Monday Night Raw TV report for 02/20/2012

Reported by Earnest I Aguilar Zevallos

Tonight, the OFFICIAL Road To Wrestlemania begins. That's right, there are no more pit-stops, just 6 Raws between now and the "showcase of the immortals." What will happen in these weeks leading up to the biggest pay-per-view of the year? Well, first we must find out what happened last night at Elimination Chamber, and since I have not read anything, I will just start watching Raw and hope I was right on most of my picks (especially Cody Rhodes or Wade Barrett pulling the upset win for the World Heavyweight Championship!) The build starts now... Monday Night Raw for February 20, 2012 - "Laying The Foundation - Forcefully!" Introduction Segment: Video Recap, Backstage Promo, & Welcoming A montage from last week's incidents between Kane, John Cena, Eve, & Zack Ryder airs, followed by Eve Torres talking with the Bella Twins. They inquire about Ryder's health, implying that he & Eve are friends. Eve laughs it off, saying that Zack is an idiot and she was just using him and tonight, she will use John Cena just the same. (Okay, so she turned into snobby heel - excellent!) She turns right around into Cena himself, presuming he heard the entire plan. The regular Raw video now plays and the pyro kabooms at the Target Centre of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Segment #1: Arena Promo John Cena is out and has a huge smile on his face, and that is because he defeated Kane in their Ambulance Match from 24 hours ago. Cena is looking with approval at the still images that were displayed on the Titantron (and my T.V. screen). Before he can utter a word, Eve walks down the ramp and asks for him to explain. She claims that what he saw was taken out of context. Cena cuts her off, accusing Eve of "sipping the skank juice and using her 'assets' to further her career." Eve tries to play the "friend card," but John informs her that he just lost a "broski for a hoeski!" Right on cue, the fans chant "hoeski" which pleases the former "Dr. Of Thuganomics." He then tells Eve to hold out for his WrestleMania opponent, The Rock, since they have a lot in common. According to Cena, they are "completely disingenuous, totally egomaniacal self-centred, and you will use anybody to get anything you want. You guys are perfect for each other - you're both scandalous bitches!" (Wow - he's on fire tonight!) Eve now falls to her knees and cries, with the fans continuing to hell "hoeski." She then grabs a hold of Cena, but he maneuvers her away, informing her that he is "disease free. I'd like to keep it that way!" Eve now has a mental break down of sorts, with referees and agents helping her up, of course to more endearing chants of "hoeski," and "we want Ryder." Segment #2: Video Promo Clips of Undertaker cutting his "hair" with images of his & Triple H's WrestleMania XXVII match, and repeating the word "vengeance," along with the phrase "every story has in ending." Undertaker prophetically tells HHH that tonight, he will write his. Commercials. Match #1: Single - Sheamus VS. Mark Henry Justin Roberts welcomes Sheamus, the 2012 Royal Rumble winner, who will face World Heavyweight Champion...Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXVIII. (Ok, so I was wrong on that pick, but it will still be an excellent match). (NOTE: Mark Henry is back because Raw Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis has apparently taken over Smackdown, and reinstated Henry from his "suspension.") Lock up by both big men and head butts from Henry to begin. He corners Sheamus and throws a few haymakers, followed by a shoulder block off of an Irish Whip. Sheamus ducks a shot and cuts Mark off at the knee. He double-boots Henry out of the corner and flies off the top-rope with the "Battering Ram" shoulder block. Sheamus ties up Mark in the ropes and hammers away on his chest. The "World's Strongest Man" gets out of it and runs at Sheamus with a corner splash. Sheamus counters now and punches/kicks away at Henry. Sheamus attempts the Brogue Kick but Henry moves and runs at him with a clothesline. He tries the World's Strongest Slam, but Sheamus jumps off and drops him with a Brogue Kick for the 1 - 2 - 3! Winner via Pin Fall: Sheamus Segment #3: Office Promo Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis is putting himself over after the announcement from Elimination Chamber with David Otunga. Teddy Long walks in, to which Laurinaitis tries to claim no fault and thanks the support of Mark Henry, Christian, & Alberto Del Rio. Teddy agrees with "Mr. Excitement" (as he dubbed himself), saying that yes, one person should run both brands. He then has the idea of the WWE Universe deciding who will be in charge of BOTH Raw & Smackdown. Laurinaitis shoots down the idea, because all he cares about is what the WWE Board of Directors thinks. After a couple cheap-shots (including "Johnny Ace" pointing out how much taller than Theodore he is - classic!), Laurinaitis books a 