WWE Monday Night Raw: 5 Predictions for Tonight's Show

Bleacher Report is gearing up for the Jan. 9 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, and in preparation we've rounded up the top five predictions for tonight's show.  

Last week on WWE Raw, Chris Jericho returned as the "It Begins" mystery man, as predicted by virtually everyone with an Internet connection.  However, no one saw Jericho's silence coming, and the fans were left questioning the purpose behind the curious return.

The feud between Kane and John Cena took a turn for the strange after Kane no-showed for the six-man tag team main-event match.  John Cena and Zack Ryder were the last men standing after defeating the opposing team, and Kane's music hit.  Cena rushed out to ringside to give Kane a warm welcome, leaving Ryder in the ring.  

Kane appeared, not from the entrance, but through a hole in the ring, and attempted to "drag Ryder to hell."  John Cena just barely made the save, winning the Zack Ryder tug of war.  When it seemed the dust had settled, a blast of flames erupted from the hole, followed by smoke (and a hint of fire extinguisher).

It's a new year in the WWE, and the Royal Rumble is fast approaching.  It's full speed ahead from here to WrestleMania.

Share your thoughts on our picks and predictions of your own in the comment section!

Chris Jericho's Jacket Returns

There was one non-headache-inducing story that came out of Chris Jericho's return last week, and that was his epic light-up jacket.  

Part chain mail, part leather, part Christmas lights and 100 percent awesome, Jericho's jacket will most definitely be returning with him tonight on Raw.  

What are the odds that WWE tries to turn this jacket into merchandise? 

A Strong Mid-Card Showing by Zack Ryder

Zack Ryder has been in the main event twice in the past month, and as happy as I am for the self-made United States champion, he belongs on the mid-card. 

I don't say that out of disdain for Ryder; I say it because he has a mid-card championship, and should be used to (hopefully) bolster the ratings early on, or in the middle of the show.  

WWE has been showing plenty of attention to Ryder's attempts to "woo woo woo" Eve Torres, and I suspect that they'll do so again tonight while setting up Ryder's match of the night.  

Bonus prediction:  Ryder will try to show a little more of his serious side after nearly being dragged off by Kane. 

CM Punk Feuds with John Laurinaitis, Dolph Ziggler Plays Second Fiddle

John Laurinaitis has started to get some serious heat on him from the fans.  Some hate him because he's so terrible; others hate him because he's terrible and isn't a very nice guy.

WWE may very well be trying to create an Austin/McMahon-type feud with CM Punk and Johnny Ace, and although I don't see it working, it isn't nearly as bad as the Triple H/Kevin Nash dynamic Punk had to withstand in 2011.

Dolph Ziggler is getting a title shot against CM Punk at the Royal Rumble, and John Laurinaitis will be the special guest referee.  Since Ziggler is just now making the leap to the main event, I predict that WWE will keep the focus on the Punk/Laurinaitis side of things, rather than relying on Ziggler to play the key role.

The important thing for Ziggler is to perform to the very best of his abilities while he has this opportunity; then it'll be much more likely that he gets another shot in the main event without playing second fiddle to Punk's feud with Laurinaitis.

John Cena Continues to 'Rise Above Hate'

Kane has been relentless in his attempts to get John Cena to embrace the hate he has for the fans who boo him, but has had little luck.  

This week should be no different, and I expect Kane to continue to try and get under Cena's skin by any means necessary as WWE continues to build towards a match between these two at the Royal Rumble. 

I won't go as far as predicting that they'll actually have a match though, despite them having matches at recent house shows.

Chris Jericho Doesn't Speak, Again

That's right, I'm predicting that Chris Jericho will remain silent once again on Raw, despite my belief that doing so would be a disaster for this entire angle.  

I have a gut feeling that the WWE brass thinks that the reaction Jericho got last week and the post-show buzz it left behind was something they should try to recreate.  

Buzz is great, but having fans tune in to see someone who does virtually nothing is not good, because it'll eventually play out like the boy who cried wolf.

If I'm wrong, and I hope I am, I expect few answers from Jericho, but enough to keep fans interested in what he has to say and what he'll do.