Monday Night Raw TV report for 03/19/2012

Reported by Earnest I Aguilar

We are in the City Of Brotherly Love and only 13 (my favorite number!) days away from Wrestlemania XXVIII! What will go down tonight on Raw? Well, two things are for sure: John Cena will take on Mark Henry, and all three men involved in the "End Of An Era" Hell In The Cell match will be live and in the ring - Undertaker, Triple H, & Shawn Michaels! With an exuberant amount of tension between them, how will these three icons interact tonight? 

Plus, we haven't seen one in a while, so perhaps another Hall Of Fame announcement is in the line up? (That would be nice!) 

Finally, will John Cena be able to go 4 - 0 in his war of words against The Rock, or will Dwyane Johnson actually go back to his 1999 2000 ways and pull out some douses to entertain us? Only one way to know and that is to read on...

Monday Night Raw for March 19th, 2012

Introduction Segment: Welcoming

The usual Raw video plays and the pyro explodes in the Wells Fargo Centre. Michael Cole & Jerry "The King" Lawler run down the events for tonight, which includes the two points mentioned in my pre-ramble.

Segment #1: Arena Promo

The WWE Champion, C.M. Punk kicks the show off tonight. A recap from last week of Chris Jericho calling out Punk on his upbringing is aired to remind us how Jericho managed to make him silent for once. C.M. begins by telling us that Jericho is not here tonight (how does he know that?). Punk struggles to get the words out about what Y2J accused his father of, but the "Straight Edge Superstar" admits that it is true his dad was an alcoholic. 

Punk is more pissed regarding how the delicate "secret" was revealed. He encourages the crowd that for anyone who has a hard-time going and who has been affected by alcoholic by anyway, don't let it "dictate or cloud their future dreams." Punk says he is proud of his father because he has overcome his addictions, and he is proud of being "straight-edge." 

C.M. calls Jericho an "obstacle", which he can go around or dig a whole under, but instead, he will go straight through him to prove "I am the best in the world."

As the WWE Champion begins to leave, Jericho appears "via satellite" on the Titantron. He recants what he said last week, claiming that what he said last week was "out of line." Chris tells him that it is Chris saying this, not Jericho or a character, etc...he promises that he talk about Punk's father anymore.

However, C.M.'s sister is not off limits. Jericho points his finger at her for being a drug addict. While he says she may overcome this, Punk will not overcome the loss of his WWE Championship at Wrestlemania.

**** is what Punk yells to Jericho (cut-out on air) and "that's exactly what I'm going to beat out of you" he declare, and then promptly leaves the arena.

(Very realistic and well done!)

Up next is Kane facing Big Show.

Commercials.

Match #1: Single - Kane VS. The Big Show

Prior to the bout, Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes comes out and airs footage of Show's "Embarrassing Wrestlemania Moments." All the highlights are included!

A lock up begins and Show shoves Kane in the corner. He punches away but Kane counters with a kick-to-the-face. A double chokeslam by both is attempted, but Show prevails with a spear. Big ascends the turnbuckle, but Rhodes distracts Show, allowing Kane to chokeslam him from the middle rope. 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pin fall: Kane

Post-match, Cody Rhodes takes Show down with the "Disaster Kick" (springboard kick) and then handcuffs Big to the bottom rope. Cody dons boxing gloves and punches away on his challenger. Referees break it up and release an irate Big Show.

Ads.

Match #2: Single - David Otunga (with Mr. John Laurinaitis) VS. United States Champion Santino Marella (with Teddy Long)

The two captains for "Team Johnny" & "Team Teddy" have a flex-off, which Santino would win based on cheers from the crowd. Marella cramps up which allows David to ambush and pummel away on the Champion. Otunga tries to carry him into the ropes, but Santino gets out of it. He Irish Whips Otunga and hip-tosses him off of it, then drives down with a head butt. 

Marella signals for the Cobra, but Laurinaitis averts his attention with a cell phone, allowing Otunga to deliver a spinebuster for the victory!

Winner via Pin fall: David Otunga

Post-match, Laurinaitis and Otunga over-celebrate, mocking both Marella and Long, until the Smackdown General Manager slaps the taste out of the Raw General Manager's mouth. Long high-tails it to the stage with his United States Champion and dances to irritate Laurinaitis & Otunga.