10-Man Battle Royal for the right to face C.M. Punk at WrestleMania for the WWE Championship. (Ok, 0 - 2 now!). A bit more bickering determines that David Otunga will face anyone from the Smackdown roster. Long also tells Otunga that he looks like "Pee-Wee Herman's grand-ma-ma!" Michael Cole informs us that The Undertaker is in the house tonight to convince Triple H to face him at WrestleMania XXVIII. Ads. Match #2: Tag-Team - R-Truth & Kofi Kingston VS. WWE Tag-Team Champions Primo & Epico (with Rosa Mendes) (Non-Title) Epico & R-Truth start off with a lock up and fast-paced action. Shoulder block and running clothesline from Truth for a 1-count. They trade Irish Whips and Epico tags in Primo. He comes in and pounds down Truth, setting him up against the middle rope and diving through him to the outside. He cheap-shots Kofi off the apron, but Primo turns into a backdrop from Truth. R manages to slap hands with Kingston, who enters and delivers his high-flying moves to Primo, finishing off with the Boom Drop. Rosa distracts the ref, and Epico tries to take advantage but Truth takes him out. Primo tries a Backstabber, but Kingston reverses it and follows with the Trouble In Paradise Spinning Kick for the victory! Winners via Pin Fall: R-Truth & Kofi Kingston Up next, after a long while, another candidate for the 2012 Class of the WWE Hall Of Fame will be announced! Commercials. Segment #4: WWE Hall Of Fame 2012 Promo The next inductee to this class is....DAMN! Ron "Farooq" Simmons has been entered into the Hall, and the video package of his illustrious career, which notes that he is the first African-American World Heavyweight Champion, plays. (Great and well-deserved selection!) Segment #5: Backstage Promo Footage of the finish to the WWE Championship match at Elimination Chamber is shown. Chris Jericho was not "technically eliminated" because he received a kick to the head from C.M. Punk, which knocked him out, so the referee declared he could not continue. Backstage, Josh Matthews interviews Jericho and gets his thoughts. He berates the decision made by the trainers to take him out of the match then tells us that Punk does not believe everything he says, while Jericho is truly "the best in the world!" He believes that with every fiber of his being, he knows it, and he is it. Tonight is the "end of the world as you know it, and every superstar in the battle royal will understand exactly what I'm saying, and C.M. Punk will know it to be true," Jericho intensely confirms. Ads. Match #3: Single - David Otunga (with Mr. John Laurinaitis) VS. Ezekiel Jackson (with Teddy Long) Lock up by both and Jackson over powers Otunga quickly. He delivers many punches and blows to David, until Otunga kicks at the knee and runs at him with a clothesline. 1 - kickout by Ezekiel. A grounding rear chin lock is clamped on by David, which Jackson fights out of. He uses more power moves on Otunga, until David ducks a corner splash and plants Ezekiel with a modified spinebuster. 1 - 2 - 3! Winner via Pin Fall: David Otunga (with Mr. John Laurinaitis) Post match, Laurinaitis & Otunga celebrate (with Otunga doing a bastardized version of Shawn Michaels' muscle pose - something he should NEVER do again!) Speaking of Shawn Michaels, his awesome segment from last week with Triple H is replayed and then the legs of The Undertaker are shown walking through the hallway. He will grace us with his presence up next! Commercials. Segment #6: Arena Promo The Undertaker makes his grand entrance, in his usual attire (but the hood remains on to cover his lessened hair). He stares at the WrestleMania XXVIII sign, and takes the microphone. He says that he has lived with the result and punishment taken from Triple H for an entire year, since last year's WrestleMania. He says it is not a physical one, but an uncertainty form of pain. 'Taker says that "never in his wildest nightmares would I expect the answer I got - he said no." 'Taker informs Triple H that it was not his choice to make. Whether he likes it or not, Taker says they are an apocalypse of wrestling - they are the last of their kind. He tells HHH that all the corporate-ness about him is just layer to cover up really are and they have to end the uncertainty. Undertaker orders HHH to come out and look him in the eyes. This thing is "far bigger than you and I - it is, and I repeat, it is the apocalypse." The Game does answer this challenge - he makes his way to the ring and steps in it with The Deadman. Trips tries the same lines of pity from the last couple weeks, but Undertaker just cuts him off and tells him that it is pitiful that he comes up with excuses to not "do this." HHH responds, enlightening 'Taker that it is fate. The C.O.O.'s is to make sure that the business is here and that the WWE exists in the future. Undertaker's fate is to be what it always has been - to carry a torch and be the leader for the next generation. Triple H does not want to extinguish that flame, because that will be bad for business. 