WWE Monday Night RAW Results
January 5, 2015
Corpus Christi, Texas
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video kicks off the show that recaps the events of the final segment from last week’s RAW. Seth Rollins was a guest on Edge and Christian’s “Cutting Edge Peep Show.” Rollins first brought out Big Show before calling John Cena out. Cena didn’t respond at first, so they attacked Edge and Christian. Big Show set Edge’s head up on the Money in the Bank briefcase, and Rollins threatened to give him a Curb Stomp that could paralyze him if Cena didn’t bring back The Authority.
The new and improved RAW video plays, and we’re brought into the arena to see a huge pyrotechnics display. Michael Cole welcomes us to the show.
The Authority addresses the entire WWE roster
The ring is surrounded by the entire WWE locker room. John Cena stands in the center of the ring, and the crowd lightly boos him. Cena says that The Authority is back in power, and their first order of business is to gather the entire WWE roster around the ring so they can address them face-to-face. Before they do, he wants to apologize to the fans and his co-workers. His word is his bond, and he had to go back on his word by bringing The Authority back. Cena says he had no choice. When Seth Rollins said he would snap Edge’s neck, he thought he might be bluffing. He thought maybe he could slide into the ring like a Superman and save the day, but then he thought that maybe he couldn’t. Cena realized that the health and wellbeing of a friend, father, and husband is more important than The Authority being back in power. Cena promises everyone that 2015 will be a very tough year…
The Authority’s music hits, and they make their way to the stage to boos. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon soak in the reception from the crowd and look particularly satisfied. Stephanie says she hasn’t even said anything yet. This isn’t the way to kick off the first show of the year. Cena is all sad and sorry. Stephanie will show him how it’s done, and she enthusiastically welcomes the crowd to Monday Night RAW. She hopes everyone had an incredible New Year. They did because they knew they were coming back to do what they were born to do: entertain everyone because they know what’s best for them and business. Triple H says it was a little less than two months ago that they stood in the ring as the crowd cheered and laughed at them because they thought The Authority was gone for good all due to that face painted goof Sting. They told the fans that they would be begging for them to come back. They won’t admit it, but they were begging for them to come back. The crowd boos that. Triple H sarcastically says “Ho Ho Hogan” and the computerized general manager were good. This place was in chaos, exactly what they said it would be. Due to one man, the ship has righted its course. The WWE is back to where it should have always been because of one man. That man is the undisputed future of WWE, Mr. Money in the Bank, Seth Rollins.
Seth Rollins’ music hits, and he triumphantly makes his way to the stage. Rollins hugs The Authority before posing at the top of the stage. The crowd showers him with jeers and “You Sold Out” chants. Rollins says he wants to say hello to his good friend in yellow, John Cena. Rollins wishes Cena a Happy New Year. Triple H says all the people in attendance as well as the WWE Universe owes Rollins a debt of gratitude that they could never repay. The Authority owes him a debt of gratitude. While Rollins has created an epic moment right here and changed the course of WWE, they’ll give him as a “thank you” another chance to make history again. In a few weeks, John Cena will compete against Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. It’s going to be a hell of a match because as of this moment, that match is a triple threat match. It’ll be John Cena versus Seth Rollins versus Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins is over the moon, and he hugs Triple H.
Stephanie says there is one more person to thank, and that is Mr. Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect himself, John Cena. Cena can’t keep apologizing. Cena showed them something. Last week, he showed his true integrity and character when he made the decision to break the promise to not only himself and the locker room, but also the entire WWE Universe. Cena showed them that he knows what is truly best for business. Tonight, they’re not going to punish him. They’re going to honor him by showing how proud they are by declaring tonight “John Cena Appreciation Night.” The crowd is mixed to that. Stephanie says she knows he’s conflicted (or pretending to be), but his attendance is mandatory. She thinks they’ll be able to turn that frown upside down because she guarantees The Authority will deliver. Triple H says for the rest of the locker room, this is an all-new era for The Authority. It’s an era with no agendas or ulterior motives. This is a new Authority. Just like in life, all of them will get out what they put in. Everyone will get what they deserve. As for tonight, Dolph Ziggler shouldn’t go anywhere because he’ll fight right now. Ziggler will defend the WWE Intercontinental Championship against the man who never lost it: Bad News Barrett.
