Nexus

Title History

• WWE Tag Team titles (John Cena & David Otunga) defeating The Legion of Doom (October 24, 2010);
• WWE Tag Team titles (Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater) defeating John Cena & David Otunga (October 25, 2010);
• WWE Tag Team titles (Michael McGillicutty & David Otunga) defeating Kane & The Big Show (May 30, 2011);

Career Highlights

The Nexus Started as rookies on the World Wrestling Entertainment – NXT:

• February 23, 2010–WWE NXT: The Nexus made their WWE television debut as “Rookies” on the WWE NXT show..
• June 7, 2010–WWE Viewers Choice: Wade Barrett led the other 7 NXT rookies in a shocking invasion of the RAW television show..
• ~~~The eight “Rookies” from NXT Season 1 showed up during a match and viciously attacked John Cena like a rabid pack of wolves..
• ~~~~~They destroyed the ring, the ringside area, and Daniel Bryan assaulted ring announcer Justin Robert by choking him with his tie..
• June 14, 2010–RAW: The NXT group was ordered to apologize but they refused and instead demanded guaranteed WWE contracts..
• ~~~RAW General Manager Bret “Hitman” Hart came out and refused to give them contracts and even fired NXT winner Wade Barrett!
• ~~~LATER: NXT tried to attack John Cena again, but several other WWE Superstars hit the ring and chased them out of the building..
• ~~~LATER: The NXT guys attacked Bret Hart, stuffed him into a limousine and then rammed him into other vehicles in the parking lot..
• June 21, 2010–RAW: Vince McMahon blamed Bret Hart for the chaos surrounding the NXT group and fired him as General Manager..
• ~~~Mr. McMahon said the new General Manager asked to remain anonymous, and he would run RAW by sending Michael Cole emails..
• ~~~The new General Manager hired back all of the NXT members – and then each issued arrogant apologies in the middle of the ring..
• ~~~~~~MAIN EVENT: John Cena vs. WWE champion Sheamus ended in a No Contest with special outside enforcer Vince McMahon..
• ~~~~The NXT group showed up and attacked John Cena… but then they surrounded Vince McMahon and shockingloy destroyed him!
• June 28, 2010–RAW: It was explained that Wade Barrett was at WWE headquarters in Stamford awaiting his punishment..
• ~~~The Nexus (minus Wade Barrett) showed up and attacked Ricky Steamboat and physically destroyed him with all their finishers.
• July 5, 2010–RAW: The Nexus assembled in the ring where they were informed the physical contact ban on them would be lifted..
• ~~~John Cena came out with Randy Orton, Evan Bourne, David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd, R-Truth, and John Morrison with him..
• ~~~However, some heels (Sheamus, Edge, Jericho, The, Ted DiBiase, and the Usos) attacked them allowing the Nexus to escape!
• ~~~~~~~~The anonymous General Manager called for a truce, so John Cena met Wade Barrett in the ring at the end of the night..
• ~~~~~~~~Cena teased a handshake but pulled it… then he was attacked by the Nexus until a bunch of babyfaces storm the ring!
• July 12, 2010–RAW: The Nexus surrounded Sheamus backstage, and he felt threatened so he ran off to find John Cena!
• ~~~Nexus (Wade Barrett & Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel & Skip Sheffield & Michael Tarver & David Otunga) beat John Cena ..
• ~~~After the match; Nexus surrounded Cena in the ring until Sheamus ran out and stood side by side with Cena with steel chairs..
• July 13, 2010–NXT: Nexus were invited back to NXT and participated in a 20-Man Battle Royal featuring Season 2 Pros & Rookies.. ..
• ~~~Nexus (Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater & David Otunga & Wade Barrett & Michael Tarver & Skip Sheffield) won the battle royal !
• July 18, 2010–Money in the Bank: Sheamus defeated John Cena in a Steel Cage match to retain the WWE Championship..
• ~~~Nexus interfered and sabotaged John Cena’s chances of winning, and Sheamus used this to his advantage and escaped the cage!
• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~John Cena was extremely angry and took his frustrations out on Nexus members Darren Young & Michael Tarver..
