Monday Night Raw TV Report 10/24/11

Reported by Ernest I Aguilar

Another pay-per-view is in the books for 2011...which means another mystery. Yes, last night's Vengeance card was good enough for me NOT to find out the results, so with tonight's report, I will have a natural reaction. Will there be any new champions, in particular a "woo-woo-woo" one for the U.S. Title (here's hoping) or one more reign for John Cena?

Or did the champions escape by the skin of their teeth with their titles in hand? Plus, what would be the fallout from Triple H/C.M. Punk & The Miz/R-Truth, and could we have a permanent Raw General Manager by tonight's end? Only one way to find out, so read on!


Introduction Segment: Recap

Regular Raw video begins, as does the usual pyro exploding in the University of Texas. Michael Cole says the world is buzzing about last night's Vengeance, so hopefully something big did happen and he's not just blowing cheap smoke! Definitely more hype, and rightfully so as during the Pay-Per-View Miz/R-Truth defeated Triple H/C.M. Punk with the help of returning Kevin Nash, Alberto Del Rio held on to his WWE Championship (good) and Big Show/Mark Henry imploded the ring with a superplex off the turnbuckle! (Re-hashed from 7/8 years ago, but still fun to see live I bet.)

Segment #1: Arena Promo

"It's time to play the game!" Triple H walks out to the ring all serious and enters the ring. He takes the microphone and recounts a phrase from his trainer, the late "Killer" Kiwalski - "you can either make friends, or you can make money."

He claims he lives by this creedo and talks about how he does both - he has had his share of friends, name-dropping Shawn Michaels, Sean Waltman, & Kevin Nash. (Interestingly, did not mention Scott Hall).

HHH thought that Nash was always there for him, but realized that he was just out for the business, money, & power. He holds up the Kliq sign and thought it meant forever - until last night. "Kevin Nash broke my heart," said Triple H, as he challenges him to get "his ass to this ring" and "no discussions, no talking, just man-to-man."

Unfortunately it is not Kevin Nash he receives but the Interim General Manager of Raw John Laurinaitis. John says that Kevin is not here and tries to tell HHH something, but The Game cuts him off and tells him how it is, since HHH is still the C.O.O. He orders Laurinaitis to go and find Nash to offer him a contract he cannot refuse. Triple H threatens John & the WWE to find Big Sexy or HHH will do things he can get arrested for and shame the company.

He slams the mic down and storms to the stage. As Laurinaitis is telling HHH he is unreasonable, Nash ambushes from behind and takes him out with a sledgehammer shot. Laurinaitis sends Nash on his way and HHH is helped to the backstage area, where he collapses and paramedics are being called.

Commercials.

Segment #2: Backstage Beat-down

Replays are shown of the previous incident and in the garage area, Nash is still trying to attack HHH. He pulls him off the gurney and places him up straight against a pile of boxes. HHH is still strapped to the back board and Kevin wallops him with another sledgehammer blow. Security finally pushes Nash aside as the paramedics and Laurinaitis aide Trips into the ambulance.

Ads.

Match #1: Tag-Team - Randy Orton & Sheamus VS. Christian & Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes

Prior to this match, more replays are shown of the brutal assault in the previous segment. Orton & Christian begin and Christian slaps Orton all the way into the corner. Randy soon fires up with a clothesline and backdrop.

Orton whips Christian into a Springboard Shoulder block from Sheamus and Christian soon trades with Cody. This does little difference as Sheamus just takes over and controls Cody. Christian distracts Sheamus, but the Irishman dives off the apron with another shoulder block. This allows Rhodes to get a cheap-shot on Sheamus and gain control with a rear chin lock to go for a break.

Commercials.

Christian is back in and dominating over Sheamus. He attempts a "Killswitch" but is reversed into a Spin-out back drop. Both men are down and the ref begins the 10-count. Sheamus crawls first and tags in Randy, who goes to town on Christian.

He delivers a Powerslam and shoulder-back-drop. 1 - 2 - Christian kicks out! Orton tries the Slingshot DDT once but Christian slithered out, until he gets caught again and driven down with said Slingshot DDT.

Rhodes distracts Orton enough, which helps Christian to kick Orton and jump off the second turnbuckle with a Spinning Elbow. Rhodes is now in and pounds away on The Viper. The two get into a mini-slugfest until Cody drops Orton with a nice dropkick and then slaps hands again with Christian. Christian tires another diving move but is countered with a dropkick from Orton.

Randy manages to tag in Sheamus who comes in with powerful clotheslines, scoopslams, kneelifts, and the Irish Curse back breaker. 1 - 2 - Rhodes gets the shoulder up! Brogue Kick is ducked by Cody and he hits his Beautiful Disaster springboard kick.

Sheamus gets speared too by Christian but the pin is saved from Orton. An R.K.O. on Christian and both he & Orton roll out of the ring, while Sheamus counters another Springboard kick and hits Cody in the knee with his Brogue, followed by the Celtic-Cross powerbomb. The ref counts to 3!

