WWE Monday Night Raw
Atlanta, Georgia
October 31, 2011
Commentators: Jerry Lawler & Michael Cole
Reported by: David Stephens of Wrestleview.com
The Muppets Present: WWE RAW SuperShow Halloween Extravaganza!
Are you ready to play the music? Are you ready to light the lights? Because it’s time to meet the Muppets on RAW Supershow tonight!
The Rock appears on the screen and says that regardless of the feelings between himself and John Cena, it is more important that they do what the fans want. They want to see The Miz and R-Truth be beaten, so John Cena will get his wish. The Rock will team with Cena to take on The Miz and R-Truth at Survivor Series. The Rock does warn Cena that aside from beating up their opponents, The Rock also wants Cena to witness the greatness of The Rock while he stands on the ring apron during their match. Rock says Cena will see how a real man gets it done. The Rock launches into a slew of catch phrases. He says this is the only time he will ever team with Cena – never before, never again. If you SM-E-LLLLL, what The Rock is cooking!
Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler welcome us to the show and preview the night’s episode
CM Punk v. World Heavyweight Champion: Mark Henry
If Punk wins this non-title match, he will face Alberto Del Rio at Survivor Series for the WWE Championship.
Before the match starts, John Laurinaitis comes out on the ramp and reminds us that he is the Executive VP of Talent Relations and Interim General Manager of RAW. He reaffirms that if CM Punk wins this match, he will have his Title shot against Alberto Del Rio.
Henry kicks Punk down and into the corner. He whips Punk back first into the turnbuckles, but Punk tries to counter a punch. Punk leaps from the top rope, but Henry catches him in midair and slams him down to the mat. Cover, but Punk kicks out. Punk hits a couple of punches, but gets tossed out onto the apron. Punk springboards in and hits the lariat. Punk goes to the top rope and leaps for the elbow. It’s a beauty and Punk goes for the cover! Henry kicks out.
Alberto Del Rio walks down the ramp with Ricardo Rodriguez. Del Rio tells Ricardo to get in the ring. He cautiously does… and then begins to attack Mark Henry! Ricardo then grabs a shoe and begins to hit Henry with it. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner via DQ: Mark Henry
Furious that he didn’t win a shot at the Title, Punk suicide dives out of the ring to collide with Del Rio and Ricardo. Punk slides Ricardo back into the ring as Alberto heads up the ramp. Mark Henry lifts up Ricardo and hits the World’s Strongest Slam.
****Commercial****
During the break we learn that there will be a 3 Hour RAW in 2 weeks entitled RAW Gets Rocked!
Justin Roberts introduces the Muppets as the Special Guest Hosts. There is a table set up on the ramp and Kermit and Missy Piggy say their hellos. Vickie Guerrero comes out with Jack Swagger to interrupt. Vickie says that she is the original Diva. Swagger threatens to eat Kermit’s frog legs. They bicker back and forth and then Missy Piggy and Vickie launch into an excuse me chest bump exchange. Santino Marella comes out and says that Swagger shouldn’t be out here playing with the Muppets, he should be getting ready for his match. Swagger held his hand over Kermit’s mouth so that he couldn’t say anything, much to the crowd’s amusement. Miss Piggy and Kermit then give a Woo, Woo, Woo, You Know It, since Zack Ryder will be wrestling tonight. Kelly Kelly then makes her way onto the ramp to enter for her match. On the way she stops by the booth and gives Kermit a kiss. Miss Piggy does not look pleased as we head to commercial.
****Commercial****
Divas Battle Royal
This match features most of the active roster in their Halloween costumes. The Winner will become the #1 Contender for the Divas Title. The final four are Alicia Fox, Natalya, Kelly Kelly and Eve Torres. Alicia is eliminated first, followed quickly by Kelly. Eve pushes Natalya through the ropes and wins the match.
Winner: Eve Torres
In the back, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew is with Beaker. He sends Beaker on an errand with a mixture. Beaker bumps into Christian. Christian takes the mixture and pours it out and calls him a nerd. Sheamus walks into the shot and asks if there is a problem. Christian walks away. Sheamus begins to talk with Beaker and assures him that he won’t hurt him. Sheamus fixes Beaker’s hair to match his own.
Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston (aka Air Boom) make their entrances and will be in action next!
****Commercial****
Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston v. Cody Rhodes & Wade Barret
Bourne starts off against Cody and hits a series of kicks. Kofi gets the tag and tries to continue the attack. Cody reverses a whip into the corner, but Kofi kicks him in the face. Wade gets kicked off the apron and Kofi tries to springboard back into the ring. Rhodes kicks at the rope and Kofi falls to the mat. Wade gets the tag and hits a tilt-a-whirl side slam. Kofi kicks out of the cover. Wade cinches on a modified chinlock. Kofi gets a punch to the face, but kicks out of the cover. Rhodes gets the tag and punches Kofi in the gut. He begins to stomp on him in the corner until the referee pulls him off. The crowd shows their disproval. Rhodes hits a snapmare and then goes to a side clutch. Wade gets the tag and double teams with Cody. Rhodes gets the tag back in and bounces Kofi off the ropes and punches him in the face. Kofi finally gets free and tags in Evan. Bourne hits a sequence but it looks like Wade counters into Wasteland. At the last second Bourne slides into the DDT. Cover, but Cody breaks it up. Kofi comes into the ring to go after Cody, but is thrown out of the ring. Evan goes to the top rope, but Cody causes a distraction and Wade hits Wasteland. This match is over.
