WWE Raw last night (Dec. 5) was better than it's getting credit for

Editors note: This is a well written FanPost and one that presents the flip side of the argument that Raw last night was booked poorly. Promoted to the front by CagesideSeats.com.

Watching Raw last night (Dec. 5, 2011), I was thoroughly enjoying myself and saw a lot come together. I was shocked when I came on this site, read the live reactions and comments and saw the level of disdain most seemed to feel for the booking. Sure there were plenty of overused tropes, and maybe dissecting the show bit by bit may make it look like a disjointed mess; but if you look at the big picture, the show laid the groundwork for everything the fans, and the so-called Internet Wrestling Community (IWC) especially, have claimed they've wanted.

First, I'll group the opening promo and the contract signing at the end of the show together, as they pretty much were meant to further the same story. The segment foremost accomplished the much-needed task of setting up a RAW main event for the TLC pay-per-view (PPV) in two short weeks. Most people predicted a more-than-two man encounter taking place, as a lot of the main event players are in stand-still, and we got what should at least be a decent match considering all the talent involved.

However, it also laid down future plans for everyone else. Let's break it down:

CM Punk and the Miz:

People have been expecting these two to feud for the belt, especially after Miz's new heel schtick of ruthlessly taking out superstars. They're paired together in the main event at the next PPV and the right finish could carry the title picture through Elimination Chamber in February. All they need is for Del Rio to be the one who causes Punk to win and Miz calls out Punk saying that he would take him out in a one-on-one match. The fighting babyface champion that he is, Punk will accept and the two will feud through the Royal Rumble until their blow-off match at the February PPV. Afterwards, Miz can feud with a returning R-Truth and Punk will face the winner of the typical number one contender's chamber, which will feature the men below.

Dolph Ziggler and John Cena:

This is where the fans get two things they've been incessantly clamoring for in previous weeks and months: Zack Ryder as U.S. champion and Dolph Ziggler elevated to the main event scene. As a result of the booking last night, John Cena is out of the WWE Title picture and Ziggler is defending his title against Ryder at TLC. The plans are laid for Ryder to finally win the title, getting elevated to his rightful place, and Ziggler can move on to better things. The seeds were brilliantly laid as "The Showoff" can easily turn his focus on Cena, claiming Ryder just got lucky but Ziggler realizes the U.S. Title was beneath him anyway and he's out to make some noise at the expense of perennial main-eventer and the man who was responsible for getting Ryder his shot in the first place. This can lead to a feud between the two that elevates Ziggler and keeps Cena warm till Wrestlemania. They can fight at the Rumble and then both be competitor's in the Contender's Chamber, which Ziggler can win and now him, Punk, and Cena are set for Wrestlemania.

Alberto Del Rio and (possibly) HHH and Nash:

Finally out of the title-picture he hasn't left for months after losing at TLC, they're are a number of options. One in particular is to finally wrap-up the conspiracy storyline. After what will surely be an atrocity at TLC in which Nash is hopefully sent packing, HHH can move on to finding out who conspired with John Lauranitus against him. That man: Alberto Del Rio. And hopefully we're just rid of Nash for good.

The Raw/Smackdown matches:

While there's been complaining about the booking of the inter-brand matches, they all served their purpose. Miz got into the title picture, the Orton vs Barrett feud continues, Del Rio looked strong against an injured Bryan, an injured Henry was beaten by Ryder and Cena combined, and Sheamus went over as a babyface. All's well that ends well.

And there you have it.

Though breaking down the show into its individual parts may make it appear to be much worse than it is, overall it furthered the agenda of nearly every main-event superstar on Raw and laid the ground-work to keep the scene going through Wrestlemania. The fans look like their finally getting what they've wanted and should be happy as such.

Raw got a D+ from Cageside Cheif Geno, but I'm giving it a solid A-/B+ and that could easily become an A in retrospect, if everything is handled correctly, of course.