WWE Monday Night RAW
November 22, 2010 – Orlando, Florida
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler + C.M. Punk
[ REVIEWED BY THOMAS PARKER ]
DARK MATCH: Jackson Andrews (Steven Slocum) defeated Goldust..
IN THE RING
The Nexus (Wade Barrett & Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel & David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty & Husky Harris): The show opened with The Nexus coming down to the ring. Wade Barrett opened with a promo about last night’s “Survivor Series.” The crowd was on him hard with loud Cena chants. Barrett blamed his loss to Randy Orton on John Cena. Barrett said Cena knew what he was doing so he didn’t stand a chance against Orton and that’s not fair. Barrett wanted a rematch with a neutral referee. The anonymous G.M. blinked in with an email (read by Michael Cole). The General Manager granted Barrett his rematch later tonight. Barrett gloated that he is being gracious in letting Cena appear here tonight to say his farewell to the WWE Universe. Strong mic work by Barrett on this segment.
RINGSIDE SEGMENT
Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler: Back from commercial, Michael Cole announced C.M. Punk as the newest member of the RAW announce team. Punk made his way to ringside to join Cole & King on commentary.
KING OF THE RING QUALIFYING MATCH
Sheamus defeated R-Truth w/Eve Torres to advance to the quarter-finals next week: Sheamus dominated with a headlock early on. Back from commercial, Sheamus continued to work over Truth on the mat, before catching him with The Brouge Kick then following it with the Celtic Cross for the finish. Punk may have gotten the line of the night when he asked Lawler if he defeated George Hackenschmidt or Farmer Burns back in ’38 to become a King. Lawler replied he was born a King.
RINGSIDE SEGMENT
Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler & C.M. Punk: They discussed John Cena’s career being over, and plugged the John Cena Experience DVD that was recently released. We got a clip from the DVD, from last year’s WrestleMania. Next they showed clips from the video shown last night during the pay per view.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
LayCool (Michelle McCool & Layla El) + Natalya Niedhart: LayCool claimed that their title was stolen at Survivor Series as they entered the building. A security guy said that the entrance was for RAW stars only – and they weren’t on the list. They got attitude with him, until Natalya appeared. The guy asked Natalya if she knew them, and she said she has never seen them before in her life! The security guy shut the door in LayCool’s faces.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov: Santino talked to Kozlov about losing their title match last night. Santino was upset. Kozlov said that there was always tomorrow, but Santino asked what if tomorrow never comes? Tamina showed up to serenade Santino with a ukulele. Santino was a smitten by her singing. They kissed and she teld him to call her.
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Josh Mathews & WWE champion Randy Orton: Randy Orton said he and John Cena were never friends, but he respected him for calling the match right down the middle at Survivor Series. Orton promised tonight, that Barrett will not leave with his WWE title.
VIDEO PACKAGE: Ezekiel Jackson..
SMACKDOWN HYPE: There will be a King of the Ring Qualifying Match featuring The Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio.
ON STAGE: Alex Riley came out, and said that the Miz suffered an anxiety attack, therefore, he has been authorized to take his place to qualify for him.
KING OF THE RING QUALIFYING MATCH
Ezekiel Jackson defeated Alex Riley (sub for The Miz) to advance to the quarter-finals next week: Alex Riley attacked, but Zeke fought back and took him to the ropes. Right hands by Riley, but Zeke with a right and dropped him. To the corner, Zeke missed the splash and Riley got the corner splash. Riley slammed Zeke to the mat, and covered for two. Headlock by Riley, then tried to ground Zeke, but he powered out and slammed Riley down. Off the ropes and the big clothesline from Zeke. Corner clothesline from Zeke connected, Greetings From Ghana connected and that is all.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: John Cena said good-bye to R-Truth, Gail Kim, Eve Torres, Yoshi Tatsu, and Santino Marella.
