 |
| Reported by Earnest I Aguilar Zevallos |
It is also John Morrison's last Monday Night Raw before finishing up with the WWE, so how will he go out tonight - fallen or in a decent blaze of glory. (Borrowed from an awesome song!).
Speaking of fallen & awesome, what will be the fallout from the break-up of The Miz & R-Truth's coalition Awesome Truth?
Finally, a legend is returning tonight to host a very famous segment with John Cena. The only clue is to find out all of what's going down tonight by reading on...
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
Regular Raw Video plays and the pyro blasts in the University Of South Carolina, followed by the welcoming from Michael Cole & Jerry "The King" Lawler. They announce the already known WWE Title match between Alberto Del Rio & Champion C.M. Punk (and show some footage from Survivor Series 8 days ago). However, the unknown is the legend and John Cena, who is out next.
The oh too familiar sounds of a bag pipe blare the arena speakers, as the Scotsman and one of the greatest talkers ever in the business, Rowdy Roddy Piper enters. He puts over the fans for their energy, who whether they have cheered or booed Piper during his illustrious career, they have energy. However, he also tells the crowd that he is here to find out what their energy says about John Cena, because right now it's undecided.
Rowdy brings out the oft loved & booed John Cena. Cena also puts over Piper and Piper's Pit, even paraphrasing his famous line of "just when I have the answers, you go and change the questions."
Roddy first plays a game of word-association - whichever name is says, the crowd can do whatever. Stone Cold Steve Austin (cheers). Bret "The Hitman" Hart (bigger cheers). The Rock (huge cheers). John Cena (mix, but a quick chant of "Cena, Cena, Cena.")
The crowd also yells "boots to asses," while Cena keeps playing it down the middle and respects the crowd for choosing their side on their own. Piper tries to get into Cena's head, informing him that if he doesn't tell them how he really feels, then John will lose the biggest match of his career at WrestleMania.
Cena reiterates his loyalty to the fans for picking the way they want to get behind Cena, citing the places he's been booed the most (Toronto, Chicago, New York, etc...). He also points to the slogan on his t-shirt (Rise Above Hate in red, white, & blue) and says that's why he can walk into Miami and still beat The Rock. Piper commends Cena for living up to the saying, and raising the proverbial bar from Rowdy's generation to Cena's.
From a Hall Of Famer, to a future Hall Of Famer, Piper passes Cena his WWE Hall-Of-Fame ring, but Cena respectfully declines it, since he is in a good place. Piper then slaps him across the face, asking him "do you feel the energy." John grabs Roddy's hand and places the ring back into him, opting to walk out with his music playing in the background as Piper stares on.
Cole & Lawler wonder about the pressure getting to John Cena, then inform us that John Morrison will wrap up his career in a match with his former tag-team partner and friend, The Miz. Replays are shown from last week's breakdown between R-Truth & The Miz. Apparently, Miz said on WWE.com that he is sick of people slowing him down, as did Truth.
Morrison is also shown backstage talking to Miz's former protege and now semi-rival, Alex Riley.
Commercials.
Match #1: Single (Falls Count Anywhere Rules) - John Morrison VS. The Miz
Just as Morrison makes his entrance, The Miz attacks him from behind on the stage and brutally assaults The Shaman Of Sexy with a lead pipe on the leg. Miz walks down to the ring as referees and trainers check on Morrison, fallen on the stage. John gets up with the help of the trainers and begins to hobble to the ring.
On his own, he climbs in the squared circle. The referee asks him and Morrison nods, so the bell rings and Morrison immediately counters a dive from Miz, and starts to hammer away on him with punches.
Miz soon gains control again, going after the injured leg by repeatedly slamming it on the post. Miz pulls out a Kendo Stick from under the ring and whacks John in the leg. He misses a second shot and Morrison manages to get a clothesline to take down Miz. The Prince Of Par Cor grabs the stick and whales away on The Awesome One, all the way to the floor where he manages a quick cover for only two!
Miz crawls up the ramp, trying to escape, but he is stalked by Morrison until Miz chucks him head-first into the WWE Sign on the stage. Miz struggles to pick him up and then delivers the Skull-Krushing Finale front-Russian-legsweep. Before Miz can try a pin attempt, the ref decides to stop the match and award it to him anyway.
