Monday Night Raw TV Report 11/21/11

Reported by Ernest I Aguilar

It's another Monday night after a pay-per-view, which means it's another 24 hours of living under a rock. By that I mean, I have no clue what happened at Survivor Series last night to amp up the suspense and natural reaction, so let's just get right to 'er to find out! Read on....

Introduction Segment: Arena Promo

Michael Cole & Booker T. welcome us to Monday Night Raw following the regular Raw video & pyro. They call last night's Survivor Series one of the most explosive & controversial, and already a surprise has happened. The NEW WWE CHAMPION enters the arena and he is C.M. Punk! (So, prediction #1 came true).

The crowd chants "C.M. Punk" loudly, as he has a smile across his face you can't surgically remove. Punk begins by telling a story from his first grade in school - the usual "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

C.M. responded by saying he wanted to be a professional wrestler (not sports entertainer as he pointed out). Punk says that 24 hours ago was a special moment for him, because he won the WWE Championship on his own terms, as C.M. Punk - what you see is what you get.

He declares that the game of WWE Hot Potato is over, since the title sits on the shoulder of the best in the world, where it will stay, and this is the new face of the WWE. (I hope so!) Punk gets a little more comfortable and sits down on the canvas. The Second City Saint wants to be a crusader of change - mainly finally getting his ice cream bars and making Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis a former one.

Right on cue, the interim boss walks out and takes the high road, congratulating Punk on the win. Huge "you suck" calls from the fans, which Punk plays up. C.M. then compares Laurinaitis to McMahon, pretty much saying that Vince is a straight-shooter (even though he is a greedy, money-grubbing bastard according to Punk), and Johnny Ace is a two-face. (Hey, that rhymes by incidence!) Punk also takes a few shots at the term Universe.

Laurinaitis then tries to prove he has a wild side like Punk, booking Alberto Del Rio VS. C.M. Punk for the WWE Title - next week in a re-match. However, if Punk wants some action, he will get it in a test of champions, facing the United States Champion Dolph Ziggler.

Punk protests, as does the crowd who is chanting "Ryder, Ryder, Ryder." Punk says that the fans want to see Zack Ryder VS. Dolph Ziggler, but Laurinaitis does not take the bait, since he also booked Ryder VS. Del Rio for tonight.

C.M. walks to the stage and gets in the interim G.M.'s face, stating that he will beat Ziggler and then Del Rio next week, and possibly someone else, flinching at John for the hint.

Segment #2: Recap

Cole says that Zack Ryder met a huge fan last night in New York, so we are going to see exclusive off-air footage of the greeting. That fan is...The Rock! A quick clip of Rock saying he loves all the Ryderisms.

Mr. Woo-Woo-Woo himself comes out and gets ready for his match following this break.

Commercials.

Match #1: Single - Zack Ryder VS. Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)

Ryder is in the ring already as the former WWE Champion rolls out in a 2009 Bentley, being introduced by Ricardo Rodriguez. Del Rio is aggressive early, kicking and pounding away on Ryder. Jumping armbreaker for a quick 2-count by Alberto. The crowd continues to chant "Let's go Ryder" and pump him up.

Del Rio locks in an Arm Lock Submission, but Ryder fights out of it with punches, clotheslines, and a Flapjack. Del Rio reversed an Irish Whip to the corner, but runs into the knees of Ryder, who then runs into Alberto's skull with a kick.

The Broski measures and goes for the Rough-Rider Leg Lariat, but Del Rio tosses him off and shoves him into the corner. The Cross-Armbreaker Submission is clamped on and Ryder taps quickly.

Winner via Submission: Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez)

Replays of The Rock Rock-Bottoming John Cena (still picture) are shown, as is Sheamus walking backstage. He has a match up next.

Ads.

Match #2: Single - Sheamus VS. The "All American-American" Jack Swagger (with Vickie Guerrero)

(Note: During Swagger's entrance, a logo in the corner flashes by with "youtube.com/user/itbegins2012" in an image much like Chris Jericho's "code-breakers" from 2007 - could this be another return or a brand-new superstar?)

Lock up by both powerhouses and Jack gets the best of it with a waistlock takedown. Swagger hammers away with big right-hands, but Sheamus reverses and does the same thing, sending Jack to the outside. Swagger is back in and suckers Sheamus into a test-of-strength and then pounds with a huge right-arm.

Swagger misses a Leg Drop, which allows Sheamus to take control. Jack quickly gets the upper hand again with a big clothesline then the corner Swagger-Bomb. 1 - 2 - Sheamus kicks out!

Swagger continues to dominate, including gripping on a Butterfly Submission. Sheamus head butts his way out of the hold and builds some momentum, planting Swagger with a clothesline and shoulder-powerslam. Sheamus dives off the top-rope, but Swagger moves, however Sheamus rolled through (impressively), and Swagger clutches an Ankle Lock on after ducking a Brogue Kick. Sheamus eventually counters that and hits Jack with the Brogue kick for the 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Sheamus

Backstage, Kevin Nash is walking out and will address us next.

