WWE Monday Night RAW
December 27, 2010 – Albany, New York
Announcers: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler + Josh Mathews
[ REVIEWED BY STEVEN POST ]
DARK MATCH: Primo Colon defeated Abraham Washington..
IN THE RING
John Cena + C. M. Punk: John Cena spent a moment recapping what happened last week. Then showed last weeks footage of C.M. Punk attacking Cena with the steel chair. Cena jokingly blamed Punk’s attack on Cena spilling Punk’s diet soda. Then they showed C.M. Punk attacking Cena again on last weeks SmackDown!. Cena invited Punk to come out and explain himself. Punk came out and stood at the top of the ramp while he talked about all of Cena’s personal faults, most importantly his dishonesty. Punk pointed out that although Cena promised he would be a man of his word and leave the WWE when he was fired but instead he kept returning over and over. Punk claimed that Cena had Wade Barrett beaten when he dropped 15 chairs on him. Cena interupted to point out that it was 23 chairs. Cena defended his behavior by pointing out how the Nexus attacked him over and over and ended his career. Punk countered by accusing Cena of ending the career of Dave Batista. Punk referred to Vickie Guerrero as being beautiful. Cena pointed out that Batista broke Cena’s neck and that Batista quit on his own terms. Cena defended his verbal attacks on Vickie by saying he makes fun of everybody not just her, then took a moment to make fun of Michael Cole and himself. Punk interupted and told Cena he wasn’t funny and he is going to be the one to stand up to John Cena. Cena challenged Punk to walk down to the ring and settle their differences. Punk accused Cena of being predictable and referred to this episode of Monday Night RAW as the C.M. Punk show. He told Cena that a surprise will happen later tonight. He wished everyone a happy New Year.
SINGLES MATCH
Santino Marella w/Tamina defeated Ted DiBiase Jr. w/Maryse: DiBiase dominated Marella for only a couple minutes in the match when DiBiase missed a drop kick and Marella got a quick roll up pin to win the match. Tamina got in the ring and Santino had a Christmas gift for her which ended up being his own arm in the package to show her “the Cobra.” They were both attacked from behind by Dibiase and Maryse but Tamina and Santino turned things back around pretty quickly to have them both perform running flying headbutts at the same time and then Santino encouraged her to use the Cobra move and they each hit their opponents at the same time with that move as well. They then took a moment to celebrate in the ring and have their Cobra hands kiss. That is not a typo.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
The Miz & Alex Riley + John Morrison: The Miz reminded us that John Morrison was the number one contender then pushed Alex Riley, not so much as win the match he has with Morrison tonight, to beat him until he can’t stand. John Morrison interrupted to challenge the Miz and Riley to add stipulations to the upcoming match. If Morrison wins he gets to pick the stipulation to the championship match. If Alex Riley wins the match Morrison will forfeit his number one contenders spot. The Miz only contemplated for a moment before he agreed to the terms. Morrison walked off and the Miz began stressing the new importance of the match to Alex Riley when it was interrupted for commercial.
SINGLES MATCH
John Morrison defeated Alex Riley w/The Miz: Morrison was dominating until the Miz distracted him allowing Alex Riley to attack Morrison from behind. Riley then took control, successfully executing a few moves and holds and then attempting to pin Morrison several times. Finally, Morrison was able to escape a headlock and regain control of the match. Morrison attempted to spring board off the middle rope but the Miz grabbed Morrison’s foot causing him to fall. The referee was unclear whether the Miz caused this to happen or not and decided to ban the Miz from ringside for the remainder of the match. Riley attempted a schoolboy but Morrison pulled off a win after hitting Riley with a knee to the face while the Miz looked on from the ramp. Morrison went over to Jerry “the King” Lawler and told him that the championship match would be a falls counts anywhere match and it would take place next week!
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
The Miz & Alex Riley: The Miz yelled at Alex Riley for losing the match. Riley started to yell back but the Miz shouted him back down. Their new focus is on defeating Jerry Lawler later.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
C.M. Punk & a camera man: Punk said he pulled the camera man aside to make sure that he doesn’t miss anything later when Punk makes history.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Daniel Bryan & the Bella Twins + Tyson Kidd & Jackson Andrews: Daniel Bryan asked the Bella Twins how their Christmas was and they both complained they didn’t get enough Daniel Bryan. Tyson Kidd walked in to ask Bryan if he was rich which could only explain why the Bella Twins liked him so much. Then indicated that in 2011 Kidd would be the new US champion thanks in part to his new body guard Jackson Andrews who stood silently next to Kidd. Kidd told Bryan to pay attention to the match Kidd is about to have with Mark Henry later tonight.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
Randy Orton interviewed by Josh Matthews: Josh recapped how Orton lost the WWE Championship to the Miz. Orton said he wanted The Miz to win against Morrison next week only so that Orton could beat the Miz for the WWE Championship instead. Orton then mentioned Sheamus and Josh interupted to point out that it was “King” Sheamus. Orton indicated that Sheamus’ reign will come to an abrupt and painful end tonight
SINGLES MATCH
Mark Henry defeated Tyson Kidd w/ Jackson Andrews: Kidd’s initial attacks had no effect whatsoever. Henry dominated for a few minutes until he missed a sit-down-splash. Kidd got a few good moves off until he was caught by Henry and he performed the world’s strongest slam. Henry got the win. Afterwards, Jackson Andrews attempted to take out Henry but Henry grabbed him and performed the world’s strongest slam again.