A reminder of Triple H accepting The Undertaker's challenge is shown. Following the break, The Rock is back in Philly.

Commercials.

Segment #2: Video Promo

The Rock is standing beside a statue of Rocky Balboa. The Rock proclaims Philadelphia "the city of ass-kickers." He shows a picture of him at 12 years old, also standing in front of the same statue. Rock reviews his favourite WrestleMania memories, including his first WrestleMania main-event against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, also right here in Philadelphia.

The Rock says then he went on to beat Austin & "the immortal" Hulk Hogan. Now there is only one guy left - John Cena. At WrestleMania that will happen. As far as tonight, The Rock is going to "drive down Broad Street, and he's going come to the arena./The Rock is going to send you a message, loud and clear." That message is The Rock going to "lay the smacketh down," and all the greats will thank The Rock in their own special way. "Bang bang!" "Whoooo!" and from Heaven above looking down proudly, the late-great, "Oooooh yeeeaaaaahhhhh!"

Rock claims that it is just the beginning, as in the spirit of Rocky Balboa, he will "eat lighting, crap thunder, The Rock is going to layeth the smacketh down, and at WrestleMania XXVIII - the biggest of all time - what the world is going to see, what the world is waiting for - once in a life time - when The Rock beats you in the middle of the ring 1 - 2 - 3, the dreams of that 12-year-old boy come true. Standing there 'yo Adrian, I did it!' If ya smell what The Rock is cooking!"

(Great promo - finally he "brought it!")

Match #3: Single - World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan (with A.J.) VS. "Long Island Ice-Z" Zack Ryder

Ads. (when Bryan is making is entrance)

Preceding the match, a video is shown of Ryder rallying his "Broskis" to get him a part of "Team Teddy" for the WrestleMania XXVIII match.

Lock up and hammer lock trades from both wrestlers. Shoulder block by Ryder, but Daniel delivers a harsh knee-to-the-gut and takes over the match. He kicks away and wears Ryder down with a leg lock submission and rear head lock. Zack fights out of it and manages to crush Bryan's face in the corner with a boot. He attempts a RoughRyder, but his countered with a Flapjack and followed by the Labell Lock submission. Ryder taps quickly.

Winner via Submission: World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan

Up next, John Cena wrestles Mark Henry

Commercials.

Match #4: Single - John Cena VS. Mark Henry

Elbow-collar tie-up begins, with Henry shoving Cena to the mat. Cena tries again by waist-locking Henry and clamping a side-head lock, but to no avail. Cena runs off the ropes but right into Henry. Mark now beats away on Cena with punches, kicks, & head butts. The "World's Strongest Man" throws Cena outside the ring and then clubs him with his huge forearm. John attempts to get in the ring but Henry drags him out and tosses him into the barricade.

Ads.

A test-of-strength is applied by Henry, which Cena fights out of but gets bowled-over with a clothesline. Henry drops himself with a big splash. 1 - 2 - Cena gets his shoulder up! Mark whips Cena into the corner and runs at him with another splash. He goes for a third, but Cena side-steps and takes him down with a huge side-suplex. 

John drops the 5-Knuckle-Shuffle fist-drop and tries to pickup Henry for an A.A., but Henry is too heavy. Cena is whipped off the ropes and caught in a "World's Strongest Slam." However, Cena jumps out of it and pulls Henry onto his shoulders, dropping him with an Attitude Adjustment. 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pin Fall: John Cena

Post-match, promises are kept as The Rock's music blares over the speakers in the arena. The "Brahma Bull" runs to the ring and Rock Bottoms Mark Henry. He jaws with Cena and then promptly leaves. John looks on as the message was signed, sealed, & delivered!

(Now it might be 3 - 1)

Triple H & Shawn Michaels' confrontation is aired to hype up the impending clash between those two and The Undertaker later tonight.

Commercials.

Segment #3: Video Promo

Footage airs of Kelly Kelly & Maria Menounos (of the television show "Extra") getting into it on Menounos' show to set up a pointless Divas match for WrestleMania XXVIII - Kelly & Menounas VS. Eve & WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix.

