WWE RAW – December 19, 2011 – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler
[ REVIEWED BY BRAD DYKENS ]
IN THE RING
WWE champion C.M. Punk + WWE United States champion Zack Ryder + World Heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan + The Miz & Dolph Ziggler & Alberto Del Rio + Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis: C.M. Punk did his own introduction, announcing himself as the winner of the triple threat TLC match at the TLC PPV. Punk said he retained the WWE championship, and was beat up and sore. Punk then announced the winner of the WWE United States title match between Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder. Ryder came out wearing the U.S. championship! There was a faint “RYDER!” chant. Punk then announced the winner of the Chairs match for the World Heavyweight title between Mark Henry (c) vs. The Big Show. It was the Big Show, but then the “unthinkable” happened and Daniel Bryan cashed in his MITB contract and walked out with the World Heavyweight championship! I guess the WWE is finally listening to the Internet. Punk said if there was an audience who could appreciate this scene it was Philadelphia! There was a significant “ECW!” chant. Punk asked who would have ever thought that two kids who met down the road would meet again 10 years later both with championships. Punk said tonight it was about Daniel Bryan & Zack Ryder, and wants to hear from the two NEW champions! Ryder said he called his dad and asked him if he was really the U.S. champion, and he said “woo woo woo, you know it!” Bryan said people never expected him to make it to the WWE; people like Michael Cole. Bryan said not only did he get here, but he became the World Heavyweight champion. The Miz came out to the stage, followed by Dolph Ziggler, followed by Alberto Del Rio. They walked to the ring together to confront their enemies. The champions dropped their belts to prepare for a fight. They prevented the bad guys from getting into the ring. The bad guys regrouped, until Ryder dove over the top rope onto Ziggler! Bryan & Punk chased Miz & Del Rio to the top of the ramp where they were stopped by Interim General Manager John Laurinaitis. After some useless talking, Laurinaitis set up a six man tag team match between Punk & Bryan & Ryder vs. Miz & Del Rio & Ziggler – calling it his Christmas present to the WWE Universe.
GRUDGE MATCH
Randy Orton defeated Wade Barrett by DQ: Wade was DQ’d after a desperate thumb to Orton’s eye. Barrett continued to assault Orton afterwards before finding a Table under the ring. Barrett set up a table in the ring and put Orton through it with the Wasteland!
NON (WWE DIVAS) TITLE MATCH
Alicia Fox defeated WWE Diva’s champion Beth Phoenix: Shocking. After the match, Alicia cut a diva promo wishing everyone a foxy holiday!
REMATCH FROM SMACKDOWN
Sheamus defeated Jinder Mahal:
HYPE VIDEO: The WWE Network.
IN THE RING
John Cena + Mark Henry + Kane: John Cena was there to address being attacked by the returning Kane (with a mask) last week. Cena started by talking about the Rock and their match at next year’s WrestleMania. Cena turned his attention to Kane, who choke-slammed him to hell last week. Cena said he thinks he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but if he wasn’t, he was there to face his fears. Cena asked Kane if last week was an accident, and if it wasn’t an accident then they have business to handle. Mark Henry limped out to the ring instead. Mark said the business Cena should be concerned about is him. Mark said if it wasn’t for Kane last week, Cena would be the newest member of the Hall of Pain. The fans chanted “Sexual Chocolate!” Mark soaked it up, but said he wasn’t in the mood for jokes. Mark said he was there to address his injuries and why he lost his title at TLC. Mark told Cena to get lost. Cena didn’t budge. Kane’s pyro hit and Kane walked down to the ring. Mark quickly got out of the ring and avoided a confrontation with Kane, who turned his attention to Cena in the ring. Kane attacked Cena and threw him over the announce table. Kane viciously assaulted Cena for several minutes and sofocated him until he was unconcious. Kane ripped off Cena’s shirt and took it with him.
TAG TEAM MATCH
Primo & Epico w/Rosa Mendes defeated The Uso’s (Jimmy & Jey Uso): The Uso’s did a really cool Samoan war dance on stage which most wrestling fans unfortunately won’t appreciate. Nice to see fragments of a tag team division in the WWE again.
VIDEO PACKAGE: The Royal Rumble… plus Santino looked into a crystal ball and predicted that he would win the Royal Rumble this year.
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Josh Mathews & WWE Intercontinental champion Cody Rhodes + Santino Marella: Cody talked about defeating Booker T at the TLC PPV. Cody said if you looked into a real crystal ball you would see he would win the Royal Rumble. Santino showed up with a gift for Cody, it was the Cobra (his own hand) in a box.
NON (WWE INTERCONTINENTAL) TITLE MATCH
WWE Intercontinental champion Cody Rhodes defeated Santino Marella: Santino now wears an Italy-colored glove over his Cobra hand.
RECAP VIDEO: Tribute to the Troops.. a speech by John Cena.. plus a live performance by Nickelback singing “We Must Stand Together”..
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
The Bella Twins + John Laurinaitis & David Otunga + Vickie Guerrero + Hornswoggle: The Bella Twins argued over what Theodore Long said to them last night. John Laurinaitis came in and said people were watching Theodore Long. John wanted to wish the Bella’s a very Merry Christmas. The Bella then did what they do best and whored themselves out to the Interim G.M.. David Otunga grinned like a nine year old. Vickie Guerrero barged in to demand a rematch for Dolph Ziggler. Hornswoggle came in with mistletoe and kissed Vickie. She freaked out screaming like a skank.
RECAP VIDEO: They recapped Zack Ryder winning the WWE United States title at TLC and showed an interview with his very proud father who was in attendance.
BACKSTAGE INTERVIEW
Josh Mathews & The Big Show: Big Show said he waited nine years to hold the World Heavyweight title in his hands and in three seconds Daniel Bryan took it away from him by cashing in his MITB briefcase. Big Show said he encouraged Bryan several weeks ago not to wait for WrestleMania and cash in his contract on Mark Henry. Big Show “gave the little guy credit” and said that he was living his dream. Big Show looked like it was holding back. Josh Mathews said Big Show now holds a record that will never be broken, the shortest championship reign in history. Big Show looked like he was ready to snap, but said he was okay.
VIGNETTE: Another one of those creepy video supposedly hyping the return of the Undertaker (maybe?).
SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
WWE champion C.M. Punk & World champion Daniel Bryan & U.S. champion Zack Ryder defeated The Miz & Dolph Ziggler & Alberto Del Rio: All three of the champions made their way to the ring separately through the crowd celebrating their championships with the fans! Michael Cole was pure “Vintage Cole” the entire match bashing Punk, Bryan, and Ryder for being Internet darlings. The match ended with Daniel Bryan making Alberto Del Rio tap out! Big celebration!!