I wrote this week’s Raw Deal live at thejohnreport.net. I don’t plan on doing that every week, but now that Monday Night Football’s season is over it will happen quite often between now and August. It allows me to write about it without staying up way late into the evening. A lovely convenience for me, I have to say. It does mean less jokes, but I try to cover everything as best I can with insightful commentary!
Live from Phoenix, Arizona this is the Raw Deal…
We start with a recap of last week’s Raw where we learned that CM Punk is the new leader of the Nexus. A very good ending to the show.
Before the show starts we have Michael Cole telling us that John Cena likely won’t be on the show because of injuries he suffered. Then he told us Miz vs. Morrison for the WWE title in a Falls Count Anywhere match would be the opener. Good call, WWE. Then we got the Raw video package to start the show.
No Jerry Lawler. They showed the video of last week when Miz took him out with the Skull Crushing Finale. Josh Mathews will be announcing with Michael Cole for the show.
WWE Title Falls Count Anywhere: The Miz vs. John Morrison
The action is fast right away as they fight up the ramp. Morrison climbs up the WWE logo at the top, leaping onto Miz & Riley and taking them out with a cross body. He goes for the pin, but Miz kicks out at two. That was an awesome spot that looked even better on replay. Good way to showcase Morrison’s awesome athleticism. They brawl back into the ring with Miz gaining control. Morrison fights off a superplex and nails him with a missile dropkick for two. Morrison continues the assault and gets another two count. Riley interferes to break up the count. Morrison gets pissed off and takes out Riley. He sets him up on the barricade, runs across it and hits the running knee to KO Riley. The ref calls on doctors to come check on Riley. That’s a good way to take out Riley after an exciting six minutes of action. The rest of the match should be interesting.
(Commercial)
I missed about a minute or two when I came back from a washroom back. Miz got a nearfall at the top of the ramp. He did an arm drag on the ramp for a two count. Miz decked him with a piece of the barricade (or something) for two. The announcers pointed out this is the first time in Raw history where the WWE Title has been on the line to open the show. Is that true? No idea. They head back in the ring with Miz talking trash, which allows Morrison to come back. He gets a two count after a high kick. He follows that up with a side Russian legsweep, but Miz gets out of the way of Starship Pain. Miz hits a reverse DDT into a neckbreaker that Cole calls “vintage Miz” because a guy with a 5 year career has vintage moves. Miz charges, Morrison moves, Miz’ shoulder goes into the turnbuckle and Morrison hits Starship Pain. He gets the one…two…no! Miz kicks out. Good nearfall. Miz dodges the running knee and gets a rollup for two. Wow, Morrison with the Pele Kick sending Miz to the floor. There’s a table setup out there. This match has been 17 minutes of awesome right now. He goes up top. Starship Pain off the top rope! Miz moves and Morrison goes through the table! Ouch. That’s a tough bump right there. Miz covers for two. I thought that was it. Skull Crushing Finale on the floor. Miz covers for 1, 2 and 3. Wow that was great. Miz wins at the 18 minute mark.
Winner: The Miz
Analysis: ****1/4 That was special. To have a match of that quality on free TV and to start the year is pretty rare. They went all out, they had a lot of memorable spots, great nearfalls and the champion looked strong at the end. Even Cole pointed out how it wasn’t a fluke and Miz did it on his own without Riley’s help. That’s how it needed to be booked. Miz looked strong and so did Morrison. I absolutely loved this. It was a better TV match than anything we saw in 2010 and it’s a hell of a way to start off 2011. Kudos to both guys plus the booking team. It was exactly what it should be.
We’ll get a #1 Contender’s Match in a Steel Cage to determine Miz’ opponent at the Rumble. I wish it was Morrison again.
Update on Cena’s injury status to come.
(Commercial)
Plug time. I’m writing recaps of every Royal Rumble match exclusively at thejohnreport.net throughout the month of January. I started on January 1st and I’ve got three done so far. Here’s a link to the 1988 Rumble won by Hacksaw Jim Duggan, here’s the
1989 Rumble won by Big John Studd and here’s the 1990 Rumble won by Hulk Hogan. On Tuesday the 1991 Rumble will be posted and we’ll go from there. There are 22 in total and they will all be posted by the time we get to the 2011 Rumble on the 30th of January. I love the Royal Rumble match, so I hope you join me as we take a journey through the years in looking at the history of it.
