Monday Night RAW
London, England
April 25th 2011
Commentators: Jerry “The King” Lawler, Michael Cole, Josh Mathews & Jim Ross
Reported by: David Stephens of WrestleView.com
Are you ready for 2011 WWE Draft? Then stop questioning your heart and join me because it is time for Monday Night RAW!!!
Special thanks to Josh Boutwell for covering the first part of RAW for me tonight
RAW opens up with a 20-Man RAW vs. Smackdown Battle Royal underway! The winning side earns 1 draft pick for their brand!
20-Man RAW vs. Smackdown Battle Royal
RAW wrestlers are wearing red RAW shirts and Smackdown wearing blue Smackdown shirts. Everyone is brawling around and KANE is eliminated by Evan Bourne, Kozlov, & Shaemus! Khali & Big Show are battling on the ropes and then other Smackdown stars come over and they come together to eliminate GREAT KHALI! On the other side Ted DiBiase Jr. almost eliminates Kofi Kingston but he lands on the apron and is able to get back in the ring. Drew McIntyre tosses Daniel Bryan over the top but Bryan is able to hold on. The camera catches KOZLOV on the outside and someone eliminated him, we ese a replay of I think Cody Rhodes eliminating him. Ezekial Jackson dumps Evan Bourne over the top but Bourne lands on the apron and Mark Henry comes from behind Jackson and dumps him over the top! EZEKIAL JACKSON is eliminated! Henry now eliminates HEATH SLATER! Henry tosses CHRIS MASTERS over now! Now DiBiase tosses Wade Barrett over the top eliminating BARRET! Kofi tosses TED DIBIASE over the top eliminating him! MARK HENRY & BRODUS CLAY eliminate each other! Big Show tosses YOSHI TATSU over the top eliminating him! Shaemus almost eliminates Rhodes but McIntyre saves him. McIntyre goes for his DDT on Shaemus but Shaemus blocks it and then tries to knock McIntyre out of the ring, but McIntyre side steps him. Shaemus goes over the top but lands on the apron! Shaemus tries to get back in but McIntyre knocks him out! SHAEMUS is eliminated!
——————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK——————————–
Back from commercials Big Show squashes Daniel Bryan as Bryan was on his back! Big Show dropped back straight down on his back. 4 from RAW left and 4 left for Smackdown! McIntyre lifts Bourne up and tosses him over the top, but Bourne holds onto the top rope and pulls MCINTYRE over eliminating him! Big Show tosses Santino over the top but Santino holds on. Santino tries to do the Cobra on Show from the apron, but Show blocks it and makes Santino do the Cobra on himself to eliminate SANTINO! Mason Ryan grabs Cody Rhodes and tosses him out of the ring eliminating CODY! Kofi eliminates DANIEL BRYAN! It’s down to Kofi & Show vs. Ryan & Bourne. Show and Kofi jump the RAW guys and Ryan-Show pair off. Show tries to eliminate Ryan but Ryan blocks it and then Bourne backdrops Kofi over the top! Kofi lands on the apron! Bourne goes for a Roundhouse Kick but Kofi catches his leg and hits Bourne with a forearm. Kofi hits Bourne with a Shoulder Block through the ropes and then he lifts Bourne up into the air for a Backdrop, but Bourne slides down Kofi’s back and hangs on. Bourne is able to lift himself back up on to the apron! Kofi tries to stomp on Bourne but he rolls back into the ring and goes for a Leg Sweep but Kofi slingshots himself over Bourne back into the ring! Bourne nails Kofi with a big Leaping Knee Strike! Awesome sequence! Show grabs Bourne and tosses him into the corner. Bourne climbs up top and then jumps off of Mason Ryan’s back onto Show! Show catches Bourne in mid air and LITERALLY tosses BOURNE out of the ring to eliminate him! Mason Ryan is all alone now. Kofi and Show double team Ryan but he fights them off. Kofi hits a See-Saw Kick on Ryan in the corner and then Show tosses Ryan over the top! SMACKDOWN WINS!
Winners: Team Smackdown (Kofi & Big Show)
The first draft picks are up now!
The first RAW start drafted to join Smackdown is…JOHN DAMN CENA! The raw roster can’t believe it and Cena comes out onto the stage and puts on a Smackdown t-shirt! Cole points out that Cena has been on RAW for 6 years! Talk about an interesting way to kick off RAW!