Winners: Cody Rhodes & Wade Barret
Christian runs down after the match to help continue the beatdown on the tag champions. Sheamus runs down to make the save and demolishes Cody with a Brogue Kick.
Waldorf and Statler are shown providing a little commentary after the match.
John Laurinaitis is in his office as Punk walks in to talk. Punk demands he get his Title shot because Ricardo purposely got him disqualified to cost him the match. John says that if Del Rio will grant him a shot, then Punk can have his match. Punk says that those conditions seem fair.
****Commercial****
Alberto Del Rio v. The Big Show
Del Rio is immediately over powered and hit with a series of hard blows to the midsection and chest. Big Show blocks a punch and head butts Del Rio. Show hits a HARD slap and it forces Rio to his knees. Show has Rio’s neck against the second and rope and uses his body for leverage to choke his opponent. Show looks to be in pain, but he is staying on the offense and dropping Del Rio to the mat over and over again. Big Show hits a suplex, and goes for the cover. Alberto kicks out. Show hits a splash and Rio is squirming on the mat. Show hits a knee and then throws his opponent into the corner. Del Rio counters with a kick, and then tries to work on Show’s leg to try and drop him. Del Rio jumps on his back and applies a sleeper. It appears to be working as Show is losing strength. Show somehow survives the lengthy choke out session, and throws Rio to the mat. Alberto slides out of the ring. Show follows after and connects with punches before sliding into the ring to stop the count. Rio is hit with a big knee against the barricade. Show slides in to break the count again. He heads back over to Rio and continues the attack. Alberto gets a crucial shot to the back of Show, and then hits a step up kick. The referee begins the ten count, but Rio is in the ring in time to save it. Rio brings Show back in, and unloads with vicious kicks. Rio goes for the cover, but Show throws him off! Rio tries for a front headlock, but Show is able to slowly power his way free. Both men are on their back and the referee begins a ten count. They get to their feet and exchange blows. Show has the early advantage, but Rio tries for a cover. Show kicks out. Rio goes back to the front headlock. Show tosses Rio out of the ring as we head to commercial.
****Commercial****
Back from the break, Del Rio is trying to work the knee of Show. Del Rio counters a choke slam, but rolling into a DDT. Cover, but Show kicks out and sends Rio flying out of the ring! Alberto comes back into the ring and has Show in the corner. Rio runs for a high knee, but Big Show connects with his big right hand! This match is over.
Winner: The Big Show
After the match, CM Punk walks down to ringside and grabs a microphone. He heads back into the ring with the mic and a water bottle. Punk pours the water to wake up Rio, and then takes a seat. Punk says he is about to ask Del Rio a question. He puts on the Anaconda Vice and demands Rio give him the match, or else he won’t release. Del Rio relents and Punk announces that he said yes. Punk’s mic doesn’t work at first, but it comes on. Punk will now face Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series!
In the back, we see Fozzy Bear with Gonzo. Gonzo tells Fozzy that he could be a Champion if he tried. Vickie, Swagger and Dolph walk into the shot. Swagger stretches out Gonzo’s arm and then wraps them around his head. Ziggler says that if any of their friends interrupt their match later tonight, the same thing will happen to them.
****Commercial****
Animal is the special guest bell ringer for this match.
Jack Swagger w/ Vickie Guerrero v. Santino Marella
Santino looks joyous, but Swagger immediately begins to punch him. Swagger then does pushups on Santino. Swagger whips him into the corner and charges for a splash. Santino blocks it with a kick and then begins to fight back with punches. Swagger knees him in the gut and follows with a punch. Swagger does some more pushups as the crowd chants for Santino. Swagger is dropped to the mat and Santino goes for a cover. Swagger kicks out and goes straight to an ankle lock. Santino frees himself, and sees Beaker by the side of the ring. It’s the mixture from earlier. Santino takes a drink, and has trouble swallowing it. Swagger spins him around, and Santino spits the substance in his face. Santino goes for a roll up, and this match is over!!
Winner via Beaker’s Help: Santino
****Commercial****
Zack Ryder v. Dolph Ziggler w/ Vickie Guerrero
They exchange blows and Ziggler takes the advantage. Dolph slows the pace down and connects with punch after punch. Ziggler tries for a neckbreaker, but Zack reverses and then counters a splash. Ryder hits a missile dropkick from the second rope, and Ziggler is sent out of the ring. Ryder springboards to the outside and hits Dolph with a crossbody!