IN THE RING
The Miz & Alex Riley: The Miz talked some trash and bragged about being champion. The Miz kept saying over and over, “Nobody compares to me in the WWE.” The crowd kept saying, “What?” after every pause. The Miz told the audience they sounded like a bunch of ducks and then got very interactive with them while they chanted, “What?” even more.
NON (WWE CHAMPIONSHIP) TITLE MATCH
Jerry “the King” Lawler defeated WWE champion The Miz w/Alex Riley: The Miz took a moment to embarrass the King by walking on his back. Then the match continued normally. Jerry knocked the Miz down a few times with some shoulder blocks until the Miz ducked away. The Miz embarrassed the King some more by slapping him on the back of the head several times. Then going so far as to dare the King to hit him and then avoid each swing the King made. The Miz continued to dominate and embarrass Jerry Lawler even more. The commentators indicated they didn’t think the match should be allowed to go on. Even Michael Cole was saying the Miz should just go for the pin. John Morrison’s music came on and he came out onto the ramp. This caused a momentary distraction that allowed for the King to avoid a clothesline and then get some punches in. He even hit three drop kicks in a row onto the Miz. It went back and forth for a few minutes. The Miz got knocked outside and when the ref wasn’t looking Morrison kneed the Miz in the face causing him to be counted out to lose the match.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
C.M. Punk & Sheamus: Punk approached Sheamus bowing and saying, “All hail King Sheamus.” Sheamus thanked him and wished others were like Punk. Punk pointed out that Cena insulted Sheamus countless times and wanted Sheamus to pay special attention to the surprise Punk has in store for Cena later tonight.
DIVAS TAG TEAM MATCH
Melina Perez & Alicia Fox defeated Eve Torres & Gail Kim : Prior to the match beginning, Diva’s champion Natalya joined the commentators to help call the match. A highlight of the match was Gail Kim performing a missile drop kick off the top rope but Melina picked up the win with a sunset split. Natalya got in the ring to confront Melina over slapping her last week. She even got Melina to shake hands and when Melina tried slapping her again, Natalya blocked it and hit back.
BACKSTAGE SEGMENT
C. M. Punk & two WWE trainers: Punk indicated to them that they should have EMT’s ready for the surprise he has for John Cena. He said that it would not be his responsibility what happens to John Cena when he’s done. It will be on the head of the medical professionals in the building.
NON (WWE UNITED STATES) TITLE MATCH
WWE United States champion Daniel Bryan w/The Bella Twins defeated Zack Ryder: The match was in progress when they came back from commercial. Zack Ryder was in control for the two minutes or so we got to watch the match when Bryan locked on the LeBell Lock to win the match.
RINGSIDE SEGMENT
The Miz + Jerry “The King” Lawler: The first email from the Anonymous RAW General Manager was received. Michael Cole read it off; the GM indicated that 2011 would be RAW’s best year. The sound of someone making noise could be heard and just barely on camera it was the Miz punching Jerry Lawler in the head from behind while Lawler was still wearing his headset. The Miz continued his assault punching and kicking. Then, throwing him head and shoulder first into the barricade and head first onto the announcers desk. Then, throwing him again into the ring steps. He stood the King up and performed the Skull Crushing Finale onto the mat outside the ring.
SINGLES MATCH
Randy Orton defeated King Sheamus: The match went back and forth with a lot of punches, kicks and elbows. The tide finally turned when Sheamus pushed Orton into the ring post outside the ring. Sheamus dominated for several minutes attempting several pin attempts. Orton finally reversed things when Sheamus tried to spear Orton in the corner, missed, and hit the ring post instead. From here it was a lot more back and forth punches and kicks. Orton hit his scoop slam and later Sheamus hit the Irish curse back breaker. Sheamus began his High Cross finishing move but Orton escaped and hit his backbreaker. Sheamus attempted a flying shoulder block when Orton caught him in mid air with the RKO to get the pin.
IN THE RING
John Cena + Nexus (David Otunga & Heath Slater & Justin Grabriel & Husky Harris & Michael McGillicutty) + C. M. Punk: John Cena came out the ring to call out Punk. He kept calling him C. M. Sucks. Punks music came on but Punk didn’t arrive from any direction. Cena said he’s changing the game and if Punk wouldn’t come out then Cena would find go find him. But before he could get anywhere Nexus came out (the original group minus Wade Barrett). David Otunga was the spokesman. He told Cena Nexus was under new management. He attempted to broker peace with John Cena and offered Cena a truce. Cena indicated that he didn’t believe Otunga and therefore would not agree to peace with Nexus. He gave Otunga the choice of leaving or starting a fight. Otunga left the ring, he and the others began to walk away when they all quickly turned and stormed the ring to attack Cena. They all took turns performing moves onto Cena. Justin Gabriel even got to perform his 450 splash. They left a Nexus armband laying next to his broken body. They all left the ring and C.M. Punk met them at the top of the ramp but he didn’t even acknowledge them as he walked past. Punk picked up Cena and performed the GTS onto him. Punk then grabbed a chair and acted as though he was going to start wailing on Cena but stopped mid swing and instead unfolded the chair and sat down in it staring down at Cena. Punk then picked up a Nexus arm band left there by Otunga and put it on his arm. He stood up and raised his fist into the air and Nexus returned the motion. Punk is now in control of Nexus!