Monday Night Raw TV report for 01/02/2011

Reported by Ernest I Aguilar Zevallos

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! And Happy Anniversary to me! It is has been one year (and counting) since I took the job of reporting Monday Night Raw on Wrestling-Online.com (so again, thank you to ALL who support me and read my writing), and I am truly excited for a new year, both in life and wrestling.

Plus, what a Raw to kick off 2012 - how will John Cena face the reactions of the crowd tonight after pondering Kane's words for a week? Will The Miz exact revenge on his former ally/friend R-Truth, who returned and attacked him last week?

Also the two biggest aspects of Raw tonight - a WWE Championship match between two excellent wrestlers (and a major part in the future of WWE), and the BIG REVEAL of who the mysterious cryptic videos are about. Who is returning and taking over World Wrestling Entertainment? Only one way to find out and that is to read on....

Monday Night Raw for January 02, 2012: "The End & The Beginning"

Introduction Segment: Recap

A montage opens up the first Raw of 2012, with a replay of Kane's promo last week, explaining his reasons for choosing John Cena as his target. (During the footage, they really emphasized "Let's go Cena"/"Cena Sucks" chants) The regular Raw video plays, but no pyro for the Memphis fans. Instead, we are right into...

Segment #1: Arena Promo

One of the two men in the above video is out first, as John Cena starts of the new year. He wishes everyone a Happy New Year and then makes a few resolutions: one, to wear less underwear (too many cheers from the females); two, his dad is banned from WWE TV following that "This Is Your Life John Cena" segment a couple of months ago; and third to prove he has lost his "lady parts" after beating Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania XXVIII.

However, John says that one thing won't change in 2012 - he will remain true to who he, convictions and all. Cena says that a man's character is not judged by how much he is loved, but by how many times he gets up when his back is against the wall. He puts over the fans and tells them they have earned the right, from their hard earned money, to do whatever they want to do - basically love or hate him.

Instead, John has the issue with Kane, since he just didn't do it the simple way of having a match. Cena claims that Kane wants him to turn his back on the fans, but the former "Dr. Of Thuganomics" refuses to do so, as "there is no better feeling than being in this ring, in front of all of you."

Just before he can finish thanking the people, Kane's music and video play, but no Kane appears. Through a voice-over, Kane claims that Cena can deny the hate all he wants, but he will witness the true power of it tonight. Kane's pyro blows from the four ring posts as Cena looks perplexed.

We are reminded about the WWE Championship match between challenger Dolph Ziggler and champion C.M. Punk, then a quick flash of those mysterious promos airs with the slogan "The end begins tonight." (Ooooohhhh.)

Commercials.

Match #1: Single - World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan VS. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes (Non-Title)

Lock up and forearms by Cody Rhodes. Daniel Bryan switches in the corner and kicks away. He runs at Rhodes, who double-boots him in the face and takes Bryan to the canvas with a twisting arm slam. He chucks Daniel back into the turnbuckle and then covers for a quick two-count.

Cody now works over the left arm of the World Heavyweight Champion, locking him in a short-arm scissors. Chants of "Daniel Bryan" are heard to encourage the wrestler. This seems to work, as Bryan gets some momentum with a clothesline. Cody counters with an uppercut, but gets an Irish Whip countered and tossed out the ring. Daniel runs off the apron with a knee.

Bryan attempts a move off the top rope, but Cody ducks and springboards with a Beautiful Disaster kick. 1 - 2 - Bryan kicks out! Suplex try from the Intercontinental Champion is reversed into a small package. 1 - 2 - 3! Daniel Bryan wins!

Winner via Pin fall: World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan

Bryan celebrates all around the ring again, truly elated at having the championship.

A replay of R-Truth's return and assault on The Miz is aired.

Segment #2: Backstage Promo

Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis explains to Miz that he apologizes for R-Truth's attack, but that's it. This is because he shows footage of The Miz doing the same two months ago, to put Truth out of commission.

Laurinaitis assures the proper measures have been taken to make sure that R-Truth doesn't interfere in Miz's upcoming match with Sheamus. Miz is not convinced and storms out of the G.M.'s office. R-Truth then appears and mocks a duck with "quack, quack, quack!"

Ads.

Promos and vintage video of the Royal Rumble play (airing highlights of the first one, in 1988). This is all plugging the 25th Royal Rumble, taking place on January 29th.