Winner via Referee Stoppage/Decision: The Miz
Post-match, The Miz looks on at his work, as trainers and refs continue to care for Morrison. He is eventually stretchered out and Miz comes back into the ring with a microphone.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
The Miz lists his two victims so far in the last two weeks, and then wonders who it will be next week. He claims he is the only person that can make this kind of statement because he can do it, since he is awesome (This short speech was said in very slow, cold, creepy voice.)
Ads.
Match #2: Tag-Team - The Bella Twins (Brie & Nikki) VS. Alicia Fox & Kelly Kelly
(Note: For some reason, pointless at it's finest, Natalya & WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix jog down the ramp, around the ring, and out the arena during the match). Kelly & a Bella start out, and nothing of note happens until Kelly hits the Twin with a spinning headscissors, during which Alicia tagged in and soon finishes off the Bella with a standing somersault legdrop.
Winners via Pinfall: Alicia Fox & Kelly Kelly
A prediction of both C.M. Punk and Alberto Del Rio winning the match later tonight is made via footage of the new WWE Video Game WWE '12. (Looks like a great game, but going to test it first via friends before I purchase - hey I have specifics!)
Commercials.
Segment #3: Video Promo
A highlight package of Sheamus and his work in the WWE is aired.
Segment #4: Office Promo
Raw Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis informs Brodus Clay via cellular phone technology that his debut will happen next week. (Gee, where have we heard this before!). His lawyer David Otunga contemplates why he keeps putting it off, but Laurinaitis ensure that it is to make Clay angrier.
Alberto then walks in and also ensure Laurinaitis that he will win the WWE Championship back tonight. John hopes so, since last time, Del Rio lost in front of many high-profile peeps. The WWE Champ himself then barges in, making fun of all three people in Laurinaitis' office via Twitter and research numbers.
C.M. also ensures he will remain the WWE Champion and that things will get more interesting. Otunga takes this as a threat and tells Laurinaitis that Punk may intentionally disqualify himself to retain the title. John agrees, so he makes the stipulation that if C.M. does purposefully disqualify himself, he will be stripped of the WWE Championship. (Again, where have we heard this before?!)
Up next, Randy Orton will face Dolph Ziggler (again).
Ads.
Match #3: Single - Randy Orton VS. United States Champion Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero (Non-Title)
Prior to the match, the leader of the Barrett Barrage, Wade Barrett, walks out and joins the commentary booth for this bout. Also, quick old-school promo (screen box-in-box) time with Ziggler boasting that he will do what he does best, show off!
Lock up by both technicians, with Randy getting Ziggler grounded with a side-headlock. Irish Whip and running shoulder-block from Orton. Leapfrog but a hip-toss countered, which also countered into a 1-count roll-up from Dolph. They stare down and Dolph cockily smiles across from Randy. (Really reminding me of a mix of Billy Gunn & the late-great "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig). Kick by Dolph and another whip, but Orton nails Dolph with a quick, harsh clothesline.
Another walk-about the ring and lock up by both. Hip-toss from Orton and stomps away on Ziggler. Suplex by Orton, but he misses a jumping knee-drop. The U.S. Champ capitalizes, punching away and dropping a jumping elbow.
Orton attempts him back/neckbreaker combo, but Dolph reverses into a roll-up for a 2! Ziggler chucks Randy to the apron and dropkicks him picture-perfect (pun intended!) into the jaw of Randy, sending him dropping off to the floor.
Dolph follows him to the outside and slams his head to the steel steps. Rolled back in, 1 - 2 - Orton kicks out! Ziggler soon misses a splash in the corner, allowing Randy to gain a small-momentum back until Dolph gets a neckbreaker.
Perfection back in domination, stomping away on him and heading to the top-rope. Orton cuts him off and both battle on the turnbuckle, with The Viper getting the better from huge suplex! 1 - 2 - Ziggler kicks out as Vickie applauds to send us into break.
Commercials.
Back live, the two are now slugging it out evenly. Randy gets the upper hand (pun intended again) and eventually pulls out some bigger moves including a powerslam and his Slingshot-DDT. The Apex Predator is in the zone and stalks Ziggler for an R.K.O. but Dolph slides out of the ring.
