RAW Report 1/10/11 Nashville, Tennessee
This week’s RAW starts with music and pyro.
WWE Tag Team Championship Match – Kozlov & Santino w/ Tamina Vs.
Kozlov and Santino out to the ring with Tamina. Justin is announcing Santino and Kozlov when Nexus run to the ring and attack. Punk directs the carnage from inside the ring. Santino and Kozlov are sent flying from the ring. Punk sarcastically says he’s sorry. This match has been scheduled for a later date. Ever since Nexus has debuted on RAW, they have been the most dominant force the WWE has ever seen. Now, as scary as it sounds, they’re even stronger.
Nexus, listen up. They have the chance to shine brighter than anyone else in WWE history. He can give them the tools to succeed. He’s set an example to follow, unlike Wade who couldn’t seem to succeed and didn’t set any example at all. Two weeks ago he single handedly put Cena out of the equation. Heat from the fans. He says that their hero in all his broken down glory will appear tonight. “Cena” chants.
Punk goes on to say that Cena will, he’s hoping, deliver an encore farewell speech tonight. Because Cena’s days of hustle, loyalty and respect are over! More heat for Punk. While his are just beginning. Then the coup de gras, tonight in an act of selfless leadership when he initiates himself the new leader of the new Nexus. He’s getting slightly ahead of himself. His won’t be the only initiation. Each of them must prove to themselves, the group and these worthless people that they have what it takes to belong in the new Nexus. If they all pass their initiation, then Nexus will be at the apex of power. Then they won’t only take over RAW, but WWE entirely.
Otunga says he speaks for all of them and they’d be honored to be initiated into Nexus tonight. Punk says the honor will all be Punk’s. McGillicutty is up first. Front and center. Everyone knows Nexus is famous for the group jackal like attacks. They’ve beaten down HOFers, even the Chairman of The Board. “Cena” chants fill the arena. Punk says Nexus has beaten down Cena too. McGillicutty’s initiation is to be on the receiving end of a Nexus beat down. Husky’s the lead off hitter, get it started. McGillicutty wasn’t trilled, Husky didn’t look happy about this either.
From behind Otunga grabbed McGillicutty and slammed him to the mat. Otunga then just shrugged at them all. Then Slater was told to do it and took McGillicutty down hard. Husky then hit his back splash on McGillicutty. Otunga and Husky slid McGillicutty over and Gabriel was sent climbing. He didn’t look happy, but climbed and after a long wait hit his 450 splash. Punk down on one knee and the other four put McGillicutty on his shoulders. Punk hit the GTS on McGillicutty. More confusion from the fans than anything else. Punk leaves the ring and the rest of Nexus, minus McGillicutty follows. Video of the McGillicutty beat down. All of Nexus star into the ring. Punk nods and they drag him out. They carry him in a very crucifix way – on his back, arms out, two men on each side carrying him on their shoulders.
– Commercial
R-Truth Vs. Alberto Del Rio
R-Truth out singing. The fans a decently wild for his cheap pop. Alberto personal ring announcer is announced. Alberto out in 1961 S2 Bentley. Of course Alberto’s announcer makes a big show of Alberto coming out to the ring. Alberto taunts the fans as he heads to the ring.
R-Truth rushes Alberto and starts to get the upper hand. Alberto whipped, then blows to him in a corner. Alberto fights back with an inverted atomic drop, a slam into a corner, then a back stabber for two. R-Truth runs the ropes, then hits head scissors on Alberto who sells well, if a bit late. R-Truth clotheslines Alberto from the ring, both hit hard out there. The ref counts. Alberto’s ring announcer grabs a mic and yells ‘what’s up?’ at R-Truth over and over until R-Truth goes after him, big punch to the face drops the announcer. Alberto rolls into the ring at almost ten and R-Truth is counted out.
Winner – Alberto via Count Out
Alberto grabs a mic and says another victory for Alberto Del Rio, but we already know that. We also know his destiny is to win the RR and headlining WM. He knows that’s another story because tonight they’re in Nashville, the Music City. He calls them silly Americanos. They know night about music or culture. All they know is about Justin Bieber, American Idol, hip-hop and that horrible and boring country music! Hey, in Mexico, they know about music. They know about culture. “USA!” chants fill the arena and he waits for it to build. He says to allow a man with many attributes show real music, mariachi music! Alberto calls his announcer over. He asks Ricardo to do it for him. Ricardo coughs, then since La Cucaracha – very badly! But at least he knows the words?
