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| Reported by Earnest I Aguilar |
Wow! What a Royal Rumble! Or at least that's what I'm hoping, as I have managed NOT to find out what happened and once again have a true natural reaction to the results of last night's mega-pay-per-view while I type this report and watch the show. So, no more speculation and anticipation...let's read on and see how the state of WWE may have changed in three hours last night or two-and-a-bit tonight, as the Road To Wrestlemania has begun!
Monday Night Raw for January 30, 2012 - "Decisions, Decisions"
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
Regular Raw video plays and the pyro explodes in the arena, as we are officially on the Road To WrestleMania proclaims Michael Cole.
Justin Roberts announces Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis who walks out with a smile on his face and embraces the entire WWE fans around the arena. Laurinaitis gets in the ring and takes the microphone.
He says he is looking forward to tonight and is confident he will be named the permanent General Manager of Monday Night Raw. He wastes no time in booking the main-event for the next pay-per-view, Elimination Chamber.
The match is as follows, WWE Champion C.M. Punk (dang, kinda hoping that Dolph won last night) will defend his title against Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, R-Truth, & Chris Jericho. That is on February 19th.
Tonight though, Laurinaitis makes matches for Raw. They are Eve challenging Beth Phoenix for the Divas Title, Kofi Kingston VS. The Miz, Dolph Ziggler takes on Randy Orton, and for the first time (in WWE) World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan (called that one from last night!) wrestles WWE Champion C.M. Punk! (should be a pay-per-view match, but in any case, give 'em plenty of time to wrestle and I'll be happy!)
Speaking of the WWE Champion, he himself interrupts the proceedings and gets the crowd, commentators, ring announcers, and even the doctor to chant "Hey-hey-hey-Goodbye!" He climbs in the ring and tells Big Johnny "goodbye clown-shoes." Laurinaitis demands an apology because he did not screw Punk out of the championship at Royal Rumble.
Instead, Punk berates the Interim G.M. some more until Laurinaitis gloats his "successes" on Raw. He offers a handshake but the "Straight-Edge Superstar" declines.
World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan now interjects and tells Punk & Laurinaitis that no one cares about their "petty little soap opera." He informs Punk that he is not exactly a challenge compared to his Steel Cage match from last night. Bryan talks about his veganism, but C.M. makes light of it. Bryan threatens Punk again, but Punk just wants to give Kansas City the greatest wrestling match in the world between the two.
The Royal Rumble winner now gets involved. This man reminds the two heavyweight champions that he is the 2012 Royal Rumble winner, they will defend their championships at Elimination Chamber, Laurinaitis could be fired, and that he will be in the main event at WrestleMania, and be either the next WWE or World Heavyweight Champion.
He then leaves Laurinaitis with a little Irish saying (which I didn't understand, so won't type.) Oh, and this man is SHEAMUS! (Certainly did not see him winning, but congrats anyway to a hard-working & great wrestler).
Up next are Orton & Ziggler.
Commercials.
Match #1: Single - Randy Orton VS. Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero)
Prior to this match, it is announced that Randy will face Wade Barrett again on Smackdown this Friday. Also, Barrett is watching from a luxury skybox in the arena currently and provides commentary.
Collar/elbow tie-up into the corner and Dolph punches away. Reversed Irish Whip and double-leapfrogs by both, which sees Ziggler show off. Head lock takedown from Orton now and a shoulder-block. Orton has Dolph in the corner for a 10-punch and then clotheslines him out of the opposite corner. Dolph counters a rush by Orton and drop kicks him in the back to regain his composure for a quick break.
Ads.
Dolph now has Randy in a grounding rear chin lock, but Orton wiggles out only to get booted in the face. 1 - 2 - Orton kicks out! Ziggler flies into the corner for a splash but misses, which allows Randy to try a couple clotheslines and an uppercut, but misses on that and instead gets drop kicked again for a near fall! Neckbreaker and sit-ups now by Ziggler!
