Monday Night Raw TV report for 04/16/2012

Reported Ernest Aguilar Zevallos

Raw is TAPED tonight from across the pond - London, England. What is "on tap" for the follow-up to last week? Will John Cena & Brock Lesnar have another confrontation prior to their Extreme Rules Pay-Per-View match? 

Who will win between Mark Henry & C.M. Punk for the scheduled No Disqualification/No Count-Out WWE Championship match, plus is Chris Jericho going to get involved again? 

How will "Big Johnny" throw his weight around as General Manager this time? Are there any surprises in store? And most important, can creative keep it's streak going with another great and/or most-excellent Raw? Only one way to find out, and that is to read on!

Monday Night Raw for April 16th, 2012 - "Extreme Domination"

Introduction Segment: Welcoming.

The regular Raw video & fireworks explode in the 02 Arena to kick off the annual Raw from Great Britain. Michael Cole welcomes us and we are into the big match right away! (Something I always disagree with - the following match should always be the main-event).

Match #1: Single with No-Count Out and No-Disqualification Rules for the WWE Championship - Mark Henry (Challenger) VS. C.M. Punk (Champion)

The WWE Champion makes his entrance to a loud ovation (and loud "C.M. Punk" chants) while Mark Henry is awaiting in the ring already. They replay the last two weeks of Chris Jericho owning Punk with booze, and Punk is looking at the Titantron in disgust.

After formal introductions, the WWE Championship is held high by the referee and the bell rings. A "feeling-out" process begins prior to a lock up, which Henry wins and tosses Punk into the corner. Punk gets some kicks in before Mark slams him down with a Spinebuster. 

They trade places on the outside and C.M. runs at the ropes, giving Henry a Suicide Dive and landing on the mats. Henry retaliates by throwing the WWE Champ into the ring post. He then pushes Punk's head into the post and goes to run at him, but gets two boots-to-the-face instead. 

Punk runs atop the barricade and dives off with a bulldog. However he struggles to pickup the 4oo-pounder and gets shoved into the ring apron instead. The "Second-City-Saint" continues to kick away but gets caught off another dive from the apron and chucked into the barricade again.

Commercials.

Back in the ring, Henry has a lock on Punk and then clotheslines him off a run from the ropes. The "World's Strongest Man" now dominates the match until Punk gives him a jawbreaker with the ropes, and then collects a steel chair from ringside. Punk swings away and smashes the chair into Henry's chest, subsequently getting a near-fall.

Punk attempts another shot with the chair but Henry kicks him in the gut to counter. He now has the weapon and after colliding it onto the back of Punk, Henry sets the chair between turnbuckles. Punk gets another few kicks in and chops away in another corner on Mark's chest. C.M. runs at Henry in the corner but gets taken down with another huge clothesline.

Henry then proves his moniker by clamping on a bear hug around Punk. The "Straight-Edge Superstar" fights out of it with elbows-to-the-head and a chop block followed by a DDT. 1 - 2 - Henry kicks out! Punk ascends the turnbuckles and flies off, but is caught and almost given the World's Strongest Slam, but Punk hops off Henry's shoulders. He nails Henry with a high-kick to his head, followed by the running high-knee in the corner. Another bulldog attempt is thrown off by Henry, but Mark runs at Punk in the corner, only to connect with the steel chair. 

Again, climbs the top rope, this time chair in hand. He soars through the air with the chair, delivering an elbow/chair combo right to the face of his challenger. Punk covers, 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall and STILL WWE Champion: C.M. Punk

Post-match, while the WWE Champion is celebrating his huge win, Chris Jericho appears on the Titantron again. Sitting in a bar, Jericho announces that he gets another shot at the WWE Championship. He will face Punk at Extreme Rules in a "Chicago Street Fight," appropriately from Chicago. Punk is all too pleased, because he gets to whoop Jericho all over the town where is family and friends are.

Jericho retorts by airing footage of a lone Punk entering & exiting a pub. Jericho questions the actions but Punk defends himself, claiming he was with friends despite not drinking himself. Y2J doesn't believe Punk, and accuses him of losing his dignity, honor, and personal beliefs. 