Commercials.

Segment #3: Arena Promo

Kevin Nash walks to the stage, and that's as far as he goes. He reflects on his time in Madison Square Garden, naming that he beat Bob Backlund in 8 seconds for the Championship. He also recalls the Curtain Call from May 1996, where four guys - Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and himself - decided to put friendship before the business and for life.

Nash complains that he came back to Triple H the boss, not the boss. He says it should've been Triple H & Kevin Nash VS. The Rock & John Cena, but that didn't happen because Nash broke his neck.

Nash declares himself the real survivor of the 4-group, as he is the one left in front of the crowd.

We learn that John Cena will speak out on the events of Survivor Series.

Ads.

Segment #4: Arena Promo

Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes has joined Raw for tonight. He says that the shame of being disfigured makes people vulnerable to predators, ones like Randy Orton. Now though, Cody Rhodes is unmasked, uninhibited, unbeatable, and unrepentant.

Match #3: Single - Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes VS. Santino Marella

Waist lock from Santino, but Cody immediately gets to the ropes to break it. They circle around each other and Santino tries a takedown, but Cody holds him and hammers with a stiff arm/fist. He stomps away on Marella, until Santino counters a Russian Leg Sweep by holding the ropes. Marella then calls for The Cobra, but to no avail as Rhodes swiftly reverses it into the "Cross Rhodes" Spinning-DDT/Neckbreaker combo. Cody receives the W.

Winner via Pinfall: Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

Post-match, Cody gets into Booker T's face at the commentary table, accusing him of something (inaudible) and then throwing water in his face. Cody struts off pleased while Booker looks embarrassed.

Segment #5: Backstage Promo

Josh Matthews is with the United States Champion. Matthews informs Dolph Ziggler about being in 2 matches at Survivor Series, but Ziggler corrects him, saying he WON two matches last night. He says that The Rock didn't do it, Cena didn't do it, and that disgusting disgrace of a human being new WWE Champion didn't do it - no offense Punk. Ziggler then labels himself the new face of the WWE. (Almost agree 100%)

Commercials.

Match #4: Single - United States Champion Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) VS. WWE Champion C.M. Punk ("Champion VS. Champion")

The bell rings and they lock up. Waist lock trades by both and head lock takedown from Punk. Dolph uses a Headscissors to get out but Punk wiggles into a reverse Butterfly Lock. Into the corner, Ziggler takes C.M. down with a head lock of his own, reversed again into one from Punk, and then the cat-and-mouse chase entails. Eventually Dolph rolls to the outside and takes his time to rebound.

Kicks from Punk and a snapmare for a one-count. Quick kick by Ziggler and neckbreaker, also for 1. Dolph takes control with blows to C.M.'s neck, then a kick and mount punches. Jumping elbow from Ziggler for only uno. The match goes for a while with Ziggler dominating, cockily (great for his character). Crossface submission by Ziggler on Punk, which Punk fights out of and manages to drop Dolph with a back suplex.

Vickie climbs on the apron and tries to distract Punk, but he doesn't buy it. C.M. tries for a bit of control himself, only to take a nasty spill to the floor out of the corner. Ziggler shows off his skills alone in the middle of the ring (headstand right to his feet) while Punk lay fallen on the outside.

Ads.

Back live, Ziggler is still in control with aground headlock, but Punk begins to fight out of it. Punches and kicks from the Straight-Edge Superstar, including a Calf Kick and swinging neckbreaker. 1 - 2 - kickout from Ziggler! A G.T.S. attempt is reversed into a Sleeper Hold by the United States Champion. Punk falls to his knees and side as Dolph clutches harder, but Punk battles back and manages to put him on his shoulders for another G.T.S. try. Dolph reverses that into a Sunset Flip pin, using the ropes for leverage until referee Mike Sparks calls him on it. Punk does the same thing with a reverse roll-up, but the ref is on him too.

Ziggler ducks a huge wild kick from Punk and goes for the Zig-Zag but Punk grabs the ropes. Knee/Bulldog in the corner combo and cover from Punk. 1 - 2 - shoulder up by Ziggler! Scoop slam and The Second City Saint climbs the turnbuckle for a potential flying elbow. Dolph rolls out of the way and delivers a smacking dropkick to Punk's temple instead. 1 - 2 - shoulder up from Punk this time!

Perfection places C.M. on the top rope, but Punk punches back and shoves Dolph off to the mat. This time, Punk hits the Diving Elbow Drop but only for a 2! Punk can't believe it. He signals for another G.T.S., but Ziggler wiggles his way out and drives Punk down with a reverse powerslam. 1 - 2 - Punk kicks out again!

Ziggler stomps away on C.M. in anger and the runs at him. The Agent Of Change catches him and slams in a botched powerbomb, but then finally manages to hit the G.T.S. Punk covers and gets the hard-fought win.

Winner via Pinfall: WWE Champion C.M. Punk

(Awesome match, match of the month on Raws!)

Commercials.

