This was such an awesome show! Miz vs Bryan was a very good opener and helped set up the King/Cole match! Jericho not showing up is a great idea of keeping both guys on the show, with Edge winning the match. Shawn Michaels as GM was great but at one point I was thinking it could be Jericho, don't know why! Rio as Inter Champion gives him more credibility, which is good. Rhodes and McIntyre winning is great as it also gives them credibility. Sheamus vs Triple H was a freaking amazing match with great spots all around. Hornswoggle turning was kind of confusing but helps Sheamus' character a bit. He needs it really. Like the idea of Smackdown vs RAW and I can't believe the draft thing was never done on actual WWE programming. Punk vs Gallows is something I've been ignoring. I sincerely think Punk can have a better spot and Gallows is simply was too bland for my taste but it gives Show something to do. Nice twist with Layla. Let's see what will happen next here. Cole is out and JR IS BACK IN!!! Best moment so far! Cena not voted in as expected! Heel turn on Cena O.O Love it!!! Orton still winning is a Herculean effort on his part! Kofi ends the show by taking out Taker. Very interesting. You are obviously a Kofi fan and I really can't blame you here. The guy is awesome!! Amazing show man. 5 stars!!!!
GCB's WWE
- Thread starter GCB
- Start date
Glad you enjoyed it Gansher!
Couple of things to pick up on: it wasn't a Cena heel turn. It was just an AA to Orton. Neither was Kofi's moment in the WHC match. What I am trying to do is blur a few edges and keep people guessing longer term. I'm also not a huge Kofi fan but I just think that his story at the moment fits in the background of Taker and Kane. I'm also testing the ground a little to see how his involvement goes down. It seems positive so it may lead to something else later. I wanted the IC Title off Ziggler and onto ADR and Cyber Sunday is a perfect chance to do that. CM Punk had to finish with Gallows and that match was the one I thought about not using. However, Big Show and Punk need this little feud for upcoming events so ...
As I have said before, I am planned all the way to WrestleMania and there are clues for WM matches hidden in the Cyber Sunday show. Just like there were clues hidden in the No Mercy show before. I may not follow through on some things straightaway but there are some slow burners in there.
Couple of things to pick up on: it wasn't a Cena heel turn. It was just an AA to Orton. Neither was Kofi's moment in the WHC match. What I am trying to do is blur a few edges and keep people guessing longer term. I'm also not a huge Kofi fan but I just think that his story at the moment fits in the background of Taker and Kane. I'm also testing the ground a little to see how his involvement goes down. It seems positive so it may lead to something else later. I wanted the IC Title off Ziggler and onto ADR and Cyber Sunday is a perfect chance to do that. CM Punk had to finish with Gallows and that match was the one I thought about not using. However, Big Show and Punk need this little feud for upcoming events so ...
As I have said before, I am planned all the way to WrestleMania and there are clues for WM matches hidden in the Cyber Sunday show. Just like there were clues hidden in the No Mercy show before. I may not follow through on some things straightaway but there are some slow burners in there.
Da Prophet
Mid-Card Championship Winner
What a fantastic show Cyber Sunday was, some very exciting moments to say the least. The format was perfect, keeping everything nice and coloured. Having things like that help draw the reader in, and you drew me. Your style of writing is great, each show is a joy to read. Having Miz retain the MITB contract was the right decision. Bryan doesn't need it, while Miz can begin to really play the Champions minds. Keeping it on a heel is always a safe bet, while putting it on someone like Bryan could do more harm than good. The match was well written, enjoyed reading it.
Jericho didn't show up.....something has to happen. I'm thinking maybe Edge vs Jericho loser is fired. Jericho seems to be on the way out in this thread, could it be true? Loved the Sheamus vs Triple H match, what a fight. You really put everything into this PPV, how can you do any better? I think you can, keep up the fine work.
Now to the Main Events, Cena not voted in, not a surprise. You asked the IWC to vote, of course he isn't going to be in the match. Poor John, but I think I know where you going with him. The match between Orton and Barrett was good, liked the Cena thing on Orton. Possible feud between the two, leading to Mania?
The final match of the night, Taker vs Kane. I'm going to say it, move Kofi. I'm not a fan of him being involved with this. He isn't going to win the strap, unless you have some secret plan? But I would have rather just seen Taker and Kane battle without Kofi in the feud. Still it was very well done, made me enjoy it.
So that is my thoughts, and a small review. Sorry I didn't do a live one, justed wanted to talk about my main views. Likely the way this thread is going, giving myself something to battle against. Looking at this PPV, I'm going to have to step my game up for Survivor Series. Oh, and I going to call it now, WWE Championship; Cena vs Orton at WrestleMania. While we see CM Punk vs Undertaker for the World Championship on the Smackdown side of things. No idea why I see Taker facing Punk, just thought it would be a cool idea. But I sold on Orton vs Cena, with Barrett losing the title the PPV before. Barrett to become Champion very soon.
Jericho didn't show up.....something has to happen. I'm thinking maybe Edge vs Jericho loser is fired. Jericho seems to be on the way out in this thread, could it be true? Loved the Sheamus vs Triple H match, what a fight. You really put everything into this PPV, how can you do any better? I think you can, keep up the fine work.
Now to the Main Events, Cena not voted in, not a surprise. You asked the IWC to vote, of course he isn't going to be in the match. Poor John, but I think I know where you going with him. The match between Orton and Barrett was good, liked the Cena thing on Orton. Possible feud between the two, leading to Mania?
The final match of the night, Taker vs Kane. I'm going to say it, move Kofi. I'm not a fan of him being involved with this. He isn't going to win the strap, unless you have some secret plan? But I would have rather just seen Taker and Kane battle without Kofi in the feud. Still it was very well done, made me enjoy it.
So that is my thoughts, and a small review. Sorry I didn't do a live one, justed wanted to talk about my main views. Likely the way this thread is going, giving myself something to battle against. Looking at this PPV, I'm going to have to step my game up for Survivor Series. Oh, and I going to call it now, WWE Championship; Cena vs Orton at WrestleMania. While we see CM Punk vs Undertaker for the World Championship on the Smackdown side of things. No idea why I see Taker facing Punk, just thought it would be a cool idea. But I sold on Orton vs Cena, with Barrett losing the title the PPV before. Barrett to become Champion very soon.
Thanks for the comments Da Prophet, only just noticed them!
Glad you enjoyed the PPV. I never intended for Miz to lose the MITB but needed something to keep him busy for the PPV. I'm not going to drop clues about when Miz will cash in - he has until MITB PPV in the summer of my BT remember? - and it was also needed to set up Cole and King. Jericho - on his way out? Hmm. Maybe. Sheamus - HHH is the best match I have ever written and I was determined to make it a belter. My intention is to elevate Sheamus here ready for a big push later down the line - I'm not sure if Hornswoggle can help but I have a few ideas of how to use him. I had a feeling that Cena might not get in and kinda hoped it'd go that way - Orton vs. Cena at Mania you think? Hmm. Maybe. I didn't intend to put Kofi so deep into the feud between Taker and Kane but I'm just trying to give it a different aspect. Kofi needs a push in real life and I've decided to give him a shove. He may win the title - you never know! I'm experimenting with Kofi - as I said in an earlier post - and I am trying to find a way to make him more interesting. He can be a bit bland for me in real life.
Glad that it's making you step up your game. Mind you, while I've had a break, there are some other fabulous BT's starting. I'm enjoying Global Icon's and Mr. HD's in particular. I've read yours and am going to review one soon for you - maybe the next one you add. And as for Taker vs. Punk? Hmm. Maybe.
I'm giving nothing away!
Glad you enjoyed the PPV. I never intended for Miz to lose the MITB but needed something to keep him busy for the PPV. I'm not going to drop clues about when Miz will cash in - he has until MITB PPV in the summer of my BT remember? - and it was also needed to set up Cole and King. Jericho - on his way out? Hmm. Maybe. Sheamus - HHH is the best match I have ever written and I was determined to make it a belter. My intention is to elevate Sheamus here ready for a big push later down the line - I'm not sure if Hornswoggle can help but I have a few ideas of how to use him. I had a feeling that Cena might not get in and kinda hoped it'd go that way - Orton vs. Cena at Mania you think? Hmm. Maybe. I didn't intend to put Kofi so deep into the feud between Taker and Kane but I'm just trying to give it a different aspect. Kofi needs a push in real life and I've decided to give him a shove. He may win the title - you never know! I'm experimenting with Kofi - as I said in an earlier post - and I am trying to find a way to make him more interesting. He can be a bit bland for me in real life.
Glad that it's making you step up your game. Mind you, while I've had a break, there are some other fabulous BT's starting. I'm enjoying Global Icon's and Mr. HD's in particular. I've read yours and am going to review one soon for you - maybe the next one you add. And as for Taker vs. Punk? Hmm. Maybe.
I'm giving nothing away!
MONDAY NIGHT RAW!
Live from the Boston, Massachusetts
[YOUTUBE]lqKMAPEK3Sk[/YOUTUBE]
*** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO ***
*** SEXY BOY ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS
Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the RAW General Manager ... H-B-K ... SHAWN MICHAELS!
The reception for HBK is deafening as he heads out to a standing ovation from the WWE Universe at ringside in Boston. He drops to his knees on the ramp and offers himself to the rafters as the fireworks explode around the titantron before carrying on to the ring and taking in the adulation of the fans at ringside. As his music stops, a loud HBK! chant begins and lasts for a minute before he holds his hands up to quieten the crowd so he can address them ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
No laptop tonight ... no Michael Cole ...
The cameras switch to a jubilant Jerry Lawler sat at ringside with Jim Ross as the crowd cheers the loss of Michael Cole ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
... just me, HBK, the Show-stopper, Mr. WrestleMania ... Shawn Michaels! The General Manager of Monday Night Raw!
The cameras pan around the arena where the fans are on their feet and another HBK! chant starts up ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
And last night at Cyber Sunday, the whole world saw ...
Suddenly, HBK is interrupted for the first time as the GM of RAW ... by the awesome Money in the Bank contract holder, The Miz!
*** AWESOME I CAME TO PLAY ***
Miz saunters down to the ring the Money in the Bank briefcase in his hand and his faithful sidekick, Alex Riley, right behind him demanding respect for his mentor. As Miz enters the ring, he faces HBK and a look of arrogance passes his face as he stares at the legendary GM of RAW.
THE MIZ
Really? Really? Youre the General Manager of Monday Night Raw?
HBK nods at the Miz and smiles as he looks around at the crowd who are chanting HBK! once again ...
THE MIZ
Shawn Michaels, the General Manager of RAW. That might be the stupidest thing I ever heard in my life ... except for the idea that the Bruins might win the Stanley Cup this year of course!
Intense heat for the Miz after his insult to the Boston ice hockey team who play in this very arena. A chant of Lets go Bruins! starts up but the Miz smirks and carries on ...
THE MIZ
So, Mr. General Manager, I guess we need to get a few things clear. You might have a WWE Champion in Randy Orton ... but I am the man guaranteed to be the WWE Champion when I decide to cash in my Money in the Bank contract. I might even do it tonight ... I will be the WWE Champion of your show, Shawn Michaels ... Do you understand me?
The crowd continue to boo Miz inflammatory comments as he gets in the face of the General Manager as he makes his demands ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
You know what, Miz? You may be the man to be my next WWE Champion, you may be the man who could be the WWE Champion by the end of the night. But let us get one thing clear, Miz, you might also be another thing ...
Miz looks at HBK quizzically and sarcastically mouths What? to the GM.
SHAWN MICHAELS
You might be the first ever man to fail to cash in their Money in the Bank contract successfully!
The crowd like this idea and they cheer loud at the thought. However, Miz is shaking his head and is ready to respond ...
THE MIZ
Youre just like everybody else in the WWE and every pathetic loser here in Boston tonight ... When will you all realise, Mr. General Manager, that whatever I say I am going to do, I do. I came here to the WWE and I said that I was going to be a big star ... and look at me now. I am the man that everybody here has paid to see tonight. I am the future WWE Champion ... guaranteed ... I am the future of the WWE, I am the most must-see superstar here on this show. You need to realise who youre dealing with, Shawn ... because Im the Miz ... and Im ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
Are you finished, Miz?
Miz looks annoyed as HBK interrupts him before he can deliver his trademark catchphrase. Beside him, Riley is also annoyed and he starts pointing his finger at Michaels who looks none too impressed.
SHAWN MICHAELS
Let me get something clear with you, Miz, shall I? I dont care who you are, what you are holding, what you are planning to do or be ... Im the man who is running this show. And that means that youd better do exactly as I say. And right now, Miz, I am telling you one thing and one thing only. Get out of my ring!
The WWE Universe go wild for the GMs announcement that Miz has to leave the ring and take himself back to the locker room!
SHAWN MICHAELS
Get out of my ring and dont ever come out here and interrupt me again!
Miz looks furious and, for a split second, look like he is going to lay out HBK in the ring. But Miz slowly edges away and takes his leave, all the time glaring at the General Manager as he backs up the ramp and out of the arena ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
Now thats over with, down to business ... At Cyber Sunday last night, we all witnessed ...
*** WE ARE ONE ***
HBK looks annoyed in the ring as he is interrupted for the second time this evening ... this time by the Nexus and their leader, Wade Barrett. Barrett, who failed to win the WWE Championship from Randy Orton at Cyber Sunday, looks in a foul mood as he leads his men to the ring ... Nexus wait outside the ring as Barrett climbs in to face up to HBK.
WADE BARRETT
Mr. Michaels, I am here to complain about the actions last night of John Cena ...
Confusion from last nights RAW main event remains as still images of Cenas interference in the WWE Championship match are shown Cena arriving to attack Nexus, Cenas Attitude Adjustment to Randy Orton ...
WADE BARRETT
... John Cenas actions last night in interfering in my WWE Championship match were inexcusable. He had no right to get involved in the match in any way and he cost me the chance to win the WWE Championship from Randy Orton.
HBK looks disbelievingly at Barrett as the crowd jeer him ...
WADE BARRETT
Therefore, I am out here to demand that I am given a fair chance, one more chance at a match with Randy Orton. I want a fair match to determine the WWE Champion once and for all.
SHAWN MICHAELS
Let me get this right, Wade, youre complaining that John Cena interfered but youre not complaining about the interference of your Nexus members? Youre complaining that John Cena delivered the Attitude Adjustment to Randy Orton? You are complaining that you didnt get a fair shot at the WWE Championship?
Barrett nods his head and clearly says to HBK Thats right before HBK shaking his head and laughing decides to respond ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
OK, then. Well, number one. Just like the Miz, let me remind you who is in charge here. I am. I am the General Manager of RAW and I make the decisions. I dont respond to demands from anybody, Wade, is that clear?
Barrett looks agitated but accepts the comment from HBK without a word ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
Number two, John Cenas interference in your match last night didnt make your title shot unfair ... It made it a sure-fire win for you! And you ... err, lost.
Barrett look furious now as he turns his head away and clearly thinks carefully to keep control of himself ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
And number three, Wade, patience is a virtue. If you had given me a chance, you would have heard me address the WWE Championship situation. Instead, you decided to interrupt me. Word of advice, dont ever interrupt me again. You understand that?
Barrett turns his back on HBK and looks to his Nexus members before forcing himself to turn back and face the General Manager again. He nods his head in agreement and awaits HBKs next comment.
SHAWN MICHAELS
But I must admit, the WWE Title match did leave a sour taste in my mouth last night. So, the main event on RAW tonight, will be a WWE Championship Number 1 contenders match. It will be you, Wade Barrett ...
Boos ring out for the unpopular Barrett who smiles and nods his head ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
... against John Cena! On one condition - you get out of my ring right now and you do not interrupt me again. Is that clear, Mr. Barrett?
A gleeful looking Barrett nods his head and takes his leave, beckoning to his team-mates to follow him out of the arena ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
Right then, where was I? Oh yeah. Last night, the world saw the return of HBK as the General Manager of Monday Night Raw. I was hoping that tonight I would be able to fire Edge but he did win his match with John Morrison so I dont get that privilege. However, I do have an important issue to discuss with Edge. So, Edge, get yourself out here right now.
Attention turns towards the titantron as the WWE Universe await the arrival of the Rated-R Superstar himself ... He keeps HBK waiting for a moment but eventually ...
*** METALINGUS ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS
Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the Rated-R Superstar ... EDGE!
Edge makes his way towards the ring apprehensively without the usual pyrotechnics and arrogance. He feels his jaw halfway down the ramp that reminds people about the Superkick that HBK delivered to Edge last night when he revealed himself at Cyber Sunday. Edge slides under the ropes into the ring and he holds his hands out to Michaels as if to question him about why he has called him out.
SHAWN MICHAELS
Thanks for coming out here, Edge. I appreciate it.
EDGE
Why dont we cut through all this rubbish, General Manager? Get to the reason why you demanded that I come out here tonight.
SHAWN MICHAELS
Edge, calm down, man. I asked you out here because I wanna put the past behind us now. Im the General Manager now here on RAW, you, well you are one of my biggest and best performers. I need you on side. You managed to beat John Morrison last night ... I can respect that, Edge. Last night, you proved why they call you the Rated R ... superstar. With it all on the line, you managed to dig deep and pull out the victory.
EDGE
Why the superkick then? If you respect me that much, why did you try to kick my teeth down my throat?
SHAWN MICHAELS
Listen, Edge ... Ive spent a while communicating from behind a laptop through Michael Cole. In all that time, youve done nothing but complain about my decisions. I wanted to teach you a lesson ... and I did. I want to put the past behind us though now.
EDGE
I cant just forget what you did, Michaels ... How on earth do you expect me to just forgive you for superkicking me and embarrassing me in front of the entire WWE Universe?
SHAWN MICHAELS
Because, Edge, in four weeks time, I have a huge match scheduled for Survivor Series. Five of Teddy Longs best from Smackdown against five of my best from here on RAW. And the winning brand will get to choose any superstar they want from the losing one.
EDGE
So, basically, you are sucking up to me because you want me to be on the RAW team?
SHAWN MICHAELS
No, Edge ... I want you ... I want you to captain it.
Some boos are heard from the WWE Universe as the expression on Edges face changes from anger to thoughtful. Edge slowly comes round to the idea and begins to nod his head.
EDGE
I knew, Shawn, I knew that youd realise how important I was to this show. Ill captain Team RAW at Survivor Series ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
Hey, thats great news, Edge. I want you to decide on four qualifying matches that will take place tonight here on RAW to determine the four men who will be on your team.
EDGE
Ill do that, Michaels ...
Edge turns away and begins to head out of the ring whilst Shawn Michaels hands his microphone back over to the ring announcers. However, as Michaels turns back round ... SPEAR! Edge with the spear to Shawn Michaels! The crowd gasp in shock at Edges nerve as he arrogantly gets to his feet and picks up the microphone he dropped ...
EDGE
... Ill captain Team RAW now that were even.
Edges music hits as he leaves the ring and HBK sits up in the ring with a knowing look in his eye. He stares out towards Edge but has a look of acceptance in his eyes as RAW fades into a commercial break.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
*** THIS AINT NO MAKE BELIEVE ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS
This match is set for one fall and is a Team RAW Qualifying Match. Introducing first, from Los Angeles, California, weighing 224 pounds ... JOHN MORRISON!
Morrison performs his usual entrance routine in slow motion as we hear from the commentators for the first time this evening ...
JERRY LAWLER
Welcome to Monday Night Raw and its great to be able to welcome back the real voice of the WWE ... Good ol JR, Jim Ross! Great to have you back, JR!
JIM ROSS
That means a lot, King, Im so glad to be back here on RAW! And what an explosive start to RAW we just witnessed?
JERRY LAWLER
The new RAW General Manager, Shawn Michaels, came out here to address Edge, the man he wanted to fire last night but he was interrupted twice before he could invite Edge out here!
JIM ROSS
Thats right, King, first of all, the man with the Money in the Bank, the Miz was out here to run his mouth for a change ...
JERRY LAWLER
Yeah, for a change. But HBK soon put the Miz back in his place and sent him packing!
JIM ROSS
He sure did, King and then the Nexus with Wade Barrett came out to declare that they were upset over the interference of John Cena in the WWE Championship match last night ...
JERRY LAWLER
... even though Cena actually helped the Nexus with what he did!
JIM ROSS
HBK made the main event for tonight ... A WWE Championship Number 1 contender match, John Cena and Wade Barrett, tonight here on RAW!
JERRY LAWLER
What a fantastic main event that will be!
*** AWESOME I CAME TO PLAY ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS
His opponent, weighing 251 pounds, from Washington DC ... ALEX RILEY!
Riley comes out to heat from the WWE crowd even without his mentor, the Miz, by his side. He looks pumped and ready to face Morrison in a match where the winner will join Edge on Team RAW for Survivor Series!
JIM ROSS
And then HBK surprised us all by asking Edge to be the RAW team captain for Survivor Series when RAW faces Smackdown!
JERRY LAWLER
I cant wait to see the team that Edge assembles tonight as we head into Survivor Series. Just think about the superstars on Smackdown that we could take if we can win the Survivor Series elimination match, JR ... Undertaker, Kofi Kingston, CM Punk, Big Show ...
JIM ROSS
Lets not get ahead of ourselves, King, we could end up losing John Cena, Edge, Daniel Bryan or even Edge himself! The only people not in danger of being drafted are the WWE and World Heavyweight Champions whoever they may be as we head into Survivor Series!
JERRY LAWLER
Wait a minute, here comes the RAW captain now, JR!
JIM ROSS
Edge is coming out here to sit ringside and watch this match.
JERRY LAWLER
After the spear he just hit on HBK, I think he is probably safer here than in the locker room!
TEAM RAW QUALIFYING MATCH: ALEX RILEY vs. JOHN MORRISON
Morrison steams out of the corner as the bell rings and takes it to Riley immediately, determined to recover from the defeat to Edge at Cyber Sunday last night. With his opponent from last night at ringside, Morrison seems intent on impressing as he hits a series of kicks and aerial moves to take Riley down several times early. Morrison takes Riley down near the corner and it seems set for a quick finish as Morrison sets up for Starship Pain. However, Riley realises just in time and gets the knees up into the back of Morrison as he looks to hit the move. With Morrison reeling, Riley goes in for the kill and stomps away on the lower back of Morrison seemingly intent on injuring him. Sound strategy, take out the back and you limit the twists and aerial moves of Morrison. A-Ry goes for a whip to the corner and sends Morrison kidney first into the turnbuckle before lifting him up onto the top rope. Sitting groggily on the top turnbuckle and facing out into the crowd, Riley lifts Morrison up further and delivers a good back suplex from the ropes that leaves Morrison in a lot of trouble. Pin from Riley ... 1 ... 2 ... Morrison escapes by reaching out and grabbing the bottom rope! Riley heads for the top rope now and signals that he is going to end the match here. As he jumps for Morrison, JoMo manages to duck under the dive and jumps onto the middle rope. As A-Ry turns back round, Morrison springboards off the middle rope and hits a Flying Chuck kick that leaves Riley face down on the mat. He rolls Riley over for the pin ... 1 ... 2 ... 3! Morrison qualifies for Team RAW!
WINNER: John Morrison (5:18)
JUSTIN ROBERTS
Here is your winner ... JOHN MORRISON!
Edge slowly applauds from the outside as Morrison stares down at him from the ring with a look of contentment on his face after his defeat last night. Edge nods his head slowly before sitting back down in his chair as Morrison celebrates the win with the crowd. The camera switches back to the backstage area where Josh Matthews is waiting with Daniel Bryan ...
JOSH MATTHEWS
Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time, the United States Champion ... DANIEL BRYAN!
DANIEL BRYAN
How ya doing, Josh?
JOSH MATTHEWS
Daniel, last night you were so close to defeating the Miz and winning the Money in the Bank contract from him. Tonight, you face Miz one more time with a place on the RAW team for Survivor Series at stake. Can you beat him tonight?
DANIEL BRYAN
Of course I can beat the Miz, Josh, I know I can. Last night at Cyber Sunday, Miz used the briefcase to defeat me. He has never beaten me clean and without his boy, Riley tonight, I will finally be able to have a one on one match to prove who the better man is ...
Miz walks into shot with a mocking look on his face ...
THE MIZ
Really, Daniel Bryan? Really? I have proven over and over and over again who the better man is. I dont need Alex Riley to prove that to you. I proved it on NXT, Ive proved it here on RAW and I proved it at Cyber Sunday. Your one win over me at Night of Champions came when Id decided that I didnt want the United States Championship any more. Face it, Bryan, I will embarrass you again tonight ... because ... Im ... awesome.
DANIEL BRYAN
Is that what you think, Miz? I guess were going to find out arent we?
Bryan heads for the ring as the Miz stares after him with a look of disgust on his face.
*** 4 WEEKS ***
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
*** RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS
This match is set for one fall and is the second Team RAW Qualifying Match. Introducing first, from Aberdeen, Washington, weighing 192 pounds ... he is the United States Champion ... DANIEL BRYAN!
Bryan heads to the ring greeting the WWE Universe as he does whilst JR and King discuss the merits of Daniel Bryan as a wrestler here in the WWE.
JIM ROSS
This young man continues to impress me every time I see him in action, King, Daniel Bryan has got to the WWE the hard way but he is set to go far now that he has made it here!
JERRY LAWLER
How refreshing to hear someone praise Daniel Bryan, JR!
JIM ROSS
You wont get me criticising Daniel Bryan, King, I have utmost respect for his in-ring skills. Can he qualify for Team RAW tonight though?
JERRY LAWLER
Its going to be tough test to beat The Miz with Alex Riley here in his corner but Bryan is due a win over Miz ...
JIM ROSS
I saw his match with Miz last night at Cyber Sunday and I thought the US Champion had the match won until the interference from A-Ri gifted Miz the win.
JERRY LAWLER
What an un-awesome way to win a match!
*** AWESOME I CAME TO PLAY ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS
His opponent, from Cleveland, Ohio, weighing 231 pounds ... THE MIZ!
Boos greet the arrival of Miz who heads for the ring without his rookie, Alex Riley who lost to Morrison earlier tonight of course but with his trusty red Money in the Bank briefcase. He heads for the ring with a swagger in his step and heads into the ring where he taunts the WWE Universe by holding the briefcase high above his head. He looks across to the RAW captain, Edge, who is still sat at ringside and clearly informs Edge that he will be the man that Team RAW needs if they are to beat Team SMACKDOWN, not Daniel Bryan. Edge ponders on this before telling Miz to get on with the match and prove it.
TEAM RAW QUALIFYING MATCH: DANIEL BRYAN vs. THE MIZ
The match starts out with Daniel Bryan on top and getting the better of Miz at every turn with excellent mat-wrestling skills and counter-moves that leave the Miz frustrated. On several occasions, Bryan is close to locking in the Le Bell Lock but Miz escapes by frantically kicking his way out or by scuttling to the ropes. With Bryans confidence growing, the Miz takes the easy way out and when locking up again he kicks Bryan in the gut completely unsporting and takes control by ramming Bryan shoulder first into the steel ring post to loud gasps from the crowd. With Bryan clutching his shoulder, Miz takes over and begins to work on the shoulder and upper arm with several moves as well as good old fashioned stomps that leave Bryan squirming on the mat in pain as we head into a commercial.
On the return to the action after the break, Miz has retained control of the match. He is outside the ring with Daniel Bryan and he rams him into the barricades before sauntering back into the ring with an arrogant and cocky smile on his face. Bryan just manages to beat the referees 10-count and gets back into the ring just in time where the Miz continues the beatdown. However, as Miz looks for the Skull Crushing Finale to end the match, Bryan manages to reverse the move and dropkicks Miz in the back to leave him on his knees near the ropes set up for a perfect 619 if it was Bryans move. However, Bryan now has the chance to deliver his painful kicks to the legs and mid-section of the Awesome One before another drop kick sends Miz staggering through the ropes and down to the mat on the outside where he is now being counted out himself.
An angry Miz gets to his feet before heading to the ring announcer and snatching the Money in the Bank briefcase from the timekeeper. He marches round the ring past the RAW captain who allows Miz to continue despite the obvious plan he has. Miz rushes into the ring despite the protestations of the referee and looks to swing the briefcase at Daniel Bryan who dodges and Miz ends up losing the briefcase which bounces out of the ring and down to the mat. As Miz turns, Bryan takes him down and locks in the LeBell lock in the centre of the ring to the delight of the fans. With Bryan pulling hard on the Miz, a wounded Alex Riley is suddenly seen rushing as fast as he can towards the ring to save his mentor. He gets to the bottom of the ramp when he is suddenly hit ... BAM! SPEAR from Edge! The RAW captain takes his seat as Bryan continues to hold in the submission hold ... and the Miz has no choice but to tap out!
WINNER: Daniel Bryan (13:16, submission)
JUSTIN ROBERTS
Here is your winner ... DANIEL BRYAN!
As the crowd celebrate, the RAW team captain walks round the ring to head back to the backstage area for a while. As he passes the Miz who is beaten on the outside, he raises his eyes to the Miz before giving a laugh and carrying on. In the ring, Daniel Bryan holds the US Championship high to salute the fans ...
JERRY LAWLER
Thank goodness, we wont have to listen to the Miz going on about how he is the main man on Team RAW!
JIM ROSS
Daniel Bryan qualifies for Team RAW at Survivor Series and gets some revenge on the Miz at last. A fantastic win for the US Champion!
JERRY LAWLER
But what about the actions of the Rated R Superstar, JR? He prevented the Miz from taking the easy escape route by taking out Riley ...
JIM ROSS
... and rightly so, this was a Qualifying match for Team RAW, Alex Riley had no business out here after his defeat earlier in the night. However, we must look forward to the next qualifier where we will see R-Truth try to qualify for Team RAW ...
JERRY LAWLER
... where he will face Sheamus, JR!
JIM ROSS
What a match Sheamus had last night at Cyber Sunday with Triple H! Take a look ...
Highlights of the brutal Ambulance match from last night are shown as Sheamus and Triple H attempt to destroy each other in a bid to trap the other man inside the ambulance in the arena. The ending shows Triple H with the match won as he throws Sheamus into the ambulance but as he closes the doors, a metal pipe swings and Triple H is knocked out cold. Sheamus forces Triple H into the ambulance instead and wins the match before Hornswoggle is shown escaping the ambulance as it leaves the arena holding the steel pipe that he used to hit Triple H ...
MONDAY NIGHT RAW!
continued ...
*** WRITTEN IN MY FACE ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS
This match is set for one fall and is the third RAW Qualifying match for Survivor Series. Introducing first, accompanied by Hornswoggle, from Dublin, Ireland, weighing 272 pounds ... SHEAMUS!
A taped up Sheamus gingerly walks out of the backstage area and heads to the ring with a more sinister looking and evil Hornswoggle beside him. Loud boos and jeers greet the pair but they don’t seem to mind – Sheamus has a grin on his face between the grimaces – and they make their way to the ring regardless ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
RAW returns with Sheamus and Hornswoggle stood side by side in the middle of the ring. Sheamus is holding a microphone and is ready to address the WWE Universe before his Qualifying match with R-Truth.
SHEAMUS
Why don’t all you morons sit yourselves down and shut up?
More jeers and boos are launched Sheamus’ way as he plays up to the anger being directed his way. A ‘You Suck!’ chant begins that doesn’t faze Sheamus as he laughs out at the fans before raising the microphone to speak. More jeers, louder now as Hornswoggle demands silence and respect for Sheamus.
SHEAMUS
Last night, at Cyber Sunday, I defeated one of the greatest superstars that there has ever been here in the WWE. Last night, I took the 13-time World Champion on in an Ambulance Match – chosen by you, remember? – and I won. I threw Triple H into the ambulance and closed the doors. I thought I ended the career of Triple H last year ... now I know I have. I know that there is no way that Triple H can recover from the beating I gave him last night. But let’s prove it shall we? Come on, Triple H ... come on out here.
Sheamus and Hornswoggle turn to look at the stage to wait for the arrival of the Game, Triple H. Almost a minute passes as there is nothing and Sheamus and Hornswoggle laugh in the middle of the ring ...
SHEAMUS
I told ya! I told ya! I am the man who has retired Triple H once and for all. As they say ... GAME OVER!
Hornswoggle rushes around the ring in excitement whilst Sheamus pounds his chest and stretches his arms out wide to taunt the WWE Universe. A chant of ‘Triple H’ starts up which further amuses Sheamus and Hornswoggle before Sheamus continues ...
SHEAMUS
You need to listen to what I say. Triple H, the 13-time World Champion, the Game, the King of Kings, the Cerebral Assassin, DX ... OVER! Retired, finished. By me, Sheamus. I am the most dangerous man on RAW, I am the most dangerous man in WWE! None of you thought that I would beat Triple H ... but I did. I destroyed him. And now, I am going to destroy everybody else in my path. I am going to destroy R-Truth, I am going to destroy Team SMACKDOWN, I might even destroy Team RAW if I feel like it ... And then I am going to win the Royal Rumble and head to WrestleMania 27 where I will win back my WWE Championship.
*** WHAT’S UP? ***
R-Truth’s music interrupts Sheamus and attention turns towards the popular rapper as he dances and sings his way towards the ring. He slaps hands with the fans on his way to the ring and reaches the bottom of the ramp ... WHAM! Brogue kick from Sheamus who looks annoyed! The music stops with R-Truth laid out in the aisle and Sheamus sliding back into the ring.
