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Live from the Frank Erwin Events Center in Austin, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
Championship’s roll call: WWE Champion: Alberto Del Rio… World Champion: Mark Henry… Intercontinental Champion: Cody Rhodes… United States Champion: Dolph Ziggler… Tag Team Champions: Air Boom… Diva’s Champion: Beth Phoenix
Here comes COO (but not in charge of Raw) Triple H, to suit this week, new HHH graphic t-shirt and jeans; he says he was taught early, by Killer Kowalski, you can make friends… or money. He felt he was lucky and actually had both; friends like, Shawn Michaels, Sean Waltman, Kevin Nash but somewhere during his ascent to power, some of them were there for the wrong reasons. Hunter says that Nash returned last night at Vengeance and tried to break his neck (with a Jackknife); he is not upset at the physical beating but feels that Nash broke his heart. HHH wants to take it out on him; he calls Nash out and wants a fight. John Laurinaitis comes out and starts to babble about his position but HHH cuts him off; Laurinaitis tells him not to embarrass the company. He says that Laurinaitis may be the Interim GM of Raw and VP of Talent Relations but HHH is still the COO and says he still reports to him; he tells John to scour the building (or go to his house) to find Nash and offer him a WWE contract (that he cannot say no to). Hunter says that if he doesn’t HHH will take matters into his own hands and it will be REALLY embarrassing for the company. Laurinaitis tries to reason with HHH but he walks off, up the ramp, but Nash turns up and clobbers him with a sledgehammer. Laurinaitis kicks him out of the building and gets referees and medics to tend to HHH. Nash leaves passing a few surprised superstars in the back. HHH tries to walk in the back on his own but collapses. Back from break Lawler and Cole inform us that Triple H has been takes to a hospital; they assess the recent history for Nash and HHH. In the back at the ambulance, Kevin Nash reappears, lifts up the gurney that HHH is strapped to and nails Helmsley with the hammer again; security breaks it up again and they finally load HHH onto the ambulance. After a second commercial, the ambulance pulls away; we review the attack on replay again. Okay, it was a decent opening segment/attack but the WWE is overdramatizing it a little bit too much. 5/10 This leads to a HHH/Nash feud; I heard that HBK may return and we might get D-Generation X, Version 4.0 for the feud. We shall see where it goes, Nash really is in bad shape to wrestle and the WWE will have to book a no DQ style brawl, perhaps the will wait to pull the trigger on the match at WrestleMania (long term booking).
Randy Orton & Sheamus vs. Christian & Cody Rhodes: Finally, a match! Orton is announced as “the Viper” this week (as opposed to “Apex Predator”), what’s wrong with just “Randy Orton”; speaking of ring announcements, Sheamus is announced as “The Great White”. The WWE now informs us when WWE related things are trending on Twitter with a graphic, in this case “Kevin Nash”; I’ll give them credit, they are starting to embrace the new technology, making the at home fans feel as if it somehow a part of the show. Christian and Orton start off and Christian eats a clothesline and backdrop; Sheamus tags in and Orton whips Christian into a Sheamus slingshot shoulderblock. Sheamus looks for a press-slam but Christian counters with a slap. Rhodes tags in but walks into a backdrop; he entangles him in the ropes and clubbers him. He looks to go to the top but Christian begins to stir on the floor so Sheamus leaps off the apron onto him; Rhodes takes advantage when he tries to reenter the ring and hits a Russian leg sweep. Back from commercial, Christian is choking Sheamus under the ropes; he counters a Killswitch with a sit-out powerbomb. During the hot tag sequence I’m distracted by some guy in a Mooninite shirt, which cracks me up; Orton gets the tag and clotheslines Christian a lot, and hits a scoop powerslam. Orton hits an over-the-shoulder neckbreaker, for two. Randy tries the hangman’s DDT but Christian counters, hanging him off the top rope, but misses the follow-up slap and Orton connects with the DDT after all; Orton Vipers up and Cody slips in the backdoor and nearly takes an RKO. Christian counters a charge with the pendulum kick and hits a second-rope reverse elbow. Cody tags in and stomps the crap out of Orton. Wow, a second heat segment, nice, I guess this is to make up for the long, commercial laden, opening segment. Cody hits a beautiful standing dropkick. Christian returns and applies a head-crank chinlock; he heads to the second rope but Orton dropkicks him in midair to counter. Sheamus tags in and takes out Rhodes with Irish Hammers; powerslam and Irish Curse are connected as I am informed that “Randy Orton” is now trending on Twitter. He looks for the Celtic Cross but Christian interferes; Cody ducks the Brogue Kick and counters with the Beautiful Disaster, called so by Michael Cole, they haven’t called it that in months, glad to see it still has a name. Rhodes knocks Orton off the apron whilst Christian spears Sheamus; Rhodes tries a lateral press but Orton recovers quickly breaks up the pinfall. The match breaks apart and Christian takes an RKO, then Cody tosses Orton to the floor. Rhodes tries another Beautiful Disaster kick but Sheamus Brogue Kicks him in midair, well, they mistimed it a little and he caught his leg; Sheamus smartly covers the botch via the Celtic Cross for the pinfall. 7/10 Quite entertaining tag match; Sheamus shows off how much he has grown as a competitor, in the heat of the moment, covering a botch nicely. It would have been nice to see the heels get over on either of these two babyfaces but they are the hottest things in the WWE right now so (I guess) breaking that momentum could be bad. Good match, regardless.