Match #2: Single - Wade Barrett VS. Santino Marella

As Barrett is making his way to the ring, footage of his assault on Randy Orton from the last Smackdown is shown. We are informed that Orton is injured and will be on the shelf for a while. Wade also cuts a promo, claiming that 2012 is Orton free and he is another victim of the "Barrett Barrage." Now, it is onto the Royal Rumble, where Barrett declares he will win and main-event Wrestlemania. His opponent, in short, also claims the same.

They have a faceoff, boxing-like, until Santino does the splits, only to receive a boot-to-the-face. Barrett pushes him into the corner, but Marella ducks it and signals for The Cobra. Wade counters with a kick-to-the-chest, throws him shoulder-first into the ring post, and drives him down with the Winds Of Change side slam for the finish.

Winner via Pin fall: Wade Barrett


Segment #3: Backstage Promo

The Bella Twins are arguing side-by-side with The Miz, who asks them if they've seen R-Truth. They deny, and Miz walks off. He thinks he hears something, but then goes off screen again. R-Truth then appears from behind a curtain and tells us "ssshhh."

Commercials.

Match #3: Single - Sheamus VS. The Miz

Miz attacks Sheamus before the bell with a quick DDT. He pounds away on the big Irishman, tying him up in the ropes. Sheamus gets free and then pounds away on The Miz against the ropes, repeatedly. Great White chases The Awesome One into the crowd.

Just then, R-Truth's voice is heard and he is with the people. He tells the Miz he ran into Little Jimmy, who says "he don't like you, and you need to get got." Truth walks down the stairs and Miz turns around into a Brogue Kick from Sheamus.

Truth surveys a downed Miz, then takes Jerry "The King" Lawler's water bottle, smacking Miz in the head and leaving through the crowd. Truth proclaims "this weekly Miz beat down is brought to you by Little Jimmy, where you will get got." He asks a young fan what he says, and the boy tells Miz "Happy New Year, Miz!"

Winner: No Contest via the match not officially starting (Although I'll still give points for Sheamus and his Brogue Kick!)

Ads.

Jerry Lawler & Michael Cole remind us of how Dolph Ziggler became the #1 Contender to C.M. Punk's WWE Championship, via "The Gauntlet."

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

Josh Matthews interviews said #1 Contender about tonight's match. He is standing on his head. Dolph Ziggler believes that "if you got it, flaunt it, and no one flaunts it better than I do every single night." He dubs himself a "walking surplus of talent, athleticism, etc.."

The only thing he wants is the WWE Championship and informs the fans to hang on to their ticket stubs, since they will want to know the time and place where Dolph Ziggler became WWE Champion.

Segment #5: Backstage Promo

The United States Champion Zack Ryder is schmoozing Eve Torres when Jack Swagger interrupts and claims that Ryder is not fit for the title. They argue until John Laurinaitis interjects and books them both in a 6-man tag-team match, with Kane, Mark Henry, John Cena, & Big Show, respectively. Laurinaitis smiles at his latest idea.

C.M. Punk is shown walking backstage and his title defense is up next!

Commercials.

Match #4: Single for the WWE Championship - WWE Champion C.M. Punk VS. Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero)

Following formal introductions by Justin Roberts (always a nice touch!), referee Mike Chioda holds up the Championship, signals for the bell, and away we go! Lock up by both competitors, and a quick roll-up for a one by Punk. Waist/Full-Nelson lock from C.M., but Dolph trips him up and tries a pinning combination. Both get up and circle around the ring.

Another lock up and Punk gives Ziggler three right hands to the gut, plus a back breaker. Front face-lock by the WWE Champion, but his challenger backs him into the corner and delivers a few right hands of his own.

Punk rolls out of an elbow drop and drives Dolph with a scoop slam. Five fast leg drops for a two-count from Punk! Grounding head lock by the "Straight-Edge Superstar" but Ziggler pushes off and catches Punk with a flapjack into the ropes. Dolph pounces and drives with a neck breaker. 1 - 2 - C.M. kicks out!

Side head lock grounds Punk but he fights out of it and takes Ziggler out of the ring with a spin-kick to the gut. Punk goes for a suicide dive, but Dolph counters with a right hand and drops him with a modified neck breaker on the apron. He rolls punk into the ring for a cover. 1 - 2 - Punk kicks out!

