Home / Results / Monday Night Raw / January 30, 2012

1. Randy Orton def. Dolph Ziggler.

2. Brodus Clay def. Tyler Reks.

3. Non-title: Daniel Bryan def. CM Punk-DQ due to interference from Chris Jericho.

4. Kofi Kingston def. The Miz.

5. Divas title: Beth Phoenix def. Eve Torres.

Results first, then analysis:

1. Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler (w/Vickie Guerrero).

Orton's father, Hall of Famer "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr., was billed as hailing from KC, so this is a sort of homecoming, after the Royal Rumble took place in Randy's hometown of St. Louis. Better than you think. Guerrero did absolutely nothing, and Orton made sure of that by looking her off when she did have an idea about interfering. During the match, Josh Mathews interviewed Wade Barrett in one of the luxury boxes. Orton & Barrett will clash again on Smackdown. To prove that Ziggler's tainted win a few weeks back was an aberration, an exception to the rule, Orton disposes of him as if that match never happened. Ziggler did have his moments, but the show-off stuff is getting old already. Did hit a nice Fameasser for 2. Orton, though, struck with the RKO to end it. Winner: Randy Orton.

2. Brodus Clay (w/Funkettes) vs. Tyler Reks.

Brodus is still having issues with his white sweat pants. Reks actually got a good amount of offense in, but that was all it was, a token of esteem. Clothesline to the back of the head set up "What The Funk?" (formerly Ahhh, Funk It!). Winner: Brodus Clay.

3. Non-title: CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan.

In Ring of Honor, Bryan Danielson had many great matches with Punk. This wasn't one of them at the end, though it certainly should've been. Just nips Ziggler-Orton for best on the show. Back and forth they went, and Bryan actually got heat on Punk by working on the left arm. Punk hit the bulldog anyway, using the right arm. Late in the match, Chris Jericho made an appearance and pulled Bryan out of the ring. Ref Scott Armstrong, making a hasty, unwise decision, called for the bell a wee bit too early, as Jericho went after Punk and hit the Codebreaker to renew old issues. Winner: Daniel Bryan via DQ.

4. The Miz vs. Kofi Kingston.

Kofi has rarely, if ever, beaten Miz. The most self-absorbed man in WWE cut a promo referencing Kofi doing a handstand to stave off elimination in the Royal Rumble, but that Miz lasted 35 minutes in the match. Yeah, sure, like we care anymore. Miz controlled most of the offense, but went for his wraparound lariat in the corner one time too many, and Kofi struck with Trouble in Paradise to get the monkey off his back. R-Truth, doing commentary, didn't really have much to say other than to trade barbs with Michael Cole, and that's not worth much. Winner: Kofi Kingston.

5. Divas title: Beth Phoenix vs. Eve Torres.

Eve didn't even do her usual pose on the stage, still traumatized by Kane tombstoning Zack Ryder at the Rumble. She tried to do her best, managing a few forearms, but Beth hit two moves. A lariat and the Glam Slam. El squashola. Winner: Beth Phoenix.

Kane cut a promo post-match, which turned out to be pre-taped, as he suddenly appeared on the apron. John Cena made the save, and chased Kane off after a few shots with the stairs.

A lengthy video on The Rock was replayed from the Rumble. Mike Tyson, it was leaked earlier in the day, will be inducted into the celebrity wing of the Hall of Fame. Whee. WWE is debuting a YouTube channel to kill time until the Network finally debuts, now in the fall.

John Laurinaitis opened the show, and claimed he never made the same mistake twice. Now, that's a lie right there. Associating with Vickie Guerrero means repeating the same mistake for a month. CM Punk came out and cracked some jokes, but wouldn't accept an apology or shake hands. Bryan came out to set up their match. Sheamus then reminded he won the Rumble. He & Punk both presumed that Laurinaitis would be fired.

Triple H came out, and it looked like he would future endeavor the charismatically challenged executive, but Undertaker showed up to set up an epic rematch at Wrestlemania. He just saved Laurinaitis' life. Go figure.