– Commercial
WWE Rewind – Cole, speaking for the RAW GM, wished everyone a happy new year, but behind him Miz came through the crowd and attacked King. He hit his SCF on the outside of the ring. King says he’d be lying if he said he’s not still sore. King calls Miz a pompous megalomaniac. Cole tells King to just apologize to the Miz, he –
Ding-Ding! Heat for Cole. And I quote, “Recently Cole has been on the receiving end of a lot of criticism, however support Cole in every conceivable way.” Cole reads a head and looks like he’s about to barf! “Even though he’s a conceited pompous, arrogant, self centered, pretentious jerk? Okay, okay, just kidding! The reality is that Cole has done a phenomenal job and is the epitome of manhood. I wish we had more people like him with guts to stand up against popular opinion. Michael is an Award winning journalist, a two time Slammy Award winner. He is witty, highly intelligent and not to mention handsome. Ladies and gentlemen, the highest honor that one can achieve is to refer to themselves as a Cole Miner!”
King cuts Cole off. “Jerry!” chants. King says he’s just received a message from the entire WWE Universe! And I quote, “Please, shut up!” Cole looks unhappy. King says nobody in the their right mind would think, say or much less type that he’s handsome. What Cole really is, is a coward! King walks right over next to Cole. Cole goes crazy that King can’t touch Cole. If he does, then King is fired! King slams the laptop closed with authority.
Ding-Ding! Cole opens it up and says, it still works with a smug, yet somewhat goofy smile. And I quote, “I assure you that Cole is not a coward. King, neither are you. That’s why I know that even though your body hasn’t fully recovered, you can’t wait to exact revenge. Therefore, tonight Miz and Riley will take on the team of Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler and Randy Orton.” King looks rather happy about this.
Backstage the camera is close in on Punk’s face. Punk says McGillicutty’s in. passed with flying colors and showed a lot of heart too. Husky, you’re next. Your initiation, if you choose to accept it is take three lashes with the belt from everybody there. Husky accepts, turns and removes his hat. Punk tells Husky to take his shirt off. Out started and didn’t seem to be holding back. Husky, breathing heavy, got back in position. Gabriel was next and not as hard as Otunga, but hit all three times. Husky to one knee, then back up. Slater then hit Husky three times, leaving a huge red welt on his back. Punk tells the boys to get Husky up. Then Punk hit Husky over and over with the belt, many more than three times.
– Commercial
Daniel Bryan w/ Bellas & Mark Henry Vs. Ted DiBiase Jr. w/ Maryse & Tyson Kidd
All four are at the ring and ready to go.
Ted and Bryan lock up. Bryan runs the ropes, both going for the same move and hitting the mat. Blows to Ted in a corner, but then Ted sends Bryan out. Kidd attacks behind the ref’s back. Ted sends Bryan back in for two. Bryan into the heel corner. Kidd tags in and beats on Bryan. Ted tags in and kicks Bryan in the ribs as Kidd holds him. Chinlock on Bryan in the center of the ring. Bryan up and elbows out. Bryan clotheslines Ted and both are down. Henry and Kidd both tag in.
Clothesline then head butt to Kidd. Kidd pulls to his feet in a corner and Henry rushes. Kidd dives out of the way, Henry hit’s the corner. Ted in and they both hit drop kicks on Henry who remains standing. Clothesline to Ted, then to Kidd. World’s strongest slam to Kidd for three.
Winners – Bryan & Henry
Bellas into the ring, one on each side of Bryan, holding him closely.
Big Show is backstage, all smiles.
– Commercial
WWE Slam Of The Week – Recap of NXT last week Jacob Novak was eliminated. Dolph then said Novak’s not anything and Dolph never liked him.
Big Show out to the ring, all smiles and high fives for the fans who all love him. He thanks the fans and it’s great to be back on RAW! He thanks the GM for giving him time to discuss some issues. Item number one, Wade Barrett. He finds it kind of funny that Wade was knocked out of Nexus, then this Friday on SD!, Big Show’s going to knock him out. That works, right? Item number two, the RR. He’s letting every Superstar know they’re on notice. Big Show coming to the Rumble and he’s not playing games. Then going onto WM – he’s cut off by Nexus’ music.
Punk leads the boys out. Well, he led Otunga, Gabriel and Slater out to the stage. Punk looks to Otunga. Otunga takes a deep breath and heads down to the ring. At the bottom of the ramp he turns to look at Punk, then to the ring.