Ads.

Back from break, both are on their knees in the ring slugging it out. C.M. runs off the ropes, but Dolph counters with a sleeper, which Punk reverses with a belly-to-back suplex for a 2! Punk whips Ziggler into the ropes and hits him with a calf-kick. Punk catches a running Dolph with a quick power slam for another quick 2!

A roll-up by each is reversed for counts and rope breaks, and then Dolph plants Punk with a Fameasser. 1 - 2 - Punk kicks out! Backward flip slam by Dolph for another near fall! High running knee and bulldog combo from the WWE Champion gets another quick 2-count, and then he gives the sign for the Go-To-Sleep.

Raw Interim G.M. walks out and debates with the referee about a broken turnbuckle pad. Ziggler wiggles out of the G.T.S., but gets caught in the Anaconda Vice Submission. He taps, but Chioda doesn't see it.

Punk sees why and is almost taken down with the "Zig-Zag" but ducks and throws Dolph into Laurinaitis and goes for another G.T.S., but Ziggler fights out again and throws Punk to the outside, with the help of John, who pulled the top rope down. Ref begins the count and reaches ten, counting out Punk.

Winner via Count-Out: Dolph Ziggler (C.M. Punk still retains the WWE Championship due to the rules of only pin/submission to change the title)

Dolph immediately grabs the Championship and celebrates two-straight victories over the (still) current WWE Champion. Punk is frustrated, but Ziggler very, very happy!

Another cryptic promo airs, this time with the slogan "He Is Here." (Please, please, be unexpected).

Commercials.

Match #5: Divas Tag-Team - The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie) VS. Eve Torres & Kelly Kelly

Spanking and slapping ensues to begin the match, with Kelly delivering her Rump-Bump (thank you Lawler!) in the corner. Bella Twin counters with a slam of the head and tags in the other Twin. Both slam Kelly down and a cover for a near fall follows.

Kelly manages to slap hands with Eve, who cleans house on the Twins, almost finishing them off with a top-rope moonsault. One Bella breaks up the pin, then they switch, and the other Twin small packages Eve for the W!

Winners via Pin fall: The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie)


Segment #6: Backstage Promo

C.M. Punk barges into John Laurinaitis' office and demands to know why he has screwed Punk over two week in a row. Laurinaitis tells Punk it's not him, but Dolph Ziggler that Punk has the problem with. Since Ziggler has beaten Punk two weeks in a row, he gets a title shot again, this time at the Royal Rumble.

Plus, Laurinaitis himself will be the special referee. C.M. warns him that Otunga will come in handy, since Laurinaitis will want to sue Punk after the "Straight-Edge" Superstar will "beat him like a bitch" if he gets screwed one more time.

Ads.

Segment #7: Arena Promo

One final mystical video is aired before the reveal. "She has spoken. It is time. The end of the world as you know it is here. Now!" Back live, the screen is shaking as the crowd (and I) anticipate. The lights go out and it is complete pitch dark. Build up. Knots are in stomach! "Y2J" chants are heard. A figure in his pose is lit up somewhere. Pyro explodes and it is time to "break the walls down!" It is him...

Chris Jericho!

Dressed up in rock star attire, complete with sparkling leather jacket resembling a flashing awning outside of Las Vegas, Jericho struts down the ring and goes insane with the crowd (as do they) on his comeback.

The ovation and elation goes on for about 10 minutes and he never says a word on the microphone! Jericho ends the segment by "hi-fiving" the fans around the ring and walking back up into the stage/backstage area, a huge smile on his face! (Huh?!)

Up next is the 6-Man Tag-Team main-event.

Commercials.

Match #6: 6-Man Tag-Team Elimination Match - Big Show, United States Champion "Long Island Ice-Z" Zack Ryder, & John Cena VS. Mark Henry, The "All-American-American" Jack Swagger, & Kane

Prior to the bout, Kane's music & pyro hit, but instead out walks David Otunga. He says something quietly to Justin Roberts and referee Scott Armstrong. The announcer tells that Kane is not participating, so it is really now a 3 on 2 match.

John Cena and Jack Swagger begin. Back and forth with head locks, Irish Whips, leap frogs, and hip tosses until Cena takes control with a scoop slam. He hits a running elbow drop and a decent drop kick for a 2-count! Cena clamps on a front face lock but Swagger fights out and kicks him in the face.

