One last bit I would mention is that the cold open rule doesn't mean you can't reply to an opponent's promo that came before the present show. For example, if you thought your opponent said or did something dumb in a promo from weeks before, feel free to reference it. The cold open rule is strictly for that given show only, and is designed to take away any kind of advantage people would try to get out of waiting for an opponent to go first.

My personal opinion is that going first is definitely not always a disadvantage as somebody who knows what they're doing will still get it done. Plus when you go first you can set the tone and tenor of what is to come sometimes. But I see the reason for the rule and there have been some people who abused going second in the past.