Sheamus Declared John Cena's Next Opponent; The Governor Brings Revolution to RAW

Randy Orton chose to break tradition by appearing before the Guest Host. He talked about Vesse Ventura, how he was a revolutionary according to his father, Cowboy Bob Orton. And if there was any man that could reverse the decree banning him from another title shot, it was Jesse "The Body" Ventura. Unfortunately for Orton, Ventura created a revolutionary concept: a tornament consisting of a series of qualifying matches involving only superstars who have never held the WWE or World Heavyweight Titles. Therefore, Randy Orton, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Big Show, CM Punk can NOT qualify.

First Breakthrough Qualifying Match: Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler. Kofi Kingston has been on a push of a lifetime lately, feuding with Orton and winning at the Survivor Series. But having a qualifying match against Dolph Ziggler? The man has had 6 Intercontinental Title Matches and lost 6-times. He was even the first to be eliminated by Evan Bourne at the pay-per-view! In the match, Ziggler countered Kofi's finisher, yet, Kofi dodged the Zig-Zag. Eventually, Ziggler was 'Lost in Paradise' and Kofi ended up advancing on to contend for the #1 spot at the TLC pay-per-view.

Second Breakthrough Qualifying Match: Sheamus vs. Finlay. This was last night's encounter realized in a full blown bout. In an interview with WWE Magazine, Sheamus called Finlay a disgrace to the Irish Heritage because he lives up to stereotypes. Sheamus is in touch with the Celtic Warrior lore, a band of savages who would kill and pillage. Sheamus is the only member of the Superstar Initiative to leave ECW in record time, thanks to Triple H. Sheamus has been studying the business and has been at every show, even when he wasn't wrestling because he wanted to soak in as much as possible. Sheamus, by defeating Finlay, again, advanced to the main event.

CM Punk vs. (C) John Cena. CM Punk, despite being eliminated by Kingston at the Survivor Series, demanded a match against John Cena - a first in the WWE. Punk switched it up this week and preached about the dangers of gluttony during this holiday season. John Cena could have had a great confrontation of ideals, but he went straight into his shirtless shallow showboating instead. CM Punk worked the match well, but Cena's constant pandering to the crowds showed a total lack of respect towards his opponent. Punk almost won with the GTS, but it was countered into the STF. Punk managed to make it to the ropes but he eventually fell to the Attitude Adjuster from mid-rope.

Third Breakthrough Qualifying Match: Jack Swagger, Chavo, and Chris Masters vs. The World's Strongest Tag Team and R-Truth. I guess when Ventura said ''never having a title shot,' he forgot to mention that it was ok for 2 former ECW Champions, and a man who has competed for the WWE Title in a Championship Scamble Match back at Unforgiven 2008. I had high hopes for Swagger, but when facing a man like R-Truth, Swagger's team just couldn't handle the Truth.

Fourth Breakthrough Qualifying Match: Randy Orton vs. Evan Bourne. Originally a match pitting Bourne against Primo, Orton attacked him on the ramp and was granted the slot by The Governor. Thus, Ventura would break his own rule by allowing a former champion to compete in the Breakthrough Qualifying Match. With Bourne's position in the WWE is to job to The Miz and Swagger, a win over The Viper was impossible. Bourne lost to the RKO.

6 Divas Tag Team Match: Melina, Mickie James, and Kelly Kelly (Indians) vs. Michelle McCool, Layla, and Jillian Hall (Pilgrims). Thanks to The Governor, this Divas match was contested in Thanksgiving costumes. The sexy faces fought as Native Americans while the heels were pilgrims. McCool started complaining about the costumes until Justin Roberts interrupted with an announcement about the 19 year absense of The Gobbely Gooker. This Thanksgiving Turkey, hatched from an over sized egg, appeared at the Survivor Series in 1990. The Gooker, with its oversized golfball eyes was credited as the special guest time keeper for this match. Melina and Jillian started and ended the match, because McCool and Layal abandoned their team mate. The Gobbely Gooker appeared to be congratulating the team but eventually layed Melina flat, because The Gooker turned out to be none other than Maryse making her return to Monday Nights.