——————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK——————————–
In the back Todd Grisham welcomes the newest member of Smackdown, John Cena. He asks Cena to react to the draft and he says he’s shocked but SyFy will party like it’s “1999” and this is the biggest move in years. He makes a bunch of Sci-Fi references and he says he has to change like “Dennis Rodman going from a man to a woman and back to a man” and then he says the biggest change will be win he walks out of Extreme Rules the WWE Champion and bring the WWE Title back to Smackdown. The Miz walks up and laughs. Miz says it’s too bad Cena’s last match will be losing to Miz. Miz laughs and says “after this Sunday when it comes to Raw, you’re right, I can’t see you” and does the “You Cant See Me” hand gesture and walks off. Cena just stares as Miz walks away.
At ringside the announces talk about the draft and Cole is wearing a Team Cole hoodie. He says tonight it will be J.R. vs. Cole! He says he will BBQ J.R. and says it will be the Main Event. They then talk about R-Truth’s heel turn last week and then we see a video package about it.
R-Truth then walks out onto the stage without any music and says “RALEIGH…NORTH CAROLINA…” but instead of saying “WASSUP” he says “SHUT UP!”. The fans boo and he says that they should be booing themselves. R-Truth says the topic of the day is “you” and he says that’s wassup. He says it’s all about “you.” He says last week his friend, John Morrison, and then stops as the fans chant “what” and says “y’all gone stop with that what.” R-Truth keeps stopping as they continue the “WHAT” chant (thank you Stone Cold *sarcasm*). He says Morrison challenged him for his spot in the Title Match at Extreme Rules and stops again and says the fans are pissing him the hell off with the “what” chants. He says he want let them get to him and then starts again. He asks why Morrison challenged him, and says it’s because of “you” (the fans). He says he accepted because of “you” and he says “you” wanted him to. He says he also lost because of “you.” This gets a lot of boos. R-Truth says he’s starting to realize that he spent his entire career trying to please and be what “you” wanted him to. He says that got him nowhere and he says he came out rapping and dancing every week just so the fans can dance and rap along with him. R-Truth says “a lot of y’all need to get some rhythm, a lot of y’all be out of tune and off beat.” He mocks fans singing R-Truth’s “wassup” song and this is freaking hilarious. Truth asks if he makes the fans smile with “Wassup” and then asks if the fans singing that with him put titles around his waist? Truth says the kids that like to sing his song can wipe their noses and shutup. He says for 10 years he chose the fans but now he’s officially giving each and every one of the fans the boot. He says “peace out” and again says the fans should be booing themselves. Truth calls a fan “four eyes” and then says he’s had 10 years of frustration and disappointment, but when he let that go it felt marvelous. He says he’s being honest and for the first time in his life the “TRUTH” has set him free. JOHN MORRISON attacks Truth from behind!
Morrison beats on Truth until referees runs out and pull him off Truth. Morrison breaks away from the referee’s and attacks Truth again! Finally the referees pull him off.
——————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK——————————–
Another Awesome Kong promo airs.
Eve Torres is in the ring wearing a RAW shirt but she takes it off thankfully. Another draft pick is on the line. Layla will represent Smackdown. God, she is hot.
Eve Torres vs. Layla
Michelle McCool walks out behind Layla and Mathews says they are trying to reconcile. They show footage of McCool beating Layla’s ass last week. Damn I love those little short shorts. Layla attacks Eve at the bell and goes for a whip but Eve counters into an awful STO. McCool distracts Layla and Cole then interrupts the match and says as much as he’d love to sit and watch the “awe inspiring charisma laden Eve” and Eve rolls up Layla and gets the win!
Winner: Eve via pinfall (rollup)
Cole says he’d fall asleep if he kept watching and he says unlike the divas he’s a real athlete. He says he has to go through a very extensive pre-match exercise. He says he wants us to sit back and watch his clinic tonight. He says he will dissect our hero, “King Kong Flabby” Jim Ross. He says after he’s done with J.R. he’ll have BAR-B-Q sauce spraying out of his belly button.
At ringside Layla attacks Michelle McTaker and slams her head into the guardrail repeatedly! She then throws her into the ring apron and says “I’m sick of this” and I guess the Bootleg Beautiful People are officially over. She then throws McCool onto the announce table! Layla starts crying for some stupid reason. That is not attractive Layla. McCool is crying now too, oh god.
THE FIRST DRAFT PICK FOR RAW IS…REY MYSTERIO JR.!