SHEAMUS
Let that be a lesson to you all. Nobody disrespects the Celtic Warrior. Nobody interrupts me, R-Truth – or I beat them down like I just did to you. Last night, Hornswoggle joined forces with me. Hornswoggle was treated disrespectfully for months by Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Whilst they treated Hornswoggle as a mascot, a puppet, I realised the potential that he had. So I had a word in his ear and told him that he’s be better with me forming an Irish Alliance that could take over the WWE. Hornswoggle will no longer be treated like a mascot or a puppet – he is part of an Irish destruction team that will destroy everything in our path. And at WrestleMania 27, we will be just like St. Patrick himself ... we will destroy the snake that is Randy Orton and drive it out of the WWE!
Hornswoggle leaps onto the middle rope and shouts and growls at the WWE Universe before spitting on a DX t-shirt that he was previously carrying and throwing it to the ground. Sheamus ruffles his hair as he returns to his side.
SHEAMUS
Nobody will ever disrespect us again. Never! Now referee, get that piece of trash in here so I can take my place on Team RAW!
R-Truth rolls under the ropes and the referee checks that he is OK and fit to participate. Sheamus waits in the corner as Hornswoggle prowls on the outside of the ring now holding a steel pipe like the one he used to assist Sheamus’ victory at Cyber Sunday last night. R-Truth staggers to his feet again and the referee checks with the medics at ringside when a loud beeping sound suddenly begins to echo through the arena ...
JIM ROSS
What is that beeping noise, King?
JERRY LAWLER
I think it could be ... It can’t be ... It is! It’s an ambulance, JR!
An ambulance slowly reverses into the arena with the lights on top lighting up as the WWE Universe realise what is happening. They cheer loudly as Sheamus and Hornswoggle’s attention is taken by the ambulance ... the door opens and the head of a sledgehammer is seen first before Triple H jumps out of the driver’s door and heads for the ring with an intense look on his face. As he reaches the ring, Sheamus and Hornswoggle decide to make a run for it and escape on the opposite side of the ring before clearing the barricades and heading through the crowd and out of the arena. Triple H stands in the middle of the ring and summons Sheamus to come back for his match with R-Truth ...
JIM ROSS
Sheamus has a match ... will he come back or will he forfeit the match?
The referee bends down and discusses something with Justin Roberts at ringside before returning to R-Truth who is stood in the corner waiting. Triple H drops out of the ring and stands at the bottom of the ramp looking up on stage where Sheamus and Hornswoggle have now made their way. Triple H beckons to Sheamus to come down for his match.
JUSTIN ROBERTS
I have just been informed by the referee that if Sheamus does not return to the ring by the count of ten, he will be counted out and the match will be forfeited to R-Truth ...
TEAM RAW QUALIFYING MATCH: R-TRUTH vs. SHEAMUS
The bell rings to signal the start of the match and the referee begins to count Sheamus out. On a couple of occasions, Sheamus makes to head towards the ring but Triple H lifts the sledgehammer ready and Sheamus thinks better of it. In the end, Sheamus points at Triple H and then turns his back and heads out of the arena as the referee completes his 10 count. R-Truth wins the match and qualifies for Team RAW!
WINNER: R-Truth (0:13, countout)
Triple H heads up the ramp with the sledgehammer and still looks like he is ready to destroy Sheamus and Hornswoggle. The camera follows him out into the backstage area and then out into the parking lot where he looks around. Suddenly a car shoots out from the side and speeds off with Sheamus in the driver seat as the Irish Alliance make their way out of RAW tonight. An irate Triple H stares after the car as we head into another break ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
RAW returns with Josh Matthews backstage in the interview area ready to present his guest.
JOSH MATTHEWS
Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time ... the WWE Champion, RANDY ORTON!
Loud cheers from outside at Orton comes into view with the WWE Championship over his shoulder. Orton is not dressed to compete as he is not due to have a match tonight but the new Number 1 contender will be determined later tonight ...
JOSH MATTHEWS
Randy Orton, last night at Cyber Sunday you retained your WWE Championship with a victory over Wade Barrett despite the actions of John Cena. Do you have a message for John Cena ahead of his WWE Championship Number 1 contender match tonight?
RANDY ORTON
Last night, I expected to be involved in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship with Wade Barrett and John Cena. In the end, Josh, the WWE Universe voted Cena out of the match. When they did that, I didn’t expect John Cena to interfere in my business. John Cena and I have never gotten on that well but I respected him until last night. I don’t know what he was thinking, I don’t want to know ... but there will be retribution for John Cena.
JOSH MATTHEWS
Would you like John Cena to beat Wade Barrett tonight and face you at the Survivor Series for the WWE Championship?
RANDY ORTON
This title means more to me than anything in the world, Josh. I don’t care who wins tonight, they will be defeated at Survivor Series. But what John Cena did last night was uncalled for and I will take revenge. John Cena, you don’t want to get involved in my business. I am the man who with one swing of my right foot can take people out of the WWE for months. Think about that.
Orton looks at Josh Matthews for a moment and then slowly moves away before the cameras switch to the ring where Santino Marella is heading into the ring accompanied by his Tag Team partner, Vladimir Kozlov.
*** LA VITTORIA E MIA ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS
This match is the final Qualifying match for Team RAW and is set for one fall. Approaching the ring, accompanied by Vladimir Kozlov, from Calabria, Italy and weighing 227 pounds ... SANTINO MARELLA!
Santino and Kozlov enter the ring where Santino proudly holds up a red RAW t-shirt which he points to as a show of respect to small cheers from the crowd at ringside. Santino and Kozlov turn to wait for his opponent ...
*** I COME FROM MONEY ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS
His opponent, accompanied to the ring by Maryse, from West Palm Beach, California and weighing 235 pounds ... TED DiBIASE!
DiBiase heads to the ring with the stunning Maryse on his arm and the Million Dollar Title draped over his shoulder as he heads down to the ring to face Santino for the final place on Team RAW. He holds the ropes open for Maryse to enter the ring where she disrespects Santino with a flick of her hand before returning to take the Million Dollar belt from DiBiase as he prepares for his match.
TEAM RAW QUALIFYING MATCH: SANTINO MARELLA vs. TED DiBIASE
A close, back and forth match takes place between Santino and Ted DiBiase as both men look to impress and take the final place on Team RAW ahead of the Survivor Series match with SMACKDOWN. As the match begins to reach a conclusion, Maryse gets up on the ring apron and distracts Santino who tries to be a gentleman and help her down from the ring to safety. However, Maryse hits a vicious slap to Santino’s face that stuns the former Intercontinental Champion and allows DiBiase to hit a drop kick that sends Santino staggering into the corner of the ring. A scoop powerslam from DiBiase is followed by a fist dropped into the face of Marella from the middle rope – a move that his father used to use regularly in the eighties and nineties. DiBiase thinks carefully for a moment as he gets to his feet before a cry from Maryse startles him back into action. DiBiase looks for the Million Dollar Dream, his father’s old hold, but Santino manages to fight his way out and knocks DiBiase down with an arm drag after using the splits to avoid the oncoming DiBiase in the first place.
Santino signals for the Cobra but Maryse again tries to distract Santino. However, this time he manages to ignore her and he delivers the ‘devastating’ finish move to leave DiBiase down on the mat. He goes for the pin ... 1 ... 2 ... DiBiase gets a foot up on the ropes! Santino looks amazed and he drags Ted to the centre of the ring and goes for the pin again ... 1 ... 2 ... Kick out from DiBiase! Santino has to be calmed down by Kozlov who encourages him to keep going as DiBiase gets back to his feet. Santino uses a clothesline to take down DiBiase again and looks to follow this up with a diving headbutt - whilst saluting – but DiBiase avoids the contact and gets to his feet before Marella. He locks in the Million Dollar Dream and then hits the Dream Street slam to leave Santino down. Cover from DiBiase ... 1 ... 2 ... 3! Ted DiBiase will represent Team RAW!
WINNER: Ted DiBiase (6:43)
JUSTIN ROBERTS
Here is your winner ... TED DiBIASE!
Maryse and DiBiase celebrate on the ramp as Santino and Kozlov look amazed in the ring. Santino clearly signals that he hit the Cobra and DiBiase managed to kick out and the camera switches to a beaming Maryse as she helps her man back out of the arena with his Million Dollar Title draped over his shoulder again. That completes the RAW team for Survivor Series!
JIM ROSS
Team RAW is now complete: Captain Edge is joined by John Morrison, Daniel Bryan, R-Truth and as we just saw, Ted DiBiase will be the final man to join the team.
JERRY LAWLER
That looks a strong team, JR, I’m a little disappointed that we haven’t got Sheamus on the team though. I think that he could have made a real difference!
JIM ROSS
That being said, King, I think Sheamus’ attentions may be elsewhere right now. Maybe it’s better to have five guys that are focused on making sure they win?
JERRY LAWLER
Maybe, JR, maybe. And we just heard that the SMACKDOWN team captain will be decided this week on SMACKDOWN. Who will it be?
JIM ROSS
Whoever that man is, he’d better assemble a good team if he wants to be victorious at Survivor Series, that’s for sure.
As Maryse and Ted DiBiase exit the arena, the ‘Don’t Try This At Home’ advert plays before we head into a commercial break.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
RAW returns with a camera in the Nexus locker room where Wade Barrett, David Otunga, Skip Sheffield, Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater are huddled together discussing tactics for the upcoming main event. As they finish their discussion, they are joined by the RAW General Manager, Shawn Michaels as he strides in to confront them about something. Loud cheers from outside are heard as Barrett stares into HBK’s eyes wondering what he wants ...
SHAWN MICHAELS
Nexus, Nexus. I’m glad I caught you before the main event. I forgot to mention something earlier tonight. This Number 1 contenders match will not be ruined by you. Wade, if you are going to be the Number 1 contender, then you’d better earn it.
WADE BARRETT
I plan on doing just that, Shawn, I am going to beat John Cena – again – and then I will defeat Randy Orton at Survivor Series and win the WWE Championship.
SHAWN MICHAELS
That sounds like a plan, Wade. A real good plan. So you won’t mind me allowing you to do just that will you?
WADE BARRETT
Meaning?
SHAWN MICHAELS
You said that you were going to beat Cena, that you would beat Orton and that you would win the WWE Championship. In that case, I must make sure that you get that opportunity. So tonight, Nexus ... you are barred from ringside. In fact, Otunga ... Gabriel, Slater ... and Sheffield ... take the rest of the night off. You’re not needed.
Michaels turns and leaves as Barrett stares after him looking shocked. The camera returns to the ring where JR and King discuss this turn of events ...
JIM ROSS
I think that the General Manager made the right call there, King.
JERRY LAWLER
Definitely. If Wade Barrett wants to be the WWE Champion, he needs to beat Cena one on one. Prove that he deserves the title match!
*** MY TIME IS NOW ***
The WWE Universe is split as John Cena salutes at the top of the ramp and heads towards the ring with a skip in his step. He slides under the rope and acknowledges the crowd despite the boos before taking a microphone and waiting for the obligatory ‘Cena! Cena!’ chants interspersed with ‘Cena Sucks!’ chants to die down. Eventually, he looks set to discuss his actions of last night.
JOHN CENA
Last night, I made one of the biggest mistakes of my life. I lost control of all rational thought and I delivered an Attitude Adjustment to Randy Orton. I nearly handed the WWE Championship to Wade Barrett and the Nexus. I momentarily forgot what I stand for, what the Cenation stands for ... Hustle, Loyalty and ... most of all, Respect. I allowed my disappointment at not being involved in the Cyber Sunday match for the WWE Championship to lead me out of control.
Cena looks apologetic as he delivers his comments and they are met with applause from the WWE Universe. He looks around and continues ...
JOHN CENA
I want to apologise for my actions. First of all, I want to apologise to the Cenation. You guys look up to me and I let you down. I want to apologise to the rest of the WWE Universe – even you guys chanting ‘Cena Sucks!’ – I almost allowed Wade Barrett to win the WWE Championship ... and nobody wants that. And finally, I want to apologise to the WWE Champion, Randy Orton. Randy, I do not have a problem with you. I respect you and I hope you can understand the disappointment that I felt when I wasn’t in the match last night. I’m sorry, Randy, I truly am. I’ve got a Number 1 contenders match now, I am going to beat Wade Barrett ... and at Survivor Series, it will be Randy Orton and John Cena for the WWE Championship. If you want retribution, Randy, wait for that night. Put on a great match with me at Survivor Series and get your revenge by beating me. That is the best way to take revenge on me ... I live for the WWE Championship as much as you do, Randy.
*** WE ARE ONE ***
Barrett heads out wearing a black Nexus shirt and holding a microphone ready to react to Cena’s comments. He stands on the stage and his music fades out. He begins to talk back to Cena as he heads towards the ring ...
WADE BARRETT
How touching, John Cena. You’ve apologised to everybody except for the man who most needed an apology ... me! You ruined my chances of winning the WWE Championship last night with your thoughtless actions. You nearly got me disqualified and then in the chaos after that ... Randy Orton hit me with an RKO to beat me. If you’re apologising to anybody Cena, it should be me.
Barrett enters the ring and stands face to face with Cena before continuing ...
WADE BARRETT
But I know I won’t get an apology Cena. You are so wrapped up in yourself that you think that this is all about you. Let me tell you something, Cena, it’s not about you. Tonight, I beat you again and you go to the back of the line while I head to Survivor Series to win the WWE Championship. Orton? He’s not important. I am.
JOHN CENA
You think so, Wade? Whatever happens tonight and over the next few weeks, I can guarantee you of one thing ... at Survivor Series, you will not be the WWE Champion. I’ll do whatever I need to do to prevent you and the Nexus holding that title. Anything at all.
Barrett smirks and backs away from Cena and the pair begin to prepare for their match. Both remove their t-shirt and the referee checks them over whilst the announcements are made.
JUSTIN ROBERTS
This match is set for one fall and is a Number 1 contenders match for the WWE Championship. The winner will face Randy Orton for the WWE Title at Survivor Series. Introducing first, weighing 260 pounds from Manchester, England ... WADE BARRETT!
Boos ring out around the arena as it appears that the Cenation and the majority of the WWE Universe have forgiven Cena and are planning to support him ...
JUSTIN ROBERTS
And his opponent ... from West Newbury, Massachusetts and weighing 250 pounds ... JOHN CENA!
Cena lifts his hands high as the WWE Universe cheers him as he prepares for his match. He kisses his dog chains and hands them over to the referee to save and the match can begin.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP #1 CONTENDER MATCH: JOHN CENA vs. WADE BARRETT
The match begins with Barrett looking to take Cena down early as he pounds on the former WWE Champion and tosses him around the ring like a rag doll. Barrett looks focused on winning and destroying Cena in the process as he drives him down into the corner and delivers a running knee to the skull of Cena before hitting a suplex that leaves Cena down in the centre of the ring. With Cena struggling, Barrett taunts the crowd by pointing to his Nexus armband and then signalling a title belt around his waist as if he already has it won. Big mistake! Cena launches into his fightback and uses his fists to pummel Barrett over and over whilst his face reddens with anger. Cena hits two shoulder blocks in a row and signals to Barrett that he can’t see him before delivering another fist to the face of Wade Barrett. With Cena ready to explode and seal his Surivor Series place, the music of Nexus suddenly hits again ...
*** WE ARE ONE ***
As Cena’s attention is drawn to the stage, nobody seems like they are heading to the ring. The referee watches with Cena who is ready to fight – Nexus are of course banned from ringside. However, the distraction is enough and Barrett sneaks behind Cena and hits a low blow that the referee misses but leaves Cena down and writhing in pain. Barrett plays innocent and sets to work on Cena again. He pops Cena off the ropes before hitting a sidewalk slam and covering Cena for the pin. 1 ... 2 ... Cena kicks out! Barrett is unperturbed though and he continues the attack as RAW heads into a commercial.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
As RAW returns, Cena is still suffering at the hands of Wade Barrett as he continues to beat down on him. Barrett signals that the match is over as he sets up for a Powerbomb ... he lifts Cena up and looks set to drop him but Cena fights back with fists to the head again. Barrett staggers and Cena takes advantage with a flurry of right hands before hitting a belly to belly suplex that leaves Barrett down on the mat. Cena goes for the cover ... 1 ... 2 ... Kick out from Barrett! Cena heads to the turnbuckle and climbs to the top to set himself for a leg drop. Barrett staggers to his knees as Cena takes off ... Barrett sees him coming and ducks away leaving Cena to hit the mat with his leg drop and roll around in pain. Barrett goes for the pin ... 1 ... 2 ... No! Barrett lifts himself up to the middle rope and waits for Cena to get to his feet before hitting a diving elbow that spins Cena round and then down to the mat. Barrett is growing in confidence now ... he lifts Cena to his feet and then onto his shoulders. Here it comes, Wastelands! Cena’s body crashes down onto the mat and Barrett has the match won. He makes the cover ... 1 ... 2 ... CENA KICKS OUT! Barrett is amazed and complains to the referee before turning back to Cena who lifts him up now! Cena has Barrett on his shoulders and he milks the moment for a second before spinning Barrett off his shoulders for a crushing Attitude Adjustment that sends the Cenation crazy with joy. Cena dives down onto Barrett to make the cover ... 1 ... 2 ... Wait a minute! The referee is dragged out of the ring by Randy Orton who slides into the ring. As Cena turns around confused, Orton launches and hits the RKO to John Cena before sliding back out of the ring ... Barrett staggers up and lifts Cena up again ... another Wastelands delivered to John Cena by Wade Barrett. The referee is back in the ring looking annoyed but he drops to his knees as Barrett goes for the pinfall again ... 1 ... 2 ... 3! Wade Barrett is the Number 1 contender for the WWE Championship!
WINNER: Wade Barrett (15:24)
JUSTIN ROBERTS
Here is your winner and the Number 1 contender for the WWE Championship ... WADE BARRETT!
As the Nexus music sounds out, Orton slowly backs away up the ramp again where he pauses to pick up his WWE Championship that he dropped on his way out. He lifts it up high as Wade Barrett looks quizzically towards him whilst he stands over John Cena as RAW comes to a close ...
********** END OF SHOW **********
Da Prophet
Mid-Card Championship Winner
Da Prophet Review
This will be a live review, so I'll be writing notes as I go. We start off with the NEW GM of Monday Night RAW.....SHAWN FREAKING MICHAELS! I like the move of having him as your General Manager. I'm expecting someone to come out here, it happens every time.
Oh look it's The Miz, shocking! Good interaction between the two, and shut down bitch. Shawn told that sucka what is up. Here comes Barrett, damn you made it sound like him. Really good job with Barrett GCB, nice work so far. He is sad, got him a lollipop and some juice. Shawn is helping with said sadness, good move. Oh shit, Cena vs Barrett! Now that is a Main Event I must read. We aren't finished because....EDGE is here. This moment just became Rated R, oh my! Simple interaction between the two, I totally forgot about the kick to the face. Good job at reminding us. Team RAW vs Team Smackdown, that is always a safe bet for the Survivor Series (mine will kick arse). Edge is a solid choice of captain, but what I know about having Edge be the captain of Team RAW to battle against Team Smackdown. Good opening segment, you still got it.
We come back and we are going into a match here. Riley has no chance in the world. Quick match for Morrison to win. Only way Alex had a chance was if Miz was here.
Survivor Series by GCB is coming!
Hey it is the Miz again tonight, this time in action. Oh vs Bryan, didn't I pay for that match last night. And yet I get in free 24 hours later. Maybe someone else could have been used, but still I get the idea. The match was good, as are all your matches.
Talk of Triple H, I expect him to appear sometime tonight. Oh look Sheamus is here with Hornswoggle. What a pair, can't believe you did that. Only you, only you would dare put them together. Nice promo by Sheamus and Truth, I guess a match is coming between them. Here it is, this is going to be good. Um....it is over. that was quick. Good move here GCB, having Sheamus lose like this. It gets Truth on the RAW Team and keeps Sheamus looking strong. I fully expecting Sheamus vs Triple H at Survivor Series.
Quick interview with the WWE Champion, I have to say he hasn't done much tonight. I would think that the WWE Champion would want a word with the new GM. He has to be doing something tonight, I hope.
We have our final Team RAW match, and this could go any way. Nice offense here, and Ted won. Well Team RAW looks very good with Edge leading it. I can't wait to see Team Smackdown.
Nexus alert, wait Shawn is here. Banned for ringside, Barrett is going to eat his own words. Great move, great move GCB!
The Main Event Wade Barret vs John Cena. It had some good description and the actions made sense. Sometimes when reading a BT, what the characters do are totally out of whack. That isn't the case here. Havng Orton cost Cena the match was the right move. He wanted payback in the worst way. And it also pushes my thought of Cena vs Orton at WrestleMania for the WWE Championship. I have so got this one.
Overall it was a fantastic show, you could of had more Orton. Being the WWE Champion I think a quick interview and a run in isn't enough. The matches had good descriptio as I have said time and time again. The promo stuff was great, the best being the opening segment. Keep it up, this is really one of the best BT on this site. And the best one going at this moment.
This will be a live review, so I'll be writing notes as I go. We start off with the NEW GM of Monday Night RAW.....SHAWN FREAKING MICHAELS! I like the move of having him as your General Manager. I'm expecting someone to come out here, it happens every time.
Oh look it's The Miz, shocking! Good interaction between the two, and shut down bitch. Shawn told that sucka what is up. Here comes Barrett, damn you made it sound like him. Really good job with Barrett GCB, nice work so far. He is sad, got him a lollipop and some juice. Shawn is helping with said sadness, good move. Oh shit, Cena vs Barrett! Now that is a Main Event I must read. We aren't finished because....EDGE is here. This moment just became Rated R, oh my! Simple interaction between the two, I totally forgot about the kick to the face. Good job at reminding us. Team RAW vs Team Smackdown, that is always a safe bet for the Survivor Series (mine will kick arse). Edge is a solid choice of captain, but what I know about having Edge be the captain of Team RAW to battle against Team Smackdown. Good opening segment, you still got it.
We come back and we are going into a match here. Riley has no chance in the world. Quick match for Morrison to win. Only way Alex had a chance was if Miz was here.
Survivor Series by GCB is coming!
Hey it is the Miz again tonight, this time in action. Oh vs Bryan, didn't I pay for that match last night. And yet I get in free 24 hours later. Maybe someone else could have been used, but still I get the idea. The match was good, as are all your matches.
Talk of Triple H, I expect him to appear sometime tonight. Oh look Sheamus is here with Hornswoggle. What a pair, can't believe you did that. Only you, only you would dare put them together. Nice promo by Sheamus and Truth, I guess a match is coming between them. Here it is, this is going to be good. Um....it is over. that was quick. Good move here GCB, having Sheamus lose like this. It gets Truth on the RAW Team and keeps Sheamus looking strong. I fully expecting Sheamus vs Triple H at Survivor Series.
Quick interview with the WWE Champion, I have to say he hasn't done much tonight. I would think that the WWE Champion would want a word with the new GM. He has to be doing something tonight, I hope.
We have our final Team RAW match, and this could go any way. Nice offense here, and Ted won. Well Team RAW looks very good with Edge leading it. I can't wait to see Team Smackdown.
Nexus alert, wait Shawn is here. Banned for ringside, Barrett is going to eat his own words. Great move, great move GCB!
The Main Event Wade Barret vs John Cena. It had some good description and the actions made sense. Sometimes when reading a BT, what the characters do are totally out of whack. That isn't the case here. Havng Orton cost Cena the match was the right move. He wanted payback in the worst way. And it also pushes my thought of Cena vs Orton at WrestleMania for the WWE Championship. I have so got this one.
Overall it was a fantastic show, you could of had more Orton. Being the WWE Champion I think a quick interview and a run in isn't enough. The matches had good descriptio as I have said time and time again. The promo stuff was great, the best being the opening segment. Keep it up, this is really one of the best BT on this site. And the best one going at this moment.
FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN!
Live from Worcester, Massachusetts
[YOUTUBE]RQPvWEWTpbU[/YOUTUBE]
*** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO ***
SMACKDOWN begins with Michael Cole stood in the ring with a microphone. He complains about the unfair treatment that he received on RAW from Shawn Michaels and says that he is finished with RAW anyway. He claims that he has returned home to where he belongs – Friday Night Smackdown. The crowd aren’t pleased but he continues on and introduces his new broadcast colleague for Friday Nights ...
*** WRECK ***
The SMACKDOWN crowd go wild for the return of Mick Foley to the commentating positions. He waves to the crowd before heading to the announce table where he sits besides Michael Cole with a smirk on his face and refusing to shake hands with his new broadcast colleague ... not a great way to start a new partnership! As Cole tries to welcome Foley to SMACKDOWN, he ignores his new partner and continues to acknowledge the fans around him ...
*** MAN ON FIRE ***
Kane makes his way to the ring with the World Heavyweight Championship around his waist and a maniacal grin on his face as he steps through the ropes surrounded by the eerie red lights that accompany him nowadays. He performs his exploding ring post move before taking a microphone and standing centre of the ring. He tells the world that last night at Cyber Sunday, he finally defeated the Undertaker in the Deadman’s signature match – a Casket Match. Laughing out loud despite the boos, Kane goes on to inform the world that he has driven the Undertaker out of the WWE and invites the WWE Universe to chant for their ‘hero’ that he has retired once and for all. Despite the chants of ‘Un-der-ta-ker!’ from the crowd, nobody comes out to confront the demonic Kane and he looks around smugly before declaring that he is the most dominant man in the WWE and that nobody can come close to defeating him ...
Kane ends his address by acknowledging the achievements of his older brother: 7 times the World Heavyweight Champion, the WrestleMania streak of 18 and 0, the destruction of several monsters of the WWE ... Kane admits that those are impressive achievements but that the Undertaker’s career is now over and that he will ... Rest ... In ... Peace.
*** MACMILITANT ***
SMACKDOWN General Manager Teddy Long appears on stage and addresses Kane who is still in the ring. He congratulates Kane on retaining the World Heavyweight Championship at Cyber Sunday but informs Kane that even though the Undertaker’s WWE career may be finished, the World Champion’s career isn’t and that he will face a new challenger at Survivor Series. Kane tells Teddy Long that there isn’t anybody on the SMACKDOWN roster who deserves a chance at the title, that they have all failed in the past and that they will continue to fail, that none of them have been able to hold on to the title. Long reassures Kane that the title shot won’t be going to somebody who has held the title before and announces the World Heavyweight Championship Breakout Star Tournament that will determine the new challenger for Kane’s title. Eight WWE superstars who have never held the World Heavyweight or the WWE Championship will get the opportunity to earn the right to face Kane at Survivor Series and challenge for the title. Kane looks unruffled as SMACKDOWN heads into its first commercial break of the evening.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
*** CLAVICLE ***
Evan Bourne heads to the ring as SMACKDOWN returns for a Qualifying match to be one of the eight men to participate in the World Championship Tournament. His opponent is announced by Michael Cole as being his Tag Team partner, Mark Henry, with Teddy Long unable to choose between the pair for the final place in the tournament.
*** SOMEBODIES GONNA’ GET IT ***
Henry heads to the ring and embraces his friend and partner Evan Bourne before the match begins. Foley and Cole discuss the chances of the much, much smaller Bourne and speculate that Henry’s cheery attitude towards his partner displays a confidence that he will overcome Bourne to earn a place in the tournament.
QUALIFYING MATCH FOR WORLD TITLE TOURNAMENT: EVAN BOURNE vs. MARK HENRY
Henry dominates the early stages of the contest but is unable to get a hold of Bourne who keeps sliding out of his grasp and launching mini-comebacks with surprising kicks and high flying offence that is too quick for Henry to handle. Henry begins to get a little frustrated and ends up pushing Bourne hard in the chest as the friendliness between the two thaws and the tension rises a notch. Foley speculates that this could be bad news for Evan Bourne as Henry resumes his dominance again before going for several covers that fail at 2. Bourne staggers into the corner and Henry tries to lift him up and drag him to the middle of the ring to deliver the finisher but Bourne grabs hold of the turnbuckle pad and Henry can’t drag him away. Eventually, Bourne’s grip on the corner comes away as the pad rips off the buckle and with a look of annoyance on his face, Henry does the unthinkable and tries to ram his friends head into the exposed steel. However, Bourne defends and avoids the impact before launching defensive kicks to escape. Henry goes for a splash in the corner but Bourne moves and Henry’s chest hits the steel buckle before a huge springboard spinning kick from Bourne sends Henry down. Bourne quickly scales the ropes and delivers the AIR BOURNE shooting star press before covering the huge Henry ... 1 ... 2 ... 3! EVAN BOURNE QUALIFIES!
WINNER: Evan Bourne (7:39)
After the match, Bourne and Henry face each other and Henry apologises for his actions and congratulates Bourne on the victory before raising his friend’s hand. It shows just how much the superstars involved want to be in the tournament and how much they are going to want to win it declares Mick Foley on commentary.
Attention turns to Todd Grisham who is backstage with the new Intercontinental Champion, Alberto Del Rio, who defeated Dolph Ziggler last night. Del Rio points out that he has only been in WWE for three months and that he is already the Intercontinental Champion. He suggests that he is destined to win the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series and that he will wear all the gold. He likens himself to King Midas – everything he touches turns to gold. He is rudely interrupted by Chavo Guerrero who receives a small pop as he comes on camera. Chavo says he has been overlooked for too long and that it is time that stepped out of the shadows. He points out that he has never held the World Heavyweight Title and mentions that he wants to bring more pride to the Guerrero name by emulating his Uncle Eddie and becoming the champion. A loud ‘Eddie! Eddie!’ chant begins in the arena and Chavo points to the ceiling before continuing. He tells Del Rio that the Guerrero name is the most famous in Mexican wrestling history and that Del Rio is nowhere near making the same impact as his family. He challenges Del Rio to a match later tonight for a place in the World Heavyweight Championship Tournament which Del Rio accepts. Del Rio declares that he will prove tonight that Alberto Del Rio is the man who will lead Mexican wrestling to the top in WWE – and that Chavo will long be forgotten once he has been destroyed tonight.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
SMACKDOWN returns with confirmation of the Chavo Guerrero vs. Alberto Del Rio and the camera shows Chavo in the ring with his music playing as he prepares for the match.
*** FUNBA RUMBA ***
Del Rio’s announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez, announces the entrance of the Excellence of Excellence, the pride of Mexico, the Intercontinental Champion, Alberto Del Rio. He heads out in a flash car and winks at the members of the WWE Universe as he heads to the ramp with the Intercontinental Championship around his waist. He poses on the ramp as the pyro falls in a curtain behind him before he heads into the ring.
QUALIFYING MATCH FOR WORLD TITLE TOURNAMENT: ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. CHAVO GUERRERO
With the fans solidly behind Chavo and the Guerrero family name, the Mexican warrior flies out of the blocks and has Del Rio reeling. With the fans getting right behind him, Chavo manages to hit the ‘Three Amigos’ move to the cheers of the crowd who follow up with a loud ‘Eddie! Eddie!’ chant as homage to the former World Champion and Chavo’s uncle, Eddie Guerrero. Chavo heads to the corner of the ring with Del Rio down in the middle of the ring and climbs the ropes ready to get ‘froggy’ and seal a priceless victory. Chavo launches off the top rope, going for the Frog Splash but fails to make contact as Rodriguez pulls Del Rio to safety just in time ... With Chavo stunned, Del Rio hits an Inzuguri before rolling Chavo into the devastating Cross Arm Breaker and forcing Chavo to submit quickly.
WINNER: Alberto Del Rio (2:57)
Michael Cole and Mick Foley hail the skills of Alberto Del Rio and his ability to change a match in the blink of an eye as well as his undefeated streak since his arrival in the WWE. Del Rio has now qualified for the Quarter Finals of the World Championship tournament where he will face Evan Bourne next week after his win over Mark Henry earlier tonight.
A vignette plays advertising the return of Matt Hardy to SMACKDOWN next week. After Matt’s announcements on SMACKDOWN a few weeks back, it appeared unlikely that we would see Hardy in a WWE ring again but he will be back next week. Cole announces that he will not only return next week but he will be entering the World Championship tournament. The camera switches to the General Manager office where Teddy Long is reading the latest WWE magazine when in walk the former Intercontinental Champion, Dolph Ziggler with, of course, Vickie Guerrero by his side. Ziggler is unhappy that he had to face Alberto Del Rio at Cyber Sunday with no notice – despite the fact that every WWE superstar knows the concept of Cyber Sunday. Vickie backs Ziggler up and informs Teddy Long that Ziggler deserves to be treat better than he has been. Long informs Ziggler that he has a proposition for him: he suggests that if Ziggler is prepared to give up his rematch for the Intercontinental Championship, he will be given a place in the World Championship tournament next week. Ziggler agrees immediately but Vickie interrupts and asks Long to tell Ziggler who is opponent will be next week. Long smiles at Ziggler before announcing that he will face ... the returning Matt Hardy! Ziggler looks disgusted with this news but the crowd love the idea and the match is set – next week on SMACKDOWN, Dolph Ziggler vs. Matt Hardy.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
*** SMOKE AND MIRRORS ***
The arrogant Cody Rhodes heads towards the ring with a swagger in his step as he prepares for action in the first official Quarter Final match in the World Championship tournament. With Del Rio facing Evan Bourne and Matt Hardy facing Dolph Ziggler next week, there will be two matches tonight to determine the first two semi finalists. Rhodes – after posing in front of the mirror – heads into the ring to await his opponent for the first match.
