WWE Raw: The Top 5 Moments of the Night

For the first time in a long time, I can honestly say that WWE fans got to witness a fantastic episode of Raw this Monday. 

Ignoring CM Punk's overdone rendition of "Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye," we got to see some great matches, exciting moments and the long-awaited return of a legend.

These are the top five moments from Monday's show.

Honorable Mention

Brodus Clay Dominates Again

Brodus Clay got another squash win against Tyler Reks and showed that he can really shake his legs in the process (which kind of disturbed me).

Reks actually started off getting the first few shots like McIntyre at the Rumble but proceeded to get dominated.

It is time for Clay to get a match against one of the regular Superstars so we can see what other moves he is capable of.

Mike Tyson Becomes Hall of Fame Inductee

Mike Tyson was announced as the third Hall of Fame Inductee of 2012 after Edge and the Four Horsemen. Although Tyson has done little to nothing in the WWE, it will be fun to have him at WrestleMania!

I hope he comes out to DX music.

5. Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler

As they did a couple months ago, Randy Orton and Dolph Ziggler put on another great wrestling match on Raw. 

It was a great back-and-forth match, which ended after Orton successfully hit the RKO on Ziggler and followed it up with the pin.

I'm putting my money on Orton gaining the upper hand on Barrett this Friday on SmackDown.

The WWE should also be very thankful for Dolph Ziggler, because this guy can literally do everything, and he does it all perfectly.

He will be WWE Champion at some point in 2012.

4. Kofi Kingston Wins Against the Miz

It was Trouble in Paradise for the Miz on Monday.

Kofi and the Miz put on a great match with R-Truth announcing, which ended with Kofi nailing his finisher for the victory. Go Kofi!

After all of Evan Bourne's baggage that Kofi's had to carry around with him for two months, it seems like he is finally getting his due after a couple of great days.

His handstand spot in the Rumble was spectacular, and a win over the Miz is always a big win.

Kingston is incredibly over with the crowd as a babyface, and he deserves to be in the main event picture. Hopefully he will be able to get an elimination match at the Elimination Chamber later this month—maybe that can be the start of a great 2012 for Kofi.

2012 Money in the Bank winner? Who knows!

3. John Cena Begins to Change

I wouldn't say that Cena fully embraced the hate on Raw this week, but he definitely tasted it.

Cena continuously used the steel steps as a battering ram while attacking Kane, and he did it all with a wicked smile on his face.

He was enjoying beating Kane, and the crowd was loving it too!

I honestly cannot remember the last time that Cena was cheered that much.

The thing with Cena is that he doesn't need to become a heel—his character just needs to change into something the fans will respect. A character like this is more exciting and fun to watch. 

As long as Cena continues down this path of becoming a more brutal and fierce character, the WWE should experience a great reaction from their fans, including myself.

2. Chris Jericho Nails Punk

So the WWE royally screwed up Jericho's first month back.

He didn't win the Rumble simply because everyone was anticipating it, and he therefore didn't follow up on his claim that the world would end.

Now they can fix the mess they created.

During a superb match between CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, Jericho came running down the ramp, got Punk disqualified and nailed Punk with a CodeBreaker. Yes.

We still don't know what the "end of the world" is or who "she" is, but at least we know Jericho's intentions. He wants Punk's WWE Championship and the title of being the "best in the world."

Maybe Jericho will win the title at Elimination Chamber, setting up Punk wanting a rematch at WrestleMania, or Punk will retain at EC and Jericho will find a way into the WWE Championship match at Mania.

Either way, we have another great match to look forward to at WrestleMania XXVIII.

1. Undertaker Returns!

There were five of us in my dorm room watching the end of Raw on Monday while Triple H was getting ready to fire John Lauranitis.

Two of us were intently watching while the other three were doing their homework, listening to the television as they did.

When the Undertaker's bell struck, those three's heads snapped straight up.

After 10 long months, the Undertaker made his return to the WWE, and he made his intentions known to Triple H that he wanted him yet again at this year's WrestleMania.

No words were spoken as Triple H patted Taker on the arm and left the ring, letting him know that he had no intention of fighting him at Mania.

Let's get one thing straight. This match is going to happen.

I'm guessing that Taker will have to convince Hunter to take the match with some kind of stipulation. I'd bet we can expect something along the lines of Shawn Michaels acting as special guest referee or Taker having to put his career on the line.

In any case, Taker's return to Raw was an awesome surprise and the perfect way to end a great episode of Monday Night Raw.