The Raw roster celebrates and then REY comes out onto the stage and gets a huge ovation. Rey applauds coming back to RAW and then his pyro goes off as he runs around the stage. We see a clip of the Raw roster celebrating again and Rey puts the RAW shirt on.
In the back J.R. is (sort of) doing jumping jacks in a Oklahoma jersey.
——————————-COMMERCIAL BREAK——————————–
…and I’m back
Kofi Kingston v. Sheamus
Kingston hits the Trouble in Paradise to defeat the United States Champion, and earns a draft pick for Smackdown.
Winner via Trouble in Paradise: Kofi Kingston
Smackdown receives: Randy Orton
After his selection, the Viper appears on the entrance ramp and dons a Smackdown T-shirt.
****Commercial****
Michael Cole w/ Jack Swagger v. Jim Ross
Booker T has joined in on commentary for this match.
Jim Ross is dressed in dress pants, an Oklahoma Sooners jersey, and a cowboy hat. The two square off in the middle of the ring as Cole mocks the size of Ross. Apparently he hasn’t taken a look in the mirror. Cole jumps out of the ring and grabs the hat of Ross which was being held by the ring keeper. He waltzes back into the ring wearing it. He places the hat on the ground and stomps upon it. Ross is not too pleased. Cole walks over to his corner were Swagger dabs his face with a towel. He then proceeds to do pushups to show his “great physique and strength”. Ross grabs him by the singlet, and chucks him down to the mat. The referee holds back Ross as Cole calls for a time out. Swagger places a stool in the ring and provides Cole with water. Back on his feet, Cole stares down Ross. Cole runs to scoop slam Ross, but he is unable to lift him. Finally he gets him in the air, but Ross falls back down onto Cole! Ross begins to punch at Cole! Cole runs out of the ring, but Lawler throws him back in! Swagger then attacks Lawler and slides into the ring. Swagger begins to stomp on Ross as the referee calls for the DQ.
Winner via DQ: Jim Ross
After the match, Swagger puts the ankle lock on Ross. A shot of Cole’s face shows that his lip is busted open! Cole yanks Ross’s belt off (bow chicka wow wow) and proceeds to beat him with it! Lawler runs back into the ring to make the save. He throws Swagger to the outside and takes the belt from Cole. He proceeds to whip Cole!
*GeneralMail Alert
This Sunday at Extreme Rules, Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler v. Jack Swagger & Michael Cole will be a tag team country whipping match!
Scott Stanford is in the back with The Miz & Alex Riley. Miz mocks the fact that The Rock is having a birthday celebration on next week’s RAW. Miz says that he will win his match at Extreme Rules. Cena will go to Smackdown as a loser, and John Morrison is always a loser. He says that the RAW roster must be praying that he doesn’t get drafted to Smackdown, because if he does, within one month, RAW will be cancelled.
****Commercial****
We see a recap of Orton defeating CM Punk on RAW last week, and the contention between the Nexus members.
Dolph Ziggler v. Randy Orton
Ziggler backs Orton in to the corner and then drags him into the middle of the ring for a cover. Ziggler locks on a rear choke. Orton gets to his feet and lands a blow to Ziggler. Orton rolls to the outside of the ring, and Ziggler follows after. Dolph hits a dropkick on the outside! Orton falls over the guard rail and the referee begins a ten count. Orton gets back in the ring and hits a Thesz Press. Orton connects with the Angle Slam, and then goes for a cover, but Ziggler kicks out. Orton hits his back breaker and starts to pound on the mat. Ziggler tries for a messy roll up, but Orton kicks out. Orton hits the RKO out of nowhere and this match is over.
Winner via RKO: Randy Orton
Smackdown receives –
CM Punk comes out on the entrance ramp and says that the draft pick can wait, because he has something to say. He addresses Orton and says that he is going to destroy him at the Extreme Rules PPV. Punk says that a simple RKO out of nowhere will not win the match for him at PPV. Punk says that Orton is going to be going to Smackdown a shell of what he used to be. Orton says that there are many things he is going to miss about RAW, but one thing he will not miss is having to hear Punk babble on and on. He claims that after Sunday Punk is going to be nothing but sleeping unconscious, because Orton will be the Last Man Standing.