IN THE RING
John Cena: John Cena was announced and made his way to the ring (for the last time? storyline). Cena soaked up the crowd response and said if he has to go out, this was how he wanted to go out. Cena said just in case you have been missing things, Orton was still WWE champion, and that means he was fired. Cena said this was something he didn’t think would happen, but forget about it. Cena said before WWE, he lived in a car and cleaned toilets; he never thought any of this was possible. Cena said over the years the fans have gotten to know him, but you only see him on TV. Cena said outside of here, they don’t fully know him, and they have no idea how much he respects the company. Not just the company today, but every person that has allowed him to be there – like Triple H, Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and Undertaker. Cena said when he got a chance, titles were one thing, but he wanted to be able to look them in the eyes and for them to accept him. Cena said he was here with a smile, and he danced in the ring with hall of famers, traveled the world, and lived out a fantasy. Cena said he will not let NEXUS ruin the last nine years of his life. One thing was that life moves fast in WWE, and it was a big part of his life, and then WWE became his life. Cena said he wanted to give his all when he performed, and he sacrificed. Cena said his family has been patient with him, and they let him be him. His brother Matt just had a baby girl, and he missed it (Cena started to cry). His mom’s birthday was in a few days, and he will leave here tonight and go home, and will go see his niece for the first time, and his mom will get the best gift ever, because he will be there to hug her and tell her he loves her. Cena cried a little but and he admitted that he might look like an idiot. Cena said one thing he loved about the fans were that they were honest. If he was leaving, he just wanted to hear half cheer for him and half cheer against him. Cena got all the ladies and kids to yell “Let’s go Cena!” and every guy over 18 to chant “Cena sucks!” Cena led them in a chant, and they played along (really classic moment). Cena said he was pleased by these chants. Cena then said that their passion kept him coming back, and he knew he earned the chants. Cena had a message for Wade Barrett, who he felt has talent. Cena said that he needed to take some advice from an ex-employee that may have peed in his coffee a few times – stop taking short cuts. Cena told Barrett not to take the easy way out. These fans will give you everything if you give them everything. Karma is a bitch – and if you keep taking the short cuts, it will come back to haunt you. Cena said Billy Kidman was about to strangle himself because he is over time. Cena then thanked the WWE Universe for letting him share his life for nine years, for understanding him, for standing up for WWE, showing up, watching all the shows, thank you for allowing idiots like him to follow his dream. Lets go home. Cena left the ring, and stood on the stage. He kissed his dog tags and saluted the crowd, and then went backstage. Cena walked backstage to an ovation from the roster, and Orton walked up to him. They shook hands and hugged, then Cena walked out of the building. Suddenly Wade Barrett appeared, and did the You Can’t See Me gesture behind Cena’s back as he was walking away.
KING OF THE RING QUALIFYING MATCH
Daniel Bryan w/Brie Bella defeated Ted DiBiase Jr. w/Maryse to advance to the quarter-finals next week: Michael Cole’s mind was blown by Brie Bella escorting Daniel Bryan to the ring. Ted DiBiase attacked Daniel Bryan at the bell. A flapjack by DiBiase and cover for two. DiBiase dumped Bryan on the ropes, and then covered for two. Elbows by Bryan, who avoided the corner splash and a corner dropkick by Byran. Off the ropes and Bryan ran into a sitout spinebuster, and DiBiase covered for two. Bryan used the LeBell Lock to make DiBiase submit. Nikki Bella came out to join Bryan & Brie in celebration! Daniel didn’t want them to hug him, but instead encouraged them to hug eachother!
NON (WWE DIVAS) TITLE MATCH
Natalya Neidhart defeated Alicia Fox: Natalya took Alicia to the corner but she countered and grabbed Natalya by the hair and slammed her down. Natalya slammed Alicia down, and then slapped her. Natalya did a standing suplex on Alicia and added squats to add insult. Impressive! Natalya covered for two. Fox tried to grab the ropes, but Natalya picked her up in a bear hug and Fox escaped…. Alicia tried a roll up, but Natalya countered with a Sharpshooter and Fox tapped. Not sure if the hair spot was planned but Natalya took it up a notch from that point on!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: Melina Perez & John Morrison spoke backstage, and then she slapped him on the butt. They are former MNM partners and have actually been dating in real life for quite some time.
