WWE RAW – May 23, 2011 – Portland, Oregon
OPENING: In Memory of Randy “Macho Man” Savage..
OPENING SEGMENT
Jerry “The King” Lawler + Bret “The Hitman” Hart + R-Truth + John Cena: The King was introduced, and he came out to the ring to a friendly reception after deFEETing Michael Cole in a Kiss My Foot match the previous night at Over the Limit. The King said he knew Cole would try something, so he had an ace up his sleave – actually he had a Hart up his sleave. King introduced Bret “the Hitman” Hart! Bret came out and shook hands with the King. I don’t remember them ever settling their issues and becoming friends. Bret said it always makes him happy to be back on Monday Night RAW. Bret said he and Jerry Lawler had their differences over the years but he always respected him for being a competitor. Bret said he got zero respect from Michael Cole, so it was his pleasure to make sure Cole suffered the agony of defeat. Bret was about to continue but he was interrupted by R-Truth “the Truth will set you free!” Truth said it was an honor to be in the ring with Bret “The Hitman” Hart. The fans booed the Truth. Truth said Bret had been WWE champion about 90 times, but he has never gotten a title shot. Truth said he never cared about the little Jimmy’s like Bret did. Truth pulled out a pair of Hitman shades and left the ring to find himself a little “Jimmy.” Truth found a young fan in the front row and places the shades on his head! The kid was wearing a John Cena t-shirt. Truth said that meant he was next in line for a WWE championship match. The crowd booed, so he took the shades back. R-Truth said he wasn’t really in line. Truth said he used to think wins and loses didn’t matter, as long as you gave the people what they wanted. Truth said that hasn’t gotten him diddly squat. Truth said he took out John Morrison & Rey Mysterio, and that made him believe that actions do speak louder than words. Truth said the action part of his brain is telling him he has to beat up on a Hall of Famer to get a title shot. Bret told Truth to take his best shot, saying the reason he became champion was because he was the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be. Bret said the reason Truth wasn’t getting any title shots is because he is a lunatic. Truth said he wouldn’t stand there and be disrespected. John Cena came out and said it was about time he and Truth had a talk. Cena said he was excited to see Bret Hart back in a WWE ring. Bret congratulated Cena on a big win last night (against the Miz). Cena said he’s been busy with the Miz, and can’t figure out just when Truth went crazy. Cena said they used to be cool. Truth said Cena doesn’t know nothing about cool and doesn’t know nothing about him! Truth said the conspiracy he’s been talking about is all about John Cena. Truth said the people made sure it was all about John Cena. Cena said he makes sure it’s all about the people. Truth asked why everyone is running out to buy the new John Cena merchandise, accidentally blurting out that he wants his son back. Suddenly it became a little bit more clear. Truth said he never liked John Cena. Truth said Cena and Hart were a propaganda tool to make the people feel good. Truth said he doesn’t care about the people or how they feel. Truth said it’s about HIM and he won’t feel right until he gets his WWE title shot. Cena said it was time somebody knock some sense into Truth. The Anonymous RAW General Manager chimed in with an email, read by Josh Mathews. The G.M. said Truth hasn’t impressed him enough to give him a title shot, but he will be watching the main event tag team match tonight…… R-Truth & C.M. Punk vs. John Cena & Rey Mysterio with Bret Hart as the special guest referee!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Kane & The Big Show + Ricardo Rodriguez + Alberto Del Rio: Big Show talked to Kane about C.M. Punk until Ricardo Rodriguez showed up to scold them for leaning on Alberto’s car. They shoved him down on the floor and kept talking. Alberto showed up and got in Kane & Big Show’s face and ranted in spanish until they walked off.
WWE TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
The New Nexus (Michael McGillicutty & David Otunga w/C.M. Punk & Mason Ryan) defeated The Big Show & Kane to win the WWE Tag Team titles: C.M. Punk (w/Mason Ryan) joined Josh Mathews & Jerry Lawler on commentary for the match. The finish saw Mason Ryan jump in and take out Kane so that Otunga & McGillicutty could double-team the Big Show and win the WWE Tag Team titles!
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
The Big Show & Kane + Alberto Del Rio: The dumbass interviewer asked the giants about their loss and they were pissed off. Alberto came in and slapped Big Show. The camera went fuzzy and their was a ruckus. When the camera came back we saw that Big Show was run over big Alberto’s vehicle. Kane freaked out and went to his partner’s aid. Big Show rolled around screaming and rejected help from paramedics. Big Show tried to stand up but fell over immediately. Finally Big Show let the doctors and trainers look after him as Kane held his hand. After commercial, Big Show was put in a leg brace, complaining about his twisted knee. Big Show tried to stand up again but fell once more. Big Show finally got up and stumbled over to hold himself up. Big Show said he was fine. The trainer begged Big Show to let them look at it, but Big Show refused.