D-Generation X vs. The Hart Dynasty. Quick news about DX: HBK and HHH are being sued by Hornswoggle on Next Week's RAW when Verne Troyer Guest Host. And it has been announced that DX will face off against Jeri-Show for the Unified Tag Team Titles in a TLC Match at the next PPV. Now on to this match, Hart Dynasty is not even on the same level as Cryme Tyme, what made them think they had a shot against DX? Hart Dynasty has lost numerous tag team and singles matches. The only successful member is Natalya, the mouthpiece of the group. They should have remained in ECW longer to build a following; or at least, if WWE was going to move them to SmackDown, actually have them win some matches. Hart Dynasty lost in a futile effort.

Fifth Breakthrough Qualifying Match: Legacy vs. Cryme Tyme. Speaking of Cryme Tyme, these two cannot even capture tag team gold, let alone be taken seriously for a World Heavyweight Title shot against The Undertaker. Cody Rhodes may not be a main event star just yet, but DiBiase had an impressive title match against Randy Orton back in the summer. Side Note: Ted DiBiase's film The Marine 2 comes out at the end of this year. Legacy advanced with Dream Street on Shad Gaspard.

Main Event: Breakthrough Battle Royal Match to Determine #1 Contender. The contestants consisted of Kofi Kingston, Sheamus, MVP, Mark Henry, Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, and Cody Rhodes; if any of these RAW Superstars won the match they would have a WWE Title Shot. And the 8th contestant was R-Truth, representing SmackDown; and if he won the match, he'd be contesting for Undertaker's World Heavyweight Title. SmackDown was severly short changed in this match because Batista and Kane had a promo earlier stating that they deserve to take on Undertaker for the title. The WWE clock was turned back almost twenty years with Vesse "The Body" Ventura and Vince McMahon commentating the match. Who would have known 20 years ago that Vesse would become a governor and McMahon would own the business and become a billionaire? McMahon was certain that Orton, a former 6-time World Champion would win the match. But as the playing field lessened with Mark Henry knocking both Rhodes and DiBiase out of the ring with a massive clothesline and Kofi picking his spots, it was truly anyone's game. Kofi even showed shades of Shawn Michaels, as he dangled from the outside of the ring, with his feet nearly touching the floor, and was able to lock in a hurricanrana, launching Orton out of the ring. Kingston's downfall was not paying attention to the final opponent in the ring, Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior won the match and became the #1 Contender for John Cena's WWE Title.

WWE Title Contract Signing: John Cena and Sheamus met in the ring for the contract signing, officiated by The Governor. Sheamus demanded that Cena stand up and look him in the eye, demanding respect to the #1 contender. Cena made his whole little spiel of Sheamus having to accept going to war with him. Ventura read Cena, being WWE Corporate's perfect little champion, doing whatever they want in order to be the face of the company. With the distraction, Sheamus imprinted his boot on the face of John Cena. And as the topping of the sundae, Sheamus powerbombed Cena threw the table; thus, Ventura announced, the WWE Title would be defended in a Tables Match.

Assessment: Many people were probably upset that Kofi Kingston did not win, but Sheamus was the best pick for contendership. Let's look at the list of possible choices: Randy Orton, enough already! Mark Henry, he's out of shape. MVP, lost a U.S. Title match against The Miz, Next! Cody Rhodes, he can't beat Mark Henry so there is no shot for him. Ted DiBiase, first beat your mentor and then we will talk. R-Truth, he failed at capturing the U.S. Title in late 2008 so what chance will he have against The Undertaker? Kofi Kingston would have been a great choice if it was a ladder match, but there is also the bad chemistry of a face vs. a face. I hate seeing Good vs. Good, it just doesn't work. What I'd like to see is instances of Heel vs. Heel, which is why I liked the confrontation between Kane and Batista earlier on in the program. Sheamus was the logical choice because we know that he can man handle Cena. And by training with Triple H, Sheamus is indeed the future of the company.

TLC PPV Matches so far:
(C) Jeri-Show vs. DX (TLC Match for Unified Tag Team Titles)
(C) John Cena vs. Sheamus (Tables Match for WWE Title)