Monday Night Raw TV report for 01/09/2012

Reported by Earnest I Aguilar

Welcome to Raw Is Jericho! That's right, one of the most charismatic wrestlers in all of PRO-WRESTLING history is back on Monday Nights. Following an intriguing return last week, what does Chris Jericho have planned out for himself and us fans? Will we even find out tonight? 

Plus, the continuing drama between WWE Champion C.M. Punk, his challenger for the championship Dolph Ziggler, and the Raw Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis is sure to continue; as well as the feud between Kane & John Cena, with Cena's loyalty to his fans still being questioned.

Plus, which Smackdown star will show up for a match? Finally, there is a rumor that the Hall Of Fame announcements shall begin tonight. Who will be the first name? Only one way to find out and that's to read on and enjoy!

Monday Night Raw for January 09, 2012 - "Love And Hate"

Introduction Segment: Recap

A montage reviews the ending to last week's show, where Kane rose up from beneath the ring and tried to drag United States Champion Zack Ryder through it, while John Cena looked astonished. No Raw video or opening pyro, instead we get right into...

Segment #1: Arena Promo

Kane's pyro blasts and out comes the Big Red Machine. He informs us (while the arena is dimmed in his red light) that while he hears the whispers and looks of questions and wonder as to why he embraces "hate." Kane calls us "deplorably depict able and in denial," and lays out some examples that we may not like in our lives, such as our spouses (well, I'm single, so that's out the door!), jobs, (which I actually like, so strike two for Kane!), and well, I also don't have children, so can't agree with him there either! 

In any case, he claims the general public live our lives with pure hate and we don't embrace it because we are too cowardly or fill them with delusions of hope.

Another example is John Cena. Kane says he represents hope, success, and all the things that people want to achieve, but can't. Instead, we should see all our faults and failings in Cena, and that should make us mad because when we chant "Cena sucks" we are really saying that we do. He also points out Zack Ryder, saying that even though we made him a star, it still proves nothing. 

Kane demands consequences for us to refusing to "embrace the hate" (hey, new slogan/catchphrase?) but before he lists them, John Cena's music blares the speakers and he walks out to the stage. All business tonight, as he immediately strips off his hat & t-shirt, running for Kane. 

They brawl in the ring, out of the ring, through the crowd, backstage, and into the parking lot. Kane tosses Cena into some pipes and barrels, then Cena whacks Kane with one of those pipes. Kane retaliates with an uppercut to push John aside, and then disappears. Cena is looking around as the break hits.

Commercials.

Match #1: Tag-Team - Sheamus & Santino Marella VS. Wade Barrett & Jinder Mahal

Santino & Jinder start this bout. Santino tries some kicks to begin, then a few quick jabs. Mahal grabs him and takes Marella down with a hard knee-to-the-gut and running knee-to-the-face for a two-count. Wade tags in and controls over Santino, locking in a grounding-rear chin lock. 

Back to Jinder who stomps away then grips a rear chin lock of his own. Marella manages to get out of it, nailing Jinder with a split-legged jawbreaker. Tag to Sheamus allows "Great White" to fire up and hammer away on Mahal, taking down with a over-the-shoulder powerslam and Brogue Kick. He tags back Santino, who strikes Jinder in the head with The Cobra for the 1 - 2 - 3!

Winners via Pinfall: Santino Marella & Sheamus

Segment #2: Office Promo

The Miz is wondering why a certain someone has not done anything about R-Truth assaulting him two weeks in a row. That someone is Raw Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis, who tells Miz that he got himself into it, and it is not John's problem. He has to worry about refereeing the WWE Championship Match at Royal Rumble, and running the Raw Supershow tonight. Laurinaitis informs Miz that he can get his own protection, and that he is not "Little Jimmy", but "Big Johnny!" (Great line!)

We also find out that WWE Champion C.M. Punk is wrestling Jack Swagger tonight, and up next is the announcement for the first inductee to the 2012 Hall-Of-Fame. (Oooh!)

Ads.