'Taker questions the C.O.O. on one thing - is it bad for business that Undertaker is gone, or that Triple H will be gone. "It's just plain bad for business, Deadman," retorts The Game. He has never been more certain of anything in his life. Triple H tells Undertaker to look inside himself, because he is really certain too. Undertaker is not asking for anything but an end. HHH proclaims that he knows what he has to do to beat him - he has to finish him, which is what 'Taker really wants, to put an end to it. But the Cerebral Assassin is not going to do it, he is not going to finish him. 'Taker calls him a "coward," which infuriates HHH, but he doesn't fall prey to the mind-games. "I'm sorry, but the answer's no." Triple H gets all the way to the stage until 'Taker says he may have figured it out. HHH can't do what Shawn also couldn't do, but HHH knows that his best-friend Shawn was always better than him. (Can't argue that.) This statement really enrages him, as Trips rips off his coat and tie, marches back to the ring, and gets in 'Taker's face. He is more certain than he has ever been before - he can do this, and he will! Triple H finally notifies Undertaker "you got it!" "One more thing, we do this, we go all the way. No uncertainty. No excuses The Streak ends, the era ends. You get your end. We do this, we go all the way. I will face you at WrestleMania under one condition - HELL IN A CELL!" Undertaker mimics Triple H's responses from 3 weeks ago, taps him on the shoulder and leaves the ring. He turns around and stares, then walks off again. Triple H also stares right back. (Awesome segment!) Ads. Match #4: Single - World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan VS. Santino Marella Prior to the bout, Bryan cuts a promo putting himself over as a role model. Santino punches away on Daniel (huge "Santino" calls from the fans), and after a hip-toss, Marella quickly sets up for The Cobra. Daniel cuts him off but Marella rolls him up for a quick 2-count, which is reversed into the Labell Lock by Bryan. Santino taps for the loss. Winner via Submission: World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan Post match, the champ celebrates and we are informed that he will face WWE Champion C.M. Punk tomorrow (Tuesday) night on a special live Smackdown. (Catch that report here on wrestling-online.com, courtesy of the Smackdown reporter!) Also, John Cena will be back to address the WWE Universe about his WrestleMania XXVIII opponent, The Rock. Commercials. Match #5: Tag-Team - Aksana & Kelly Kelly VS. The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie) Lock up by Kelly and a Bella. She tags Aksana and both choke the twin. Bella takes over and snapmares Aksana to the mat. 'Sana reverses a whip into a scoop slam, elbow drop, and cover for two. Twin trips up Aksana, rolls out of the ring, and the other Bella pulls the switch, delivering a face-plant-buster to get the victory. Winners via Pin Fall: The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie) Ads. Segment #7: Arena Promo John Cena is back in the ring. "It is cold outside, but it is about to get hot in here." Before he was interrupted by Eve (who he affectionately calls the "skankapotomus"), Cena is going to talk about his opponent The Rock. The fans chant "Rocky, Rocky, Rocky..." and Cena agrees with them. He says he used to love to chant that name too, until he went Hollywood. While Cena respects and congratulates Dwayne Johnson on all his work, he does not respect The Rock. However, Cena has a legitimate beef - the fact that The Rock shows up only every now and then over the last 7 years. John says he has never done that - he always shows up and never leaves. April 1st - WrestleMania XXVIII - means everything to Cena. "I am fighting for every person behind that curtain who's dream was to be in this ring. "I am fighting for every person behind that curtain who's dream was to be a WWE Superstar and STAY a WWE Superstar. "I fight at WrestleMania for the very very small percentage of people that walk this planet and say 'I am proud to be - I'm sorry - 'a PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER!" "I'm here, I've been here, I'll always be here. You're going to have to kill me to beat me. The headline reads 'John Cena defeats Dwayne Johnson in the biggest match in history in his hometown, Miami Florida, at WrestleMania XXVIII!'" Cena drops the microphone and walks off, saluting the crowd to cheers. (Wow - well friggin said, sincerely!) Up next is the Battle Royal. Commercials. Match #6: 10-Man Battle Royal for the #1 Contender Spot for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XXVIII - Big Show VS. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes VS. R-Truth VS. Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) VS. Wade Barrett VS. The Great Khali VS. The Miz VS. Kofi Kingston VS. Santino Marella VS. Chris Jericho (Note: WWE Champion C.M. Punk is providing extra commentary). Since these types contain a lot of action, I will just report on the eliminations until it gets down to the last 4. Khali is first out, courtesy of everybody. (Smart strategy) Ads. Miz is over the ropes next, from a double-dropkick by Kofi & R-Truth. Everybody hits their finishers, and Santino reverses a Wasteland attempt, to chuck Barrett over the ropes, and then Truth. Ziggler dropkicks Marella, but then gets chucked over by Big Show. (Apparently, the way Dolph landed on the announce table may have hurt him seriously, which was a pretty nasty bump.) Kingston is pushed off the top-rope to the outside by Jericho. The final four are now Rhodes, Jericho, Show, & Marella. (Also, Wade Barrett may be seriously injured, as he has been down for a while and a stretcher is brought out for real. Upon DVR review of the move, Barrett appeared to land extremely bad on his left arm, with Wade pounding the floor mats in pain.) All three gain up on the Show until he pushes them all away. A Disaster Kick from Rhodes lays down Big, followed by a Lionsault from Jericho. Santino hit him too with a grounding head butt. Chris tries to sneak Marella out, but he "skins the cat", climbs back in and hits Jericho with the Cobra. he then is tossed out by Cody. He & Jericho attempt a double-suplex, but Show reveres it and takes them both down. Show then shoves the Intercontinental Champion straight out of the ring. Cody tries to hold Show's ankle afterward, and Jericho creeps from behind. Show sees him and positions him for a chokeslam, but Y2J clamps on a Guillotine choke, pulling Show down with the help of Cody over the ropes for the #1 contendership! Winner via Final Elimination: Chris Jericho Post Match, the WWE Champion climbs in the ring and offers a handshake to Jericho. Y2J backs away staring at him instead, and C.M. Punk's music plays while he poses on the turnbuckles with his title to close the show. End Of Raw. Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp Even though I totally sucked on my picks for Elimination Chamber (0 for 3 in the major championship matches), this was an awesome show filled with great promos to really amp up WrestleMania XXVIII. I feel like those who cut them had their "working boots" on and if it can continue for 5 more weeks, I'll be a like a kid again on his birthday, craving and seething, and truly excited for 'Mania. Onto the nitpickings. Excellence: Promos, promos, and more promos. Of course, the two main ones being Undertaker/Triple H, and John Cena's. Both equally displayed passion for their particular desires in their separate matches, and both went off the books to "call it like it is." (I especially LOVED Cena's "professional wrestler" comment.) I was skeptical at first with the idea of ANOTHER Trips/'Taker match, but the added Hell In A Cell and tonight's confrontation proved to me that yes, I am invested. Same as above with Cena & Rock - that was going to be a cool match from the start, but it wasn't something I was "dying to see", until now. Cena's interview tonight changed both my view on him overall and my pick for the match. No question, Cena has the most passion, aside from Triple H & Undertaker, for this business and ALL aspects of it. Also, absolutely no question, because of the above, Cena HAS to win against The Rock, and have the "torch officially passed" to carry on into the next/new generation of WWE. Sheamus/Mark Henry...decent match for the two hard-working big men. John Lauriniatis - both because he is really developing a great personality and because they didn't have him too much on the show, which can be great - as the cliche goes, "less is more." Ron Simmons for the Hall Of Fame - again well-deserved and congratulations. Jericho's promo - intense and passionate for what he believes in, which makes me believe in him too. 10-Man Battle Royal - while they do too many of these matches, tonight's was well put-together and all worked very hard in the match to make it different from others. Jericho going over and now facing Punk - awesome match, but also awesome 5 weeks of promo-building between the two! Bogus: I liked the potential Eve "bitchy/snobby" turn, but that seems to be it after tonight's meltdown? I hope not, 'cause this could have some steam. So they brought Kane back for one angle, have him lose (as expected), and now what - I guess Ryder for 'Mania? Where was both the U.S. Champion Jack Swagger (especially for the last few weeks) and the Diva's Champion Beth Phoenix? Wade Barrett & Dolph Ziggler injuries - hopefully not too serious and won't miss the "Grand Daddy Of Them All", however Barrett appeared to be pissed off and have a cast on his left arm right at the end of Raw, so I'm guessing he's out for a while - speedy recovery for both please! Overall though, again, an amazing beginning on the Road To WrestleMania and now that the main matches are for sure, then the next five weeks should be interesting, exciting, and suspenseful! Until 7 days from now, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!