*** IF YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES ***
Crowd favourite Christian comes out to a great ovation as he surveys the arena for his peeps before heading into the ring to face ‘Dashing’ Cody Rhodes. Both men have never won the World Championship which makes them eligible for the Breakout Star tournament and an opportunity to earn a shot at Kane at Survivor Series.
QUARTER FINAL: CHRISTIAN vs. CODY RHODES
The younger Cody Rhodes takes the early advantage as he goes to work on Christian as he looks to secure a Semi Final place. Rhodes hits some of his big moves early as he hits the Beautiful Disaster – a springboard kick – that gets a close 2 count. Christian fights back valiantly and both men go close to hitting their finishing moves in a frantic few seconds – Christian’s Killswitch reversed into the Cross Rhodes before Christian manages to fight back out of it and settles for a flapjack that leaves Rhodes down on the mat. The match continues evenly as we head into a commercial ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
... but on the return, Rhodes has taken control after slamming Christian shoulder first into the steel steps as the action spilled out of the ring. With Christian now struggling, Rhodes focuses on the shoulder and beats the hell out of it with Christian struggling. A dropkick from the top rope almost leads to a Rhodes win but another attempt at Cross Rhodes fails as Christian escapes by clutching the ropes. More work on the shoulder leaves Christian down on the mat before Rhodes goes for a Moonsault as he looks to end the match. However, Christian moves and manages to hit the Killswitch instead and despite the injured shoulder he goes for the pin ... 1 ... 2 ... 3! CHRISTIAN MAKES THE SEMI FINALS!
WINNER: Christian (8:01)
Rhodes looks unimpressed with the referee as he leaves the ring despite a decent showing from the Dashing superstar. Christian celebrates in the ring but is clutching his shoulder as he does. Cole and Foley discuss the second Quarter Final of the night – Kofi Kingston and Drew McIntyre – which will be up next with the winner set to face Christian in the Semi Finals in two weeks time. The camera switches backstage where Big Show is walking down a corridor towards a door. He is grinning and smiling as he reaches the door – the General Manager’s office – but his mood darkens a little as he opens the door to see the man he knocked out at Cyber Sunday, CM Punk. Teddy Long demands that neither man attacks the other and says that he needs to speak to them both about an important matter. He praises both men and their contributions to SMACKDOWN and points out that both men would make fabulous captains for the SMACKDOWN team at Survivor Series. Punk interrupts and declares that he has experience of leading the Straight Edge Society and that he should be trusted to run the SMACKDOWN team because he is simply better than the Big Show. Show chuckles at this and reminds Punk of what happened to him last night before both men start to get a little irate with each other. Long orders both men to back away before telling them that he wants their situation resolved tonight in a one-on-one match: Big Show vs. CM Punk. Both men agree to the match but then Teddy Long adds a stipulation ... the winner of the match will captain SMACKDOWN at Survivor Series. Both men nod their heads and they stare into each other’s eyes as the camera heads back to the ring ...
*** S. O. S. ***
Kofi Kingston heads for the ring in his usual excitable manner but there are a number of boos mixed in with the usual cheers as he heads to the ring. Foley and Cole discuss Kingston’s actions at Cyber Sunday where he came out and interfered in the World Championship Casket Match between Kane and the Undertaker and ultimately helped Kane to retain the title. Kofi completes his ‘Boom!’ pose in the corner and then takes a microphone to explain himself. Kofi tells the WWE Universe that he has been trying to get the respect of both Kane and the Undertaker for weeks now but he has not managed it, that neither man has taken him seriously. Kofi explains that when you want to make a name for yourself, you go after the biggest names and the biggest stars and that he interfered in the title match last night as a way of demanding respect. He apologises to the Undertaker and confirms that he wasn’t trying to cost him the World Championship – just looking to get respect. Although there are still boos, the WWE Universe seem to have accepted Kofi’s story. He declares that he is now going to earn a World Championship title match at Survivor Series by destroying Drew McIntyre and anybody else who gets in his way and that at Survivor Series he is going to shock the world by winning his first ever World Championship ...
*** BROKEN DREAMS ***
Drew McIntyre comes out to boos and jeers and Foley declares his admiration for the man named the ‘Chosen One’ and how he is his pick to win the tournament and go on to Survivor Series. Cole agrees with Foley and suggests that McIntyre will do whatever it takes and has a mean streak that could take him all the way. As Drew gets into the ring, Kofi bounces from foot to foot in preparation.
QUARTER FINAL: DREW McINTYRE vs. KOFI KINGSTON
As always, the Kofi-Drew match is a solid match with both men hitting their major offense in a bid to win the match. The styles of the high-flying Kingston and the mean and nasty McIntyre fit well in a back and forth contest that nobody seems to get on top of. The match spills out of the ring and Kofi and Drew fight up the ramp before Kofi is suplexed onto the metal floor. With Drew back in the ring, the referee takes up the count ... 6 ... 7 ... 8 ... 9 ... Kofi manages to roll back into the ring just in time. McIntyre looks to take control now and sets about punishing the Ghanaian superstar as he pounds him with clubbing forearms that leave Kofi on his knees. Drew goes for the Future Shock DDT but Kofi manages to fight out with a push away followed by a dropkick that staggers Drew. With Kofi building up some momentum and the crowd behind him, Kofi steams into the corner after Drew but he hits a Big Boot that flattens Kingston and lays him out. Cover from McIntyre ... 1 ... 2 ... Kofi escapes in the nick of time! Drew looks like he has control of this one and he stalks Kofi on the outside before ramming him into the barricades and leaving Kofi writhing on the floor.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
SMACKDOWN returns with the match still on the outside and Drew in control. However, you can never discount Kingston and he manages to fight back with his educated feet and Drew is forced back into the safety of the ring. McIntyre looks for another Big Boot as Kingston returns but Kofi avoids it and hits the ropes before delivering a jumping clothesline. With McIntyre down now, Kofi looks to set for the Trouble in Paradise ... clapping his hands together in the corner as Drew gets to his feet, Kingston waits ... BAM! He hits it perfectly and goes for the cover ... 1 ... 2 ... WAIT A MINUTE! The lights have gone out and there is no bell ... Could this be the Undertaker? The crowd go wild and then ...
*** GRAVEYARD SYMPHONY ***
The eerie entrance of the Undertaker begins and the gongs echo through the arena – it looks as if the Undertaker has an issue with Kofi. The cameras pick their way through the smoke ... but there is no figure in the mist. No Undertaker ... The music stops and the lights are back on with Kofi in the ring on his feet. McIntyre is still on his back, the referee is looking round confused ... and KANE is outside the ring with the World Title round his waist laughing out loud. Kofi looks quizzically at the champion who is stood on the ramp and gets no answers before realising that his match is not over yet. Kofi turns back to Drew and is hit by another Big Boot that leaves Kofi down and in trouble. The referee enters the ring again as Drew drags Kofi to his feet and sets up ... Future Shock DDT! Cover by McIntyre ... 1 ... 2 ... 3! Drew McIntyre will face Christian in the Semi Finals!
WINNER: Drew McIntyre (9:43)
‘Broken Dreams’ plays as the camera follows Kane out of the arena with the World Championship around his waist and a grin across his ugly face. Kingston is stood at the bottom of the ramp with a look of anger on his face – it looks as if Kane has cost Kofi Kingston a shot at the World Championship by using the music of the Deadman to distract him. Kingston does not look impressed and has certainly not got the respect he has been demanding from the World Champion.
The cameras head backstage where Layla is waiting with Todd Grisham. Grisham asks Layla about her cheeky win over her best friend Michelle McCool at Cyber Sunday. Layla informs Grisham that Laycool had made an agreement that if the WWE Universe voted McCool to face Layla at Cyber Sunday, they had agreed not to fight. Michelle broke that promise when she indicated that she wanted a shot so Layla took the chance and scored the quick pin. Highlights of the action are shown as Layla declares that she did what she needed to do. However, Michelle McCool chooses this moment to show up and she heads over to confront Layla. Both ladies argue about who won the title in the first place, who has defended it, the co-Divas Championship etc ... Eventually, McCool quietens Layla with an announcement that next week, it will be Michelle vs. Kelly Kelly in a Divas Championship Number 1 contender match. Michelle tells Layla that she intends to win that match and challenge for Layla’s title in the future.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
*** THIS FIRE BURNS ***
CM Punk heads to the ring for the main event as he looks to secure his place as the captain of Team SMACKDOWN heading to Survivor Series. Michael Cole and Mick Foley remind us of the RAW matches that determined the whole of Team RAW – captain Edge, R-Truth, John Morrison, Ted DiBiase and Daniel Bryan – and they speculate on whether the fact that SMACKDOWN is at least a week behind in determining their team will have an effect on the outcome. Punk looks confident as he enters the ring and talks trash to several members of the WWE Universe at ringside before ...
*** CRANK IT UP ***
The Big Show comes out looking confident and waving to the fans at ringside as he heads into the ring for the match. Punk waits in the corner as Big Show salutes the fans and Cole and Foley discuss the benefits of having a 500 pounder as captain of the team for Survivor Series – especially one with a fearsome knockout punch like Show has.
SMACKDOWN CAPTAINCY MATCH: BIG SHOW vs. CM PUNK
Punk goes to ground in this match as he wrestles a tactical and clever match to try and take away Big Show’s size advantage. He works on the legs of Big Show as well as his bandaged hand – still not fully recovered from Punk and the SES’s attacks a few weeks ago – and manages to get Show down to the mat on several occasions. However, Show pulls back his big right fist and threatens to knock Punk cold and he escapes a few times by the skin of his teeth. Show manages to take over control and uses his giant hands to slap the bare chest of the Straight Edge superstar who drops out of the ring in protest before complaining to the referee about Show’s actions as we head into the break ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
SMACKDOWN returns with Punk back on the offensive as he hits the high knee to Show in the corner of the ring. He follows this with the Bulldog and manages to take Show down and shakes the ring in the process. Punk signals that it is time for Show to ‘Go to Sleep’ – a bold statement of intent considering Show’s mass! However, Punk has no intention of going for the GTS and locks in the Anaconda Vice instead. Big Show is vulnerable as he is locked into the submission move with CM Punk hanging on for dear life as he tries to contain the World’s Largest Athlete in the submission hold. Show tries to fight out but Punk wrenches the hold on harder as he attempts to keep Big Show down on the mat ... Show is unable to get to his feet and Punk continues to tighten the hold as much as he can with Show close to tapping out now it seems. Show goes for one last effort as he pushes up as far as he can. He manages to get to a knee with Punk now hanging on to the hold desperately ... suddenly, Show finds an ingenious escape. He reels back his huge right hand and swings it wildly ... connecting perfectly with the side of CM Punk’s face! The hold is broken and Punk – not knocked cold but knocked for a loop – is down on the mat as well. Show gets to his feet slowly and waits for Punk to do the same ... BAM! CM Punk is out like a light, Big Show covers ... 1 ... 2 ... 3! TEAM SMACKDOWN’s captain will be BIG SHOW!
WINNER: Big Show (6:43)
SMACKDOWN ends with CM Punk being helped out of the arena by the referee as Big Show celebrates in the ring. He takes a SMACKDOWN blue t-shirt and holds it up high in the ring as Foley and Cole suggest that SMACKDOWN now have the upper hand with a giant on their team! SMACKDOWN ends with the grinning Big Show celebrating in the ring ...
********** END OF SHOW **********
MONDAY NIGHT RAW!
Live from Hartford, Connecticut
[YOUTUBE]lqKMAPEK3Sk[/YOUTUBE]
*** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO ***
JIM ROSS: Welcome everyone to Monday Night RAW with myself, Jim Ross and Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler at ringside ...
JERRY LAWLER: Oh, what a night it is shaping up to be, JR!
JIM ROSS: That’s right, King, what will John Cena’s response to the RKO from Randy Orton last week be?
JERRY LAWLER: Orton almost ‘hand-picked’ Wade Barrett as the challenger for his WWE Championship at Survivor Series by delivering the RKO to Cena in their Number 1 contender match. If I know Cena, he’ll have redemption on his mind tonight!
JIM ROSS: Last week, Edge was named captain of Team RAW and we saw the qualifying matches to join him. Tonight, we will see John Morrison, R-Truth and Ted DiBiase in action as they prepare for Survivor Series!
JERRY LAWLER: They’re going to need to be prepared – Big Show will be captaining Team SMACKDOWN!
JIM ROSS: Team RAW looks strong though, King, I’m confident that HBK will be choosing one of the top stars from SMACKDOWN after Survivor Series!
JERRY LAWLER: And tonight we start with a Tag Team Championship Contenders Match!
JIM ROSS: Over to the RAW ring announcer, Justin Roberts!
The cameras switch to the ring announcer in the centre of the ring as he prepares to inform everybody of the first match of the night and the participants.
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This match is Tag Team Elimination Match to determine two Tag Team Championship contenders. Next week on RAW, the surviving two teams will meet in a Number 1 contenders match.
*** LA VITTORIA E MIA ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Introducing first, weighing a combined total of 529 pounds, the team of VLADIMIR KOZLOV and SANTINO MARELLA!
RAW’s oddest Tag Team partners head to the ring without Tamina by their side. They discuss their strategy in the aisle as they head to the ring before their opponents begin their entrance as well ...
*** GET UP ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: At a combined weight of 470 pounds, from San Francisco, California ... JIMMY and JEY USO!
The twin sons of the former WWE legend Rikishi head towards the ring looking pumped up and ready for action. As they approach the ring, their music fades and is replaced by ...
*** NEW FOUNDATION ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: From Calgary, Alberta, Canada and accompanied to the ring by Natalya, weighing 449 pounds ... DAVID HART SMITH ... TYSON KIDD ... THE HART DYNASTY!
The Hart Dynasty head for the ring with Natalya in the middle of them wearing their usual pink and black outfits and looking for another shot at the Tag Team Championships that they lost a few months back to the current champions, Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes. Will they get their chance tonight?
*** WE ARE ONE ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And ... representing the Nexus ... weighing a combined total of 480 pounds ... HEATH SLATER and DAVID ‘A-LIST’ OTUNGA!
The entire Nexus group except for Wade Barrett head towards the ring in support of Otunga and Slater as they head to the ring looking for their first taste of gold in the WWE. However, Skip Sheffield and Justin Gabriel are immediately sent to the back by the referee who looks determined to keep this match between the eight men in the ring. Otunga and Slater look unhappy but Gabriel and Sheffield are forced to head back out ...
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENDERS MATCH: HART DYNASTY vs. KOZLOV/SANTINO vs. OTUNGA/SLATER vs. USOS
With two falls needed to determine the final two teams, Tyson Kidd and David Otunga are the two men who will start out this match. With tags between teams and partners legal, two teams need to be eliminated to leave two remaining who will meet next week on RAW in a #1 contenders match. Kidd and Otunga grapple for a while before Kidd begins to get the upper hand and takes Otunga down with several high flying moves including a springboard elbow drop before he tags in his partner, David Hart Smith. The big man of the Dynasty goes after Otunga and whips him into the corner before running in with a clothesline in the corner. However, there is a blind tag made by Jimmy Uso who waits outside the ring whilst Hart-Smith hits a belly-to-back suplex to Otunga ... as Hart-Smith gets up, he is hit by a athletic kick to the chest that sends him down to the mat. Jimmy drops to his knees and pummels the face of Smith before tagging in his brother who climbs to the top turnbuckle ... ready to hit a Diving Splash from the top turnbuckle, he positions and prepares before leaping off the rope ... Hart-Smith sees it coming and moves out of the way to leave Jey splashing the mat instead.
As Hart-Smith recovers, Kozlov tags in and grabs Jey before hitting his patented headbutts to the chest of the Samoan before a big boot to the chest leaves him sprawled in Kozlov and Santino’s corner. Kozlov follows in with shoulder to the sternum before tagging in Santino. The Italian stands and surveys the crowd before holding his arm out and signalling for the Cobra to their delight ... Jey Uso staggers towards him and Santino hits the Cobra before covering the Uso.
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Jimmy and Jey Uso have been eliminated!
Santino celebrates with his musical instrument celebration as the crowd cheer the elimination of the Usos. However, Heath Slater has now entered the ring and he catches Santino off-guard with a forearm to the back of the head and shoulders. With Santino not ready, an angry Kozlov storms into the ring and attacks Slater in the Nexus corner before hitting a belly-to-belly suplex that leaves Slater down on the mat. Tyson Kidd then sails off the top rope and hits a drop kick to Kozlov to knock him through the ropes to the outside before Otunga re-enters the ring with a clothesline to Kidd. Otunga sets up hits a thust spinebuster – the Verdict – on Kidd but then David Hart-Smith slides back in. Otunga tries to attack but Hart-Smith overpowers him and hits a succession of German suplexes to Otunga before allowing him to slide out of the ring. With the referee pleading with everybody to leave the ring, Hart-Smith turns to head for the corner when he is caught off-guard by Santino Marella who hits his second Cobra of the night before rolling Hart Smith out of the ring.
With the legal men of Slater and Santino left in the ring, Santino hits a hip toss to Slater and follows it up with a diving headbutt as he salutes. A ‘Santino!’ chant begins in the arena and Santino pauses for a moment to look modest – mistake! Otunga grabs him and drops him neck first onto the top rope by dropping down onto the floor. With Santino disorientated, Slater manages to pull Santino down into a schoolboy pin ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kick out by Santino! *
* 2 *
* Kick out by Santino! *
The ‘One Man Rock Band’ Heath Slater drags Santino up to his feet and locks in a sleeper hold before jumping up and slamming Santino down on his back. He covers the Italian again ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kozlov kicks Slater to break the count! *
* 2 *
* Kozlov kicks Slater to break the count! *
With Slater complaining to the referee, Santino slithers to the corner of the Hart Dynasty where Tyson Kidd offers him the tag. Kidd flies into the ring and drop kicks Slater in the back to leave him sprawled over the middle rope. Kidd climbs to the apron on the outside and springboards off the rope to drop his leg on the back of Slater’s head before sliding back into the ring. Kidd hits a series of devastating kicks to Slater that send him down to the mat and then covers him ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Heath Slater kicks out! *
* 2 *
* Heath Slater kicks out! *
Kidd tags in his partner David Hart Smith and they double team the Nexus man. The WWE Universe cheer as Hart-Smith lifts Slater up and Kidd hits the ropes before hitting a clothesline to Slater whose head is exposed above Hart-Smith’s – the Hart Attack made famous by Bret Hart and Jim ‘Anvil’ Neidhart all those years ago. David Hart Smith is now the legal man and he looks around confidently before locking in the Sharpshooter on Heath Slater. The crowd love it and it looks as if Heath Slater is about to tap out when Otunga hits a drop kick to the unaware Hart-Smith to break the hold. Tyson Kidd jumps in and chases Otunga back out of the ring where Kozlov and Santino block his path. With nowhere to run, Otunga tries to fight out of the situation and a melee ensues with Kozlov and Otunga fighting outside the ring and then Kidd and Santino end up fighting after an accidental clothesline from Kidd to Santino.
Meanwhile, in the ring, Hart-Smith is watching the chaos outside the ring and is unaware of the recovering Heath Slater behind him. Too late, he realises he has taken his eye off the Nexus man and turns to be hit by a jumping falling neckbreaker from Slater. Slater goes for the cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
The bell rings to signal that there are two teams left and that the match is now over. Next week it will be Slater and Otunga against Santino and Kozlov in a Number 1 contender match for the right to challenge for the Tag Team Championships.
JUSTIN ROBERTS: The Hart Dynasty has been eliminated!
Otunga escapes from Kozlov and congratulates his mate, Slater, in the ring. As the Hart Dynasty slink away, Santino and Kozlov turn their attention to the Nexus pair in the ring and a battle of the mouths begins. Kozlov and Santino make to enter the ring and get up on the ring apron but Skip Sheffield chooses this moment to reappear from the back with Justin Gabriel. As Slater and Otunga goad Santino and Kozlov into the ring, they are suddenly attacked from behind and the four Nexus men beat the hell out of them. Santino is hit by a vicious clothesline from Skip Sheffield, Otunga hits another Verdict to Kozlov and then Justin Gabriel heads for the top rope before hitting the 450 Splash to the Russian.
JERRY LAWLER: Looks like Nexus are intent on winning as much WWE gold as they can – Otunga and Slater certainly have the advantage heading into the Number 1 contender match next week on RAW!
JIM ROSS: Another attack from Nexus when the numbers are at their advantage – I can’t wait to see them get some!
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
RAW returns with the WWE Champion heading out to the ring ...
*** VOICES ***
The WWE Champion heads to the ring with the WWE Championship over his shoulder to address the WWE Universe. As he enters the ring, the crowd cheer loud and he poses in the corner of the ring with his arms outstretched.
JIM ROSS: Last week, Randy Orton took revenge on John Cena by hitting the RKO on him during his Number 1 contender match with Wade Barrett ...
A replay of the RKO to Cena is shown followed by Wade Barrett’s Wastelands move and the pin on Cena that means it will be Orton vs. Barrett at Survivor Series for the WWE Championship. Orton smirks as the cameras focus back on him.
JIM ROSS: A shocking move from Orton as he basically chose Wade Barrett as the man to challenge him for the title.
JERRY LAWLER: I’m not sure if that is the case, JR, Orton had a legitimate reason for his RKO after Cena almost cost him the WWE Championship at Cyber Sunday!
JIM ROSS: Cena apologised for that, King, he said it was a mistake!
JERRY LAWLER: Look at that man, JR, does he look the type to forgive and forget? It was a mistake from Cena – but Orton does not care about that!
Orton has a microphone and the title is still over his shoulder as his music fades ...
RANDY ORTON: Last week on Monday Night RAW, I took my revenge on John Cena. I make no apologies for this. It was not a mistake. If Cena wants to try and cost me my WWE Championship, he must be prepared for what I will do to him. John Cena got what was coming to him last week.
The crowd is mixed but Orton doesn’t look bothered by that as he continues ...
RANDY ORTON: Because of my RKO to Cena, Wade Barrett won the match and he and I will face each other again at Survivor Series with the WWE Championship on the line. Even with help from Cena and Nexus, Barrett couldn’t get it done at Cyber Sunday ... and he won’t have a chance at Survivor Series either.
Orton’s cold blue eyes stare out as he re-adjusts the title on his shoulder. A small ‘RKO!’ chant begins as Orton composes himself ...
RANDY ORTON: The only way that I can lose this title is if the Nexus are allowed to interfere. Therefore, I have a request to make of Shawn Michaels ... At Survivor Series, I want Wade Barrett, one on one. I want the match to be ...
*** MY TIME IS NOW ***
A determined looking John Cena heads out without the usual smiles and laughter. As he approaches the ring, Cena removes the dog-tags from around his neck and places them in his pocket before throwing his hat into the crowd. He slides into the ring and removes his shirt, tossing it out into the crowd as well, before standing up close with the WWE Champion. Orton stares directly into the eyes of Cena as the crowd goes wild with anticipation ... Could Cena and Orton be about to go at it right now?
*** SEXY BOY ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the General Manager of Monday Night RAW ... SHAWN MICHAELS!
Attention turns to the arrival of the GM, Shawn Michaels. He comes out to a great reception and after the usual pyro, he makes his way to the ring and grabs a microphone to address the WWE Champion and the man many people call the ‘Face of the WWE’ ... How will HBK handle this situation?
SHAWN MICHAELS: Gentlemen, hold it there. Now is not the time for this showdown!
Cena and Orton take a step apart from each other to listen to the GM who continues on ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: It is time that you guys realised that you have a common enemy. Cena, Orton ... you are out here ready to beat each other senseless whilst the Nexus and Wade Barrett look on. Ask yourselves - who benefits from this?
Cena nods his head and Orton looks towards him. The tension between the two from moments ago seems to have melted away as HBK speaks to them.
SHAWN MICHAELS: I think that most of the WWE Universe would love to see John Cena and Randy Orton beat the hell out of each other but, right now, you need to work together. You need to eliminate the threat of the Nexus and then you can focus on each other. The Nexus is playing you both for fools ...
HBK looks to both men and says something to them both off the microphone ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: You need to work together. You need to take out the Nexus. So tonight, the main event, I want you to prove you can work together. We are going to have a tag team match. It will be John Cena and the WWE Champion, John Cena ...
The crowd sense what is coming next and they cheer at the thought of Cena and Orton getting their hands on Wade Barrett and the Nexus ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: ... against ... Alex Riley and the Miz.
A look of confusion passes across the faces of Orton and Cena but HBK tries to explain his thinking.
SHAWN MICHAELS: Guys, you’re not ready for the Nexus yet. You need to work together, to test yourselves ... you need to prepare for the Nexus. When you’ve won tonight, then we can start to think about the Nexus. Good luck!
HBK leaves the ring to his music as Cena and Orton begin to talk in the ring as we head into a break ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
RAW returns with the music of Ted DiBiase playing and the Million Dollar Champion standing in the ring with Maryse – both are wearing red t-shirts with the RAW logo on them although Maryse’s is the one you’d rather look at ... She looks proud of her man this week for a change and JR and King begin to explain why ...
JIM ROSS: Welcome back to RAW where we have a man who last week qualified for the RAW team by beating Santino Marella ...
JERRY LAWLER: DiBiase is a potential star here in the WWE and having him on our team has got to be a good thing, JR ...
*** DOMINATION ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This match is set for one fall. Already in the ring, from West Palm Beach, California, weighing 235 pounds ... TED DiBIASE!
Big Zeke heads for the ring with a smile on his face as he sizes up his opponent in the ring. DiBiase fixes him a look of confidence but the powerful Guyanan performs a muscle pose in the ring that show how big a challenge this match is going to be for DiBiase!
JUSTIN ROBERTS: His opponent, from Guyana, South America, weighing 309 pounds ... EZEKIEL JACKSON!
Both men begin to prepare for their match when another theme rings out around the arena ...
*** CRANK IT UP ***
SMACKDOWN captain Big Show heads out and makes his way down the ramp in a blue Team SMACKDOWN t-shirt. He looks up at Ted DiBiase as he approaches the ring and gives him a wave before pointing to his eyes and then to DiBiase and mouthing ‘I’m watching you!’ ... Big Show heads to the announce table and takes a seat beside JR and King.
BIG SHOW: You guys don’t mind me joining you, do you? I know I’m the SMACKDOWN captain but I’m just here to check out the competition!
JERRY LAWLER: As if anybody could move you, Show!
JIM ROSS: Welcome to RAW, Show, I guess you’re here to see how Ted DiBiase does tonight?
BIG SHOW: I am, I am. I’m surprised that you guys chose him to be honest, especially without giving Big Zeke a chance ...
EZEKIEL JACKSON vs. TED DiBIASE
The match begins with DiBiase squaring up to Jackson and threatening him – all this leads to is a stare and a confident smile from the Guyanan. Maryse demands that Ted goes for it and he begins to throw right hands at Jackson who blocks them all and then pushes DiBiase down hard onto the mat. He poses again and a look of fear spreads across DiBiase’s face as he looks up at the muscle bound star. DiBiase backs away to the ropes where he is advanced on by Jackson but he manages to dodge him and then hits a dropkick to the back of Jackson’s head. Sensing a chance to grab the upper hand, DiBiase clubs the back of Jackson’s shoulders and wears him down before slamming his head into the middle buckle a few times as well. With Jackson down, DiBiase looks confident again as Maryse claps her man from the outside. He runs towards the corner where Jackson is propped up and hits a running drop kick to his chest and head that rattles Jackson in the corner. Cover from DiBiase, first of the match ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Jackson powers out and throws DiBiase off him! *
* 2 *
* Jackson powers out and throws DiBiase off him! *
However, DiBiase is not put off and he continues to wear down Jackson. He uses his elbow to drive down onto the shoulders of Jackson from behind, alternating from shoulder to shoulder and leaving Ezekiel in pain on the mat. Another pinfall from DiBiase follows ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Another kick out from Jackson! *
* 2 *
* Another kick out from Jackson! *
DiBiase gets to his feet and waits for Jackson to get up before going to a scoop powerslam ... No way! Jackson cannot be lifted and after three attempts DiBiase moves away clutching his back. Smiling, Jackson heads towards DiBiase to take advantage but a thumb to the eye – missed by the referee – keeps DiBiase in control of the match. He hits another drop kick to send Jackson down before climbing to the second rope and dropping his fist from high. Another cover for DiBiase ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Jackson kicks out! *
* 2 *
* Jackson kicks out! *
Frustrated, DiBiase stomps down on the back of Jackson’s neck several times before backing off with a calculated look on his face. He advances on Jackson again and locks in the Million Dollar Dream to leave Jackson struggling to escape. DiBiase hangs on for dear life and the Guyanan begins to wilt as DiBiase holds on. He drops to a knee allowing DiBiase to grind him further down and the crowd begin to clap to try and encourage Jackson to get out of the hold. The referee checks whether or not Jackson wants to give it up but he begins to fight back up ... DiBiase seems to be allowing him to but as they get to their feet, DiBiase hits Dream Street to smash Jackson back down on the mat. DiBiase goes for the pin ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Jackson’s foot is on the ropes! *
* 2 *
* Jackson’s foot is on the ropes! *
Ted DiBiase and Maryse are incensed but DiBiase hooks the leg and tries again ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Jackson powers out again! *
* 2 *
* Jackson powers out again! *
With DiBiase arguing with the referee, he allows Jackson some recovery time and that is all he needs. Despite Maryse’s frantic warning, Jackson hits a smasher of a clothesline to DiBiase and leaves him propped up on the ropes. A clothesline in the corner allows him to take a moment more to fully recover before a big boot to the face of Ted sees him go for his first cover of the match ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* DiBiase manages to escape from the pin! *
* 2 *
* DiBiase manages to escape from the pin! *
Maryse applauds and encourages her man but Jackson has control now and he lifts DiBiase up into a bone crunching Bear Hug. DiBiase is in pain but he manages to get his feet down as he battles to find a way out. Maryse jumps up on the ring apron to distract the referee and for the second time tonight, DiBiase uses a thumb to the eye to escape a predicament. With Jackson struggling to see, DiBiase hits a Legsweep to take down Jackson again and goes for the pin ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Jackson won’t stay down! *
* 2 *
* Jackson won’t stay down! *
DiBiase backs away and allows Jackson to get back to his feet before rushing in for a clothesline ... however, Jackson dodges and DiBiase hits the turnbuckle chest first. Jackson lifts up DiBiase with a double handed choke and slams him down on his back. He covers DiBiase ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
WINNER: Ezekiel Jackson (8:42)
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Here is your winner ... EZEKIEL JACKSON!
Maryse helps Ted DiBiase out of the ring as Ezekiel Jackson salutes the crowd after his win leaving King and JR to speculate about whether or not the RAW team would be better off with Big Zeke on their team instead ...
JIM ROSS: Impressive win for Jackson but not a good start for Team RAW as DiBiase loses the first match they’ve been involved in tonight!
JERRY LAWLER: DiBiase showed some guts and determination there though, JR. It’s not easy against Ezekiel Jackson!
JIM ROSS: Jackson was not given a chance to represent Team RAW, maybe he should have been?
JERRY LAWLER: Maybe ... However, he wasn’t so we need to focus on the five men who are representing us at Survivor Series!
BIG SHOW: Let me tell you, I’d be a lot more worried about the Survivor Series RAW vs. SMACKDOWN match if Ezekiel Jackson was on your team. Ted DiBiase just doesn’t worry me a bit – especially with the men I have planned for the SMACKDOWN team!
JERRY LAWLER: Any hints?
BIG SHOW: Well, I’m thinking of bringing back the Gobbledy Gooker ... OK, OK, no, no hints. You’ll have to wait for Friday Night like the rest of the WWE Universe!
Big Show laughs and shakes hands with King and JR before making his way around the ring to exit. However, Ted DiBiase begins to talk trash at him from the ring so Big Show stops and listens. DiBiase is annoyed with Show for turning up and putting him under pressure and he points his finger at Show. He jumps out of the ring and gets in Big Show’s face ... big mistake! Boom! A fist to the face of DiBiase knocks him cold at the feet of a shocked Maryse. Show smiles to her before leaving the ring with a huge grin on his face as he points at his Team SMACKDOWN shirt as he leaves!
JERRY LAWLER: We might be in trouble, JR!
JIM ROSS: We certainly need to find a way to stop the Big Show if Team RAW is going to take one of SMACKDOWN’s top stars away from them at Survivor Series!
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
RAW returns with hype for tonight’s main event as HBK’s announcement that it will be Orton and Cena against the Miz and Alex Riley is replayed. This is followed by a replay of the DiBiase loss to Jackson and the Big Show’s knockout punch to DiBiase before we see him being helped out of the arena with a concerned Maryse looking on ...
