WWE RAW – November 21, 2011 – Hershey, Pennsylvania
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler & Booker T
[ REVIEWED BY BRAD DYKENS ]
IN THE RING
WWE champion C.M. Punk + Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis: C.M. Punk won the WWE championship from Alberto Del Rio the previous night at Survivor Series. Punk told a story about as child wanting to be a professional wrestler. Punk noted that he didn’t say sports entertainer. Punk said as a professional wrestler, he started from the very bottom and worked his way to the WWE – a company he watched since he could breath. Punk talked about how great it was to win the WWE title in Madison Square Garden. Punk said it was satisfying because he did it on his own terms. Punk said now that he has the WWE title, the game of hot potato ends. Punk said there are a lot of people who don’t like it but he is the new face of the WWE. Punk said he would make the WWE title interesting. Punk vowed to break back the era of danger to RAW that its been lacking. Punk wants an era of change, and wants to find out where are the WWE Ice Cream bars! Punk said he would like to change the term Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis to Former Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis. John interrupted and said they both want the same thing; what’s best for the WWE Universe. John was the first to congratulate C.M. Punk, and said he doesn’t understand why Punk has an issue with him. Punk when it comes to Mr. McMahon, he is a greedy money hungry souless bastard, but he’ll tell you that to your face. Punk said John will smile to his face and then lie to him. Punk said John calls the fans the “WWE Universe” because it is a buzz word he has to use to make his bosses happy. Punk until John can be an agent of change, he will be known as a poor excuse for a middle management soul-sucking douch-bag stoog. John said he was UPPER-management! Adding Punk was all wrong. John said just because he’s not tatooed doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a wild side. John said Alberto has a rematch clause in his contract and they would have that match next week on RAW. Punk made fun of John’s attempt at being “radical” and suggested they have the match right now. John said he had other plans for Punk tonight – facing Intercontinental champion Dolph Ziggler in a champion vs. champion match. Punk said that wasn’t innovating, but it proves his point. Punk said John doesn’t listen to his WWE Universe… they don’t want to see Ziggler vs. Punk (crowd begins chanting “We Want Ryder!)…. they want to see Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder! John said Ryder is busy facing Alberto Del Rio tonight. Punk agreed and said tonight he will beat Dolph Ziggler, next week he will beat Alberto Del Rio, and some day somebody is going to beat sense into John Laurinaitis.
SURVIVOR SERIES EXCLUSIVE: They showed a clip of the Rock cutting a promo in the ring after the PPV went off the air. The crowd began chanting “We Want Ryder!” during the speech, and Rock acknowledged it by endorsing that he also was a fan of Zack Ryder!
SINGLES MATCH
Alberto Del Rio w/Ricardo Rodriguez defeated Zack Ryder by submission:
SINGLES MATCH
Sheamus defeated Jack Swagger w/Vickie Guerrero with a Brogue-kick:
ON STAGE SEGMENT
Kevin Nash: Kevin Nash talked about Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and himself deciding to put their friendship before business and be friends for life. Nash said when he came back to the WWE, Triple H was his BOSS. Nash said it should have been him & HHH taking on Cena & Rock at Survivor Series. Nash said HHH’s next was broken by HIM! Nash said the real survivor of that group stands before you now! Nash arrived and departed by the old nWo music.
SINGLES MATCH
Cody Rhodes defeated Santino Marella: Cody Rhodes compared his unmasking to a rabid dog without his muzzle. Cody continued cutting a maniacal promo complete with crazy laughing before he was interrupted by Santino Marella. After the match, Cody Rhodes confronted Booker T over comments he made on commentary and threw water in his face!
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
John Mathews & WWE United States champion Dolph Ziggler & Vickie Guerrero: Dolph bragged about winning two matches at Survivor Series. Josh pointed out that Dolph was eliminated in the Survivor Series match. Vickie was quick to point out that he was on the winning team so it counts. Dolph said C.M. Punk doesn’t know it yet but HE is the face of the WWE.
CHAMPION VS CHAMPION MATCH
WWE champion C.M. Punk defeated WWE United States champion Dolph Ziggler w/Vickie Guerrero with the GTS: Great match.
CHEAP PLUG: WWE 12 Video Game.
ON STAGE SEGMENT
The Big Show: The Big Show said at Survivor Series he proved that he was better than the World’s Strongest Man. Big Show said “face it, Mark.. when you realized the title was slipping away you took the easy way out.” Big Show said he said before that only one of them was walking out of Survivor Series. Big Show said Mark may still be champion but he was carted out. Big Show said Mark’s leg may not be broken, and if that’s the case – GOOD FOR YOU! Big Show said when Mark comes back he’s got something waiting for him (holds up his fist). Big Show said make sure you have the World Heavyweight championship with him!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Kelly Kelly & Alicia Fox + Beth Phoenix & Natalya Neidhart: Kelly & Alicia were playing the WWE 12 video game when Beth & Nattie came in and made fun of them.
SINGLES MATCH
Wade Barrett defeated Kofi Kingston: Randy Orton came down and took a seat at ringside to scout Wade Barrett. After the match, Barrett gloated at Orton, who tried to hold his temper. Orton made a quick move towards Barrett only to prove he was afraid.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT: John Cena headed towards the ring..
IN THE RING
John Cena + The Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth): John Cena talked about the popularity of Zack Ryder, then congratulated new WWE champion C.M. Punk, then addressed the Rock returning after a seven year absense. Cena said the WWE Universe has always been honest with him. Cena said emotions run high people get carried away. Cena said after their victory at Survivor Series, the Rock invited Cena into the ring. Cena said he found himself on the business end of a Rock-bottom. Cena said the Rock proved that he has not lost it, so that means WrestleMania will be exactly what it needs to be! The Miz & R-Truth interrupted and said Cena failed to mention that 17,000 people were chanting “don’t tag Cena” at the Rock. The Miz said last night no one wanted to see John Cena. Truth cut a promo predicting that the Rock would embarrass Cena at WrestleMania. Cena got serious and threatened Miz & Truth. Cena said all eyes were focused on April 1st WrestleMania. Cena said nobody cares about Miz & Truth. Cena said Miz thinks Truth is a whackjob riding his coat-tails, and Truth thinks Miz was a pompus arrogant attention-stealing d-lister whose biggest accomplishment was being a loudmouth on a crappy reality show. Cena said don’t boo him when they should be booing themselves (Cena exits). Truth took it hook, line, and sinker, but Miz said Cena was just playing them. Truth got mad and Miz ended up saying too much. Truth shoved Miz down. Miz got up and said Cena was playing them and they should go get him! Both men got it together and went backstage to find Cena. The Miz caught up to Truth and gave him a Skull Crusing Finale on the stage! The next day R-Truth was announced as being suspended for 30 days on a Wellness policy violation.