Segment #4: Arena Promo

The Miz compares himself to King Kong Bundy - he recounts that Bundy was in the main event of WrestleMania II, yet the very next year, he was on the undercard in 1987. Miz says that was the single-greatest drop-off in WrestleMania history - until now. Miz says that he is not even on the card for this year, until he proves he can be on "Team Johnny." That will happen with his next match...

Match #5: Single - The Miz VS. "The Great White" Sheamus

Miz starts quickly with little jabs and a kick. Sheamus takes him down with an axe-handle smash and reverses a DDT attempt into a rolling fireman's carry. 1 - 2 - Miz kicks out! Sheamus tears at Miz's face in the corner, but Miz soon drops him in the second turnbuckle and hits a neckbreaker/backbreaker combo. 

He strangles Sheamus on the middle rope and hits him hard with a boot-to-the-face. A rear chin lock his gripped on by Miz with Sheamus struggling out of it. Tilt-a-whirl shoulder-powerslam by Sheamus and he is firing up for the Brogue Kick. Miz ducks and kicks again to Sheamus' gut, but gets knocked out with a real Brogue Kick for Sheamus' triumph!

Winner via Pin Fall: Sheamus

Cole & Lawler plug that Chris Jericho will be on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon" this Wednesday. Also announced is Randy Orton VS. Kane at WrestleMania XXVIII.

Ads.

Last week's altercation between Undertaker & Michaels is replayed.

Segment #5: Arena Promo

Josh Matthews interviews Randy Orton on the stage. Matthews asks Randy how he plans on beating the monster Kane. Orton answers that rhetorically, "how does the monster plan on beating me?" Orton claims this match is only happening because Randy beat Kane so badly last summer that he became human, even shaking his hand. 

This destroyed Kane's humanity, and "The Viper" couldn't care less. He knows exactly who he is and what he is capable of. "I'm not the Big Red Monster. I'm not the Big Red Machine. I'm not the devil's favorite demon. My name is Randy Orton."

A "Be A Star" promo airs.

Segment #6: Arena Promo

Excuse her! Vicke Guerrero has an announcement - the two newest members of "Team Johnny" are the "All-American-American" & "The Show-Off" Dolph Ziggler! Up next, they will take on "Team Teddy" members R-Truth & Kofi Kingston

Commercials.

Match #6: Tag-Team - The "All-American-American" Jack Swagger & "The Show-Off" Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) VS. R-Truth & Kofi Kingston (with Aksana)

Swagger & Kingston start off, with Kofi flying around all over both to begin quickly. He hits a springboard crossbody for a near fall on Swagger. Ziggler runs on the apron and clotheslines Kofi, allowing Swagger to hit a springboard corner turnbuckle splash, also for a near fall.

Ziggler tags in and wears down Kofi. Kingston counters a neckbreaker into a backslide pin attempt, but for only a 2! Huge picture-perfect drop kick by Dolph. 1 - 2 - Kofi kicks out! He tags in Swagger and the "All-American-American" isolate and drain Kingston's energy. Swagger clamps on a butterfly submission lock, which Kingston punches his way out and drives Jack's head to the mat with a DDT.

Kingston manages to give Truth a five for the hot-tag and R runs all over "Team Johnny." Swagger gets tossed to the floor and taken down by Kofi, but in the ring, Dolph ducks a scissors kick and plants Truth with the Fameasser leg drop!

Winners via Pin Fall: The "All-American-American" Jack Swagger & "The Show-Off" Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero)

Post-match, Guerrero and Aksana engage in a good-ole-fashion catfight until separated by their respective teammates.

Cole describes the upcoming Hell In A Cell as "emotional" and backs that statement up by showing footage of Triple H using The Undertaker's signature taunts and moves (throat-slash & Tombstone) to finish off his match at a live-event from last night in Madison Square Garden.

Up next, the triple-threat face-off is going to happen!

Ads.

Before we get to the main event, the finish to John Cena's match with Mark Henry is recapped, as well as the aftermath with The Rock. Next week, one more in-ring confrontation will take place between the two mega-stars of professional wrestling!