Booker T joins Michael Cole and JBL on commentary for the evening, as Jerry “The King” Lawler has been sick. Later tonight, we’ll see Roman Reigns face Big Show. Seth Rollins will also face Ryback. We’ll also see the first ever Ambulance Match on RAW with Dean Ambrose competing against Bray Wyatt.
-Commercial Break-
WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Bad News Barrett vs. Dolph Ziggler (c)
Eden Stiles does the in-ring introductions to give this a “big fight feel.” The bell rings, and they circle the ring. Ziggler quickly goes to the leg, but Barrett doesn’t go down. Barrett wrenches the arm, but Ziggler soon comes back with a side headlock. Barrett backs him to the corner and elbows him in the midsection. Barrett stomps him down in the corner before hitting a snap suplex for a one count. The commentators talk about how Barrett had to relinquish the title because of a shoulder injury in mid-2014. Ziggler flips through a back suplex attempt and dropkicks him down before dropping an elbow for a two count. Ziggler punches him before having a whip to the corner reversed. Ziggler goes for a slingshot, but Barrett catches him and kicks him in the ribs for a two count. Barrett applies a chin lock, but Ziggler quickly fights up. Barrett powers him down for a two count. Barrett drops a knee and reapplies the chin lock. Ziggler fights up and punches out, but Barrett pushes him into the ropes. Barrett goes for a spinning side slam, but Ziggler counters into a roll up for the win!
Winner and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Dolph Ziggler
Match Rating: *
Barrett immediately attacks Ziggler from behind and throws him out of the ring. Barrett throws Ziggler into the barricade a few times before bouncing him off the commentary table. Barrett then throws him into the steel stairs. Barrett gets him to his feet and slams his head off the steps before sending him headfirst into the ring post. Barrett drives him ribs-first into the ring apron, and he gets back in the ring. Barrett pulls him by the hair up to the apron before sending him shoulder-first into the ring post. Barrett again sends his shoulder into the ring post, and the referee is screaming at him to stop.
Kane’s music hits, and he’s back in his Corporate Kane attire. Kane apologizes because in their excitement they failed to mention that this match is two-out-of-three falls. Kane then orders the referee to ring the bell.
WWE Intercontinental Championship – Two-out-of-Three Falls
Bad News Barrett vs. Dolph Ziggler (c)
Ziggler is up in the series 1-0. The bell rings, and Barrett quickly big boots him before hitting The Wasteland to pick up the second fall of the match. Doctors check on Ziggler as he writhes around on the mat in pain. The series is tied 1-1.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see doctors still checking on Dolph Ziggler in the ring. Ziggler insists that he’s fine, and he pushes them out of the ring. Ziggler is clutching his shoulder. The bell sounds, and Barrett big boots him and hits The Wasteland, but Ziggler somehow kicks out. Barrett and Kane, who is seated at ringside, cannot believe it. Barrett covers again for a near fall. Barrett punches away at him before choking him on the ropes. Barrett ties him up in the ropes before kneeing away at him. Barrett then big boots him to the apron. Barrett pulls him into the ring and covers for a two count. Kane is seen anxiously watching at ringside. Barrett applies a surfboard stretch, but Ziggler fights up and punches out. Barrett sidesteps a dropkick and stomps him for a two count. Barrett elbows him in the injured shoulder a few times before applying a chin lock. Ziggler fights up and punches out. Ziggler ducks a clothesline and levels him with a dropkick. Ziggler goes for an avalanche in the corner, but Barrett sidesteps him. Barrett drops a knee for another two count. Barrett lays him across the top rope and clubs away at his back. Barrett backs up and kicks him in the midsection for a near fall. Barrett then goes back to the chin lock. Ziggler fights up and stuns him with a jawbreaker. Ziggler then sidesteps an avalanche in the corner.