• World Wrestling Entertainment – The Road to SummerSlam:
• July 26, 2010–RAW: The Nexus as a group surrounded the Great Khali in the ring but eventually allowed him to leave unharmed…
• ~~The Nexus beat Team RAW (Goldust & Mark Henry & Yoshi Tatsu & Jerry Lawler & Evan Bourne & Tyson Kidd & DH Smith)
• ~~~The Nexus eliminated all seven members of the RAW B-team and promised that the same thing would happen at SummerSlam!
• August 2, 2010–RAW: Edge vs. Wade Barrett ended in a No Contest when the Nexus showed up (Edge then quit Team WWE!)
• August 9, 2010–RAW: The Nexus attacked the Hart Dynasty backstage to get under the skin of Team WWE member Bret Hitman Hart.
• ~~~~~~~The Nexus attacked Mark Henry (who was set to join Team WWE) – they also took out the Great Khali in a backstage assault..
• ~~~John Cena & Bret Hart vs. Edge & Chris Jericho with the Nexus as Lumberjacks ended with Team WWE coming together as a group..
• August 15, 2010–SummerSlam: Team WWE defeated Team Nexus in a 7-on-7 Elimination match (John Cena sole survivor!)
• ~~~~~Team WWE (John Cena & Edge & Chris Jericho & John Morrison & R-Truth & Daniel Bryan & Bret “The Hitman” Hart)
• ~~~~~Nexus (Wade Barrett & Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel & Darren Young & Michael Tarver & Skip Sheffield & David Otunga)
• World Wrestling Entertainment – The Nexus gets stronger:
• August 16, 2010–RAW: Wade Barrett defeated Chris Jericho (The Nexus went 5-1 against members of Team WWE tonight!)
• ~~~~Later that night; The Nexus destroyed Darren Young (the only member to lose his match) and kicked him out of the group!
• August 30, 2010–RAW: Bret “The Hitman” Hart vs. The Undertaker never got started because the Nexus destroyed the Undertaker..
• ~~~LATER: The Nexus defeated Team WWE in a 5-on-5 Elimination Match which ended with Wade Barrett as the sole survivor..
• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Nexus (Wade Barrett & Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater & Michael Tarver & David Otunga)..
• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Team WWE (John Cena & Randy Orton & Edge & Chris Jericho & WWE champion Sheamus)
• September 6, 2010–RAW: Randy Orton defeated Wade Barrett after distraction from former Nexus member Darren Young..
• ~~~After the match; there was some chaos involving Randy Orton, Wade Barrett, John Cena, Edge, and WWE champion Sheamus..
• September 19, 2010–Night of Champions: Randy Orton won a Six Pack Challenge eliminating Sheamus to win the WWE championship..
• ~~~Randy Orton defeated Sheamus (c) and John Cena and Edge and Chris Jericho and Wade Barrett to win the WWE Championship!
• World Wrestling Entertainment – John Cena vs. Wade Barrett & Nexus (Hell in a Cell):
• September 20, 2010–RAW: The Nexus (Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel) defeated Evan Bourne & Mark Henry. John Cena defeated The Nexus in a Gauntlet match after the Nexus jumped in the ring and attacked Cena..
• ~~Cena beat Heath Slater | Cena beat David Otunga | Cena beat Michael Tarver | Cena vs. Justin Gabriel was cut short due to the assault.
• October 1, 2010–SmackDown!: The Nexus invaded SmackDown! and interrupted the opening match – but the Big Show came to rescue!
• ~~~The Nexus (Wade Barrett & Justin Gabriel & David Otunga & Michael Tarver & Heath Slater) beat The Big Show (Handicap match)..
• ~~~~~~MAIN EVENT: World Heavyweight champion Kane vs. John Cena ended in a No Contest with the Nexus acting as lumberjacks..
• October 3, 2010–Hell in a Cell PPV: Wade Barrett defeated John Cena in a “Cena joins Nexus vs. Nexus must disband” match..
• ~~~John Cena had the match won when two “fans” (Michael McGullicutty & Husky Harris) interfered and help Wade Barrett win!
• ~~~The Nexus (Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater & Michael Tarver & David Otunga) came to celebrated with Wade Barrett in the ring..
