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| Reported by Ernest I Aguilar |
Raw is international again tonight, (taped) from Liverpool, England to be exact. What will go down on this episode? Other than Kevin Nash's appearance, who knows, but it should be intriguing since the non-American ones usually bring something special. Let's hope they keep up the tradition. Read on to find out....
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
Regular Raw video plays and the pyro blasts in the Echo Arena as Michael Cole & Jerry "The King" Lawler welcome us. John Cena's music hits and he makes his way to the ring (as usual, to a mix of cheers & boos), acknowledging the car on the stage of the set and the crowd in Liverpool.
Cena first cheap-plugs WrestleMania and the tickets for the event. Next, he brings up his tag-team partner for Survivor Series - The Rock. Cena says he couldn't make it tonight, but puts over the tag-team match in 13 days. More plugs continue, as John promotes next week's Raw with The Rock returning. However, Cena focuses back on tonight, as he states that The Miz & R-Truth will take on him and a future WWE Hall-Of-Famer.
On cue, Miz & R-Truth walk out and debate Cena's partner choice. Miz reiterates how he beat Cena at WrestleMania, which is something that Triple H, Batista, The Big Show, HBK, etc... couldn't do. And while Cena may have beat them last week, Miz says that the reverse will happen tonight. R-Truth conquers with his partner.
Cena puts over (calling him the 10th wonder of the world) and teases who his partner could be until Miz cuts him off and he & Truth enter the ring. Just as they go to lay the boots to Cena, "Woo, woo, woo" blares the speakers and Zack Ryder rushes out to make the save, even driving Truth down with the Roughrider Jumping Leg Lariat. Miz & Truth bail as Cena & Ryder celebrate, and it is official that these four will square off later.
Also official and coming up next is Dolph Ziggler taking on John Morrison. (Gee, wonder who's going to win that one - my bets on the Champ)
Commercials.
Match #1: Single - United States Champion Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) VS. John Morrison (Non-Title)
Elbow/collar tie-up by both and Hammer lock from Morrison. Reversed into pinning combo from Dolph for two. Head lock by Ziggler is countered into a Head lock takedown from John for a quick one-count. More head lock chain-wrestling from both until Dolph takes over with a kick-to-the-gut.
Morrison slides under Ziggler's body and tosses him up in the air with a Flapjack. Ziggler chucks John to the ring-apron, but the Monday Night Delight counters, slides under the ropes and hits him in the head with a back-kick. Huge clothesline countered by Dolph and a close near fall.
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Dolph is in control now, stomping away on Morrison and jumping on him with an elbow drop. Beautiful drop kick and a nip-up from Ziggler. Dolph taunts him a bit until Morrison explodes with punches of fury that trap him in the corner. Doesn't last long as Dolph takes back the dominance. Crowd is split, chanting both "Let's go Ziggler" & "Let's go Morrison."
Morrison ducks a short-arm clothesline and rolls up Dolph for a quick two. Dolph regains the advantage with a rear head lock. Neckbreaker attempt is missed by Ziggler and the Shaman Of Sexy catches him to slingshot in the corner. John gets a little momentum but the contest goes back & forth. Clotheslines and flying calf kick form Morrison, complete with a Float-Over DDT. 1 - 2 - Dolph kicks out!
Starship Pain attempt, but Ziggler rolls and jumps over into a Sunset Flip. 1 - 2 - Morrison kicks out! Ziggler sweeps the legs and drops John with a Fameasser. 1 - 2 - kickout by John! Ziggler attempts the Sleeper, but The Prince Of Par Cor holds on to the ropes and flies off with a Springboard Flash Kick. He tries the cover, but Vickie distracts the ref. This allows Dolph to try for the Zig-Zag, but Morrison reverses into a pinning Crucifix combo for the 1 - 2 -3!
Winner via Pinfall: John Morrison
Commercials.
Match #2: Single - Mason Ryan VS. J.T.G.
Prior to the match, a video package airs showing off what Mason Ryan is all about. Tough shoulder-blocks and complete dominance by Mason for this bout. Big boot, Press Slam, and Full-Nelson Slam finishes this (not-so) contest for Mason.
Winner via Pinfall: Mason Ryan
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
The Bella Twins are talking about Beatles history (we are in Liverpool, home of the iconic band) when Zack Ryder gets between them and convinces them to watch his match, as for real this time, he is teaming with John Cena. Twins nod and walk off.