Dolph stalks "The Viper" and ascends the top rope, but Orton cuts him off and Ziggler is dangling upside down. Hard right hands by Randy and he follows with a superplex. 1 - 2 - shoulder up from Ziggler! Orton begins a comeback of his usual routine, but Ziggler reverses the slingshot-DDT into a sleeper hold!
However, Orton counters and rolls up Ziggler for a two-count! Ziggler manages Famasser leg drop also for a two-count! Zig-Zag try is countered by Orton and he clotheslines Ziggler over the ropes and chucks him into the barricade. This time, Randy manages to plant Dolph with the slingshot-DDT and an R.K.O. for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Randy Orton
Commercials.
Segment #2: Recap
Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler commentate on the Kane VS. John Cena match, which I called would end in a destructive brawl. Kane laid waste to Cena and also Zack Ryder, who was watching in a locker room of his own.
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Interim Raw G.M. Laurinaitis is in the backstage area making nice with anybody (namely William Regal and Curt Hawkins) he walks into.
Ads.
Match #2: Single - "The Funkasaurus" Brodus Clay (with the Funkettes) VS. Tyler Reks
Squash! (More or less). Tyler gets a little more offense than other opponents but Brodus quickly finishes off Reks quickly with his "What the Funk?" Crossbody.
Winner via Pinfall: "The Funkasaurus" Brodus Clay
Segment #4: Locker Room Promo
WWE Champion C.M. Punk is tying his boots when World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan walks in. They say they are friends but engage in a debate of what a "vegan & straight-edge" are, as well as who is a role-model. Punk says he never claimed to be a role model, just the best wrestler in the world.
And their match is up next (should be the main event!)
Commercials.
Match #3: Single - WWE Champion C.M. Punk VS. World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan (Non-Title)
Shaking of hands (or "Code Of Honor" for another company they were both in) commences the bout then a tie-up and head lock from Punk. Irish Whip and shoulder-block from C.M. but get then gets nailed with a drop kick from Bryan. Daniel locks in a submission and kicks away. Punk counters with kicks of his own and a knee to the back.
Scoop slam from Punk but he misses a standing legdrop. Bryan now pushes his knee into the side of C.M.'s face while gripping his right hand. Punk hangs onto the ropes following another Irish Whips then dumps the World Champ to the outside.
C.M. & Bryan slug it out and Daniel throws Punk over the barricade. He makes it back in the ring before the 10-count though. Another head lock is reversed into a back drop by Punk on Bryan, then he flies off the ropes with a springboard clothesline. 1 - 2 - Bryan kicks out!
Back breaker for another near fall by Punk! Bryan turns another whip around but misses a running calf-kick in the corner. The WWE Champion clamps on a rear chin lock. Bryan now maneuvers around another whip and clothesline, and both wrestlers collide with a cross body into each other.
Ads.
Back live, an arm submission is grapples by Bryan to wear-down Punk's arm. He climbs the top rope but C.M. runs at him with a big boot. The "Straight-Edge" Superstar yells "best in the world" at Daniel and then takes him off the turnbuckle with a hurricanrana! Swinging neackbreaker, followed by the running-knee & bulldog combo.
He signals for the G.T.S but Bryan squirms out of it. He nails Punk in the head with a forearm and then soars through the air with a front drop kick. 1 - 2 - shoulder up by Punk!
Kicks to the chest and one to the head is missed and Punk rolls up Bryan for a two! Daniel lands on his feet after a German suplex try, then gets sunset flipped himself out of a hurricanrana for a near fall! Harder kick-to-the-head lands this time and Punk is down.
Daniel covers for 1 - 2 - Punk kicks out again! Daniel places Punk atop the turnbuckle but C.M. pushes him off and points to the sky for a flying elbow. 1 - 2 - Daniel kicks out! The "Second-City-Saint" attempts a Go-To-Sleep, but Bryan reverses into a crucifix pinning combo. 1 - 2 - Daniel kicks out again!
