After the ceremonial ribbon had been cut yesterday afternoon by Newark Mayor Cory Booker and New Jersey Devils owner Jeff Vanderbeek, Bon Jovi took care of the rest.   

The band took center stage at the brand new Prudential Center, and rocked the house in its inaugural event.

“I’m the Jersey Devil and this is my new house,” the rocker declared at the onset of the band’s two-hour performance, prefaced by opening act and fellow New Jersey natives, My Chemical Romance.

The set featured a mix of tracks from the band’s latest album, “Lost Highway,” as well as the classics expected from Bon Jovi, including “You Give Love a Bad Name,” rock anthem “Livin’ on a Prayer,” and the closing encore song, “Wanted Dead or Alive.”

Bon Jovi will play nine more dates through November 10th, featuring a variety of opening acts, including country artists Big & Rich and Gretchen Wilson, and rockers Daughtry and All-American Rejects.

The Prudential Center, the metropolitan area’s first new arena in over 25 years, will feature the Devils, who make their home debut on Saturday night against the Ottawa Senators after a record nine game road trip to start the season.