Otunga into the ring and bitch slaps Big Show across the face. A big boot to Otunga’s gut and he hit’s the mat hard. Big Show then tosses Otunga out the other side of the ring. Big Show out after him and sends Otunga across the announce desk. Big Show rips Otunga’s shirt open and then a big slap to his chest. Big Show yells at Otunga that he’s nit someone to mess with. Big scoop slam to the floor as Big Show keeps taunting him. Otunga sent shoulder first into the stairs. Big Show picks Otunga up and sends him into the ring. “Knock him out!” chants. A big choke slam to Otunga in the ring. More, “Knock him out!” chants. Big Show pulls Otunga to a sitting position by one hand, then punches him out with the other. On the stage the three remaining Nexus boys raise their fists together.
– Commercial
JoMo Vs. Sheamus
JoMo out to the ring in his normal slo-mo way. Quite a bit of video of JoMo facing Miz for the WWE Title last week. Sheamus out to the ring to face JoMo.
They lock up. Side headlock takeover on JoMo. Headlock to Sheamus, then he nips up and free. Blows to JoMo in a corner, then Sheamus fights back. Knee to JoMo drops him. Sheamus stomps JoMo, then drops knees. Face buster to JoMo for two. JoMo sells well, backing into a corner. Sheamus chokes JoMo with a foot. Another knee to JoMo’s gut. Sheamus rips at JoMo’s face in the ropes. Sheamus poses to get heat.
JoMo with blows to Sheamus, but then Sheamus comes back with a big back elbow for two. Knee drop to JoMo, then Sheamus puts a knee in JoMo’s back, bending his leg and arm back in a great stretch. JoMo fought out, then rolled Sheamus up in a schoolboy for one. Flying elbow, then clothesline, then kick to Sheamus’ jaw. Sheamus backs into a corner and JoMo stomps him there. Sheamus kicks out and drops JoMo to the mat. Another kick to JoMo’s legs. Sheamus grabs JoMo’s hair, but JoMo kicks back dropping Sheamus! JoMo tries to go up, but Sheamus pushes him outside.
– Commercial
Chinlock on JoMo. JoMo fights out. Sheamus gets JoMo up on his shoulder and slams him to the mat for two. JoMo hangs outside and Sheamus hits blows on JoMo chest and head. Sheamus back in and pins for two. JoMo tries to kick out at JoMo, but Sheamus toys with him, stepping back out of the way. Chin/armlock on JoMo. JoMo struggles to his feet, then free. Blows to Sheamus’ head. JoMo beats down on Sheamus in a corner. Sheamus reverses a whip, but JoMo moves. JoMo for the flash kick, but Sheamus ducks. Sheamus rushes JoMo, but JoMo pulls the ropes down and Sheamus ends up outside. JoMo flies, but Sheamus catches JoMo with a kick to the ribs.
Sheamus pulls JoMo up, then drops him ribs first on the stairs. Sheamus rolls JoMo back into the ring. “Sheamus sucks!” chants. Sheamus lines up for his brogue kick. JoMo falls back to the mat and gets a kick to the back. Sheamus sets JoMo up top, then climbs. Sheamus grabs JoMo by the hair, but JoMo manages to slide back, landing on his feet on the stairs, slams Sheamus’ face into the top of the post! Sheamus falls to the mat. JoMo flops back into the ring, then nails Sheamus in the face with a knee for three!
Winner – JoMo
JoMo struggles to his feet to have his arm raised. Video of JoMo’s last kick to end the match. JoMo is pumped, Sheamus still on the mat.
Cole talks about the bizarre initiation into Nexus tonight. King says if anyone suggests this, just say no. video of the beat down on McGillicutty. The belts to Husky. Then Otunga getting beaten down by Big Show.
Backstage Punk is holding kendo sticks. Punk says they have all proven themselves and are in. Punk says he’s not beating them with the kendo sticks. They’re going to beat each other with the kendo sticks until he tells them to stop. Punk says he’s serious. They both line up to do it, act like they’re ready, but neither swings. Punk says if you’re not in, then they’re out. He expects home runs from all his soldiers, so swing for the fences. They both line up, but then don’t. “Do it!” Punk yells.
They both turn to Punk with the kendo sticks. Punk tells them if they’re going to hit him to just do it. He closes his eyes and waits. They drop the sticks and walk out. Punk smiles slightly, his eyes shining.
– Commercial
Video from around Nashville.