Segment #6: Arena Promo

Another prediction came true, as Big Show walks out to the arena, SANS World Heavyweight Champion, meaning Mark Henry kept the title. Show recaps what he did to Henry at the PPV last night, especially after Mark intentionally disqualified himself. Show says that when Henry comes back with the World Title, Big has something waiting for him (he makes a fist with his right hand, implying a knock-out punch).

Segment #7: Locker Room Promo

Kelly Kelly & Alicia Fox are playing the new WWE Video Game in their locker room (and badly I might add as a great gamer myself) when Beth Phoenix & Natalya interrupt. They state that the difference between virtual Kelly & Alicia and real K & A is that the virtual girls don't cry when Nattie & Beth beat them up. (ooh....pointless!)

Ads.

Match #5: Single - Wade Barrett VS. WWE Tag-Team Champion Kofi Kingston

3 for 3 so far, as Wade was the survivor last night and won the match for his team, which is who I wanted to win. Also, that Twitter/Youtube code shows up again.

Barrett gets control and dominates early, mainly stomping & punching away. A good suplex gets Wade a 2 and a bit later, Kofi gets some offense. Chops and a dropkick from Kingston, plus a countered-side-slam into a Sunset Flip for two. Wade regains control and goes for Wasteland until Randy Orton's music plays and he walks out to stalk Wade.

Commercials.

During the break, Orton has placed himself in a chair and Barrett got his way back with a chop-to-the-knee on Kofi, who was on the apron. Huge tilt-a-whirl sideslam by Wade for a 2-count! Barrett wears down Kofi with submissions but Kingston soon pulls down the ropes and Barrett tumbles over to the floor. Suicide Dive follow-up from Kofi and he rolls Wade in for a 2-count! Kofi flies off the top with high crossbody for another 2!

Kingston feels it, hitting the Boom Drop and a Trouble In Paradise attempt. No go but Kofi still kicks him and goes for a Springboard rope move, but Barrett kicks the rope, causing Kingston to fall. He then picks up Kofi and throws him to the mat with Wasteland, glaring at Randy Orton. 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Wade Barrett

Post-match, Wade announces himself the winner again in front of Orton, who just stares him down and smirks, choosing to walk to the back this time.

Segment #8: Arena Promo

John Cena is out now, to the usual mix of cheers and boos. Cena, much like everyone else did tonight already, recap Survivor Series. Okay, 3 for 4 now, as Cena says that he & Rock did defeat Miz & R-Truth. Cena also goes over what the post plans for S.S. had for Cena, which was a Rock Bottom from The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment.

The former Dr. Of Thuganomics says that WrestleMania will be exactly what it needs to be, but before he can continue, he is interjected by Awesome Truth. Miz makes fun of Cena's happy-go-lucky portrait but reminds him that the New York crowd wanted nothing to do with Cena.

R-Truth tells Cena that WrestleMania will have The Rock putting boots to asses all over Cena. Cena tells them to shut up and then puts down Awesome Truth in their own ways, and poses friction on Miz & Truth before walking out. Truth & Miz stare at each other and argue about what Cena said, which then breaks down with Truth punching out Miz.

Miz convinces Truth that it was Cena playing mind games and they should go get him. As they walk up the ramp (with Miz behind Truth), Miz grabs R and slams him into the steel with the Skull-Krushing Finale. Miz glares at him and then while replays show what just happened, referees come out to check on Truth to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

Well, both a bit better and down from last week. A bizarre ending marred an overall pretty good show I think, especially since 3 out of 4 predictions I made for "Survivor Series" were correct! On to my categories:

Excellence: C.M. Punk as WWE Champion - love it and should put the spark back in the title picture. Liked his promo too, just without Laurinaitis.

Zack Ryder wrestling - even though he lost, it doesn't hurt him and it was to Alberto Del Rio, who needed the win to make us believe he had a legitimate shot at the rematch next week. Swagger/Sheamus, great chemistry between the two and could put on more matches.

Kevin Nash's promo - again short & sweet/to the point. Cody Rhodes talking & winning. Dolph Ziggler talking & wrestling - he and Punk put on a storied match of the month, if not more!

Big Show promo - again short, sweet, and stated what he wanted to do to Mark Henry - objective still the same. Wade/Kofi - better & longer match than I thought, which is great. Decent wrestling in the whole show generally.

Bogus: Laurinaitis - no personality (although that is his character I'm guessing) and just monotone/boring promos. Divas promo - enough said and watch to see why. Dolph/Punk - on the basis that it should've been the main event - did not like "middle card" status on this.

Ending promo with Cena & Miz/Truth split - kind of the usual stuff and didn't like breaking up Awesome Truth so soon. However, maybe something good will come and one of the two, if not both, can get better singles pushes.

By and large though, a pretty great show - loved the amount of wrestling and most of the promos were on par. Still intriguing for next week, in particular the continuity of Miz/Truth & the WWE Championship match between Alberto Del Rio & C.M. Punk. Until then, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and wrestling fans!