Ziggler pulls himself to his feet and avalanches him in the corner before hitting a neckbreaker. Ziggler kicks him in the knee and goes for a famouser, but Barrett avoids it and connects with the Winds of Change for a near fall. Barrett rolls his elbow pad down and sets up in the corner. Ziggler slowly gets to his feet, but he ducks the Bull Hammer and connects with a superkick for a near fall. Kane looks astounded at ringside. Ziggler pulls himself up and sees Kane on the apron. Ziggler superkicks him off the apron and turns into a Bull Hammer! Barrett picks up the win and wins the championship!
Winner and new WWE Intercontinental Champion: Bad News Barrett
Match Rating: * 1/2
Bad News Barrett has become a 5-time WWE Intercontinental Champion. Barrett poses with the championship as Kane gets in the ring and claps for him. Barrett and Kane shake hands before Kane raises his arm for the crowd.
With tonight being “John Cena Appreciation Night,” they will be showing some of John Cena’s best moments. Footage is shown from 2002 when he debuted in a match against Kurt Angle. Later in that night, The Undertaker shook hands with Cena backstage.
-Commercial Break-
Roman Reigns will face Big Show later tonight. Last week, Reigns was having a match with Seth Rollins when Big Show, who was on commentary, interfered and attacked Reigns. Big Show threw him over the commentary table and tipped it on top of him. This past Friday on Smackdown, Reigns returned the favor by burying Big Show under the commentary table.
Renee Young is backstage with Roman Reigns. Renee asks what we can expect. Reigns says that he doesn’t know what to expect. Big Show is 7 feet tall and 450-pounds. All of that is coming from him. Big Show can expect a man that is faster than a speeding bullet and can leap over a tall building in a single bound. This man is more powerful than a locomotive. Big Show can expect him. Believe that.
Bray Wyatt is seen somewhere backstage. Wyatt asks what Dean Ambrose’s New Year’s Resolution is. Is it to become a better person? Is it to get to know his criminal father a little bit? Ambrose’s father did his time, which is unfortunately what’s going to happen to him. Ambrose is going away and will do his time. Ambrose made his bed and will rot in it. Tonight, when he slams that ambulance door shut on his lifeless body, it’ll mark the end their great journey. The Lunatic Fringe will become a lost soul forever trapped in his own nightmare. The Devil is real. It’s not just a man with red horns and a pointed tail. He is suffering and pain. Tonight, he walks beside him. Wyatt growls, “Run!” before his video flashes away.
-Commercial Break-
The Ascension makes their way to the ring. Viktor takes a microphone and says throughout the history of WWE, there has been many so called dominant tag teams such as Ax and Smash of Demolition. Konnor screams that they’ll destroy Demolition. Then there was the Road Warriors. Konnor says they’ll throw them right off the road. Konnor then has Viktor say, “Ohhhhh what a rush.” Konnor then says, “Oh what a joke.” Viktor says they are The Ascension. Konnor says, “Welcome to the wasteland.”
Two local wrestlers vs. The Ascension
Viktor will start the match for his team. Viktor slides around the first wrestler and takes some punches before pushing him back. Viktor clotheslines him down before chopping him in the corner. Konnor tags in and viciously knocks the second partner off the apron. They then hit the first wrestler with The Fall of Man for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The Ascension
Match Rating: N/A
Rusev and Lana are seen backstage. Lana says the American Christmas is over, but in two days, they’ll celebrate the Russian Christmas. Lana says they’ll give America some advice. Rusev warns America to keep its nose out of Russia’s business. America should keep its nose out of any country’s business. They want to be the police force of the world. How dare they disrespect any customs and traditions of another country? There is only one man that can lead this world into peace, and that is Vladimir Putin. Lana says only one man is undefeated and rises above the rest. That man is Rusev.
Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring. He’ll face Big Show, next.
-Commercial Break-
Another John Cena highlight for “John Cena Appreciation Night” is shown. This one showcases John Cena defeating JBL to win his first WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21 in 2005.
Roman Reigns vs. Big Show
The bell rings, and Reigns quickly ducks a clothesline before hitting some punches. Big Show reverses a whip and viciously spears him down for a near fall. Big Show head-butts him down before hitting a body shot. Reigns punches back, but Big Show blocks it and clubs him down. Big Show applies a chin lock and rakes the face. Big Show then body slams him down before stepping on him. Big Show kicks him in the midsection and stomps away at him in the corner. Reigns punches back, but Big Show responds with some more body shots and clubs him down. Big Show steps on him again before kneeing him in the face for a two count. Big Show talks a little trash before hitting a two-handed choke-bomb. Big Show steps on the surgically repaired midsection again before kicking him. Big Show gets him to his feet, but Reigns fights back. Reigns hits the ropes and jumps at him, but Big Show catches him and applies a bear hug. Reigns soon elbows out and hits the ropes for a clothesline, but Big Show doesn’t go down. Reigns tries again, but he’s met with the same result. Reigns then ducks a clothesline and takes him down with a clothesline.
Reigns connects with a Samoan Drop and punches the mat in the corner. Big Show quickly blocks a Superman Punch and shoves him over the top rope. Big Show goes outside, and Reigns powers him into the apron. Big Show blocks a shot into the steel steps and kicks him down. Big Show takes the top portion of the steel steps and cracks him in the head with it. The referee calls off the match.
Winner by Disqualification: Roman Reigns
Match Rating: 3/4 *
Big Show puts the stairs in the ring before throwing Reigns back in like a cruiserweight. Big Show goes to hit him with the stairs, but Reigns spears him down. The steel stairs land on Big Show’s head.
The commentators talk about how this show is airing live in India. Replays are shown of Triple H adding Seth Rollins to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at the Royal Rumble. Stephanie McMahon then declared the night to be John Cena Appreciation Night.
-Commercial Break-
Nikki Bella w/ Brie Bella vs. Natalya
Replays are shown of Tyson Kidd catching Nikki Bella from falling to the ground last week on RAW. This angered Natalya and caused her to lose to Nikki Bella.
Before the bell rings, Paige makes her way to the ring and hugs Natalya. The bell rings, and Natalya powers Nikki to the corner before punching away at her. Nikki elbows her in the face before hitting a head-scissor takeover. Nikki quickly clotheslines her down for a one count. Natalya slaps Nikki’s hand away and hits a side Russian Leg Sweep. Natalya goes for a Sharpshooter, but Nikki kicks her away. Nikki ducks a clothesline and hits a forearm to the face. Brie and Paige are arguing at ringside. Paige gets the better of Brie and sends her into the barricade. Natalya takes advantage of the distraction and rolls Nikki up for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Natalya
Match Rating: 1/4 *
Nikki quickly attacks Natalya from behind. Paige gets in the ring, but Nikki attacks her as well. Paige soon gets out of it and superkicks Nikki down. Paige checks on Natalya as The Bella Twins back up the ramp.
Dean Ambrose is seen backstage. Ambrose says he’s never been one to make a New Year’s Resolution. He doesn’t need to lose any weight, doesn’t need to save money, and isn’t worried about becoming a better person. That’s a lost cause anyway. All he cares about is kicking Wyatt’s ass all over the building and tossing him into the ambulance. There is no happy ending to their fairy tale. This match will be ugly, brutal, and dangerous. That’s the way he lives his life, and that’s the way he’ll end Wyatt’s.
-Commercial Break-
The commentators talk about Stuart Scott’s passing over the weekend.