Winners via Pinfall: Randy Orton & "The Great White" Sheamus

Post match, as the faces celebrate, we get still images and commentary on the WWE Championship main-event, where John Cena lost due to the double-teaming of "Awesome Truth." (Good!)

Segment #3: Locker Room Promo

John Laurinaitis is talking on his cell phone to Stephanie McMahon, who is concerned about her husband Triple H, when John Cena barges in. After insulting David Otunga with "Fresh Prince" references, he demands a match with R-Truth/Miz and receives it, only Laurinaitis will be picking Cena's partner. This is fine, as long it is not "someone with a skateboard" says Cena.

Ads.

Match #2: Single - Santino Marella VS. United States Champion Dolph Ziggler (with Jack Swagger & Vickie Guerrero)

(Damn, Ziggler still champ. I like him a lot, but I was hoping for a Zack win. Ah well!) The two circle around until Santino catches Dolph off guard with a shoulder-toss and tries immediately for The Cobra. Ziggler counters with a right hand and stomps away on Marella. The U.S. Champ sizes up the Italian man for a high-dropkick.

He tries for a clothesline, but Santino splits and ducks, hip-tosses, and goes for another "Cobra." That is until Swagger distracts and allows Ziggler to regain his composure and bring down Marella with the "Zig-Zag." 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Dolph Ziggler

Post match, the two beat-down on Marella with Jack locking him in the Ankle Lock until Mason Ryan runs down and saves Santino. He clears the ring and the two heels bail up the ramp.

Segment #4: Backstage Promo

The Bella Twins make a pointless appearance and are talking about nothing when Zack Ryder runs up and informs them that he is chosen as Cena's partner. (Cool!) Also , up next is Alberto Del Rio's victory speech for his WWE Championship.

Commercials.

Segment #5: Arena Promo

Ricardo Rodriguez introduces his charge, the WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, who rolls out in a $140,000 2009 Maserati. Alberto says that the audience thought it would be John Cena winning the match last night, however it is A.D.R. that was the last man standing and better man. He is done with Cena and moves on to a new challenger. He claims that there are no new challengers though, and we will get used to him as champion for a long, long, long time.

Cue "Cult Of Personality" and new challenger to Del Rio's title. C.M. Punk walks out to massive chants of his name. Punk says that he is a formidable challenger because he beat Alberto four (4) weeks ago on Monday Night Raw AND never received his rematch for the WWE Title.

Alberto declares that he will defend his title against worthy opponents, and he deems Punk NOT. He tells C.M. that he is at the back of the line, and Punk agrees to his points, but the Straight-Edge Superstar says that he may "put you to sleep anyway."

The Interim Raw G.M. makes another appearance and after sucking up to the fans, he gives Punk what he wants and books C.M. Punk VS. Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series!

However, before this happens, Punk must say in front of the WWE Universe that he "respects" Laurinaitis. C.M. basically declines and highlights all of John's failings so far as the Interim-G.M. John orders again for one more chance. Punk says he respects everything John has done, mocking his way to the top. Laurinaitis tells Punk that it is going to be another week before he decides.

Punk tells Laurinaitis to think about this and abruptly attacks Del Rio and then knocks out Ricardo with the Go To Sleep.

Ads.

Match #3: Single - Natalya (with WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix) VS. Alicia Fox

(Note: Beth is on commentary). A face-off between the two divas ensues and then a waistlock by Natalya. Alicia fires back with some forearms but is quickly taken down with a knee-chop from Natalya. Nattie ties Fox up in a Figure-Four-esq submission until Alicia fights out with more forearms, but is tripped up into the corner. Natalya taunts Fox and runs into the corner for a shoulder block, but Alicia jumps over her and rolls her up with a Sunset Flip. 1 - 2 - 3! Upset!

Winner via Pinfall: Alica Fox

Post match, the Divas Of Doom (or whatever they're called) try a double-team, but Alicia escapes quickly up the ramp. Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres (darn, I thought they'd "break up") look on backstage in approval.

Commercials.

Match #4: Single - John Morrison VS. Wade Barrett

(Bye bye, Johnny! The jobbing continues, as does the "Barrett Uprising.") Lockup and jumping forearm from Morrison to start. Kicks and a nip-up by the Monday Night Delight, followed by more forearms and a dropkick.

Barrett slides out of the ring for a break but gets taken down on the outside from a Suicide Dive courtesy of The Prince Of Par Cor. Barrett retaliates with a stiff-kick into Morrison's gut and then chucks him into the barricade.

Ads.

Rear-chinlock is applied by Barrett now to gain domination. Big-boot and cover for a nearfall from Wade. Another big-boot sends John to the outside. Wade runs Morrison's back into the apron and tosses him back into the ring. A Surfboard Stretch is countered and Morrison gets fired up.