And we’re back. There’s Vince Carter of the Phoenix Suns. I’m a Raptors fan. Not a Vince fan. Long story. The steel cage match is a triple threat. We don’t know who is in the match.
Backstage, new backstage goof Scott Sanford talked to the Miz. He said he is still WWE Champion. “I’m Awesome.” He said he’s the most technical wrestler, rugged brawler, charismatic, must see WWE Champion in the history of this company. He let Riley do the “AWESOME” part this time.
They recapped the Melina/Natalya issue from the last two weeks.
Melina, Maryse & Alicia Fox come out for a tag. But it’s commercial time again.
(Commercial.)
Melina, Maryse & Alicia Fox vs. Natalya, Brie Bella & Eve
Maryse works over Brie. They barely put Maryse in the ring in 2010. They did the Bella switch one minute into the match, so Nikki’s in there now. It’s only a minute in the match. Nikki hits a facebuster in the ring. Alicia breaks it up. They are building up this hot tag two minutes in. Natalya gets the hot tag. She dominates with a dropkick and bodyslam. Melina holds her leg, but Natalya fights it off and hits a butterfly suplex on Alicia. The ref’s terrible, so he doesn’t see Melina choke Natalya on the top rope. Melina tags in. Discus clothesline by Natalya on Melina. She tags in Eve and she hits a neckbreaker for the pinfall. It got about 3 minutes.
Winners: Eve, Natalya & Brie/Nikki Bella
Analysis: *1/4 Eve pins Melina why? If somebody’s going to get the pin on the face side it should be Natalya. I figured Melina would get the pin. She didn’t look very impressive here. I guess they do have four weeks of Raw to build to the potential Rumble match, though. Anybody miss Laycool? I don’t.
Since I’ve been asked, might as well throw in a thought here about how much I like it that WWE signed Awesome Kong. She’s a very good worker that is a unique talent capable of quality matches with just about anybody. Her look is impressive too. Here’s to hoping like they book her as a heel monster (a bodyguard for Laycool, perhaps) instead of some comedy angle with Santino. You know that’s coming at some point. Not right away, please.
(Commercial.)
The Uso Brothers vs. Santino & Kozlov
No intro for The Uso’s while the champs get an intro. Santino & Kozlov have Tamina with them even though she used to manage The Uso’s. The crowd pops huge for Santino. Can’t deny he’s very over. Kozlov works on Jey a bit, but they get a blind tag and now Jimmy works him over. Kozlov comes back with a back body drop. They continue trying to work over Kozlov to set up the hot tag to Santino. He makes the tag 3 minutes in. The hip toss, raise the roof and headbutt for two. Wow, Kozlov screwed up the charge and got stuck in the ropes. Santino went for the Cobra. Jey countered it and hit the Samoan Drop on Santino for the pin. The match was 4 minutes.
Winners: The Uso Brothers
Analysis: * A short match, but the challengers won a non-title match to set up a likely title match in the future.
Post match, Kozlov knocked down Jey and Santino/Tamina hit the Cobra on him. The babyfaces music played even though they lost. That’s wrestling for you.
They mentioned WWE Tough Enough coming to USA Network in the spring. It’s on Monday nights, debuting right after WrestleMania. Mathews talked about being on the show. Are we allowed to remember that Morrison won the show? I’m not sure if we’re allowed to. Tell me WWE because I do remember it.
CM Punk is coming up next as we get to the top of hour two.
(Commercial.)
They plugged WWE.com mentioning 11 stars that will breakout in 2011. I haven’t looked yet. It’s not really narrowing it down when you mention 11 people is it? My three picks would be Del Rio, Ziggler (who is absolutely on fire right now) and Bryan.