King is in the ring to announce the first Inductee into the Class of 2011. King says the greatest accomplishment of his career was getting inducted into the Hall of Fame. So many individuals dream of competing in this ring. Of the select few, less than 100 of them have been inducted. They share qualities like skill, drive, determination, charisma and the respect of the fans. This next individual, the first Inductee into the Class of 2011, has earned all out respect. He deserves to be a first ballot Inductee. The video starts and shows it’s HBK! A beautiful video for Shawn Michaels. Him with Marty, then breaking out on his own. DX. Coming in on a zip line. His Ladder Match with Hall. All of his wild costumes. His return. The fans’ reaction. Hugging a kid in the ring. Forehead to forehead with HHH. “HBK” chants from the fans. Cole says HBK is the first Inductee into the Class of 2011.
Holy crap! HBK’s music and he comes out in jeans, black button down and a camo knit cap. The arena about comes down around him. On his knees, his pyro errupts! He slaps hands on his way to the ring. The fans are freakin’ wild! HBK puts his finger to his lips to shush them and the “One more match!” chants and HBK looks like he’s in physical pain. But then Alberto’s music plays and he comes out. Of course he tells us who he is, even though we know that. He then says he’s HBK, the Legend, the Icon, the Show Stopper. Not anymore! These people used to cheer him. They go wild for HBK now. “HBK!” chants.
Into the ring, Alberto says now, these people cheer him. Huge heat for Alberto. They know he’s the present and the future of the WWE. HBK is just history, man. After Alberto wins the Rumble Match, he’ll win the Heavy Title or the WWE Title. After that, he will be known as the new Mr. WM! Heat for Alberto. HBK doesn’t say a word. He just hits sweet chin music on Alberto. HBK struts, then puts his horribly ugly camo boot up on the corner. Up on another corner and he poses. HBK takes the scarf from around Alberto’s neck and puts it around his own like the Red Baron, flying ace. Video of the super kick. HBK leaves the ring, acts goofy, then slaps hands on his way out. On the stage HBK readjusts his scarf again.
– Commercial
Backstage Riley is all excited. He says opportunity kicked in the door for them tonight! King and Orton in the ring tonight. Miz is all sullen and Riley wants to know why. Miz says in two week’s time he assaulted a HOFer and defended his WWE Title, beating JoMo in a match that should be talked about for years, but all anyone’s talking about is Orton winning the Cage Match and becoming the #1 Contender. They should be talking about Miz, the Champ! People feel it’s a fait accompli that Orton will win at the Rumble. Does Riley know what that means? Riley says it’s a given. Miz says people think it’s a given that Orton will win his Championship. That’s his prob Riley, he wants what he’s earned. Tonight he doesn’t want to just beat King and Orton. He wants to hurt them, demoralize them. Miz says he wants to prove what the fait accompli is. Riley says because he’s the Miz – Miz cut him off and says catch phrases are for losers. He won’t say it until after they Winter he match tonight.
Cole in the ring. He says they’re about to be joined by Cena. We may recall, two weeks ago Cena was incapacitated at the hands of the new Nexus. Cena decided he’d be there. Punk then cut off Cole, saying his name, but Cole didn’t know where he was calling from. Punk is on top of the tron. Cole points to Punk up there. Josh is now on announce and tells Punk to be careful. He’s on the right hand corner. Punk says they’re through talking about Cena, this is the Punk show now. What he wants to talk about is the new Nexus. McGillicutty, Husky, Otunga have proven themselves worthy to be in the new Nexus. They sacrificed themselves through their initiations and he’s prepared to do the same.
Josh tells Punk not to do it. Punk says his initiation will be the ultimate sacrifice. He hopes that through his sacrifice he’ll prove that not only was he part of Nexus, but also their leader. Punk looks down and asks if he should dive off this tron? The fans cheer for this. He continues to ask if he should break every bone in his body? They like this idea. Should he rupture every muscle? Less cheers. Punk puts his arms out wide, leans his head back. He says he has one more question – Exactly how gullible are all of them? He pulls up his shirt to show his harness. He has two spotters up there. He’s safer than everyone sitting in their seats! The spotters step up. What kind of idiot jumps off the tron?
Consider themselves the biggest, mindless group of sheep he’s seen in his life! Cole says it would have been a disaster if Punk had done it. You can hear a collective sigh of relief from the WWE Universe! Husky, McGillicutty and Otunga stagger to the ring. Video of each of them being initiated into the new Nexus. Josh agrees with King to never subject yourself to any of this. McGillicutty, Otunga and Husky in the ring. Punk comes around the fans, by the ramp and to the ring. Punk takes a mic from Otunga and laughs.
He says if anybody out there actually thought he was going to jump off the tron, you are stupid. Off comes his shirt to show his harness. Someone who’d consider doing such a thing is mentally challenged. He’s not mentally challenged, he’s mentally superior. Punk unbuckles his harness. He says he doesn’t need our approval or initiations, he’s the leader of the new Nexus. “Cena” chants flutter through the arena. Punk says Cena’s no longer here, he got rid of Cena.
