FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Once again, Raw is Jericho!

To the chagrin of WWE Champion Randy Orton, who planned a symbolic (and literal) torch-passing ceremony to celebrate his Survivor Series victory over Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho returned to Raw to spoil Orton's moment of glory.

Just as Orton's torch bearer arrived at the BankAtlantic Center after completing his 35-mile run from Miami, the runner was attacked by an unknown figure.

While Orton fumed at his ceremony gone awry, the lights in the arena went dark momentarily before exploding into a flourish of pyrotechnics.

When the smoke cleared, the trademark cross pose revealed the one and only Chris Jericho to the roar of the raucously elated crowd. Watch the video...

"Welcome to Raw ... is ... Jericho," Y2J exclaimed.

The former WWE Undisputed Champion soaked up the ovation after being away for more than two years. Y2J's "second coming" was heralded in weeks of cryptic binary code videos on Raw, SmackDown and ECW that baffled announcers, Superstars and fans alike.

Messages buried in the lines of code hinted that the "Ayatollah of Rock ‘n' Rolla" was preparing a Raw return Monday night. And Y2J did so in grand fashion, stealing the Legend Killer's limelight.

Much like his memorable Raw debut in 1999, Jericho reintroduced himself as both a savior and entertainer, coming back to rescue our fans.

"This is not a mirage. This is real. This is now," Jericho said. "This is the second coming of Y2J! ... The Sexy Beast is back, baby!"

But Jericho also announced that he was gunning for Raw's top prize. 

"Most importantly Randy Orton, I'm here to save us from you," Jericho said. "Because the first chance I get, I'm going to take that WWE Championship from you. And I'm going to put it around this gorgeous waist, and WWE ... will never, ever, be the same again!"

It seemed that Y2J's competitive streak and flair for the dramatic haven't diminished in his time away from WWE.

And for the WWE Champion, he watched as his night of glory was "torched" by the return of the newest threat to his title reign.

Check out Chris Jericho's Save Us T-shirt at WWEShop...