CM Punk comes out with his t-shirt and a Nexus arm band on his arm. “Thank you! Thank you!” He tells us that he loves being in Phoenix. He spent the day looking for Cena, but “I can’t see John Cena” and he did the hand motion. I love this man. He said Cena’s not there because of him. He mentioned he’s a man of his word and a 3 time World Champion, which makes him a leader of men…like Nexus. We get the video package of last week. We saw it at the start of this show.
“Hustle, loyalty and respect – three words that I live my life by.” He says he lives his life like that, but to Cena it’s a catchphrase. He says he expects that from himself and from Nexus. He expects Cena to stay at home because he can’t win this fight. “I’m taking over Nexus and I’m taking over Monday Night Raw.” The Nexus music hits as Wade Barrett comes out.
He says the reason Cena isn’t there is because he destroyed him in a match in Pennsylvania. That is where he got his injury, but it’s only a minor one rather than a major knee injury that WWE feared. Barrett said Punk’s manipulative and that he’s a liar. Punk says let’s find out who the liar is by asking the members of Nexus. The rest of the boys come out.
The five guys come out and Otunga says they both make good points. We get the buzzing from the GM. “And I quote…” the GM says there will be a #1 contender steel cage match. The winner of the match will face The Miz for the WWE title at the Rumble. The three participants are Wade Barrett or CM Punk vs. Sheamus vs. Randy Orton. Barrett says he wants to be in the #1 contender match. Punk says fine, you can take it and if you win then Punk works for him in Nexus. If Wade loses then he’s out of Nexus, which means Punk leads Nexus. “Do we have an agreement?” They shake hands.
So Sheamus, who lost to John Morrison last week in a #1 contenders match, gets to be in another #1 contenders match this week? That’s odd. I guess Orton’s winning with Punk being the leader of Nexus. That makes sense.
(Commercial.)
The “Did You Know?” thing is the same one about WWE being named a top brand that they’ve mentioned a few times. They love that one, huh?
They recapped the great Miz/Morrison match. It was better than any TV match in 2010. Hell of a way to start the year. I loved it. Great job by both guys.
Here’s Alberto Del Rio. Brand extension? Non-existent during the Rumble-Mania season. He’s the man, so he can be on whatever show he wants as far as I’m concerned. I need my own personal ring announcer by the way. “My name is Alberto Del Rio, but you already know that.” He says his destiny is to be the World Heavyweight Champion and destroy everybody from Smackdown. He says his destiny is to win the Royal Rumble and main event WrestleMania. He says “you people have no destiny.” Then R-Truth’s music hits. Cole started complaining, but said at least he got rid of the stupid Crunk song. Yes, that one was more terrible than the “What’s Up” song. He tells Del Rio that his destiny is to come back where he came from and that he’s the man to send him there.
Alberto Del Rio vs. R-Truth
This should end up with Del Rio winning the match. Truth comes out on fire, hitting a lovely leg lariat and a clothesline over the top that sends Del Rio to the floor. Truth vaults over the top to take him out with a cross body. And there’s your vintage floor to commercial spot.
(Commercial)
Plug time. Check out this Youtube video that is a fan-made video that looks at WWE as if it were a sitcom. It’s really well done. There are a few others on the side too. Thanks to my friend Keila for pointing it out. And you post in the comments tell them The John Report sent ya! Haha.
And check me out on Twitter at Twitter.com/johnreport where I have a lot of fun on a daily basis. Today’s favorite tweet was the one where I said my favorite episode of Tough Enough will be the one where the wrestlers have to babysit the kids of Triple H & Stephanie. Join the fun on Twitter, folks.
We are back with Truth doing the ten punch in the corner. Truth gets a slam for two. A lovely single arm DDT by Del Rio gets two. He works on the left arm with punches and kicks. Truth tried fighting back, but he couldn’t use his left arm to flip on the ropes. More psychology by Del Rio as he whips Truth down by the arm. You know what match I would love to see? Del Rio vs. Bryan. Give them 10-15 minutes. It could be great. Del Rio goes for a splash on the middle ropes, but Truth moves and Del Rio crashes in the floor. Truth clotheslines him with the good arm and gets a hip toss for two. Del Rio comes back by grabbing him by the arm and rams him shoulder first into the ring post. Cross Armbreaker is applied by Del Rio. Truth taps out at the 11 minute mark (that’s approximate because I lost track).