Ads.

Live again, Swagger hits his springboard Swaggerbomb but only receives 2! Another front face lock, but this time it's on Cena who reverses it into a back body drop. He tags in Big Show, and the near 500-pounder dominates the "All-American-American," who ends up tagging the "World's Strongest Man." Mark Henry now in and stares down the 7-footer.

They jaw back and forth and hammer it out. Head butts send Henry to the outside and Show follows to the outside. He punches a chair away from Henry and swings it at Mark, nailing him. This results in a double-elimination via disqualification, so now it is Cena & Ryder VS. Swagger.

Zack is in and has the momentum, with double-knees out of the corner and a Broski Boot. He gears up for the RoughRyder, which is countered into a powerbomb and ankle lock. Ryder struggles, crawling to Cena for a tag, who is fired up and taking out Jack. Flying shoulder-tackle and spin-out back drop by John. 5-Knuckle Shuffle and an Attitude Adjustment complete the match!

Winners via Pin fall: United States Champion Zack Ryder & John Cena

Post match, Cena checks on Ryder, but is distracted by Kane's music and fireworks. Kane then rises up through the ring, taking down Ryder and catching Cena from behind. He muffles him with his hand, rendering John unconscious.

Kane looks at Zack in the ring and stalks him. He drags "Long
Island Ice-Z" back into the hole but Cena makes the save. They converse in the corner about what happened as another burst of fire blows in canvas' hole, smoke filling the arena and Kane nowhere to be seen. Cena looks more freaked out as the first Raw of 2012 is off the air.


End Of Raw.


Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

Wow! Great edition to start off a new year! Suspenseful, meaningful, and continuity. Three main things I look for every week, and they delivered tonight. On to the analysis...

Excellence: John Cena - both opening the show and his promo, as well as closing Raw. Whenever he talks about the fans, puts them over (whether they love or hate him), I can feel the sincerity in his voice and passion for both the business & being true to himself and his fans (especially the kids) that look to him. Also, he is getting much better at expressing his "fearful" side each week and this helps truly put over Kane as someone to be legitimately scared of.

Daniel Bryan/Cody Rhodes - just a nice wrestling match between two great champions. Wade Barrett continuing to impress and climb the ladder into main-event.

R-Truth stalking and beating down Miz/cutting promos - still carrying on his "crazy/Little Jimmy" gimmick, only this time tailoring it smoothly now on the face side and playing to the fans.

Dolph Ziggler & C.M. Punk - excellent technical match (albeit a little screwy finish) with sweet chemistry between challenger & champion. Dolph shined in both his promos and after-match celebration tonight. Dare I say he is the #1 future guy all around right now in the WWE? He has it all - wrestling ability, talking, charisma, crowd-connection, etc...

Bellas winning the match - nice to see them go over this time instead of always Kelly/Eve.

Chris Jericho - all-time I say he and Shawn Michaels are the only two than make comebacks like they do, not say a word on the microphone, and connect with the fans as shown tonight - whether they love or hate him. Also, much like Michaels, Jericho can do it all in and outside the ring.

Kane not wrestling - glad they kept him out of the ring in an official match for a little longer, as it is too soon subsequent to his return for him to be wrestling. The "cliffhanger" at the conclusion.


Bogus: The Miz - hasn't won in a while and a little worried he's done something behind the scenes (i.e. "doghouse?") to get taken down the last two consecutive weeks. Also, same with Sheamus - even though he's winning, it's also been in short and he really has no other story going on.

Dolph's celebration after winning by count-out. Again, love Ziggler and the character he is, however I feel that type of jubilation should've really been saved for when he actually does win the WWE Championship - it is much more meaningful.

Chris Jericho returning - like Dolph, love the man (especially as a fellow Canadian), but I admit, I was expecting someone/something even more bigger and/or a bit more of a twist, since most signs/rumours already did point to Jericho. (Hence my "wild-card" call of Vince & Linda based on the boy & girl in the promos). Oh well, still great to have him back and will be intriguing the role he's going to fit on the roster.

Overall though, excellent start for the WWE in this episode of Monday Night Raw, so let's keep it up shall we next week! Until then Happy New Year, and as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online readers and wrestling fans!