Monday Night Raw TV Report 12/26/11

Reported by Earnest I Aguilar

The last Raw of 2011 is in my favorite American city (for sports teams, actors, movies, heritage, etc...), and the hometown of the WWE Champion C.M. Punk. Monday Night Raw emanates from Chicago, Illinois, and the city is always a "hotbed" for wrestling, so let's see what's in store tonight for the Second City...

Introduction Segment: Arena Promo

Michael Cole welcomes us to the sold-out arena in Chicago, and "Cult of Personality" blares over the speakers to kick off the show (sans opening video and pyro). However, instead of the WWE Champion C.M. Punk, it is actually Raw Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis doing his best Punk impression. He proclaims this is another example of the unpredictability he can bring to Monday Night Raw. He also claims that tonight we will honor Punk in his hometown.

Suddenly, to the dismay of Mr. Laurinaitis, the real "Straight-Edge Superstar" appears and confronts his imposter. He receives a HUGE pop (naturally) from the fans and jumps around the ring holding his WWE Title with pride. C.M. takes the microphone and tells Laurinaitis that he is trying to antagonize Punk. The "Second City Saint" wonders what is stopping him from kicking the Raw Interim G.M. in his face? (the script?)

Laurinaitis tells Punk that he is his boss and he may fire him, but on the other hand he gives him the night off. Not! Instead he books the WWE Champion in a gauntlet match, with the stipulation that his opponents are hand-picked by John, and if Punk loses just one of his matches, then the wrestler who wins over C.M. will get a shot at his WWE Title next week on Raw.

Punk also has a stipulation of his own - if he beats all three of Laurinaitis' choices, then C.M. will have a fourth match - with the Interim G.M. himself! Laurinaitis tries to back out of it, but Punk counters by asking the crowd (who chanted "you can't wrestle" at Laurinaitis) if they want that match. Big pop = yes and Laurinaitis begrudgingly accepts, then backs up the stage.

Segment #2: Mysterious Promo

Another cryptic video hyping the appearance of someone for next week's Raw ends with the slogan "the end begins." Up next is an Intercontinental Title rematch between Booker T. and Champion Cody Rhodes.

Commercials.

Match #1: Single - Booker T VS. Cody Rhodes (Intercontinental Champion) (Non-Title)

Lock up and hammer lock from Booker T. to begin this bout. Cody counters with an elbow and side headlock/shoulder block, but Booker comes back with a hip-toss. Big scoop slam for a quick two-count by Booker. Rhodes comes back with a kick to the gut and punches in the corner, but Booker again counters an Irish Whip with a high elbow and tries for a cover after a suplex.

The champion ducks a Scissors Kick with a swinging neckbreaker. Cody lowers his kneepad and hits T in the face with his bare kneecap. He tosses the challenger out for a quick break.

Ads.

Champion still in great control with a sit-down hammer lock. and knee drop. 1 - 2 - kick-out from Booker! Cody now locks on a Chicken-Wing type submission, which Booker struggles out of.

Back and forth punches until Rhodes puts down Booker with a dropkick, then clamps on another facelock submission. Booker soon hits Cody again in the face with an elbow and a few clotheslines. Big sideslam for a 2-count by Booker.

Cody runs into the corner but gets turned around with a Sunset Flip pin for 2, then Booker gets rolled up for two, twice. A bit later, Cody attempts a CrossRhodes, which is reversed with a high kick and soon a Scissors Kick lands too! Booker covers, 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: Booker T

Post match, Booker celebrates with a Spin-A-Rooni.

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

The United States Champion, "Long Island Ice-Z" Zack Ryder thanks John Cena in the locker room, but Cena puts over Ryder because he earned it. Zack asks Cena what the deal is with Kane, and he threatens that Raw will go out with a bang.

Segment #4: Arena Promo

Jerry "The King" Lawler announces C.M. Punk's three opponents in order: Jack Swagger, Dolph Ziggler, & Mark Henry.