KING OF THE RING QUALIFYING MATCH
John Morrison defeated Tyson Kidd to advance to the quarter-finals next week: Lock up to begin, headlock by Morrison, to the corner and they break. Leg kicked by Kidd, to the corner and he laid the boots to Morrison. To the floor, where Kidd kicked Morrison. Back in the ring, where Kidd covered for two. Headlock by Kidd, who now yells a lot, because he’s a heel now. Morrison got up to his feet, follow by elbows to Kidd. Morrison kicked Kidd, wiped him out, and right hands followed. Morrison clothesline off the ropes and a cover for two. Off the ropes, Kidd to the floor. Morrison tried to grab him, but he was stunned by Kidd off the ropes and got the neck-breaker for two. Kidd beat down Morrison in the corner, until Morrison fought back with elbows. Morrison off the ropes with the flying kick and then hit Starship Pain for the win.
SMACKDOWN HYPE: Kofi Kingston, Drew McIntyre, Big Show, Rey Mysterio, Cody Rhodes, Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, and Montel Vontavious Porter compete to get into the King of the Ring tournament next week.
IN THE RING
Randy Orton + The Nexus (Wade Barrett & Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel & David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty & Husky Harris): WWE champion Randy Orton made his way to the ring for his title match but the NEXUS AMBUSHED AND ATTACKED HIM! Wade Barrett barked orders as referees came out to get NEXUS to the back. Orton was holding his knee and was down in the entrance. As NEXUS was pushed back, Harris charged down and attacked the knee again. Barrett pulled them back as we get a NEXUS SUCKS chant.
RINGSIDE SEGMENT
Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler & C.M. Punk: They discussed the attack by Nexus on Randy Orton. Wade Barrett made his way to the ring for his title match. Cole got an email on his Blackberry and announced that the Anonymous G.M. had banned NEXUS from ringside for the upcoming match.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Randy Orton defeated Wade Barrett to retain the WWE championship: Wade Barrett demanded that they ring the bell and award him the title via forfeit. Randy Orton limped his way to the ring. They circled the ring, until Barrett put the boots to the champion. Orton fired back, only for Barrett to take him out at the knee. Barrett took Orton to the ropes, wrapped the leg in the ropes, and worked him over. Barrett to the floor and slammed Orton’s leg off of the ring apron. Back in and a cover for two by Barrett. Barrett got up and continued the attack, then slammed the knee to the mat – cover for two. Barrett with a Spinning-toehold, but Orton pushed him away to the corner. Orton connected with a Back-breaker, and both men were down. Barrett picked up Orton and hit Wasteland – but JOHN CENA RETURNED to pull out the referee! Cena nailed Wade Barrett with an Attitude Adjustment! NEXUS ran out and chased Cena away along with security! Cena escaped. Orton got up and hit Barrett with the RKO! 1…2…3!
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Mike “The Miz” Mizanin defeated Randy Orton to win the WWE championship: HERE COMES THE MIZ! The Miz cashed in the “Money In The Money” contract! The bell rings, and The Miz attacked the injured knee, but Orton desperately fired back. The Miz stalked Orton, going straight for the injured leg. Orton fought back and Miz backed off. The Miz took out the knee finally, laid the boots to him as he worked over the leg. Alex Riley made his way ringside. The Miz slammed the knee into the ring post. Orton managed to kick him away. The Miz back in the ring and Orton with the clothesline. Hangman’s DDT countered with a shot to the knee, but a powerslam by Orton stopped Miz. Orton stalked Miz for the RKO, but Miz countered with a SKULL CRUSHING FINALE! 1…2…3! The Miz with Alex Riley celebrate as new WWE champion as the show closes. Orton was shown still selling the knee at ringside. Great job by both men!