Monday Night Raw TV report for 12/19/11

Reported by Ernest Aguilar

Last week I forgot to (and was too tired to) type in my TLC pay-per-view predictions. So, since I don't know (other than one match, and still really can't figure it out) the results from the show last night, I will quickly make a guess on who won:

C.M. Punk retained the WWE Championship; apparently Daniel Bryan may have won the World Title (although, I only saw the words "title switch" in the headlines, so maybe it means the Intercontinental in a swerve?); Triple H over Kevin Nash - can't see that any other way; Zack Ryder finally captures the U.S. Championship; and Cody Rhodes hopefully keeps his classic Intercontinental Title.

Those are the bouts I care about, so now on to Raw tonight to see the fall out from Tables, Ladders, & Chairs, and how right I am/was! Oh, and of course, the buildup to Royal Rumble 2012 begins tonight and the possible continued destruction of Kane "reborn"...


Introduction Segment: Arena Promo

Regular Raw video plays but no pyro. Instead, the lights dim and a drum rolls. Anticipation at it's finest. A familiar voices blares over the arena speakers, declaring "live from Philadelphia, the show business capitol of...the state, it's Monday Night Raw!"

The (not-so) mysterious voices rips Interim G.M. for Raw John Laurinaitis, and then reveals the result of the Tables, Ladders, & Chairs match for the WWE Championship. The winner of that match was...the mysterious voice himself and STILL WWE Champion, C.M. Punk. (As he shouts "MEEEE!"). Punk struts out with his title and listens to the chants of his name around the arena.

Despite the odds Punk lists he faced last night, he is happy to retain, and then moves on to the U.S. Title Match. He asks who the winner of that match - "Mr. Ziggles" Dolph Ziggler or Zack Ryder. The winner was.... "The Long-Island Iced Z" Zack Ryder! (Sweet!) Ryder also comes out to celebrate with his new championship alongside the "Straight-Edge Superstar."

Punk has saved the biggest for last, and literately the biggest he says. He plays the same game with the participants photos appearing on the Titantron. The Big Show did win the World Championship, however Punk says the "unthinkable happened" and a well-known wrestler to the Philadelphia area walks out with the World Heavyweight Championship....Daniel Bryan! (Cool, and right now, the future of the WWE are all standing in the ring....more on that in my comments at the end of Raw).

"The Second-City Saint" says that Philadelphia is the only city to appreciate the title wins by Bryan & Punk, since they met in Philly 10 years ago as mere kids following a dream, and now they are living it as respective Champions in the WWE.

After putting them over some more (with the usual, but true, wrestling cliches), he passes the microphone to both Ryder & Bryan, who speak their piece on winning titles that mean a lot to them. Zack gives props to his dad for his father's props, and Daniel states that people (see Michael Cole) didn't want him in WWE but he is and now he is the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!

Before Daniel can continue, the three losers (Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, & Alberto Del Rio) walk on stage and march to the ring. They engage in a brawl with the Champion - who stand off against them and hold their own. The heels regroup until Ryder dives over the ropes with a Sunset Flip on to Ziggler, but Miz & Del Rio chuck him into the steel steps.

Punk & Bryan chase off Miz & Alberto to the stage, but are cut off by John Laurinaitis. The Interim Raw G.M. books the main event (who everyone with common sense sees coming) - a 6-Man Tag-Team Match between the two mini-factions. Laurinaitis calls this his Christmas present for everyone!

Lawler & Cole put over the match and then recap Kane's return. They say that John Cena will talk about "The Big Red Machine's" attack last week, and up next is Randy Orton VS. Wade Barrett (again, uh!).


Commercials.


Match #1: Single - Randy Orton VS. Wade Barrett

Stare down and kicks/punches from Barrett. Irish Whip into the corner but is countered with a strong clothesline from Randy. Punches in the corner and high dropkick for a two-count by Orton. To the outside, blows are traded and a vicious kick-to-the-gut from Wade sets him up to slam Orton on the barricade with a front suplex and then a kick-to-the-head.