Segment #5: Backstage Promo

Big Show is making small talk with Kelly Kelly when he is told by Brad Armstrong (referee) that he is to go to John Laurinaitis' office.

Commercials.

Segment #6: Office Promo

Laurinaitis is with his lawyer David Otunga, who confronts Big Show about his assault from Smackdown. Laurinaitis books Big Show (with one arm tied behind his back) VS. Otunga.

Segment #7: Backstage Promo

Jack Swagger & Dolph Ziggler are arguing on who will beat C.M. Punk and get the title shot next week. Vickie Guerrero interjects, calming them both down and telling them it doesn't matter who, as long as one of them beats Punk. Mark Henry walks in, saying "Excuse Me" and walks off.

Match #2: Mixed Tag-Team - Eve Torres & WWE United States Champion "Long Island Iced-Z" Zack Ryder VS. Natalya & Tyson Kidd

After Zack & Eve make their entrance, their is a short commercial break.

This contest is pretty short, with Zack & Eve going over following a dropkick, two Broski Boots, and a RoughRyder Leg Lariat.

Winners: Eve Torres & WWE United States Champion Zack Ryder

Ads.

Segment #8: Arena Promo

John Cena is out next, as usual to mixed reactions, and begins by running down the "salty" history between himself & Chicago. He also praises Chi-town for it's accomplishments in pro wrestling, including hosting three WrestleManias and inducting the late-great Eddie Guerrero into the WWE Hall Of Fame. (Nice props Cena, sincerely!)

Cena says that this is the last Raw of 2011, so let the world remember this night and let the world remember Chicago. John says that he is signing his own death warrant, because Chicago will see John Cena VS. Kane.

However, instead of the "Big Red Machine," Cena will get "The Awesome One." The Miz saunters out and wants to wrestle Cena, since there are some "loose-ends" to tie up. Miz wants to because of the tainted victory he had over Cena courtesy of The Rock. In short, Cena agrees.

Match #3: Single - John Cena VS. The Miz

Staredown and circling the ring ensues. Lock up and head toss from Cena. Waist lock takedown from Cena, one-upping The Miz. Side headlock takedown into the submission by John. Loud, boisterous crowd chanting both "Let's go Cena" and & "Cena sucks." Miz gets frustrated with the crowd, telling them they are chanting the wrong superstars name. He puts down Chicago and basically forfeits the match (technically getting counted out and walks out.

Winner via Count-out: John Cena

Post match, Miz is about to leave until his former tag-team partner/friend R-Truth returns! Truth cuts The Miz off and brawls around the ring with Miz, crazy-eye look included. R picks up a microphone and pounds away on Miz, telling him that he will take his time getting to him, and "Little Jimmy's man is ok!" (Yay!)

Commercials.

Match #4: Single - Big Show VS. David Otunga

(Note: Big Show must compete with one arm tied behind his back, Justin Roberts announces)

The Big Show's right hand (used for the knockout punch) is the one tied up. This bout is still dominated by Big Show, who just punches and kicks Otunga, and then manages to toss him over the top rope. Mark Henry then makes his way to the ring, and stares down Big Show.

He knocks him down, until the World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan runs out and distracts Henry. Big Show gets loose and Chokeslams Otunga, who came back in, as "The World's Strongest Man" exists.

Winner via Disqualification: The Big Show

Ads.

Segment #9: Arena Promo

Rolling out, not in a fancy-nancy car, but in a wheelchair is Alberto Del Rio. Behind him is Ricardo Rodriguez, complete with neckbrace. He is in the chair because of a groin injury. The crowd cheers at his torn groin.

The Bella Twins then back him up and will throw a party when he is healed. Del Rio shoos them off though, and promises us his New Year's resolution - he will be back and more vicious and aggressive than ever before to be WWE Champion again.

Punk's gauntlet is up next.

Commercials.

Match #5: Gauntlet Single - The "All American-American" Jack Swagger VS. WWE Champion C.M. Punk (Non-Title)

Lock up and side headlock from Punk. Waist lock reversal by Swagger, but reversed into wristlock and kicks by C.M. Test of Strength is won by Jack and another side headlock. Punk leapfrogs a running Swagger and hits him with a Calf Kick. 1 - 2 - Swagger kicks out!