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Match #3: Single - WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio VS. WWE Tag-Team Champion Kofi Kingston (Non-Title)
Fast-paced start between the two champions, with each trading kicks and punches. Kofi drop kicks Alberto to the floor and tries a Suicide Dive, but misses. Quick cover for two from Del Rio and he locks in an armbar submission. Kofi gets out of it and flies off the top rope with a Crossbody. 1 - 2 - Del Rio kicks out!
Missed spinning kick from Kingston and Alberto throws him into the post, drives him down with a Jumping Armbreaker and then clamps on the Cross-Armbreaker Submission to force Kofi to tap.
Winner via Submission: WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio
Post-match, The Mexican Aristocrat applies the hold again until his opponent for Survivor Series walks out on the stage. Cole ponders what will happen with C.M. Punk following the break.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Arena Promo
Back in the ring, the contestants for the WWE Championship match at the Pay-Per-View are in the ring. Del Rio has the microphone and berates Punk for the way he got his match, as well as putting down the country of England. Loud C.M. Punk chants. Alberto informs C.M. that he has to cancel the match, according to Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis.
Punk apologizes, since he didn't realizes it took verbal skills to acquire a match, instead of the old-fashioned way of knocking someone out. The Straight-Edge Superstar reminds Alberto of the two ways he became WWE Champion over Punk - cashing in his Money In The Bank briefcase at Punk's weak moment during SummerSlam and smashing him in the head with a lead pipe at Hell In The Cell, hence the hypocrisy. Punk also puts down Del Rio's mike skills, although still says that Alberto is a helluva competitor.
The Second City Saint claims he will beat the WWE Champion at Survivor Series and then make that title interesting again.
Alberto asks one more time about canceling the match, but C.M. yells NO! at him. The two get into a brawl, with Punk grasping the Anaconda Vice onto Del Rio until Ricardo Rodriguez interferes. He ends up on the wrong end of the Go To Sleep for his troubles, as Punk & Del Rio stare at each with fiery eyes.
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Match #4: Single - The All-American-American Jack Swagger VS. Santino Marella
Prior to the match, a short video of Jack Swagger explaining his loss last week. (Pointless). Waist lock takedown and roll over from Swagger. Right hand by Jack knocks down Santino and Swagger gets control.
Powerslam and back-body-drop into a Surfboard Stretch from Jack. Santino gains a little momentum until Jack counters a hip-toss into a belly-to-belly-suplex. Chucked into the ring post, Swagger then grips the Ankle Lock on Marella. A quick slap of the mat gives the W to the All-American-American.
Winner via Submission: The All-American-American Jack Swagger
Commercials.
Segment #4: Arena Promo
Jerry "The King" Lawler is in the ring and introduces Kelly Kelly to reveal something behind a big red sheet. Kelly (with no passion in her voice) puts herself over and says she is the Maxim cover girl for this month. Before she can unveil the issue, WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix & Natalya interrupt and compare her to Barbie.
The Divas Of Doom continue to taunt Kelly until Eve & Alicia Fox run down and chase them out of the ring. Eve then exposes (lack of a better term I haven't used yet) the cover, which is your typical chic in a bikini picture. (Meh - seen/done before).
Up next, Kevin Nash makes his return!
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Segment #5: Arena Promo
Interim G.M. is out first and welcomes back his "newest superstar signing" Kevin Nash (accompanied by the nWo music). Nash walks out, shakes Laurinaitis' hand, and goes to the ring. Replays of Nash's attack on Triple H from two weeks ago are reminders for us.
Kevin only offers the explanation straight to HHH. Nash says that while they started off great friends in 1995, that ended after the Royal Rumble 2011 - when Nash asked for a real contract only to get rejected.
Big Sexy says he still has it and can be a World Champion again. He says that it felt good to hammer (pun intended) away at The Game's head and he just showed you "that's how you play the game." Nash walks to the backstage area as the classic theme plays in the background.
Segment #6: Video Promo
Another highlight package for Brodus Clay airs, but no Brodus tonight live.
Segment #7: Backstage Promo
David "Lawyer" Otunga reminds Laurinaitis that Clay is supposed to debut tonight, but John says he doesn't want to waste Brodus' talents in England. Instead, it will be back home in America where Clay is re-introduced.
C.M. Punk interjects and takes a couple cheap shots (as did Otunga) before punching David down to the concrete. The WWE Champion comes out of nowhere to fight and puts Punk through a table with concession food on it and then is separated by referees.
Up next is the tag-team main event.
Commercials.