Lebell Lock is attempted but Punk fights out and slingshots Bryan into the top turnbuckle and takes him out with a kick-to-the-head. Just then, Chris Jericho runs out and pulls Daniel from the ring. He slides under the ropes and delivers a Codebreaker to the WWE Champion!
Winner via Disqualification: World Heavyweight Champion
Post match, Daniel celebrates his tainted win as Jericho stares down a fallen WWE Champion, who is left puzzled in the ring.
Segment #5: WWE Hall-Of-Fame Announcement
After 4 weeks, the 7th inductee (I count the Four Horsemen as a group, but individuals as well) is revealed for the 2012 class. This man goes into the celebrity wing of the H.O.F. and he is - boxing legend and the "baddest man on the planet" "Iron" Mike Tyson! (Slightly disappointed at first, because I thought it should've been a wrestler, however this selection totally does make sense considering the impact he did have 14 years ago for the Royal Rumble 1998 and WrestleMania XIV, also in '98.)
Commercials.
Match #4: Single - Kofi Kingston VS. The Miz
(Note: R-Truth is out on commentary). Prior to the match, The Miz rips on Kofi's handstand from the Royal Rumble and proclaims that he will headline WrestleMania again as the WWE Champion, since he is the Miz and he is awesome!
Standoff and lock up with a waist lock and head lock by Kofi. Kingston tries to slide under Miz's legs but gets caught and hammered away at then a stiff kick-to-the-face. 1 - 2 - kickout from Kingston! Kofi begins to fight back with punches but misses a splash in the corner and gets a knee-to-the-face instead.
However, he small-packages Miz for a near fall! Clothesline from Miz gives him control again, as does a clothesline in the corner and a diving axe handle. 1 - 2 - Kofi kicks out! Rear chin lock clamped on, but Kingston fights out of that too, but right into a DDT from Miz for a two-count!
Miz attempts his corner clothesline again but gets nailed in the head with a flipping kick by Kingston, who follows up with a diving cross body. He manages rolls out of a Skull Krushing Finale attempt and drops The Miz with his Trouble In Paradise spin kick for the win!
Winner via Pinfall: Kofi Kingston
Segment #6: Office Promo
John Laurinaitis is texting when David Otunga walks in and says he has done everything to influence the decision and says he's sure it will work out. Laurinaitis is still nervous.
Ads.
Segment #7: Video Promo
A highlight package on The Rock's WWE Career and Movie Career is aired.
Commercials.
Match #5: Single for the WWE Divas Championship - Eve Torres (Challenger) VS. Beth Phoenix (Champion)
Aggressive earlier, Eve takes her frustrations out on Beth in the corner quickly with punches, but just as quickly, Phoenix gets out of it and hits her Glam Slam finisher. 1 - 2 - 3!
Winner via Pinfall & STILL WWE Divas Champion: Beth Phoenix
Post match, Kane appears on the Titan Tron and asks Eve how it feels to know that everything with Zack Ryder could have been avoided if John Cena just "embraced the hate." Until he does, he knows he can't beat Kane or The Rock. Kane promises to inflict more pain on Ryder until Cena does so, and tonight he uses Torres as a "conduit" to past that message along.
Kane's pyro blasts in the arena and he appears behind her in the ring. Eve tries to crawl off but John Cena runs out faster than I've ever seen him do so, so he and Kane can continue to engage in a brawl around the arena. Cena eventually picks up the steel steps and wallops Kane in the side and twice in the head.
Cena takes the microphone from Justin Roberts and smashes Kane again in the head, and tries to put Kane through the announce table with an Attitude Adjustment, but Kane escapes and retreats to the backstage area. Cena salutes the crowd, pleased with the carnage he personally delivered to Kane.
John Laurinaitis is shown walking to the ring for his moment of truth!
Ads.