JUSTIN ROBERTS: The following contest is set for one fall.
*** WE ARE ONE ***
Nexus leader and the Number 1 contender for the WWE Championship, Wade Barrett, heads for the ring as he prepares for his match. He is unaccompanied by the Nexus and looks confident as he heads into the ring. He removes his Nexus t-shirt and awaits his opponent ...
*** WHAT’S UP? ***
R-Truth raps his way to the ring as replays of his countout ‘victory’ over Sheamus from last week are replayed. Barrett smirks at Truth as he raps around the outside of the ring but as Truth enters the ring, Barrett rushes at him and smashes him with the forearm to the disdain of the WWE Universe. The referee admonishes him as Truth is helped into the ring, dazed and confused ... Rubbing his head, Truth gets to his feet and looks angrily at Barrett before ripping his shirt off and throwing the microphone down to start the match ...
WADE BARRETT vs. R-TRUTH
Truth goes for Barrett as soon as the bell rings and this works in the favour of the Englishman as he picks Truth off as he heads for him. Fired up and bent out of shape, Truth is quickly floored with a clothesline and several well placed punches from the former bare knuckle fighter and Barrett stands over Truth with a smirk on his face. He drags Truth to his feet and hits a spinning side slam before covering him for a 3-count ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* A weak kick out from R-Truth *
* 2 *
* A weak kick out from R-Truth *
Barrett continues to offensive by using a forearm uppercut to force Truth back into the corner. Truth attempts a comeback as he hits the ropes but Barrett lifts him up and hits a powerful spinebuster to end the comeback dead. Barrett lifts himself to the middle turnbuckle and drops an elbow on Truth and the match is looking all but over. Barrett lifts Truth up and gets him in position for Wastelands ... but Truth manages to fight out of it and he catches Barrett off guard with a shoulder block that drops Barrett to his knee. Truth looks to hit the scissors kick but Barrett avoids it and Truth hits the mat on his back again before Barrett goes for Wastelands again. This time he connects with it and he covers Truth ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
WINNER: Wade Barrett (4:09)
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Here is your winner ... WADE BARRETT!
JIM ROSS: Impressive performance from the Number 1 contender there, King?
JERRY LAWLER: If I was Orton, I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss Barrett’s chances as he did earlier tonight. Every time I see this young man, he impresses me and he is improving every week.
The rest of Nexus – Skip Sheffield, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater and David Otunga – join Barrett in the ring and congratulate him. They then proceed to beat R-Truth to a pulp with each of the four members hitting their speciality moves to the Team RAW star. The WWE Universe boo but Truth gets no assistance and Nexus push him out of the ring before Barrett gets a microphone to speak.
WADE BARRETT: It looks like Team RAW is a little fragile right now ... Maybe R-Truth will go and speak with his friends, Mr. Cena and Mr. Orton. Tell them that the Nexus are not to be messed with. Tell them that they can join together as they are told by Shawn Michaels, that they can make a pact to destroy the Nexus as much as they want. In the end, they will fail. It is the Nexus who will destroy John Cena and Randy Orton.
The crowd boo as the Nexus lift their hands in a show of unity ...
WADE BARRETT: You see, there are five of us. And only two of Orton and Cena. If we decide to, we can beat down on any RAW superstar that we want. We can strike at any time, in any place and we can destroy who ever we want. At Survivor Series, the Nexus will claim gold for the first time. Heath Slater and David Otunga ... they will become the Tag Team Champions. And I, Wade Barrett, the leader of the Nexus ... I will be the WWE Champion.
DAVID OTUNGA: Oh, you’d better believe it. My man, Wade, is going to be the champion, Orton, whether you like it or not.
WADE BARRETT: Thanks, Otunga. You see, we made a mistake ahead of Cyber Sunday. We didn’t get in Randy Orton’s head ... But we intend to soften up Orton a lot more this time. You’d better watch your step, Randy ... the Nexus is coming for you. We will beat you like a dog and when we’re finished ... when we’re finished, you won’t hear voices in your head ... you’ll hear one voice in your head, the voice of Wade Barrett ... saying one thing. You’re either Nexus ... or you’re against us.
Nexus’ music plays as the group leave the ring and head backstage looking smug and confident as RAW heads for another break ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
MONDAY NIGHT RAW!
continued ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
*** SURVIVOR SERIES 2010 ***
*** 3 WEEKS ***
Arena: Wachovia Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
********************
RAW returns in the Locker Room with the three remaining members of Team RAW: captain Edge, US Champion Daniel Bryan and John Morrison. Edge looks stressed out as he looks towards Morrison and Bryan ...
EDGE: Guys, we need to get this sorted out. Team RAW is having a terrible night thanks to the Nexus and the Big Show. DiBiase and Truth have both been taken out of here to medical facilities. We’ve got to make sure nothing else goes wrong.
Morrison and Bryan look to each other and Morrison raises his eyebrows. Edge notices and looks inquisitively at Morrison before turning to address Bryan again. He points to Daniel Bryan ...
EDGE: Daniel Bryan, you are the United States Champion, you have no scheduled match tonight. I need you to go out there with John tonight, help to protect him if needed. I don’t want the Nexus to do any more damage.
DANIEL BRYAN: Edge, I know for a fact that John does not want or need me out there with him. The Nexus made a statement with R-Truth but as for DiBiase ... he did provoke the Big Show.
Edge stands up angrily to look down on Daniel Bryan ...
EDGE: Dammit, Bryan, I am the captain of Team RAW and I am ordering you to get out there with Morrison!
Bryan stands up with the US Title over his shoulder ...
DANIEL BRYAN: And I am telling you that I will not be doing that. Healthy competition is what the WWE is all about and I am not interfering, OK?
Bryan walks out of the locker room with Edge staring after him. John Morrison now gets to his feet and looks to Edge with a smile on his face ...
JOHN MORRISON: You know, Edge, Daniel Bryan is right. I don’t want and I don’t need protection. If Justin Gabriel damages me, so be it. I earned my place on Team RAW and I will be at Survivor Series come what may. I can’t say I’m not concerned though ...
EDGE: Oh yeah, why’s that?
JOHN MORRISON: Let’s look at the situation. The captain of the team has problems with each member of his team. Daniel Bryan is refusing to take orders. R-Truth, I know for a fact, has no respect for him. Ted DiBiase is a man who should never have been chosen whilst Ezekiel Jackson was around. And then, there’s me.
Edge looks annoyed but waits for Morrison’s comments about their rivalry ...
JOHN MORRISON: We’ve met several times recently, Edge, and if I’m honest, I think that I would have made a much better captain. The only way you beat me at Cyber Sunday was through dubious circumstances. Let me tell you, Edge ... I respect HBK but he’s made a terrible mistake here. John Morrison is the man, not Edge, that should be the Team RAW captain.
Morrison walks away leaving Edge stunned and his team in complete disarray ... The camera switches to Josh Matthews who is also backstage and waiting to conduct an interview ...
JOSH MATTHEWS: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome my guests at this time ... ALEX RILEY and THE MIZ!
Riley and Miz come into shot as the camera zooms out, both ready for action in tonight’s main event later tonight. Miz is holding the Money in the Bank briefcase and is stroking it as he looks to the camera.
JOSH MATTHEWS: Tonight, gentlemen, you face arguably the two greatest superstars on Monday Night RAW in a Tag Team match. How are you going to set out to win this match?
Miz looks annoyed with the question and turns his gaze to Matthews ...
THE MIZ: Really? Really, Josh? Do you know who you are talking to?
Riley steps in and takes the microphone from Matthews before pushing him aside ...
ALEX RILEY: My man, the Miz, should not have to answer questions like that from an idiot like Josh Matthews. Let me show you, Josh, this is how it should be done ...
Riley straightens up and prepares before launching enthusiastically into his own interview with the Miz ...
ALEX RILEY: My guest at this time is the Money in the Bank contract holder, the guaranteed future WWE Champion and the most must-see superstar here on Monday Night RAW ... he is the one and only, the awwwweessssoooommmeeee ... MIZ!
Miz smiles at Riley’s introduction and nods his head appreciatively ...
ALEX RILEY: Tonight, Miz, you face arguably the two biggest chumps in the WWE in Randy Orton and John Cena. Now obviously you are going to win the match but how do you intend to make the pair of them pay for their lousy wrestling, their awful dress sense and their obnoxious attitudes?
THE MIZ: You see, A-Ri, I have a plan in mind for tonight. This is the first time in a while that I will be facing the WWE Champion and the WWE poster boy. And I know the one thing that both of them prize more than anything else. The WWE Championship that is sitting on Randy Orton’s shoulder as we speak ...
Loud cheers for Orton still being the WWE Champion ...
THE MIZ: Now it seems that Cena, Orton and the General Manager are more concerned about Wade Barrett and the Nexus right now than they are with me. What they all forget is that I have this ...
Miz holds up the MITB briefcase for all to see ...
THE MIZ: ... I am guaranteed, whenever I decide, to be the next WWE Champion. So, Randy Orton should stop concerning himself with the Nexus and he should start worrying about me. Because I’m the Miz ... and I’m ... AWWWWEESSSSSSOOOMMMMEE!
The cameras return to the ring where Justin Roberts is waiting to announce the next match.
*** AIN’T NO MAKE BELIEVE ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This match is set for one fall. Introducing first, from Los Angeles, California, weighing 224 pounds ... JOHN MORRISON!
Morrison heads down the ramp in slow-motion as he greets the cheering WWE Universe. With a red RAW t-shirt in his hand, he heads for the ring and holds his hand high with no Daniel Bryan in sight. Clearly, Edge’s advice has been ignored and Team RAW’s problems mount up further ...
*** WE ARE ONE ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And his opponent, weighing 223 pounds, from Cape Town, South Africa ... representing the Nexus ... JUSTIN GABRIEL!
Gabriel heads for the ring wearing a Nexus t-shirt and looking confident. This should be a great match between two young, high-flying superstars ...
JUSTIN GABRIEL vs. JOHN MORRISON
... and it doesn’t disappoint as the opening exchanges of the match feature back and forth action as both men use their array of kicks and high octane offense to try and gain the upper hand. In the end, Morrison takes control after a spinning roundhouse kick after springboarding off the ropes – the Flying Chuck kick. However, the Nexus representative Gabriel falls down and under the bottom rope to the outside of the ring. Morrison follows him outside and looks to live up to his ‘Prince of Parkour’ nickname as he begins to use the outside of the ring to his advantage. He leaps up onto the barricades before connecting with a flying knee to the face of Gabriel who lands on the mats. As Morrison looks to whip Gabriel into the barricades though, Gabriel manages a reversal and whips Morrison back first into the side of the steel ring steps to leave Morrison sat against the steps writhing in pain. Gabriel rolls into the ring and allows the referee to start the countout.
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 4 *
* 5 *
* 6 *
* 7 *
* Morrison rolls under the rope and back into the ring! *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 4 *
* 5 *
* 6 *
* 7 *
* Morrison rolls under the rope and back into the ring! *
As Morrison rolls in, Gabriel meets him with a drop kick to the side of the head that leaves Morrison down on one knee and dazed as Gabriel now has taken control. The South African drags Morrison up before hitting an STO legsweep that crashes Morrison down onto his back. Gabriel with the first pinfall ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Morrison! *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Morrison! *
However, Gabriel resumes the attack and he climbs to the top rope to deliver a drop kick to the chest of Morrison. With Morrison down again, Gabriel looks at the turnbuckles as he considers going for the 450 splash but Morrison begins to recover so Gabriel positions himself near the ropes. He springboards from the middle rope and hits a crossbody to Morrison and lands in a pinning predicament ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Morrison’s right shoulder escapes! *
* 2 *
* Morrison’s right shoulder escapes! *
A little frustrated, Gabriel again glances to the corner but leaves it as he hits a discus elbow smash to Morrison to send him down again. Morrison rolls out of the ring smartly and Gabriel follows to continue the attack. Stalking him, Gabriel hits a running knee into the lower back of Morrison which drives him face first down to the floor where he collides with the barricades. With the referee demanding that Gabriel gets back into the ring, he drags Morrison up and drives him into the steel ring post before rolling him back under the bottom rope into the ring again. He climbs the corner and stands on the top turnbuckle with Morrison in place for the 450 splash preparing himself ... he jumps up and somersaults in the air before dropping down hard ... and missing Morrison who escapes in the nick of time. Gabriel is winded and struggling and Morrison goes for a cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Gabriel escapes easily! *
* 2 *
* Gabriel escapes easily! *
Attention turns to the rampway where Skip Sheffield, David Otunga and Heath Slater are seen making their way down to the ring to assist their Nexus team-mate. However, Gabriel does not look happy to see them and he tells them to stop as they approach the ring. Clearly, Gabriel wants to make a name for himself as he tries to convince them to return to the locker room. Nexus are stood at the foot of the ramp but Morrison goes for a cheeky roll up while Gabriel’s attention is turned ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Gabriel kicks out! *
* 2 *
* Gabriel kicks out! *
Justin Gabriel hits a boot to the head of Morrison to send him back down to the mat as he attempts to get up with the effects of Gabriel’s punishment still not shaken off. Gabriel again re-iterates to the Nexus that he wants them to stay out of the ring before resuming the attack. However, as he looks to lock in a facelock, Morrison counters and hits a kick to the gut before springboarding off the ropes with another Flying Chuck. Morrison eyes the Nexus members suspiciously as they continue to wait outside the ring before standing over Gabriel. He hits a standing shooting star press to Gabriel and goes for the cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* A determined Gabriel again kicks out! *
* 2 *
* A determined Gabriel again kicks out! *
Morrison whips Gabriel into the corner and rushes after him to hit a drop kick to the chest of Gabriel. With Gabriel staggering, Morrison knocks him down in the corner in perfect position for Starship Pain ... He again shoots a glance towards Nexus before jumping up onto the ropes, springboarding and twisting round to hit the finish move and surely it is all over now? Morrison goes for the cover but wait ... Skip Sheffield jumps up on the ring apron and distracts the referee and Morrison from their pinfall. Gabriel is down and out but Morrison is drawn to Skip Sheffield. With the referee trying to break up their grapple over the ropes, the Team RAW captain Edge jumps the barricades sneaks in behind the referee’s back and hits a vicious low blow that leaves Morrison down in a crumpled heap. Edge escapes without being noticed as the referee orders Nexus to leave but Gabriel gets back to his feet and shoots a look of annoyance at his mates. Gabriel waits for Morrison to get to his feet and then hits a superkick that sends Morrison down to the mat. Gabriel again goes to the top rope and for the second time, he goes for the 450 splash ... and this time he connects perfectly. Cover by Gabriel ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
WINNER: Justin Gabriel (6:54)
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Here is your winner ... JUSTIN GABRIEL!
The Nexus music blares out around the arena as Justin Gabriel is announced the winner. However, Gabriel looks far from happy and he keeps looking up the ramp at Nexus unaware that the Team RAW captain, Edge, also played a massive part in the victory.
JIM ROSS: An awful ending to a match where both men impressed, particularly the young South African, Justin Gabriel, King?
JERRY LAWLER: Wow, what a match that was. Gabriel looks not too happy with his Nexus team-mates though, I think he wanted to make an impression for himself tonight.
JIM ROSS: But what about the actions of Edge there? He is supposed to be the RAW team captain isn’t he?
JERRY LAWLER: Maybe he was just trying to show John Morrison who was in charge of things round here?
JIM ROSS: Surely he could have done that another way though? Team RAW is having real problems getting on ahead of Survivor Series!
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
*** WRITTEN IN MY FACE ***
*** WRITTEN IN MY FACE ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome to the ring, accompanied by Hornswoggle ... SHEAMUS!
RAW returns with the first ever Irish World Champion heading for the ring with Hornswoggle by his side to a series of boos and jeers. Replays of last week’s confrontation with Triple H that cost Sheamus a place on Team RAW are shown before the camera switches back to Sheamus and Hornswoggle who both look confident as they head to the ring. They are laughing and joking despite the jeers and once in the ring, Sheamus takes a microphone to address the WWE Universe.
SHEAMUS: Last week, Triple H came out here and cost me my match with R-Truth ... but it doesn’t matter to me. I didn’t wanna be on Team RAW anyway and the whole of the WWE Universe knows that I would have destroyed Truth in an instant. I thort’ I had ended the career of Triple H at Cyber Sunday but it seems that the man is stupid enough to wanna’ come back and face me again? What’s the matter with ya, old man?
A loud ‘Triple H!’ chant interrupts Sheamus as he speaks but he just smirks and allows the chant to fade before he continues ...
SHEAMUS: But if you wanna’ fight, Triple H, then you know where I am. Right now, here I am, middle of the ring. Why don’t ya come out here and fight me?
The WWE Universe cheers for this idea whilst Sheamus gets a look of intense anger on his face and rips his t-shirt off before throwing it down and waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting. Sheamus’ look of anger turns to amusement as he picks the microphone back up and turns to Hornswoggle.
SHEAMUS: Just as I thort. A coward, a weasel, a fraud, an old man. Triple H knows that I can destroy him and he has finally realised that I am not a man to be messed with. Wise move, Triple H, wise move. I am the most dominant man here on RAW now and if I was you, I would never ever come out here near me again.
Sheamus looks contented as he throw the microphone down and he beckons to Hornswoggle to follow him out of the ring. However, as they reach the ropes ...
*** SEXY BOY ***
The WWE Universe cheer the arrival of the General Manager for the second time this evening and he comes out with a smile on his face ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: Now you just wait there, Sheamus. There is only one man on Monday Night RAW who is dominant, my friend, and that man is the Heart Break Kid, Shawn Michaels. Whatever I say, goes. You understand me?
Sheamus looks annoyed with the appearance of the RAW General Manager but he listens to his comments ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: Now you might think that Hunter is a coward and a fraud but let me tell you something. He is none of those things. Tonight, Triple H is not here ...
Boos are audible at the non-appearance of Triple H ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: ... sorry folks, Triple H is not here tonight. And you knew that, Sheamus, didn’t you? You called out a man that wasn’t even in the building? And you call Triple H a coward and a fraud?
Sheamus looks irate and shakes his head at Shawn Michaels ...
SHEAMUS: Now look here, Shawn Michaels, let me tell you something ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: NO! Let me tell you something, Sheamus! You may have beaten Triple H at Cyber Sunday in one hell of a match but I didn’t like the ending. I think that Hunter had you beaten until that little troll in the ring turned on him and joined forces with you. So here is what I have decided ... Survivor Series, three weeks from now, Triple H against Sheamus! What do you think to that?
The crowd erupt as Sheamus stares straight at Shawn Michaels from the ring. He looks annoyed with the decision but confident of victory at the same time.
SHAWN MICHAELS: Oh, and one more thing. Next week, Triple H will be back and I do not want you two to lay a finger on each other until Survivor Series. So, I am declaring now that if any of you touches the other ahead of Survivor Series, that man will be automatically suspended for a full year.
Shawn Michael’s music kicks in again as Sheamus stares after him and RAW heads into another commercial ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
RAW returns with JR and Jerry Lawler excitedly hyping up the announcement of a rematch between Sheamus and Triple H at Survivor Series in three weeks ...
JIM ROSS: We’re just twenty nights from Survivor Series and it will be Sheamus and Triple H battling again. Triple H wants revenge after Sheamus’ attack that cost him over six months of his career, Sheamus wants to prove that he is the dominant force in the WWE!
JERRY LAWLER: And after what these two put each other through at Cyber Sunday, I can’t wait to see what they do this time round!
JIM ROSS: It’ll be a real slobberknocker, King, that is for sure! But now it is time to focus on our main event!
JERRY LAWLER: Oh, I’ve been waiting for this confrontation all night long, JR!
*** AWESOME - I CAME TO PLAY ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This tag team match is set for one fall. Introducing first, weighing a combined weight of 482 pounds ... the team of ALEX RILEY and THE MIZ!
Riley and Miz come out looking ready for action and confident of an upset as they head for the ring. Miz holds up the briefcase high before leading Riley to the ring. Once in the ring, Riley tries to demand applause and respect for his mentor whilst Miz removes his coat and prepares for the match ...
*** MY TIME IS NOW ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Their opponents, introducing first from West Newbury, Massachusetts, weighing 250 pounds ... JOHN CENA!
Cena comes out and salutes the fans before heading to the ring at a run. In the ring, he bounces back and forth across the ring off the ropes before holding his hands up in salute of the WWE Universe. He throws his hat and shirt into the ring as his partner’s music begins ...
*** VOICES ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And from St. Louis, Missouri, weighing 245 pounds ... he is the WWE Champion ... RANDY ORTON!
Orton saunters slowly to the ring in his usual manner with the title over his shoulder. As he enters the ring to pose with the title, he fixes a stare to Cena that shows that all is still not perfect between the two. However, Cena ignores this and prepares as Orton poses ...
JOHN CENA & RANDY ORTON vs. THE MIZ & ALEX RILEY
The match starts with John Cena and Alex Riley in the ring whilst Orton and Miz head out to prepare for the tag when needed. Riley tries to get into Cena’s face by proclaiming the Miz the future WWE Champion and then moves on to mouthing off at Orton. Orton threatens to punch Riley who staggers back in fear and Cena lifts him up into the Attitude Adjustment immediately ... The crowd go mad as Cena holds Riley up on his shoulders and fixes a look straight to his partner, Orton. The tension on the team is still clear and then ... BAM! The Miz knocks Cena down to deny him hitting the AA and to send Cena down to the mat. Riley recovers from the early scare and starts to pummel away at Cena with hard, right hands that the referee tries to break whilst Orton looks on. Riley goes for a cover ...
* 1 *
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* Cena fights out with ease! *
* 2 *
* Cena fights out with ease! *
Riley takes a step back and waits for Cena to get to his feet before hitting a clothesline that sends Cena down into the Miz and Riley’s corner of the ring. Riley distracts the referee whilst the Miz chokes Cena in the corner with the tag rope. As he does this, Miz looks over at Orton who seems oblivious to the plight of his partner. Miz smiles a knowing smile and releases Cena as the referee turns back round. Alex Riley hits a forearm smash into the head of Cena and tags in Miz who strides through the ropes to jeers and boos. With Cena propped up in the corner, Miz takes a run up and jumps feet first through the ropes whilst hitting a clothesline to Cena that rattles him in the corner. With Miz and Riley in complete control, Miz hits a running knee and follows it with a neckbreaker that has the crowd gasping – the Reality Check. Miz goes for a cover ...
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* Weaker this time, Cena kicks out with no movement from Orton! *
* 2 *
* Weaker this time, Cena kicks out with no movement from Orton! *
Miz tags Riley back into the match and he lifts Cena into a belly-to-back side slam that leaves Cena rattled on the mat again. Another cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Cena! *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Cena! *
Riley looks frustrated and drops a leg across Cena’s chest and neck before covering again ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Another kick out! *
* 2 *
* Another kick out! *
Miz tries to encourage Riley from the corner but he looks annoyed with the referee. As he argues, Cena crawls to the corner and looks for a tag to Orton but there is no outstretched hand. Orton just holds his hand out in the corner but isn’t striving to get there. Riley notices and hits a running knee to the back of Cena to deny him the tag. Cena is whipped back into the corner of Miz and Riley and Miz is tagged back in. He hits a spinning discus punch to Cena that sends Cena down to the middle rope where he is straddled whilst Miz hits the opposite ropes and jumps onto the back of Cena’s neck to choke him on the rope whilst Miz drops outside. Miz scurries back into the ring and covers a groggy Cena ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Cena barely kicks out this time! *
* 2 *
* Cena barely kicks out this time! *
A knowing look passes the eye of the Miz and he begins to stalk Cena from behind. It is clear what is coming, Skull Crushing Finale time! However, suddenly, Orton is in the ring ... RKO to Miz! What was that for? The referee admonishes Orton before signalling for the bell to disqualify Cena and Orton ... However, Shawn Michaels appears on the titantron.
SHAWN MICHAELS: Referee, this match will not end with a disqualification. I am making this match a ‘No Disqualification’ match. Now continue with the match!
The WWE Universe at ringside cheer their appreciation as Orton heads back to the corner with Cena heading that way for the tag. Miz is crawling to Riley and he makes the tag to allow Riley to rush into the ring looking to prevent Cena making the tag. He grabs the leg of Cena but Cena gets up to one leg and kicks out to send Riley down to the mat. Looking Orton square in the eye, Cena slaps Orton in the chest to symbolise that a tag has been made. Orton looks annoyed with the nature of the tag but he gets in the ring and heads for Riley regardless. A-Ri holds his hands out in some kind of fear but Orton advances like the viper that he is and begins to lay punches to the head of Riley before lifting him high into the Olympic Slam. Orton stands over Riley and looks directly at Cena with his eyes narrowing before starting his patented stomps to the exposed limbs of Riley. He stomps ankles, knees, wrists, elbows and chests before he stands back and allows Riley to stagger to his feet. He locks in a headlock before twisting it into a backbreaker across his own back to leave Riley down on the mat desperately looking for a tag to the Miz. Orton stands back and watches Riley crawl and smirks at the Miz ... it is clear that Orton would like to have some time in the ring with the Money in the Bank briefcase holder. However, as Riley approaches him, Miz drops down from the apron and walks away ... The crowd boo and jeer as Miz backs away up the ramp with Orton staring after him from the ring. Cena also watches Miz leave from the corner with a look of disgust in his eyes ...
*** WE ARE ONE ***
Suddenly, the music of the Nexus blares out again and here come the entire Nexus led by Wade Barrett. He is followed by Skip Sheffield, Heath Slater and David Otunga but Justin Gabriel seems to be a little behind the Nexus as they head for the ring. They ignore the Miz as they head for the ring with Orton and Cena their obvious aim. Cena heads into the ring to back up Orton as the Nexus surround the ring, Alex Riley propped over the bottom turnbuckle in the corner, unaware of the events taking place. Barrett gives the order and in charge the Nexus to attack Cena and Orton. The champion and Cena give as good as they get initially as they trade punches, kicks and clothesline but in the end, the numbers game begins to pay off for Nexus. Barrett directs affairs in the ring as Sheffield hits a clothesline to both Cena and Orton that leaves them face down on the mat. Otunga and Slater each take one man each and hit their finishing moves to further destroy the newly formed team. Barrett then orders Gabriel to the top rope as he sets up Cena for the 450 splash. With a strange look in his eyes, Gabriel heads for the top rope and steadies himself before somersaulting off the top and hitting a perfect 450 splash.
Barrett and Nexus now turn their attention towards Orton, the WWE Champion. Barrett orders his men to lift Orton onto his shoulders ... he anticipates the moment for a second or two and then hits Wastelands to Orton to leave him crumpled on the mat. He gives the signal to Nexus that it is time to leave and the WWE Universe boo the hell out of them as they do. They back away up the ramp and hold their hands high as a signal of their unity – although Gabriel’s looks reluctant – before turning their backs and heading out of the arena.
Suddenly, Miz appears in the corner of the ring. He makes the tag to Alex Riley as the crowd realise what he is up to. He drop kicks the fallen Cena to the outside and then drags Orton from the mat. He locks in the Skull Crushing Finale and drives Orton face first down into the mat. The referee has no option, the match is now a ‘No Disqualification’ match and he makes the count ...
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WINNER: Alex Riley and The Miz (10:32)
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Here are your winners ... ALEX RILEY & THE MIZ!
Miz and Riley celebrate in the ring before Miz gets a strange look in his eye. He turns to Riley and whispers something to him that makes Riley’s eyes light up. Alex Riley rushes out of the ring and grabs the ‘Money in the Bank’ briefcase from the timekeeper and heads back into the ring to Miz. The crowd realise what is about to happen and they rise from their seats in anticipation ...
JERRY LAWLER: Oh my god, JR! Miz is gonna’ cash in his Money in the Bank contract right now!
JIM ROSS: No way, goddamnit, it can’t go down like this!
Miz frantically tells the referee that he wants to cash in the contract and hands him the briefcase pointing to Orton. The referee signals to the timekeeper and Justin Roberts what is happening and then heads for Orton to ensure that he is aware of what the Miz is doing ... Miz hops around in the corner waiting, frantically urging the referee to get on with it.
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Ladies and Gentlemen, the Miz is cashing in his ‘Money in the Bank’ contract. Therefore, this match is set for one fall and is for the WWE Championship!
With the crowd screaming and going wild, the referee is explaining to Orton what is happening but does not ring the bell as Orton is not back on his feet yet. Groggily, Orton is helped up by the referee ... suddenly, John Cena rolls back into the ring and surveys the situation. He looks to Orton and then to the Miz, what will Cena do here? Miz rushes at him to try and get him out of the ring but Cena ducks and lifts the Miz up on his shoulders ... ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Cena hits the Miz with the AA! Miz rolls out of the ring and Riley rushes to him to check he is OK as the music of John Cena echoes out. Miz is struggling but is ordering Riley to do something ... Riley rushes back round and grabs the briefcase before heading back to the Miz and waving his arms. It seems that Miz’ contract has not been cashed due to the actions of John Cena.
JIM ROSS: It looks like John Cena just saved Randy Orton’s WWE Championship, King!
JERRY LAWLER: After all their recent problems, the team of Cena and Orton work together to deny the Miz!
JIM ROSS: What a night, King! What a night we have had!
JERRY LAWLER: I thought the Miz’ time had come right then!
JIM ROSS: Goodnight everybody, we’ll see you next week!
RAW ends with shots of Cena helping Orton to his feet whilst the Miz and Riley recover on the ramp with the Money in the Bank briefcase clutched close to him by the Miz ...
********** END OF SHOW **********
GLOBAL ICON
I <3 Wrestling and Soccer
Here's a review:
The Fatal-4-Way tag-team match was great but I don't know why two teams survived? You could have directly made somebody the No.1 contenders or have four teams face-off in two seperate matches (Dynasty vs Nexus) (Santino/Kozlov vs Usos) or one of those combinations. But anyways, your ideas work in your BT!
The promo was good but could've been better. Few words from Cena maybe? The tension between Cena and Orton is perfectly done. Not a big fan of the DiBiase-Zeke match.
Good dominance from Wade Barrett but made Truth look... BAD! Seriously, if he's on Team RAW he needs some at least little momentum heading into Survivor Series. The tension between Edge and Morrison is brilliantly done. But Edge shouldn't have cost Morrison his match. By the way, Morrison vs Gabriel was the best match of the night. The Sheamus promo was done well.
I wasn't a fan of the main-event to be honest. Some points were good including the Nexus attack which was descripted perfectly. But the match itself was not upto the mark. It was good, but it could have been better. Yeah, Cena saving Orton from Miz was a good sign but in the end, he should have just left the ring.
Then again, great show overall. Certainly looking forward to SmackDown! and Survivor Series. Good luck for the next shows!
GLOBAL ICON
The Fatal-4-Way tag-team match was great but I don't know why two teams survived? You could have directly made somebody the No.1 contenders or have four teams face-off in two seperate matches (Dynasty vs Nexus) (Santino/Kozlov vs Usos) or one of those combinations. But anyways, your ideas work in your BT!
The promo was good but could've been better. Few words from Cena maybe? The tension between Cena and Orton is perfectly done. Not a big fan of the DiBiase-Zeke match.
Good dominance from Wade Barrett but made Truth look... BAD! Seriously, if he's on Team RAW he needs some at least little momentum heading into Survivor Series. The tension between Edge and Morrison is brilliantly done. But Edge shouldn't have cost Morrison his match. By the way, Morrison vs Gabriel was the best match of the night. The Sheamus promo was done well.
I wasn't a fan of the main-event to be honest. Some points were good including the Nexus attack which was descripted perfectly. But the match itself was not upto the mark. It was good, but it could have been better. Yeah, Cena saving Orton from Miz was a good sign but in the end, he should have just left the ring.
Then again, great show overall. Certainly looking forward to SmackDown! and Survivor Series. Good luck for the next shows!
GLOBAL ICON
Thanks. Will get over to review yours again soon. Going to defend myself and my decisions a little here though if that's OK?
It was more for the sake of stringing out the feud. After next week's RAW, I'd be able to better explain why I chose to go this way. The #1 contenders match next time out should hopefully show you why I went this way.
Few words from Cena? I don't think Cena would have said anything. When Cena is peeved, he generally goes for the direct approach, get in their faces. I wanted to make Cena seem determined for revenge. As for Zeke and DiBiase - essential for what comes next week. As well as making Team RAW have problems ...
My aim was to keep Nexus strong throughout the night, particularly Wade Barrett. It is key for what is coming up over next few weeks. R-Truth might have looked a little weak but check out how he got onto Team RAW (forfeit from Sheamus virtually) and also remember how I was going for disarray on Team RAW. Truth is not going to be a major part of my BT as we move forward, I don't rate him and I find him boring. It was more important for me to make Barrett look immense.
Edge costing JoMo the match - disarray on Team RAW again. This is essential for what comes later, I promise you. Difficult to explain without telling you my plans though. Glad you enjoyed Morrison-Gabriel, I wanted to make Gabriel look strong. What do you think about the little tease of Gabriel not wanting the Nexus involved?
Sheamus vs. Triple H II is going to be another epic. And now I have the unpredictability of Hornswoggle to involve in it as well. Hornswoggle will be going back to his darker roots over the coming weeks.