Match #5: Tag-Team - The Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth) VS. The Long Island Iced-Z Zack Ryder & John Cena
Cena & Truth beginning, with Cena reversing a side-headlock into an Irish Whip and shoulder-block. Truth tags out and a mini-rematch from last week ensues with Cena & Miz. Cena corners Miz with punches and whips him into the opposite to deliver a splash. Hard clothesline for a quick two from Cena.
Boisterous "we want Ryder" yells from this crowd, but it is Truth instead that comes again. Cena approaches Truth but the "Crazy One" backs out of the ring and demands for Zack instead. Cena slaps hands with the Long-Island Native, who comes in and eventually takes control over Truth, namely with a big Flapjack drop. Ryder tosses Truth over the ropes to catch a break, as do we.
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Ryder & Miz are now the two in the ring, with Zack all over Miz. Hip tosses and a second-rope Missile Drop kick by Ryder. 1 - 2 - Miz shoulder up! Ryder tags in Cena, and they both take down Miz with a double arm-drag. Truth soon retakes the control and works over Cena. Back & forth control by Awesome Truth.
Eventually, Cena makes the tag to Ryder and he explodes on Miz with Clotheslines and a big double-boot in the corner. He calls on Cena, who is donning a pair of Ryder's shades. They both run at the member of Awesome Truth to smash them with their boots. Zack goes for the Roughrider on Miz, but Miz just chucks him into Truth on the apron.
Truth & Miz tag in/out and continue their wicked ways in the match. More "Let's go Cena/Cena sucks" chants as well reign over the arena. Miz locks in a front-face-lock on Ryder, who is trying to reach for Cena and the tag. Miz drags Ryder to the middle, who counters into a Small Package for a two-count. Miz runs at Ryder in the corner with a Clothesline, then taunts and stares at Cena on the apron, with a smarmy smirk. Two direct-hit boots by Truth and Miz on Ryder.
Rear chin lock is clutched on by Truth to Zack. A few traded shots and then a double-clothesline by both men. The classic crawl for the tag happens, and both wrestlers are successful. Cena cleans house on Awesome Truth then stares at Ryder, bringing him in to do a double 5-Knuckle-Shuffle fist drop. Cena has Miz on his shoulders for the Attitude Adjustment but Miz wiggles out and nails Cena in the head with a kick. He covers as Truth holds Cena's leg down. 1 - 2 - 3!
Winners via Pinfall: The Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth)
Post match, Cena smiles knowing he got bested, while Miz & Truth wonder up the ramp in celebration. Raw closes with Cena mouthing "that's your one, you don't get two, that's your one." to the camera.
End Of Raw.
Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp
This was a great show tonight - very straight forward with the matches and promos. No nonsense (except for the Divas segment, but even that was at least consistent with their storyline) and just a pleasing performance by all.
Excellence: Opening promo with Cena/Miz/Truth/Ryder - again, straight forward and set up the main-event perfectly. Dolph/Morrision - awesome match technically-wise and interesting ending, with John winning. Thought he'd lose again, since potentially on his way out, but maybe he's re-signed and/or is out of the "doghouse" again. Plus, could be going with a storyline of Dolph losing streak now? (Hope not though, as he is too great a talent to let slide for a while).
Promo between Del Rio/Punk - really enjoyed and made me believe that Del Rio is truly scared of facing Punk, knowing that he could take the title off him. Both gold on the mic tonight. Decent bout between Swagger and Santino, plus nice to see Jack pick up a "W" again.
I even enjoyed Nash's promo - again straight forward, short, & sweet. Plus, answered the questions. Main-event. Pretty good match and nice to see Ryder get the last slot on the card for Raw finally. Even though they didn't win, it's a big nod for the continually fast-rising superstar.
Bogus: Cole on commentary and no end yet to Cole/J.R. - enough said. No Brodus Clay - should've debuted tonight. Mason Ryan's match - like the wrestler, just felt that he was misused tonight in the squash, especially in his home-country. Perhaps he should've taken on Ziggler for the U.S. Title (and lose via dq or countout, but at least it would've been more meaningful).
Divas segment - been there/done that with better Divas (man I miss the 90's/early 2000's!) - enough said. David Otunga - still not really getting his character other than the lawyer suck-up.
The fact that I have really limited my "Boguses" and expanded on the "Excellence" speaks volumes of the Raw tonight. Way to go WWE and keep it up for next week! That will be a very cool one, 3 hours with The Rock, John Cena, possibly Mick Foley, and of course, "Woo, Woo, Woo" Zack Ryder! Until then, as always, Be Excellent, Wrestling-Online Readers & Wrestling Fans!