Tonight, the OFFICIAL Road To Wrestlemania begins. That's right, there are no more pit-stops, just 6 Raws between now and the "showcase of the immortals." What will happen in these weeks leading up to the biggest pay-per-view of the year?

Well, first we must find out what happened last night at Elimination Chamber, and since I have not read anything, I will just start watching Raw and hope I was right on most of my picks (especially Cody Rhodes or Wade Barrett pulling the upset win for the World Heavyweight Championship!) The build starts now...

Monday Night Raw for February 20, 2012 - "Laying The Foundation - Forcefully!"

Introduction Segment: Video Recap, Backstage Promo, & Welcoming

A montage from last week's incidents between Kane, John Cena, Eve, & Zack Ryder airs, followed by Eve Torres talking with the Bella Twins. They inquire about Ryder's health, implying that he & Eve are friends. Eve laughs it off, saying that Zack is an idiot and she was just using him and tonight, she will use John Cena just the same. (Okay, so she turned into snobby heel - excellent!)

She turns right around into Cena himself, presuming he heard the entire plan.

The regular Raw video now plays and the pyro kabooms at the Target Centre of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Segment #1: Arena Promo

John Cena is out and has a huge smile on his face, and that is because he defeated Kane in their Ambulance Match from 24 hours ago. Cena is looking with approval at the still images that were displayed on the Titantron (and my T.V. screen).

Before he can utter a word, Eve walks down the ramp and asks for him to explain. She claims that what he saw was taken out of context. Cena cuts her off, accusing Eve of "sipping the skank juice and using her 'assets' to further her career."

Eve tries to play the "friend card," but John informs her that he just lost a "broski for a hoeski!" Right on cue, the fans chant "hoeski" which pleases the former "Dr. Of Thuganomics."

He then tells Eve to hold out for his WrestleMania opponent, The Rock, since they have a lot in common. According to Cena, they are "completely disingenuous, totally egomaniacal self-centred, and you will use anybody to get anything you want. You guys are perfect for each other - you're both scandalous bitches!" (Wow - he's on fire tonight!)

Eve now falls to her knees and cries, with the fans continuing to hell "hoeski." She then grabs a hold of Cena, but he maneuvers her away, informing her that he is "disease free. I'd like to keep it that way!" Eve now has a mental break down of sorts, with referees and agents helping her up, of course to more endearing chants of "hoeski," and "we want Ryder."

Segment #2: Video Promo

Clips of Undertaker cutting his "hair" with images of his & Triple H's WrestleMania XXVII match, and repeating the word "vengeance," along with the phrase "every story has in ending." Undertaker prophetically tells HHH that tonight, he will write his.

Commercials.

Match #1: Single - Sheamus VS. Mark Henry

Justin Roberts welcomes Sheamus, the 2012 Royal Rumble winner, who will face World Heavyweight Champion...Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXVIII. (Ok, so I was wrong on that pick, but it will still be an excellent match).

(NOTE: Mark Henry is back because Raw Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis has apparently taken over Smackdown, and reinstated Henry from his "suspension.")

Lock up by both big men and head butts from Henry to begin. He corners Sheamus and throws a few haymakers, followed by a shoulder block off of an Irish Whip. Sheamus ducks a shot and cuts Mark off at the knee. He double-boots Henry out of the corner and flies off the top-rope with the "Battering Ram" shoulder block.

Sheamus ties up Mark in the ropes and hammers away on his chest. The "World's Strongest Man" gets out of it and runs at Sheamus with a corner splash. Sheamus counters now and punches/kicks away at Henry. Sheamus attempts the Brogue Kick but Henry moves and runs at him with a clothesline. He tries the World's Strongest Slam, but Sheamus jumps off and drops him with a Brogue Kick for the 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pin Fall: Sheamus

Segment #3: Office Promo

Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis is putting himself over after the announcement from Elimination Chamber with David Otunga. Teddy Long walks in, to which Laurinaitis tries to claim no fault and thanks the support of Mark Henry, Christian, & Alberto Del Rio. Teddy agrees with "Mr. Excitement" (as he dubbed himself), saying that yes, one person should run both brands. He then has the idea of the WWE Universe deciding who will be in charge of BOTH Raw & Smackdown.

Laurinaitis shoots down the idea, because all he cares about is what the WWE Board of Directors thinks. After a couple cheap-shots (including "Johnny Ace" pointing out how much taller than Theodore he is - classic!), Laurinaitis books a 10-Man Battle Royal for the right to face C.M. Punk at WrestleMania for the WWE Championship. (Ok, 0 - 2 now!). A bit more bickering determines that David Otunga will face anyone from the Smackdown roster. Long also tells Otunga that he looks like "Pee-Wee Herman's grand-ma-ma!"