SINGLES MATCH
Jack Swagger defeated Evan “Air” Bourne: After the match, Jack Swagger celebrated his victory until Evan Bourne hit him with a flying side-kick and ran away!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: Michael Cole arrived at the building and walked past some WWE Diva’s. Cole tried to shake hands with Eve Torres, but she just lifted her leg and offered to let him kiss her foot!
RINGSIDE SEGMENT: Josh Mathews & Jerry Lawler talked about the Rock’s new movie – Fast Five!
RINGSIDE SEGMENT
Michael Cole + Jerry “The King” Lawler: Michael Cole came out and stood in front of the announce table in front of Jerry Lawler. Cole said he came out to apologize to Jerry Lawler, Josh Matthews, the ring announcer, the time keeper, and the audience – for his behavior the last couple of months. Cole said he wanted to come home and sit next to the King and do commentary on RAW. Cole said there would be no more Cole Mines and no more matches. Cole begged the fans to accept his apology. Cole said he really really REALLY means it. King stood up and said that sounds good to him. King thanked Cole for being so professional. King said he always wants to thank Cole for giving a picture to be on the cover of this year’s Christmas card. They showed a picture of Cole kissing King’s foot and then King gave Cole a pack of breath mints. Cole said he deserves that and asked if he could sit down now. Cole took his spot at the booth and the show continued.
IN THE RING
The Miz & Alex Riley: The Miz said the one reason he didn’t win the WWE championship last night was Alex Riley. The Miz blamed Riley for his loss at Extreme Rules, then for his loss to Cena the following night on RAW, and finally for his loss at Over The Limit in an “I Quit” Match. The Miz asked the Anonymous RAW General Manager to give him a rematch with WWE champion John Cena with Alex Riley banned from ringside. The Miz said he will wait for a response, and began waiting. The Miz said he should be WWE champion right now, and will not leave the ring until the G.M. chimes in with an email. Finally an email arrived, which was read by Josh Mathews. The G.M. said Miz’s request for a championship rematch is denied. The G.M. said the Miz lost to John Cena last nigt so as far as he’s concerned he’s done with John Cena. The Miz turned to Alex Riley and called him a worthless waste of space. Riley said he wasn’t the one who said I QUIT. The Miz told Riley to shut his mouth. The Miz said he gave Riley a personal services contract, and Riley was NOTHING without him,. The Miz said he was done with Riley and yelled “You Are Fired!” Miz took a swing at Riley, who quickly began fighting back… They brawled around ringside. Riley got the upper hand and rolled Miz into the ring. The fans actually chanted “Riley! Riley! Riley!” Riley finished the Miz off and left him laying in the ring!!
EIGHT DIVA TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres & Gail Kim & Beth Phoenix vs. WWE Diva’s champion Brie Bella & Nikki Bella & Maryse Ouellet & Melina Perez ended in a No Contest: The match was immediately interrupted by the appearance of KHARMA. All eight Diva’s united to take on the invading KHARMA, who stepped into the ring and put herself in the middle of the pack. Suddenly KHARMA dropped to her knees and began crying and shaking. The Diva’s just stood there watching and did not lay a hand on her.
NON (WWE UNITED STATES) TITLE MATCH
Kofi Kingston defeated Drew McIntyre to retain the WWE United States title: Kofi Kingston sold a knee injury during the match, but still managed to retain his championship. After the match, we saw Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero watching backstage..
RINGSIDE SEGMENT: The announcers wondered what it would be like if the President of the United States held a press conference to talk about Capitol Punishment. Next they showed a video package of cleverly edited clips of President Barack Obama to make it sound like he was talking about the next WWE PPV.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
The New Nexus (C.M. Punk & Mason Ryan & WWE Tag Team champions Michael McGillcutty & David Otunga): The New Nexus celebrated their victory winning the Tag Team titles, and C.M. Punk told them to take a look at what he’s about to do.
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Alberto Del Rio: Alberto said Big Show getting run over by his car was not his fault, claiming it was an accident. Michael Cole said the Big Show was taken to hospital and they were waiting for an update.
TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND
Michael Cole & Josh Mathews & Jerry “The King” Lawler: Jerry Lawler paid tribute to Randy “Macho Man” Savage, saying he will always be a Hall of Famer no matter what. They then showed an excellent tribute video for the recently deseased Macho Man!
MAIN EVENT TAG TEAM MATCH
: Bret “The Hitman” Hart was the special guest referee for this match. C.M. Punk was wearing purple shorts with three white stars as a tribute to the Macho Man. Punk repeatedly harassed referee Bret Hart throughout the match. The finish saw Hart put Punk in the Sharpshooter and Rey hit a spring-board leg-drop for the win!
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