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
Regular Raw video plays and the pyro blasts in the Echo Arena as Michael Cole & Jerry "The King" Lawler welcome us. John Cena's music hits and he makes his way to the ring (as usual, to a mix of cheers & boos), acknowledging the car on the stage of the set and the crowd in Liverpool.
Cena first cheap-plugs WrestleMania and the tickets for the event. Next, he brings up his tag-team partner for Survivor Series - The Rock. Cena says he couldn't make it tonight, but puts over the tag-team match in 13 days. More plugs continue, as John promotes next week's Raw with The Rock returning. However, Cena focuses back on tonight, as he states that The Miz & R-Truth will take on him and a future WWE Hall-Of-Famer.
On cue, Miz & R-Truth walk out and debate Cena's partner choice. Miz reiterates how he beat Cena at WrestleMania, which is something that Triple H, Batista, The Big Show, HBK, etc... couldn't do. And while Cena may have beat them last week, Miz says that the reverse will happen tonight. R-Truth conquers with his partner.
Cena puts over (calling him the 10th wonder of the world) and teases who his partner could be until Miz cuts him off and he & Truth enter the ring. Just as they go to lay the boots to Cena, "Woo, woo, woo" blares the speakers and Zack Ryder rushes out to make the save, even driving Truth down with the Roughrider Jumping Leg Lariat. Miz & Truth bail as Cena & Ryder celebrate, and it is official that these four will square off later.
Also official and coming up next is Dolph Ziggler taking on John Morrison. (Gee, wonder who's going to win that one - my bets on the Champ)
Commercials.
Match #1: Single - United States Champion Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) VS. John Morrison (Non-Title)
Elbow/collar tie-up by both and Hammer lock from Morrison. Reversed into pinning combo from Dolph for two. Head lock by Ziggler is countered into a Head lock takedown from John for a quick one-count. More head lock chain-wrestling from both until Dolph takes over with a kick-to-the-gut.
Morrison slides under Ziggler's body and tosses him up in the air with a Flapjack. Ziggler chucks John to the ring-apron, but the Monday Night Delight counters, slides under the ropes and hits him in the head with a back-kick. Huge clothesline countered by Dolph and a close near fall.
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Dolph is in control now, stomping away on Morrison and jumping on him with an elbow drop. Beautiful drop kick and a nip-up from Ziggler. Dolph taunts him a bit until Morrison explodes with punches of fury that trap him in the corner. Doesn't last long as Dolph takes back the dominance. Crowd is split, chanting both "Let's go Ziggler" & "Let's go Morrison."
Morrison ducks a short-arm clothesline and rolls up Dolph for a quick two. Dolph regains the advantage with a rear head lock. Neckbreaker attempt is missed by Ziggler and the Shaman Of Sexy catches him to slingshot in the corner. John gets a little momentum but the contest goes back & forth. Clotheslines and flying calf kick form Morrison, complete with a Float-Over DDT. 1 - 2 - Dolph kicks out!
Starship Pain attempt, but Ziggler rolls and jumps over into a Sunset Flip. 1 - 2 - Morrison kicks out! Ziggler sweeps the legs and drops John with a Fameasser. 1 - 2 - kickout by John! Ziggler attempts the Sleeper, but The Prince Of Par Cor holds on to the ropes and flies off with a Springboard Flash Kick. He tries the cover, but Vickie distracts the ref. This allows Dolph to try for the Zig-Zag, but Morrison reverses into a pinning Crucifix combo for the 1 - 2 -3!
Winner via Pinfall: John Morrison
Commercials.
Match #2: Single - Mason Ryan VS. J.T.G.
Prior to the match, a video package airs showing off what Mason Ryan is all about. Tough shoulder-blocks and complete dominance by Mason for this bout. Big boot, Press Slam, and Full-Nelson Slam finishes this (not-so) contest for Mason.
Winner via Pinfall: Mason Ryan
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
The Bella Twins are talking about Beatles history (we are in Liverpool, home of the iconic band) when Zack Ryder gets between them and convinces them to watch his match, as for real this time, he is teaming with John Cena. Twins nod and walk off.
Ads.
Match #3: Single - WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio VS. WWE Tag-Team Champion Kofi Kingston (Non-Title)
Fast-paced start between the two champions, with each trading kicks and punches. Kofi drop kicks Alberto to the floor and tries a Suicide Dive, but misses. Quick cover for two from Del Rio and he locks in an armbar submission. Kofi gets out of it and flies off the top rope with a Crossbody. 1 - 2 - Del Rio kicks out!