Erick Rowan vs. Luke Harper
Special guest referees: Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury
Luke Harper looks happy to see J&J Security. Erick Rowan looks livid. The bell rings, and they lock up. Rowan backs Harper to the corner, and they physically back him away from the corner. Harper takes advantage of that by clotheslining him down. Harper kicks him in the face and uppercuts him. Harper has a whip to the opposite corner reversed on him. Rowan avalanches him and sends him to the corner. Rowan goes for another avalanche, but Noble and Mercury stand in his way. Harper goes for a cheap shot, but Rowan hits him with a spin kick. Rowan covers, but Noble and Mercury can’t decide on who will count. Rowan argues with them before turning into a Discus Clothesline from Harper. Noble fast counts, and Harper gets the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Luke Harper
Match Rating: 1/4 *
Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury double-team Rowan. Rowan pushes them back, and Harper runs back down to the ring to give him another Discus Clothesline. Noble talks a little trash before they connect with stereo dropkicks to the head. Harper and J&J Security stand over Rowan’s lifeless body.
Another John Cena highlight is shown. This is the one where John Cena was picked up by Monday Night RAW on the Draft Lottery from 2005. John Cena Appreciation Night continues.
-Commercial Break-
Seth Rollins has been added to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Royal Rumble. The commentators then talk about how the WWE Network is finally coming to the United Kingdom and Ireland on January 19.
Footage is shown of The Usos defeating The Miz and Damien Mizdow last week to regain the WWE Tag Team Championships. The Usos and Naomi will face The Miz, Damien Mizdow, and Alicia Fox later tonight.
Footage is shown from earlier in the day when Naomi was doing her makeup. Alicia Fox walked into the room and says they’ve been friends for a long time. Even though they’re on different sides of the ring, nothing will come between them. Alicia says she’ll make her “Total Divas” debut this Sunday. Alicia then remembers that they kicked Naomi off. Naomi says it’s fine because she can focus on her career. Alicia says she wasn’t trying to hurt her feelings. She was trying to hurt Naomi. Alicia then slams her off the table and throws some powdered sugar around. Some other Divas, including Cameron (who turned on Naomi months ago), run in to help.
A recap video highlights the Bray Wyatt vs. Dean Ambrose feud. The ambulance backs into the arena. We’ll see the first ever Ambulance Match on RAW, next.
-Commercial Break-
Ambulance Match
Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt
The bell rings, and Ambrose quickly unloads some wild punches on him. Wyatt reverses a whip, but Ambrose takes him down with a running cross-body and some more punches. Wyatt rolls out of the ring, and Ambrose punches him before sending him headfirst into the steel steps. Ambrose then throws him over the commentary table. Ambrose punches him and stands on top of the table before coming off with a diving forearm to the face. Ambrose dumps him over the barricade into the crowd. They fight through the crowd before winding up by the ambulance. Ambrose sends him headfirst into the ambulance. Ambrose opens the doors, but Wyatt quickly uppercuts him and sends him into the ambulance. Ambrose quickly baseball slides him before he can shut the doors. Ambrose then gives him a swinging neckbreaker on the floor. Ambrose grabs two white tables with a red cross from the ambulance. Wyatt quickly shoves him into the ambulance, but Ambrose head-butts him away. Wyatt then slams the door on Ambrose’s knee. Ambrose rolls around in pain before moving to the ramp.
Wyatt chop blocks him on the ramp before rolling a stretcher in the knee. Wyatt punches him down the ramp, but Ambrose is able to kick him away. Wyatt rolls him into the ring, and Ambrose snaps him off the top rope. Ambrose hobbles out of the ring, and Wyatt uppercuts him down. Wyatt the gives him a knee breaker on the ring post. Wyatt is bleeding from the bridge of the nose.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Wyatt talking trash to Ambrose in the corner. Wyatt stomps him in the corner before avalanching him. Wyatt then climbs the turnbuckle and waits taunts the crowd. Wyatt waits for Ambrose to get to his feet, and he clotheslines him down. Wyatt slaps him in the head a few times before punching him down. Ambrose comes back with a forearm, which only angers Wyatt. Wyatt goes for Sister Abigail, but Ambrose punches out. Wyatt punches him into the ropes, but Ambrose rebounds and clotheslines him down.