Ads.

"The Barrett Barrage" is in control and has Orton tied up in the ropes, hammering him with knees and big boot. Rear chin lock is clamped on, which Randy fights out of and counters a kick with another clothesline. Powerslam by "The Viper" and he goes for the Slingshot DDT, which Wade reverses into a Wasteland attempt, but Orton counters that into a backbreaker. Slingshot DDT again is tried and nailed from Randy. He's "zoning-up" and Orton is cutoff with a thumb in his eye and Barrett is promptly DQ'D! (since when?!)

Winner via Disqualification: Randy Orton

Barrett continues the beat down, eventually hitting the "Winds Of Change" Whipping Sideslam. Wade pulls a table from under the ring and throws Orton through it with Wasteland. Barrett puts one foot on top of Orton and proclaims his dominance. Referees rush in to check on a dazed and fallen "Viper."

Jerry & Michael continue to recap TLC, this time with the Ladder Match between Triple H & Kevin Nash. Triple H won and Nash was hauled off on a stretcher. Cole informs us that Nash is apparently out of action for at least 6-weeks. Also up next, is Divas champ Beth Phoenix facing Alicia Fox.

Commercials.

Match #2: Single - WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix VS. Alicia Fox (Non-Title)

Lockup and wristlock from the champ. Harsh, quick kicks follow by Fox, but is caught quickly in a sidewalk slam. Slingshot suplex try is reversed by Alicia with a Reverse DDT and Somersault legdrop for the 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Alicia Fox

Post match, the winner cuts a very short promo, hoping everyone has a "foxy holiday." (Whatever!)


Ads.


Match #3: Single - Sheamus VS. Jinder Mahal

Prior to the bout, Mahal now sporting a turban, says a few things in an East Indian language, then wants to put Sheamus in his place. (Sheamus has a look of disbelief on his face, as I just roll my eyes).

Mahal starts fiercely, with kicks, punches, and even a dropkick. A high-knee only gets a one, but Jinder locks in a rear chin lock. Sheamus battles out and runs at Mahal with mini-Axe-Handles and clotheslines. Sheamus attempts the "Battering-Ram" shoulder block off the top, but rolls through and instead gives him an Irish Curse backbreaker, followed by the Celtic Cross Crucifix Powerbomb for the W!

Winner via Pinfall: Sheamus

Commercials.

Recaps of Kane's (surprising and cool) comeback lead to

Segment #2: Arena Promo

"The city of brotherly love's favorite son comes home." That is what John Cena (sarcastically) says as he makes his way to the ring. In the "squared circle" Cena soaks in both cheers and boos from the crowd. Cena claims he is going to say something shocking - apparently there are people that don't like him - which caught him by surprise.

Some are here, and some are not - like Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - which he can understand why. However, John doesn't understand why a certain "monster" doesn't like him. A "monster" who strikes fear into the hearts of every man and Cena wants to believe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but if he wasn't John will face him. Cena says if last week's chokeslam was an accident, then let bygones be bygones, but if not, then they have business and to deal with it.

Instead of Kane, the former World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry comes out. He informs John that if it wasn't for Kane, Cena would be in the "Hall Of Pain." Henry wants Cena out of his face so he can address the reasons he lost the World Title last night.

Boom! Kane's pyro explodes and he appears on stage, stomping down to the ring. Henry cleared the ring, but Kane is walking around it. He stares down Mark but then jumps on the apron and looks at Cena. Cena doesn't wait and punches away at Cena, even clotheslining him over the ropes.

Kane retaliates and pulls Cena out of the ring. He tosses him over the announce table and then smothers his face wit his big hand, rendering Cena unconscious and bleeding from the mouth. Kane rips off Cena's shirt and walks away. The arena turns red and John looks genuinely scared.

Ads.