Missed spinning kick from Kingston and Alberto throws him into the post, drives him down with a Jumping Armbreaker and then clamps on the Cross-Armbreaker Submission to force Kofi to tap.
Winner via Submission: WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio
Post-match, The Mexican Aristocrat applies the hold again until his opponent for Survivor Series walks out on the stage. Cole ponders what will happen with C.M. Punk following the break.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Arena Promo
Back in the ring, the contestants for the WWE Championship match at the Pay-Per-View are in the ring. Del Rio has the microphone and berates Punk for the way he got his match, as well as putting down the country of England. Loud C.M. Punk chants. Alberto informs C.M. that he has to cancel the match, according to Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis.
Punk apologizes, since he didn't realizes it took verbal skills to acquire a match, instead of the old-fashioned way of knocking someone out. The Straight-Edge Superstar reminds Alberto of the two ways he became WWE Champion over Punk - cashing in his Money In The Bank briefcase at Punk's weak moment during SummerSlam and smashing him in the head with a lead pipe at Hell In The Cell, hence the hypocrisy. Punk also puts down Del Rio's mike skills, although still says that Alberto is a helluva competitor.
The Second City Saint claims he will beat the WWE Champion at Survivor Series and then make that title interesting again.
Alberto asks one more time about canceling the match, but C.M. yells NO! at him. The two get into a brawl, with Punk grasping the Anaconda Vice onto Del Rio until Ricardo Rodriguez interferes. He ends up on the wrong end of the Go To Sleep for his troubles, as Punk & Del Rio stare at each with fiery eyes.
Ads.
Match #4: Single - The All-American-American Jack Swagger VS. Santino Marella
Prior to the match, a short video of Jack Swagger explaining his loss last week. (Pointless). Waist lock takedown and roll over from Swagger. Right hand by Jack knocks down Santino and Swagger gets control.
Powerslam and back-body-drop into a Surfboard Stretch from Jack. Santino gains a little momentum until Jack counters a hip-toss into a belly-to-belly-suplex. Chucked into the ring post, Swagger then grips the Ankle Lock on Marella. A quick slap of the mat gives the W to the All-American-American.
Winner via Submission: The All-American-American Jack Swagger
Commercials.
Segment #4: Arena Promo
Jerry "The King" Lawler is in the ring and introduces Kelly Kelly to reveal something behind a big red sheet. Kelly (with no passion in her voice) puts herself over and says she is the Maxim cover girl for this month. Before she can unveil the issue, WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix & Natalya interrupt and compare her to Barbie.
The Divas Of Doom continue to taunt Kelly until Eve & Alicia Fox run down and chase them out of the ring. Eve then exposes (lack of a better term I haven't used yet) the cover, which is your typical chic in a bikini picture. (Meh - seen/done before).
Up next, Kevin Nash makes his return!
Ads.
Segment #5: Arena Promo
Interim G.M. is out first and welcomes back his "newest superstar signing" Kevin Nash (accompanied by the nWo music). Nash walks out, shakes Laurinaitis' hand, and goes to the ring. Replays of Nash's attack on Triple H from two weeks ago are reminders for us.
Kevin only offers the explanation straight to HHH. Nash says that while they started off great friends in 1995, that ended after the Royal Rumble 2011 - when Nash asked for a real contract only to get rejected.
Big Sexy says he still has it and can be a World Champion again. He says that it felt good to hammer (pun intended) away at The Game's head and he just showed you "that's how you play the game." Nash walks to the backstage area as the classic theme plays in the background.
Segment #6: Video Promo
Another highlight package for Brodus Clay airs, but no Brodus tonight live.
Segment #7: Backstage Promo
David "Lawyer" Otunga reminds Laurinaitis that Clay is supposed to debut tonight, but John says he doesn't want to waste Brodus' talents in England. Instead, it will be back home in America where Clay is re-introduced.
C.M. Punk interjects and takes a couple cheap shots (as did Otunga) before punching David down to the concrete. The WWE Champion comes out of nowhere to fight and puts Punk through a table with concession food on it and then is separated by referees.
Up next is the tag-team main event.
Commercials.