They trade punches with Ambrose coming out on top. Ambrose hits the ropes, and Wyatt turns him inside out with a clothesline. Wyatt talks a little trash before throwing him out of the ring. Wyatt goes outside and throws him into the barricade. Wyatt drags him by the ambulance, but Ambrose punches back at him. Wyatt quickly powers him into the ramp and clotheslines him onto it. Wyatt sets up a table, and Ambrose kicks him away. Ambrose then dives off the top of the stage with a clothesline. Ambrose punches him back, but Wyatt counters by sending him inside the ambulance. Ambrose throws a chair at Wyatt and takes him down with some punches. Ambrose puts him inside the ambulance and closes the door, but he can’t close the second door. Wyatt attacks him and sends him into the ambulance a few times. Wyatt sets up a stretcher and tries to put him on it, but Ambrose fights back. Wyatt punches him back, but Ambrose rebounds off the stretcher with a clothesline. Ambrose clutches his knee before hitting him with a board. Ambrose then hits a guillotine with the board.
Ambrose grabs the table and sets it up in front of the ambulance doors. Ambrose sets him up on the table and punches him. Ambrose makes the slow climb to the top of the ambulance, and he looks down at his prey. Ambrose then drops an elbow off the top of the ambulance through the table! The crowd chants, “This is awesome!” Ambrose takes his time getting to his feet as replays are shown. Ambrose shakes feeling back into his leg before trying to lift Wyatt up. Wyatt quickly pops up and connects with Sister Abigail into the ambulance. Wyatt opens up the ambulance doors and powers the unconscious Ambrose inside. Wyatt shuts one door, but he can’t shut the other as Ambrose kicks him in the face. Wyatt then pulls him out of the ambulance and connects with Sister Abigail on the floor! Wyatt then powers him into the ambulance and shuts the door to win the match.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
Match Rating: **
The ambulance drives off as Wyatt sits on the floor laughing. The commentators talk about what just happened.
Seth Rollins has been added to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at the Royal Rumble. Replays are shown of Triple H adding Rollins to that match. Stephanie McMahon then declared the night to be John Cena Appreciation Night.
-Commercial Break-
Seth Rollins will be the special guest on Miz TV. This is the final Friday Night Smackdown before the move to Thursday.
The Usos and Naomi vs. The Miz, Damien Mizdow, and Alicia Fox
Naomi will start the match against Alicia Fox. Naomi quickly takes her down with a Lou Thesz Press and punches away at her. Naomi throws her across the ring before clotheslining her down. The Miz tags in, and Jey Uso comes in as well. Jey punches and chops him before hitting a shoulder block. Jey brings him into the ring the hard way, and Mizdow mimics the move. Jey scares Mizdow out of the ring. The Miz quickly comes back with a Reality Check for a two count. Miz punches away at him before kicking him in the head for a two count. Miz applies a chin lock, but Jey fights up. Miz quickly knees him in the midsection and throws him out of the ring. Miz teases tagging in Mizdow, and he does so. Mizdow goes to do something, but Miz holds him up and tags back in. Miz then hits Jey with a double axe handle at ringside. The crowd chants, “Miz – you suck” as Miz applies a chin lock. Jey fights up, but Miz cuts him off. Jey gets out of a Reality Check, and they take each other out with a double clothesline.
Jimmy Uso is tagged in, and he clotheslines Miz down before kicking him in the midsection. Jimmy punches him before ducking a clothesline and hitting a Samoan Drop. Jimmy sets up for a running hip bump, but Alicia Fox stands in his way. Naomi quickly takes her out with a hurricanrana. Miz then rolls him up and grabs the tights for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: The Miz, Damien Mizdow, and Alicia Fox
Match Rating: * 1/4
Seth Rollins will face Ryback, next.