The main event had a few purposes: Cena and Orton's tension and then the save was important. Nexus looking strong again - important. And the MITB bit? Well, I have big plans for Miz but the MITB is a difficult one to book until it is time to cash in. This allows me to keep Miz right in view. Maybe Cena should have walked away after saving Orton - again, I know what happens next week though!
Cheers again.
Da Prophet
Mid-Card Championship Winner
I'll drop some quick notes here as a review. I liked the way you handled Cena and Randy Orton on RAW. As you said Cena gets more physical then taking every week. You would expect Cena to be pissed off and the only words he could of said was lets fight. He didn't need to speak and I'm glad you did have him.
Tag match was nice and once again I'll go against GI here. I thought it was a smart decision, it makes a match for later on and makes two teams look good. Smart move by you here, no wonder this is the best thread going. Not counting mine of course
Team RAW are having problems, I like it. Something different instead of them just getting along. Most people would just go with the we have to do it for our brand thing. I like the twist you're giving it. At some point they will have to get along I would however wait until the last RAW before Survivor Series. Have them go over Smackdown in a fight, showing some kind of hope for them.
Nice job with making Nexus look strong tonight, doing a fine job with them. Tell me if I'm wrong but have you announced the WWE title match yet? Short memory, I can't remember. If not then I expect Barrett to be in it and Cena to be doing something else. A triple threat between Orton, Barrett and Cena will happen I think. But not yet, you still can get more out of Barrett vs Orton. Then we see the triple threat stuff and finally Orton vs Cena at Mania. I so have this worked out.
We get the rematch of Cyber Sunday with Sheamus and Triple H, should be a good match. I hope it is the last time they face off, it isn't a bad feud just want them to do something else. And Hornswoggle being with Sheamus, I can't wait for the stuff there.
I LOVED the ending, nice job. People may have a problem but it did three things.
1: Put the thought Miz may cash in at anytime in the back of our minds. He hasn't really been involved in my mind for the WWE title scene so this helped.
2: Pushed the Cena vs Orton feud that will be happening at Mania.
3: Made Nexus look dominate and important. This happens with most threads, the major heel stable looks weak. You have done a fine job at making them look strong.
In the end it was a great job here, the matches were good, storylines were moved forward. Things made sense and something that is missed by a few people when writing a BT. The decisions make no sense, I myself have made some of these decision in my early days. Nice job, and I look forward to Survivor Series.
Tag match was nice and once again I'll go against GI here. I thought it was a smart decision, it makes a match for later on and makes two teams look good. Smart move by you here, no wonder this is the best thread going. Not counting mine of course
Team RAW are having problems, I like it. Something different instead of them just getting along. Most people would just go with the we have to do it for our brand thing. I like the twist you're giving it. At some point they will have to get along I would however wait until the last RAW before Survivor Series. Have them go over Smackdown in a fight, showing some kind of hope for them.
Nice job with making Nexus look strong tonight, doing a fine job with them. Tell me if I'm wrong but have you announced the WWE title match yet? Short memory, I can't remember. If not then I expect Barrett to be in it and Cena to be doing something else. A triple threat between Orton, Barrett and Cena will happen I think. But not yet, you still can get more out of Barrett vs Orton. Then we see the triple threat stuff and finally Orton vs Cena at Mania. I so have this worked out.
We get the rematch of Cyber Sunday with Sheamus and Triple H, should be a good match. I hope it is the last time they face off, it isn't a bad feud just want them to do something else. And Hornswoggle being with Sheamus, I can't wait for the stuff there.
I LOVED the ending, nice job. People may have a problem but it did three things.
1: Put the thought Miz may cash in at anytime in the back of our minds. He hasn't really been involved in my mind for the WWE title scene so this helped.
2: Pushed the Cena vs Orton feud that will be happening at Mania.
3: Made Nexus look dominate and important. This happens with most threads, the major heel stable looks weak. You have done a fine job at making them look strong.
In the end it was a great job here, the matches were good, storylines were moved forward. Things made sense and something that is missed by a few people when writing a BT. The decisions make no sense, I myself have made some of these decision in my early days. Nice job, and I look forward to Survivor Series.
FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN!
Live from New Haven, Connecticut
[YOUTUBE]RQPvWEWTpbU[/YOUTUBE]
*** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO ***
Michael Cole and Mick Foley are at the announce table at ringside with the Team SMACKDOWN captain, Big Show, sat beside them as the show begins here in New Haven. Cole and Foley build up the hype for some major matches on SMACKDOWN tonight that will go a long way towards determining the Number 1 contender for the World Championship as well as matches to determine the SMACKDOWN team to face RAW at Survivor Series! Big Show comments on how he wants to see the SMACKDOWN superstars showing their abilities in the ring and not allowing petty squabbles to undermine their chances at Survivor Series like the RAW team are doing right now. Foley hypes up the return of Matt Hardy as he enters the World Championship tournament and a graphic is shown to advertise his match with Dolph Ziggler that receives a loud cheer from the crowd in attendance. Cole announces that we are going to start the night with two matches to determine Team SMACKDOWN qualifiers.
*** CHAVITO ARDIENTE ***
Cole, Foley and Big Show discuss the merits of Chavo Guerrero and what he could bring to Team SMACKDOWN if he were to win his match tonight. They touch on Chavos defeat to Alberto Del Rio in the World Championship tournament last week and how Chavo wants to emulate his Uncle Eddie here on SMACKDOWN. Show tells of his admiration for Guerrero and how his experience could prove valuable in the SMACKDOWN vs. RAW contest at Survivor Series ...
*** SMOKE AND MIRRORS ***
Here comes Chavos opponent tonight, the joint WWE Tag Team Champion, Dashing Cody Rhodes. Rhodes is another man who last week was defeated by Christian in the Quarter Finals of the World Championship tournament. They discuss the fact that his partner, Drew McIntyre, has made the Semi Finals of the World Championship tournament and how Rhodes must be feeling. They remind us of the Tag Team Championship match at Cyber Sunday where Rhodes and McIntyre used dubious circumstances to defeat Mark Henry and Evan Bourne to retain the Tag Team Championships.
TEAM SMACKDOWN QUALIFIER: CHAVO GUERRERO vs. CODY RHODES
The veteran instincts of Chavo Guerrero allow the Mexican to take control of the match early on as he thwarts Rhodes at every turn and frustrates the Dashing one who cannot get into his stride. Chavo thrills the crowd when he hits the signature move of his Uncle Eddie with the Three Amigos but on the third one, Rhodes manages to find an answer as he counters with a suplex of his own to even things up. Even now, Chavo manages to get to his feet first and he hits a stiff kick to the chest of Rhodes before a punch to the face sends Rhodes scurrying out of the ring to check himself in the mirror on his coat. Rhodes complains to the referee about the punch to the face and demands more protection. As the referee warns Chavo about the closed fist, Rhodes takes advantage as he rushes Chavo and sends him crashing out of the ring with a forearm smash to the back of the head. Rhodes takes control now and he stalks the outside using the barricades and ring to hit further punishment to Chavo. Cody smirks and drags Chavo up before hitting a vicious Cross Rhodes on the outside of the ring to the dismay of the fans at ringside. Rhodes has Chavo down and out at the bottom of the ramp with the referee beginning a countout when suddenly ...
*** SOMEBODIES GONNA GET IT ***
Here comes Mark Henry, one of the men that Rhodes and McIntyre screwed at Cyber Sunday in the Tag Team Championship match. Henry comes marching down the ring making a beeline for Cody Rhodes who scuttles away into the ring. With Henry approaching him, the referees count ends as he begins to try and persuade Henry to turn round and leave. However, Henry ignores the referee and slides into the ring to go after Cody Rhodes who looks like a rabbit in the headlights. For a moment, Rhodes looks like he is going to stand up to Mark Henry but then he runs out of the ring. As he tries to escape the Worlds Strongest Man, he runs straight into Chavo who begins another attack to Rhodes face on the outside. He rolls Cody back into the ring and hits the third suplex to complete the Three Amigos that he started earlier. With Henry respecting Chavo by remaining outside, Chavo heads for the top ropes and points up at the ceiling before jumping off the ropes ... FROG SPLASH from Chavo Guerrero!
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WINNER: Chavo Guerrero (6:38)
TONY CHIMEL: Here is your winner ... CHAVO GUERRERO!
Big Show stands and applauds at ringside as Chavo Guerrero becomes the first man to qualify for Team SMACKDOWN tonight. Chavo leaves the ring to high five with the captain before taking a blue SMACKDOWN t-shirt and placing it over his head to show that he is committed to securing the win for his show. In the ring, Mark Henry has now stood over Cody Rhodes and is talking trash to the Tag Team Champion before signalling that he will win the Tag Team Championship soon.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
SMACKDOWN returns with Big Show still at ringside as we prepare for the second qualifying match of the night. Big Show declares that he is pleased to have Chavo Guerrero on board and that he has one more match planned tonight before he goes backstage to speak to a couple of people.
*** IM COMIN ***
As MVP is announced to the crowd, Big Show tells of his admiration for MVP and the qualities that he possesses. Show says that he thought that MVP would have become a bona-fide main event star by now but has been unlucky. He hopes that MVP can qualify for the SMACKDOWN team and get back on the right track.
*** GET DOWN ON YOUR KNEES ***
However, MVPs opponent tonight is a former World Heavyweight Champion and former enemy of the Big Show, Jack Swagger. Big Show recounts the ill feeling between them earlier in the year when Show and Swagger met on several occasions for the World Championship but Show was unable to find a way to beat Swagger for the title. Swagger casts an eye on the Big Show as he enters the ring and tells him that he is going to be the main man of Team SMACKDOWN! Big Show applauds his comments and tells him to go and get the job done!
TEAM SMACKDOWN QUALIFIER: MVP vs. JACK SWAGGER
An even contest in the first half as both men have a period of control before the match swings one way, then the other. As SMACKDOWN returns from a commercial break in the middle of the match, Swagger has the advantage as he hits a vertical suplex to MVP that leaves him down. MVP kicks out of the pinfall but Swagger is now on top and he begins to work on the knee and lower leg of MVP as he looks to set up for the Ankle Lock. MVP cries in pain as Swagger stomps continuously on the ankle before hitting several moves designed to weaken the leg further. With MVP down, Swagger positions him in the corner before rushing over from the other corner and using the ropes to hit a splash on MVP. Swagger goes for a repeat of the move as he aims to leave MVP out of the match but MVP has it scouted now and rolls out of the way second time to leave Swagger splashing the corner of the ring mat rather than MVP. With Swagger in trouble now, MVP presses the new advantage home with big boot in the corner that sends Swagger down in perfect position for the Ballin elbow which MVP hits. However, Swagger is able to kick out of the pinfall. MVP whips Swagger into the rope and hits a flapjack to Swagger to crash him down to the mat again but MVP is still wincing as he walks. MVP steps back and then rushes in looking for a Drive-By Kick but Swagger sees it coming and catches MVPs leg and locks in the Ankle Lock! Swagger stands up in the centre of the ring and locks the hold in further to leave MVP writhing in agony and he cannot stand it much longer ... Tap! Tap! Tap! MVP submits to Jack Swaggers ankle lock!
WINNER: Jack Swagger (submission - 8:36)
TONY CHIMEL: Here is your winner ... JACK SWAGGER!
Big Show rolls into the ring with a blue SMACKDOWN t-shirt. He heads over to check on MVP first of all before handing the shirt to Jack Swagger. Swagger takes the shirt and orders Big Show to raise his hand for him ... Show thinks for a moment and the crowd sense that Show is going to flatten Swagger ... but he thinks better of it and does raise Swaggers hand before Swagger leaves the ring with a smile on his face. Cole and Foley speculate on who else will represent Team SMACKDOWN at Survivor Series now that we know the RAW team and three member of SMACKDOWN: Edge, John Morrison, R-Truth, Daniel Bryan and Ted DiBiase for RAW against Big Show, Jack Swagger, Chavo Guerrero and two more for Team SMACKDOWN.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
SMACKDOWN returns with Teddy Long on the phone in his office. He is asking where someone is and then gets a reply he doesnt seem to like. He ends the call by telling whoever is on the phone that that person better be here next week on SMACKDOWN because he will be defending his title ... Cole and Foley speculate about who is missing - World Champion Kane or Intercontinental Champion Alberto Del Rio?
Tony Chimel announces that it is time for the Divas Championship Number 1 contender match.
*** NOT ENOUGH FOR ME ***
Michelle McCool heads out alone without her usual Laycool partner, Layla, and heads to the ring looking confident. Cole and Foley remind us of last weeks argument between Layla and Michelle McCool and how Michelle McCool promised Layla that she would win the match against Kelly Kelly tonight and earn a shot at Laylas Divas Title.
*** HOLLA HOLLA ***
Here comes the beautiful Kelly Kelly ready to try and earn herself a shot at the Divas Championship and maybe to become the Divas Champion for the first time ever. Kelly smiles and waves as she heads for the ring delighted to have a one on one chance against one of the women who has made her life miserable so often recently ...
*** NASTY GIRL ***
Layla heads to the ring with her old music from when she debuted in the WWE to emphasise that the split from Laycool is now complete. She heads to the ring with her Divas Championship around her waist with a quiet look of determination on her face. As she nears the ring, she looks at Michelle McCool and points to the Divas Championship before pointing to herself and mouthing Mine! ... The crowd seem to be favouring Layla in this rivalry as she gets some applause for her actions ...
NUMBER 1 CONTENDER MATCH FOR DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP: KELLY KELLY vs. MICHELLE McCOOL
With Layla sat in a chair at ringside to witness the match, McCool and Kelly begin their fight with Kelly looking determined to upset the former Womens and Divas Champion tonight. Kelly looks to have the match in hand as she hits the backspring elbow splash the Kelly Killer that leaves McCool down on her knee and in trouble. Kelly grabs McCool by the hair and slams her down face first into the mat over and over and over as she looks to drive home the advantage. She lifts McCool up and lifts her leg over to hit the K2 ... However, as she prepares to hit the move, Layla jumps up on the apron to distract Kelly. Kelly heads over to knock Layla down but she jumps before Kelly gets there. As Kelly turns back to McCool, Michelle hits a big boot to the face that leave Kelly sprawled on the mat. McCool looks puzzled towards Layla but carries on and hits the Faith Breaker slam that drives Kelly front first down to the mat. Michelle makes the cover ...
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WINNER: Michelle McCool (3:28)
TONY CHIMEL: Here is your winner ... MICHELLE McCOOL!
Layla gets to her feet and takes a microphone before addressing Michelle McCool. She tells her that she distracted Kelly Kelly because she wanted Michelle to win the match and become Number 1 contender. Layla tells Michelle that she is determined to beat her at Survivor Series and that she will prove to the world that she is the dominant diva from Laycool. Michelle responds by telling Layla that she got lucky at Cyber Sunday but this time she will be ready and will become the Divas Champion.
We head backstage as Layla leaves the ringside area where we see Big Show heading down a corridor towards Kofi Kingston. The pair greet each other and Big Show checks how Kofi is after his loss to Drew McIntyre last week caused by Kane in the World Championship Tournament. Kofi tells of how he would love to get his hands on Kane but how he will now have to wait. Big Show suggests that Kofi Kingston could represent Team SMACKDOWN instead and Kofi looks delighted to be asked however, as he is about to agree, Teddy Long interrupts. He apologises to Big Show but says he has an important announcement to make first. He tells Kofi that he cannot face Kane tonight as Kane has failed to show up but that he has decided that Kane will defend the World Heavyweight Championship next Thursday on SMACKDOWN. As the WWE Universe cheer this news, Long proceeds to ask Kofi Kingston if he would like to have a shot at the title next week. Kofi is delighted and agrees before apologising to the Big Show. Show accepts the decision of Kofi and says he doesnt blame him for making that choice but will keep the final SMACKDOWN spot available for Kingston if he needs it. Kofi heads off looking excited before Long turns to Big Show. He praises his restraint in not knocking Swagger down earlier and says that he is proud of the job his captain is doing. Show promises victory and Long promises, in return, that if Big Show leads SMACKDOWN to a victory, he will get a shot at the World Championship after Survivor Series.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
*** BOOYAKA BOOYAKA - 619 ***
*** BOOYAKA BOOYAKA - 619 ***
The crowd pop for the return of Rey Mysterio who comes out to his usual pyro despite his arm still being bandaged up. He gingerly salutes the crowd and heads for the ring slowly as he presses his head to those children in the crowd with Rey Mysterio masks. Once in the ring, Mysterio takes a microphone and addresses the WWE Universe. Mysterio vows that he will return to the WWE at the Royal Rumble where he will win the right to headline WrestleMania 27. He then promises that he will take revenge on the man who injured him with the Cross Arm Breaker ...
*** FUNBA RUMBA ***
And speak of the devil, here he comes. Driving out in a Rolls Royce, Del Rio exits the car in his gold trunks with the Intercontinental Championship over his shoulder. He advances towards the ring and laughs at Mysterio with his bandaged arm before entering the ring and staring menacingly at Mysterio. He winks to the master of the 619 before moving over to take a microphone of his own. He accuses Rey of having too much belief in his abilities when he should be using his brain and realising how dangerous Alberto Del Rio is. He tells the chihuahua that he is the most dangerous man in the WWE right now and that now he is the Intercontinental Champion, he has proof of how it is his destiny to be the top Mexican superstar in the WWE. He promises Rey that he will win his World Championship Qualifying match tonight and head into the Semi Finals. He tells Rey that he doesnt have dreams that he cannot fulfil, he has promises of destiny that he will achieve because he is Alberto Del Rio! Mysterio shakes his head and says something in Spanish that annoys Del Rio and he begins to advance on the injured superstar ...
*** CLAVICLE ***
Evan Bourne, Del Rios opponent tonight, shoots down the ramp to Reys aid and prevents Del Rio from attacking him. Mysterio thanks Bourne for his help and then heads out of the ring and back up the ramp pointing towards Del Rio and promising him a beating next time he sees him ... The following match is announced as being a Quarter Final World Championship tournament match as Cole and Foley remind us of their wins last week to qualify for their matches tonight Alberto Del Rio beat Chavo Guerrero after he challenged him for his place in the tournament and Evan Bourne defeated his partner, Mark Henry, when Teddy Long couldnt choose between the pair.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINAL MATCH: EVAN BOURNE vs. ALBERTO DEL RIO
In the early stages, Del Rio is bamboozled by the aerial threat of Evan Bourne as he uses his quickness to take Del Rio down on several occasions. However, Del Rio manages to ground Bourne as he heads to the top rope once too often and Del Rio hits an Inzuguri kick that sends Evan crashing down from the top rope and down to the mat and the sound of the kick echoes through the arena. From this point on, Del Rio has control and he shows why he is the Intercontinental Champion as he begins to wrestle Bourne down on the mat a perfect counter to Bournes high flying skills. A firemans carry takes Bourne down and then Del Rio hits a perfect kick to the back that leaves him writhing. Bourne kicks out of the pinfall attempt before Del Rio hooks in a rear naked choke that he uses to wrestle Bourne down to the mat again. Bourne attempts to get back to his feet and fights out of the hold but Del Rio grabs him by the head and throws him back down onto his back with a crash to retain control. Stiff kicks to the head follow as Del Rio keeps Bourne down before using his knee to trap Bourne over the ropes and choke him out for the full five seconds allowed by the referee. More mat wrestling follows as another rear naked choke is locked in and Bourne cannot get going as Del Rio has this one under control ...
A cover from Del Rio fails and he looks a little frustrated and Bourne takes advantage as he launches some punches to Del Rio to fight his way out of the problems he has been facing. Bourne hits a drop kick that staggers Del Rio into the corner and he follows this up with a high knee. With Del Rio looking in a little trouble, Bourne goes in for more but a swift kick from Del Rio puts him back in control and he then powerslams Bourne down to the mat before signalling that it is time for the Cross Arm Breaker. He lifts Bourne, spins around him and looks to take Bourne down but Bourne counters and throws Del Rio off to prevent the submission hold being locked in. A hurricanrana takes Del Rio down to the delight of the fans and as Del Rio recovers, Bourne heads up top. He dives knees first at Del Rio and with his knees on the shoulders of Del Rio, he drives him down to the mat. A pinfall but no 3 count as Del Rio fights out. Another kick leaves Del Rio on the ground and Bourne looks to hit a standing moonsault but Del Rio avoids it and immediately goes to work and locks in the Cross Arm Breaker. The crowd boos but then cheer as Bourne manages to grab the bottom rope ... Del Rio continues to pull and tug despite the referees demands to stop and now Bourne taps out. However, the bell rings amid a state of confusion. Has Bourne submitted or has Del Rio been disqualified?
TONY CHIMEL: Here is your winner ... EVAN BOURNE!
WINNER: Evan Bourne (DQ - 5:58)
Del Rio looks amazed at the decision but the referee informs him of why he has chosen to disqualify him and then gets out of the ring. Del Rio looks furious and he decides to attack Bourne again. A kick to the head of Bourne sends him down and then he locks the Cross Arm Breaker in again. With Bourne tapping out and in pain, Del Rio refuses to let go and in the end, Mark Henry heads out to the ring again to try and prevent Del Rio hurting his partner further. However, Henry nevers makes it as he is attacked at the bottom of the ramp by Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre, the Tag Team Champions and they drive him shoulder first into the steel ring post. They back away, job done, as Del Rio continues to tug and wrench at Bournes arm before finally letting go. Bourne rolls in pain as Del Rio is showered with boos and jeers as we head into another commercial ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
SMACKDOWN returns with Evan Bourne being helped out of the ring and Mark Henry staggering up the ramp clutching his shoulder. Michael Cole informs the WWE Universe that Teddy Long has announced that next week on SMACKDOWN, it will be Mark Henry against Cody Rhodes if the Worlds Strongest Man can recover in time. However, Evan looks as if could well be out of his World Championship Semi Final next week.
The cameras switch backstage to show Big Show again as he heads into the locker room. There is CM Punk, his rival in the past few weeks, who looks suspiciously at Big Show as he approaches. After their match last week, Big Show won the right to captain Team SMACKDOWN but Show offers Punk chance to be a member of Team SMACKDOWN anyway. Show says that Team SMACKDOWN needs CM Punk regardless of the differences between them. Punk considers the proposal of Big Show but then rejects it. He informs Show that if he isnt the captain of Team SMACKDOWN, there is no way he will try to help Team SMACKDOWN to victory at Survivor Series. He walks away leaving Big Show looking a little downbeat about things ...
Michael Cole and Mick Foley remind the audience of last weeks Quarter Finals where Christian beat Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre beat Kofi Kingston and they inform us that next week will see SMACKDOWN hosting both Semi Finals as Christian meets McIntyre and Evan Bourne if recovered will face the winner of tonights main event. A video package is shown ...
[YOUTUBE]gqCuYk9rtn8[/YOUTUBE]
Loud cheers emanate from the WWE Universe in New Haven before the music of one of the most popular WWE superstars of all time begins ...
*** LIVE FOR THE MOMENT ***
The crowd go wild for the return of Matt Hardy as he heads out from backstage with a determined look on his face. Hardy salutes the fans from the top of the ramp before running down to the ring. Cole and Foley list the accolades of Hardy in his time with the WWE but focus on the fact that Matt Hardy has never ever managed to win the big one, to go the whole way and secure the WWE Championship or the World Heavyweight Championship. Foley speculates that this could be the chance that Matt Hardy has been waiting for! As Hardy salutes the crowd in the ring, a shrill voice interrupts ... EXCUSE ME?! The crowd instantly boo as Vickie Guerrero appears on stage. She belittles Hardy and says that he has never managed to get the job done but her man is different. She introduces the future World Heavyweight Champion ... DOLPH ZIGGLER!
*** I AM PERFECTION ***
Ziggler heads to the ring looking pumped up and ready for his shot. We are reminded that Dolph Ziggler gave up his right to a rematch with Alberto Del Rio for the Intercontinental Championship in order to participate in the World Championship tournament and that he didnt seem happy about facing Hardy. Which one of these men will advance to the Semi Finals and face Evan Bourne next week on SMACKDOWN?
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER FINAL MATCH: MATT HARDY vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER
A loud Hardy! Hardy! chant signals the return of Matt Hardy as the bell rings and the match begins. Hardy is a ball of fire early doors and he rushes into Ziggler with a real point to prove delighting the fans with a series of kicks and punches that reels Ziggler back and into the corner ... Hardy hits a clothesline in the corner followed by a running bulldog to take down Ziggler and then he poses with his V1 symbol as the crowd erupt. Another Hardy! chant accompanies Matt as he climbs the ropes and stands in the corner up high before delivering a perfect leg drop from the top rope. Ziggler is down and rattled and Hardy goes for the pinfall as he tries to move into the next round ...
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* Ziggler kicks out! *
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* Ziggler kicks out! *
Vickie Guerrero screams as Ziggler looks like he might not escape and there is an intense look of relief on her face as Ziggler escapes. Hardy gets back to his feet with Ziggler and hits a Russian leg sweep to take Ziggler down again before riding Ziggler high and delivering a series of punches to Ziggler as the referee demands he opens the fist out. Hardy goes for another pinfall ...
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* Ziggler barely kicks out again! *
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* Ziggler barely kicks out again! *
Hardy holds his fingers up as he steps back and the crowd respond with the Hardy Ohhhh! as he waits for Ziggler to get to his feet. When he does, Hardy hits a Northern Lights suplex and holds on for the pinfall attempt for the third time in quick succession ...
* 1 *
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* Ziggler out just in time! *
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* Ziggler out just in time! *
With the crowd loving the pumped up start from Matt Hardy, they begin to cheer and roar him on excitedly. Hardy responds by waiting for Ziggler to rise up again and then going for the Side Effect! Ziggler manages to fight out of the move though and counters with a drop kick that Hardy manages to avoid with ease! As Ziggler gets up again, Hardy goes for a Side Effect again and this time connects with it ...
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* Ziggler escapes again when it looked all over! *
* 2 *
* Ziggler escapes again when it looked all over! *
Cole and Foley speculate on how much this match means to not just Matt Hardy but to Dolph Ziggler as well and Foley gives him credit for his battling performance so far. Hardy is now waiting for Ziggler to get back up with his arms outstretched and this could be the end for Dolph Ziggler coming up. He is looking for the Twist of Fate but Vickie Guerrero chooses this as the perfect moment to interfere as she grabs Dolphs arm as he begins to rise up and drags him to the outside of the ring. A dazed Ziggler realises what Vickie is doing and follows her as the referee admonishes her. She tells the referee that she is the Assistant to the GM on SMACKDOWN and that she can do whatever she likes. Hardy looks annoyed and he climbs the ropes in the corner and goes for an elbow to Ziggler on the outside. However, Ziggler is protected again by Vickie as she pulls him away again and Ziggler recovers to hit a clothesline to Hardy after the miss as we head into a commercial ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
MICHAEL COLE: Dolph Ziggler has taken control of this match whilst you have been away ...
MICK FOLEY: Thanks to a certain Vickie Guerrero may I add, Cole.
MICHAEL COLE: Vickie has had little to do with this, Mick, since she dragged Ziggler out of the ring. This is all his own work!
Ziggler hits a scoop powerslam to Hardy on the outside and then rolls into the ring to break the referees count before heading back out of the ring. He drags Hardy to his feet and we are shown a replay of Matt being whipped into the barricades and the ring steps whilst we were away. Ziggler holds Hardy by the back of the neck and drives him towards the ring post but Hardy manages to avoid contact at the last second by grabbing the post with his hands. A back elbow forces Ziggler off Hardy before Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate on the outside ... Ziggler counters with push away and as Hardy turns round, Ziggler hits a perfect drop kick that sends Hardy staggering back hard into the barricades in the rampway. Ziggler rolls into the ring as the referee begins to count Matt Hardy out ...
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* Hardy manages to roll back into the ring just in time! *
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* Hardy manages to roll back into the ring just in time! *
Ziggler and Vickie both look annoyed but Ziggler goes right back on the offensive as he pounds Hardy in the corner. He lifts Hardy into a firemans carry and lifts him off and down onto his knee with a superb gutbuster. Ziggler poses for a moment when hed be better going for the cover but Vickie yells at him to cover Hardy. He does ...
* 1 *
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* Hardy kicks out *
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* Hardy kicks out *
Ziggler drags Hardy to his feet and locks in the sleeper hold immediately. Hardy fights back though and manages to get his right leg into the ropes to break the hold. The referee counts and Ziggler leaves it dangerously close as the referee threatens a disqualification. As Ziggler releases the hold and Hardy swings out, the referee is knocked down and is down in the corner. Ziggler locks in the sleeper again as the referee is down and Hardy fights again ... this time though, when Hardy makes the ropes, there is nobody there to break the hold. Vickie Guerrero heads round to check on the referee and keeps his attention away from the illegal Ziggler sleeper hold. Hardy is fading big time and when the referee finally gets to his feet and orders Ziggler to break the hold, it doesnt look good. Ziggler drags Hardy to the middle of the ring and makes the pin ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Unbelievably, Hardy kicks out again! *
* 2 *
* Unbelievably, Hardy kicks out again! *
With Hardy showing the fight that he has maybe been missing in recent months, Ziggler knows he needs something big to win this one. He signals to Vickie that it is time, that it is going to be finished ... As Hardy gets to his feet with help from the ropes, Ziggler rushes in and hits a perfect Zig Zag to Hardy. Cover from Ziggler, surely it is over ...
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The referee counts three but then notices what thousands of people are screaming about in the arena. Matt Hardys foot is on the ropes! The referee signals that the count is cancelled and that the match must continue! Ziggler and Guerrero go mental about the decision and they both approach the referee, Vickie on the apron. With the referee pointing out why he has cancelled the count, Ziggler allows Hardy time to recover and he rushes over and hits a forearm smash to Ziggler that knocks him into Vickie Guerrero on the apron. Vickie falls to the ground and Ziggler holds his head in his hands. As his attention turns back to Hardy, his opponent hits a kick to the gut and sets it up once more ... Twist of Fate from Matt Hardy! Hardy hooks Zigglers leg ...
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WINNER: Matt Hardy (11:29)
TONY CHIMEL: Here is your winner ... MATT HARDY!
Hardy celebrates with the crowd who are delighted to see that Matt has regained the magic that he had lost before he left WWE a few weeks ago. Ziggler and Vickie stagger out of the arena with a few parting words to the referee but this is Matt Hardys moment! Cole announces that next week, it will be Matt Hardy vs. Evan Bourne and Christian vs. Drew McIntyre in the Semi Finals as we get closer to determining Kanes Number 1 contender for the World Championship. Foley interrupts with a reminder that Kane might not make it to Survivor Series yet as he has to face Kofi Kingston next week in a match for the World Heavyweight Championship! As SMACKDOWN fades out, Matt Hardy is celebrating his returning win on the middle rope with the crowd jubilant ...
********** END OF SHOW **********
WWE SURVIVOR SERIES
Matches Confirmed so far:
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
RANDY ORTON vs. WADE BARRETT
SMACKDOWN vs. RAW ELIMINATION MATCH
Winning brand gets to acquire one of losing brand’s superstars!
TEAM RAW
(Edge, Daniel Bryan, Ted DiBiase, John Morrison & R-Truth)
vs.
TEAM SMACKDOWN
(Big Show, Chavo Guerrero, Jack Swagger & 2 more)
SHEAMUS vs. TRIPLE H
DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP
LAYLA vs. MICHELLE McCOOL
2 WEEKS TO GO!
Da Prophet
Mid-Card Championship Winner
Very good show once again GCB, with Survivor Series picking up some steam. It was a very packed Big Show night and so it should be. Considering he is the Team Captain a nice move to have him at ringside for the night or at least for the start. You picked a solid team and the match writing was very
So Kofi is getting a title shot? You seem to be high on Kofi and the way you have build him has been great. I can see him actually beating Kane next week. You have done a nice job with the development of Kofi Kingston from mid card to World Champion. I wouldn't be surprised to see the title go to Kofi next week.
Another thing I want to say is I liked the way the Del Rio match ended. I had him picked to win this thing but you threw a curve ball. Nice job doing that and it gives Bourne a chance to shine later on.
Finally it was a great show, you had everything you needed. The build of Team Smackdown, setting up the Main Event next week. The development and stuff was there and it was easy to read which made it enjoyable to. You're hitting the right buttons, keep it going.
So Kofi is getting a title shot? You seem to be high on Kofi and the way you have build him has been great. I can see him actually beating Kane next week. You have done a nice job with the development of Kofi Kingston from mid card to World Champion. I wouldn't be surprised to see the title go to Kofi next week.
Another thing I want to say is I liked the way the Del Rio match ended. I had him picked to win this thing but you threw a curve ball. Nice job doing that and it gives Bourne a chance to shine later on.
Finally it was a great show, you had everything you needed. The build of Team Smackdown, setting up the Main Event next week. The development and stuff was there and it was easy to read which made it enjoyable to. You're hitting the right buttons, keep it going.
Took a while longer to get a review up than I expected but here it is anyway:
- I like the commentary style, it’s a good way of reminding what happened without taking too long, especially useful if it’s a while between reading shows.