Match #4: Tag-Team - Primo & Epico (with Rosa Mendes) VS. The Usos (Jimmy & Jay Uso)

(Writer's Note: The Samoan "war dance" entrance from The Usos is one of the coolest!) Usos start off quickly with punches and a double-team backbreaker & flying forearm combo. Jay now against Primo and gets distracted to allow Primo to get a dropkick from the second rope. 1 - 2 - kickout! Stomps and tags by Primo & Epico. Drop=toe=hold by Epico, but Jay kicks off and tags in Jimmy.

Jimmy on fire with clotheslines and a sit-down Full-Nelson bomb, and then runs in the corner with a butt-splash. 1 - 2 - Primo saves it! Primo gets kick, but from behind, Epico hits the Backstabber and receives the win!

Winners via Pinfall: Primo & Epico (with Rosa Mendes)

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

Josh Matthews is with the Intercontinental Champion - Cody Rhodes (Thank gosh!) Cody calls Booker T's return ridiculous and then declares that he will emerge as the winner of the Royal Rumble. Santino Marella appears and gives him a present - a Christmas "cobra." (Alright?)

Commercials.

Match #5: Single - Santino Marella VS. WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes (Non-Title)

Santino tries to intimidate Cody with air kicks and punches but to no avail, as Rhodes just lays him down with a forearm. Cody punches away in the corner and hits a Russian legsweep. Rhodes works over the right arm until Marella splits and ducks, delivers a hip toss and a punch-to-the-stomach. He tries a "Cobra" but gets slammed with the Alabama Slam. 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

Segment #4: Recap

Footage from WWE's Tribute To The Troops and John Cena's emotional speech sincerely putting over the men & women who fight for the freedom of the United States of America airs, complete with video package and a Nickelback song. (This was very nice and as always, WWE does an awesome job honoring those who sacrifice their lives for the betterment of a country around the world).

Ads.

Segment #5: Backstage Promo

The Bella Twins are on either side of Interim Raw G.M. John Laurinaitis, who argue with each other. He wishes them a Merry Christmas and receives a double-kiss in return. Vickie Guerrero barges in and demands a rematch for Dolph Ziggler to get a U.S. Title match. Instead, she gets a kiss from Hornswoggle.

Segment #6: Replay

Footage of Zack Ryder's U.S. Title victory and post match celebration with his father is capped. His father states how proud his family is of the "Long Island Iced-Z" and gives props to Cena for pushing him so hard to this point in his career.

Segment #7: Backstage Promo

Josh Matthews interviews The Big Show about his 45-second reign as World Heavyweight Champion, since Daniel Bryan cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase. Show blames himself for encouraging Daniel to take that step, but also gives "the little guy" credit for following his dream. Matthews reminds show that he has the shortest World Heavyweight Championship reign in history, to which Big responds with just "okay" and walks off.


Match #6: 6-Man Tag-Team - The Miz, Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero), & Alberto Del Rio VS. WWE United States Champion "Long Island Iced-Z" Zack Ryder, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan, & WWE Champion C.M. Punk

(Note: All three champions/faces enter through the "peeps," which was very cool!) Punk & Miz begin, with C.M. grasping a side headlock and a shoulder-block with a quick cover. Wrist lock and tag to Daniel Bryan. Dropkick from the new World Champ, and then he trips up Dolph Ziggler off the tag.

Ryder now in and helps Bryan take down Ziggler with a double-hip-toss. Both also take out Miz & Del Rio, with a Sunset Flip over the ropes from Ryder, running stomp on Ziggler (from the apron to the outside) and a flying clothesline off the top rope by Punk on to all three heels.

Commercials.

Bryan and Miz now going at it. Daniel misses a spin-kick and Miz drives him to the canvas with a DDT. 1 - 2 - Bryan kicks out. Del Rio is tagged and works over Daniel. Switch up between Alberto and Dolph. Ziggler grips a grounding side headlock on the World Champion. Tag to Miz who kicks Bryan for a 2-count, and then trades with Alberto again.

Daniel battles back against "The Mexican Aristocrat" but is stopped short and Del Rio dominates Bryan's left arm. Heels continue to tag in and out, until Bryan eventually boots Ziggler harshly in the face. Tag to Ryder and he explodes with offense all over "Perfection." Broski Boot from Zack and 1 - 2 - kickout by Dolph!

