WWE RAW – December 5, 2011 – Tampa, Florida
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
[ REVIEWED BY BRAD DYKENS ]
IN THE RING
John Cena + Alberto Del Rio + Vickie Guerrero & Dolph Ziggler + The Miz + Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis: John Cena came out to loud booing. Cena talked about being on Piper’s Pit last week, and thanked Roddy Piper. Cena said the WWE Universe tells him what they think every week, and that is what Roddy did last week. Cena said there is no show without the fans, so they have the right to tell him what they think of him. Cena talked about C.M. Punk beating Alberto Del Rio for the WWE championship – and issued a challenge to Punk. Alberto interrupted and said that title match was his. Cena said everyone saw Alberto lose. Alberto said if Punk was DQ’d last week he would lose the WWE title. Alberto showed a clip of Punk using an exposed turnbuckle to win the match. Alberto said it was illegal so he should be the new WWE champion. Vickie Guerrero interrupted with Dolph Ziggler screaming “EXCUSE ME!” and claimed neither man deserves a title match. Vickie said Dolph was the only WWE Superstar deserving of a title shot. Dolph cited that he defeated Randy Orton, and he was the longest reigning champion in the WWE. Cena called Dolph a jerkoff. Dolph suggested Alberto and Cena fight for the right to face him for the U.S. title. Cena pointed out that that title shot belongs to Zack Ryder. Dolph said they were out of luck because the next title match goes to HIM! The Miz was the next to interrupt (they showed clips of Miz taking out R-Truth & John Morrison). Miz said the Slammys were next week. Miz said he beat Cena at WrestleMania (a shot at Cena), his title reign was actually longer than a month (a shot at Alberto), he doesn’t need Vickie Guerrero to get a reaction (a shot at Dolph). The Miz said he took out Truth & Morrison and he will be the WWE Superstar of the Year! Miz said if anyone gets a WWE championship match, it’s……….. Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis interrupted and said he was falsely accused by C.M. Punk of being a boring figurehead. John said each man in the ring will face a SmackDown! Superstar tonight and if they win the match they will be entered in a TLC match for the WWE championship at the TLC PPV. John said that excluded John Cena, who he has a social experiment for tonight.
RAW VS SMACKDOWN MATCH
The Miz defeated Randy Orton by Countout: If The Miz won he would be entered in the TLC match at the PPV. Late in the match, Orton slammed Miz on the floor. Wade Barrett walked down to ringside as Orton rolled Miz into the ring. Orton chased Barrett up the ramp to the stage and was counted out! Orton walked back to the ring for revenge, but Barrett ran back down and bashed him from behind!!
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: WWE Network in 2012.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
John Laurinaitis & Zack Ryder + John Cena: Zack Ryder said the new WWE Network was going to be “sick” and wondered what Papa Shanga has been up to. Ryder talked about his petition for a United States title shot. John said just because Ryder has a petition doesn’t mean he gets a title shot. John Cena came in wearing a Zack Ryder wig and sunglasses. John said his social experiement was to book John Cena n a match with Zack Ryder – where if Ryder wins he gets a U.S. title match and if Cena wins he is entered in the TLC match at the PPV.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
David Otunga & Kevin Nash: David Otunga informed Kevin Nash that he was facing Triple H in a Ladder match at the TLC PPV. Nash asked if HHH was cleared. Otunga explained that a sledge hammer will be hanging above the ring. Nash liked the idea of using a sledgehammer legally on HHH. Otunga also informed Nash that he had a match tonight, but Nash didn’t even care who his opponent was.
RAW VS SMACKDOWN MATCH
Alberto Del Rio w/Ricardo Rodriguez defeated Daniel Bryan by submission: If Alberto won he would be entered in the TLC match at the PPV. Daniel Bryan had his ribs all taped up due to his steel cage match with Mark Henry on SmackDown!.