Segment #8: Arena Promo
Executive Vice President Of Talent Relations and Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis takes an opportunity to tote his accomplishments since taking the position. He describes his "self-assessment" before his performance evaluation, and gave himself high marks in areas such as communication, team work, creativeness, and delivering quality results.
Before he can continue, the C.O.O. of the WWE and "The Game" Triple H returns to Raw. HHH makes fun of the "fives" but tells John to forget all the evaluations. Instead, he accuses Laurinaitis of taking the job as Raw G.M. to make himself a star, something he could not do as a wrestler. Triple H throws all his faults back in his face and tells him that he let "personal decisions" cloud his judgment. Laurinaitis back tracks and claims he will "do anything" to keep this job.
HHH informs him that his statement really does mean "anything" so to start, he has John apologize to the WWE Fans. Laurinaitis does so, but they boo him out of the building, so to speak. No go!
Triple H then suggests a gauntlet match, for every superstar to come and beat down Laurinaitis. However, that would take too long, so instead HHH takes a page from Vince McMahon's book - for John to join a certain "club."
Laurinaitis says he will prove his loyalty, slaps some chap stick (seriously) on his lips and gets down on his knees to join that club. However, Trips isn't going for it, since that is just too sick.
Finally, "The Game" just announces that he is back. He is back running Raw thanks to the board members and wants to "truly wish you well in all..."
GONG!
The lights go out, then color the place blue and purple with smoke, and the familiar music of the one and only blares the arena. Heee's baaack! The Undertaker has arrived!
He saunters to the ring and circles around Triple H, staring him down. 'Taker then looks up at the Wrestle
"The Game" pats him on the shoulder and walks off. Big boos from the crowd for that gesture and Undertaker is left alone in the ring, his music playing and chants of his name to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter's Ramblings - By Moe Tapp
Well, after 4 straight weeks of great ones, tonight ends the streak. While the wrestling matches themselves were above average, some of the storylines and promos just did not mesh together for me. The descriptions below will tell why:
Excellence: The wrestling - in particular Miz/Kofi, Ziggler/Orton & Bryan/Punk. Awesome (no pun intended!) ring work by the six men in their individual contests and the Bryan/Punk match had me truly suspended trying to figure out who actually will win. Sheamus winning the 'Rumble and then his promo - as I said above, total surprise (did not call him) and I thought he did a good job of putting himself and his potential competitors for WrestleMania over, while teasing who he will challenge.
Mike Tyson in the Hall-Of-Fame - for the reason he is an actual sports star and had a huge impact on the media when he got involved in WWE back in 1998 (which I remember very clearly as an 11/12-year-old - birthday is in March, around the time of WrestleMania!) John Cena rampaging on Kane - embracing the hate.
I actually really like this story and the emotion that both Kane & Cena are not only pulling out of each other, but also Cena's friends Zack Ryder and Eve Torres - very believable.
Bogus: Pretty much everything else. I thought there was way too much in the opening promo, even though it did set up the Bryan/Punk match, it just seemed there was this, that, and a whole lot of other being rushed into the segment. Ziggler losing to Randy Orton again - he always ends up eating an R.K.O., and while I understand because Randy "came back" and is in a major match on Smackdown, I think they could've had Barrett cost Orton the match and given Dolph the much-needed win to keep some momentum going on his behalf.
The champion VS. champion match being in the middle - that should've been the MAIN EVENT since it was the company's HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS/TOP GUYS (technically on the ladder of success right now) wrestling. Also, it would've been a fine segway into the ending promo.
Speaking of segways into the ending promo (okay, that was bad I know!), was not that enthralled by it, and to honest, not that excited for another rematch between 'Taker and Triple H. While I'm sure they'll put on another classic at the "Grand Daddy of Them All", I am seriously scared that HHH will end up beating The Deadman and ending the streak, something that should either be kept intact OR saved for a person that they bet the house on to be the future of the WWE.
Triple H does NOT need to win this pending match, as he is already a mega-star and future Hall-Of-Famer. Finally, it was basically the same set-up as last year too, minus the return videos.