-Commercial Break-
Before the match can begin, Kane comes out dressed to compete. Kane says tonight is just not his night for remembering things. Kane says he should have mentioned earlier that this match is a handicap match.
Ryback vs. Seth Rollins and Kane
Kane will start the match against Ryback. Rollins distracts Ryback, causing Kane to attack him from behind. Ryback reverses a whip to the corner, but Kane elbows him in the face. Kane hits the ropes, but Ryback takes him down with a Thesz Press before following up with a big splash for a one count. Ryback applies a side headlock, but Kane throws him to the corner. Ryback boots him in the face before hitting a diving shoulder block from the second rope. Ryback hits three consecutive big splashes for a one count. Ryback applies a front face-lock, but Kane powers him to the corner. Rollins tags in, and he punches Ryback down as the fans chant, “You Sold Out.” Ryback turns him around and chops the chest. Ryback sends him to the ropes, but he hangs on and pulls himself out of the ring. Ryback throws Kane out as he tries to interfere. Rollins goes to the top rope, but Ryback throws him off the top rope and clotheslines him out of the ring. J&J Security checks on Rollins as we go to commercial.
-Commercial Break-
We come back from the break to see Kane send Ryback to the corner and clothesline him. Kane punches away at him before the referee admonishes him. Rollins gets a cheap shot in for good measure. Ryback comes back with a belly-to-belly side suplex before scaring Rollins off the apron. Ryback clotheslines Kane in the corner. Rollins blind tags in, and he dropkicks Ryback for a near fall. Rollins chokes him on the bottom rope before avalanching him in the corner. Rollins kicks him down before applying a chin lock. Ryback fights up and powers him to the corner. Kane blind tags in, and he clotheslines him for a two count. Kane hits a short-arm clothesline before hitting a low dropkick to the face for a two count. Ryback fights up and punches out. Ryback hits the ropes, and Kane hits him with a back elbow for a near fall. Rollins tags back in, and he comes off the second rope with a flying forearm. Rollins kicks him in the ribs, and Ryback chops him back. Rollins quickly punches him down and chokes him on the ropes. Rollins leaves the ring and forearms him in the face. Kane is tagged back in, and he stomps Ryback. Kane goes for a suplex, but Ryback blocks it and hits one of his own.
Rollins tags in, but Ryback sidesteps an avalanche. Ryback ducks a clothesline and hits a back body drop. Ryback then connects with a nice military press powerslam. Ryback goes for a powerbomb, but Rollins punches out of it. Ryback quickly ducks a clothesline and hits a spinebuster. Ryback punches Kane off the apron and sets up in the corner. J&J Security distract Ryback, but he holds on to the ropes to block a roll up. Ryback then connects with the meat hook clothesline. Ryback goes for Shell Shocked, but Kane pulls Rollins off. Kane goes for a Chokeslam, but Ryback gets out and hits him with Shell Shocked. Rollins then stuns him with a Curb Stomp. Rollins gets back to his feet and hits a second Curb Stomp for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Seth Rollins and Kane
Match Rating: *
Replays are shown of what just happened. Rollins, J&J Security, and Kane stand tall over Ryback while talking some trash to him.
John Cena Appreciation Night continues on RAW.
-Commercial Break-
Adam Rose vs. Big E w/ Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods
They circle the ring and lock up. Rose applies a waistlock, but Big E takes him down with a back body drop. Big E powers him to the corner, and Rose kicks him. Rose kicks him down in the corner and punches him. Big E reverses a whip, but Rose ducks a clothesline and applies a sleeper hold. Big E powers him off and hits a pair of clotheslines before hitting a belly-to-belly side suplex. Big E goes for a Big Splash, but one of the Rosebuds runs in and clotheslines him down.
Winner by Disqualification: Big E
Match Rating: 1/4 *
Another Rosebud attacks Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods at ringside. The two Rosebuds are dressed from head to toe in spandex. They hit Big E with a scary combination powerbomb/blockbuster. They rip off their masks, and it’s revealed to be Cesaro and Tyson Kidd. They dance with Adam Rose and the Rosebuds.