Segment #3: WWE Hall-Of-Fame Announcement

The video begins with the phrase: "On March 31st, The WWE Hall Of Fame will get Rated R!" EDGE!!! Comments from Jim Ross, John Cena, Randy Orton, C.M. Punk, & Christian are voiced, along with a song from the hard-rock band Seether titled "Tonight." 

(Excellent choice of course, and truly surprised. I knew he'd be in it, I just did not think this soon! Very cool! And on a personal note, I'm almost 26, but yet feel really old for a few moments now, seeing a wrestler I literately grew up watching now be inducted into the Hall-Of-Fame at his young age too! How time flies as the cliche goes!)

Segment #4: Backstage Promos

The Miz is seen talking to Mason Ryan about possible protection, but Ryan just shakes his head and walks off. Meanwhile, United States Champion Zack Ryder is telling his dad on the phone that he is scared of Kane, until Eve walks in and then he he does a 180 into tough-guy. He asks Eve out, but she tells him about a match she has, so they will go out after. Kane then appears from behind a door, stalking "Long-Island Ice-Z."

Commercials.

Match #2: Single - WWE Tag-Team Champion Kofi Kingston VS. World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan

Shaking of hands (otherwise known as a "Code Of Honor" in another company) begin the bout, as does a lock up, wrist lock, reversed Irish whip, and a springboard crossbody from Kofi Kingston. Two reverse roll-ups for two-counts, but Kofi counters and tries another springboard crossbody, but Bryan ducks and clamps on the Labell Lock to end this way-to-short of a could've been great match. 

Winner via Submission: World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan

Just as Bryan is continuing to celebrate, The Big Show's music and pyro blast.

Segment #5: Arena Promo

Bryan cuts off Show quickly and defends himself, claiming he hated how his match with Big ended on Friday's Smackdown. (Read the report online at wrestling-online.com) He tells Show that the World Title is much too prestigious to be decided like that, so he declares that Show can have a rematch however and whenever he wants. 

Big is glad to hear that, since Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long also agrees and the contest will happen this Friday (01.13.12). Unlike last week however, this time it will be a No-Disqualification, No-Count-Out match.

We also learn that Chris Jericho will be live tonight and they plug the Punk/Swagger match again. And up next, the debut of Brodus Clay.

Ads.

Match #3: Single - "The Funk-A-Saurus" (yes, you read that right!) Brodus Clay VS. Curt Hawkins

Justin Roberts announces "after weeks of anticipation, finally landing on Monday Night Raw, from 'Planet Funk', please welcome 'The Funk-A-Saurus' Brodus Clay." (again, you read that right). 

Brodus dances his grand entrance with a couple of African-American disco dancers and is decked out in a full-on track body suit and bowler hat - all bright, bright red. His new theme is "Somebody Call My Mama." 

Brodus completely dominates this match, and plays up his new disco-king gimmick. (Which to me is a cross between Ernest "The Cat" Miller, The Godfather, & Viscera when he was doing the pajama-women-loving gig). 

In short, since both his entrance and this description were longer than the actual match, Clay finishes him off with a splash-in-the-corner and running-crossbody off the ropes. 

Winner via Pinfall: "The Funk-A-Saurus" (for the third time, you read that right!) Brodus Clay

Segment #6: Backstage Promos

Zack Ryder is brushing his teeth in the bathroom and convincing himself that he looks great and finally did it to ask Eve out on a date. He then gets spooked and runs out of the can. Elsewhere, Miz is trying to get help from Primo & Epico, but Rosa Mendes tells him (basically) in Spanish - no way!

Up next is C.M. & Jack.

Commercials.

Match #4: Single - "The All-American American" Jack Swagger (with Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero) VS. WWE Champion C.M. Punk (Non-Title)

Before the bout starts, John Laurinaitis makes his first live appearance in the arena tonight. He tells Punk that if he beats Swagger, then Swagger & Vickie will be banned from ringside at Royal Rumble. Also, Ziggler is booked to face John Cena later tonight.