Overall, I just didn't get the "gitters" and excitement that I have had since the new year began while watching Raw tonight, but I can say that they are allowed to foul up once in a while. However, only once in a while, so please improve next week! Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
Monday Night Raw for January 30, 2012 - "Decisions, Decisions"
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
Regular Raw video plays and the pyro explodes in the arena, as we are officially on the Road To WrestleMania proclaims Michael Cole.
Justin Roberts announces Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis who walks out with a smile on his face and embraces the entire WWE fans around the arena. Laurinaitis gets in the ring and takes the microphone.
He says he is looking forward to tonight and is confident he will be named the permanent General Manager of Monday Night Raw. He wastes no time in booking the main-event for the next pay-per-view, Elimination Chamber.
The match is as follows, WWE Champion C.M. Punk (dang, kinda hoping that Dolph won last night) will defend his title against Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, R-Truth, & Chris Jericho. That is on February 19th.
Tonight though, Laurinaitis makes matches for Raw. They are Eve challenging Beth Phoenix for the Divas Title, Kofi Kingston VS. The Miz, Dolph Ziggler takes on Randy Orton, and for the first time (in WWE) World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan (called that one from last night!) wrestles WWE Champion C.M. Punk! (should be a pay-per-view match, but in any case, give 'em plenty of time to wrestle and I'll be happy!)
Speaking of the WWE Champion, he himself interrupts the proceedings and gets the crowd, commentators, ring announcers, and even the doctor to chant "Hey-hey-hey-Goodbye!" He climbs in the ring and tells Big Johnny "goodbye clown-shoes." Laurinaitis demands an apology because he did not screw Punk out of the championship at Royal Rumble.
Instead, Punk berates the Interim G.M. some more until Laurinaitis gloats his "successes" on Raw. He offers a handshake but the "Straight-Edge Superstar" declines.
World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan now interjects and tells Punk & Laurinaitis that no one cares about their "petty little soap opera." He informs Punk that he is not exactly a challenge compared to his Steel Cage match from last night. Bryan talks about his veganism, but C.M. makes light of it. Bryan threatens Punk again, but Punk just wants to give Kansas City the greatest wrestling match in the world between the two.
The Royal Rumble winner now gets involved. This man reminds the two heavyweight champions that he is the 2012 Royal Rumble winner, they will defend their championships at Elimination Chamber, Laurinaitis could be fired, and that he will be in the main event at WrestleMania, and be either the next WWE or World Heavyweight Champion.
He then leaves Laurinaitis with a little Irish saying (which I didn't understand, so won't type.) Oh, and this man is SHEAMUS! (Certainly did not see him winning, but congrats anyway to a hard-working & great wrestler).
Up next are Orton & Ziggler.
Commercials.
Match #1: Single - Randy Orton VS. Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero)
Prior to this match, it is announced that Randy will face Wade Barrett again on Smackdown this Friday. Also, Barrett is watching from a luxury skybox in the arena currently and provides commentary.
Collar/elbow tie-up into the corner and Dolph punches away. Reversed Irish Whip and double-leapfrogs by both, which sees Ziggler show off. Head lock takedown from Orton now and a shoulder-block. Orton has Dolph in the corner for a 10-punch and then clotheslines him out of the opposite corner. Dolph counters a rush by Orton and drop kicks him in the back to regain his composure for a quick break.
Ads.
Dolph now has Randy in a grounding rear chin lock, but Orton wiggles out only to get booted in the face. 1 - 2 - Orton kicks out! Ziggler flies into the corner for a splash but misses, which allows Randy to try a couple clotheslines and an uppercut, but misses on that and instead gets drop kicked again for a near fall! Neckbreaker and sit-ups now by Ziggler!
Dolph stalks "The Viper" and ascends the top rope, but Orton cuts him off and Ziggler is dangling upside down. Hard right hands by Randy and he follows with a superplex. 1 - 2 - shoulder up from Ziggler! Orton begins a comeback of his usual routine, but Ziggler reverses the slingshot-DDT into a sleeper hold!