Michael Cole informs us that The Undertaker is in the house tonight to convince Triple H to face him at WrestleMania XXVIII.

Ads.

Match #2: Tag-Team - R-Truth & Kofi Kingston VS. WWE Tag-Team Champions Primo & Epico (with Rosa Mendes) (Non-Title)

Epico & R-Truth start off with a lock up and fast-paced action. Shoulder block and running clothesline from Truth for a 1-count. They trade Irish Whips and Epico tags in Primo. He comes in and pounds down Truth, setting him up against the middle rope and diving through him to the outside. He cheap-shots Kofi off the apron, but Primo turns into a backdrop from Truth.

R manages to slap hands with Kingston, who enters and delivers his high-flying moves to Primo, finishing off with the Boom Drop. Rosa distracts the ref, and Epico tries to take advantage but Truth takes him out. Primo tries a Backstabber, but Kingston reverses it and follows with the Trouble In Paradise Spinning Kick for the victory!

Winners via Pin Fall: R-Truth & Kofi Kingston

Up next, after a long while, another candidate for the 2012 Class of the WWE Hall Of Fame will be announced!

Commercials.

Segment #4: WWE Hall Of Fame 2012 Promo

The next inductee to this class is....DAMN! Ron "Farooq" Simmons has been entered into the Hall, and the video package of his illustrious career, which notes that he is the first African-American World Heavyweight Champion, plays. (Great and well-deserved selection!)

Segment #5: Backstage Promo

Footage of the finish to the WWE Championship match at Elimination Chamber is shown. Chris Jericho was not "technically eliminated" because he received a kick to the head from C.M. Punk, which knocked him out, so the referee declared he could not continue.

Backstage, Josh Matthews interviews Jericho and gets his thoughts. He berates the decision made by the trainers to take him out of the match then tells us that Punk does not believe everything he says, while Jericho is truly "the best in the world!"

He believes that with every fiber of his being, he knows it, and he is it. Tonight is the "end of the world as you know it, and every superstar in the battle royal will understand exactly what I'm saying, and C.M. Punk will know it to be true," Jericho intensely confirms.

Ads.

Match #3: Single - David Otunga (with Mr. John Laurinaitis) VS. Ezekiel Jackson (with Teddy Long)

Lock up by both and Jackson over powers Otunga quickly. He delivers many punches and blows to David, until Otunga kicks at the knee and runs at him with a clothesline. 1 - kickout by Ezekiel.

A grounding rear chin lock is clamped on by David, which Jackson fights out of. He uses more power moves on Otunga, until David ducks a corner splash and plants Ezekiel with a modified spinebuster. 1 - 2 - 3!

Winner via Pin Fall: David Otunga (with Mr. John Laurinaitis)

Post match, Laurinaitis & Otunga celebrate (with Otunga doing a bastardized version of Shawn Michaels' muscle pose - something he should NEVER do again!)

Speaking of Shawn Michaels, his awesome segment from last week with Triple H is replayed and then the legs of The Undertaker are shown walking through the hallway. He will grace us with his presence up next!

Commercials.

Segment #6: Arena Promo

The Undertaker makes his grand entrance, in his usual attire (but the hood remains on to cover his lessened hair). He stares at the WrestleMania XXVIII sign, and takes the microphone. He says that he has lived with the result and punishment taken from Triple H for an entire year, since last year's WrestleMania. He says it is not a physical one, but an uncertainty form of pain. 'Taker says that "never in his wildest nightmares would I expect the answer I got - he said no."

'Taker informs Triple H that it was not his choice to make. Whether he likes it or not, Taker says they are an apocalypse of wrestling - they are the last of their kind. He tells HHH that all the corporate-ness about him is just layer to cover up really are and they have to end the uncertainty. Undertaker orders HHH to come out and look him in the eyes. This thing is "far bigger than you and I - it is, and I repeat, it is the apocalypse."

The Game does answer this challenge - he makes his way to the ring and steps in it with The Deadman. Trips tries the same lines of pity from the last couple weeks, but Undertaker just cuts him off and tells him that it is pitiful that he comes up with excuses to not "do this."

HHH responds, enlightening 'Taker that it is fate. The C.O.O.'s is to make sure that the business is here and that the WWE exists in the future. Undertaker's fate is to be what it always has been - to carry a torch and be the leader for the next generation. Triple H does not want to extinguish that flame, because that will be bad for business.