Smackdown receives –
****Commercial****
Smackdown receives: Mark Henry & Sin Cara
Wade Barret v. Rey Mysterio
Barret whips Rey into the corner, but Rey bounces back and slides under his legs. Wade drops him on his back and goes for a cover. Rey kicks out. Wade pounds on him and goes for another cover. Rey kicks out. Orton whips behind Rey and begins to work the arms. Rey escapes and climbs the turnbuckle he hits a hurricarana and follows it up with the 619! Mysterio heads to the top rope and hits a frog splash, this match is over!
Winner via Frog Splash: Rey Mysterio
RAW receives: Big Show & Alberto Del Rio
In the back, Rio is visibly upset as he says good bye to Ricardo Rodriguez and Brodus Clay.
****Commercial****
Teddy Long announces tonight’s main event: CM Punk, The Miz & Alberto Del Rio v. Mark Henry, John Cena & Christian!
****Commercial****
CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio & The Miz w/ Alex Riley v. John Cena, Christian & Mark Henry
Christian and Miz start things off. The lock up and Miz hits a shoulder block. Christian gets back to his feet and looks for a lock up. Miz kicks him the gut but then gets sent into the ropes and hit with a forearm. Cena runs into the ring with the tag, and Miz bails.
****Commercial****
Back from the break, Miz is in the ring with Cena. Miz tags in Punk. Cena hits a dropkick and backs Punk into the corner. Henry gets the tag. He splash’s Punk and then steps on his stomach. Punk uses the ropes to escape. Christian gets the tag. He elbows Punk and then hits a flying uppercut from the second rope. Punk finally gets the momentum with a kick to the skull, and tags in Del Rio. Christian is backed into the corner and hit with an enziguiri. Miz gets the tag. Miz hits a running shoulder block, and then goes for the cover. Christian kicks out, but gets caught in a rear choke. Miz drags him back to the corner and tags in Punk. CM drops the leg and goes for the cover. Christian kicks out. Punk whips Christian hard into the corner, and Christian falls to the mat. Punk tags in Miz. Miz kicks Christian in the gut, and then Punk hits a parting kick to the back. Miz stares at Christian, deciding upon his next move. Christian takes advantage of the delay and looks for the Unprettier. Miz counters, and sets up the splash in the corner. Cover attempt, but Christian kicks out. Del Rio gets the tag. He runs into the ring and goes right for the arm of Christian. Christian gets to the corner to break the hold. He heads up the turnbuckle, but Del Rio follows after. Christian knocks him down to the mat, and sets up for the Tornado DDT. The move connects! Christian staggers to his corner and tags in John Cena. Miz also gets the tag. Cena starts his moves of doom and hits the side slam. He is looking for the 5 Knuckle, but Mark Henry runs into the ring and shoulder blocks Cena! Henry rolls out of the ring, and attacks Christian as well! Back inside the ring, Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale, and this match is over!
Winners via Skull Crushing Finale: CM Punk, The Miz & Alberto Del Rio
RAW receives: JOHN CENA!!!!!!
After the match, Cena completely clears the ring of everyone! He celebrates and once again dons a RAW t-shirt!
David’s Thoughts
I feel the same way about Cena bouncing between brands as I did about HHH doing it a couple years back. What was the point? I guess to work the crowd a bit, but in two weeks what will that really have accomplished?
Rey Mysterio to RAW is a move I predicted. I can’t wait for his eventual feud with Sin Cara – oh wait.
Randy Orton to Smackdown was a surprise. They must really be looking to shake up the entire foundation of the WWE. Tedesco will be happy, Smackdown is starting to look like less of a “B-brand” coming out of this draft.
Mark Henry to Smackdown might not be high impact, we’ll have to see how they choose to use him.
Sin Cara to Smackdown is disappointing. Mainly because I was hoping to see him feud with Mysterio. Oh well.
Big Show to RAW is… meh. I guess there was nothing to do with him on Smackdown.
Alberto Del Rio to RAW is another move I was hoping to receive. He’ll add a fun element to the brand with his antics.
Neither show is coming out of this draft with a strong advantage. Overall a pretty interesting show, but not the most memorable draft in history.
I do read every single e-mail you guys send, and really appreciate hearing your thoughts. Send me some e-mails, and have a safe week everyone!
– David Stephens
Follow me on Twitter!@davewrestleview
Visit WrestleView daily for unique columns, recaps, audio and more including my column That’s a Wrap! Also, check out my radio show for the WrestleView Radio Network called The Teacher’s Lounge with co-host Anthony “Mr. V” Valvo. If you’re a VIP member, you don’t want to miss it!
