Monday Night Raw TV report for 01/16/2012

Reported by Earnest I Aguilar

After the suspenseful, but sudden ending last week, what is on the cards for tonight's Raw, particularly with continuing rivalry between Kane & John Cena? How about Zack Ryder - will the U.S. Champ be in the house or is he down and out for a while? 

What is the next chapter for WWE Champion C.M. Punk and his challenger, Dolph Ziggler, on their way to Royal Rumble? Plus, who will be the next inductee into the WWE Hall Of Fame? All this and much more I'm sure we'll find out, so read on folks!...

Monday Night Raw for January 16, 2012 - "Boiling Points"

Introduction Segment: A Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have A Dream" montage plays, commemorating his day every year around this time in January. The regular Raw video plays and the pyro explodes in the arena, as Raw begins live from Anaheim, California.

We learn that two major matches are set for the show: Mark Henry & Dolph Ziggler teaming up to take on WWE Champion C.M. Punk & World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan, as well as Jack Swagger challenging Zack Ryder for the United States Championship. (Guess that answer's the question of Ryder's injury). Our first promo is up for the night and it is....

Segment #2: Arena Promo

The Hardcore Legend & New York Times Best-Selling Author, plus 3-time WWE Champion, Mick Foley is here! Foley states two reasons he is in Anaheim, California. #1 is accomplished, with the cheap pop including Disneyland. Second, is his dream. That dream is to compete one more time in the ring for his two youngest children. He is going to do this by being one of the participants in the Royal Rumble match. 

"Excuse her!" Vickie Guerrero interrupts and brings out the #1 Contender for the WWE Championship. Dolph protests Mick's entering in the Rumble, saying that he is stealing a spot from the new roster. Ziggler mocks Foley's kids' reaction, to which Mick agrees. However, he also makes the point of that because the Rumble is unpredictable, so he could actually win it, which is exactly what he wants to do. 

Dolph agrees that all wrestlers want to win the Royal Rumble, but unlike them, Ziggler works all year. He beat John Cena last week, he won over C.M. Punk two weeks in a row, and if it comes down to Foley & Ziggler at WrestleMania (provided Dolph win the Title at R.R. and Foley wins the R.R.), then Dolph will beat Mick too. Dolph tells Mick it's over, to go home and go away.

WWE Champion C.M. Punk injects himself into the discussion. (Huge "C.M. Punk" chants). The "Straight-Edge Superstar" puts over himself and Mick as wrestlers who are their own, and have earned their careers. He insults Dolph, Vickie, and John Laurinaitis in one, but then says he'd be more than happy to face Mick Foley at WrestleMania if it comes down to that, since Punk will still be the WWE Champion after R.R.

The Executive Vice-President Of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager himself appears on the stage. Laurinaitis gives Punk his word that he will be an unbiased referee at the Royal Rumble, but declines Mick's request to be a member of the Royal Rumble match. (That's a shame!)

Up next, Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne of "Air Boom" try to regain their tag-titles, since they lost them to Epico & Primo at a live event last night. (Yes, a non-televised championship change).

Commercials.

Match #1: Tag-Team for the WWE Tag-Team Championship - "Air Boom" (Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston) (Challengers) VS. Epico & Primo (with Rosa Mendes) (Champions)

Epico & Bourne begin. Kicks and punches from Epico, but a snapmare is countered into a sunset flip for a quick one, then a running hurricanrana. Tag to Primo, and they both catch Evan off a crossbody, tossing back with a fallaway slam. The cousins try another double-team, but Bourne reverses by giving Epico another hurricanrana off the middle rope, which sent him flying into Primo (cool!)

Bourne slaps hands with Kofi, who flie in with a double-springboard clothesline, chops, dropkicks, and the Boom Drop legdrop. A Trouble In Paradise spinning kick sets up Epico to receive a Shooting-Star-Press, but Primo throws Kofi into the ring post which distracts Bourne enough to get taken off the top-rope and downed with a Backstabber. 1 - 2 - 3!

Winners via Pinfall & STILL WWE Tag-Team Champions: Epico & Primo (with Rosa Mendes)

Segment #3: Office Promo

John Laurinaitis is texting on his phone (gee, what else!) when David Otunga walks in. He tells Laurinaitis that "you know who is here." John informs "you know who" that the main event is now a 6-man tag match, with Otunga, Ziggler, & Henry taking on Punk, Bryan, and the man - Chris Jericho! "Y2J" smiles and flicks off the lights, then glows his jacket.

Ads.

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

Josh Matthews asks United States Champion Zack Ryder if he is medically cleared to compete. Zack says no, (and Eve agrees), but Ryder also declines just forfeiting his title. Eve says if he's going, then she is too.

Segment #5: Replay

A video recaps the events from Kane & Cena's brawl last week.