- Like the first match, I’m a huge Chavo fan so this was definitely a good move in my eyes. The distraction from Henry did make Chavo look a bit weak, so I hope that it’s kinda made up for over the next few shows.
- Love the way you’re building the Smackdown vs Raw match as something really big. I like the ideas of dissention within the group as well, much more realistic than what WWE usually offers. Think both the characters were portrayed well in the Swagger/Show interaction as well.
- Looking forward to seeing where you’re going with McCool and Layla. Not quite sure about Layla helping McCool to win, I kinda understand the reasoning, just don’t know if that’s the best way to get her over as a babyface (which is what I’m assuming you’re trying to do).
- Liked the interaction between Show and Kingston, but not sure about Kingston getting another shot. I mean I understand that you’re again trying to get him over, it just seems like having so many Kingston vs Kane matches, especially on the regular weekly shows could make it seem a lot less significant?
- You captured Alberto Del Rio really well, looking forward to Rey vs Del Rio. Having a star like Del Rio holding the IC Title really helps to build it up, especially if a feud between Rey and Del Rio involves the title.
- Not sure about the finish to Bourne v Del Rio. It does a reasonable job of trying to protect both men, but I don’t know whether having Bourne tap out instead of holding on for that extra second makes him look a little weak? Great match though. Post-match angle was well done too.
- Punk saying no makes sense, and I like Show’s character as someone really focussed on Smackdown rather than himself.
- Liked the Main Event... thought the result was kinda obvious after you hyped Hardy so much. Interested to see who ends up being Number 1 Contender because none have been Champion before.
- Overall great episode, loved the storyline advancements, really looking forward to Survivor Series now.
- I like the commentary style, it’s a good way of reminding what happened without taking too long, especially useful if it’s a while between reading shows.
- Like the first match, I’m a huge Chavo fan so this was definitely a good move in my eyes. The distraction from Henry did make Chavo look a bit weak, so I hope that it’s kinda made up for over the next few shows.
- Love the way you’re building the Smackdown vs Raw match as something really big. I like the ideas of dissention within the group as well, much more realistic than what WWE usually offers. Think both the characters were portrayed well in the Swagger/Show interaction as well.
- Looking forward to seeing where you’re going with McCool and Layla. Not quite sure about Layla helping McCool to win, I kinda understand the reasoning, just don’t know if that’s the best way to get her over as a babyface (which is what I’m assuming you’re trying to do).
- Liked the interaction between Show and Kingston, but not sure about Kingston getting another shot. I mean I understand that you’re again trying to get him over, it just seems like having so many Kingston vs Kane matches, especially on the regular weekly shows could make it seem a lot less significant?
- You captured Alberto Del Rio really well, looking forward to Rey vs Del Rio. Having a star like Del Rio holding the IC Title really helps to build it up, especially if a feud between Rey and Del Rio involves the title.
- Not sure about the finish to Bourne v Del Rio. It does a reasonable job of trying to protect both men, but I don’t know whether having Bourne tap out instead of holding on for that extra second makes him look a little weak? Great match though. Post-match angle was well done too.
- Punk saying no makes sense, and I like Show’s character as someone really focussed on Smackdown rather than himself.
- Liked the Main Event... thought the result was kinda obvious after you hyped Hardy so much. Interested to see who ends up being Number 1 Contender because none have been Champion before.
- Overall great episode, loved the storyline advancements, really looking forward to Survivor Series now.
avitus25 and Da Prophet, thanks for the support. Glad you're enjoying things. Hope you enjoy RAW now. Took a while, been busy. Hoping to get moving quickly now towards Survivor Series!
MONDAY NIGHT RAW!
Live from East Rutherford, New Jersey
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JIM ROSS: Welcome to Monday Night RAW, what a night it is going to be, King!
JERRY LAWLER: We’ve got a massive night of action here in the WWE tonight, we’ve got Sheamus and Triple H involved in ‘Pick your Poison’ matches!
JIM ROSS: Triple H chooses Sheamus’ opponent, Sheamus chooses Triple H’s opponent and the man who wins in the quickest time will get to choose the type of match they have at Survivor Series! The stakes could not be higher!
JERRY LAWLER: HBK has told everybody that he has a huge announcement to make tonight regarding the WWE Championship! What will he have to say about that?
JIM ROSS: And how will Team RAW react after the problems between them last week? Oh my, what a night this will be!
JIM ROSS: And we start with the man who still holds the ‘Money in the Bank’ contract that guarantees him a WWE Championship match whenever he chooses before next summer ...
The Miz and Alex Riley head out dressed in smart suits and with the briefcase containing the ‘Money in the Bank’ contract still in the possession of the Miz. He raises it high and then swaggers down towards the ring ready to address the WWE Universe.
JIM ROSS: How close did the Miz come to cashing in that contract last week, King?
JERRY LAWLER: How close? He would have done it had it not been for John Cena’s intervention at the last second! And let’s face it, Orton would not have stood a chance after the beating that Nexus had given him!
JIM ROSS: True, King, Miz was almost the WWE Champion!
Miz’ music fades and he stands in the middle of the ring, microphone in hand, ready to speak ... The crowd boo and jeer but Miz ignores this and begins.
THE MIZ: Last week, I came this close ...
Miz holds his thumb and forefinger up to show how close he was.
THE MIZ: ... this close to becoming the new WWE Champion. I was about to cash in my right to a WWE Championship match against a battered and bruised Randy Orton ... when this happened.
Miz points to the titantron so that we can see how he was denied by John Cena ... A clip from last week shows how Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment to Miz and then helped Randy Orton to his feet afterwards ...
THE MIZ: Really, Cena? Really? John Cena has been jealous of the Miz since the moment I arrived here in the WWE. He knows that I will be the WWE Champion soon and he knows that he cannot beat me. The only reason that Cena helped Orton last week? Because he knows that he has more chance to win the title that way.
Boos from the Cenation members in the crowd as Riley applauds the comments on his mentor ... Miz readjusts his grip on the ‘Money in the Bank’ briefcase before continuing.
THE MIZ: There is no rush for me to cash in this briefcase. I have until the middle of next summer to cash in my contract, to become the WWE Champion. And when I do, John Cena, you will never ever be able to win the WWE Championship from me again. Because I’m the Miz! And I’m ...
The lights go off before Miz can complete his trademark catchphrase and green spotlights circle the arena as Triple H makes his way out wearing jeans and a custom made t-shirt with the words ‘Cerebral Assassin’ on it. Hunter makes his way down to the ring and spits water in the air before posing for the WWE Universe in the corner. He then turns his attention to the Miz ...
TRIPLE H: Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Miz!
Riley goes mad at the insult but Miz retains his cocky attitude and merely tilts his head to Triple H and mouthing ‘Really?’ towards him. Triple H grins and continues ...
TRIPLE H: Now, as everybody knows, Sheamus and I will meet again at Survivor Series when I plan on destroying the ‘Celtic Warrior’ and that little leprechaun that is now running around with him ...
Pop from the crowd for the promise of the destruction of Hornswoggle ...
TRIPLE H: For now, though, Shawn Michaels has demanded that there is no physical violence between us until the Survivor Series match. Tonight, both Sheamus and myself have been given chance to pick the other’s poison, to select a match for the other. Whichever of us wins in the quickest time, that man will choose the stipulation for our match at Survivor Series.
A loud ‘Triple H!’ chant begins as the crowd show their support ... Triple H acknowledges the chant and then continues ...
TRIPLE H: Which brings me to you, Miz. You see, Sheamus has chosen you to face me tonight here on RAW. Actually, he chose that it should be Alex Riley and the Miz who I face but Shawn put a block on that. But I don’t mind, you can bring the wife if you want ...
Laughs from the WWE Universe ...
TRIPLE H: And it will give me a chance to prove something to you. You might have the ‘Money in the Bank’ contract, you might be destined to win the WWE Championship very soon. But if you do ... if you do, you better know that I will be coming looking for you. When I destroy Sheamus at Survivor Series, I will set my sights on the WWE Champion whoever that may be.
Loud cheers from the fans at ringside ...
TRIPLE H: And that, my friend ... that’s awesome!
’The Game’ music plays again as Triple H tosses the microphone to Miz and leaves with a smile on his face ... The cameras follow Triple H out of the ring whilst JR and the King hype tonights ‘Pick your Poison’ matches – Triple H vs. The Miz, Sheamus vs. John Morrison. Whichever man wins in the quickest time, he will choose the match type at Survivor Series ...
The cameras switch backstage and show Shawn Michaels arriving in the arena and shaking hands with various people. JR reminds us of the huge announcement that HBK has planned for tonight as we head into a commercial ...
JUSTIN ROBERTS: The following contest is set for one fall. The winning team will advance to Survivor Series where they will challenge for the Tag Team Championships. Introducing first, weighing 529 pounds, they are the team of ... VLADIMIR KOZLOV & SANTINO MARELLA!
Kozlov and Santino make their way down to the ring – Santino in his usual high spirits and Kozlov in his usual focused manner. They enter the ring and Santino takes in the adulation of the crowd as JR and King remind us of last week’s Elimination Match that got us down to the final two tonight ... a clip of the Nexus beatdown on them is shown when Skip Sheffield and Justin Gabriel assisted David Otunga and Heath Slater in their attack.
Out stride the Nexus tag team looking confident with Skip Sheffield and Justin Gabriel accompanying them to the ring. Otunga and Slater are ready for action whilst Sheffield looks ready to do some damage. Gabriel, as he did last week, looks a little perplexed about needing to be out here ...
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And their opponents, weighing 482 pounds, representing the Nexus ... DAVID OTUNGA & HEATH SLATER!
As the Nexus reach the ring, the referee decides to take charge of the match before it starts. He orders Sheffield and Gabriel to leave the ring before the match is even started. Sheffield, Slater and Otunga argue the decision and protest their innocence whereas Justin Gabriel slowly backs away without a word ...
VLADIMIR KOZLOV & SANTINO MARELLA vs. DAVID OTUNGA & HEATH SLATER
The match begins once Skip Sheffield and Justin Gabriel have left the arena and we start with Santino up against Heath Slater. Slater looks for a cheap shot on Santino when he is unprepared but Santino ducks and immediately starts to get on top as he takes down Slater at the waist. Slater tags in Otunga and the ‘A-List’ gets into the ring to boos and jeers. Santino offers to test strength with him and holds his hand. Otunga locks his fingers with Santino and then they go to lock up their other hand ... suddenly, Otunga kicks Santino in the gut before hitting a gutwrench suplex to take the Italian down. Santino winces in pain as Kozlov watches on and Otunga advances on him. Kicks to the back and head of Santino leave him covering up in the corner before Otunga drags him up and whips him across the ring. Otunga tags in Slater before rushing in at Santino who manages to avoid the contact as Otunga hits the turnbuckle. Santino signals for the Cobra but as he is getting ready, the legal Slater hits him in the back of the head with a forearm that sends Santino down again. A scoop powerslam follows and Slater goes for the first cover of the match ...
Slater allows Santino up to start staggering over to his partner before pulling Santino back into a schoolboy pin ...
As Santino kicks out, Slater is already springing to his feet and starts pounding Santino’s body with stiff right boots that force Santino to roll under the bottom rope and out of the ring. Slater taunts Kozlov in the corner to distract the referee and this allows Otunga to drop down and continue the assault on Santino. Santino is rammed back first into the barricades where he is in pain as Kozlov realises what is happening and comes around to check on Santino. The referee orders him back and Heath Slater comes outside to drag Santino back into the ring. Once in the ring, Slater hits a standing drop kick to Santino and follows it up with a pinfall ...
Heath Slater tags in Otunga again and the Nexus team are working well here. Otunga locks a headlock in on Santino and wrestles him down to the mat before jumping up and dropping an elbow on the Italian. Another pinfall attempt on Santino ...
Frustration now beginning to show on the face of Otunga and he drags Santino to his feet and whips him into the Nexus corner. Santino dodges Otunga as he rushes in and starts the long trek to his corner for the tag. Otunga is tagged out by Slater and Heath makes the stop to deny Santino and to keep the advantage with Nexus. Kozlov looks annoyed but begins to clap for Santino and the WWE Universe join in. Slater holds a reverse headlock and is trying to set up for a suplex of sorts but Santino fights back and hits a back body drop to break the hold. Slater gets up quick and swings at Santino but he ducks and does the splits to avoid the Nexus man. As Slater hits the ropes, Santino hits an arm drag to sends Slater up and over. Santino wobbles on his feet and little but then makes the tag to the delight of the fans. Kozlov grabs of Slater’s arms and hits a succession of headbutts to the chest of Slater who staggers into a tag to Otunga. As Otunga enters, Kozlov repeats the headbutts to leave Otunga struggling before he grabs him and hits a neckbreaker to take down the ‘A-Lister’. Kozlov goes for the cover ...
Otunga and Slater work together to distract Kozlov and Otunga hits a low dropkick to the knees of Kozlov to slow him down. A tag to Slater is made and the ‘One Man Rock Band’ climbs to the top rope to deliver a clothesline from the top. However, Kozlov spots him coming and drives his head into the chest of Slater again before turning and making the tag to Santino. Santino signals for the ‘Cobra’ for a second time and hits it before going for the pin ...
WINNER: Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov (4:48)
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Here is your winner ... SANTINO MARELLA & VLADIMIR KOZLOV!
JIM ROSS: Santino and Kozlov get the win and they will challenge for Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre’s Tag Team Championships at Survivor Series!
JERRY LAWLER: I love it, look at Santino in the ring!
Santino plays the trumpet in celebration as Nexus slink away to lick their wounds. As they make their way up the ramp, Santino’s music fades ...
The crowd stand and cheer as the Heart Break Kid and the RAW General Manager makes his way confidently down the ramp, past Otunga and Slater and heads into the ring. He shakes hands with Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov before summoning for a microphone and acknowledging the ‘HBK!’ chants that have begun ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: I was hoping that Santino and Kozlov would win that one!
The crowd cheer and Santino waves from the ramp as he leaves with his partner ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: Santino and Kozlov’s win makes my big announcement even better. The next pay-per-view is in Philadelphia in two weeks and Wade Barrett has earnt himself a shot at the WWE Championship. Over the last weeks, it has become clear that the WWE Champion Randy Orton ...
Cheers for the champion who remains popular ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: ... and John Cena ...
A more mixed reaction as usual for Cena!
SHAWN MICHAELS: ... need to work together to take down the Nexus. And seeing as it is Survivor Series, I have come up with a plan. After all, I am the General Manager of RAW and I want to make things as interesting as I can for all of you!
A loud ‘HBK!’ chant begins and Michaels lets it run before continuing on ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: To me, Survivor Series is all about one thing. Five on five elimination matches ... Who can forget when my ‘Knights’ caused a family feud in the Hart family in 1993? What about when HBK superkicked his bodyguard out of the match in 1994? The Alliance and the WW ... E in 2001, Winner Takes All ... Stone Cold Steve Austin’s team against Eric Bishoff’s team when yours truly gave it everything he had to save the career of the Texas Rattlesnake ...
The crowd pops at the mentions of the Hart Family and Stone Cold ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: Now I am determined that we are having traditional Survivor Series matches this year. We already have the RAW vs. SMACKDOWN match and I think I need to speak with Edge about that later ...
A chuckle goes round the arena about the disarray on Team RAW ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: ... but then I decided I wanted another one. So, at Survivor Series, it will be the Nexus ... Wade Barrett, Skip Sheffield, Justin Gabriel and the two men who just lost, Heath Slater and David Otunga against Team Orton ...
There are some cheers for the announcement and some confused looks on faces of people ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: And if Nexus wins the match, Wade Barrett will be the WWE Champion!
Gasps of astonishment are heard around the arena as HBK holds his hand up to continue.
SHAWN MICHAELS: One man on Team Orton, I have chosen. It is time for Orton to get along with this man and he will do so at Survivor Series. They need to work together to defeat Nexus once and for all ... John Cena will be on Team Orton! It is up to Randy to find three other guys he can trust to be part of his team. The match will be a one fall match and, let me repeat this, if Nexus win, Wade Barrett will be the champion!
HBK drops the microphone and heads out of the ring high fiving people on his way out of the arena. The gravity of the situation is just being realised, John Cena could lose Randy Orton the WWE Championship!
JIM ROSS: King, can Orton trust Cena?
JERRY LAWLER: I think he can, JR, but he has to put his WWE Championship in the hands of four other men. Any one of them could be the man to get beat and lose Orton the title ...
JIM ROSS: We’ll have to see who Orton chooses for the team, it will be a critical choice though!
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This bout is set for one fall. Introducing first, from West Newbury, Massachusetts ... JOHN CENA!
Cena comes out dressed in purple and salutes the crowd before racing down towards the ring whilst King and JR discuss the huge announcement from HBK before the commercial break ...
JIM ROSS: King, we found out before the break, Nexus vs. Team Orton at Survivor Series and John Cena will be on Team Orton!
JERRY LAWLER: Orton got no choice in the matter, JR, but remember that last week, Cena saved Orton’s WWE Championship ...
A clip from last week is aired showing the attempt of the Miz to cash in his ‘Money in the Bank’ contract with Cena preventing him from doing so. As the camera returns to the ring, Cena is looking up at the titantron with a smile on his face before he throws his cap and shirt into the crowd ...
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And his opponent, representing the Nexus, from Cape Town, South Africa ... JUSTIN GABRIEL!
Gabriel walks out towards the ring with the Nexus armband around his bicep and lurking behind him are David Otunga, Heath Slater and Skip Sheffield as they accompany him to the ring. However, halfway to the ring, Gabriel turns to face his Nexus colleagues and orders them to leave the arena, to go back. He clearly says “I don’t want your help!” to Skip Sheffield and the Nexus team retreat to the stage but don’t leave as requested. Gabriel enters the ring and bounces on the spot in his corner looking to Cena ready for action ... Cena looks from Gabriel then to the Nexus on the stage with a slight look of surprise on his face.
JOHN CENA vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL
The bell rings and Cena and Gabriel lock up in the middle of the ring with Cena able to overpower his opponent and push him back into the corner of the ring. The referee calls for a break and Cena does so slowly waiting for the cheap shot – it never comes. Gabriel regroups and then returns to Cena to resume the lock up and this time he manages to resist Cena’s extra power for longer before locking Cena into a headlock. Cena manages to escape but the pattern is set for a while – grapple, Gabriel locks Cena up but Cena escapes and shows his experience. Gabriel eventually resorts to a forearm smash and takes control before beginning to wear Cena down. Cena fights back in the corner but another forearm, this time in defence as Cena rushes into the corner, keeps Gabriel on top and leaves Cena down on the mat and checking his jaw from the impact.
Gabriel whips Cena into the corner and then runs in with a jumping high knee in the corner which staggers Cena and another forearm sends Cena through the ropes to the outside. With Gabriel looking good, RAW heads into a commercial break ...
Gabriel is still in control on the outside and he rolls Cena back into the ring and onto his back. Gabriel stands up on the apron and leaps over the top rope and splashes down onto Cena’s chest back first to knock the wind out of the face of the WWE. Gabriel senses a chance and goes for a cover ...
Gabriel looks unperturbed though and he waits for Cena to get to his feet patiently before delivering several martial arts kicks to the thighs and waist of Cena that send him back down to his knees. A roundhouse kick to the side of the head sends Cena down once more and Gabriel covers again ...
With Gabriel growing in confidence, a chant of ‘Let’s go, Cena!’ begins (although it is accompanied by a loud ‘Cena sucks!’ chant as well) as the WWE Universe get behind Cena. As Cena gets to his feet in the corner, Gabriel rushes over and hits a crossbody splash into the buckles before jumping up onto the top rope and delivering a perfect drop kick to Cena. Another cover from the South African, Gabriel ...
A small look of frustration appears on Gabriel’s face but he resumes his attack on Cena with more kicks to the chest and head of Cena. Cena tries to cover up as best he can and slowly gets to his feet before Gabriel resorts to forearm smashes again to try and knock Cena down. Cena retaliates with hard right hands and a slugfest ensues between the pair before Gabriel goes for a swinging clothesline and Cena ducks under it before delivering a shoulder block that knocks down Gabriel ... another shoulder block from Cena and another before he lifts Gabriel up and drops him down on his back. Cena holds his hand high and the crowd cheers in anticipation. ‘You can’t see me!’ bellow the crowd as Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle to Justin Gabriel who is down on the mat. Cena waits to hit the Attitude Adjustment but Gabriel wriggles free as he goes for it and manages to plant Cena down on the mat again before hitting a stiff kick to the face. With Cena down on his back, Gabriel jumps up onto the top rope facing the crowd and moonsaults perfectly down onto Cena ... cover from Justin Gabriel ...
Gabriel looks around and considers something for a second before deciding to go for it. He ties up Cena’s legs in the centre of the ring ... Figure Four Leg Lock! We’ve not seen this from Gabriel before and we’ve not seen it in the WWE for a while either! Loud ‘Woooo’ shouts greet this move but Gabriel has it locked in on Cena in the centre of the ring. Cena looks in a world of hurt as his knee and his ankle are pressed together with Gabriel trying to increase the pressure as much as possible by laying back. With his shoulders down, the referee has to count Gabriel out here ...
Gabriel looks desperate for Cena to tap out but there is no way that Cena is going to do that unless he has exhausted every possible escape route. Cena begins to drag himself towards the corner wincing in agony as Gabriel holds on the submission lock. Cena stretches back but he can’t reach yet and Gabriel tightens the hold again. Cena cries out in pain but forces himself to go once more trying to reach the ropes in the corner. He finally grasps the bottom rope and the referee calls for a break and Gabriel releases Cena but immediately stomps several times into the stomach of Cena ... He glances up to the top rope and begins to climb and the crowd know what is coming here now. He settles himself on the top rope with Cena below him and takes a deep breath before leaping into the air ... 450 splash! No, Cena moves out of the way at the last second and Gabriel hits the mat hard. Cena, limping, springs up to his feet and waits for Gabriel to get up before lifting him up ... ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Cena drops to his knees as his ankle gives out after the Figure Four Leg Lock before and loses time. He decides to lock in the STF instead of going for the pin and has Gabriel in the submission in the centre of the ring ...
Here come Nexus! They march down the ramp towards the ramp and Gabriel – locked in the submission hold – is looking through the ropes to them. He cries out ‘No!’ to them as they arrive at the ring and this forces them to stop as Gabriel tries desperately to reach the ropes. However, he can’t make it ...
WINNER: John Cena (submission – 7:43)
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Here is your winner ... JOHN CENA!
As the match ends, Nexus enters the ring but Cena is smart and exits the ring on the opposite side before backing away down the ramp. He slowly walks back up the ramp with a stare at the Nexus team in the ring but cheers from the WWE Universe indicate that something is happening behind him. As Cena backs further up the ramp, he walks back into the WWE Champion stood on stage and comes face to face with Randy Orton as he turns around. Orton stares into Cena’s eyes and has a cold look of calculation as he surveys Cena. Cena holds out a hand and Orton eyes it suspiciously before deciding that he will shake it ... slowly he extends his hand and the pair shake hands, a sign that their problems are behind them.
RAW returns in the Nexus locker room with Justin Gabriel complaining to the other members of Nexus about them being out there for his match before the break. Holding his neck, Gabriel doesn’t look impressed ...
JUSTIN GABRIEL: You knew I wanted to do that alone tonight, why couldn’t you just stay in the back?
SKIP SHEFFIELD: What does it matter, man? We are the Nexus and we wanted to help you!
JUSTIN GABRIEL: I know you did but I wanted to prove to myself that I can beat Cena, alone, no help. Come on guys, you must understand that?
DAVID OTUNGA: You’re in the Nexus, Justin, we work together.
HEATH SLATER: Yeah, we are one, Gabriel. You’ve got nothing to prove to Cena.
Wade Barrett, who was pacing in the background, heads over. He looks into the eyes of Justin Gabriel with a look of respect ...
WADE BARRETT: Listen, Gabriel, I respect what you wanted to do. You want to make your mark here in the WWE, we all do. But we have to remember our number one priority here – complete destruction of John Cena and anybody else who is a threat to the Nexus. You heard Shawn Michaels’ comments earlier. We have a shot at bringing the WWE Championship to the Nexus at Survivor Series ...
JUSTIN GABRIEL: I know, Wade, I know. But I just wanted to face Cena one on one. I know that I can beat him ...
WADE BARRETT: And beat him you will ... soon. For now though, we need to work together. We need to take out whoever Orton and Cena choose for their team at Survivor Series. And then we can take the WWE Championship ...
MONDAY NIGHT RAW!
Live from East Rutherford, New Jersey
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JIM ROSS: Welcome to Monday Night RAW, what a night it is going to be, King!
JERRY LAWLER: We’ve got a massive night of action here in the WWE tonight, we’ve got Sheamus and Triple H involved in ‘Pick your Poison’ matches!
JIM ROSS: Triple H chooses Sheamus’ opponent, Sheamus chooses Triple H’s opponent and the man who wins in the quickest time will get to choose the type of match they have at Survivor Series! The stakes could not be higher!
JERRY LAWLER: HBK has told everybody that he has a huge announcement to make tonight regarding the WWE Championship! What will he have to say about that?
JIM ROSS: And how will Team RAW react after the problems between them last week? Oh my, what a night this will be!
*** AWESOME – I CAME TO PLAY ***
JIM ROSS: And we start with the man who still holds the ‘Money in the Bank’ contract that guarantees him a WWE Championship match whenever he chooses before next summer ...
The Miz and Alex Riley head out dressed in smart suits and with the briefcase containing the ‘Money in the Bank’ contract still in the possession of the Miz. He raises it high and then swaggers down towards the ring ready to address the WWE Universe.
JIM ROSS: How close did the Miz come to cashing in that contract last week, King?
JERRY LAWLER: How close? He would have done it had it not been for John Cena’s intervention at the last second! And let’s face it, Orton would not have stood a chance after the beating that Nexus had given him!
JIM ROSS: True, King, Miz was almost the WWE Champion!
Miz’ music fades and he stands in the middle of the ring, microphone in hand, ready to speak ... The crowd boo and jeer but Miz ignores this and begins.
THE MIZ: Last week, I came this close ...
Miz holds his thumb and forefinger up to show how close he was.
THE MIZ: ... this close to becoming the new WWE Champion. I was about to cash in my right to a WWE Championship match against a battered and bruised Randy Orton ... when this happened.
Miz points to the titantron so that we can see how he was denied by John Cena ... A clip from last week shows how Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment to Miz and then helped Randy Orton to his feet afterwards ...
THE MIZ: Really, Cena? Really? John Cena has been jealous of the Miz since the moment I arrived here in the WWE. He knows that I will be the WWE Champion soon and he knows that he cannot beat me. The only reason that Cena helped Orton last week? Because he knows that he has more chance to win the title that way.
Boos from the Cenation members in the crowd as Riley applauds the comments on his mentor ... Miz readjusts his grip on the ‘Money in the Bank’ briefcase before continuing.
THE MIZ: There is no rush for me to cash in this briefcase. I have until the middle of next summer to cash in my contract, to become the WWE Champion. And when I do, John Cena, you will never ever be able to win the WWE Championship from me again. Because I’m the Miz! And I’m ...
*** THE GAME ***
The lights go off before Miz can complete his trademark catchphrase and green spotlights circle the arena as Triple H makes his way out wearing jeans and a custom made t-shirt with the words ‘Cerebral Assassin’ on it. Hunter makes his way down to the ring and spits water in the air before posing for the WWE Universe in the corner. He then turns his attention to the Miz ...
TRIPLE H: Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Miz!
Riley goes mad at the insult but Miz retains his cocky attitude and merely tilts his head to Triple H and mouthing ‘Really?’ towards him. Triple H grins and continues ...
TRIPLE H: Now, as everybody knows, Sheamus and I will meet again at Survivor Series when I plan on destroying the ‘Celtic Warrior’ and that little leprechaun that is now running around with him ...
Pop from the crowd for the promise of the destruction of Hornswoggle ...
TRIPLE H: For now, though, Shawn Michaels has demanded that there is no physical violence between us until the Survivor Series match. Tonight, both Sheamus and myself have been given chance to pick the other’s poison, to select a match for the other. Whichever of us wins in the quickest time, that man will choose the stipulation for our match at Survivor Series.
A loud ‘Triple H!’ chant begins as the crowd show their support ... Triple H acknowledges the chant and then continues ...
TRIPLE H: Which brings me to you, Miz. You see, Sheamus has chosen you to face me tonight here on RAW. Actually, he chose that it should be Alex Riley and the Miz who I face but Shawn put a block on that. But I don’t mind, you can bring the wife if you want ...
Laughs from the WWE Universe ...
TRIPLE H: And it will give me a chance to prove something to you. You might have the ‘Money in the Bank’ contract, you might be destined to win the WWE Championship very soon. But if you do ... if you do, you better know that I will be coming looking for you. When I destroy Sheamus at Survivor Series, I will set my sights on the WWE Champion whoever that may be.
Loud cheers from the fans at ringside ...
TRIPLE H: And that, my friend ... that’s awesome!
’The Game’ music plays again as Triple H tosses the microphone to Miz and leaves with a smile on his face ... The cameras follow Triple H out of the ring whilst JR and the King hype tonights ‘Pick your Poison’ matches – Triple H vs. The Miz, Sheamus vs. John Morrison. Whichever man wins in the quickest time, he will choose the match type at Survivor Series ...
The cameras switch backstage and show Shawn Michaels arriving in the arena and shaking hands with various people. JR reminds us of the huge announcement that HBK has planned for tonight as we head into a commercial ...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NXT ENDANGERED
“Your time is up ...”
----- COMING SOON -----
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*** LA VITTORIA E MIA ***
NXT ENDANGERED
“Your time is up ...”
----- COMING SOON -----
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
*** LA VITTORIA E MIA ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: The following contest is set for one fall. The winning team will advance to Survivor Series where they will challenge for the Tag Team Championships. Introducing first, weighing 529 pounds, they are the team of ... VLADIMIR KOZLOV & SANTINO MARELLA!
Kozlov and Santino make their way down to the ring – Santino in his usual high spirits and Kozlov in his usual focused manner. They enter the ring and Santino takes in the adulation of the crowd as JR and King remind us of last week’s Elimination Match that got us down to the final two tonight ... a clip of the Nexus beatdown on them is shown when Skip Sheffield and Justin Gabriel assisted David Otunga and Heath Slater in their attack.
*** WE ARE ONE ***
Out stride the Nexus tag team looking confident with Skip Sheffield and Justin Gabriel accompanying them to the ring. Otunga and Slater are ready for action whilst Sheffield looks ready to do some damage. Gabriel, as he did last week, looks a little perplexed about needing to be out here ...
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And their opponents, weighing 482 pounds, representing the Nexus ... DAVID OTUNGA & HEATH SLATER!
As the Nexus reach the ring, the referee decides to take charge of the match before it starts. He orders Sheffield and Gabriel to leave the ring before the match is even started. Sheffield, Slater and Otunga argue the decision and protest their innocence whereas Justin Gabriel slowly backs away without a word ...
VLADIMIR KOZLOV & SANTINO MARELLA vs. DAVID OTUNGA & HEATH SLATER
The match begins once Skip Sheffield and Justin Gabriel have left the arena and we start with Santino up against Heath Slater. Slater looks for a cheap shot on Santino when he is unprepared but Santino ducks and immediately starts to get on top as he takes down Slater at the waist. Slater tags in Otunga and the ‘A-List’ gets into the ring to boos and jeers. Santino offers to test strength with him and holds his hand. Otunga locks his fingers with Santino and then they go to lock up their other hand ... suddenly, Otunga kicks Santino in the gut before hitting a gutwrench suplex to take the Italian down. Santino winces in pain as Kozlov watches on and Otunga advances on him. Kicks to the back and head of Santino leave him covering up in the corner before Otunga drags him up and whips him across the ring. Otunga tags in Slater before rushing in at Santino who manages to avoid the contact as Otunga hits the turnbuckle. Santino signals for the Cobra but as he is getting ready, the legal Slater hits him in the back of the head with a forearm that sends Santino down again. A scoop powerslam follows and Slater goes for the first cover of the match ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Santino escapes and looks for the tag to Kozlov! *
* 2 *
* Santino escapes and looks for the tag to Kozlov! *
Slater allows Santino up to start staggering over to his partner before pulling Santino back into a schoolboy pin ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Santino! *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Santino! *
As Santino kicks out, Slater is already springing to his feet and starts pounding Santino’s body with stiff right boots that force Santino to roll under the bottom rope and out of the ring. Slater taunts Kozlov in the corner to distract the referee and this allows Otunga to drop down and continue the assault on Santino. Santino is rammed back first into the barricades where he is in pain as Kozlov realises what is happening and comes around to check on Santino. The referee orders him back and Heath Slater comes outside to drag Santino back into the ring. Once in the ring, Slater hits a standing drop kick to Santino and follows it up with a pinfall ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Santino escapes again! *
* 2 *
* Santino escapes again! *
Heath Slater tags in Otunga again and the Nexus team are working well here. Otunga locks a headlock in on Santino and wrestles him down to the mat before jumping up and dropping an elbow on the Italian. Another pinfall attempt on Santino ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kickout by Santino! *
* 2 *
* Kickout by Santino! *
Frustration now beginning to show on the face of Otunga and he drags Santino to his feet and whips him into the Nexus corner. Santino dodges Otunga as he rushes in and starts the long trek to his corner for the tag. Otunga is tagged out by Slater and Heath makes the stop to deny Santino and to keep the advantage with Nexus. Kozlov looks annoyed but begins to clap for Santino and the WWE Universe join in. Slater holds a reverse headlock and is trying to set up for a suplex of sorts but Santino fights back and hits a back body drop to break the hold. Slater gets up quick and swings at Santino but he ducks and does the splits to avoid the Nexus man. As Slater hits the ropes, Santino hits an arm drag to sends Slater up and over. Santino wobbles on his feet and little but then makes the tag to the delight of the fans. Kozlov grabs of Slater’s arms and hits a succession of headbutts to the chest of Slater who staggers into a tag to Otunga. As Otunga enters, Kozlov repeats the headbutts to leave Otunga struggling before he grabs him and hits a neckbreaker to take down the ‘A-Lister’. Kozlov goes for the cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Otunga kicks out! *
* 2 *
* Otunga kicks out! *
Otunga and Slater work together to distract Kozlov and Otunga hits a low dropkick to the knees of Kozlov to slow him down. A tag to Slater is made and the ‘One Man Rock Band’ climbs to the top rope to deliver a clothesline from the top. However, Kozlov spots him coming and drives his head into the chest of Slater again before turning and making the tag to Santino. Santino signals for the ‘Cobra’ for a second time and hits it before going for the pin ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
WINNER: Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov (4:48)
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Here is your winner ... SANTINO MARELLA & VLADIMIR KOZLOV!
