LIVE Raw thoughts - January 2, 2012

11:07 - So...hmmmm....another interesting segment that ended the show.

10:44 - Hmmmmmm, so what to make of that? The reveal itself? Aside from the hokey looking rumbling camera (which focused in on a very stable looking audience), I thought it was great. The extended cryptic video, followed by the pitch black (where the audience -- both live and viewing -- had no idea what was going to happen next) was great. The blinking jacket, revealing the classic Jericho pose, was great as well (although I would have included the countdown).

Then things got strange and took an unexpected turn. When Jericho came out, he was way too friendly and acting like a face. He left a heel, and his cryptic videos certainly had a heelish tone. Then after he went out of the ring for the third time, it became obvious that this was a purposely over the top act and that he would turn the audience against him. But then it became a question of how he would accomplish that. I was hoping it would be to tell the fans that they turned on him and cheered for a guy like CM Punk, who claimed to be the Best in the World, and now they're chanting his name like a bunch of hypocrites.

But instead it went on for a REALLLLY long time, and Jericho just left. To an extent, I appreciate their attempt to take it slow and build interest, but frankly they're not going to recapture that moment and energy. When Jericho comes out next, instead of having the live audience in the palm of his hand, they're probably going to be confused and a little frustrated. Let's see how it plays out, but I can't help but feel like they missed out on a moment.

10:28 - The post-match taunting was longer than the actual Divas match.

10:24 - How rich would the irony be if Chris Jericho returned during a Kelly Kelly match?

10:22 - I get a lot of heat for this because it's the shortest Rumble ever (by a large margin), but Royal Rumble 1995 is actually my favorite Rumble of all time. Creative booking, awesome ending, and it felt like the first time that an underdog, unexpected non-established main eventer won.

10:17 - I appreciate what they were trying to do with the booking of that match, but I didn't care for the execution. Punk turned his attention away from Ziggler for far too long -- it made him look like an idiot. And Punk's fall didn't seem brutal enough to warrant a count out.

10:02 - Figures. Dolph Ziggler wearing the energy band over his wrist tape was finally growing on me, and he stopped wearing it.

9:52 - I'm guessing that the 1-2-12 reveal comes during the conclusion of the WWE Championship match.

9:46 - If Vince McMahon wants ADR's offense to look more physical (a criticism I have often made as well), he might want to take lessons from Sheamus. His stuff looks brutal.

9:38 - R-Truth is awfully well dressed for a planned assault.

9:31 - This discussion was going on over at Scott Keith's blog, about wrestling uniforms and entrance attire. Back in the day, Hulk Hogan used to come to the ring wearing his t-shirt, and that was pretty much it. Everybody else had their own entrance attire. Nowadays, pretty much every single person comes to the ring wearing their t-shirt: John Cena, CM Punk, Christian, Miz, Santino, Barrett, Zack Ryder, Shawn Michaels, Big Show, Air Boom, Rey Mysterio....you get the point. Wade Barrett actually used to have a unique entrace -- the blazer over his shoulders, with a different colored English rose (later replaced with a pocket square). Even Daniel Bryan, who has a kick ass ring jacket, has been sporting the t-shirt lately. And how could you not miss Christian's gaudy hooded jacket and pants?

9:19 - Based on Cole's commentary during this Daniel Bryan match, I'm guessing WWE officials decided his announcing wasn't the problem with the ratings after all.

9:12 - If WWE already changed their minds about when they're having the WWE Championship Match, I'd say the chances aren't good for Brodus Clay actually having his debut tonight.

9:06 - I thought Punk vs. Ziggler was opening the show? Guess Punk gets bumped by Cena from opening the show, too.