The Authority is seen talking backstage. We’ll have a ceremony for John Cena Appreciation Night, next.
-Commercial Break-
John Cena Appreciation Night Ceremony
The Authority makes their way to the ring. Stephanie McMahon says it is a great honor to stand before each and every one of them in this audience and the millions watching on television to celebrate something that is a decade in the making. It’s John Cena Appreciation Night. The crowd is lukewarm to that. John Cena knows what’s best for business and the WWE Universe, which is reinstating The Authority. They then introduce the man of the hour, the man responsible for bringing back The Authority, John Cena.
John Cena makes his way to the ring. Triple H says John Cena’s name three times to try to get a big reaction, but the crowd is half-dead. Before we get started on what he is sure will be an emotional roller coaster ride, he wants to go back to last week’s glorious moment. Replays are shown of John Cena reluctantly agreeing to bring back The Authority. Triple H and Stephanie are seen happily watching. Stephanie says a hero is defined as someone who has the strength to persevere and endure under overwhelming circumstances. Maybe that’s exactly what he did last week. Then again, maybe it isn’t. All she knows is that John Cena is her hero. Triple H says they’ve had their problems in the past. Triple H says a lot of it is probably his fault. When Cena first came in, he remembers the first time he stepped into the ring with him. Shawn Michaels asked how Cena is, and Triple H thought he sucked. Then something happened. Cena changed fast and there was a hint of something bigger. Maybe that’s why he was so hard and overbearing on him through the years because he saw greatness Cena maybe didn’t see at the time. Then Cena lived up to it and reached heights no one thought he would get to. Last week, Triple H saw a change again. Maybe Cena started to see past the hustle, loyalty, and respect crap and realized what’s real. All that matters is the ring, power, and what’s best for business. Triple H thinks we’re seeing a different John Cena. Even if we’re not, he wants Cena to know he appreciates him.
Cena asks if he’s finished, but Triple H says he’s not even close. He wants to bring out some people who if they don’t appreciate him yet, they’ll soon appreciate him. Triple H then brings out Ryback, Erick Rowan, and Dolph Ziggler. All three men get in the ring. Triple H says he’s sure they probably have great admiration for John Cena. They proved it when they unwisely joined his team at Survivor Series. They told them at the time that there would be consequences for doing so. They won and there would be no consequences, then John Cena threw that all away and back into the fire. It’s time to get to the consequences. Triple H wants to start with Erick Rowan. Rowan came into this at the last second and wasn’t a big player until he was brought in on some misguided freedom thing. Rowan entered the match “sheepishly.” Triple H then suggests a 30-day suspension. Stephanie asks what they would do with Ryback then, as he was a turncoat that turned on Team Authority. If Rowan gets 30-days, then Ryback will get 60-days. What should they do with Ziggler? He put the final nail in the coffin, with help from the painted up good Sting, so what should they do? Ziggler suggests 90-days. They have a quick conference and leave the ring.
They walk up the ramp before standing at the top of the ramp. Stephanie then says that Rowan, Ryback, and Ziggler are all fired. They can all thank and appreciate John Cena, the man standing behind them, for losing their livelihoods tonight. Cena has caused those three men to lose their livelihoods and reinstated The Authority. The “Stars and Stripes Forever” plays through the speakers as confetti and balloons rain down. The crowd is absolutely silent as the show comes to an end.
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Quick Match Results
Bad News Barrett def. Dolph Ziggler to become the WWE IC Champion (2-1)
The Ascension def. Two local wrestlers
Roman Reigns def. Big Show via DQ
Natalya def. Nikki Bella (non-title)
Luke Harper def. Erick Rowan
Bray Wyatt def. Dean Ambrose in an Ambulance Match
The Miz, Damien Mizdow, and Alicia Fox def. The Usos and Naomi
Seth Rollins and Kane def. Ryback
Big E def. Adam Rose via DQ
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