Match #2: Single for the United States Championship - The "All-American American" Jack Swagger (with Vickie Guerrero) (Challenger) VS. "Long Island Iced-Z" Zack Ryder (with Eve Torres) (Champion)

Jack Swagger makes his way to the ring, then a break happens.

Commercials.

Ryder is out now and the bout begins. Immediately, Swagger punches away on Ryder's taped up mid-section and works it over. Zack kicks out of a gut-wrench powerbomb the first time and the second time. The third time however is a no-go, and Swagger gets the win!

Winner via Pinfall & NEW United States Champion: The "All-American American" Jack Swagger (with Vickie Guerrero)

Ads.

Segment #6: Locker Room promo

Ryder is getting medical aide when Laurinaitis comes in and apologizes because he wasn't medically cleared for competition. Eve tears him down for the decision, but John just snaps at her, saying "shut-up and show some respect for authority!"

Match #3: Diva Tag-Team - Kelly Kelly & Alicia Fox VS. The Bella Twins (Brie & Nikki Bella)

Celebrity "Blogger" Perez Hilton (in a vintage "Raw Is War" t-shirt - kudos on that!) is the special guest ring announcer. He gets absolutely no reaction, but does an ok job of his duties.

In short (because that's what this match is), Kelly rolls up one of the Bellas after they try "Twin Magic", but Hilton blocks it.

Winners via Pinfall: Kelly Kelly & Alicia Fox

Later tonight, Daniel Bryan will update us on A.J.'s condition from the incident on Smackdown (read the report on wrestling-online.com)

Commercials.

Segment #7: Arena Promo

Raw's local delusional is on air tonight. But before R-Truth can say anything, Wade Barrett intercedes and introduces himself. He proclaims himself the winner of the Royal Rumble match, then insults R-Truth. Truth asks Wade why he is so mad, when right across the street is the happiest place on earth, Disneyland. Truth was there too and shows us pictures of his visit.

He met Mickey & Minnie, Donald Duck, & Pinocchio. R tells us that Pinochio says Barrett will win the Royal Rumble, but Truth doesn't believe it, since Pinocchio's nose grew indicating he lied! R-Truth responds with probably the line of the night - "I don't even know if that's PG!" 

Prior to finishing off with his catchphrase, Truth is attacked from behind by The Miz, then is assaulted by both Barrett and Miz. Sheamus runs out to even the odds, and all four now brawl. This brings out Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long, who promptly books an Over-The-Top-Rope challenge between the wrestlers.

Match #4: Over-The-Top-Rope Challenge - R-Truth VS. Wade Barrett VS. The Miz VS. Sheamus

Just like the Divas match, in short, Wade is eliminated first, then both Miz & Sheamus together.

Winner via Tossing Over The Ropes: R-Truth

Segment #8: Backstage Promo

Again texting, Laurinaitis is interrupted by a barging-in John Cena. He angrily questions the G.M.'s decision of putting Ryder in a match despite his injury. Laurinaitis says Cena should be more concerned about Kane, who he will face at the Royal Rumble. However, next, he can take on Jack Swagger to release his anger.

Ads.

Match #5: Single - United States Champion "All American-American" Jack Swagger VS. John Cena

Cena marches down to the ring and totally destroys the new U.S. Champ before the bell even rings. Cena chucks Swagger into the steel steps, then stalks with a menacing look on his face. John then repeatedly slams Jack's head into those same steps. Before Cena can finish Swagger off, Kane's fire explodes and John awaits the arrival. 

The appearance is on the Titan Tron though, and Kane is impressed that Cena may be getting it. By the time they face at the Royal Rumble, Cena will have "embraced the hate."

Winner: No Contest via No Official Match

Commercials.

Match #6: Single - "The Funkasauras" Brodus Clay (with the "Funkettes") VS. J.T.G.

Squash number three for Brodus, who polishes off J.T.G. with a running crossbody splash.

Winner via Pinfall: Brodus Clay (with the "Funkettes")

Up next is an update on A.J., courtesy of Daniel Bryan, the World Heavyweight Champion

Ads.

Segment #9: Arena Promo

World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan appears on stage. He tells us that while we think of Big Show as a "lovable, gentle giant," he is really a "cruel, inhospitable, freak." Apparently, A.J. is traumatized and will never be the same. 

He claims that Big Show purposely "bowled over" A.J. and then faked his emotions of remorse after. If he ever appears on Smackdown again, Bryan will "make him pay." He then says that he will show how much he loves A.J. when Daniel faces Mark Henry on Smackdown for the World Title this Friday.

Match #7: 6-Man Tag-Team - World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan, Chris Jericho, & WWE Champion C.M. Punk VS. David Otunga, Mark Henry, & Dolph Ziggler

(Note: There was a commercial break during Jericho's entrance and the three heels came out during that, because live again they are all in the ring).

