at WrestleMania. I tend to agree with that sentiment, so a heel turn was completely necessary for Jericho. I fully expect the two to battle for the title around Punk's waist, but also the title of best wrestler in the world.
Read More:
Brock Lesnar Is Free to Go to WWE According to Dana White
2 of 7After being knocked out in the first round of his UFC heavyweight battle against Alistair Overeem, Brock Lesnar announced his retirement from the octagon. This has led many to speculate that Lesnar might entertain the thought of returning to the squared circle.
While it was unclear whether Lesnar could contractually go to the WWE, UFC President Dana White gave the OK according to a video posted on ProWrestling.net. While no hint of a return has been given by Lesnar, the comments by White only figure to fuel the fire.
My Take
I understand that Lesnar was an athletic freak and a rare talent during his time in WWE, but I really see no reason for Vince McMahon to pursue Lesnar. While Lesnar continues to be of great public interest for whatever reason, most of his mystique as an elite competitor was destroyed during his lackluster UFC run.
On top of that, his intestinal disease really took a lot out of him physically, and I wonder if he can still perform at the same level as he once did. Lesnar was never skillful on the mic and wasn't particularly entertaining in any aspect other than in the ring, so if he doesn't have that, then he has nothing. Bringing back Lesnar would surely create a buzz, but I think his time has passed.
Read More:
Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar II at WrestleMania?
3 of 7Brock Lesnar and Goldberg met in a match at WrestleMania XX that was considered one of the biggest letdowns of all time. The biggest reason for that is it was well known by fans at the time that Goldberg's contract was expiring and Lesnar was readying to try his hand at the NFL. Now, there is speculation that we could see a rematch.
According to PWTorch.com, Goldberg tweeted that he would consider a rematch with Lesnar at 2013's WrestleMania 29. This predictably got people in a tizzy, but Goldberg later retorted that he should think before he says things. Whatever the case, if both Lesnar and Goldberg want to make the match happen, it probably could.
My Take
Words cannot describe how badly I don't want this to happen. If these two couldn't put on a competent match when they were essentially in their athletic primes, how can we expect it to happen nine years later? I feel like both Lesnar and particularly Goldberg are little more than attention seekers who are trying to milk their names for all they're worth.
I will admit that the novelty of Lesnar and Goldberg returning would be interesting at first, but because of how unentertaining both men are in terms of promos, it would get old quite quickly. I'm over both Lesnar and Goldberg and was quite honestly never a big fan of either. To tell you the truth, I'd mark out more for a Gillberg return than a Goldberg return at this point.
Read More:
Goldberg: I'd Return to WWE to Face Lesnar from WrestlingINC.com
Is Rob Van Dam on His Way Back to WWE?
4 of 7Rob Van Dam has been stuck in the never-ending abyss that is TNA, and with the end in sight, he may want to return to a familiar organization. According to Ryan Clark of WrestlingINC.com, RVD's TNA contract is set to expire in March. This lends credence to a Power Slam report that Van Dam is interested in a WWE return.
RVD competed in the WWE from 2001-2007, securing almost every prestigious title, including the WWE Championship. While he is getting up there in age at 41, he continues to put on solid matches, but is being misused in TNA. Because of that I tend to believe these rumors regardless of the fact that there is no substantiated source.
My Take
As somebody who wasn't the biggest ECW fan, I wouldn't exactly be bouncing off the walls if Van Dam returned to the WWE, but I certainly wouldn't be against it. Before RVD ruined his chances in WWE due to drug use, he was one of the company's best in-ring workers and was most certainly a main-event talent.
That may no longer be the case, but he has proven that he has something left in the tank despite the fact that TNA is unsure what to do with him. I don't think the WWE creative team would give him much of a push, but I could certainly see him putting over some younger talent like Dolph Ziggler or Cody Rhodes. Not only could he put on some great matches with the likes of Ziggler and Rhodes, but allowing them to beat him would really help the youngsters get over to a greater extent.