Wade Barrett jumps on the apron, distracting Orton, who also manages to deliver a perfect dropkick, but then gets driven to the canvas from behind from Dolph's "Zig-Zag." 1 - 2 - 3! Dolph get a huge W!
Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Dolph Ziggler with Vickie Guerrero
Post-match, Guerrero announces him the winner as he does a head-stand on the mats, then proclaims "how damn good am I!"
More footage of Survivor Series is played, this time it is Punk's WWE Title celebration with his people in the crowd.
Ads.
Segment #5: Arena Promo
Michael Cole is in the ring with Mr. Money In The Bank and #1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Championship Daniel Bryan. Cole tries to swerve it by saying he was given the opportunity, but Bryan states the fact he EARNED it by winning the Fatal-4-Way match on last Friday's Smackdown (read the fine report on this fine website!).
Bryan asks for a little respect from Cole, but it is denied as he calls Daniel the biggest hypocrite for trying to cash in his MITB briefcase before WrestleMania. Footage of this is shown too, with Michael putting it all down.
He also continues to put down Bryan, back live in the ring. Daniel does agree, saying that he is a hypocrite, since he really did want to cash in at WrestleMania but because Mark Henry (the current World Heavyweight Champion) tried time and time again to put Bryan in the Hall Of Pain, plans changed and he wants to have that opportunity.
He will be able to in less than 24 hours, live on Smackdown Tuesday night, as he faces Henry for the Championship in a Steel Cage!
The Champ then walks out and balks at the dream of Daniel beating him, as no matter what shape he is in, Mark will beat Daniel Bryan. Daniel angrily walks up the ramp, screaming "I can't beat you" before kicking Henry in the left leg, and saying "we'll see tomorrow night."
Commercials.
Match #4: Single - The All-American-American Jack Swagger with Vickie Guerrero VS. The Long-Island Ice-Z Zack Ryder
Waist-lock takedown from Swagger and he prances around the ring in happiness. Lock-up now and a run-off-the-ropes flying forearm from Ryder. Jack reverses another whip into a Belly-To-Belly side suplex. 1 - 2 - kickout from Zack! Swagger hammers away, scoops-slams, and hits a running legdrop. 1 - 2 - Ryder kicks out!
Arm-lock and more pounding blows from Jack. Ryder soon counters into a neckbreaker for a 2, but then gets caught in a Gutwrench attempt. He gets out of it, but really gets caught in a side backbreaker from the All-American-American. A Swaggerbomb try is countered with a double-kick to the chin and Ryder is all over Jack with the Rough-Ryder jumping leg lariat. 1 - 2 - 3! The "Long-Island Ice-Z" receives the victory!
Segment #6: Video Promo
Much like last week, a video with a mask and match is played, with the words Kane Resurrected are added. Oooh!
Ads.
Segment #7: Arena Promo
Mrs. Foley's Baby Clause and the host of tomorrow night's Smackdown Holiday Special Mick Foley is in the arena, as he is dressed in Santa Clause's outfit. He re-interprets "The Night Before Christmas" - all WWE-themed, and of course finishing it off with a cheap-pop for South Carolina! (This cheap-plug for the show was actually quite funny, and short, which was nice too!)
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
Josh Matthews is with the WWE Champion and asks C.M. Punk what he feels about Laurinaitis' "intentional disqualification" ruling. In short, John Laurinaitis can "kiss my ass" the Straight-Edge Superstar declares as he smiles into the camera.
Commercials.
Match #5: Single for the WWE Championship - Alberto Del Rio with Ricardo Rodriguez (Challenger) VS. C.M. Punk (WWE Champion)
Referee Little 'Naitch Charles Robinson signals for the bell and we're on! Lock-up and hip-toss takeover into an armlock from Punk right away. Del Rio reverses into one of his own and grounds C.M. with said above move. Punk whips Alberto into the corner and bring him back out with a monkey flip.
Another armlock from Punk is reversed into a side headlock from Alberto. Huge "C.M. Punk" chants ring out through the arena to encourage the wrestler. A.D.R. remains in control, trying to wear down the left-arm of Punk, thereby softening it for his finishing submission later on.
