Chicago Sun-Times: 'Revolution' sets tone for new year

Tonight will be the first WWE pay-per-view of the year, and if "New Year's Revolution" is any indication of what is in store for 2005, the "Raw" brand should be in pretty good shape. Not only does the card stack up very nicely on paper, the creative team has done a good job in using the "Raw" program as a tool to generate rabid interest.

By itself, the Elimination Chamber match is one of the highlights of the year, but with the Shawn Michaels addition -- and the growing rift between Batista and HHH -- this thing appears to be wide open. I think the Monday night pin over HHH could be a bad sign for Randy Orton fans, as that might have been a way to keep him happy over the idea he will lose tonight. I put my money on HHH to again escape as Heavyweight Champion.

Sounds like Chris Benoit, Edge and Chris Jericho are just scenery in this one that will come down to Batista, Orton and HHH. There also will be a grudge match between Kane and Gene Snitsky. Hopefully, Shelton Benjamin will make quick work of Maven; Lita should find a way to get past Trish Stratus, and Muhammad Hassan will beat Jerry Lawler.

AROUND THE RING: Abyss has left the TNA promotion and almost certainly will be on his way to WWE; apparently his contract expired, and the paperwork slipped through the TNA cracks. Abyss will bring a Mankind-like persona to the WWE along with a wide variety of high- impact maneuvers. ... Johnny Swinger also has asked for his TNA release. ... Brock Lesnar could be on his way to Japan to resume his pro wrestling career as there seems to be little interest shown by the WWE to bring him in.