Punk & Ziggler begin the bout. Waist lock takedown from C.M., scoop slam and a stomp. Snap suplex gets a two-count, then Punk tags in Daniel Bryan. A few kicks and punches by Bryan then a shoulder block, but he botched a move which allows Dolph to get control. He quickly tags in Otunga, who stomps away on Daniel's right leg.

Back to Dolph, who snapmare's Bryan out of the corner and jumps on him with an elbow. Half-crab submission is locked in from Ziggler, but Daniel crawls to the ropes for the break. Ziggler misses a splash in the corner, which allows Bryan to dive-tag C.M.

Otunga is also in and gets controlled by Punk until he kicks him and slaps hands again with Ziggler. Dolph delivers a neckbreaker and clamps on a headlock. Punk fights out of it, reversing with a backbreaker. He tries to tag Jericho, but Ziggler drags him back and tags in Otunga himself. 

In the corner, Otunga stomps away, but Punk gets out of it with a headbutt and then flies off the top rope with an elbow drop. He manages to tag in Jericho and "Y2J" does what he has done the last two weeks, and then promptly leaves the match after tagging in Bryan.

Commercials.

Back live, it is down to Punk & Bryan VS. Henry, Ziggler, & Otunga. Ziggler is dominating Daniel until a kick to the head drops Ziggler. Daniel attempts a tag, but gets dragged, however jumps a bit extra and gets it. The "Second-City Saint" in and cleans up on Dolph, complete with a running knee/bulldog combo. 

Springboard clothesline by C.M. but only gets 2! Henry interrupted the pin, then catches Bryan in a fallaway position. Daniel punches his way out, but that infuriates Henry and they fight up the ramp.

Just then, Mick Foley's music hits and he walks down to the ring. He stands on the apron, grabs the tag ropes, and is in the match, according to Laurinaits (by Foley)! Punk tries a tag to his new partner, but Dolph prevents it and controls with two neckbreakers, but only two-counts. 

Stiff kick by C.M. drops Ziggler and Foley is now tagged in. He right hands Otunga to drop him in the corner and hits a running knee. Mick plants David with the double-arm-DDT and then drives him to the mat with Mr. Sock/Mandible Claw!

Winners via Submission: WWE Champion C.M. Punk & Mick Foley

As they are celebrating, Laurinaitis storms out and changes the winners, since he says that Foley was officially not part of the match after all.

Winners via Decision Reversal: David Otunga, Mark Henry, & Dolph Ziggler

Punk quickly cuts off "Big Johnny" and tells him to take his "balls out of your purse" and man-up. Punk berates John's former wrestling career. Punk thinks that Laurinaits will screw him at the Royal Rumble, but whatever happens, C.M. says he will still be better than him.

The "Straight-Edge Superstar" warns the Raw G.M. that he will "kick his pathetic ass" if he is screwed at the 'Rumble. Punk fakes punches and scares Laurinaitis, saying "you're pathetic" before leaving the ring and the arena. 

Foley is left in the ring with the Executive V.P. who paces around and announces his name and position, again. Mick tries to get him to admit that he's going to screw Punk at the Pay-Per-View, calling him a "kiss-ass." 

Laurinaitis confesses that yes, he will, since he is sick and tired of being bullied and disrespected. Much like the Twisted Sister song, he's not going to take it anymore, and beans Foley in the head with the microphone and walks off to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

A little bit down from last week, but still a great show and the third time! On to the details.

Excellence: Any segment/match involving WWE Champion C.M. Punk, Laurinaitis, & Mick Foley - those three have great chemistry and can really make you feel/believe in the storyline. 

Perez Hilton - believe it or not, just like it because he came in, did his announcing job, got slightly involved for the right reason in the match, then left. No big storyline built around him! 

R-Truth/Wade Barrett promo. Funny and fed off each other well. John Cena displaying passion and a mean streak in standing up for Zack Ryder. Brodus Clay - again, even those it's a weird gimmick for him per say, I think he definitely has the charisma to pull it off! 

Daniel Bryan's promo, Chris Jericho's antics during the match - glad they DID NOT have him wrestle - way too soon after return. And again, closing show segment with Punk/Foley/Laurinaits. Passion was deep in that promo tonight!

Bogus: WWE Tag-Title switcheroo at House Show - should always be done on T.V. or Pay-Per-View were many more can see it. 

Zack Ryder losing the U.S. Title - too soon for him to drop it, but at least there could be a new storyline out of it and get it back on him quick! 

"Over-The-Top-Rope Challenge" - there is always something like this before the Royal Rumble, and to me, it dilutes the specialty of the match if we have these on free T.V. 

Overall though, three-for-three now in production (almost) perfection for Raws in 2012. Keep it up and type you next week! Until then, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online readers and wrestling fans!