• World Wrestling Entertainment – John Cena joins the Nexus:
• October 4, 2010–RAW: Wade Barrett & The Nexus celebrated their victory and presented John Cena with an official “N” armband..
• ~~~MAIN EVENT: Wade Barrett won a 20-man battle royal when he and John Cena were the final two and Cena eliminated himself..
• October 11, 2010–RAW: Wade Barrett continued to force John Cena into following his direction to benefit the Nexus as a group..
• October 18, 2010–RAW: John Cena & WWE champion Randy Orton defeated Michael McGillicutty & Husky Harris in a tag team match..
• ~~~After the match; The Nexus attacked Randy Orton… Wade Barrett ordered Cena to watch – and finished Orton off with Wasteland!
• October 24, 2010–Bragging Rights: Wade Barrett defeated WWE Champion Randy Orton by DQ after clever interference by John Cena..
• ~~~Wade Barrett had said if he didn’t win John Cena would be fired, so Cena attacked Barrett so he would win by DQ and keep his job..
• World Wrestling Entertainment – WWE champion Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett with referee John Cena (Survivor Series):
• October 25, 2010–RAW: Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel defeated David Otunga & John Cena to win the WWE Tag Team titles..
• ~~~David Otunga complained to Wade Barrett that John Cena was against him, and therefore could not co-exist as Tag Team champion..
• ~~~Barrett booked the match and forced Otunga to lay on his back and get pinned so they could keep the tag team titles inside of Nexus…
• ~~~~~~MAIN EVENT: John Cena defeated Randy Orton by DQ after Wade Barrett attacked Cena (same finish as the night before)..
• ~~~~~~The winner of the match got to pick the stipulation of the Orton/Barrett match at Survivor Series for the WWE championship..
• ~~~~~~~~Wade Barrett chose to make John Cena the referee; if Barrett wins Cena is free, but if he loses Cena will be fired from WWE!
• November 1, 2010–RAW: The Nexus (Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel) defeated The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd). Randy Orton & R-Truth defeated Wade Barrett & David Otunga with special guest referee John Cena..
• November 5, 2010–Smackdown!: Alberto Del Rio, Edge, Kane, Kofi Kingston & The Big Show defeated The Nexus (David Otunga, Heath Slater, Husky Harris, Justin Gabriel & Michael McGillicutty).
• November 8, 2010–RAW: John Cena defeated David Otunga (Wade Barrett & Nexus went backstage so Otunga could prove himself).
• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Nexus defeated Team Orton in a Ten Man Tag Team Match with special guest referee John Cena..
• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Nexus = Wade Barrett & Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater & Michael McGillicutty & Husky Harris..
• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Team Orton = Randy Orton & R-Truth & Mark Henry & Daniel Bryan & Mike Mizanin w/Alex Riley..
• ~~~Alex Riley hit Orton with a briefcase and Miz hit Orton with the Skull Crushing Finale leading to Orton getting pinned by Barrett..
• November 15, 2010–RAW: The Nexus (Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel) defeated The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd).
• November 21, 2010–Survivor Series: Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel w/Nexus beat Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov to retain their titles..
• ~~~Randy Orton defeated Wade Barrett with special guest referee John Cena to retain the WWE Championship (The Nexus was banned)..
• ~~~The stipulation was that if Barrett won the title, John Cena would be free, but if Barrett lost, then Cena would be FIRED FROM WWE!
• ~~Wade Barrett hit Wasteland, but couldn’t get the win so he shoved John Cena – so Cena shoved Barrett into an RKO from Randy Orton!
• ~~~~~~CONCLUSION: This meant that John Cena was fired from the WWE (in storyline) – so they did a pretend farewell to say good-bye..
• World Wrestling Entertainment – Wade Barrett vs. John Cena (TLC PPV):
• November 22, 2010–RAW: John Cena gave an “emotional farewell speech” and said “good-bye” to the WWE Universe..
• ~~~MAIN EVENT: Randy Orton defeated Wade Barrett with help from “unemployed” John Cena to retain the WWE championship..
• November 29, 2010–King of the Ring: John Cena showed up and took out Nexus members Michael McGillicutty & Heath Slater..