"And it two weeks, at Extreme Rules, you're going to lose the only thing you have left - the WWE Championship," proclaims Jericho. The 'Tron goes back to the logo before C.M. Punk can retort.

Up next, The United States Championship is on the line. Also, later on an exclusive interview with Brock Lesnar!

Ads.

Segment #2: Backstage Promo

R-Truth, dressed as "Little Jimmy Watson," is with former Smackdown Manager Teddy Long. "Watson" informs Teddy that he will help him find a job. Teddy says this is the best news in the last month.

Match #2: Single for the WWE United States Championship - David Otunga (Challenger) VS. Santino Marella (Champion)

During Marella's entrance, he wears a bunch of soccer jerseys, all the wrong ones (boos from the crowd) until he finally reveals the England one to the delight of the hometown.

A waist lock attempt from Marella starts out, but Otunga quickly reverses and capitalizes with a huge body slam. Otunga gains control until Santino elbows him and punches away. Marella does his splits but gets kicked in the face. Otunga takes advantage with a Spinebuster and gets the 1 - 2 - 3! However, Marella's foot was on the rope, so referee Charles "Little Naitch" Robinson lets the bout continue.

Marella punches away again, gives him a hip-toss, and pokes David in the face with The Cobra for the victory!

Winner via Pinfall & STILL WWE United States Champion: Santino Marella

Segment #3: Backstage Promo

Josh Matthews interviews Lord Tensai. His handler speaks Japanese, but Tensai cuts him off and declares that "you fear the unknown. Japanese language. I know what you should fear."

Up next is the controversial Brock Lesnar interview.

Segment #4: Video Interview/Promo

"I'm not a superstar, I'm an ass-kicker. I am Brock Lesnar - that's it." Lesnar recounts his days in high-school and college, followed soon after to the WWE he went. After enormous success in wrestling, came more in the UFC. (All footage shown while narration from Lesnar.) 

"At the end of the day, I don't care about anybody but Brock Lesnar. For me, this is strictly business, we need a guy to legitimize this company and Brock Lesnar's that guy," proclaims Lesnar. 

He claims that John Cena is not the real guy and the "only reason John is in the spot that he is in is because I left. If I was still around for the last 8 years, John Cena would be carrying my bags into the building."

"There's nothing about Brock Lesnar that's face. What's running through John Cena's mind? I couldn't give a crap what's running through is mind. What's more important is what's running down his leg - piss (bleeped). He's sh**ing his pants is what he's doing. I'm coming for a fight John Cena. You just got a little appetizer, and I hope you like tasting that." 

"What makes me happy? Beating people up, that makes me happy."

(Powerful and well-done/put-together "realistic" video promo.

Match #3: Single - "Long Island Iced-Z" Zack Ryder VS. Kane

A recap of what Kane has done to Ryder is aired, then Kane makes his entrance followed by a break.

Commercials.

As Ryder climbs the apron, Kane gives him a big boot to send Zack into the announce table. Kane is dominate and all over Ryder on the outside, completely destroying him. In the ring, Kane gives Zack a huge chokeslam. 

Result: No Contest via No Official Match Start (although, the nod "unofficially" goes to Kane for dominance)

Segment #5: Arena Promo

Kane takes the microphone and relishes in his destruction of "Cowboy" Bob Orton from Smackdown last week. (Read the report on wrestling-online.com for more information!) Kane expected Orton Sr. to go down, but not Randy himself. However, Kane utters the old cliche to explain it, "like father, like son."

Segment #6: Backstage Promo

Kofi Kingston is talking A.J. when Daniel Bryan walks up and interjects. He inquires the nature of this relationship, since just because he dumped A.J., doesn't mean she can go looking for anyone else. Bryan then realizes he needs to rename is submission finisher from the Labell Lock to the "Yes Lock." Bryan leads the crowd in many "yes" chants.

Up next, we will hear John Cena's response to his loss to The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII and his beat downs at the hands of Brock Lesnar.

Ads.

Segment #7: Arena Promo

John Cena is out, and as always, to a mixed reaction. Replays of the big brawl between Cena & Lesnar from last week is shown, as well as Lesnar attacking Cena at the end of Raw. 

