Monday on the 20th anniversary of Raw, Big Show invoked his rematch clause to face the new World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio at the Royal Rumble. But the real shock came when the Mexican champion chose to humiliate his No. 1 contender by throwing confetti on his enormous challenger.
It’s worth pointing out that back when Sheamus chose to poke the bear the same way Del Rio is now apparently doing, it ended up working in The World’s Largest Athlete’s favor once the World Title was on the line. Will Del Rio suffer the same fate?
And in light of the grand announcement of a “Fiesta Del Rio” tonight, will the furious giant look to get payback nine days before their pay-per-view showdown.
It can’t be stressed enough that everything the four competitors do between now and their WWE Tag Team Title collision at the Royal Rumble on Jan. 27 is of the upmost importance. And while Team Hell No survived Dr. Shelby’s immersion therapy, what will happen when they join forces with The Viper tonight?
While he is no stranger to anger management himself, Randy Orton did fall to Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett and The Barrett Barrage on Monday. Determined to get back momentum and win the Royal Rumble Match in nine days, the serpentine Superstar comes together with Team Hell No to take on fellow Royal Rumble Match opposition Barrett and Team Rhodes Scholars tonight with a renewed since of determination. Will it be enough?
On Monday, The Miz helped WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair get the best of United States Champion Antonio Cesaro, going so far as to utilize The Nature Boy’s Figure-Four Leglock. And while he ultimately ended up on the canvas while trying to help Randy Orton against The Shield on WWE Main Event, it is clear The Awesome One is interested in both taking on the Swiss Superstar and claiming the title around his waist.
Will Miz chose to lay down the gauntlet, though, during Cesaro’s match against the outspoken Superstar’s one-time rival Kofi Kingston?
Tonight, Kaitlyn will step into the ring with Aksana, the Diva who attacked the former bodybuilder backstage several months ago, showing what dangerous threat she can be to the butterfly-emblazoned title. Still, with Beth Phoenix and now Eve now out of the picture, the playing field is definitely wide open. Of the battling beauties that could line up to try and dethrone the new titleholder are former Divas Champions Layla and Natalya. How about the hungry, up-and-coming Tamina? Be careful what you wish for, Kaitlyn.
The Shield ran into major opposition — in the form of Ryback, Randy Orton and Sheamus — when they interrupted the Raw announcement that “The Hardcore Legend” Mick Foley will be inducted in the Hall of Fame Class of 2013.
Two days later on WWE Main Event, the treacherous faction took down The Viper and The Miz. But will they continue to dispense their own form of justice if they continue to fly in the face of such high-caliber Superstars?