'Taker questions the C.O.O. on one thing - is it bad for business that Undertaker is gone, or that Triple H will be gone. "It's just plain bad for business, Deadman," retorts The Game. He has never been more certain of anything in his life. Triple H tells Undertaker to look inside himself, because he is really certain too.

Undertaker is not asking for anything but an end. HHH proclaims that he knows what he has to do to beat him - he has to finish him, which is what 'Taker really wants, to put an end to it. But the Cerebral Assassin is not going to do it, he is not going to finish him.

'Taker calls him a "coward," which infuriates HHH, but he doesn't fall prey to the mind-games. "I'm sorry, but the answer's no." Triple H gets all the way to the stage until 'Taker says he may have figured it out. HHH can't do what Shawn also couldn't do, but HHH knows that his best-friend Shawn was always better than him. (Can't argue that.)

This statement really enrages him, as Trips rips off his coat and tie, marches back to the ring, and gets in 'Taker's face. He is more certain than he has ever been before - he can do this, and he will! Triple H finally notifies Undertaker "you got it!"

"One more thing, we do this, we go all the way. No uncertainty. No excuses The Streak ends, the era ends. You get your end. We do this, we go all the way. I will face you at WrestleMania under one condition - HELL IN A CELL!"

Undertaker mimics Triple H's responses from 3 weeks ago, taps him on the shoulder and leaves the ring. He turns around and stares, then walks off again. Triple H also stares right back. (Awesome segment!)

Ads.

Match #4: Single - World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan VS. Santino Marella

Prior to the bout, Bryan cuts a promo putting himself over as a role model. Santino punches away on Daniel (huge "Santino" calls from the fans), and after a hip-toss, Marella quickly sets up for The Cobra. Daniel cuts him off but Marella rolls him up for a quick 2-count, which is reversed into the Labell Lock by Bryan. Santino taps for the loss.

Winner via Submission: World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan

Post match, the champ celebrates and we are informed that he will face WWE Champion C.M. Punk tomorrow (Tuesday) night on a special live Smackdown. (Catch that report here on wrestling-online.com, courtesy of the Smackdown reporter!)

Also, John Cena will be back to address the WWE Universe about his WrestleMania XXVIII opponent, The Rock.

Commercials.

Match #5: Tag-Team - Aksana & Kelly Kelly VS. The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie)

Lock up by Kelly and a Bella. She tags Aksana and both choke the twin. Bella takes over and snapmares Aksana to the mat. 'Sana reverses a whip into a scoop slam, elbow drop, and cover for two. Twin trips up Aksana, rolls out of the ring, and the other Bella pulls the switch, delivering a face-plant-buster to get the victory.

Winners via Pin Fall: The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie)

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Segment #7: Arena Promo

John Cena is back in the ring. "It is cold outside, but it is about to get hot in here." Before he was interrupted by Eve (who he affectionately calls the "skankapotomus"), Cena is going to talk about his opponent The Rock.

The fans chant "Rocky, Rocky, Rocky..." and Cena agrees with them. He says he used to love to chant that name too, until he went Hollywood. While Cena respects and congratulates Dwayne Johnson on all his work, he does not respect The Rock. However, Cena has a legitimate beef - the fact that The Rock shows up only every now and then over the last 7 years.

John says he has never done that - he always shows up and never leaves. April 1st - WrestleMania XXVIII - means everything to Cena. "I am fighting for every person behind that curtain who's dream was to be in this ring. "I am fighting for every person behind that curtain who's dream was to be a WWE Superstar and STAY a WWE Superstar. "I fight at WrestleMania for the very very small percentage of people that walk this planet and say 'I am proud to be - I'm sorry - 'a PROFESSIONAL WRESTLER!"

"I'm here, I've been here, I'll always be here. You're going to have to kill me to beat me. The headline reads 'John Cena defeats Dwayne Johnson in the biggest match in history in his hometown, Miami Florida, at WrestleMania XXVIII!'" Cena drops the microphone and walks off, saluting the crowd to cheers. (Wow - well friggin said, sincerely!)

Up next is the Battle Royal.

Commercials.