"Interesting footage." John points out that during the two melees, one man was standing at ringside because he didn't want to get his hands dirty. That man is General Manager John Laurinaitis. Cena insinuates a problem with Laurinaitis - that he wants to use his authority to replace John Cena. Instead, Laurinaitis went out and got Brock Lesnar.

Cena says that Lesnar's return was the most-anticipated in WWE history, because he "simply stands for destruction." Brock Lesnar stands for "pain, dominance, and torture." Cena declares that on April 29th, he steps into the ring with a man whose "sole purpose is to end and replace me."

Cena says that Lesnar is right, Cena is afraid. However, he will FIGHT! "Fear can be overcome, time will heal all wounds. April 29th I will fight. And if I walk into Chicago, at 'Extreme Rules' to take the biggest ass-whooping of my life, I don't care. I WILL FIGHT!"

In quite bad timing (more on that in my "bogus section"), General Manager & Executive Vice-President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis totes his accomplishments, then books both an Extreme Rules match for John Cena tonight and a contract signing for next week's 3-Hour Raw. The opponent is not named to make it more "exciting, innovative, creative, and that's the way we do it in the new era of 'People Power'"

Segment #8: Backstage

"Little Jimmy Watson" walks through a fake bookcase, which puzzles Hornswoggle who was reading a book nearby. (Pointless!)

Match #4: Single - Kofi Kingston VS. Daniel Bryan

Lock up and wristlock with overhead suplex from Bryan to begin. Daniel throws Kofi into the corner and Bryan runs after him with a drop kick. Another armlock and kicks-to-the-chest by Bryan. A knee-to-the-gut gets a near fall. 

Daniel is in total control. A hammer lock is reversed into a snapmare by Kofi. A couple of leapfrogs and then a high-elbow to the jaw scores for Kofi. Kingston ducks a run off the apron from Daniel and springboards off the top rope with a body splash himself.

Ads.

Back in the ring, Kofi counters a clothesline with a Monkey Flip, but Bryan reverses a run into a drop toehold into the corner. More high kicks in the corner from Bryan. 1 - 2 - Kofi kicks out! Kingston regains momentum with a clothesline, dropkick, and high-flying forearm. Boom drop and firing up for the Trouble In Paradise is Kofi. He misses and almost gets caught in the Yes Lock, but Bryan rolls out. Kofi rolls into the S.O.S. Pin combo, but only for 2! 

Kofi goes up the top rope but Bryan cuts him off, but then gets head-butted off himself. Kofi tries a flying maneuver but is dropped right into the Yes Lock for the tap out!

Winner via Submission: Daniel Bryan

Post-match, Bryan celebrates with "Yeses!" and another Yes Lock. His opponent for Extreme Rules, the World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, runs out and attempts to take his head off with the Brogue Kick, but to no avail. Bryan runs out and chants "yes" on the ramp, taunting Sheamus.

Commercials.

Match #5: Single - "The Funkasaurus" Brodus Clay (with "Funkettes" Naomi & Cameron) VS. "The Show-Off" Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero & The "All-American-American" Jack Swagger)

Dolph immediately hits a huge high-dropkick, trying to knock the big man down. Clay doesn't drop and begins to control, until Swagger attempts a save, inadvertently warranting a DQ.

Winner via Disqualification: "The Funkasaurus" Brodus Clay (with "Funkettes" Naomi & Cameron)

Post-match, Swagger and Dolph get tossed out, then Vickie tries to go after Brodus (not a good idea!), but gets grabbed by Cameron. Guerrero pushes her off, but gets shoved into Brodus by Naomi. Clay dances in front of her, which embarrasses Vickie and she turns around, getting pushed down by Naomi. Vickie also high-tails it with Jack & Ziggler.

Segment #9: Backstage Promo

Laurinaitis is building up Otunga when Eve comes in and inquires about her talk. They all go into his office.

Segment #10: In Remembrance

A video airs, paying tribute to WWE Hall-Of-Famer "Chief" Jay Strongbow. He passed away recently at 84. As always, truly very sincere and classy.

Ads.

Segment #11: Backstage Promo

"Little Jimmy Watson" has potentially found Teddy Long a job - his last one! However, Long declines to be G.M. of S.D. again.