• ~~~Wade Barrett went to the ring and called out John Cena, who only appeared on the big screen standing outside in the parking lot..
• ~~~The remaining members of Nexus showed up intending to attack John Cena, but he was protected by members of the WWE roster! Mark Henry & Yoshi Tatsu defeated The Nexus (Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel).
• December 6, 2010–RAW: Wade Barrett called out John Cena and told him his tricks won’t work because he will NEVER rehire him in WWE..
• ~~~John Cena said he was happy hanging out with the fans every week and thinking of new ways to make the lives of the Nexus miserable!
• ~~~~Nexus walked out on Barrett, allowing Cena to attack him! Nexus said Barrett would be kicked out of the group if he didn’t rehire Cena.. Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov defeated Mark Henry & Yoshi Tatsu and The Nexus (Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel) and The Usos (Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso) in a 3-way to win the tag team titles.
• December 13, 2010–The Slammy Awards: Nexus leader Wade Barrett accepted the award for “Shocker of the Year” for invading RAW..
• ~~~The Big Show defeated Wade Barrett.. .. .. Barrett later accepted the “Holy **** Move of the Year” Award on behalf of John Cena..
• ~~~Wade Barrett officially rehired John Cena…. The Nexus quickly attacked Cena while Barrett grabbed a chair and used it to bash Cena!
• ~~~~~~~John Cena defeated Nexus member David “A-List” Otunga – (Nexus walked out allowing Cena to absolutely destroy Otunga!)
• December 19, 2010–TLC PPV: Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov defeated Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater w/Nexus to retain their titles..
• ~~~John Cena defeated Wade Barrett in a “Chair” match then dumped a load of chairs on top of him from the ceiling to end the show!
• World Wrestling Entertainment – The Formation of the NEW Nexus:
• December 27, 2010–RAW: C.M. Punk began the night promising John Cena that there would be a huge surprise in store for him tonight!
• ~~~LATER: John Cena was assaulted by Nexus (David Otunga & Heath Slater & Justin Grabriel & Husky Harris & Michael McGillicutty)..
• ~~C.M. Punk came out and sat down next to an unconcious Cena, before putting a Nexus armband on, signifying he was their new leader!
• January 3, 2011–RAW: Wade Barrett returned to confront the new Nexus leader (C.M. Punk), claiming he was still the leader of the group..
• ~~~~~~C.M. Punk said if Wade Barrett won the triple threat steel cage match tonight he could be the leader and Punk would work for him..
• ~~~MAIN EVENT: Randy Orton beat Wade Barrett and King Sheamus in a 3-WAY Steel Cage Match to earn a title shot at Royal Rumble..
• ~~~~~~~~C.M. Punk showed up to “help” Barrett, but instead ripped the Nexus armband off Barrett’s arm and kicked him down to the mat!
• January 10, 2011–RAW: Vladimir Kozlov & Santino Marella w/Tamina were attacked in the ring by C.M. Punk & the New Nexus..
• ~~~Nexus leader C.M. Punk announced that each member would make a sacrifice tonight and be officially initiated into the New Nexus.. .
• ~~~Michael McGillicutty, Husky Harris, & David Otunga all went through their initiations. . . but Slater & Gabriel refused and quit Nexus!
• ~~~~~Punk pulled a stunt later teasing that he would jump off the titantron, but it was a hoax to prove that the fans were mindless sheep..
• World Wrestling Entertainment – The NEW Nexus in the Royal Rumble:
• January 17, 2011–RAW: C.M. Punk defeated John Cena by DQ when an unidentified assailant jumped in and kicked Punk in the face!
• ~~The monster then took out John Cena with a Rock Bottom…. The Nexus ran down to protect their leader, but Punk called them off..
• ~~The new guy dropped to his knee and raised his arm in the air, allowing Punk to place a Nexus arm-band so he could join the group..
• January 24, 2011–RAW: The Nexus got into a confrontation with The Corre and set up a main event between C.M. Punk & Wade Barrett..
• ~~~~~Michael McGillicutty & Husky Harris defeated WWE Tag Team champion Vladimir Kozlov & Santino Marella in a Non-title match..
