April 11, 2011 – Bridgeport, Connecticut
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler & Josh Matthews + Jim Ross
[ REVIEWED BY BRAD DYKENS ]
IN THE RING
John Cena + Randy Orton + John Morrison + Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero + R-Truth + Michael Cole: John Cena came out and talked about the making of the main event of WrestleMania 28 one year in advance – John Cena vs. The Rock. Cena predicted that the match would be for the WWE championship, and then challenged WWE champion The Miz to a match tonight! Randy Orton came out and pointed out that Cena’s business with the Miz at WrestleMania was settled and HE should get the next title shot. John Morrison came out next and said he was next in line to face the Miz for the WWE title. Vickie Guerrero & Dolph Ziggler came out and Vickie said Dolph should be next in line for a WWE title shot. Dolph said he didn’t come to RAW to waste his time on Snooki, and has never faced the Miz for the WWE championship. Dolph said the line starts with him! R-Truth joined the fray and said the truth is he has never gotten a one-on-one title match on either show. Dolph said there was a reason for that. The Anonymous RAW General Manager chimed in with an email, which was read by Michael Cole. AND I QUOTE: The G.M. booked a 5-man gauntlet match tonight and whoever wins gets a title shot at Extreme Rules.
VIGNETTE: They showed a creepy video of someone pinging the head off of a blonde-headed play doll and then laughing maniacally.
WWE DIVAS TITLE MATCH
Brie Bella w/Nikki Bella defeated Eve Torres to win the WWE Diva’s title: Eve made the referee put an X on Nikki’s hand so they cannot pull Twin Magic (the switcharoo) during the match. They tried to pull the switcharoo anyway, but got caught by the referee. The distraction was enough, and led to Brie getting the win and capturing the Diva’s championship. This title is officially in the toilet.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Eve Torres + Gail Kim + Natalya Naidhart + Tamina: Gail Kim tried to console Eve, who got defensive and said everyone in the Divas locker room only cares for themselves. Eve also blew off Natalya when she tried to console her too. Natalya & Gail said they didn’t think they were like that, then Tamina came in and grabbed something from behind them and left.
SINGLES MATCH
Sin Cara (debut) defeated Primo Colon:
PLUG: New DVD “DX: One Last Stand”..
IN THE RING
The Corre (Wade Barrett & Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel & Ezekiel Jackson) + The Apple (Santino Marella & Daniel Bryan & Evan Bourne & Mark Henry): Wade talked about Cena/Rock making history last week and they taking out the entire Corre. Wade said they always say they are equals but if you don’t pull their weight….. Gabriel immediately stepped forward and got defensive.. Slater also stepped forward and said they were tag team champions and nobody would take that away from them.. Ezekiel stepped forward and said he made the stable credible. Santino came out and presented the “APPLE” – Allied People Powered by Loathing Everything – including Daniel Bryan, Evan Bourne, and Mark Henry.
EIGHT MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
The Corre (Wade Barrett & Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel & Ezekiel Jackson) defeated The Apple (Santino Marella & Daniel Bryan & Evan Bourne & Mark Henry):
GRUDGE MATCH
Jerry “The King” Lawler w/Jim Ross defeated Jack Swagger w/Michael Cole: If Swagger wins, Michael Cole retires undefeated and doesn’t ever have to face the King again, but if Lawler wins, then he gets another match against Cole at Extreme Rules. Jim Ross was introduced and he immediately tried to get at Michael Cole through the glass box. Swagger ran out and brawled with Lawler, as all hell broke loose as they cut to commercial. Back from commercial, the match was started. Josh Mathews remained silent on commentary, but we could hear both Jim Ross & Michael Cole yelling at each other from ringside. Later in the match, Lawler lost focus and went after Cole, but Swagger bashed him from behind. JR pulled Cole down to the floor and Swagger went after JR. Lawler rolled up Swagger for the 1-2-3! In the ring, Cole yelled at Swagger for failing and asked him if he was an idiot. Cole said he paid Swagger good money and slapped him across the face! Cole jumped out before Swagger could do anything. Jerry Lawler said he had a good idea for his match at Extreme Rules; it should be a tag team match – Jerry Lawler & Jim Ross against Michael Cole & Jack Swagger.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: Edge was shown chatting with long-time rival John Cena and they shook hands before he headed towards the ring for a major announcement.
IN THE RING
World Heavyweight champion Edge: Edge said a lot of people think that the WWE doesn’t hurt. Edge said eight years ago he broke his neck, and described the surgery, saying he knew he was wrestling on borrowed time. Edge said he has recently been wrestling in pain and losing feeling in his arms. Edge said he made it through WrestleMania, but the WWE forced him to get more tests. Edge said the doctors have told him he has to retire, and he is not going to end up in a wheel-chair. Edge got emotional and the fans showed their appreciation by chanting “thank you, Edge!” Edge said he talked to Christian, his friend for the last 27 years. Edge said he has been angry at himself, and was upset that his career wasn’t ending on his terms. Edge said Christian reminded him that he fought his entire career on his own terms. Edge said he was still a huge fan of the WWE, talking about going to Maple Leaf Gardens to watch wrestling and attending WrestleMania 6. Edge talked about main eventing WrestleMania against the Undertaker and the number of championships he’s won. Edge said he couldn’t dream of a better way to retire than to have his last match at WrestleMania and go out as World Heavyweight champion. Edge talked about his first match in 1996 in Hamilton and becoming a man in front of wrestling fans. Edge talked about his early days in the Brood, teaming with Christ?ian, being one of the most despised wrestlers ever, a LIVE SEX CELEBRATION with Lita (thankfully not Vickie Guerrero). Edge said thankfully he’s earned the respect of everyone in the locker room and hopefully the fans’ respect. Edge said he gave as much of himself as he could and the fans gave it right back to him. Edge said he will miss the fan react?ion when his music hits. Edge said he doesn’t have to wear wrestling tights tomorrow and he is going to eat a lot of ice cream tonight. Edge acknowledged Jim Ross as the one who hired him, and said he would definitely do it all again. Edge said “thank you, thank you very much!” The fans gave Edge a loud standing ovation as he exited the ring and walked backstage. WOW. Backstage during the commercial, Edge was greeted by the RAW locker room and given the respectful farewell treatment.
5-MAN GAUNTLET MATCH TO BECOME #1 CONTENDER
Dolph Ziggler w/Vickie Guerrero defeated Randy Orton: WWE champion The Miz (w/Alex Riley) joined Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler on commentary for the match… Dolph won after the new Nexus (Mason Ryan & David Otunga & Michael McGillicutty) attacked Randy Orton. The Nexus destroyed Randy Orton to get revenge for taking them all out before WrestleMania.
R-Truth defeated Dolph Ziggler w/Vickie Guerrero:
R-Truth defeated John Morrison:
R-Truth vs. John Cena ended in a Double DQ: R-Truth was the star of the match, hanging in there with John Cena for longer than he usually would. The match ended when The Miz & Alex Riley interfered and attacked both men. The Miz said it was a double disqualification, which means both men are losers, and they can go to the end of the line – and there is no number one contender. The Anonymous RAW G.M. chimed in with an email, which was ready by Jerry Lawler; the G.M. ruled that the Miz would defend the WWE championship against both John Cena & R-Truth in a triple threat match at Extreme Rules. Cena picked up Alex Riley and planted him with an Attitude Adjustment.. Cena & Truth shook hands and hugged, then started patting each other on the back – however, the patting eventually turned into uncomfortable shoving.