WWE News: Reviews, Analysis and Rumors for Week of Jan. 29
WrestleMania is a mere two months away, so it's fair to say that we are firmly in the WWE's most exciting stretch of the year. The road to WrestleMania started, as always, with the Royal Rumble on Sunday, and while the result wasn't shocking, it certainly surprised many.
The Rumble was followed up with what might have been the most exciting and unpredictable RAW in recent memory. The build toward Elimination Chamber began already, two possible WrestleMania matches were teased, and there was one shocking return.
If this past week is a microcosm of how entertaining the road to WrestleMania and the event itself are going to be, then wrestling fans are certainly in for a treat. Here is the latest news and rumors in the WWE for the week of Jan. 29.
The Undertaker Returns to Confront Triple H
1 of 5There has been much speculation regarding when The Undertaker might return to announce his intentions to go for a 20-0 record at WrestleMania. Some thought it might happen as a surprise entrant in the Rumble match, but that didn't come to fruition. Instead, the Deadman confronted Triple H on RAW just as he was about to fire John Laurinaitis.
The two had an epic staredown before Taker motioned toward the WrestleMania sign and made his signature throat-slashing motion. Rather than oblige as Triple H did last year, though, he simply patted The Undertaker on the back and exited the ring. This leaves fans with a ton of questions regarding Taker's status.
My Take
I'm not sure this could have been done any better than it was. Most had to know that Undertaker would come back for Triple H, as Triple H had been bragging about ending the Deadman's career.
It would have been easy for Triple H to accept on the spot, but this really opens up the storyline because Taker can continually torment Triple H until he agrees.
A lot of people don't want to see Taker vs. Triple H for the third time at WrestleMania, but I'm really not sure why. Last year's match was a classic and you know that they're both going to bring it again this year.
Taker has to go back after Triple H as well because he has to prove that he isn't done as Triple H has suggested.
All signs point to Shawn Michaels getting heavily involved in this feud as well, and that can only be a good thing. He was part of a promo last year and it was by far the most intriguing part of the Taker vs. Triple H feud. If Michaels is the special guest referee or at least at ringside for the match, it will make it even better.
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Sheamus Wins the 2012 Royal Rumble
2 of 5Entering the Royal Rumble, most considered Chris Jericho and Randy Orton to be the co-favorites. Both were in the final three, but it was ultimately "The Great White" Sheamus who came out on top.
Sheamus was obviously a contender as he was built to look like the favorite leading up to the Rumble, but it still came as a bit of a surprise.
Sheamus and Jericho engaged in what may have been the best Rumble final two ever as they fought back and forth for several minutes before Sheamus Brogue Kicked Y2J off the apron.
Sheamus celebrated the victory, and while it hasn't been announced yet, all signs point to him challenging Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
My Take
Many fans were understandably upset as they were hoping that Jericho would win the Rumble, but this is going to turn out to be a great decision. I'll admit that I was pulling for Jericho, but I really enjoy Sheamus too, so the disappointment was short lived.
The fact of the matter is that Jericho didn't need the Rumble win to get elevated, and that was obvious by his attack of CM Punk on RAW.
Sheamus is undoubtedly an main-event talent as he has great size, is good in the ring and solid on the mic as well. The issue was that there was no direct avenue for him to get to that level. Both title pictures were muddled and Sheamus was stuck having to squash Jinder Mahal every week.
Not only does the Rumble win make him look strong, but it helps him transition naturally to the main event. The Rumble used to be all about giving established main eventers a title match, but I prefer it to be used to elevate a talent who needs it.
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Chris Jericho Stakes Claim to 'Best in the World' Moniker vs. CM Punk
3 of 5After weeks of bizarre behavior and saying nothing other than a single sentence, Chris Jericho made his in-ring return at the Royal Rumble and seemed to be well on his way to winning the match.
Much to the chagrin of many fans, though, Sheamus eliminated Jericho to win the match. This left many wondering what would be done about Y2J.
Jericho promptly answered that question the next night as he got WWE Champion CM Punk disqualified in his match with Daniel Bryan and then proceeded to hit Punk with a Codebreaker.
Most expected Jericho to enter a feud with Punk, as Punk has been calling himself the best wrestler in the world. Jericho looks as if he is going to try to reclaim that moniker, though.
My Take
On a night that was full of greatness, the WWE hit yet another home run on RAW. All Jericho had to do to enter a feud with Punk was attack him.
Many were dejected when he didn't win the Rumble, but everything was ultimately done perfectly. Jericho already has such a great stature, that he didn't need the Rumble to get involved in a high-profile feud.
Everything about a Jericho vs. Punk rivalry should be entertaining. Not only are they two of the best on the mic over the past decade, but they are two of the best in-ring workers as well.
This is the match that everyone was clamoring for, and it looks as if it is going to happen at WrestleMania.
Fans often overreact when an angle doesn't go precisely as they had hoped, but Jericho getting involved with Punk after losing the Rumble shows why patience is a virtue when it comes to wrestling.
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Matches Set for Elimination Chamber
4 of 5Most are already looking ahead to WrestleMania, but there is still one more pay-per-view to get through before that. In a couple weeks Elimination Chamber will take place, and it will ultimately be the final major stop on the road to WrestleMania.
Elimination Chamber has developed into a nice bridge between Royal Rumble and WrestleMania and it is becoming a staple. On both RAW and SmackDown, the chamber matches were announced for the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship respectively.
The RAW side will feature CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho, Kofi Kingston, R-Truth and The Miz, while SmackDown will have Daniel Bryan, Big Show, Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett and Great Khali.
My Take
There wasn't anything particularly ground-breaking about these selections, but both chamber matches look quite promising. That is especially true of the SmackDown match. There is a good mix of young talent and established stars, and then there is Great Khali. Because of Mark Henry's injury, he was written out of the match, but I'm not even upset over Khali's inclusion.
He's certainly an awful wrestler, but if Rhodes, Barrett or Bryan eliminate him, it could make them look very good. Also, the SmackDown chamber has some unpredictability to it since there are five people with a legitimate shot of winning.
I think both Bryan and Punk will retain, but it isn't outside the realm of possibility that one of them loses. Jericho winning the RAW chamber is possible since it would still allow for a match with Punk at WrestleMania.
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Mike Tyson Announced to Join WWE Hall of Fame
5 of 5The third member of the WWE's 2012 Hall of Fame class was announced on RAW, and it was somebody who never even wrestled a match for the company. Former World Heavyweight boxing champion "Iron" Mike Tyson will be inducted into the WWE's "celebrity wing."
Tyson joins the likes of Drew Carey and Pete Rose as non-wrestlers that will be in the Hall of Fame. Tyson was a major part of the feud between Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin heading into WrestleMania XIV.
He served as an enforcer in the match and ultimately switched allegiances to Austin as he won the WWE Championship.
My Take
Many are up in arms over Tyson being elected to the Hall of Fame, but it certainly makes sense. If celebrities are going to be elected to the Hall of Fame, and all signs point to that continuing to be the case, then Tyson is obviously deserving. He was a major player in Austin's ascent and he did a great job during his appearances.
Additionally, Tyson's inclusion gives the WWE the mainstream attention it loves. If Rose and Carey are already in the Hall of Fame, and Koko B. Ware is in as a wrestler, then there's no use getting worked up over Tyson. he was a major player in a big angle in WWE history, so it's nice to see him get honored.
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