However, Orton counters and rolls up Ziggler for a two-count! Ziggler manages Famasser leg drop also for a two-count! Zig-Zag try is countered by Orton and he clotheslines Ziggler over the ropes and chucks him into the barricade. This time, Randy manages to plant Dolph with the slingshot-DDT and an R.K.O. for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Randy Orton
Commercials.
Segment #2: Recap
Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler commentate on the Kane VS. John Cena match, which I called would end in a destructive brawl. Kane laid waste to Cena and also Zack Ryder, who was watching in a locker room of his own.
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Interim Raw G.M. Laurinaitis is in the backstage area making nice with anybody (namely William Regal and Curt Hawkins) he walks into.
Ads.
Match #2: Single - "The Funkasaurus" Brodus Clay (with the Funkettes) VS. Tyler Reks
Squash! (More or less). Tyler gets a little more offense than other opponents but Brodus quickly finishes off Reks quickly with his "What the Funk?" Crossbody.
Winner via Pinfall: "The Funkasaurus" Brodus Clay
Segment #4: Locker Room Promo
WWE Champion C.M. Punk is tying his boots when World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan walks in. They say they are friends but engage in a debate of what a "vegan & straight-edge" are, as well as who is a role-model. Punk says he never claimed to be a role model, just the best wrestler in the world.
And their match is up next (should be the main event!)
Commercials.
Match #3: Single - WWE Champion C.M. Punk VS. World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan (Non-Title)
Shaking of hands (or "Code Of Honor" for another company they were both in) commences the bout then a tie-up and head lock from Punk. Irish Whip and shoulder-block from C.M. but get then gets nailed with a drop kick from Bryan. Daniel locks in a submission and kicks away. Punk counters with kicks of his own and a knee to the back.
Scoop slam from Punk but he misses a standing legdrop. Bryan now pushes his knee into the side of C.M.'s face while gripping his right hand. Punk hangs onto the ropes following another Irish Whips then dumps the World Champ to the outside.
C.M. & Bryan slug it out and Daniel throws Punk over the barricade. He makes it back in the ring before the 10-count though. Another head lock is reversed into a back drop by Punk on Bryan, then he flies off the ropes with a springboard clothesline. 1 - 2 - Bryan kicks out!
Back breaker for another near fall by Punk! Bryan turns another whip around but misses a running calf-kick in the corner. The WWE Champion clamps on a rear chin lock. Bryan now maneuvers around another whip and clothesline, and both wrestlers collide with a cross body into each other.
Ads.
Back live, an arm submission is grapples by Bryan to wear-down Punk's arm. He climbs the top rope but C.M. runs at him with a big boot. The "Straight-Edge" Superstar yells "best in the world" at Daniel and then takes him off the turnbuckle with a hurricanrana! Swinging neackbreaker, followed by the running-knee & bulldog combo.
He signals for the G.T.S but Bryan squirms out of it. He nails Punk in the head with a forearm and then soars through the air with a front drop kick. 1 - 2 - shoulder up by Punk!
Kicks to the chest and one to the head is missed and Punk rolls up Bryan for a two! Daniel lands on his feet after a German suplex try, then gets sunset flipped himself out of a hurricanrana for a near fall! Harder kick-to-the-head lands this time and Punk is down.
Daniel covers for 1 - 2 - Punk kicks out again! Daniel places Punk atop the turnbuckle but C.M. pushes him off and points to the sky for a flying elbow. 1 - 2 - Daniel kicks out! The "Second-City-Saint" attempts a Go-To-Sleep, but Bryan reverses into a crucifix pinning combo. 1 - 2 - Daniel kicks out again!
Lebell Lock is attempted but Punk fights out and slingshots Bryan into the top turnbuckle and takes him out with a kick-to-the-head. Just then, Chris Jericho runs out and pulls Daniel from the ring. He slides under the ropes and delivers a Codebreaker to the WWE Champion!
