WWE presents its Elimination Chamber show tonight live on pay-per-view with two multi-person bouts contested inside the huge steel structure, and Jerry the King Lawler challenging the Miz for the WWE championship.
We also have results from last week's Against All Odds pay-per-view in which Jeff Hardy regained the TNA title from Mr. Anderson, but the big news of the week was undoubtedly the return of The Rock to Raw last Monday night where he was announced as the special guest host for this year's WrestleMania.
The self-proclaimed most electrifying man in sports entertainment showed he still had it as many people at the show said it was the loudest pop they'd ever heard in the Anaheim facility and that it felt like the building was shaking when the third generation wrestling star came out for an extended promo.
After telling Michael Cole to sit down and shut up when he got up to respond to the computerized G.M. bell, Rock took a shot at John Cena that has a bit of a background to it. A couple years ago, Cena did an interview with a British tabloid in which he seemed to take the Rock to task for leaving wrestling behind for Hollywood. Rock made fun of Cena and the Miz, saying he would see them at Mania.
Dwayne Johnson said he was back and it was not for the money or to promote a movie. He promised he was never going away and after the show indicated the reception of the fans was his greatest Raw experience ever, according to the Wrestling Observer. He said he wanted to thank the wrestling fans in that forum for all they had done for him.
The return of the Rock overshadowed everything else on Raw, but there was also an excellent bout between the Miz and Daniel Bryan. Plus, Punk managed to defeat Cena, and Randy Orton went over Sheamus. It was one of the best Raw shows in a quite a while. Advertising the Rock's return certainly would have spiked the rating and could only have helped the buy rate. Surprises are nice, but don't translate into money.
Tonight at the Elimination Chamber ppv, the Raw chamber match has Randy Orton, John Cena, R-Truth, C.M. Punk, King Sheamus and John Morrison competing, with the winner facing the WWE champ at Mania. The Smackdown chamber event will be for the brand title with Edge, Rey Mysterio, Wade Barrett, Kane, Drew McIntyre and a mystery sixth entry. Kofi Kingston also battles Alberto Del Rio.
Lawler goes into the event tonight after missing Raw due to the death of his 90- year-old mother, Hazel Lawler, who was a huge supporter of his wrestling career and also worked in Memphis at the arena box office for many years. Lawler appears finally to be getting a bout at Mania this year, perhaps battling for an opportunity to get his hands on fellow announcer Michael Cole.
Could Vince possibly put the belt on Lawler tonight for a short title reign for the King? It is pro wrestling and anything is possible. It would be a nice gesture. Miz could always win it back at Mania.
Lots of people are expecting the Undertaker to return on Raw tomorrow. Would think Triple H is either coming back tonight, tomorrow or sometime real soon. As Jim Ross is fond of saying, "business is about to pick up".
Besides Jeff Hardy regaining the TNA belt from Mr. Anderson at Against All Odds last Sunday, Jeff Jarrett defeated Kurt Angle. Samoa Joe beat the Pope and Bully Bubba destroyed Devon and his two kids. RVD bested Matt Hardy. Madison Rayne retained her belt against Mickie James.
At Impact this past Thursday, Jeff Hardy retained the championship over RVD, and Ric Flair turned on Fortune and the returning A.J. Styles to help Matt Hardy defeat Styles in a short bout. Eric Bischoff still seems to be lost without Hogan, especially now after the Flair split.
(Shamokin's Bill Gilger "arranges" the interview each week with The Insider)