Leapfrog from Punk and back-elbow to knock Del Rio down. Big clothesline sends Alberto to the outside, which Punk follows with a Suicide Dive.
Ads.
Returning from break, Del Rio is in control after he cut off Punk from the top-rope and delivered a vicious kick to Punk's left arm. C.M. fights out of another armlock and tries a Sunset Flip, but misses and A.D.R takes advantage, stomping away on Punk.
Del Rio now dives off the top-rope with a modified Double-Axe-Handle. He then ties up Punk's arm in the ropes and corners him. The Straight-Edge Superstar kicks Del Rio away and attempts a springboard crossbody but only receives air and canvas.
Armlock is gripped by Del Rio and finally something different with a Tilt-A-Whirl-Backbreaker, courtesy of Alberto. A second diving Double-Axe-Handle gets A.D.R. a 2-count and the armlock makes another appearance, only this time the crowd rightfully chants (I think- slightly hard to make out) "where's our wrestling" referring to the lack of variety in this bout.
Punk soon changes that with a kick and then some more, and now the he takes momentum and control with a calf-kick, clotheslines, and a neckbreaker. 1 - 2 - Del Rio powers out!
Punk sends Alberto to the corner and brings him out with the knee and almost Bulldog, but the Mexican Aristocrat counters with a Jumping Arm-breaker. Wild kick is missed from Punk and Del Rio almost gets it with a pinning German suplex. Both finishers by both wrestlers are reversed by the other and Punk even manages to get his shoulder up following a driving DDT!
Alberto now attempts to expose the metal of the turnbuckle, but Robinson sees it and cuts him off. Charles "in charge" (there's a references from somewhere!) goes to reassemble the padding while Ricardo Rodriguez slides a chair in, which Del Rio slams on the mat and then tosses to Punk, but quickly thinking, The Second City Saint does the same, a la the late-great Eddie Guerrero. He argues with the ref, which allows Punk to roll-up A.D.R. for a quick 2-count, as did Del Rio do the same.
Rodriguez hops the apron and distracts Robinson, which gives Punk an opportunity to drop Del Rio head-first onto the open turnbuckle. Ref turns around and makes the 3-count!
Winner via Pinfall and STILL WWE Champion: C.M. Punk
Post-match, Ricardo pleads the case, but sick of hearing it, the WWE Champion drops him too with a G.T.S. and celebrates his successful Championship Defense to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp
A pretty good show. Not great, but far from the worst. Left me satisfied. Onto the "nitpickings..."
Excellence: Opening Piper's Pit promo....two men that know how to still captivate an audience and deliver on the mic, especially one after 30+ years!
Miz's new stalker-like tone and persona - like the seriousness and somewhat creepiness of it! Kevin Nash not on the show - I say this because it is time for a small break that the storyline with him and Triple H does not get stale and over-done.
Randy Orton VS. Dolph Ziggler/Dolph Ziggler - loved the match itself for the technique and wrestling, plus the personality of Ziggler is so going over well and putting him on the path to big stardom - you can tell his is genuine in his promos and matches, truly believing and making us believe he is the best in the world!
Zack Ryder winning again! Daniel Bryan's promo - great way to put him over and build him for the match tomorrow night. Mick Foley's promo - again, that was just funny and classic Mick! C.M. Punk keeping the WWE Championship and the ending to the match - enough said!
Bogus: Divas - who cares, which is really sad considering the champ is one who can actual wrestle a great match.
I know he's done with WWE, but did not like the way they buried John Morrison - yes, have him do the job for sure, but at least give him time and a decent quality match, especially with someone like The Miz, to go out on.
Laurinaitis/Otunga same-old, same-old. The actual match for the WWE Title - to be honest, I can see why the crowd I believe was chanting where's our wrestling because it was pretty much just A.D.R. in dominance with the same move all the time and only Punk getting a few shots here and there, and then obviously the win at the end. (Which was given props to above); could've been MUCH better.
Again though, I'm happy in general with the show tonight and look forward to next weeks, especially with the always impending debut of Brodus Clay and who may challenge C.M. Punk next for the WWE Championship. And of course, Zack Ryder & Dolph Ziggler wrestling! Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and wrestling fans!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.