****Commercial****
Back from the break, Ziggler is in control with an arm bar. Dolph releases and hits a jumping elbow. Ryder kicks out of the cover. Dolph hits a neckbreaker, and then kicks up. The crowd is showing their disproval as Vickie cheers them on. Dolph tries to lift up Ryder, but goes flying into the ring post. Ryder exchanges blows and then face plants him. Zack throws him into the corner and unloads with punches. Ryder hits a running punch which drops Dolph to the ground. Zack hits a running boot, and goes for the cover. Ziggler kicks out.
Ziggler goes for a splash, but Ryder catches him and drops him hard for a cover. The referee counts to three, but the referee sees that Dolph’s leg is under the rope, so he declares that the match is not over. Ryder tries to chase him around the ring, and then uses a Vickie distraction to attack Ryder. Dolph leaps for the Zig Zag, but Ryder dodges and hits the Rough Ryder! This match is over.
Winner via Rough Ryder: Zack Ryder
****Commercial****
We see a recap of the HHH/Kevin Nash/John Laurinaitis segment from last week’s RAW
Michael Cole stands up on the commentators’ booth and says that his segment with Ross will not be occurring tonight because Jim Ross is not here. Ross is not here because he is having bowel troubles. He then holds up a diaper and says that Ross should have worn an adult diaper and accepted the challenge.
Statler and Waldorf are shown mocking Michael Cole.
Miss Piggy is in the back with John Morrison. She is rubbing his abs and trying to seduce him. Morrison says that he isn’t free, but he has a friend who is. Hornswoggle takes a seat and shows Miss Piggy his tattoo of her. He leans in for a kiss, and Miss Piggy is not happy. She punches him in the gut, and scurries off. Kermit comes over to console Hornswoggle, but Cody Rhodes walks into the shot and places a brown paper bag over Kermit’s face.
Statler and Waldorf are shown again and they make a joke about not being able to see, a la Cena’s gesture.
****Commercial****
John Cena v. The Miz
This match starts as the overrun begins. This is the same city where Wrestlemania was held, making it a rematch of locational importance. They lock up and Cena has a side headlock. He releases and hits a clubbing blow followed by a kick to the midsection. The Miz is whipped into the corner and caught with a fisherman suplex. Cena leaps for a big dropkick and goes for the cover. Miz kicks out. Cena runs towards the corner but Miz dodges and kicks him in the head. Miz stomps across his back and then mounts Cena for some punches. Miz kicks Cena in the face and goes for the cover, Cena kicks out. Miz goes for the side headlock as the crowd begins to become very vocal. Cena almost powers his way through, but Miz kicks him in the gut. Cena rolls towards the corner and Miz runs hard for a splash. Miz connects and takes a moment to smile. Miz heads to the top rope and leaps. He connects with the axe handle and goes for the cover, Cena kicks out. Miz kicks him in the back, and goes to a rear headlock. Cena finally escapes and begins to bring the doom. Shoulder blocks and a side slam lead to the 5 Knuckle Shuffle. Cena looks for the AA, but gets caught in a DDT! Miz cover, but Cena kicks out. Miz goes for a kick, but Cena dodges only to be caught with Miz’s neck/back breaker combination. Miz looks for the Skull Crushing Finale, but Cena throws him into the corner and slams into him hard. Cena hits a clothesline that spins Miz inside out! Cover, but Miz kicks out. Cena heads to the top rope, but Miz follows after. Miz is looking for a superplex, but Cena fights free. Miz is thrown into the ring, and Cena leaps after with a leg drop. It connects, and Cena goes for the cover. Miz kicks out! Cena looks stunned. Miz gets to his feet and hits a DDT out of nowhere. Cena kicks out, and throws Miz out of the ring. Cena follows after and throws Miz into the barricade. Cena goes over to Miz, but gets grabbed by a guy in a Scream costume. Cena punches him, and Miz tries to capitalize. Cena shrugs it off, and goes for the STF. Miz taps!
Winner via STF: John Cena
After the match the guy in the Scream costume runs into the ring. Cena lifts him up and hits the Attitude Adjustment! Cena pulls off his mask, and reveals that it is R-Truth! Cena celebrates as the show goes off the air.
David’s Thoughts
I just watched two plus hours of half-naked and oiled men play with puppets and roll around with each other while pretending to fight. What an absolutely ridiculous way to spend my evening… but I kind of liked it?
I’m filling in on tonight’s live edition of Wrestleview Radio, so tune in now to hear my detailed thoughts. Tonight’s edition is free! I’ll add my written thoughts to the site tomorrow.
Click here for my Raw thoughts on a free “Wrestleview Radio” podcast
Happy Halloween!
I do read every single e-mail you guys send, even the Facebook comments below, and really appreciate hearing your thoughts. Send me some e-mails, and have a safe week everyone!
– David Stephens
Follow me on Twitter!@TheDaveStephens
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!