JIM ROSS: Santino and Kozlov get the win and they will challenge for Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre’s Tag Team Championships at Survivor Series!
JERRY LAWLER: I love it, look at Santino in the ring!
Santino plays the trumpet in celebration as Nexus slink away to lick their wounds. As they make their way up the ramp, Santino’s music fades ...
*** SEXY BOY ***
The crowd stand and cheer as the Heart Break Kid and the RAW General Manager makes his way confidently down the ramp, past Otunga and Slater and heads into the ring. He shakes hands with Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov before summoning for a microphone and acknowledging the ‘HBK!’ chants that have begun ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: I was hoping that Santino and Kozlov would win that one!
The crowd cheer and Santino waves from the ramp as he leaves with his partner ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: Santino and Kozlov’s win makes my big announcement even better. The next pay-per-view is in Philadelphia in two weeks and Wade Barrett has earnt himself a shot at the WWE Championship. Over the last weeks, it has become clear that the WWE Champion Randy Orton ...
Cheers for the champion who remains popular ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: ... and John Cena ...
A more mixed reaction as usual for Cena!
SHAWN MICHAELS: ... need to work together to take down the Nexus. And seeing as it is Survivor Series, I have come up with a plan. After all, I am the General Manager of RAW and I want to make things as interesting as I can for all of you!
A loud ‘HBK!’ chant begins and Michaels lets it run before continuing on ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: To me, Survivor Series is all about one thing. Five on five elimination matches ... Who can forget when my ‘Knights’ caused a family feud in the Hart family in 1993? What about when HBK superkicked his bodyguard out of the match in 1994? The Alliance and the WW ... E in 2001, Winner Takes All ... Stone Cold Steve Austin’s team against Eric Bishoff’s team when yours truly gave it everything he had to save the career of the Texas Rattlesnake ...
The crowd pops at the mentions of the Hart Family and Stone Cold ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: Now I am determined that we are having traditional Survivor Series matches this year. We already have the RAW vs. SMACKDOWN match and I think I need to speak with Edge about that later ...
A chuckle goes round the arena about the disarray on Team RAW ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: ... but then I decided I wanted another one. So, at Survivor Series, it will be the Nexus ... Wade Barrett, Skip Sheffield, Justin Gabriel and the two men who just lost, Heath Slater and David Otunga against Team Orton ...
There are some cheers for the announcement and some confused looks on faces of people ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: And if Nexus wins the match, Wade Barrett will be the WWE Champion!
Gasps of astonishment are heard around the arena as HBK holds his hand up to continue.
SHAWN MICHAELS: One man on Team Orton, I have chosen. It is time for Orton to get along with this man and he will do so at Survivor Series. They need to work together to defeat Nexus once and for all ... John Cena will be on Team Orton! It is up to Randy to find three other guys he can trust to be part of his team. The match will be a one fall match and, let me repeat this, if Nexus win, Wade Barrett will be the champion!
HBK drops the microphone and heads out of the ring high fiving people on his way out of the arena. The gravity of the situation is just being realised, John Cena could lose Randy Orton the WWE Championship!
JIM ROSS: King, can Orton trust Cena?
JERRY LAWLER: I think he can, JR, but he has to put his WWE Championship in the hands of four other men. Any one of them could be the man to get beat and lose Orton the title ...
JIM ROSS: We’ll have to see who Orton chooses for the team, it will be a critical choice though!
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
*** MY TIME IS NOW ***
*** MY TIME IS NOW ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This bout is set for one fall. Introducing first, from West Newbury, Massachusetts ... JOHN CENA!
Cena comes out dressed in purple and salutes the crowd before racing down towards the ring whilst King and JR discuss the huge announcement from HBK before the commercial break ...
JIM ROSS: King, we found out before the break, Nexus vs. Team Orton at Survivor Series and John Cena will be on Team Orton!
JERRY LAWLER: Orton got no choice in the matter, JR, but remember that last week, Cena saved Orton’s WWE Championship ...
A clip from last week is aired showing the attempt of the Miz to cash in his ‘Money in the Bank’ contract with Cena preventing him from doing so. As the camera returns to the ring, Cena is looking up at the titantron with a smile on his face before he throws his cap and shirt into the crowd ...
*** WE ARE ONE ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And his opponent, representing the Nexus, from Cape Town, South Africa ... JUSTIN GABRIEL!
Gabriel walks out towards the ring with the Nexus armband around his bicep and lurking behind him are David Otunga, Heath Slater and Skip Sheffield as they accompany him to the ring. However, halfway to the ring, Gabriel turns to face his Nexus colleagues and orders them to leave the arena, to go back. He clearly says “I don’t want your help!” to Skip Sheffield and the Nexus team retreat to the stage but don’t leave as requested. Gabriel enters the ring and bounces on the spot in his corner looking to Cena ready for action ... Cena looks from Gabriel then to the Nexus on the stage with a slight look of surprise on his face.
JOHN CENA vs. JUSTIN GABRIEL
The bell rings and Cena and Gabriel lock up in the middle of the ring with Cena able to overpower his opponent and push him back into the corner of the ring. The referee calls for a break and Cena does so slowly waiting for the cheap shot – it never comes. Gabriel regroups and then returns to Cena to resume the lock up and this time he manages to resist Cena’s extra power for longer before locking Cena into a headlock. Cena manages to escape but the pattern is set for a while – grapple, Gabriel locks Cena up but Cena escapes and shows his experience. Gabriel eventually resorts to a forearm smash and takes control before beginning to wear Cena down. Cena fights back in the corner but another forearm, this time in defence as Cena rushes into the corner, keeps Gabriel on top and leaves Cena down on the mat and checking his jaw from the impact.
Gabriel whips Cena into the corner and then runs in with a jumping high knee in the corner which staggers Cena and another forearm sends Cena through the ropes to the outside. With Gabriel looking good, RAW heads into a commercial break ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
Gabriel is still in control on the outside and he rolls Cena back into the ring and onto his back. Gabriel stands up on the apron and leaps over the top rope and splashes down onto Cena’s chest back first to knock the wind out of the face of the WWE. Gabriel senses a chance and goes for a cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Cena powers out *
* 2 *
* Cena powers out *
Gabriel looks unperturbed though and he waits for Cena to get to his feet patiently before delivering several martial arts kicks to the thighs and waist of Cena that send him back down to his knees. A roundhouse kick to the side of the head sends Cena down once more and Gabriel covers again ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Cena kicks out this time *
* 2 *
* Cena kicks out this time *
With Gabriel growing in confidence, a chant of ‘Let’s go, Cena!’ begins (although it is accompanied by a loud ‘Cena sucks!’ chant as well) as the WWE Universe get behind Cena. As Cena gets to his feet in the corner, Gabriel rushes over and hits a crossbody splash into the buckles before jumping up onto the top rope and delivering a perfect drop kick to Cena. Another cover from the South African, Gabriel ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Cena kicks out again *
* 2 *
* Cena kicks out again *
A small look of frustration appears on Gabriel’s face but he resumes his attack on Cena with more kicks to the chest and head of Cena. Cena tries to cover up as best he can and slowly gets to his feet before Gabriel resorts to forearm smashes again to try and knock Cena down. Cena retaliates with hard right hands and a slugfest ensues between the pair before Gabriel goes for a swinging clothesline and Cena ducks under it before delivering a shoulder block that knocks down Gabriel ... another shoulder block from Cena and another before he lifts Gabriel up and drops him down on his back. Cena holds his hand high and the crowd cheers in anticipation. ‘You can’t see me!’ bellow the crowd as Cena hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle to Justin Gabriel who is down on the mat. Cena waits to hit the Attitude Adjustment but Gabriel wriggles free as he goes for it and manages to plant Cena down on the mat again before hitting a stiff kick to the face. With Cena down on his back, Gabriel jumps up onto the top rope facing the crowd and moonsaults perfectly down onto Cena ... cover from Justin Gabriel ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Cena will not stay down *
* 2 *
* Cena will not stay down *
Gabriel looks around and considers something for a second before deciding to go for it. He ties up Cena’s legs in the centre of the ring ... Figure Four Leg Lock! We’ve not seen this from Gabriel before and we’ve not seen it in the WWE for a while either! Loud ‘Woooo’ shouts greet this move but Gabriel has it locked in on Cena in the centre of the ring. Cena looks in a world of hurt as his knee and his ankle are pressed together with Gabriel trying to increase the pressure as much as possible by laying back. With his shoulders down, the referee has to count Gabriel out here ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Gabriel sits up and holds on *
* 2 *
* Gabriel sits up and holds on *
Gabriel looks desperate for Cena to tap out but there is no way that Cena is going to do that unless he has exhausted every possible escape route. Cena begins to drag himself towards the corner wincing in agony as Gabriel holds on the submission lock. Cena stretches back but he can’t reach yet and Gabriel tightens the hold again. Cena cries out in pain but forces himself to go once more trying to reach the ropes in the corner. He finally grasps the bottom rope and the referee calls for a break and Gabriel releases Cena but immediately stomps several times into the stomach of Cena ... He glances up to the top rope and begins to climb and the crowd know what is coming here now. He settles himself on the top rope with Cena below him and takes a deep breath before leaping into the air ... 450 splash! No, Cena moves out of the way at the last second and Gabriel hits the mat hard. Cena, limping, springs up to his feet and waits for Gabriel to get up before lifting him up ... ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Cena drops to his knees as his ankle gives out after the Figure Four Leg Lock before and loses time. He decides to lock in the STF instead of going for the pin and has Gabriel in the submission in the centre of the ring ...
Here come Nexus! They march down the ramp towards the ramp and Gabriel – locked in the submission hold – is looking through the ropes to them. He cries out ‘No!’ to them as they arrive at the ring and this forces them to stop as Gabriel tries desperately to reach the ropes. However, he can’t make it ...
* TAP *
* TAP *
* TAP *
* Justin Gabriel gives up *
* TAP *
* TAP *
* Justin Gabriel gives up *
WINNER: John Cena (submission – 7:43)
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Here is your winner ... JOHN CENA!
As the match ends, Nexus enters the ring but Cena is smart and exits the ring on the opposite side before backing away down the ramp. He slowly walks back up the ramp with a stare at the Nexus team in the ring but cheers from the WWE Universe indicate that something is happening behind him. As Cena backs further up the ramp, he walks back into the WWE Champion stood on stage and comes face to face with Randy Orton as he turns around. Orton stares into Cena’s eyes and has a cold look of calculation as he surveys Cena. Cena holds out a hand and Orton eyes it suspiciously before deciding that he will shake it ... slowly he extends his hand and the pair shake hands, a sign that their problems are behind them.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
RAW returns in the Nexus locker room with Justin Gabriel complaining to the other members of Nexus about them being out there for his match before the break. Holding his neck, Gabriel doesn’t look impressed ...
JUSTIN GABRIEL: You knew I wanted to do that alone tonight, why couldn’t you just stay in the back?
SKIP SHEFFIELD: What does it matter, man? We are the Nexus and we wanted to help you!
JUSTIN GABRIEL: I know you did but I wanted to prove to myself that I can beat Cena, alone, no help. Come on guys, you must understand that?
DAVID OTUNGA: You’re in the Nexus, Justin, we work together.
HEATH SLATER: Yeah, we are one, Gabriel. You’ve got nothing to prove to Cena.
Wade Barrett, who was pacing in the background, heads over. He looks into the eyes of Justin Gabriel with a look of respect ...
WADE BARRETT: Listen, Gabriel, I respect what you wanted to do. You want to make your mark here in the WWE, we all do. But we have to remember our number one priority here – complete destruction of John Cena and anybody else who is a threat to the Nexus. You heard Shawn Michaels’ comments earlier. We have a shot at bringing the WWE Championship to the Nexus at Survivor Series ...
JUSTIN GABRIEL: I know, Wade, I know. But I just wanted to face Cena one on one. I know that I can beat him ...
WADE BARRETT: And beat him you will ... soon. For now though, we need to work together. We need to take out whoever Orton and Cena choose for their team at Survivor Series. And then we can take the WWE Championship ...
MONDAY NIGHT RAW!
(continued)
The camera returns to ringside where Justin Roberts is waiting in the ring ...
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This match is set for one fall and is the first ‘Pick your Poison’ match.
*** AWESOME – I CAME TO PLAY ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Introducing first ... the team of ... ALEX RILEY ... and THE MIZ!
Miz and Riley re-emerge after their appearance earlier in the evening ready for action. Miz, as usual, is carrying the MITB briefcase as he heads to the ring with Riley hanging on his every move and every word. The two enter the ring and Miz holds the briefcase high looking confident ...
*** THE GAME ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And their opponent, from Greenwich, Connecticut ... TRIPLE H!
The lights go out and Triple H performs his famous entrance routine as he comes out with a bottle of water looking determined to win. As he nears the ring and gets up on the apron, the cheers of the crowd increase but Miz looks unimpressed in the background.
JIM ROSS: Huge match for Triple H, King, he needs to win this match quicker than Sheamus does against John Morrison later tonight ... assuming that they can both win in the first place!
JERRY LAWLER: That will be easier said than done, JR!
JIM ROSS: Whichever man wins in the quickest time, he will choose the stipulation for their match at Survivor Series.
ALEX RILEY & THE MIZ vs. TRIPLE H
The match begins with Triple H rushing over to an unsuspecting Alex Riley and clotheslining him over the top rope and out of the ring. As he lands, Riley crashes into the barricades and crumples in a heap on the floor leaving just Hunter and the Miz in the ring. Miz catches Triple H off guard with a kick to the stomach as he turns round and takes early control with a bodyslam and then a head scissors on the mat. However, Triple H rolls Miz up onto his shoulders for the cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Miz escapes but is forced to break the hold *
* 2 *
* Miz escapes but is forced to break the hold *
Quick as a flash, Triple H gets up and clotheslines Miz as he gets to his feet to the delight of the crowd. He uses big right hands as Miz gets up again and forces him back into the corner before whipping him into the opposite corner with a crash. Miz is struggling and he is hit with another clotheline in the corner that makes him stagger and fall to his knees. Triple H drags him up and looks set to go for the Pedigree but Miz escapes and slithers out of the ring. Hunter’s focus is on Miz on the outside and he misses the sneaky form of Alex Riley entering the ring behind him. Riley attacks Triple H with a forearm to the back of the head and hits a dropkick that crashes Triple H down to the mat. The referee orders Riley to the corner for the tag as Miz returns with Triple H down. Riley takes his time which allows Miz to hit Triple H with several closed fists in the corner before ramming Hunter’s head into the turnbuckles as well. Miz goes for the cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Triple H kicks out *
* 2 *
* Triple H kicks out *
Miz runs over to the corner and leaps into a clothesline with his feet through the ropes as he does so. He sets up for the Skull Crushing Finale but Triple H manages to fight out of it and shoves Miz away with a look of fury in his eyes. Miz decides that now is the time to tag in Alex Riley instead and Riley enters the ring with an air of caution on his face. He steadies himself and then looks to attack Triple H but Hunter is ready for him and lifts him straight up into a Spinebuster. As Riley writhes on the mat, Triple H stares at Miz on the apron almost daring him to enter the ring and interfere but Miz stays where he is ... Hunter turns to face Riley as he gets slowly to his feet ... A kick to the gut from Triple H and he sets Riley up for the Pedigree. With Riley’s head positioned for the finisher, Miz threatens to come in but Triple H stares at him and Miz backs back out. As Miz drops to the floor, Triple H leaps up and hits the Pedigree. With Riley out cold, Triple H makes the cover as Miz takes the briefcase and leaves the ringside area up the ramp ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
WINNER: Triple H (7:43)
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Here is your winner in a time of 7 minutes and 43 seconds ... TRIPLE H!
Triple H raises his arms in victory and looks up the ramp towards Miz who is staring down to the ring after leaving his partner, Alex Riley, to lose the match ...
JIM ROSS: Can Sheamus beat John Morrison in less than 7 minutes and 43 seconds later tonight? That will be a difficult one, King!
JERRY LAWLER: He’s not even guaranteed to beat John Morrison, never mind do it in less than 7:43. I think Triple H will be making the decision about the Survivor Series match!
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WWE SURVIVOR SERIES
----- 2 WEEKS -----
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
WWE SURVIVOR SERIES
----- 2 WEEKS -----
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
RAW returns with a replay of the end of the previous match where Triple H defeated the Miz and Alex Riley in 7 minutes and 43 seconds.
JIM ROSS: Later on, Sheamus will face John Morrison and he needs to beat that time if he is going to choose the stipulation for his match with Triple H at Survivor Series.
The cameras switch backstage where HBK is sat in his General Manager’s office with Edge opposite him. Edge is wearing a red ‘RAW’ t-shirt and the room appears to be full of tension as the two face each other ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: Edge, I’ve called you here because I want to speak to you about the RAW team for Survivor Series. Last week was embarrassing for us. Especially with the SMACKDOWN captain, Big Show, here to see it.
EDGE: I agree with you. As the captain of RAW, I am determined to put things right tonight. I’ve spoken to each member of the team individually and told them that we need to step it up.
SHAWN MICHAELS: That being said, Edge, I’m still worried. Last week, we had Ted DiBiase beaten by Ezekiel Jackson ...
EDGE: What has Jackson ever done in the WWE? Ted DiBiase is a former Tag Team champion. He was distracted by the Big Show being ringside, it stopped him bringing his ‘A’ game.
SHAWN MICHAELS: R-Truth was beaten by Wade Barrett and the Nexus ...
EDGE: ... after they had attacked him before the match even began!
SHAWN MICHAELS: Daniel Bryan showing no respect for you, the captain of the team ...
EDGE: What can I do about that? I can’t make Daniel Bryan do what I tell him to!
SHAWN MICHAELS: And then we have the RAW captain, yourself, attacking John Morrison during his match. Edge, what is going on?
EDGE: Everything is under control, Shawn. And I would like to personally invite Team SMACKDOWN onto next week’s RAW show. Then we can show them how ready we really are.
SHAWN MICHAELS: Maybe, Edge, maybe. But I’m not sure that you are ready yet ...
EDGE: What do you mean? I’m the captain of the team!
SHAWN MICHAELS: You are but I think you need a test, a chance to earn the respect of the rest of your RAW team-mates. Tonight, I’m putting you in the Main Event!
Edge remains silent but looks quizzically towards the General Manager ...
SHAWN MICHAELS: Against the WWE Champion, Randy Orton!
A large pop is heard in the arena as Edge stares at HBK looking mutinous. He pauses, bites his tongue and then heads for the door with HBK smiling as the cameras switch back to the ring. The bell rings and Justin Roberts announces the next contest ...
JUSTIN ROBERTS: The next match is the second ‘Pick your Poison’ match and is set for one fall. If Sheamus wins in a time quicker than 7 minutes and 43 seconds, he will choose the stipulation for his match at Survivor Series!
*** WRITTEN IN MY FACE ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Introducing first, from Dublin, Ireland ... the Celtic Warrior ... SHEAMUS!
The pasty Irish superstar heads to the ring beating his chest as he does so and mouthing at fans in the aisle. As he gets in the ring, he looks up at the titantron showing the countdown clock set to 7:43 and he chuckles to himself clearly confident that he will win this one in time ...
*** AIN’T NO MAKE BELIEVE ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: And his opponent from Los Angeles, California ... JOHN MORRISON!
Morrison’s usual slo-mo entrance sees him head for the ring whilst JR and King discuss Sheamus’ strategy in this match ...
JIM ROSS: Sheamus needs to get to work fast because I’m not sure that he is capable of beating John Morrison in 7 minutes 43, King ...
JERRY LAWLER: He could do with being able to slow down time like Morrison does in his entrances, JR!
Morrison enters the ring with Sheamus hopping from foot to foot in the corner clearly pumped up and ready for action. Morrison removes his coat and salutes the crowd before the referee rings the bell ...
JOHN MORRISON vs. SHEAMUS
As soon as the bell rings and the clock begins to countdown, Sheamus rushes at Morrison but he fails to connect and ends up running chest first into the turnbuckles as Morrison dodges. As Sheamus turns around, Morrison hits a dropkick that staggers the Irish star backwards before climbing the buckle with Sheamus trapped and striking him with right hands. The referee forces a break but Morrison is relentless and he bounces off the ropes and delivers a clothesline followed by another and then another before a high shin to the bridge of the nose of Sheamus that puts him down on the mat for the first cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Sheamus kicks out *
* 2 *
* Sheamus kicks out *
As he gets up, Sheamus glances up and sees the clock ticking down to 6:55, 6:54 and he swings for Morrison as he comes towards him. However, Morrison ducks and counters with a right hand of his own. Sheamus pushes him away agitatedly and then as Morrison comes in for a second time, Sheamus aims a stiff kick to the knee of Morrison. With Morrison down to one knee, Sheamus senses a chance and rams his knee into the face of Morrison and sends him hurtling through the ropes to the outside. Sheamus looks frustrated by Morrison ending up outside and he follows him out determined to get him quickly back into the ring. Sheamus grabs Morrison and looks to roll him inside but Morrison puts on the brakes and kicks Sheamus in the stomach before pushing back into the steel ring steps. Sheamus flies back over them and lands on his back. In pain, Sheamus fights back to his feet and Morrison uses the ring apron to leap over and hit another high knee to Sheamus to send him down to the floor. The referee orders Morrison back into the ring and begins to count Sheamus out. However, with a glance towards the clock (5:21), Sheamus gets back into the ring at 7.
As he slides back in Morrison goes to resume the beating to Sheamus but the Celtic Warrior fights out and lifts Morrison up into a backbreaker to regain control. He lifts Morrison up again next but Morrison counters with a DDT and both men are down and struggling to their feet now. Both men attempt to lock in a submission hold but they are unable to achieve this and the sequence ends as Sheamus suddenly hits the Brogue Kick to the face of Morrison. However, Morrison again lands on the outside of the ring to Sheamus’ annoyance. He drags him back to his feet and rolls him into the ring before getting the cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Morrison kicks out now *
* 2 *
* Morrison kicks out now *
Sheamus looks up again – 4:04 – before dragging Morrison up head first again. However, Morrison counters again before Sheamus can get going and ends up hitting the Flying Chuck kick when he springboards off the ropes. Sheamus is down in the corner of the ring and Morrison realises that here is his chance ... He leaps up onto the ropes and goes for Starship Pain! Sheamus gets the knees up and Morrison writhes in pain on the mat after the failed finish attempt ... Sheamus with the cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Morrison is not beaten yet *
* 2 *
* Morrison is not beaten yet *
A nervous glance up shows that Sheamus is now running out of time as he gets back to his feet, just 2:32 left. Sheamus signals that the match is over and begins to lift Morrison up into the High Cross. However, as he tries to get in place to hit the move, Morrison manages to wriggle free before he hits a drop kick to Sheamus as he turns round and with the time ticking away, Sheamus is a world away from winning this one. Morrison stands back and waits for Sheamus to get up before running over to hit another Chuck Kick. However, this time Sheamus moves at the last moment and rolls a confused Morrison up for the pin.
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Morrison kicks out *
* 2 *
* Morrison kicks out *
1:54 left and Sheamus looks a little desperate now. He rams Morrison head first into the turnbuckle several times and then clotheslines him down to the mat and goes for another pinfall attempt ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Morrison will not give up *
* 2 *
* Morrison will not give up *
Sheamus keeps glancing up at the clock now and he is desperate for the pinfall to earn the right to choose the match type for his Survivor Series fight with Triple H. Sheamus rains the blows on Morrison’s head and chest area, clubbing blows that leave Morrison gasping for air. However, he manages to hit a punch of his own and then tries to follow up with a running forearm. Sheamus ducks and then goes for the Brogue Kick again as Morrison turns around. No, he misses again and Morrison this time rolls Sheamus up for the surprise pin ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Sheamus kicks out angrily *
* 2 *
* Sheamus kicks out angrily *
The clock ticks down to 1:00 as Sheamus punches Morrison over and over and over in the corner as he tries to knock the life out of him. Another pinfall from an increasingly desperate Sheamus ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* No, Morrison kicks out again *
* 2 *
* No, Morrison kicks out again *
Sheamus leaps up and runs over to the other corner preparing for the Brogue Kick again. Time is ticking away now at 0:32 as Morrison gets to his feet. Sheamus runs over and ... Bam! Brogue Kick to the skull of Morrison, surely it is over now? Sheamus smiles a knowing smile and pins Morrison again ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* Wait, Morrison’s foot was on the rope! *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* Wait, Morrison’s foot was on the rope! *
Sheamus looks thoroughly annoyed and he goes after the referee who drops outside. Sheamus looks at the clock as it counts down 0:09, 0:08 ... his head in his hands. Suddenly, Morrison reaches up behind him and drags him down into a pinning predicament ... The referee counts on the mat from the outside of the ring ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
WINNER: John Morrison (7:41)
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Here is your winner ... JOHN MORRISON!
Sheamus goes crazy in the ring and Morrison wisely gets out of the danger area where the referee raises his hand on the ramp. Sheamus kicks the ropes and screams out in frustration gesturing to Morrison to get back in the ring. Morrison smirks as he backs away but suddenly Morrison crumples in a heap on the ramp as Hornswoggle smashes him in the back of the knee with the steel pipe. Sheamus quickly drops out of the ring and runs over to grab Morrison ready to punish him. He lifts him up high onto his shoulders and the crowd hold their breath as he threatens to hit the High Cross on the metal ramp ... The referees pour out of the backstage area and plead with Sheamus not to drop Morrison on his back. Suddenly, Triple H comes racing out from the backstage area and distracts Sheamus ...
JIM ROSS: Here comes the Game, King!
JERRY LAWLER: No good, JR, he can’t touch Sheamus, remember?
JIM ROSS: Surely he won’t let Sheamus drop Morrison on the ramp though?
With Sheamus distracted, Morrison manages to wriggle clear and escapes from Sheamus and hobbles away on his bad knee. Hornswoggle has disappeared from view – probably wise as Triple H might want a word or two with him – but Sheamus squares up to Triple H. The pair get into each other’s faces and go head to head but neither man is willing to lay a finger on the other ... Eventually, Sheamus breaks away and backs towards the top of the ramp as RAW heads into a commercial break ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
RAW returns with footage of the end of the Sheamus – John Morrison match and the after-match confrontation between the Celtic Warrior and his Survivor Series opponent, Triple H ...
JIM ROSS: Welcome back to Monday Night Raw where we heard from Triple H in the break!
JERRY LAWLER: After he had stopped Sheamus from destroying John Morrison that is!
JIM ROSS: The Game announced that he would be thinking carefully about the stipulations for the match at Survivor Series and that he would announce his choice next week on RAW, the last RAW before Survivor Series itself!
JERRY LAWLER: You can guarantee that it will be a monster of a match, JR ...
JIM ROSS: It’ll be a real slobberknocker, King. But now it is time for us to turn our attentions to the main event tonight ...
JERRY LAWLER: What a match we have in store tonight, JR!
JIM ROSS: Edge needs a win to prove to his Team RAW team-mates that he deserves their respect as we head into the RAW vs. SMACKDOWN match at Survivor Series in 2 weeks time ...
The bell rings and Justin Roberts is ready to introduce the participants in the main event tonight ...
JUSTIN ROBERTS: This match is set for one fall!
*** METALINGUS ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: Introducing first, from Toronto, Ontario, Canada ... he is the captain of Team RAW ... the Rated-R superstar ... EDGE!
RAW’s captain for Survivor Series, Edge, makes his way out to the ring with an annoyed look on his face after his discussions with the RAW General Manager, Shawn Michaels earlier. HBK warned Edge that he needed to earn the respect of his RAW team-mates, particularly Daniel Bryan and John Morrison after they refused to follow Edge’s orders last week and questioned his right to lead Team RAW ... He holds his hands high and the pyro explodes behind him as he heads towards the ring ...
JIM ROSS: Edge is desperate for respect, King, he could earn it tonight with a win over the WWE Champion?
JERRY LAWLER: He sure could, JR, but it won’t be that easy. There is a reason why Randy Orton is the WWE Champion and Edge isn’t right now!
*** VOICES ***
JUSTIN ROBERTS: His opponent, from St. Louis, Missouri ... he is the WWE Champion ... the Viper ... RANDY ORTON!
Orton struts out looking confident with the WWE Championship belt draped over his shoulder. He saunters to the ring slowly making Edge think about the task he faces tonight and enters the ring with a smirk ...
JIM ROSS: In two weeks time, King, Randy Orton must trust John Cena and three other men to defend his WWE Championship against the Nexus ...
JERRY LAWLER: It seems as if Cena and Orton’s problems are behind them, JR, but this could add an extra strain to their relationship. If any member of Nexus pins one of Randy Orton’s team, Wade Barrett will become the WWE Champion!
JIM ROSS: And Orton has only one of his four partners in place ... John Cena.
JERRY LAWLER: He’d better get busy before next week’s RAW then, he needs to find three men who he can trust!
EDGE vs. RANDY ORTON
The bell rings and Orton and Edge face up to each other ready for their match. The two men who once formed the Rated RKO tag team have long since fallen out of favour with each other but they know each other pretty well. A pushing contest between the pairs ensues as they talk trash to each other before Edge snaps and throws a right hand. Orton ducks and hits right hands of his own to force Edge back into the corner where the Rated R Superstar is forced to cover up. Orton whips Edge into the opposite corner and follows up with a clothesline that knocks Edge through the ropes to the outside where Edge takes some time to recover. As he does, Orton stares down at Edge with a look of defiance ... As Edge starts to get back into the ring, Orton comes to meet him but Edge grabs him and chokes him across the top rope. With Orton snapped back onto the mat, Edge slides into the ring and looks to take advantage. He locks in a version of the Camel Clutch and yanks back on Orton trying to force the WWE Champion to give up. However, Orton edges towards the ropes and, realising that Orton will make it, Edge jumps up and starts clubbing the back of his neck with forearms.
With the crowd booing Edge, the Rated R Superstar steps back across the ring and motions to Orton to get to his feet. The crowd sense that Edge is going to go for an early spear and the ‘Spear!’ chants begin – quietly – but Edge relies on a big boot to the head of Orton that knocks him down to the ground. Edge goes for the first cover of the match ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Orton kicks out *
* 2 *
* Orton kicks out *
Edge resumes control and whips Orton into the ropes. As he returns, Edge lifts Orton high and hits a flapjack that has Orton landing face first on the mat before bouncing back up a foot. Another pin from Edge to the WWE Champion ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Orton *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Orton *
Edge uses a Russian Legsweep to put Orton back down on the mat before he calmly heads for the corner of the ring. He lifts himself up onto the middle ropes and waits for Orton to get to his feet before hitting a missile dropkick to the chest of the champion. Orton is down for a third time and Edge pins again ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* The champion escapes again *
* 2 *
* The champion escapes again *
Edge waits for Orton to get to his feet again and approaches him from behind. He lowers his head and lifts Orton up onto his shoulders into an Electric Chair position and then drops Orton backwards onto the mat. Orton’s spine crashes down and Edge goes for another pin ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Orton kicks out *
* 2 *
* Orton kicks out *
With Orton’s kick out looking a little weaker, Edge is encouraged and he affords himself a smile as the WWE Universe boo him. He whips Orton into the ropes again and goes for a second Big Boot to the head but this time Orton ducks and hits the ropes again. However, Edge is ready and hits a crossbody to take Orton down again. Pinfall from Edge ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Orton again! *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Orton again! *
This time, there is a look of frustration from Edge and he pulls back to the corner and this time there is no doubting his intentions. He grabs at his hair and motions at Orton to get up to his feet, waiting, deliberating, preparing himself. As Orton turns round, Edge powers from the corner and sprints at the WWE Champion looking for the spear ... No! Orton avoid the spear and Edge goes shoulder first into the turnbuckle and steel ring post to the delight of the crowd. He rolls under the rope to the outside of the ring clutching his shoulder and looking in pain as Orton has chance to recover. As Edge starts to climb back into the ring, Orton meets him and drags him through the middle rope before resting him on the rope. Preparing for a vicious DDT, Orton gets Edge in position but then Edge fights out. He gets his feet onto the mat and the two trade right hands before Orton gets the advantage with a European uppercut ... He follows this with a drop kick that leaves Edge down on the mat at the edge of the ring. Orton tries for a second time to drag Edge through the ropes and this time he drops Edge down face first with the rope hung DDT.