• ~~~~~C.M. Punk (w/The Nexus) vs. Wade Barrett (w/The Corre) ended in a Double DQ after special referee John Cena “abused his power”..
• January 30, 2011–Royal Rumble: Nexus & C.M. Punk interfered in a match, costing Randy Orton his chance at the WWE championship..
• ~~~NOTE: At the beginning of the Rumble; The Corre and The Nexus got into a huge brawl before they were ordered to go backstage!
• ~~~C.M. Punk entered the Rumble at #1 and lasted 35:22 (the longest of anybody) thanks to the Nexus until John Cena eliminated him!
• ~~~Husky Harris (#9), Michael McGillicutty (#13), David Otunga (#15), Mason Ryan (#20) all entered and proceeded to help C.M. Punk.
• ~~~Together, the Nexus dominated for several minutes eliminating 10+ people until John Cena entered and eliminated the entire Nexus!
• World Wrestling Entertainment – The NEW Nexus (Punk in the Elimination Chamber):
• January 31, 2011–RAW: Vladimir Kozlov & Santino Marella defeated Michael McGillicutty & Husky Harris to retain the Tag Team titles..
• ~~After the match; Randy Orton punted Husky Harris in the head despite warnings from C.M. Punk that he would pay the consequences..
• ~~~~LATER: Jerry Lawler beat John Cena & Randy Orton & King Sheamus & C.M. Punk & John Morrison & R-Truth in a RAW Rumble!
• February 7, 2011–RAW: The Nexus started the night by attacking Orton, but he managed to break Punk’s nose legit during the assault ..
• ~~~C.M. Punk & Nexus spent the night attacking Elimination Chamber participants: R-Truth, John Morrison, Sheamus, & John Cena..
• ~~~~~~~~Mason Ryan defeated R-Truth by submission (decision was reversed by the referee because Mason Ryan was too violent)..
• ~~~~~~~~John Morrison defeated Michael McGillicutty – (After the match, C.M. Punk attacked Morrison and kicked him in the head!)
• ~~~~~~~~David Otunga vs. Sheamus ended in No Contest when Mark Henry attacked Sheamus (Nexus orchestrated the whole thing)..
• ~~~MAIN EVENT: C.M. Punk defeated Cena by DQ after a low blow (Cena was looking over his shoulder expecting a Nexus sneak attack)
• ~~~~~~~After the match, the Nexus arrived to help C.M. Punk, but Jerry Lawler slipped a chair in the ring for John Cena to protect himself.
• February 14, 2011–RAW: C.M. Punk defeated John Cena after one member of Nexus hid under the ring and passed Punk a weapon..
• ~~~~~~~~~R-Truth & John Morrison defeated Nexus (David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty w/ Mason Ryan) in a tag team match..
• ~~~Later that night, John Cena helped Randy Orton fight off Nexus and got some revenge by giving Punk an Attitude Adjustment!
• February 20, 2011–Elimination Chamber: John Cena defeated five wrestlers to win the Elimination Chamber and become #1 Contender!
• ~~~~~John Cena defeated C.M. Punk and John Morrison and King Sheamus and Randy Orton and R-Truth in an Elimination Chamber..
• World Wrestling Entertainment – Randy Orton vs. C.M. Punk (WrestleMania 27):
• February 21, 2011–RAW: C.M. Punk defeated John Morrison after working on Morrison’s leg injury from the Elimination Chamber..
• ~~Punk explained that he was going after Orton because he attacked him at Unforgiven 2008 and caused him to vacate his World title..
• The Anonymous G.M. said over the next few weeks if any Nexus member beats Orton they can be in Punk’s corner at WrestleMania..
• February 28, 2011–RAW: Randy Orton defeated Michael McGillicutty with an RKO and then took him out with a punt kick to the head!
• March 7, 2011–RAW: Randy Orton defeated David Otunga with an RKO and then took him out with a swift punt kick to the head!
• ~~~LATER: C.M. Punk (w/Mason Ryan) defeated R-Truth by submission – [Mason Ryan destroyed Truth with a Shoulder-breaker!]
• March 14, 2011–RAW: Randy Orton defeated Mason Ryan with an RKO and then took him out with a swift punt kick to the head!