The matches:
1. William Regal/Layla beat CM Punk/Mickie James. REACT: This wasn't the best match, but it had the right result.
2. Cryme Tyme beat Cody Rhodes/Ted DiBiase by disqualification. REACT: A DQ on The Legacy was perfect due to their recent frustrations. Cryme Tyme also gets a needed win in a feud that can continue.
3. Kane/Mike Knox beat Rey Mysterio/Kofi Kingston. REACT: Did anyone else besides me think Kane/Knox would make a great team on a regular basis?
4. Beth Phoenix beats Candice Michelle. REACT: Poor Candice. Everyone says she's put on weight. Who cares? Phoenix had to win here, but what's next for her? A feud with co-hort Rosa Mendes, who will likely assist Phoenix in getting her title back from Melina.
5. John Cena beats Chris Jericho. REACT: This match was very solid. Apparently Cena's finisher is now called the "Attitude Adjuster." I think this match eliminates any chance of Cena-Jericho at WrestleMania XXV.
The angles:
1. Randy Orton vs. the McMahons. REACT: I think Orton explaining The Legacy "wasn't fighting back" explained last week perfectly. The ambush on Shane and Stephanie McMahon from The Legacy was nicely done. I thought for sure Orton would be punting what I thought was a stunt-double Stephanie, but I was fooled on both counts.
2. Chris Jericho said Ric Flair "can't bow out gracefully." Jericho also said "legends need to be put into place," by revoking their Hall of Fame status. REACT: I wonder if Flair has become the replacement for Mickey Rourke, who has backed out of the match. Rourke recently said, "My people suggested it might not be a wise career move." Geez, Rourke, thanks for playing the role of idiot.
3. JBL vs. Shawn Michaels. REACT: While JBL's employee performance appraisal dragged out a little, the angle is strong -- a contract release with full payment to Michaels if he wins, or the rights to Shawn Michaels' name and future royalties to JBL if he wins. My only fear here is that I can't see JBL owning Michaels name. Story line or no story line.
4. Kane gets a "bye" into Elimination Chamber match. REACT: And to think he just had to pick up the phone and call The Undertaker.
NEXT WEEK'S RAW
Wow, where to begin.
1. Flair to respond to Jericho. REACT: This is a shocker. I really hope Flair is only used in the story lines as it relates to Jericho, and not in the ring. I would hate for Flair's in-ring retirement from WM XXIV to be tarnished. But I think Flair-Jericho is very likely for WM XXV.
2. The Undertaker vs. Orton. REACT: Unbelievable. Having the Undertaker face Orton really is a statement in Orton's rivalry against the McMahons. It also eliminates any chance of Orton gaining huge face pops as the No. 1 heel on Raw.
3. CM Punk vs. William Regal. REACT: This feud needs resolution. Punk must retain his Intercontinental title.
WWE PPVS (UPDATED WM XXV PREDICTIONS!)
No Way Out (February 15): WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match (Undertaker vs. Triple H vs. Big Show vs. Edge vs. TBD vs. TBD -- expect Edge to retain); World Heavyweight Title Elimination Chamber match (Kofi Kingston vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho vs. John Cena vs. Mike Knox vs. Kane-- expect Cena to retain.); Randy Orton vs. Shane McMahon in a No Holds Barred match (Orton is on the road to WM XXV; he's a lock here); Shawn Michaels vs. JBL (the feud has been strong; I'm thinking no contest and a WM XXV rematch)
WrestleMania XXV (April 5): Nothing has been officially announced, but these are my predicted matches (this card is always impossible to predict): John Cena-Randy Orton, Edge-Triple H, Jeff Hardy-Matt Hardy, Shawn Michaels-JBL, Chris Jericho-Ric Flair, Jack Swagger-Tommy Dreamer, Big Show-Undertaker, Trish Stratus-Beth Phoenix, Money in the Bank match (highlighted by Christian Cage's debut).
WWE Hall of Fame: Stone Cold Steve Austin (likely inducted by Vince McMahon, or maybe Bret Hart), Bill Watts (inducted by Jim Ross), Ricky Steamboat (inducted by Ric Flair).
BROOKE HOGAN VS. REID FLAIR OFF