WWE RAW Rewind: The Champ...Is...Unleashed!

Tonight marked a monumental evening in the WWE. From sibling rivalry to huge returns to the arrival of The Champ, RAW brought forth the start of something big...and the ship begins to rise from the waters.

But before the anarchy could be fulfilled, there was some unfinished business involving the Survivor Series Elimination Matches.

England Prepares for an Invasion

William Regal found out earlier in the evening that there would be an eight man tournament to determine the new #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Championship. The first two men made their way into the Final Four of the tournament as Kofi Kingston defeated Kane after the Big Red Monster refused to release a submission on the steel post. The Monster shows his frustration by ramming the steel steps (which would be used later) into Kingston. Stephanie McMahon then came out and decided that since Kane had so much aggression in him, he should take it out on the new World Heavyweight Champion next week.

But Kingston wasn't the only one who struck it rich on Monday night. His tag team championship partner CM Punk also made it his business to fight for the right to party in the next round as after a grueling battle with Snitsky, he managed to nail the GTS to secure the win and advance to the second round. By the way, William Regal made it his business to be down there for the match, but instead of getting an advantage, he appaluded the efforts of the young Straight Edge Extremist.

The Longhorn makes an offer that hasn't been refused.

Following the aftermath of Survivor Series, Shawn Michaels and Rey Mysterio were looking for more payback. So they tagged up once again to face The Dirt Sheet. Despite a tough effort (for once) from The DS, Rey nailed the West Coast Splash to secure the victory. Following the match, and during the bout, JBL did come down to watch the bout. But it was John Morrison who felt the shaft of losing the bout, which was by The Miz...again.

Morrison came in and took out Mysterio before focusing his attention on Michaels. JBL came in and ushered Morrison to move over to one side. As he prepared to take out Michaels, JBL pulls a fast one and takes out...John Morrison? After the altercation, JBL makes it clear that the reason he didn't take out Michaels is because he made an offer to HBK that Michaels has yet to accept. We hope to find out more next week.

Santino Suffers Shattered Dreams

With an Intercontinental Championship Tournament going on, we figured that we would see Santino Marella in this competition. Unfortunately for him, he was denied entry due in large part because of a challenge that he accepted. That challenger was...(inhale deeply) mmmm...Goldust!

The Bizarre One returned and left both Beth Phoenix and Santino in a state of disarray as he took out The Italian One with the Final Bow/Vibrant Drop (patent pending) to secure the win in his return to WWE competition. But the good news for Santino: He finally shaved that god awful unibrow! Yay for us!

Hollywood Gets Its Groove Back (Thank God!)

Beth Phoenix tried to boast about her victory at Survivor Series, but Jillian stole the spotlight from her not once but twice. But Jillian's time to shine was cut short by the return of one of the hottest (and I mean hottest) Divas on RAW: Melina!

Despite a dominating performance from Phoenix, Melina was able to take out Katie Lea with her new finisher, The Hot Spot and finish off Jillian with the Walk of Fame to secure the win for her team. Now I think I speak for every male in the world when it comes to the return of Melina: In the words of Ron Simmons...DAMN!!

Armageddon Meets The Apocalypse

At the beginning of the night, Shane McMahon arrived to Providence to announce a huge main event for the evening: Batista vs. Chris Jericho for the #1 Contendership for the World Heavyweight Championship. But Stephanie McMahon comes out and adds a third member to the party: Randy Orton. But after a huge insult from Shane O'Mac, Stephanie slaps the taste out of Shane's mouth, prompting the Silver Spoon Slugger to leave the arena and control of RAW to his sister.

In the Triple Threat Match, Jericho allowed Batista to land the Spear on Orton before jumping in and landing a dropkick on The Animal and securing the win to ensure that at Armageddon there would indeed be a Survivor Series rematch between he and Cena. As the night drew to a close, Jericho had enough time to shower and suit up before heading to the ring to attempt to steal the Thunder of John Cena.

But instead of taking away the parade of Cena, Jericho became a victim of a new Chain Gang Commander. Cena made his way through the crowd with as many of his Chain Gang Soldiers following him. As he walks around the ring, Cena begins to show his support for the very people that Jericho had turned his back on many months ago. And just when it looked like there would be some physicality, Jericho decides to walk away...only to return to get the last word.

Even though Jericho got the last word, it was Cena who got the last punch in. Cena unleashes a fury that has never been seen out of him. After tossing him outside, Cena decides that this wasn't enough as he grabs a set of steel steps and rams them into the face of Jericho. But that wasn't enough for the new Champion either as he locks in the STFU inside the ring until Jericho passes out. As Kane watches from the back, Cena stands over a fallen Jericho with the World Heavyweight Championship high above his head as RAW goes off the air.

Next Week on RAW: Rey Mysterio battles The Miz in a first round Intercontinental Championship Tournament Match!

And...The Big Red Monster Faces The Chain Gang Commander as Kane faces John Cena in Cena's first official match back on RAW!

Also...in two weeks, it's the return of The Slammy Awards in a Three Hour Special Edition of RAW!