Clotheslines and a calf-kick take Wade down and allow John to hit him in the jaw with a running-knee. 1 - 2 - Barrett kicks out! Crucifix into a Sunset Flip by Morrison for a 2-count! (Nice move!) Big Boss Man slam from Barrett, but also only gets 2! A Wasteland attempt is reversed into a Russian Legsweep and Morrison hops the turnbuckle. Starship Pain Moonsault try but Wade rolls out of the way. Morrison springs off the middle rope and is almost-caught in the Wasteland again, but it is botched until Barrett hits it for the third attempt. This time is successful, as is the cover!

Winner via Pinfall: Wade Barrett

Segment #6: Recap (again!)

Cole & Lawler revisit the events that kicked off Monday Night Raw tonight. (Read atop for the review!)

Segment #7: Arena Promo

Michael Cole makes fun of Jim Ross with doctored up pictures (won't describe them here!) and then challenges him to a "Michael Cole Challenge" for next week's Raw in Atlanta. If J.R. wins, he can come back and commentate, since Cole promises to quit! (That was short, not sweet, but at least short!)

Up next is the main event tag-team match!

Commercials.


Segment #8: Backstage Promo

Josh Matthews is with one of the stars of tonight's main-event, Zack Ryder. He asks about the pressure of contending with Miz & R-Truth. Ryder puts down the "pressure" and puts himself over as only he can, until Awesome Truth attack from behind and lay out Ryder. Referees separate the heel tag-team and leave The Long-Island Iced-Z lying.

Match #5: Tag-Team - Awesome Truth (Miz & R-Truth) VS. ??? & John Cena

Before the match, Awesome Truth cut a promo saying they stood up to the faces of the conspiracy and when they rise up, no one will be safe from the truth, including Ryder, Triple H, & Cena.

Ads.

Miz & Truth are awaiting their opponents. Out first is John Cena (who poses with a fan in a we hate Cena t-shirt, followed by his partner....no one. It is now a 2 VS. 1 match.

Match #6: 2 On 1 - Awesome Truth (Miz & R-Truth) VS. John Cena

Cena begins hammering away on The Miz with right hands and a fisherman's suplex. Truth gets tagged in and he & Cena circle around. Cena more aggressive with punches and Truth rolls to trade with Miz. Miz unsure about getting in and stalks the ring. Cena again all over Miz until a distraction and then a harsh DDT from Miz.

This turns into a major in/out tag double-team and usual 2 on 1 style bout. One nice spot was a high Double Axe Handle from Miz to Cena. Cena eventually ducks a clothesline and begins his Cena-upping moves of the spin-out powerbomb, 5-Knuckle Shuffle and Attitude Adjustment. Attempted however, because R-Truth nail Cena in the head with a water bottle to cause a disqualification.

Winner via Disqualification: John Cena

Post-match, the battering continues, including a Skull-Krushing Finale until John Laurinaitis shows up again and directs them to get out. He tells them to hold up and books Miz/R-Truth VS. John Cena & his partner of his choosing, which is...

(after much, but not surprised build)

THE ROCK!

The crowd cheers wildly as R-Truth can't believe it. Cena stares down his opponents on stage as Cole & Lawler put over the announcement big-time to close the show.

End Of Raw.


Reporter's Rumblings - by Moe Tapp

Much, much better Raw tonight. Very promo-heavy, but created new storylines and continued some old ones. And the promos were pretty well set-up and made sense. Unfortunately though, the matches were generic and didn't put add any more "excitement", but they were still well-wrestled and again, a couple of them produced potential for stories. On to Excellence/Bogus.

Excellence: Opening-promo/backstage attack. To the point on both and could possible put both Nash & HHH on the backburner for a bit. (I.E. have Nash "suspended" and Triple H on the shelf for a bit, then resume their feud in December and/or January to keep it a little more "fresh").

Orton/Sheamus/Christian/Cody - all 4 have great in-ring chemistry and made a great match tonight. Dolph Ziggler's "I'm the best" attitude - since his new persona of Dolph Ziggler & "Perfection," to me has been this generation's Mr. Perfect (late, great Curt Hennig) - which is an awesome trait! Plus he can wrestle too, well!

Also liking the feud between him & Mason Ryan. Alberto/Punk - two other that have great chemistry (as they can with anyone) and should be a great feud for the title! Alicia Fox making an appearance AND getting a win - new to the Divas segments. Morrison/Barrett - just a great match. Miz/Truth promos...always awesome on the mic!

Bogus: Bella Twins - did nothing at all. Laurinaitis was over-used tonight. Beth Phoenix SHOULD NOT be on commentary. Michael Cole/Jim Ross feud - next week HOPEFULLY IS THE END! Zack Ryder being out of main-event - to a fine degree, I guess yeah, don't push him too hard & fast, but I think he is worthy of at least a one-time match for now.

Predictability of The Rock for Cena's partner at Survivor Series...didn't need the build as everyone who watches WWE knew it was Rocky that's selected.
Overall though, an improved effort for Raw tonight and already can't wait for next week on a few storylines. Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers & Wrestling Fans!