‘Raw’ 1,000 does not disappoint

The 1,000th episode of WWE’s ‘‘Monday Night Raw’’ lived up to the hype. From DX kicking things off to the dramatic heel turn by CM Punk, it was a fast-paced night with enough surprises to make it comparable to many pay-perview events.

One highlight was Brock Lesnar accepting Triple H’s challenge to fight at SummerSlam. Paul Heyman was baited into accepting when Stephanie McMahon, in her return to the ring, verbally assaulted him and got in some right hands when Lesnar appeared. WWE did a disservice by having HHH get the better of Lesnar, but this does set up an interesting matchup for SS.

CM Punk’s heel turn was another eye-catcher. After the Rock announced that he was granted a world-title match at the Royal Rumble in January, Punk said he’d still be WWE champion in 2013 and defeat the Rock. When the Rock came to the ring to stop the Big Show’s interference, Punk laid him out while the Great One was going for the People’s Elbow, and a feud has begun.

Unfortunately, we likely will have to see CM Punk vs. John Cena ad nauseam between now and the Rumble, but at least we have a new story for the summer.

In a head-scratcher of a move, Vince McMahon named AJ the new general manager of ‘‘Raw.’’ It seems more spur-ofthe-moment than something worthy of being on ‘‘Raw’’ 1,000. What exactly has AJ done to be given this responsibility?