Ziggler with a nice high dropkick for a near fall. Miz tagged in and knees Ryder three times. 1 - 2 - kickout from the U.S. Champ! Another side headlock is fought out of by Ryder but he soon gets taken into the bad guy corner. Del Rio is in but soon launched over the top rope, which allows Ryder to crawl and tag Punk (huge pop from the Philadelphia faithful).

He enters and flies around the ring all over Miz (who was also tagged). Swinging Neckbreaker & Knee/Bulldog out of the corner combo. Scoop slam and Punk ascends the top rope, a la the late "macho Man" Randy Savage with an elbow drop. 1 - 2 - Miz shoulder up! Anaconda Vice submission locked in but Ziggler breaks it up.

Zack pulls out Dolph and Bryan dropkicks Del Rio off the top rope. Miz boots him in the head but then finds himself laid out with a G.T.S. Alberto pushes Punk out of the ring and chucks Daniel into the ring post. He goes for the cross armbreaker but Bryan reverses into the Lebell Lock Crossface. Hesitation ensues but Del Rio eventually taps.

Winners via Submission: United States Champion "Long Island Iced-Z" Zack Ryder, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan, & WWE Champion C.M. Punk.

Post-match, all three faces/champions of the people celebrate with the crowd to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

Well, obviously I missed a possible Pay-Per-View of the year! Wow, talking about "the winds of change in the WWE" to quote Wade Barrett. Overall, a pretty decent show tonight, which was basically built around three wrestlers and done so very well. On to the nitpickings...

Excellence: Opening promo - that was a great way to put over the "future of the WWE" and kudos for WWE to giving the ball to the three young dudes who can continue to carry this company, since they can DRAW money (both inside the arena and with merchandise), are over with the crowd, can talk on the mike, AND can wrestle - WELL! You truly felt the sincerity and happiness for all three champions (especially Zack Ryder) in having their new championships.

Barrett getting the upper hand on Orton. Kane back to his destructive ways and decimating John Cena tonight. Also, Cena's expression of fear over the "Big Red Machine" was beautiful, as I could really feel his fright. Uso's pre-match dance/ritual - cool way to build up the match. WWE's Tribute To The Troops - reasons stated above and very sentimental.

Zack Ryder's U.S. Title celebration - sincere way to put him over and continue to build as a big babyface. The Big Show's reaction to his short-lived title reign and Bryan winning it from him - gave a different range of emotion and you could see the disbelief/"I screwed up" visuals in his face/voice.

Throughout the show, Michael Cole actually was pretty laid back, except when it came to the new champions. This is why he is in my excellence right now - didn't really annoy/interfere too much with the broadcast! The main event - great wrestling match and ending. All 6 of these men are the future (yes, even above John Cena) of the WWE!

Bogus: Daniel Bryan as champion - only for the fact that it would've meant more to have him build up and actually win it at WrestleMania XXVIII like originally stated/planned - this pattern of winning out of no where has to stop, since it significantly devalues the importance of the World Heavyweight Championship every time, and I thought they would let Bryan ride it out until 'Mania 28, which they should've!

Pretty much all the matches (except for the 6-Man and Usos/Primo & Epico tag matches, respectively). Too short and too many rematches - particularly the fact that 5 out of six involved SMACKDOWN stars - I thought I was recapping RAW! Bellas/Laurinaitis & Santino's promo short and non-sense.

Cena's promo, while good, didn't capture me as it usually does. Seemed like he was just giving it a bit of the usual tonight. No "mysterious promo"? Apparently, we were supposed to be given a big hint as to who is showing up in two weeks, but nothing tonight.

By & large a pretty okay Raw and still look forward to next week - especially with the continuing build up of the future - Zack Ryder, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Daniel Bryan, Alberto Del Rio, and C.M. Punk! Woo, woo, woo, you know it! As always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers & Wrestling Fans!