WWE Monday Night RAW
January 31, 2011 – Providence, Rhode Island
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler + Josh Mathews
[ REVIEWED BY STEVEN POST ]
IN THE RING
2011 Royal Rumble Winner Alberto Del Rio w/Ricardo Rodriguez + WWE champion The Miz w/Alex Riley + World Heavyweight champion Edge: Ricardo started the introduction from the top of the ramp while Del Rio came out in a beautiful car like he is accustomed to doing. Ricardo led a marachi band to the ring and finished the introduction in the ring with the band behind him. When Del Rio arrived he had them stop playing so he could deliver his promo. I didn’t think it was possible for two men to appear so smug, but Del Rio & Ricardo managed. Del Rio reminded us that he’d been saying that it was his destiny to win the Royal Rumble and now he was going to headline WrestleMania. Del Rio also claimed the mariachi band behind him was the best in Mexico. Del Rio acted as though he was going to tell us which champion he was going to challenge at WrestleMania 27. He delayed a long time when the Miz’s music came on. The Miz came to the ring and congratulated Del Rio and actually said he hoped that Del Rio would choose to face the Miz at WrestleMania but then a moment later he told Del Rio that Edge made a lot of disparaging remarks about Del Rio backstage. An obvious attempt to get Del Rio to choose Edge at WrestleMania. Del Rio didn’t fall for it but when the Miz swore he was telling the truth, Edge came out to defend his honor. Edge told Del Rio that he wouldn’t say those things behind Del Rio’s back instead he would just say them to Del Rio’s face. Del Rio finally said his decision was to face Edge at WrestleMania. Edge congratulated him and punched Del Rio in the face. When Edge turned to face the Miz, the Miz was already getting out the ring (very slowly) but that allowed Del Rio time to attack Edge. Del Rio then hit Edge in the shoulder with one of the guitars used by the mariachi band. Del Rio then put Edge in the cross arm breaker for a moment.
RINGSIDE SEGMENT
Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler: As Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler were discussing the events that just took place they were interrupted by the anonymous general manager. Cole read the email to us. For the first time ever a RAW Rumble match. Seven Superstars compete. The winner faces the WWE Champion at the Elimination Chamber PPV. And the other participants will simply be in an Elimination Chamber Match. The participants of the Rumble will be Randy Orton, C.M. Punk, John Morrison, R-Truth, Sheamus, and the surprise entrant Jerry Lawler! The King was happy about the announcement and asked Cole to read it aloud again. Cole announced the final participant instead, John Cena.
WWE TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
Vladimir Kozlov & Santino Marella w/Tamina defeated The New Nexus (Michael McGillicutty & Husky Harris) to retain the WWE Tag Team titles: McGillicutty & Harris dominated the match for the majority. When Kozlov was able to make a hot tag into the match he reversed things around eventually allowing Santino to perform the Cobra onto Husky Harris to get the pin. As Santino & Kozlov were leaving Randy Orton ran down and RKO’d both McGillicutty & Harris.
IN THE RING
Randy Orton & Husky Harris + C.M. Punk & The New Nexus (on stage): Randy stood silently in the ring for quite some time until he backed up in a pose obvious intent to punt Harris in the head. The rest of Nexus came out onto the ramp led by C.M. Punk. Punk was asking Orton not to do it. If Orton kicks Harris, Punk promised serious repercussions. It appeared for a moment as though Orton wasn’t going to kick Harris, but the crowd was encouraging Orton to do it, and so Orton did it. Orton had to run out into the audience to avoid the Nexus grabbing him when they ran down to the ring.
RINGSIDE SEGMENT
Ted DiBiase Jr. w/Maryse + Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler: Ted Dibiase came out to specifically verbally attack WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “the King” Lawler. Stating Lawler’s career is over while his is just getting started and asked Lawler to step out of the RAW Rumble to allow DiBiase to take his spot. Cole was the one to defend Lawler at first, but used backhanded compliments until Lawler grabbed the mic off of him. Lawler said his road to WrestleMania starts tonight. Lawler said he will win the RAW Rumble later. That’s when DiBiase shoved him. When Lawler tried to chase after him, DiBiase used Maryse as a human shield. This infuriated Maryse who turned around and slapped DiBiase! She then walked off, which allowed Lawler to punch DiBiase right in the chin. Michael Cole was very upset, and ran his mouth a lot and Lawler threatened to knock out Cole’s teeth. Cole reminded Lawler that if he did he would be fired (a ruling set down by the Anonymous G.M. months ago).
NON (WWE UNITED STATES) TITLE MATCH
WWE United States champion Daniel Bryan w/ Gail Kim defeated Tyson Kidd by submission: The Bella twins were helping with commentary. Bryan won the match with the LaBell Lock. The Bella twins got in the ring and attacked Gail Kim. Gail was really taking it to one of the twins when Daniel Bryan and some referees managed to break it all up.
NON (CHAMPION VS. CHAMPION) TITLE MATCH
World Heavyweight champion Edge defeated WWE champion The Miz w/Alex Riley: The Miz focused a lot of attention onto Edge’s already injured shoulder. John Cena was in the audience with a microphone causing a distraction to the Miz. It allowed Edge to spear the Miz and get the win!
ON STAGE: Vickie Guerrero came out the top of the ramp to tell us that the World Heavyweight Championship would be defended in a never before seen way on Friday Night SmackDown!. We were later told that Edge & Kelly Kelly would face Dolph Ziggler & LayCool in a mixed Handicap match with Edge’s World Heavyweight title on the line.
DIVAS TAG TEAM MATCH
LayCool (Layla El & Michelle McCool) defeated Natalya Neidhart & WWE Diva’s champion Eve Torres: Eve & Natalya dominated the majority of the match but due to some outside interference from Michele, Layla was able to pin Eve.
DANCE OFF
Mark Henry & The Great Khali w/Runjin Singh + the Uso Brothers (Jimmy & Jey): The Anonymous General Manager sent in an email saying since the match was so unfair he would change it to a dance off. The Uso brothers went first and looked foolish. Khali & Henry danced and seemed to get a pretty good fan reactoin until Uso brothers attacked them. No clear winner was defined.
RAW RUMBLE
Jerry “The King” Lawler defeated John Cena and Randy Orton and King Sheamus and C.M. Punk and John Morrison and R-Truth: John Morrison and King Sheamus were first in the ring. Similar to the Royal Rumble match every two minutes a new participant entered. John Cena was next followed later by C.M. Punk. Entrant number five was R-Truth. Jerry Lawler was the next to the ring. When the final participant Randy Orton came down, Punk slid out of the ring and then crawled underneath. Orton went straight for him when he got there and pulled him out by the legs. The elimination rules are identical to the Royal Rumble and it was at this point the first eliminations occurred. Orton eliminated Punk and R-Truth eliminated Orton right after. Sheamus eliminated Morrison after Morrison had many times avoided hitting the floor. Sheamus used Lawler’s body to eliminate Cena. Lawler and Sheamus were the final two. Sheamus charged at Lawler with a Rogue Kick, but Lawler pulled down the ropes (assisted by Cena) sending Sheamus flying over and down to the floor! Jerry “the king” Lawler will face the Miz for the WWE Championship at the Elimination Chamber PPV!!