I was very surprised by the outsome of the Batista - Mysterio match. I thought for sure that Batista would get out the door and hit the floor at the same time as Mysterio.

I really hope that the Undertaker says no to HBK on Monday. I don't know who else Undertaker could face, but HBK needs to do something with HHH or Bret Hart.

I also thought that Hart Dynasty would win the Tag Team match. They better get a good push now that Bret is back for a while.

McCool and Layla is growing on me as well. McCool actually looked decent having a loose shirt on that hid her bony body.

Kevin, have you seen the new Royal Rumble microsite? It's great and the music is addicting: check it out at http://rr10.wwe.com/

My theory is that Batista will go to the Rumble match as he has a good shot at winning it.

Chris Jericho's bruise was obviously makeup.

Was it me or was McCool really looking weak when she was trying to hit Mickie James as she tumbled on the mat a couple times?

I agree with you on Ziggler, and also think that Swagger deserves to be treated better.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I agree about the music for the Rumble. The song is "Hero" by Skillet. I have the CD. Good stuff.

Yes, I know that Jericho was wearing makeup. That was kind of my point.

My money was on the Hart Dynasty as well; didn't think Raven & Horace would win that one.

"Chris Jericho is always entertaining, but I fear that he is becoming too much of a comedy act."

Kev, I feel the same way; this is not the man who dropped Rebecca Hickenbottom 2 years ago and preached how phony other wrestlers were - I guess that's CM Punk's deal now. However, he could be rewarded with a Rumble win, challenge the WWE Champ, win at 'Mania and then he can be on RAW forever............sound like a good storyline?

Please, please, please let this be the last match involving both Mysterio and Batista for the next ten years or so. They went into total overdrive with this feud, doing in a month what they could have done over a year.

I didn't like Punk/Gallows winning the #1 contendership, mainly because they're gonna get buried by Triple H now. Hardy and Khali? Huh?

The Royal Rumble always frustrates me because the title matches are almost all meaningless. I'm actually glad that Mysterio won, but he obviously won't be holding the belt going down the road to Wrestlemania. Also if the Undertaker does accept Shawn Michaels challenge then is Taker going to hold on to the belt going into Mania? That's why in an earlier post I said that after this Smackdown the picture of Wrestlemania would only get cloudier. What can I say about Punk? He really is great and I would like to see him in more singles competition, but him and Gallows do make a pretty good team. I also feel terrible for Chris Jericho. He and creative are obviously waiting for Edge to return, but his return time seems very uncertain. So he is sort of in limbo until Edge's return. His match with Morrison was good, but with two solid workers like they are what else would you expect. I guess they are trying to do a Kane-Ziggler feud, so having Kane even the score is the only reason I can come up with for Ziggler losing. The three-way feud for the Women's Championship has finally made something in the Divas Division worthwhile. All three are capable workers, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I can't wait to see how this whole thing turns out. Lastly, everytime I see Kahli in the ring I cringe. If you can come up with a worse worker than him I'll revoke my "Smart Mark" card like you suggested after this weeks Raw.

The Ziggler/Kane match was pay-per-view quality!

You say you dont read spoilers one minute, then say that a match possibly set for WrestleMania is looking more likely...

You're right about Jericho, despite his awesome talent, he is becoming stale. Mainly because he hasn't had a good feud since his feud with DX started.

I like the whole Laycool-Beth-Mickie dynamic. Hopefully it keeps going.

The steel cage match, and the Jericho-Morrison match were good.

Where is Essssscobar these days? Not a complaint, though.

RESPONSE FROM KE: I don't read spoilers about shows that are taped. Of course I'm going to be aware of news and speculation about upcoming cards. Two entirely different things. Can't believe I actually have to explain that.

As much as I dislike DX, I am glad at the prospect of Punk getting a rub by working with them. If Punk is permitted to hold his own on the mic and in the ring before suffering his inevitable defeat, then it should be interesting stuff. Yes, there aren't many superstars with three world title reigns who need a rub, but Punk is one who does.

Nicky Nemeth could definitely be a star. "Dolph Ziggler," not so much.

"McCool has gotten better at playing a character that gets legitimate heel heat rather than go-away heat."

Isn't McCool's problem not having any heat with the crowd?

"Go away" heat implies strong feeling. while McCool inspires apathy from the live audience, even with this current angle. The crowd likes Mickie, but doesn't seem to give half a damn about McCool (or Layla and Beth).. They cheer Mickie, then just die when she gets beat down rather than booing the heels.

Kev, anything in your head about this from:

- The Rock recently done an interview with The Toronto Sun in which he cleared up many rumors on his possible return to WWE. He confirms he was planning to host an edition of Monday Night RAW on January 11th 2010 but had to cancel to promote a film in Mexico.