Winner via Disqualification: World Heavyweight Champion
Post match, Daniel celebrates his tainted win as Jericho stares down a fallen WWE Champion, who is left puzzled in the ring.
Segment #5: WWE Hall-Of-Fame Announcement
After 4 weeks, the 7th inductee (I count the Four Horsemen as a group, but individuals as well) is revealed for the 2012 class. This man goes into the celebrity wing of the H.O.F. and he is - boxing legend and the "baddest man on the planet" "Iron" Mike Tyson! (Slightly disappointed at first, because I thought it should've been a wrestler, however this selection totally does make sense considering the impact he did have 14 years ago for the Royal Rumble 1998 and WrestleMania XIV, also in '98.)
Commercials.
Match #4: Single - Kofi Kingston VS. The Miz
(Note: R-Truth is out on commentary). Prior to the match, The Miz rips on Kofi's handstand from the Royal Rumble and proclaims that he will headline WrestleMania again as the WWE Champion, since he is the Miz and he is awesome!
Standoff and lock up with a waist lock and head lock by Kofi. Kingston tries to slide under Miz's legs but gets caught and hammered away at then a stiff kick-to-the-face. 1 - 2 - kickout from Kingston! Kofi begins to fight back with punches but misses a splash in the corner and gets a knee-to-the-face instead.
However, he small-packages Miz for a near fall! Clothesline from Miz gives him control again, as does a clothesline in the corner and a diving axe handle. 1 - 2 - Kofi kicks out! Rear chin lock clamped on, but Kingston fights out of that too, but right into a DDT from Miz for a two-count!
Miz attempts his corner clothesline again but gets nailed in the head with a flipping kick by Kingston, who follows up with a diving cross body. He manages rolls out of a Skull Krushing Finale attempt and drops The Miz with his Trouble In Paradise spin kick for the win!
Winner via Pinfall: Kofi Kingston
Segment #6: Office Promo
John Laurinaitis is texting when David Otunga walks in and says he has done everything to influence the decision and says he's sure it will work out. Laurinaitis is still nervous.
Ads.
Segment #7: Video Promo
A highlight package on The Rock's WWE Career and Movie Career is aired.
Commercials.
Match #5: Single for the WWE Divas Championship - Eve Torres (Challenger) VS. Beth Phoenix (Champion)
Aggressive earlier, Eve takes her frustrations out on Beth in the corner quickly with punches, but just as quickly, Phoenix gets out of it and hits her Glam Slam finisher. 1 - 2 - 3!
Winner via Pinfall & STILL WWE Divas Champion: Beth Phoenix
Post match, Kane appears on the Titan Tron and asks Eve how it feels to know that everything with Zack Ryder could have been avoided if John Cena just "embraced the hate." Until he does, he knows he can't beat Kane or The Rock. Kane promises to inflict more pain on Ryder until Cena does so, and tonight he uses Torres as a "conduit" to past that message along.
Kane's pyro blasts in the arena and he appears behind her in the ring. Eve tries to crawl off but John Cena runs out faster than I've ever seen him do so, so he and Kane can continue to engage in a brawl around the arena. Cena eventually picks up the steel steps and wallops Kane in the side and twice in the head.
Cena takes the microphone from Justin Roberts and smashes Kane again in the head, and tries to put Kane through the announce table with an Attitude Adjustment, but Kane escapes and retreats to the backstage area. Cena salutes the crowd, pleased with the carnage he personally delivered to Kane.
John Laurinaitis is shown walking to the ring for his moment of truth!
Ads.
Segment #8: Arena Promo
Executive Vice President Of Talent Relations and Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis takes an opportunity to tote his accomplishments since taking the position. He describes his "self-assessment" before his performance evaluation, and gave himself high marks in areas such as communication, team work, creativeness, and delivering quality results.
