WWE Monday Night Raw
San Diego, California
February 13, 2012
Commentators: Jerry Lawler & Michael Cole
Reported by: David Stephens of Wrestleview.com
Are you ready? There are only 48 days until WrestleMania, so stop questioning your heart and join me because it’s time for Monday Night RAW!!!
Video Recap: Kane threatens Eve Torres last week on RAW
Kane appears on the Titantron next to an ambulance. He says that tonight Cena will embrace the hate, and someone will leave in an ambulance.
Jerry Lawler is in the ring with the 6 participants of the RAW Elimination Chamber. (CM Punk, R-Truth, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Chris Jericho & The Miz). They are each behind a podium. Lawler introduces this as the first ever Elimination Chamber debate. He begins to ask a question, but John Laurinaitis walks out on to the entrance ramp with David Otunga.
He takes the moment to introduce himself to the crowd and say how excited he is that the Board of Directors has decided to keep him on. John returns to the back.
Punk is first to speak. He promises that this debate will not end in violence. The second thing is directed towards clown shoes, John Laurinaitis – Punk congratulates him on somehow convincing the Board to keep him on. As for the Elimination Chamber, Punk knows that he is going to win because he is the best wrestler in the world.
Ziggler is asked for a rebuttal, but Vickie speaks first. The crowd loudly boos. Vickie demands that no booing be allowed. Ziggler says that he is going to win the match, and at least he knows what state they are in, unlike R-Truth.
R-Truth says that if elected he will trade Vickie and Ziggler for Hornswoggle and a box of spiders. Truth will also mandate that “what” be added to every line of the Pledge of Allegiance. Truth will also take the box of spiders and crush them up to make his grandmother’s spider stew. Little Jimmy will watch as he gulfs down the stew, getting the strength to win the Elimination Chamber. God Bless Little Jimmy, and God Bless the United States of America.
The Miz puts over the fact that he won the main event at WrestleMania last year. He goes around and berates each of his competitors. By the time he gets to Jericho, a buzzer sounds because he runs out of time.
Kofi Kingston says that Miz called him an afterthought. Kofi says that may be true, because he has been overlooked for far too long, but he just might walk out of the Chamber as Champion.
Jericho says that there is no one who has ever been in more Elimination Chambers, nor eliminated more competitors in a Chamber, than Jericho. The last time he was in one of those matches, he walked out as Champion. Jericho’s accomplishments alone are greater than all five competitors combined. Jericho tells Punk that he is back to reclaim his Title.
Punk pretends not to be listening to Jericho. He says he was thinking about when Jericho left to go finish seventh on Dancing with the Stars. Dolph interrupts and says he is better than everyone in the ring, and in the audience. Truth interrupts to say that he will not be talked down to someone named after Flipper. Truth decides to start squealing like a dolphin.
Lawler announces that tonight’s first match will be Kofi Kingston v. Chris Jericho. Jericho walks around his podium and heads over to CM Punk. Punk lifts his Title up into the air. Kofi takes the opportunity to kick Jericho square in the head with Trouble in Paradise! Their match is next.
****Commercial****
Chris Jericho v. Kofi Kingston
They lock up and Kofi is backed into the corner. He fights his way back and clotheslines Jericho to the outside of the ring. Kofi leaps out with a suicide dive! Kofi rolls Jericho back into the ring. Jericho is pushed into the corner as Kofi leaps onto his shoulders to begin a ten count punch. Jericho counters after a couple of punches with a Powerbomb. Jericho drops an elbow and goes for the cover. Kofi kicks out. Jericho gets behind Kofi for a headlock. Kofi escapes, but gets caught with a dropkick. Cover, but Kofi kicks out.
Jericho whips him into the corner and hits a number of chops. Jericho whips him towards the other corner, but Kofi leaps out with a crossbody block. Cover, but Jericho kicks out. Kofi leaps for a springboard dropkick, but Jericho catches him in the Walls of Jericho! Kofi struggles towards the ropes, and finally escapes. Kofi drops him to the mat and goes for a cover, but Jericho makes it to the bottom rope. Kofi and Jericho begin to brawl. The referee is briefly bumped and blinded, so Jericho pokes Kofi in the eyes. Jericho follows up with the Code Breaker, and this match is over!
Winner via Code Breaker: Chris Jericho
Shawn Michaels is shown walking in the back. HHH walks up to him and gives him a hug.