When asked about a possible return to WWE in the future he told the The Toronto Sun "absolutely" and we could see him back as soon as Summer 2010 when his Movie schedule is cleared up. The Rock noted the he is working with Vince McMahon on a special project for WWE fans.

I too hope Taker says no to HBK. I'm still fantasizing about EDGE being #30 and later, on smackdown, Vicki makes him wrestle Undertaker at WM26. Only 2 things can happen, Taker wins and goes 18-0 done. or he loses, to EDGE. I am not an EDGE fan, but his absence has made me "grow fonder" to see him return, in spectacular fashion I may add!
And the only thing TNA does for me, is make me think....you know, I'm older, I could actually join TNA??
oh, I am 65 days older than FINLAY?!!@

CM Punk is making it harder and harder for me to enjoy my wacky tobacky during smackdown.

I have a feeling DH Smith could have an injury that they are trying to rest... In the 6 man tag team match while Smith was officially part of the match he was never in the ring. Either that or they are saving them for the Bret storyline.

I was very shock that CM/Gallows won here..thought THD was ready for there big push..CM's mic work is awesome(a bit long maybe)..could be interesting with DX,if the rumors are true about HBK and HHH at wrestemania this could lead to thier break-up.The WWE has so much money into DX,don't know if that will fly though.I still like TNA over Smackdown,wish TNA would film from other locations..the same old look every week is so stale.Thanks Kevin,may God Bless.

Does the door in cage matches kinda ruin cage matches for anyone else? I mean why don't the wrestlers just walk out the door. The door results in some nice spots, but I can't stop thinking how ridiculous it is when one of the competitors start climbing the cage.

Since Cena is [at the moment] out of the title picture, wouldn't it be funny that he actually challenged the Undertaker in Raw tomorrow? I mean, look at the setup: HBK vs. Cena in Royal Rumble. Undertaker drops the title to Batista. (it's still a stretch because we dunno who's going to win the Rumble, but let's assume it's one of Raw). Cena wins. Then the two goes head-to-head...

But what makes no sense in this is that there are titles on the way. Cena still has his issues with Sheamus, 'Taker is still WHC, and there's still one more PPV into account - Ellimination Chamber (aka No Way Out). I believe it's too early to say who's Undertaker's opponent, and I agree with Kev in that Shawn shouldn't be the one who breaks the streak. So I just know that the match isn't definitive tomorrow. We'll have to wait.

(And who knows? Maybe we end up with Chris Jericho challenging 'Taker. Wait - he said he's gonna win the Rumble. Bah.)

I can't be the only one sick of the Undertaker's character. From the drawn out enterances to the same, lame mic work. I wish they would change him up a little. I know they did the "American Badass" thing a while back, but for my money, it's time to do something again. Maybe have him go heel. But then, the fans seem to love the same-old, same-old.
And that made me wonder who's the character least likely to ever turn heel. I think that would be Mysterio, in part because of his popularity with kids.

This is the first I've heard of any rumour about the Punk/Mysterio match at Wrestlemania, but I've got to say, I'm really excited that it's only just a rumour at the moment. I would love it to actually happen. I think it was at Armageddon 2008 when they both faced each other one on one, but then they were both babyfaces. I think Punk's new heel persona would make a 'mania showdown between the two even more interesting.

I seriously hope WWE goes through with this, because both men are capable of doing great things in the ring with each other, and they would surely up their game when performing on the biggest show of the year. I wouldn't want to see Rey lose his mask, so I guess I'd have to get used to seeing Punk with a buzz-cut. But we'll wait and see. At the moment, I just really hope it happens.

OK, I was thinking maybe Undertaker denies HBK at Raw. HBK distracts Undertaker at The Rumble costing him the belt. This sets up HBK-Taker II. Rey is World Heavyweight Champ vs Punk at WM26.
But.... The new #1 contenders for the tag titles throws another curveball into the "road to WM".
At least the shows are unpredictable. I do hope they don't pass over good matches just to "swirve" us.

Mickie always gets a good reaction she is one of the only Divas or Superstars for that matter that the fans actually connect with. I hope they don't try to "replace" her. They should let her do her thing untill the fans say otherwise. Cramming a Superstar- Diva down the fans throats is never the right thing to do.

Let me write the script for you wannabes! Edge,who has been out since July, has had a previous July injury, where he came back in November, and interfered in an Undertaker title match.Hmmmm. so, at rumble, he will surface, as #30, or an interference AGAIN in an Undertaker title match, which will set him up, to be Undertakers opponent at WM26. And, ends his streak, and the soon retiring Undertaker.
THE DEFENCE RESTS!

Must be a good sign for Punk that management has decided to put him up against one of the most popular acts in the company. It wasn't too long ago that he was losing a dark match against Killings before a pay per view.