More kicks by the "Straight-Edge Superstar" until Swagger regains
control. He drops a bunch of elbows on C.M and eventually catches him off a Cross Body into a knee-to-the-gut. 1 - 2 - Punk kicks out!

"The All-American-American" attempts a Swaggerbomb, but Punk is quick and catches him in a G.T.S. position. Jack wiggles out of it, but gets taken out with a Roundhouse Kick for the 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: WWE Champion C.M. Punk

Match #6: Gauntlet Single - Dolph Ziggler VS. WWE Champion C.M. Punk (Non-Title)

Immediately, Dolph Ziggler is ready to go, especially after Swagger attacks Punk from behind and setting him up for Dolph. Following a break, Ziggler is now in complete control. Punk eventually counters a dropkick with a Slingshot into the corner. Dolph regains domination and grips a Half-Crab submission on the WWE Champion. Punk manages to crawl to the ropes and fights back.

Big scoop slam and kicks from Punk on his good leg. Ziggler tries again for the bad leg, but Punk is able to toss out of the way and hit the running knee. Vickie holds onto Punk's leg while trying a G.T.S., allowing Dolph to drive Punk to the canvas with a Famasser. 1 - 2 - kickout from Punk!

John Laurinaitis makes his way to the ring and throws out Vickie & Jack, just as Punk had Ziggler covered for the pin. Laurinaitis then distracts Punk on the apron, and Dolph takes advantage with a Zig-Zag to get the biggest win of his career currently!

Winner via Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler

Ziggler then takes the WWE Championship and shows off, parading around the arena with it, predicting a title win next week.

Up next, Kane supposedly explains his actions on John Cena.

Ads.

Segment #10: Arena Promo

The pyro goes boom and out comes Kane. He light up the ring posts and removes his Iron-Man-like mask. He tells us that this is his true self, however while he wears a mask, it is us that spends "every waking second living a lie because..."

Just now, Cena interrupts but can only get as far as the stage, since Kane uses his powers to explode more fire. Kane explains that he chose John because of the "rise above hate" slogan, which according to Kane is a lie, since the world is a "dark, dark place, and deep down everybody hates."

He calls the catchphrase a "fraudulent myth perpetuated by you!" He informs John that he feels the hate, but John should embrace it to become honest with himself and free.

Kane says he, along with all the people, will help him on his path toward enlightenment. He leads the crowd in a "Cena sucks" chant and produces a sadistically satisfied smile on his face.

Raw ends with the Chicago people trading chants of "Let's go Cena, Cena sucks" and the man himself pondering Kane's words as well as the crowds.

End Of Raw.


Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

Straight-up, not a great final Raw of 2011. There were a few highlights, but overall, I thought the show fell flat. More below.

Excellence: The inevitable love for WWE Champion C.M. Punk by his home of Chicago. Cody Rhodes/Booker T. match - actually pretty good and Booker still got it in the ring. R-Truth's return - that was genuinely surprising and a nice new direction for him & The Miz.

The gauntlet - glad it wasn't the predictable "beat the odds" and really glad it was Dolph Ziggler getting the win, further cementing him as a future company-carrier. Ending promo with Kane/Cena - like it, made some sense, and added intrigue to Cena possibly turning heel soon?

Bogus: Everything else - most was pointless and average. Biggest though was Zack Ryder - the U.S. Champion - being put in a meaningless mixed-tag-team match, after all the hype from last week and weeks before? What gives?

Ah well, in any case, here's hoping that the first 2012 Raw will be much more improved and different. Oh, and the mystery promos better be someone UNEXPECTED AND BIG! (I'm thinking Vince & Linda McMahon - which could be interesting enough) We shall find out in less than 7!

Until then, have an excellent rest of 2011 and Happy New Year to all Wrestling-Online supporters/fans and Wrestling Fans