Match #5: Tag-Team - The Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth) VS. The Long Island Iced-Z Zack Ryder & John Cena
Cena & Truth beginning, with Cena reversing a side-headlock into an Irish Whip and shoulder-block. Truth tags out and a mini-rematch from last week ensues with Cena & Miz. Cena corners Miz with punches and whips him into the opposite to deliver a splash. Hard clothesline for a quick two from Cena.
Boisterous "we want Ryder" yells from this crowd, but it is Truth instead that comes again. Cena approaches Truth but the "Crazy One" backs out of the ring and demands for Zack instead. Cena slaps hands with the Long-Island Native, who comes in and eventually takes control over Truth, namely with a big Flapjack drop. Ryder tosses Truth over the ropes to catch a break, as do we.
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Ryder & Miz are now the two in the ring, with Zack all over Miz. Hip tosses and a second-rope Missile Drop kick by Ryder. 1 - 2 - Miz shoulder up! Ryder tags in Cena, and they both take down Miz with a double arm-drag. Truth soon retakes the control and works over Cena. Back & forth control by Awesome Truth.
Eventually, Cena makes the tag to Ryder and he explodes on Miz with Clotheslines and a big double-boot in the corner. He calls on Cena, who is donning a pair of Ryder's shades. They both run at the member of Awesome Truth to smash them with their boots. Zack goes for the Roughrider on Miz, but Miz just chucks him into Truth on the apron.
Truth & Miz tag in/out and continue their wicked ways in the match. More "Let's go Cena/Cena sucks" chants as well reign over the arena. Miz locks in a front-face-lock on Ryder, who is trying to reach for Cena and the tag. Miz drags Ryder to the middle, who counters into a Small Package for a two-count. Miz runs at Ryder in the corner with a Clothesline, then taunts and stares at Cena on the apron, with a smarmy smirk. Two direct-hit boots by Truth and Miz on Ryder.
Rear chin lock is clutched on by Truth to Zack. A few traded shots and then a double-clothesline by both men. The classic crawl for the tag happens, and both wrestlers are successful. Cena cleans house on Awesome Truth then stares at Ryder, bringing him in to do a double 5-Knuckle-Shuffle fist drop. Cena has Miz on his shoulders for the Attitude Adjustment but Miz wiggles out and nails Cena in the head with a kick. He covers as Truth holds Cena's leg down. 1 - 2 - 3!
Winners via Pinfall: The Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth)
Post match, Cena smiles knowing he got bested, while Miz & Truth wonder up the ramp in celebration. Raw closes with Cena mouthing "that's your one, you don't get two, that's your one." to the camera.
End Of Raw.
Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp
This was a great show tonight - very straight forward with the matches and promos. No nonsense (except for the Divas segment, but even that was at least consistent with their storyline) and just a pleasing performance by all.
Excellence: Opening promo with Cena/Miz/Truth/Ryder - again, straight forward and set up the main-event perfectly. Dolph/Morrision - awesome match technically-wise and interesting ending, with John winning. Thought he'd lose again, since potentially on his way out, but maybe he's re-signed and/or is out of the "doghouse" again. Plus, could be going with a storyline of Dolph losing streak now? (Hope not though, as he is too great a talent to let slide for a while).
Promo between Del Rio/Punk - really enjoyed and made me believe that Del Rio is truly scared of facing Punk, knowing that he could take the title off him. Both gold on the mic tonight. Decent bout between Swagger and Santino, plus nice to see Jack pick up a "W" again.
I even enjoyed Nash's promo - again straight forward, short, & sweet. Plus, answered the questions. Main-event. Pretty good match and nice to see Ryder get the last slot on the card for Raw finally. Even though they didn't win, it's a big nod for the continually fast-rising superstar.
Bogus: Cole on commentary and no end yet to Cole/J.R. - enough said. No Brodus Clay - should've debuted tonight. Mason Ryan's match - like the wrestler, just felt that he was misused tonight in the squash, especially in his home-country. Perhaps he should've taken on Ziggler for the U.S. Title (and lose via dq or countout, but at least it would've been more meaningful).
Divas segment - been there/done that with better Divas (man I miss the 90's/early 2000's!) - enough said. David Otunga - still not really getting his character other than the lawyer suck-up.
The fact that I have really limited my "Boguses" and expanded on the "Excellence" speaks volumes of the Raw tonight. Way to go WWE and keep it up for next week! That will be a very cool one, 3 hours with The Rock, John Cena, possibly Mick Foley, and of course, "Woo, Woo, Woo" Zack Ryder! Until then, as always, Be Excellent, Wrestling-Online Readers & Wrestling Fans!
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