****Commercial****
John Cena is in the back with a wheelchair bound Zack Ryder. Cena asks why he is on RAW tonight. Ryder has a bouquet of roses which he says are for Eve, it is Valentine’s Day tomorrow after all. Cena begs him to stay in the locker room. Every time Ryder is on RAW, Kane attacks him to get to Cena. To try and avoid this outcome, Cena promises to bring Eve to Ryder.
Laurinaitis is in his office with David Otunga. Otunga reminds him that the Board reinstated him as interim GM, but not permanent GM. Otunga says that he has an idea to make Laurinaitis not just the GM of RAW, but of Smackdown as well!
Video Recap: Randy Orton v. Daniel Bryan on Smackdown
Daniel Bryan walks down to the ring to watch the next match.
****Commercial****
Randy Orton v. The Big Show
They exchange blows and Show throws him down to the mat. Orton gets back to his feet and connects with a kick to the gut and an uppercut. Show blocks a kick and slaps Orton across the chest. Show grabs Orton by the head and tries to bring him back in the ring. Orton attempts to use the ropes for a jaw breaker. Show is staggered, but gets back to his senses. Orton scurries away from a Knockout Punch as we go to commercial.
****Commercial****
Back from the break. Orton has Show in a sleeper. Show is taken down to the mat, but fights his way back free. Orton hits a monster dropkick, which sends both men crashing to the mat. Show exits the ring, and the competitors briefly brawl on the outside. Show is on the apron, but Orton hits him with a dropkick. A staggered Show is hanging over the top rope. Orton hits a suspended DDT! Show slowly gets back to his feet and tries for an RKO. The move is botched, so Orton resets. Show goes for a chokeslam, but Orton counters with an RKO. This time the move connects.
Daniel Bryan charges into the ring with his Title and hits it over the head of Orton. The referee calls for the bell. Bryan turns his attention towards Show, and also floors him with the Title.
Winner via RKO: Randy Orton
****Commercial****
The Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels, enters to his theme and pyro. He says that he always comes around this time of year because it’s WrestleMania season. He was watching TV last week and was waiting for HHH to accept the challenge of The Undertaker. Michaels was shocked when he didn’t do it. HBK says that he called Laurinaitis and asked to appear on RAW to talk to his best friend. Shawn says that HHH is just bating Taker, playing mind games. Shawn demands that he come down to the ring and address the crowd. It’s time for HHH to tell them all what they’ve been waiting for him to say.
HHH’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. He and Shawn make a DX reference cross with their arms. He says that it’s nice to see Shawn, but it would be even nicer if he came around more than just this time of year. HHH once again denies that he’ll be facing The Undertaker this year. HHH says that he knows how to beat Taker now, and he just can’t do that. That’s not the guy he wants to be.
Shawn says that that is exactly the guy that he is. Shawn asks how he can say that he isn’t that guy anymore? Shawn has stood by HHH through everything, he never left his side. Shawn asks if he married that chick, and now he’s one of them, a suit? Michaels calls him a corporate sell out. HHH says that Shawn isn’t in his shoes, so he doesn’t understand.
Shawn calls him a coward for not accepting The Undertaker’s challenge. HHH is furious and goes to leave. Shawn grabs him by the arm and tells him to stay. HHH starts to walk away again but then gets in Shawn’s face. HHH says that all of this is going to be his; the entire WWE will one day be his. He has a responsibility now. He no longer views Taker as an opponent; he now views him as a “brand”. Because of this, he can’t go out and beat The Undertaker – it would be bad for business. HHH says that Taker is all that is left of an era. He can’t be the man to end that era. HHH claims that HBK is only out here because he wants HHH to do something that he couldn’t. Shawn couldn’t beat The Undertaker.
Shawn refuses to accept that answer. He demands that HHH look him in the eye and tell him that he doesn’t want to end the streak. HHH adjusts his tie, and then goes to leave the ring. Shawn grabs him and tells him to look him in the eye. Hunter takes off his jacket. Shawn puts down his mic. They stand nose to nose in the middle of the ring. HHH looks him in the eye and says – no.
Shawn walks out of the ring, and up the entrance ramp. HHH goes to leave, but Taker’s dong sounds. The lights go out in the arena.
Video Package: The Undertaker watches video of HHH denying him another match at WrestleMania. Taker asks once again for the match.