Jack attempts an amateur take down to start out, which is countered with a front-facelock by Punk, countered with a fireman's carry from Swagger. Lock up and waist lock by Swagger, Punk locks in a side headlock, which Jack rolls through. Punk kicks away at Jack and plants him with a scoop slam. Punk goes to the top but Jack rolls out of the ring to break it up.

A re-entry has "The All-American-American" gain control and pound away on the WWE Champion. Punk soon ducks a couple clotheslines and executes a springboard crossbody for 2! A couple Irish Whip turn-arounds and Swagger attempts the Ankle Lock, but Punk pushes off. 

Jack takes down C.M. and backs him into the corner. A Butterfly submission is clamped on by Jack, which Punk fights out off, but soon gets tossed out to the ring anyway. "The Straight-Edge Superstar" turns it around, clotheslines Swagger outside, and Suicide Dives him.

Ads.

Back live, Swagger now has Punk in a front-facelock and boots the Champ in the face. 1 - 2 - C.M. kicks out! Jack delivers some forearms-to-the-back, but Punk soon fights back. "The Second-City Saint" punches & kicks away at Jack, follows up with a swinging neckbreaker, and the knees-in-the-corner/bulldog combo. 

The last part failed, as Jack countered with a backdrop and then sprung off the second rope with his Swaggerbomb. 1 - 2 - Punk kicks out! Huge "C.M. Punk" chants to motivate the superstar. A second attempt is failed, but Swagger does land a powerslam off a C.M. crossbody for a near fall! 

Both finishers are escaped by the opponents, then Swagger manages to drive Punk to the canvas with a belly-to-belly suplex. Up the turnbuckle, Swagger gets pushed off and Punk gives him the Elbow Drop from the top. 1 - 2 - 3! (Note, during the count, Swagger actually got his shoulder up at about 2 and 3/4, but referee Jack Doan still counted to 3. Controversy!)

Winner via Pinfall: C.M. Punk

Segment #7: Backstage Promo

Replays of Kane & Cena's slugfest from earlier tonight follow, leading to John Cena & Zack Ryder discussing the events from last week. Ryder says he is still "weirded out," but Cena gives him his confidence. Ryder still looks over his shoulder.

Commercials.

Segment #8: Backstage Promo

The Bella Twins are arguing again, then want to give Alberto Del Rio a message, via his personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez. Before that can happen, The Miz orders him to call out R-Truth in the ring. 

Segment #9: Hall Of Fame Announcement #2

The second inductee into the Class of 2012 is... "Excellence, Champions, Pioneers, & HORSEMEN!" Arn Anderson, Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Barry Windham, & J.J. Dillon.

A video of their classic promos, along with comments from wrestlers like Shawn Michaels, Dusty Rhodes, Jim Ross & Stone Cold Steve Austin, describe the group and individuals. (Another excellent and surprising choice - this is shaping up to be a great Hall Of Fame class.)

Segment #10: Arena Promo

Ricardo Rodriguez calls out R-Truth, insulting him and his mother in childish ways. Ricardo is very nervous, and gets even more that way when R-Truth does show up. Truth says that Rodriguez has it all wrong and that "I'm not a bad man. In fact, I'm a good R-Truth." 

R then asks "Little Jimmy" if he should let Ricardo go. First, he gets Rodriguez to sing "La Cucaracha" (apologies for any mis-spellings). Ricardo pulls of a decent rendition and R-Truth asks him for another round until Rodriguez slaps the microphone out of Truth's hands. R is enraged and brings down Del Rio's announcer with the Jumping Flatliner. 

Disguised with a sweatshirt, The Miz then appears on camera and pounds down Truth, until R fights back and chases him off into the crowd.

Ads.

Segment #11: Arena Promo

Justin Roberts asks us to welcome "the only man to ever defeat Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock in the same night to become Undisputed WWE Champion" Chris Jericho! 

The man himself lights up (literately) on stage and enters the squared circle. He goes through much of the same motions as last week, riling up the crowd before taking the mike. 