Read More:
CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler with Laurinaitis as Referee Announced for Royal Rumble
5 of 7For the second week in a row, Dolph Ziggler picked up a victory over WWE Champion CM Punk on RAW. Neither win was clean, as his latest came via countout when interim RAW general manager John Laurinaitis "accidentally" pulled the top rope down on Punk. Ziggler celebrated and left with the title even though it can obviously only change hands via pinfall or submission.
Ziggler's victory prompted Laurinaitis to announce a WWE Championship match between Punk and Ziggler at the Royal Rumble with himself as the special guest referee. While this match seems like an obvious effort to further the feud between Punk and Laurinaitis, I think it gives Ziggler a great chance to further himself at the same time.
My Take
Many are thinking that Laurinaitis will screw over Punk at the Royal Rumble and help Ziggler win the title. While he will certainly try, I highly doubt that the belt is going to be taken off Punk already. I figure Punk will either get himself disqualified by knocking out Laurinaitis, or Laurinaitis will be incapacitated in some way, allowing another official to give Punk the win.
The reason I like the prospects of this match is that it gives Ziggler a big opportunity. My prediction is that Ziggler will fail to win the title in a grueling 20-minute match right before the Rumble match itself. He will then enter the Rumble No. 1 and outlast everyone to win. This will give him great legitimacy and give him a WrestleMania title match with Punk, although I think Jericho will get into the bout as well.
Read More:
Title Match Revealed for Royal Rumble from WrestlingINC.com
Could a Daniel Bryan Heel Turn Be on the Horizon?
6 of 7As soon as Daniel Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase against the Big Show at TLC and won the World Heavyweight Championship, there has been speculation that Big Show would turn heel. After the events of their title match on SmackDown, however, it feels like the seeds have been planted for a Bryan heel turn.
Bryan and Big Show put on a solid match, but it was becoming apparent that Bryan wouldn't win after Big Show broke out of the LeBell Lock. When Big Show pushed Bryan out of the ring, Bryan began taunting Mark Henry who was sitting in on commentary. This caused Henry to push Bryan, giving Bryan the disqualification win. He then celebrated demonstratively with his title.
My Take
I love this. I fully realize that Bryan's recent actions could be a smokescreen for a Big Show heel turn, but I would thoroughly enjoy Bryan as a heel. He started acting very cocky last week and asked Show to thank him for saving him from a Henry attack. That was the first sign, but the manner in which he won in a weasel-like manner this week was very heelish.
Bryan was only briefly a heel during his WWE tenure, in fact it was for one glorious night. When the Nexus debuted and attacked Cena, I felt like Bryan was the break-out star of the segment, as he punished Cena, taunted him and spat in his face. Bryan has been booked as a helpless underdog as a face, but I think he would be far more entertaining as a lethal wrestling machine.
Read More:
Kevin Nash Challenges Ultimate Warrior to Shoot Fight WrestleMania Weekend
7 of 7Kevin Nash and the Ultimate Warrior have been locked up in an ongoing Twitter feud for quite some time, and Nash recently upped the ante. He challenged Warrior to a three-round MMA rules match the night before WrestleMania 28. According to ProWrestling.net, Warrior posted a video rejecting Nash's offer, however.
He did say that if given proper time to prepare and a worthwhile pay day, he would consider a fight in the future. Nash has yet to give a true response other than to continue mocking Warrior. At this point it doesn't look like the exhibition will happen, but I guess you never know.
My Take
I would support this fight, but under only one circumstance. Warrior must run to the octagon while wearing a long-haired wig, face paint and tassels. If he refuses to do that, then count me out. In all seriousness, though, nobody wants to see two old, past-their-prime wrestlers engage in a real fight. The pace and technique would likely be awful and it could lead to a serious injury.
Warrior is usually the one who likes to hog the spotlight, although this was Nash's idea. Warrior made some fair points in saying that Nash was stealing time from up-and-coming wrestlers, but that doesn't change the fact that Warrior has always been in it for himself. If this fight does somehow take place, then I'll be rooting for Nash to knock the Ultimate Joke silly.
Read More:
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