****Commercial****
Dolph Ziggler w/ Vickie Guerrero v. R-Truth
Ziggler hits a fireman’s carry and goes for the cover. Truth kicks out. Truth charges at Dolph in the corner, but lands shoulder first against the steel post. Cover, but Truth kicks out. Ziggler struts around the ring, and then cinches in a side headlock. Vickie cheers on from ringside. Truth gets to his feet and escapes with a punch, but gets caught with a neckbreaker. Ziggler starts to do some sit-ups in the middle of the ring. Truth hits an inside cradle, and this match is over!
Winner via Roll Up: R-Truth
Santino walks into Ryder’s locker room. Santino understands that Ryder is in love with Eve, and wants to give him some Valentine’s advice on the eve of Valentine’s Day. He offers him some Santino breath strips for fresh breath. Ryder says it tastes disgusting. Santino says it is garlic flavored!
****Commercial****
Tamina v. Brie Bella
Tamina finishes the match with a Samoan Drop and a Superfly Splash.
Winner via Splash: Tamina
After the match, Tamina stares down Beth Phoenix, who was on commentary for the match.
****Commercial****
Video Package: The Rock promoting Journey 2
Josh Mathews is in the back and asks John Cena for his reaction. In the back a woman is heard screaming. We cut to see Eve Torres in an ambulance sitting down. Kane shuts the doors. Cena attacks Kane and yells for Eve to unlock the door so that he can free her. Kane pushes Cena out of the way and gets in the ambulance. Eve opens the door and jumps out as the ambulance pulls away. She leaps into Cena’s arms. He catches her, and she plants him with a kiss! A heartbroken Ryder can only watch on in misery from his wheel chair.
****Commercial****
Eve is with Ryder. She tells him that she never thought they were going to be together, she just thought that they were going to be friends. Ryder wheels himself away.
The Miz v. CM Punk
They lock up and Punk is pushed into the corner. Miz rakes the arm and throws Punk into the corner shoulder first. Miz hits a leg sweep and goes for the cover. Punk kicks out. Punk drops Miz to the mat and goes for a cover himself, Miz kicks out. They exchange blows in the middle of the ring. Punk’s left arm appears to be hurt. Miz charges but gets caught with a side kick. Punk hits a neckbreaker and then charges towards the corner for a high knee. Punk hits the bulldog, and signals that it’s time to Go to Sleep. Miz squirms off the shoulders, and plants Punk with a DDT.
Miz charges towards the corner and connects with a big splash. Miz climbs to the top rope. He leaps, but Punk moves out of the way. Punk hits a snap scoop slam and goes for a cover. Miz kicks out. Punk climbs to the top rope, but Miz follows right after. Miz climbs up the turnbuckle and looks for a Superplex. Punk fights free and knocks Miz down to the mat. Punk stands atop the turnbuckle and leaps for a huge flying elbow! Punk calls for the end, and lifts Miz up on his shoulders. Miz counters, but Punk transitions straight into the Anaconda Vice!
Winner via Submission: CM Punk
Chris Jericho is shown watching from the back with a smile on his face.
We cut to the back where the ambulance has returned.
****Commercial****
John Cena’s music hits, and he runs down to the ring to a chorus of boos. Cena says that it was a bit of an awkward moment by the ambulance. He tried to apologize, but Ryder wouldn’t listen. Cena says that for what it’s worth, he is sorry. Cena says that this was Kane’s plan all along. The plan was to turn his friends and the WWE Universe against him. It was to leave Cena alone, with no other choice other than to embrace the hate. It’s a pretty solid plan, and it would work if it was anybody else. But, Cena is not anybody else. Kane thinks that if he harasses him enough, that Cena will get to a certain point and just snap. The crowd chants, “We all hate you”.
Cena says that it’s been like six years. It’s the people chanting that, who don’t understand that Cena rises above the hate. Cena says that he isn’t soft, he doesn’t need the hate. He will adapt, he will overcome, and he will win. Cena gives the crowd his word that at the Elimination Chamber, Kane will leave the arena in an ambulance. As for The Rock – Cena has a message for WrestleMania.
Ryder wheels his way out onto the entrance ramp. He has crutches, and hobbles his way down to the ring. He is still wearing his neck brace as he makes his way into the ring. Ryder slaps the microphone out of Cena’s hand. Cena tries to plead and apologize to Ryder. Zack responds by slapping him across the face. Cena looks down to the mat and does not look pleased. Cena takes off his hat and necklace, followed by his shirt. Cena stares at the injured Ryder. Zack taunts Cena, and looks absolutely furious. He goes to punch him, but Cena blocks. Cena refrains from landing a punch of his own. Ryder falls to the mat, and then hobbles his way back up the ramp.