Match #6: 10-Man Battle Royal for the #1 Contender Spot for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XXVIII - Big Show VS. Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes VS. R-Truth VS. Dolph Ziggler (with Vickie Guerrero) VS. Wade Barrett VS. The Great Khali VS. The Miz VS. Kofi Kingston VS. Santino Marella VS. Chris Jericho

(Note: WWE Champion C.M. Punk is providing extra commentary). Since these types contain a lot of action, I will just report on the eliminations until it gets down to the last 4. Khali is first out, courtesy of everybody. (Smart strategy)

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Miz is over the ropes next, from a double-dropkick by Kofi & R-Truth. Everybody hits their finishers, and Santino reverses a Wasteland attempt, to chuck Barrett over the ropes, and then Truth. Ziggler dropkicks Marella, but then gets chucked over by Big Show. (Apparently, the way Dolph landed on the announce table may have hurt him seriously, which was a pretty nasty bump.)

Kingston is pushed off the top-rope to the outside by Jericho. The final four are now Rhodes, Jericho, Show, & Marella. (Also, Wade Barrett may be seriously injured, as he has been down for a while and a stretcher is brought out for real. Upon DVR review of the move, Barrett appeared to land extremely bad on his left arm, with Wade pounding the floor mats in pain.)

All three gain up on the Show until he pushes them all away. A Disaster Kick from Rhodes lays down Big, followed by a Lionsault from Jericho. Santino hit him too with a grounding head butt. Chris tries to sneak Marella out, but he "skins the cat", climbs back in and hits Jericho with the Cobra. he then is tossed out by Cody.

He & Jericho attempt a double-suplex, but Show reveres it and takes them both down. Show then shoves the Intercontinental Champion straight out of the ring. Cody tries to hold Show's ankle afterward, and Jericho creeps from behind. Show sees him and positions him for a chokeslam, but Y2J clamps on a Guillotine choke, pulling Show down with the help of Cody over the ropes for the #1 contendership!

Winner via Final Elimination: Chris Jericho

Post Match, the WWE Champion climbs in the ring and offers a handshake to Jericho. Y2J backs away staring at him instead, and C.M. Punk's music plays while he poses on the turnbuckles with his title to close the show.

End Of Raw.

Reporter's Rumblings - By Moe Tapp

Even though I totally sucked on my picks for Elimination Chamber (0 for 3 in the major championship matches), this was an awesome show filled with great promos to really amp up WrestleMania XXVIII. I feel like those who cut them had their "working boots" on and if it can continue for 5 more weeks, I'll be a like a kid again on his birthday, craving and seething, and truly excited for 'Mania. Onto the nitpickings.

Excellence: Promos, promos, and more promos. Of course, the two main ones being Undertaker/Triple H, and John Cena's. Both equally displayed passion for their particular desires in their separate matches, and both went off the books to "call it like it is." (I especially LOVED Cena's "professional wrestler" comment.) I was skeptical at first with the idea of ANOTHER Trips/'Taker match, but the added Hell In A Cell and tonight's confrontation proved to me that yes, I am invested.

Same as above with Cena & Rock - that was going to be a cool match from the start, but it wasn't something I was "dying to see", until now. Cena's interview tonight changed both my view on him overall and my pick for the match. No question, Cena has the most passion, aside from Triple H & Undertaker, for this business and ALL aspects of it. Also, absolutely no question, because of the above, Cena HAS to win against The Rock, and have the "torch officially passed" to carry on into the next/new generation of WWE.

Sheamus/Mark Henry...decent match for the two hard-working big men. John Lauriniatis - both because he is really developing a great personality and because they didn't have him too much on the show, which can be great - as the cliche goes, "less is more."

Ron Simmons for the Hall Of Fame - again well-deserved and congratulations. Jericho's promo - intense and passionate for what he believes in, which makes me believe in him too. 10-Man Battle Royal - while they do too many of these matches, tonight's was well put-together and all worked very hard in the match to make it different from others. Jericho going over and now facing Punk - awesome match, but also awesome 5 weeks of promo-building between the two!


Bogus: I liked the potential Eve "bitchy/snobby" turn, but that seems to be it after tonight's meltdown? I hope not, 'cause this could have some steam. So they brought Kane back for one angle, have him lose (as expected), and now what - I guess Ryder for 'Mania?

Where was both the U.S. Champion Jack Swagger (especially for the last few weeks) and the Diva's Champion Beth Phoenix? Wade Barrett & Dolph Ziggler injuries - hopefully not too serious and won't miss the "Grand Daddy Of Them All", however Barrett appeared to be pissed off and have a cast on his left arm right at the end of Raw, so I'm guessing he's out for a while - speedy recovery for both please!

Overall though, again, an amazing beginning on the Road To WrestleMania and now that the main matches are for sure, then the next five weeks should be interesting, exciting, and suspenseful! Until 7 days from now, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!