First, it was the 35-minute delay Sunday night courtesy of DirecTV during the Royal Rumble pay-per-view at my viewing at The Oyster Pub.
Monday night, the DVR decided it didn't want to record Monday Night Raw. Thankfully, the wife noticed and got things settled six minutes into the show.
Usually, after a PPV, WWE tanks and delivers a horrible show. That was not the case Monday night at all.
Outside of one questionable finish in one of the Elimination Chamber matches, and not having the women's match I thought we were supposed to get, this show was superb. It's too bad the Nashville, Tenn., crowd was a dead one.
Let's review:
William Shatner
1. Vince McMahon's office. REACT: I like how Shatner first showed up in McMahon's office. He also pushed the Bret Hart story line with his comments.
2. Four songs. REACT: While obviously pre-taped, Shatner' singing to the entrance music of Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Rey Mysterio and Triple H is probably the funniest thing a guest host has done so far. I loved it!
3. Triple-threat tag-team match made. REACT: Kudos to the "Raw match negotiator" (that was funny) for making this match, even if it is next week on Raw.
4. Bring out Bret. REACT: Fellow Canadian guest host introduced fan favorite Canadian. That was a nice touch.
Guest host grade: I'm a huge Shatner fan, and I will admit he didn't do much. But I thought his singing was hilarious, and for that alone, he gets a solid grade for entertaining me. Guest host grade: B.
Vince McMahon vs. Bret Hart
1. Bret. REACT: Bret was great in his promo, saying it took him 12 years to make peace and that he was "warned" it wouldn't work. He was also great in calling out McMahon, calling him the "world's greatest liar" and talking about being in a wheelchair eight years ago.
2. McMahon. REACT: McMahon had some strut going. It was funny. All he had to do to get Bret angry was to say Stu Hart wasn't going to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. It worked.
3. Batista. REACT: I'm not sure where he fits in here, as it takes the focus off the match. I hope WWE doesn't saddle us with a tag-team match at WrestleMania. Or worse, put Bret and McMahon in the corners while Batista and someone of Bret's choice battle it out at WrestleMania.
The Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matches
1. John Cena beats Cody Rhodes. REACT: Strong match. I like how Rhodes got in a lot of offense. His top-rope moonsault was awesome. Cena was the right man to win.
2. Triple H beats Jack Swagger. REACT: I thought the push-up showboating by Swagger would lead to a quick squash by HHH. Thankfully, it didn't. Swagger was able to mount some strong offense, getting several close falls. Smart finish here -- I like how his cockiness (pointing to the WrestleMania sign) led to the pedigree and pin by HHH.
3. Randy Orton beats Shawn Michaels. REACT: Pre-match, I thought HHH was teasing a run-in. I enjoyed the fast pace. Another great finish, too, as the rollup by Orton right after Michaels' kickup was awesome.
4. Ted DiBiase beats Mark Henry. REACT: Smart match here, as it went to the outside and the power game was emphasized. I guess it could be considered a "shock," but I don't think so seeing how Henry doesn't belong in the Chamber and DiBiase does for several reasons, the No. 1 being that Orton is in there.
5. Kofi Kingston beats Big Show. REACT: The 500-pound spear was impressive. Kofi had two botched moves and immediately went on an offensive rampage. I didn't care for that. In the third great match finish of the night. Big Show hit the referee and apologized profusely (that was funny). Jerry Lawler was correct when he asked, "Why wasn't Kofi disqualfied (for getting Big Show in the eye)?
The angles
1. Edge and Sheamus. REACT: Awesome promo by both men. Edge had a very funny line calling Sheamus, "Ronald McDonald." I like how Edge will take his time before naming his WrestleMania opponent. It's the logical thing to do, with February's Elimination Chamber matches likely to change one or both world titles.
2. Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker. REACT: It looks like WWE will have Michaels go on a lengthy losing streak, making everyone think he stands no chance against Undertaker. It will make his win all the more special, assuming WWE doesn't swerve us and have Michaels face HHH.
3. Maryse vs. Gail Kim. REACT: Wasn't this match supposed to happen on Raw? Shame, shame. The friendly Maryse was disturbing.
4. MVP vs. The Miz. REACT: I like how this feud was pushed again.
Raw grade: A-.
Next week's Raw
1. Carl Edwards. REACT: Get ready NASCAR fans, as Edwards will guest host Raw six days before the Daytona 500. There is no way he'll be worse than Kyle Busch and Joey Logano from the
2. The Miz/Big Show vs. DX vs. CM Punk/Luke Gallos. REACT: It would make the most sense to have Miz/Big Show win here, as DX will split and Punk may even get a WrestleMania feud with HHH.
LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS
WWE
WWE re-signs Joey Mercury. REACT: I always thought he had wrestling talent.
ECW likely no more after WrestleMania. REACT: I'll believe it when I see it.
Shawn Michaels reportedly not a big fan of CM Punk's "savior" story line. REACT: Tough. It's the best angle in WWE right now.
WWE confirms Feb. 9 Smackdown/ECW taping has been postponed due to a New Orleans Saints parade. REACT: I am predicting a winning Saints team.
Police report, obtained by TMZ, says one muscle relaxer pill was reportedly found on Gregory Helms' person. REACT: That's not good for Helms, although police did not pursue charges.
PWInsider.com reports that former WWE stars (Bushwhacker Luke, Typhoon, Molly Holly, Mr. Fuji, Nikolai Volkoff and The Barbarian) were denied entry into England because someone called country officials and said "terrorists" were sneaking into the country under the names of the wrestlers. REACT: Even without that report, wouldn't one be suspicious if those six showed up at the airport together? Kidding!
TNA Wrestling
Report that ladder match in Manchester was pulled because no one could find a suitable ladder. REACT: What? I hope this is a false report, as a ladder match was heavily promoted.
Matt Morgan's father undergoes a successful tumor removal procedure for his brain cancer. REACT: Awesome news. Morgan seems like a class act.
TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter tells CanMag.com that WWE will stop at nothing to put them out of business. REACT: I haven't see signs of that yet, but maybe she knows things we don't?