Kane appears on the Titantron. Kane says that Cena sunk to depths that he can only think of – he stole the true love of his friend. Cena has finally embraced the hate. Kane says that the problem is that he is made of hate. Cena will not be able to overcome him. This Sunday, Cena’s body and soul will be leaving the arena in an ambulance. But, before we leave, let’s have a round of applause for John Cena.
Kane appears on the ramp behind Ryder. He pushes his wheelchair over the edge of the stage! Ryder crashes down to the floor. Cena runs up the ramp to meet the medical team. Eve Torres runs out to check on Ryder, who is escorted out of the building on a stretcher. Cena can only watch on in frustration and distress. A little girl is shown crying in the audience.
David’s Thoughts
I immediately expected the opening segment to be lame, but it was actually pretty entertaining. Well, R-Truth made it entertaining. I love listening to the guy cut a promo. It makes so little sense, with just a tiny string of validity attached. If only he could adapt a wrestling style that suits his current character. He still wrestles like Ron “The Truth” Killings. If he can adapt his style, his character would really be transported to the next level.
I’d call it a decent match between Kingston and Jericho. I was expecting Kofi to put up a better fight given the fact that he hit a pre-match finisher on Jericho, but I guess that just wasn’t going to be the case. Jericho is the favorite to win the Chamber – if Punk is to drop his Title. I’m genuinely intrigued about this Chamber match, which isn’t something I’ve been able to say in a long time.
We didn’t get much from John Laurinaitis this week. What we did get were purely storyline movers. Laurinaitis has been reinstated as interim GM, and Harvard Law graduate, David Otunga, has a plan to make him permanent GM of both RAW & Smackdown. Given the fact that the brand extension is growing thinner by the week with the “Supershow” now a permanent fixture, it only makes sense that one General Manager oversees both brands. Teddy Long can still serve a role as an assistant manager of sorts. There is some interesting play to this storyline.
By the time I had a chance to write my thoughts about the Orton/Big Show match; I had forgotten it had even occurred. I think that speaks volumes. Bryan’s attack was nice after the match, if not a teensy bit formulaic. But hey, if it works – it works. He’s a full-fledged heel at this point, so it will be interesting to see if he can squirm his way to victory on Sunday.
Speaking of which – I’m rooting for the Champions to retain. The WWE loves to through in some twists and turns right before WrestleMania, but I’m really hoping they can pull it out.
God I love HBK’s theme song.
Taker is last of that era? Sorry Kane.
I’m done bitching about HHH v. The Undertaker (mostly). The match is going to happen no matter my personal feelings, so it’s time to start analyzing the storyline for its merits. Shawn was great on the mic tonight, and really came across as one of, if not the only, person that can slap HHH around verbally and come out on top in the ultimate power struggle. Fueled with the accusations of being a coward, HHH will ultimately accept this match. I do like the cockiness of HHH in that he is saying he doesn’t want to face The Undertaker because he KNOWS he will end the streak (Which is something that didn’t happen the past 24 occasions a competitor faced The Undertaker at WrestleMania). By the way, it’s interesting that 1 out of 4 Undertaker WrestleMania opponents have been members of DX. Namely, HHH and HBK.
Garlic flavored breath mints was a weak prop gimmick, sorry Santino.
As for The Rock’s promo video for Journey 2 – Vanessa Hudgens is really hot. That’s all I’ve got.
There was easily more time give to video segments than in ring action tonight. Not even a close comparison.
Ziggler/Truth was pretty entertaining. Both men came out on about even keel. Ziggler’s in ring character is one of the strongest in the company right now. He has what I wish Truth had – a style that matches his gimmick.
Miz/Punk was just a fast way of getting the champ in the ring before the PPV against one of his opponents, while still coming out on top.
Cena does not act well in a romantic angle. That’s my takeaway from his segment with Eve tonight. She played her part well, but his “shock” was pretty weak. Poor Ryder.
Speaking of poor Ryder, hell of a bump he took to close the show. That looked nasty. All of the great things that Cena did for Ryder are now meaningless, because he has destroyed his life. Ryder’s body and soul are broken.
I’ve got CM Punk winning the Elimination Chamber. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Jericho come out on top, because I think Punk is stronger in the underdog role. His match should be huge against Jericho at WrestleMania, if we are so treated. I don’t necessarily want Punk to drop the belt on Sunday, but I could see their match being even stronger if Jericho wins via a cheap strategy in the Chamber.
David Stephens
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