Stills from the John Cena/Alberto Del Rio match (with saggy ropes) from Vengeance are shown; Awesome Truth took out Cena allowing Del Rio to retain the WWE title. Back to the present, John Laurinaitis is on the phone with Stephanie McMahon, who blames him for Triple H’s condition, David Otunga tells him to relax, because she is a little emotional. Cena, in his new black anti-bully shirt, walks in. He kicks Otunga out, calling him “Carlton”, and makes Fresh Prince of Bel-Air references, which I find funny. Cena tells Laurinaitis to follow Zack Ryder on Twitter, take two weeks off (and then quit), and give him a match with Awesome Truth. Laurinaitis books the tag match tonight and he will pick Cena’s partner. John gets one more parting shot, “as long as he’s not carrying a skateboard, we’re fine.” Gee, I wonder who it’s going to be… woo woo woo.
Santino Marella vs. Dolph Ziggler (w/Vickie Guerrero & Jack Swagger): I guess Santino is back to job duty considering he is already in the ring and the caliber of his opponent. Ziggler has impressed the WWE brass of late; I’ve been impressed with him for a while, with his Curt Hennig selling, in ring aptitude, and ability to get over with the name “Dolph Ziggler”. Who would have thought the former Spirit Squad member and, “hi, I’m Dolph Ziggler” catchphrase would eventually develop into a solid upper midcarder on the cusp of main-eventhood. Dolph acts like Santino is not a legit contender and winds up taking an arm drag. SANTINO TROMBINO! Ziggler grabs him by the cuff of the singlet and yells at him, all the while, Marella firing up the Cobra, and Ziggler heads to the apron. Nice. Marella goes after him but Dolph gets one shot in from the apron and down goes Santino! Ziggler, now serious, stomps the garbage out of Santino; he hits a Mr. Perfect standing dropkick. Santino comes back with the splits, hiptoss and diving head-butt. He fires up the Cobra again but Swagger distracts from the floor so it lunges for him instead. ZIGZAG! Three. Post-match, Swagger applies the ankle lock but Mason Ryan runs in and boots Swagger away. 4.5/10 Fun while it lasted; these two should get an extended match to work in some more of their antics together. The Guerrero stable/Mason Ryan feud continues; I think that this feud should involve a longtime babyface tag partner, who is rather popular and treading water, for Ryan who eventually turns on him to join Vickie’s stable. Perhaps… John Morrison?
The Bella Twins are in the back discussing who is hotter when they are interrupted by a stoked Zack Ryder and his Flip. Ryder says he is in the main event as John Cena’s partner. The Bellas are happy for him. I love how they are playing off the idea that Ryder had to struggle and scrape to get noticed in the “old regime” and now, in the new regime, all the superstars, babyface and heel alike, are happy for his success.