Segment #7: Arena Promo

The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels is out first. "The end of an era" declares Shawn. It comes to no surprise that all anyone is talking about is the special referee - himself - for the Hell In The Cell match between Triple H & The Undertaker. It admits that "it's pretty darn cool" that he holds the "end of an era in the palm of his hand." H.B.K. is going to give his opinion on what will happen. 

People are wondering about his objectivity to each competitor, and asks 'Taker about "the end of an era," or as Shawn puts it, code for "The Streak." Shawn says he was in the same place 2 years ago, but before he can go on, "DONG!" The lights dim and the familiar eerie music of WWE's "Deadman" plays out.

The Undertaker methodically walks to the ring, staring coldly at Michaels. 'Taker quickly cuts off Michaels and tells him that it would "be in your best interest to shut up and listen." Undertaker reminds him that this match has to remain pure, and tries to also speak further, but he is interrupted by his opponent, Triple H.

The Game tells Undertaker that he needs to stop worrying about Michaels, despite Shawn wanting it to be about him. HHH informs Undertaker that it always has been about them, and it is their destiny. "Two parallel legendary careers running side-by-side, connected by one thing - the most demonic structure in WWE history: Hell In The Cell." Triple H pulls out the numbers game, saying between himself & 'Taker, they have been in 19 out of 24 HIAC matches.

Triple H says he has learned everyone about Hell In The Cell and it is who he is. "All those matches, all of them, everything I've been through, have been for one moment - April 1st, WrestleMania, Hell In A Cell." Triple H foreshadows that "the whole world is going to see the end of an era - yours!" 

Undertaker questions The Game, and warns him. "Your mind, your body, your soul. Your career. Your wife, your kids. All this, even your life. Are you willing to put it all on the line?" 

"If it means giving you the end that you so richly deserve, then I am, and I WILL!" answers HHH. The two stare intensely at each other up close and personal, then Undertaker backs away. He turns around and looks at both Shawn & Hunter. 

"You remember when I said 'Shawn is better than you?' He is," asserts The Undertaker. He leaves, and Triple H glares at Shawn to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter's Ramblings - By Moe Tapp

Another great edition and with under two weeks left, the build for WrestleMania just keeps getting better. All of tonight was focused on the entire card, which is always a plus, and while most of it was short and simple, it was effective. Onto the critical:

Excellence: Number of matches - even though they were all pretty brief, it was nice to see a lot of actual contests on this broadcast, and they all involved WrestleMania participants one way or the other. Opening promo with C.M Punk - as stated above, it feels REAL and both Jericho & Punk are doing a great job of performing this task to sell the angle. 

Laurinaitis/Long - I wasn't actually sure of this "feud" at first, but they seem to have decent chemistry at being antagonizing to each other, so I am all for it. 

Cody Rhodes & his dastardly deeds, plus Big Show's reaction looked very empathetic and credible. 

The Rock's promo - also already said, this time he actually "brought it" and delivered some great words. While most were the old "Rock cliches", it didn't feel silly or out of place. For once, it felt like The Rock was being very serious. And props for mentioning the "great ones," including the late-great "Macho Man" Randy Savage. 

Ending promo - also heavily invested in this match (might be my favorite on the card) and Undertaker, Triple H, & Shawn continue to bring it (no pun intended), showing why they are some of the "masters of the microphone" and "selling a program." Awesome ending too, with Undertaker using his "mind games" to get inside of Triple H. And major props for the commentary being silent - very effective and added believability to the segment - let the wrestlers do the talking.

Bogus: Editing - DON'T go from a great segment by The Rock into a match announcement, only to let their be a commercial before the World Heavyweight Champion is finished making is entrance!!! 

Also, wasn't the best of ideas to show Dolph Ziggler getting Tombstone by Triple H from a live event the night before, RIGHT AFTER he just won his match and built momentum for WrestleMania! Bad, bad, bad! The Divas segment and WrestleMania match - pointless, enough said! No Hall Of Fame announcement?

On the whole, another impressive publication of WWE Raw and it really amped up WrestleMania XXVIII beautifully. Until next week, where it will be the "go-home show" (and my predictions for EVERY match on the W.M. 28 card), Be Excellent Wrestling-Online.com readers and Wrestling Fans!