With Orton now taking control, the crowd are cheering and he locks a chinlock in on Edge in the centre of the ring, wearing down the Rated R Superstar. Edge tries to fight out but Orton stays strong and Edge is forced to drag himself towards the ropes so that he can wrap a foot around the bottom rope to make the referee break the hold. As both men get to their feet, Edge tries to surprise Orton with a spear but the champion dodges and Edge hits the opposite ropes. As he returns, Orton lifts him up and hits a devastating powerslam before going for his first cover of the night ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Edge kicks out *
* 2 *
* Edge kicks out *
With Edge down though, Orton begins to methodically stomp on the exposed limbs of Edge. His feet, his knees, his wrists and elbows all take a battering as Orton stomps down on them looking to inflict maximum damage. Edge rolls over and uses the ropes to lift himself but Orton drags him away from them and hits a perfect Olympic Slam that leaves Edge flat on his back. Orton goes for a cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Edge gets the shoulder out *
* 2 *
* Edge gets the shoulder out *
Orton twists and drops to his knees signalling that he is ready to hit the RKO. He pounds the mat with his fists daring Edge to get to his feet, a look of real menace in his eyes. Edge slowly gets up with no idea what is coming ... he turns and Orton goes for the RKO but Edge counters by pushing Orton away. A kick to the gut and then Edge lifts Orton into the Impaler DDT ... Pinfall for Edge ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Orton just manages to kick out *
* 2 *
* Orton just manages to kick out *
Edge again summons for the spear and waits for Orton to get to his feet. He rushes at Orton as he turns but again Orton dodges the oncoming Edge ... However, this time, the poor referee gets in the way and Edge spears him in half leaving the ref crumpled in a heap. Both men look at the referee in shock as he slowly rolls out of the ring but then they start pounding away at each other ... Edge goes for a clothesline and misses and as he turns around ... RKO! Orton with the RKO! Cover from Orton ...
But the referee is down and there is no-one to make the count!
Orton gets to his feet and looks for a referee to come from the back ... There is nobody coming to help him though and Orton is forced to try and get the attention of the fallen referee. No hope there at the moment! A frustrated Orton suddenly notices Edge slowly getting to his knees and a maniacal look comes across him. Orton turns and stares at Edge down on the floor and slowly stands in the opposite corner of the ring. He holds the ropes and starts to gee himself up, ready to punt the captain of Team RAW right in the skull! Orton is waiting, almost frantic with a desire to knock Edge out with his right boot. Edge is almost onto his hands and knees and in the perfect position when suddenly there is a commotion ...
Here come Nexus!
The five members of Nexus, led by Wade Barrett, rush into the ring and the beatdown of Orton begins. Otunga, Slater, Gabriel, Sheffield and Barrett all kicking and punching the WWE Champion as they look to weaken him ahead of the Survivor Series 10-man tag match which will see Orton’s WWE Championship on the line. As Edge recovers further, Skip Sheffield and David Otunga head over and start to beat on the Rated R Superstar as well just as the referee looks up over the apron into the ring. Realising what is happening, the referee weakly signals for the bell and it is clearly a No Contest ...
WINNER: NO CONTEST
After the bell is rung, Edge is tossed over the top rope and the five on one beating of Randy Orton continues. Barrett signals for Justin Gabriel to head for the top rope to hit the 450 splash ... Gabriel does as he is told for a change and heads for the top rope ... he steadies himself waiting for the moment ...
*** MY TIME IS NOW ***
Here comes John Cena sprinting down to the ring. He slides under the bottom rope and Nexus’ attention is shifted to him but Cena manages to fight them off a little. Orton is now recovering and he begins to fight back now and the two popular WWE men battle back. However, the numbers are still against them and the Nexus retain control and force both men down on to the mat ... Gabriel is again ordered to the top rope but as he begins to head that way, two more men rush out from the backstage area ... David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd, the Hart Dynasty! They hit the ring and join forces with Cena and Orton in fighting the Nexus and they are finally forced out of the ring with the WWE Universe cheering. Orton slaps hands with Smith and Kidd and it is clear that here are two more members of Team Orton for Survivor Series. Orton then nods to Cena in a gesture of thanks and the four members of Team Orton lift each other’s arms – and the WWE Championship in Orton’s hand – up high as Nexus retreat up the ramp ... Orton’s ‘Voices’ music plays as RAW fades away for another week ...
********** END OF SHOW **********
====================================================================================================
WWE SURVIVOR SERIES
Matches Confirmed so far:
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 MAN TAG
RANDY ORTON, JOHN CENA, TYSON KIDD, DAVID HART-SMITH & ???? vs. WADE BARRETT, HEATH SLATER, DAVID OTUNGA, SKIP SHEFFIELD & JUSTIN GABRIEL
(If Team Orton lose, Wade Barrett will be the WWE Champion)
SMACKDOWN vs. RAW ELIMINATION MATCH
Winning brand gets to acquire one of losing brand’s superstars!
TEAM RAW
(Edge, Daniel Bryan, Ted DiBiase, John Morrison & R-Truth)
vs.
TEAM SMACKDOWN
(Big Show, Chavo Guerrero, Jack Swagger & 2 more)
SHEAMUS vs. TRIPLE H
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre vs. Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov
DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP
LAYLA vs. MICHELLE McCOOL
2 WEEKS TO GO!
WWE SURVIVOR SERIES
Matches Confirmed so far:
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP – 10 MAN TAG
RANDY ORTON, JOHN CENA, TYSON KIDD, DAVID HART-SMITH & ???? vs. WADE BARRETT, HEATH SLATER, DAVID OTUNGA, SKIP SHEFFIELD & JUSTIN GABRIEL
(If Team Orton lose, Wade Barrett will be the WWE Champion)
SMACKDOWN vs. RAW ELIMINATION MATCH
Winning brand gets to acquire one of losing brand’s superstars!
TEAM RAW
(Edge, Daniel Bryan, Ted DiBiase, John Morrison & R-Truth)
vs.
TEAM SMACKDOWN
(Big Show, Chavo Guerrero, Jack Swagger & 2 more)
SHEAMUS vs. TRIPLE H
TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre vs. Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov
DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP
LAYLA vs. MICHELLE McCOOL
2 WEEKS TO GO!
Just a quick review, had a read through. It was all fantastic. I especially love the way you kinda build all your matches around one or two ideas. So this time it was Sheamus and Triple H's pick your poison, and the Nexus/Cena/Orton thing, and from that you produced an entire show. I think it's really clever the way you do it. Interested to see where it'll go with Team RAW, and also who the last man on team Orton will be. Survivor Series is really picking up steam! Great job!
Da Prophet
Mid-Card Championship Winner
I don't have to give you a live review since it would be me saying great show over and over again. I'll save that for the PPV. Well I must say you are the only person I can't wait to post a show. You can really make entertaining angles and this night was no different. The Main Event for Survivor Series is now a tag match- AWESOME idea. I think most people (myself included) wouldn't have thought of doing that. I think now is the perfect time to pull the trigger on Barrett. He has to win from my view, it time. Now we get to the question, does Cena turn on Orton? I'll leave that to you.
The Nexus still have steam and are going strong, good work. This thread IS THE BEST going at the moment. My thread included this is the main thread. No doubt, end of discussion. This angle with Shawn Michaels as GM has been carried out great. I really love your writing style with the promo stuff. The best going on here at the moment. This past RAW was my favourite. You had some great backstage stuff. The matches were good, and the angles were pushed. I have checked other shows tonight, and not one checked every box. You did, I loved the show.
Best Book This! going on here at the moment!
The Nexus still have steam and are going strong, good work. This thread IS THE BEST going at the moment. My thread included this is the main thread. No doubt, end of discussion. This angle with Shawn Michaels as GM has been carried out great. I really love your writing style with the promo stuff. The best going on here at the moment. This past RAW was my favourite. You had some great backstage stuff. The matches were good, and the angles were pushed. I have checked other shows tonight, and not one checked every box. You did, I loved the show.
Best Book This! going on here at the moment!
I liked the last RAW, bro. I like how you are developing the storylines going into Survivor Series are most definitely interesting and you are great at the angle part of writing these shows. I like the twist of the Title match becoming a tag team match. I also like how you are carrying out the HBK as GM and the development of Team RAW. Your shows develop and build well and I am really enjoying this thread. Good show.
#1Peep's Smackdown Review
Here we go Chip, won't do a live review but will drop my main points down. Like how you have combined the Pick your Poison and Beat the Clock challenges here. This is a great feud between Sheamus and Trips, and it will probably end in a bang at Survivor Series. Awesome, albeit small, promo from Miz here. Really great writing, from the dialogue to the cues to the crowd action. Probably the best in this section at it. Great comeback from the Game here, would have expected some response to the insults but that's ok. Two awesome PyP matches announced, Trippers and Miz will be a doozy. Gabriel looks like he doesn't seem all that comfortable...
I don't think Slater and Otunga are the best pairing but I guess it is a ringwork/micwork combo. Santino with the Cobra, and I think this team could be great if Santino was slightly more serious. Love the way Kozlov just kicks ass and Santino drops in, hits the Cobra, and gets the win though. I love that you already have one SS tag match, but two... That's awesome, my favourite match by far. Really good decision, adds a variety. Really, really good choice for a main event here. I am a big fan of Gabriel, nice to see him get some offence in before being locked in the STF. More tension from Gabriel, but a like the leadership of Barrett, whether he truly cares or just wants Justin happy for the tag match at SS. Possibly see Gabriel turn his back on the Nexus. Trippers wins as expected, with a time that is respectable to the two on one advantage. I see Sheamus just beating it, but then again anything can happen. I love the build up to this RAW v Smackdown match, really great.
I wasn't expecting Morrison to win at all. Sheamus with the beating makes him look strong. I hate Horny but at least he isn't being a little prick in your BT. Woah, big main event here, Team Captain vs. WWE Champion. Expect a Nexus beatdown. Yep, they needed this to gain a little momentum, here comes Cena! YES! I love the Hart Dynasty and it's great they are a part of Team Orton. Overall, great, great, awesome show man. I don't think there was a weak part to it at all, and built up well to Survivor Series. 10/10 Chip Butty!
Here we go Chip, won't do a live review but will drop my main points down. Like how you have combined the Pick your Poison and Beat the Clock challenges here. This is a great feud between Sheamus and Trips, and it will probably end in a bang at Survivor Series. Awesome, albeit small, promo from Miz here. Really great writing, from the dialogue to the cues to the crowd action. Probably the best in this section at it. Great comeback from the Game here, would have expected some response to the insults but that's ok. Two awesome PyP matches announced, Trippers and Miz will be a doozy. Gabriel looks like he doesn't seem all that comfortable...
I don't think Slater and Otunga are the best pairing but I guess it is a ringwork/micwork combo. Santino with the Cobra, and I think this team could be great if Santino was slightly more serious. Love the way Kozlov just kicks ass and Santino drops in, hits the Cobra, and gets the win though. I love that you already have one SS tag match, but two... That's awesome, my favourite match by far. Really good decision, adds a variety. Really, really good choice for a main event here. I am a big fan of Gabriel, nice to see him get some offence in before being locked in the STF. More tension from Gabriel, but a like the leadership of Barrett, whether he truly cares or just wants Justin happy for the tag match at SS. Possibly see Gabriel turn his back on the Nexus. Trippers wins as expected, with a time that is respectable to the two on one advantage. I see Sheamus just beating it, but then again anything can happen. I love the build up to this RAW v Smackdown match, really great.
I wasn't expecting Morrison to win at all. Sheamus with the beating makes him look strong. I hate Horny but at least he isn't being a little prick in your BT. Woah, big main event here, Team Captain vs. WWE Champion. Expect a Nexus beatdown. Yep, they needed this to gain a little momentum, here comes Cena! YES! I love the Hart Dynasty and it's great they are a part of Team Orton. Overall, great, great, awesome show man. I don't think there was a weak part to it at all, and built up well to Survivor Series. 10/10 Chip Butty!
GLOBAL ICON
I <3 Wrestling and Soccer
Truly awesome GCB, truly awesome. I'm not giving a live review because all I can say is the show was totally cool and awesome. I'll drop some main points though. It was a good job to mix the pick your poison and beat the clock matches. I knew Triple H was going to win here. Orton-Cena/Nexus is well done again and I'm looking forward to the last member on their team. Good job to put in another 5-on-5 match. I'm really looking forward to next week's RAW and Survivor Series. Good job. Keep writing.
FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN!
Live from Providence, Rhode Island
SMACKDOWN begins with a video package of Kofi Kingston’s involvement in the World Championship picture over the past couple of months. It shows his involvement in matches between Kane and Undertaker, his title match with Kane at No Mercy and his #1 contender match with Undertaker on SMACKDOWN with some soundbites mixed in. The video turns attention to tonight and Kofi Kingston’s World Championship match with Kane as announced by SMACKDOWN General Manager, Teddy Long, last week. The video ends with Michael Cole’s asking “Can Kofi Kingston finally get his hands on the World Title next week?” as SMACKDOWN heads into the opening credits ...
[YOUTUBE]RQPvWEWTpbU[/YOUTUBE]
*** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO *** PYRO ***
*** S.O.S. ***
Kofi Kingston is ready for action as he heads down to the ring with the pyro exploding to signal his arrival. He energetically gets into the ring and performs his ‘Boom Boom Boom!’ pose on the turnbuckle looking determined to capture the championship tonight! However, that will be easier said than done as he is facing this man ...
*** MAN ON FIRE ***
Kane heads out with the red light all around the arena with the World Championship belt around his waist ... He gets into the ring and drops his arms to make the ringposts explode with fire before Tony Chimel announces that this match is for the World Championship and then introduces the participants in the contest ...
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH: KANE vs. KOFI KINGSTON
A loud chant of ‘Kofi! Kofi!’ echoes around the arena as the pumped up Ghanaian circles the ring sizing up the monstrous World Champion across from him. With a look of seriousness on his face, Kingston locks up with Kane but is flung down hard on the mat into the corner. With Kane staring at the challenger with an evil smirk on his face, the crowd boo as Kofi gets back to his feet determined. For a second time, they lock up and Kane again pushes Kingston down into the corner of the ring with Kane now showing a couple of signs of over-confidence. As he laughs out loud, Kofi rushes over and hits a forearm that staggers Kane and gives the advantage to the challenger. Kofi hits a few forearms in the corner as Kane covers up before using his feet to stagger Kane further. Kofi climbs quickly up the turnbuckle and launches himself off the top rope and connects with a dropkick to the chest of Kane. First cover of the match here for Kofi Kingston ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kane powers out with ease! *
* 2 *
* Kane powers out with ease! *
Kane tries to shove Kofi away again as they get to their feet but Kofi is too quick and he avoids the contact. Hitting the ropes, Kofi hits a second drop kick to the side of Kane’s head this time before going for another cover on the champion.
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kane escapes easily again! *
* 2 *
* Kane escapes easily again! *
This time, Kane does manage to shove Kofi away hard into the corner as they get to their feet. Kane then charges towards Kofi in the corner but the challenger ducks out of the way before hitting a pendulum kick to the head of Kane through the ropes. With Kane staggered again, Kofi jumps up to the middle rope and hits a flying clothesline to the champion that takes him down for a third time. Another cover from the challenger ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kane gets his shoulder off the mat in time! *
* 2 *
* Kane gets his shoulder off the mat in time! *
With Kane staggering into the corner, Kofi runs over and straddles the champion with his feet on the middle rope. He begins to punch Kane square in the head as the crowd count along but Kane regains his anger and pushes Kofi backwards from the rope and crashing down to the mat on the back of his head and shoulders. Kane takes a second before heading over to Kingston as he gets up. Kane hits a scoop slam to Kofi and follows this up with a dropkick to the side of Kofi’s head as he is sat up. Kane laughs as he looks around the arena waiting for Kofi to get to his feet. When he does, Kane drags him up and forces him back into the corner and hits a series of choke thrust uppercuts with a big third knocking Kofi up and over the top rope to the outside ...
MICHAEL COLE: Can Kofi Kingston get back into this match after the break and secure a shock title win?
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
SMACKDOWN returns with Kane on the outside and Kofi Kingston down at his feet as we see that the World Champion is continuing to dominate this World Championship bout. Kane lifts Kofi up with a two handed choke and rams him back first into the steel ring post to the annoyance of the referee. He threatens Kane with a disqualification but that wouldn’t really help Kofi anyway. Kane grabs Kingston by the back of the neck and forces him under the rope and back into the ring.
MICHAEL COLE: Kane is just dominating the challenger here. Is this it?
Kane rolls Kofi onto his back and makes the cover by hooking the near leg ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kofi kicks out to the delight of the fans! *
* 2 *
* Kofi kicks out to the delight of the fans! *
However, Kane does not look worried and he climbs the ropes looking to inflict pain on the Number 1 contender. As Kofi groggily gets to his feet, Kane launches from the top rope and hits a flying clothesline that takes Kingston down again. Another cover from Kane ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kofi gets a foot up on the rope this time! *
* 2 *
* Kofi gets a foot up on the rope this time! *
With Kane looking a little annoyed this time, Kofi is dragged by the champion into the centre of the ring and given a stiff kick down to the chest. Kane goes for the cover again ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* No! Kofi will not give this up! *
* 2 *
* No! Kofi will not give this up! *
Kane stands back and allows Kingston to slowly get to his feet. As he does, Kane stands back and threatens the chokeslam to finish the match once and for all. The WWE Universe clap their hands and are fully behind Kingston as he looks to secure the World Championship for the first time ever. However, this time he could be set to fail. Kane locks his hand around Kofi’s throat and goes to lift him up ... However, Kofi manages to wriggle out of the hold and hits a series of quick kicks to the legs and waist of the champion. With Kane down to one knee, Kofi again heads for the top rope and goes for a high crossbody to Kane ... Kane manages to catch Kofi by the throat though and set ups before delivering a huge chokeslam that leaves Kingston sprawled out on the canvas.
MICHAEL COLE: That is it, Kane retains the World Championship ...
Kane goes for the pinfall ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* KOFI KINGSTON KICKS OUT OF THE CHOKESLAM! *
* 2 *
* KOFI KINGSTON KICKS OUT OF THE CHOKESLAM! *
Kane cannot believe it and the WWE Universe goes wild as Kingston escapes the chokeslam and lives to fight another day. Kane is livid and stalks the referee before heading back to Kofi and grabbing him by the throat again. He threatens to hit a second chokeslam but Kofi hits a kick to the side of Kane and then kicks his arm away to release the choke hold. With Kane’s hold broken, Kofi again hits a series of forearms and kicks before going up top again and this time hitting the crossbody from high. Kofi goes for the pinfall, is this Kofi’s time?
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kane just manages to get out of the pinning predicament! *
* 2 *
* Kane just manages to get out of the pinning predicament! *
Another loud ‘Kofi!’ chant echoes around the arena and Kofi takes inspiration as he stands over Kane on the mat on his back. Kofi bounces off the ropes, jigs around a little and then hits the Boom Drop, dropping two legs across the chest and torso of the Big Red Monster. Kofi scrambles over and pins Kane again ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kane will not lie down! *
* 2 *
* Kane will not lie down! *
What is it going to take for Kofi to get the win here? He stands back and begins to signal for the finishing move, the Trouble in Paradise. Clapping his hands together in the corner of the ring, Kane slowly gets to his feet. Kofi spins round and goes for the kick to the side of the head of the champion but he ducks and avoids the contact. With Kofi disorientated, Kane again goes for a chokeslam but this time, Kofi fights out instead. Back and forth, back and forth, who will get control? TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Kofi Kingston with a great move and Kane is laid out!
MICHAEL COLE: Here we go, Kofi is going to be a new champion!
Kofi goes for the cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Ohhhhh! Kane has kicked out! *
* 2 *
* Ohhhhh! Kane has kicked out! *
A look of frustration on the face of Kofi tells the tale and he backs away into the corner. On commentary, Mick Foley urges Kofi to not give up, to keep giving it his all. Kingston again sets up for a second Trouble in Paradise but Kane ducks again and catches Kofi in the choke hold again. CHOKESLAM from Kane! Surely it is all over now? Kane doesn’t make the pinfall though and drags his opponent to his feet. With a taunt to his brother, the Undertaker, he makes to slit his throat as a sign that the match is over. Kane lifts Kingston up ready for the Tombstone Piledriver. Kofi begins to fight but it is too late ... TOMBSTONE!
Kane covers Kofi, it’s all academic ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
WINNER: Kane (13:28)
Michael Cole and Mick Foley discuss how close Kofi Kingston came to taking the World Championship from Kane as the Big Red Monster staggers away up the ramp with a look of relief on his face. The cameras zoom in on a disappointed Kofi Kingston who is slowly getting to his feet and the WWE Universe give him a great ovation for his attempts tonight. Kofi looks round with a wry smile but is clearly disappointed that he failed to capture the title tonight ... He looks to head out of the ring when there is a commotion behind him. Kofi turns around and there is Edge. What is he doing here? SPEAR!
Edge hits a perfect spear to Kofi Kingston and then heads up the ramp. The RAW team captain for Survivor Series has attacked Kofi for seemingly no reason. There has been no ill feeling between them. Why has Edge invaded SMACKDOWN and taken out Kofi?
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
SMACKDOWN returns with Teddy Long in his General Manager office and the Intercontinental Champion, Alberto Del Rio, who looks rather unhappy. Del Rio informs the GM that his defeat to Evan Bourne last week was a disgrace, that the referee cost Del Rio a place in the Semi Finals of the tournament to determine the Number 1 contender for the World Championship at Survivor Series. Teddy Long reminds Del Rio that submission holds have to be broken up if the ropes are involved and that Del Rio has only got himself to blame for ignoring the 5-count of the referee. Del Rio claims that he had Evan Bourne beat and that he had made him tap out but Long is having none of it ...
Del Rio is joined in the GM office now by Dolph Ziggler and his girlfriend, Vickie Guerrero. Ziggler also claims that poor officiating cost him his place in the Semi Finals and says that he had Matt Hardy pinned in their match last week. Long is again forced to remind Ziggler of the rules – you cannot pin someone when their feet are in the ropes. Vickie claims that Teddy Long is conspiring against Ziggler and Del Rio and that he should think more carefully about the superstars he wishes to upset. She promises that this will not be the last that Teddy Long hears about the situation and walks out with Ziggler. Del Rio looks at Long, winks and follows them out of the room leaving Long looking concerned.
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NXT ENDANGERED
“Your time is up ...”
----- COMING SOON -----
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
NXT ENDANGERED
“Your time is up ...”
----- COMING SOON -----
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SMACKDOWN returns with Mark Henry in the ring ...
*** SOMEBODIES GONNA’ GET IT ***
Henry is smiling and beaming and Cole and Foley discuss his interference in the match between Chavo and Cody Rhodes last week. Replays of Henry’s interference are shown and how it cost Rhodes a place in the Semi Finals of the World Championship Tournament before Cody Rhodes heads out for their match ...
*** SMOKE AND MIRRORS ***
’Dashing’ Cody Rhodes heads out to a negative response from the WWE Universe but looks determined to take revenge on Mark Henry who has been proving to be a pain in the backside for him and his tag team partner, Drew McIntyre, for weeks now. Rhodes gets into the ring and the referee rings the bell ...
CODY RHODES vs. MARK HENRY
The match begins with Cody Rhodes talking trash to Mark Henry who just smiles as he listens to Cody’s nonsense. Cody continues to berate the appearance of Henry who just holds his arms out and edges closer to Rhodes who eventually cracks and swings for Mark Henry and smashes him in the chest with a forearm. Henry hardly feels it and stares at Rhodes still smiling before pushing him hard in the chest and down to the mat at the ropes. Rhodes looks shocked as he gets to his feet warily no longer talking to Henry but looking a little fearful instead. Rhodes gets up and confronts Henry angrily and Henry tries to catch him by surprise with a clothesline but Rhodes ducks and hits a drop kick to stagger Henry backwards. Rhodes takes a chance and slaps Henry in the face twice to provoke an angry reaction from the World’s Strongest Man who chases Rhodes out of the ring.
As the referee counts both men out, Rhodes manages to stay away from Mark Henry and heads back into the ring to break the count. As Henry re-enters the ring, Rhodes catches him by surprise with a raised knee to the neck and begins to club forearms on the shoulders of Henry that put him down on one knee. Rhodes needs a big move though to put Henry down and uses the Beautiful Disaster – a springboard kick to the head – to send Henry crashing down onto the mat. With the big man down, Rhodes looks to take advantage and drops the knee onto Mark Henry before going for the cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Henry powers out! *
* 2 *
* Henry powers out! *
Rhodes quickly rushes to the corner and climbs to the top rope as Mark Henry gets to his feet. As Henry turns, Cody flies off the top rope and hits a crossbody to Henry that takes him down to the mat again. Another cover from Cody Rhodes ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Henry powers out to the delight of the crowd! *
* 2 *
* Henry powers out to the delight of the crowd! *
With Henry throwing Rhodes halfway across the ring, the ‘Dashing’ superstar looks flustered as we head into the commercial break ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
SMACKDOWN returns with Mark Henry in control as he dominates Cody Rhodes and punishes him for his earlier disrespect. He whips Rhodes into the corner of the ring and runs over to hit a body avalanche in the corner that leaves Rhodes gasping for air and down on his knee in the corner. A replay of Rhodes being slammed on the outside is shown as the turning point of the match from during the break as Henry looks to hurt him more. He drags Rhodes up and locks in a standing bear hug that begins to drive the air out of Cody’s body as he struggles to break free. Henry will not relent and grips his hands together behind his opponent’s back and drives his shoulder into the mid-section of Rhodes as he locks the hold in tighter. Rhodes tries to break out by hitting Henry in the back but it has little effect and Henry holds on in the centre of the ring with the referee now checking on Cody Rhodes.
Rhodes is desperately trying to reach the ropes now as the air is driving out of him and Henry refuses to let go. He begins to edge closer to the ropes and eventually manages to scrape his fingers around them to force the break. Henry looks annoyed and pushes Rhodes in the chest so that he goes back first into the turnbuckle. As Rhodes comes out, Henry scoops him up and drops him down over his knee once, twice, three times before letting Rhodes fall to the mat clutching his side. Pinfall from Mark Henry ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Rhodes somehow kicks out weakly! *
* 2 *
* Rhodes somehow kicks out weakly! *
As Henry stands back for a moment, Rhodes crawls to the ropes and hangs over the middle rope. Big mistake. Henry sees this and runs over before leaping onto the back of Rhodes’ neck and sliding through the ropes choking Cody over the middle rope. Henry rolls back into the ring and signals for the World’s Strongest Slam to the pleasure of the fans. He lifts Rhodes up but the ‘Dashing’ one wriggles free and manages to lock in an inverse face lock. Quickly, Rhodes hits the Cross Rhodes to Henry – a little messy but impressive nonetheless – and goes for the quick pin. Can Rhodes get the 3 count?
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
WINNER: Cody Rhodes (5:02)
Rhodes heads out of the arena with a look of shock on his face that he managed to pick up the win after the beating he took but then composes himself and regains the arrogant attitude that has taken him this far. Henry looks annoyed and there is definitely still some ill feeling between the pair as well as their respective tag teams.
The camera switches to the backstage area where Big Show is walking down the corridor wearing a blue SMACKDOWN t-shirt. He looks happy to be here and shakes hands with some of the backstage people before rounding a corner and stopping suddenly. The camera spins around to reveal that CM Punk is in his path and it seems he has a proposition for Big Show. Punk reminds Show that last week he declined a place on Team Smackdown because he wasn’t happy with the fact that Big Show had defeated him to become captain. Punk suggests that Big Show is not the captain that SMACKDOWN needs and challenges Big Show to a match tonight – if Punk wins, he gets to be the captain of SMACKDOWN instead. Big Show agrees but also suggests that if he wins, CM Punk will be on Team Smackdown anyway. Punk thinks for a moment and agrees and the pair head separate ways with tonight’s main event now set ...
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********
SMACKDOWN returns with highlights of the four Quarter Finals of the World Championship Tournament so far. The announcement is played whilst highlights of Christian’s win over Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre’s win over Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne’s defeat of Alberto Del Rio via DQ and the return of Matt Hardy with a win over Dolph Ziggler are shown. The video ends and Cole and Foley discuss tonight’s Semi Final matches: Christian vs. Drew McIntyre and Matt Hardy vs. Evan Bourne. Foley picks out Matt Hardy as the man that he thinks will win the right to challenge Kane at Survivor Series ...
*** CLAVICLE ***
In the first Semi Final, it will be Evan Bourne and Matt Hardy and here comes Evan Bourne to the ring. He looks delighted to be in the Semi Final and he gets a nice pop from the crowd as he heads into the ring. However, the clear fans favourite will be his opponent ...
*** LIVE FOR THE MOMENT ***
After his return last week, Matt Hardy is now here in the Semi Finals and looking to prove that he is the man that should face Kane at Survivor Series. He heads to the ring to a great reception after his recent sabbatical – remember that Hardy almost quit the WWE – and looks pumped up and ready. The two faces slap hands in a sign of respect before their match but then the bell is rung and we are ready to go with the serious business ...
SEMI FINAL: EVAN BOURNE vs. MATT HARDY
The two lock up and the match is on the way. Several times, the referee has to break the pair up as they roll into the ropes before Evan Bourne manages to hit an Inzuguri to Hardy that takes him down with a crash. Bourne looks to take advantage as uses many of his high flying moves hitting Hardy with a knee to the jaw before a standing moonsault that allows him to make a cover on Matt Hardy ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Matt Hardy kicks out! *
* 2 *
* Matt Hardy kicks out! *
As Hardy staggers to his feet in the corner, Evan rushes over and hits a high knee to the side of Hardy’s head before allowing Hardy to fall to his knees. Bourne climbs to the top rope and flies off the rope and takes Hardy down with knees on the shoulder that takes Hardy down. Another cover from Evan Bourne ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Hardy kicks out for a second time! *
* 2 *
* Hardy kicks out for a second time! *
Bourne hits the ropes and heads back over towards Hardy where he goes for a standing hurricanrana but Matt Hardy manages to block it and tosses Bourne away onto his back on the mat. Hardy buys himself some time by hitting a neckbreaker that leaves both men struggling on the mat. He whips Bourne into the corner of the ring and then runs over to hit a clothesline before then taking Evan down with a bulldog to the mat. Hardy goes for his first pinfall of the match in this fast paced contest ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Evan Bourne! *
* 2 *
* Kick out from Evan Bourne! *
Hardy lifts Bourne up and suplexes him down onto his back with a crash before lifting himself up onto the middle rope. He shouts out ‘Ohhhhhhh!’ whilst striking the typical ‘Hardy’ pose and dropping a huge leg drop to Evan Bourne on the mat. Hardy with a second pinfall ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Bourne kicks out again! *
* 2 *
* Bourne kicks out again! *
Hardy waits for Bourne to get to his feet before grabbing Evan and setting up for the Side Effect move. However, Bourne manages to fight out with elbows to the head and that pushes Hardy away from him before Bourne looks to hit Hardy with several kicks to the legs and chest. Hardy staggers back as Bourne puts the boots to him and Bourne lifts him up so he is sat on the top rope. Bourne jumps up and this time he manages to hit the hurricanrana to his opponent. Bourne goes for the cover ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* Hardy with the shoulder up! *
* 2 *
* Hardy with the shoulder up! *
Another Inzuguri from Bourne sends Hardy down onto his back again and then heads up for the top rope with a grin on his face. Bourne holds his hand up and then goes for the ‘Air Bourne’ finisher ... However, Hardy gets his knees up and manages to defend himself and sends Bourne across the ring clutching his chest and gasping hard. Hardy drags Bourne up and this time he does manage to hit the Side Effect that leaves Bourne down on the mat. Hardy thinks about the pinfall but decides to finish Evan Bourne off first. Looking to seal a place in the Final, he pulls Bourne up and sets up for his finishing move. Hardy looks round and hits the Twist of Fate to crash Bourne down again. Surely it is over now? Hardy goes for the pin ...
* 1 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
* 2 *
* 3 *
WINNER: Matt Hardy (6:43)
Matt Hardy celebrates in the ring as Evan Bourne slides out of the ring looking disappointed but respectful of the effort from his opponent. A nod from Hardy to Bourne shows respect but he is clearly delighted to be in the Final of the tournament and will now turn his attention towards next week’s final against Christian or Drew McIntyre, both of whom he has had past rivalries with, for a chance to go for the World Title at Survivor Series!
********** COMMERCIAL BREAK **********