This time though, he gets pretty emotional himself and looks like he is crying, as chants of "Y2J" are heard loud and proud. Jericho puts down the microphone and walks to the back, teary-eyed. (Ok, now this is intriguing and I am buying into it).

Commercials.

Match #5: Single Torres - Eve VS. Beth Phoenix

Prior to this contest, Kane's music and lights surround the arena. Eve is freaked out until Zack Ryder rescues and runs her to the back.

Winner: No Contest via no match

Segment #12: Parking Lot Promo

Ryder puts Eve in a car and discovers the tires are flat. Eve begs him to get it fixed quickly and go.

Up next, is Cena & Ziggler!

Ads.

Match #6: Single - Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) VS. John Cena

Lock up and side headlock from Ziggler. Two clotheslines are missed by Cena and then Dolph shows off with a strut. Another side headlock is tossed off by Cena, but Dolph soon hits the Fameasser for a 2! Dolph grasps Cena's head into a grounding headlock with a headstand/bridge! Cena counters with a back drop and runs at him in the corner but Ziggler moves again. He hits a few ground elbows and then shows off some more with situps! 

He misses another elbow, which allows Cena to capitalize. He flies at Ziggler with a couple of shoulder-tackles and then a spin-out back drop. On the titantron, Zack is shown still fixing the tire until Kane runs at him and destroys him by Chokeslamming him off a loading dock. Dolph tries to take advantage with a sleeper, but Cena shakes him off and runs to the outside of the arena.

Kane ambushes (thank you Cole for that adjective!) Cena again and smothers him unconscious to close the show!

Winner: No Contest via interruption/no official ending

End Of Raw.

Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

2 for 2 in the New Year! Way to go! Another awesome episode of Raw, with many, many likes, and very few dislikes. Let's pick 'em apart shall we!

Excellence: Kane's promos - getting more maniacal and dark. I can feel the despise and hate he has for anything that represents the positive. 

John Laurinaitis calling himself "Big Johnny." That was just a classic line. Daniel Bryan putting over the World Heavyweight Championship as prestigious. Brodus Clay in his new gimmick - only because he looks like he actually has enough charisma to possibly pull it off, but this also goes in my "bogus" for another big reason.

Jack Swagger VS. WWE Champion C.M. Punk - just another great wrestling match. Finished seemed to be botched though, but also could land for an angle next week? 

R-Truth doing the same gimmick, but really making it work as a face now, with a lot of decent comedy. 

Chris Jericho - ok, as stated above, now I am on board with the plans and liking this. Really interesting and suspenseful for each week. Again, Jericho is one of a few guys all-time that can make a segment like that work, using true emotional range and tugging at the crowd's tickers as either a good guy or a bad guy. 

Finally, the two selections (I guess really 6!), for the Hall-Of-Fame. Both Edge and all the Horsemen respectively are well-deserving of this spot, and really kudos to WWE for accepting Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, & J.J. Dillon who currently have no affiliation with the WWE (as far as I know) into their H.O.F. Very classy move, World Wrestling Entertainment! 

And of course, I knew Edge would go in, I just did not think this soon, but it he is AWESOME nonetheless and has earned it! Thank you Edge, thank you Horsemen, & thank you WWE!

Bogus: Was not that enthralled by the tag-team match of Marella/Sheamus VS. Barrett/Jinder, as well as Kofi VS. Daniel, in particularly because the latter should've been much longer and they can do a lot more in a contest with their sets of skills. 

Brodus Clay's gimmick - seriously? After almost 2 months, this is what we get? What a rip! Should've been another destructive monster like those promos built him up to be. Oh well, may be he can make it work anyway, since I did see small flashes of decent charisma in him. 

No Dolph Ziggler entrance (gipped!) and the sudden ending to the main-event. Just outa no where and left in limbo. Not even an official match result!

On the whole, still an excellent show and Raw has started off again beautifully with back-to-back great shows. Please keep it up and here's hoping the third-time's a charm next week. Until then, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online readers and wrestling fans!