Alberto Del Rio comes out for his victory speech. Ricardo Rodriguez is sporting a black eye (perhaps from Big Show). Del Rio calls John Cena a perro and is officially finished with him and is moving onto new challengers; he says there is no one better so get used to him being a champion for a long, long, long time. CM Punk (remember him?) interrupts. Punk’s been the forgotten man in all of this Triple H, Kevin Nash, John Cena, Awesome Truth, Alberto Del Rio and John Laurinaitis convoluted main event scene. Punk calls him tough but has a problem with his “no one better” caveat. He says he defeated him four weeks ago and has never received his one-on-one rematch. Alberto deems Punk unworthy of a title shot, citing his tag loss at Vengeance, and tells him to come back after he defeated someone of important. Punk threatens to put him to sleep anyway; John Laurinaitis comes out to prevent chaos. Punk makes fun of the distance he holds the mic from his mouth. Ha! Laurinaitis books the WWE title match for Survivor Series; Punk feels there may be a catch. Laurinaitis says he has to do one thing… Punk asks if it is putting new ball bearings on his skateboard. Laurinaitis asks Punk, to tell the WWE Universe, that he respects him. Punk asks him if he is Aretha Franklin, which sadly went over 80% of the WWE universe’s heads; Punk says that respect is earned and the WWE is no less chaotic with him in charge. He finally says (in a Laurinaitis voice) “I respect you Funk-man”. Laurinaitis gives him one more chance. Punk says he respects him and respects a bunch of insulting things about Laurinaitis (mullets, former gimmicks, mic distance when talking, and in-ring ability) and caps it off with, “someone who has done so much, with so little”; referring to his “brown-nosery” and ability to ascend the corporate ladder. Laurinaitis feels that Punk is not suitable for a WWE title shot and decides to take a week to think about it. Punk says whilst he thinks about it, think about this. He attacks Del Rio and gives Ricardo the Go2Sleep. 5.5/10 Not nearly on par with Punk’s prior promos yet still entertaining; Punk got a few good shots on Laurinaitis, who has been taking a verbal beating this week. Punk will probably get his title shot at Survivor Series; or better yet (long term booking) have Team Punk defeat Team Del Rio at Survivor Series to give him the title match at the Royal Rumble.
Alicia Fox vs. Natalya: Beth Phoenix joins for commentary; new entrance music for Alicia, and it sucks, doesn’t even sound like music. Nattie, whose tight configuration looks like something Shawn Michaels would wear, attacks at the bell. Fox takes over until Nattie chopblocks her leg. She slams her head on the mat and levels her with a clothesline then applies a half-figure four leglock; Alicia forearms free and reverses the hold. Nattie gets mad and shouts a Fox; she overaggressively charges in the corner and gets rolled up for three. Alicia gets another one of those fluke victories that all of the Barbie dolls get at the beginning of the feud. Beth charges into the ring but Alicia escapes. 1/10 Meh. Beth has a new contender to torture. I’ve heard the WWE doesn’t really care about the divas, it shows in their lack of exposure and (some of their) limited talents.
John Morrison vs. Wade Barrett: It’s good that the WWE is reestablishing Barrett, who incidentally was main eventing last year’s Survivor Series. We get a little graphic in the corner with an earlier “Tweet promo” from Barrett. They lock up and Morrison gets some kicks in; Barrett fires back but Morrison slides through his legs and dropkicks him. Barrett takes a powder on the floor; Morrison looks for a pescado but Barrett walks around the ring, so Morrison improvises with a topé to wipe Barrett out. Barrett fires back and chucks him into the barricade. Back from commercial, Barrett has Morrison in a chinlock; he begins a comeback but Barrett boots him back down and stretches him in the ropes. He knees him in the ropes and then boots him to the floor; Wade relentlessly goes after him and rams his back into the apron. Back in the ring, Barrett applies a bow-and-arrow lock. Michael Cole pays little attention to the match, instead complaining about Jim Ross’ negative Tweets about him. Morrison comes back with an elbow and clothesline; he lands a leg lariat and a Shining Wizard for two. Morrison, who is trending on Twitter, gets a nice crucifix/sunset flip for two; he runs right into Barrett’s swinging Bossman Slam. Barrett tries for Wasteland but Morrison counters into a Russian leg sweep; Morrison endeavors for Starship Pain but Barrett moves; however, John lands on his feet, and shoulderblocks Barrett in the corner. Morrison tries the Flying Chuck but Barrett catches him in Wasteland, in theory. They overshot it and Morrison tumbles off his back; Barrett recovers and hits Wasteland for real and gets three. 3/10 Competitive, but foregone conclusion match. Barrett is finally getting repushed after barely remaining afloat since the Nexus angle fell apart. Yeah, he was IC Champion for a few months back during the summer, but as soon as he lost it he disappeared. I like the way Barrett has been finishing matches, tonight’s botch aside, it worked better with Daniel Bryan on SmackDown last week.
Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler rehash the opening segment involving Triple H and Kevin Nash; the report from the hospital is a possible broken neck for HHH. They move on from that tragic news to Cole grabbing a mic to complain about Jim Ross’ anti-Cole tweeting. Cole shows some fake images, he claims Ross is tweeting, of Ross himself being fat; including one of Ross in an Oklahoma cheerleader outfit. Cole challenges him to a “Michael Cole Challenge” next week, where if JR wins, Cole will quit.
Zack Ryder tells John Mathews that he is psyched for his first ever Raw main event; he, of course, gets back jumped by The Miz and R-Truth, and thus will probably not be available for his first ever Raw main event. They head to the ring and take credit for the revolution against Triple H. Miz says that when they rise to the top no one will be safe from the truth. Truth says they’re not stopping with just beating down Triple H, CM Punk, John Cena and Ryder because the party has just started; nothing is going to save Cena until he gets got. Miz promises that Cena will not rise about them.
The WWE promotes SmackDown via Big Show/Mark Henry ring destruction (from Vengeance); it’s a cool spot, to which many complained about the WWE just recycling it from Big Show and Brock Lesnar. I remember watching that when it first aired and it was cool then… and still is cool now; I have no problem with the WWE recycling a cool spot like that (occasionally) but the one thing that does bother me is that it was just rereleased on the WWE’s OMG DVD. I feel it would have had more impact if it had occurred pre-DVD release so it wouldn’t be as fresh in everyone’s mind.
John Cena vs. Awesome Truth two-on-one handicap: The WWE bait-and-switches again with Zack Ryder, which is fine (presuming the trigger is eventually pulled), building Ryder anticipation even more. Cena has changed from the jean shorts to a modern camouflage cargo shorts, and to prove that he is more serious, he’s got BLACK shoes on; I like the new look, Cena’s look was getting stale and needed a light revamp. Cena gives his shirt to a ringside guy (whom I think I’ve seen before) with an “I Hate Cena” shirt on. Miz starts off, giving us a WrestleMania XXVII (full review, click here) main event rematch; Cena traps Miz in his corner and pummels him there. Smart strategy. He nails a fisherman’s release suplex allowing a tag. Not so smart strategy, but it sells the handicap disadvantage Cena is facing. Truth yells at Cena so John pummels forcing a retreat and quick tag out. Cena controls Miz with a hiptoss; Truth runs in but Cena chases him out, the plan works because it allows Miz to take over with the Dangerous DDT. Awesome Truth works him over, doubling up, legally via tags, in the corner. Truth applies a chinlock witch Cena (eventually) backdrop suplexes free. The Miz tags in and hits a seated running boot; he hits the Vintage Clothesline in the corner and heads to the top for a double axe. Michael Cole announces that he is trending on Twitter, allowing him much horn tooting. Truth takes over and stomps in the corner. Cena fires back with a Proto-bomb but Miz tags in cutting off the comeback; he misses another Vintage Clothesline, though allowing Cena some breathing room. John begins the for real comeback with another Proto-bomb and the Five-Knuckle Shuffle. He hoists Cena up for the AA but Truth nails him with a water bottle drawing the DQ. Post-match, Awesome Truth assault John two-on-one; Miz hits a Skull-Crushing Finale and Truth lands the Little Jimmy (jumping Flatliner). They each acquire chairs and return to the ring but John Laurinaitis shows up, yells at them for disrespecting him, much like CM Punk did earlier; he kicks them out of the ring, to which they obey. Laurinaitis stops them and then allows Cena to pick his own partner for a match at Survivor Series. Cena grabs the mic and chooses… The Rock! Cena grotesquely drools all over the mic as he announces it; Awesome Truth is rather perturbed with the decision. 4/10 The match was all about creating the main event for Survivor Series; which could be good. The Ryder stuff hopefully will pay off down the line, because the way the WWE is booking it, the fans will explode when Ryder finally gets his big break. Here is a good way to get the Rock back into a ring for a tune up prior to the eventual WrestleMania XXVIII main event.
OVERALL 5.5/10 Despite the lengthy opening segment the rest of the show moved along quite well; nothing earth shattering, unless the Rock’s possible in-ring return, is that. It has gotten better since the infamous, logic-holed walk-out angle, to which, I said, would be more important than that actual event; how the WWE moved forward from it. Punk is back in the WWE title picture and (hopefully) finally gets his one-on-one match with Del Rio; Cena is sidetracked and is dealing with Awesome Truth, who will probably get the most over out of all of the people involved in the “conspiracy” storyline. I felt the show was kinda status quo this week, but EVERY show can’t be 10/10.