Cena says he’s right over here on the big screen Punk was going to jump off from. It’s amazing because we just saw the act of a delusional phony. Punk’s completely gutless, tasteless, worthless, spineless, classless and his cronies are pant-less. Punk’s insincere, incompetent and incontinent. He’s un-cool, unprofessional and un-engaging. Low budget, low class and low rent. He’s wasting everyone’s time. Why would he bother to give the new Nexus a physical initiation? Cena’s already given them one! See, he said he’d get his hands on all of Nexus and he – wait, there’s one member, a new member he hasn’t had a chance to initiate. That’s you CM Sucks!
Punk says he’s not afraid of Cena. He won’t stand in his ring on his show and be intimidated by Cena. Cena says to prove it, face Cena in a match next week on RAW. Punk accepts. Cena says he was hoping Punk would. See, all the things Punk’s been saying about him. When provoked, he’s the most animalistic, brutal, violent, physical man on the planet. That mean next week Punk gets dealt with. As sure as Cena wears purple and the sun rises in the morning, Punk will be dealt with! Next week on RAW it won’t be about t-shirts and arm bands, it’s about Cena whooping Punk’s ass. Punk doesn’t look completely happy about any of that.
– Commercial
Miz & Riley Vs. Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler & Randy Orton
Miz and Riley to the ring as Cole sings Miz’s praises. Cole goes off about King being in the main event, so he’s stuck with Josh. Josh says he thinks Miz is running scared. Ring out to the ring, crown in hand, decent pop. Orton out to big pop. Orton poses on a corner and gets even more pop. Orton talks to the ref before the bell.
King and Riley start. Riley talks huge smack. King rushes Miz, then Riley attacks from behind. He beats King down, then King in with a blow to King’s face. King to his feet and a big blow drops Miz. Punches at mix’s face on the mat. Miz gets free and flees the ring, King right after him. More blows to Miz as King bounces Miz’s face off announce a couple times. Cole is upset, Josh is very happy for King. Miz back first into the apron, then head first into the stairs! More blows to King and Miz rolls in. King in after him and nails King with a back elbow. Miz rushes to tag out.
Riley into the ring and right into a back body drop. King tags in Orton who kicks at Riley, then puts him in a corner for upper cuts and punches. Orton then stomps away at Riley until the ref backs him off. Orton telegraphs for a kick, but then Riley tags out quickly. Orton nails Miz with a huge clothesline, then stomps away at Miz. Orton grabs Miz’s feet and stomps his gut.
King tags in and pulls Miz up for a punch, then another and another. Miz falls into a corner and gets many more punches. The ref backs King off. King goes back, right into a big boot. Miz on King with punches. The ref backs Miz off. Kick to King’s gut, then a snap mare. Chinlock on King in the center of the ring. The fans behind King as he works his way up and free. Knee to King’s gut. King into a corner, then Miz hits his ‘vintage’ corner clothesline.
– Commercial
Chinlock on King who gets up and free. Big punch from Riley. King into a corner, but then moves and Riley nails the post with his shoulder. Big clothesline from King. Miz comes in illegally as King tries to get to Orton and Riley to Miz. King tags out, but the ref didn’t see it. Riley tags out and Miz stomps King. Miz then rushes Orton with a cheap shot.
Miz sets King up for his SCF, but Orton in behind the ref’s back and nails Miz with an RKO! King flops to the mat, onto Miz, but Riley breaks up the pin attempt. Riley drags Miz to his corner and tags in. King manages to get to Orton and the ref sees the tag.
Clotheslines to Riley, then that sick scoop slam! Back breaker to Riley. Riley rolls from the ring, but only to the apron. Orton hits his ‘vintage’ DDT. Orton pounds the mat, he’s ready, but Miz tries to sneak in behind him. Orton turns, fully focused on Miz. Riley grabs at Orton but eats an RKO. Orton and Miz continue to stare each other down.
Orton tags in King. King up on the second ropes, strap comes down in what Cole calls ‘vintage’ King. King hits his right on Riley for three as Orton stands on the other side of the ring just daring Miz to come into the ring.
Winners – King & Orton
Miz grabs his belt and backs around the ring, eyes locked with Orton’s.
Josh talks about how Cena will be back next week to whoop Punk’s ass.
Biggest pop
HBK
Orton
King
JoMo
Biggest heat
Alberto Del Rio
Cole
Miz
Sheamus