Happy Memorial Day, everyone! (via WWE.com)

Cena! Show! Ace! Anger! Depression! Sellout!

For those of you who didn't watch SmackDown, Big Show had a real solid explanation about why he sided with John Laurinaitis over John Cena at Over the Limit (Sunday May 20, 2012). He truly loves his job as a professional wrestler. So when he received an opportunity to get it back (with a big, fat bonus), he took it. Show doesn't care that the people hate him for it. If the fans are going to boo him because he is trying to feed his family, then screw them. He is going to do the job he loves no matter who he has to knock out to do it.

It's a nice symmetry with Johnny Ace's motivation. Laurinaitis was trying to do the right thing for the WWE, and was getting booed for it. So he snapped. He sees Cena as an obstacle to make Raw great, and the fans as too ignorant to know what is holding the show down. The most beautiful thing about this storyline? Both Show and Laurinaitis are 100% right.

Geno and I had a back and forth last week about people who work better as a heel. I'll still stand by my idea that basically everyone is a better heel than a face. Being a bad guy gives the wrestler a chance to develop the character. Being a good guy means that they get to smile a lot. The WWE model has always made faces the boring characters. Look at what has happened to CM Punk. It sucks, but it is what it is. I'm enjoying this Big Show for the same reasons I enjoy John Laurinaitis; because they are correct. Show is trying to keep his job in a bad economy, and Laurinaitis is trying to make the WWE even better. The fact that they are the "bad guys" in this speaks more to the fans psychology than it does to the individual involved.

The rest of the show after the jump.

Punk! Bryan! AJ! Kane? Rematch! WWE Championship!

Just as predicted, Daniel Bryan called out CM Punk for a WWE Championship rematch. Simple booking is simple. The match has not been officially set yet, so there is still time for a) a stipulation to be added and/or b) Kane to be added in a Triple Threat match. As stupid as it is, I actually enjoy the presence of Kane in this feud. He works as a proxy so Punk and Bryan don't fight each other before their upcoming match, and I can always appreciate a good onslaught of chair shots. I am legitimately worried that they try to put him further into this than he already is. Kane definitely has a place within the WWE, it's just that creative (and Glen Jacobs) has forgotten where that place is.

As for AJ, her interaction with Punk was one of those borderline things that I can appreciate the story behind it. But it could have been handled much better. I love that AJ is going after Punk as a way to get over Bryan, and I enjoy that Punk did at least show some remorse in the scene. I just think that AJ is just a much better actor than Punk is. She knows what her character is trying to do. Punk is just being himself, who is kind of a douche. Overall, though, it was a slight misstep in a great arch between the trio.

Timing! On Raw!

You know what sucks? That there is literally only two established storylines on Raw, and that everyone else gets thrown together in a mosh pit of good guys vs. bad guys. Yes, I understand that SmackDown has to have some time on the main show, but this is unacceptable. SmackDown can support three title-holders having a match, two rookie squashes, a tag team match, a #1 contenders match, and still have time for a Big Show monologue and a Raw rebound. I know that the three hour Raw might help things, but I doubt it.

SmackDown! On Raw!

So Alberto Del Rio will face Sheamus for the World Heavyweight championship. This feels...familiar somehow. If they are committed to this feud, then they really need to stick to it. Del Rio could be a solid upper-mid card heel if they stop cutting him off at the knees. I'm not sure why the keep moving him in and out of the main event picture. Let this play out for a Pay-Per-View or two. Worst case, you'll be right back where you started.

SmackDown! On Raw! Part 2!

This section has been thrown in a Brazilian prison and is placed on double secret probation.

SmackDown! On Raw! Part 3!

Who do I have to beg to have a Santino Marella / Ricardo Rodriquez feud for the United States Championship? Because that would be the greatest thing ever.

Hopefully this has helped get you prepared for the nights activities. Leave a comment about what you are looking forward to, make sure to follow the action @Cagesideseats, please join Geno, myself, and the whole Monday Night gang during the live blog here, and join us after the show for the Cageside Live podcast here.