Before he can continue, the C.O.O. of the WWE and "The Game" Triple H returns to Raw. HHH makes fun of the "fives" but tells John to forget all the evaluations. Instead, he accuses Laurinaitis of taking the job as Raw G.M. to make himself a star, something he could not do as a wrestler. Triple H throws all his faults back in his face and tells him that he let "personal decisions" cloud his judgment. Laurinaitis back tracks and claims he will "do anything" to keep this job.
HHH informs him that his statement really does mean "anything" so to start, he has John apologize to the WWE Fans. Laurinaitis does so, but they boo him out of the building, so to speak. No go!
Triple H then suggests a gauntlet match, for every superstar to come and beat down Laurinaitis. However, that would take too long, so instead HHH takes a page from Vince McMahon's book - for John to join a certain "club."
Laurinaitis says he will prove his loyalty, slaps some chap stick (seriously) on his lips and gets down on his knees to join that club. However, Trips isn't going for it, since that is just too sick.
Finally, "The Game" just announces that he is back. He is back running Raw thanks to the board members and wants to "truly wish you well in all..."
GONG!
The lights go out, then color the place blue and purple with smoke, and the familiar music of the one and only blares the arena. Heee's baaack! The Undertaker has arrived!
He saunters to the ring and circles around Triple H, staring him down. 'Taker then looks up at the Wrestle
"The Game" pats him on the shoulder and walks off. Big boos from the crowd for that gesture and Undertaker is left alone in the ring, his music playing and chants of his name to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter's Ramblings - By Moe Tapp
Well, after 4 straight weeks of great ones, tonight ends the streak. While the wrestling matches themselves were above average, some of the storylines and promos just did not mesh together for me. The descriptions below will tell why:
Excellence: The wrestling - in particular Miz/Kofi, Ziggler/Orton & Bryan/Punk. Awesome (no pun intended!) ring work by the six men in their individual contests and the Bryan/Punk match had me truly suspended trying to figure out who actually will win. Sheamus winning the 'Rumble and then his promo - as I said above, total surprise (did not call him) and I thought he did a good job of putting himself and his potential competitors for WrestleMania over, while teasing who he will challenge.
Mike Tyson in the Hall-Of-Fame - for the reason he is an actual sports star and had a huge impact on the media when he got involved in WWE back in 1998 (which I remember very clearly as an 11/12-year-old - birthday is in March, around the time of WrestleMania!) John Cena rampaging on Kane - embracing the hate.
I actually really like this story and the emotion that both Kane & Cena are not only pulling out of each other, but also Cena's friends Zack Ryder and Eve Torres - very believable.
Bogus: Pretty much everything else. I thought there was way too much in the opening promo, even though it did set up the Bryan/Punk match, it just seemed there was this, that, and a whole lot of other being rushed into the segment. Ziggler losing to Randy Orton again - he always ends up eating an R.K.O., and while I understand because Randy "came back" and is in a major match on Smackdown, I think they could've had Barrett cost Orton the match and given Dolph the much-needed win to keep some momentum going on his behalf.
The champion VS. champion match being in the middle - that should've been the MAIN EVENT since it was the company's HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONS/TOP GUYS (technically on the ladder of success right now) wrestling. Also, it would've been a fine segway into the ending promo.
Speaking of segways into the ending promo (okay, that was bad I know!), was not that enthralled by it, and to honest, not that excited for another rematch between 'Taker and Triple H. While I'm sure they'll put on another classic at the "Grand Daddy of Them All", I am seriously scared that HHH will end up beating The Deadman and ending the streak, something that should either be kept intact OR saved for a person that they bet the house on to be the future of the WWE.
Triple H does NOT need to win this pending match, as he is already a mega-star and future Hall-Of-Famer. Finally, it was basically the same set-up as last year too, minus the return videos.
Overall, I just didn't get the "gitters" and excitement that I have had since the new year began while watching Raw tonight, but I can say that they are allowed to foul up once in a while. However, only once in a while, so please improve next week! Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
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