After a five month absence from the WWE ring, “The Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels made his triumphant return to Monday Night RAW. On a night meant to celebrate the WWE Championship reign of the newly-crowned champion, Randy Orton, Michaels would finally get his revenge on Orton, who side-lined the “Grand Slam Champion” with a concussion at May’s Judgement Day pay-per-view.

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon ordered that all WWE superstars congratulate Orton on his tainted WWE Title win the previous night by entering the ring on RAW, one-by-one, and shaking Orton’s hand. First in line, demanded McMahon, would be Triple H, whom Orton defeated for the title in the last of three matches “The Game” was forced to endure the night before.

More on the RAW shocker and match results after the break.

When Triple H was unable to make it to the ring due to injuries sustained in a handicapped match earlier in the night, McMahon gave Orton “the honor” of retrieving Triple H himself. As Orton stripped off his jacket and made his way up the entrance ramp, the familiar music theme music of HBK blasted through the arena, stopping the champ in his tracks.

Michaels emerged to a huge crowd reaction, unshaven and wearing his cowboy gear, and slowly made his way towards Orton who back himself up to the ring. As Michaels smirked at his retreating prey, Orton slid in the ring and grabbed his title belt. Michaels was, however, close behind and speared Orton to the mat pounding him with massive right hands.

Orton pushed Michaels off and got to his feet, turning just in time to catch a little Sweet Chin Music –a superkick square in the jaw. Randy slumped to the mat – knocked out cold. McMahon watched in horror as the vindicated Michaels celebrated in the ring, stealing Randy’s spot on the Championship podium that had been place in the ring.

One can’t help but wonder, however, why WWE is using John Cena’s iced-out WWE Championship belt, rather than reverting to the old/new Undisputed Title/WWE Championship design held by men like Brock Lesnar, Hulk Hogan, Eddie Guerrero and JBL. Sure, the center medallion doesn’t spin like it did on Cena’s belt, but it still looks ridiculous draped over anyone else’s shoulder.

In other Monday Night RAW news:

• We got a glimpse at another SAVE_US.222/8.2.11 SAVIOR_SELF promo. The appearance of Shawn Michaels tonight effectively rules out the rumors that the videos were touting HBK’s return. Chris Jericho still remains the most likely suspect.
• Candice Michelle, Maria and Mickie James defeated new WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix, Jillian Hall and Melina in a 6-(Wom)man Tag Match. Candice rolled up Jillian for the pin.
• Snitsky destroyed Val Venis in a match that was supposed to be Val vs. Santino Marella. Santino also made an appearance following Lillian Garcia’s performance to promote her upcoming album [snooze]. Marella saved the bit when he hit the stage to sing a parody of Amy Winehouse’s Rehab. The parody once again trashed “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s movie The Condemned.
• As mentioned earlier, Triple H got a beating courtesy of Umaga and Randy Orton in a handicapped match. The match aggravated The Game’s rib injury from the night before.
• The Highlanders cheated to win a match-up against Brian Kendrik and Paul London. In other, “who cares?” news, fans have voted Jessica Hatch out of the Diva Search contest and General Manager William Regal gave Jonathan Coachmen the task of finding Hornswoggle who wass missing … again. They find him and nobody cares.
• The night’s main event was a fairly solid match pitting Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy against Mr. Kennedy in a non-title bout. Jeff Hardy won the match when he countered Kennedy’s pin. This match preceded the WWE Championship ceremony with Orton and the return of The Heartbreak Kid.

Interesting days lie ahead in the WWE. And it started with John Cena leaving. Hmmm.