DIVAS TAG TEAM MATCH
Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres w/Alicia Fox defeated WWE Diva’s champion Beth Phoenix & Natalya Neidhart:
THE SOCIAL EXPERIMENT MATCH
John Cena defeated Zack Ryder: If Cena wins he is in the TLC match at the PPV, and if Ryder wins he gets a United States title shot. Vickie Guerrero & Dolph Ziggler watched on a monitor backstage. Cena tried to help Ryder after the match, but Ryder yelled at him that it was his one shot! Cena gestured to Ryder to be patient and walked off.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
John Laurinaitis & David Otunga + John Cena: John Cena barged in and told David Otunga to GET OUT and then got in John Laurinaitis’ face! Cena said Zack Ryder worked his ass off and deserves a shot at the United States title. Cena told John to be creative. John said Zack Ryder will get one more opportunity tonight but only if Cena gives up his championship opportunity at the TLC PPV. Cena said he is a 10-time WWE champion because people gave him an opportunity when the people in the office wouldn’t. Cena agreed to give up his shot to give Ryder another opportunity.
NON (WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT) TITLE NO-DQ/NO-COUNTOUT MATCH
Zack Ryder defeated World Heavyweight champion Mark Henry: John Cena came down to cheer for Zack Ryder, who was getting demolished. Cena jumped in and gave Henry an Attitude Adjustment and put Ryder on top. Ryder got the 1-2-3!! Ryder met Cena at the top of the ramp and celbrated.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Vickie Guerrero & Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger: Vickie came out of John Laurinaitis’ office and informed Dolph Ziggler that the referees decision was final. Vickie said she found out who Dolph’s opponent was.. SHEAMUS! Dolph didn’t like that either. Jack Swagger said not to worry cause he would be out there too.
SINGLES MATCH
Kevin Nash defeated Santino Marella: After the match, Kevin Nash found a sledgehammer and threatened to kill Santino. Nash resisted and just held the weapon over his head to express dominance.
RAW VS SMACKDOWN MATCH
Sheamus defeated WWE United States champion Dolph Ziggler (w/Vickie Guerrero & Jack Swagger): If Dolph won he would be entered in the TLC match at the PPV. Zack Ryder showed up and distracted Dolph, allowing Sheamus to hit the Brogue-kick and win! After the match, Zack got in the ring and hit Dolph with the Ruff-Ryder!
IN THE RING (CONTRACT SIGNING)
Alberto Del Rio & The Miz + Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis + WWE champion C.M. Punk: John Laurinaitis hyped the debut of Brodus Clay again and also Mark Henry vs. John Cena next week. Next he introduced WWE champion C.M. Punk. Punk said the contract signing segment was the biggest WWE cliche. Punk said they always end in a pier six brawl. Punk said they should just sign the contract and get to fightin’! Laurinaitis said he was Mr. Excitement, so it wouldn’t be a tradition triple threat match, it would be a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match (wasn’t that implied?). Punk said he was okay with that. Miz brought up what he did to R-Truth & John Morrison. Laurinaitis threw in the insult, wishing Morrison the best in his future endeavers. Miz said he was the greatest WWE champion of all time, and he was taking back what was his. Punk fired back at the Miz. Alberto cut them off and said 2011 he won everything, and will end the year doing the same. Miz said he and Alberto are not friends but one thing they can agree on is Punk will not leave TLC as the champion. Alberto said Miz was right, Punk is going to lose. They all signed the contract. Punk wanted to get to fightin’ but Laurinaitis prevented it. Laurinaitis wished everyone luck and called in a photographer for a photo-opportunity. Punk said these things are supposed to end in brawls, so if you wanna do something right you gotta do it yourself. Punk went on the attack and they fought. Miz was knocked out of the ring and Lauriniatis bailed out on his own. Punk tried to GTS Ricardo, but Alberto attacked him. Alberto cleared the ring of furniture and went for a move but Miz got involved again. Punk came back and gave Alberto a bulldog through the table! Punk then hit Miz with a Go-To-Sleep!