With Josh Isenberg enjoying his last few days of vacation, I thought I'd sub in for him and review last night's incredible episode of Monday Night Raw. Josh normally does a review of Raw, Smackdown and TNA Impact called "Title This" – I don't, and have never understood why it's called that. But it's Isenberg, so sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.
The Undercard
-John Cena started the show to announce that he will need surgery on his elbow that will force him to leave the WWE for four to six months. This was a heart-felt promo by the former WWE Champion, and you can tell even with being there every day for ten years, Cena really isn't happy about having to be on the shelf for the rest of 2013. WWE is hopeful he will make a return in time for the Royal Rumble, and I wish him well in the recovery process. Cena has had a whirlwind of a 2012/13, so the hardest working man in sports and entertainment deserves this vacation.
-Daniel Bryan is brought down by John Cena, and gets a massive "Daniel Bryan!" chant from the Anaheim crowd. Before he can talk, Stephanie McMahon – and her terrible entrance music – interrupts and gives a fake and condescending condolence speech on behalf of her family. At the very mention of Triple H's name, the crowd erupts into boos. Bryan says that Triple H was a rebel; the leader of Degeneration X, but he's been ruined by lying down with the McMahon family (he actually calls Stephanie trash). Bryan says if they're going to fire him, he will give them a real reason to fire him – security removes him from the building, and the crowd isn't happy. This was one of the best Daniel Bryan segments I have ever seen. He is ridiculously over after SummerSlam, and you can hear a new-found passion in his promo work. An excellent way to spend 15 minutes starting Raw.
Grade: A-