Match #6: Tag-Team - The Great Khali & WWE Intercontinental Champion Big Show VS. WWE Tag-Team Champions Primo & Epico (with Rosa Mendes) (Non-Title)

Squash! (unfortunately for the WWE TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!) During the match, A.W. walks on stage to "scout" the talent. Khali dominates Epico and Primo, until they try to leave. Big Show doesn't agree, and throws both back into the ring. Khali chops them down, and both giants deliver their own chokeslams and a double-cover for the finish!

Winners via Pinfall: The Great Khali & WWE Intercontinental Champion Big Show

Commercials.

Match #7: Single with Extreme Rules - John Cena VS. ???

As the anticipation builds for Cena's opponent, John Laurinaitis comes out and introduces the man - Lord Tensai.

A slugfest with even punching starts until Tensai picks up steam and begins to control. Cena manages to block a suplex and give Tensai one of his own. However, Tensai just gets right back up and continues to dominate. Tensai splashes Cena in the corner then kicks him around on the outside. 

Cena tries to fight back, but gets whipped into the steel steps for his efforts. Tensai positions Cena for either a powerbomb or piledriver, but John reverses it and runs at Tensai with the steel steps. Cena puts him back in the ring, but then gets kicked by "The Deshai." Otunga runs over and rolls Cena back in the ring, so Tensai can give him a double-underhook suplex. 1 - 2 - Cena kicks out! 

Tensai continues to be in control, going for another splash but Cena moves! The former "Dr. Of Thuganomics" digs down deep and gives Tensai his shoulder blocks and Spin-Out powerbomb. Tensai blocks a 5-Knuckle Shuffle try and drops on Cena with a senton. 1 - 2 - Cena kicks out again! 

Tensai locks in a reverse armbar but Cena rolls through and locks in the crossface. Otunga tries to interfere but gets an Attitude Adjustment for his troubles. Cena turns right into the dreaded Green Mist spray and a double-handed Chokeslam-Powerbomb. 1 - 2 - 3! Lord Tensai gets the upset!

Winner via Pinfall: Lord Tensai (with "The Deshai")

Post-match, Tensai celebrates in his own way again as Cena washes out his eyes, and John Laurinaitis is happy to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

Accomplished again! Another smooth and well-done Raw. Onto the details:

Excellent: WWE Championship Match - both C.M. Punk (obviously) and Mark Henry made this contest work and delivered with moves. Great finish too! Jericho's post-match promo - as always, nails it! The "foot-on-ropes" in Otunga/Marella - actually liked that referee Charles Robinson caught this for once and they did not use it as a "Dusty" screwjob finish.

Loved the video promo/interview with/for Brock Lesnar. That put him over to the new generation of fans as legitimate and the way it was conducted produced, hammered home the realism.

Cena's response to Brock Lesnar - again, there is no one on-air right now in WWE with more passion for pro-wrestling and no-one makes you feel it like him. (I said "on-air" because there are many backstage - Triple H for one, and former who sincerely also have that same desire, but I am counting talent they are using currently this month.)

Kofi Kingston/Daniel Bryan - fantastic wrestling match!

Lord Tensai winning - actually surprised that they didn't protect Cena this time but instead have him actually do the job to the reborn wrestler.

Video package for the late "Chief" Jay Strongbow. I literately did not see him wrestle a match because I was way too young, however I know from readings that he was a pioneer, well-respect, tough, and had major input into creating WWF/WWE, so condolences for the loss of a great man. R.I.P. "Chief" Jay Strongbow.

Bogus: WWE Championship - SHOULD NOT have been first! Always main-event (or close to it, if ending segment is a promo). "Little Jimmy Watson" segments were pointless. Kane jobbing Ryder badly - after the well-done program between the two, this is the supposed payoff? I don't think so! 

Speaking of jobbing, Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger again - not cool! Seriously, if not singles, these two could actually be a great tag-team. Speaking of tag-team, jobbing tag-champs to the (probably) one-time giant team - also heinous! The ending to Raw - kind of just sudden and puzzling?

Overall though once more, another great show for Raw and already can't wait for the 3-hour special next week. Until then, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!