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
Analysis: **1/2 That was a very solid technical wrestling match although they need a name for that finisher. I thought it would be a 5 minute match, but I’m not going to complain about it going longer than that. I love when matches on Raw get time. More please. He’s definitely somebody that will do well in the Rumble although I think Cena’s the one that will win it.
They plug the #1 Contender’s WWE title match in a steel cage: Orton vs. Sheamus vs. Barrett.
(Commercial)
They plugged Friday Night Smackdown’s two big matches: Edge vs. Kane in a Last Man Standing match for the World Title. Also, Del Rio vs. Mysterio in a 2/3 falls match. Their “final battle” so they say. I guess those two feuds are ending there.
Backstage, Barrett talked to the five guys in Nexus saying they know he’s the true leader. Otunga asks him why can’t they work it out? Punk says they’ll be pulling for him. He wishes him luck. Punk shakes all their hands.
Backstage, Randy Orton is staring off into space as Scott Sanford talks to him. Orton says last year doesn’t matter because he lost the belt. “The problem is I was too nice,” says Orton. He says he hesitated before he kicked Jericho in the skull and now he’s resolved to the fact that…long pause…”nice guys finish last.” Maybe he’ll be using that as a catchphrase?
The cage is coming down. That’s coming up next. Time check is 10:40pmET as we go to commercial.
This has been a wrestling heavy show. I approve!
(Commercial)
They recapped the Miz/Morrison match again including that awesome spot off the WWE logo on the ramp. The table bump was painful.
Number One Contender Steel Cage Match: Randy Orton vs. Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett
Winner gets Miz at the Rumble. Before the match starts they mention that “John Cena may possibly return to Monday Night Raw next week.” In other words, he’s on Raw next week. The match is starting at 10:48pmET, so they should get 12-15 minutes of in-ring time. The heels double teamed Orton early. Sheamus tried to climb out, but he was going about as fast as a 80 year old man trying to climb a cage. Orton threatens to walk out the door, but he turns around to realize the other two were close. Nobody ever walks out the door when they should. That’s vintage steel cage booking. And we’re going to commercial as they have a staredown.
(Commercial)
Orton’s got control on Sheamus. He’s going for the DDT in the ropes. While he’s close to doing that, Barrett tries to climb up the cage. Orton whips him into the cage. Orton sets up both guys for the DDT in the ropes, but they fight it off. Sheamus gives him a backdrop into the cage. You know what I miss in WWE cage matches? Blood. They tell the story better. The heels hit a double suplex on Orton. Then they fight eachother. Orton comes back and hits a superplex on Barrett. Now Sheamus gets control, putting Orton down with a nice powerslam. He tries to get out through the door, but Orton pulls him back in. Sheamus tries to climb up the other side, but Barrett stops him and rams him into the cage multiple times. Pumphandle slam by Barrett on Sheamus. Orton’s up, but Barrett counters him with a sidewalk slam. Big Boss Man shoutout right there! Barrett climbs up. Sheamus cuts him off. Barrett knocks Sheamus down and goes for a top rope elbow off the top for some reason. Sheamus gets the knees up to block it. Orton hits a couple of clotheslines on Sheamus and then the DDT on Barrett to a huge pop. Sheamus counters Randy and climbs, but Randy gets him. They fight on the ropes by the cage. Barrett kicks the rope, so both guys get crotched on the rope. He kicks them both down. Instead of walking out the door, he goes to climb while favoring his right arm. CM Punk runs out, climbs the cage quickly and holds his arm out for Barrett. He rips off Barrett’s arm band, kicking him down. Sheamus took down Orton. He gave Barrett the running kick. The door opened. Randy woke up, RKO on Sheamus. The crowd is going nuts. Randy walks out. He touches the floor to win the match in 20 minutes.
Winner: Randy Orton
Analysis: ***1/2 A really good cage match here. The Punk interference was fine because it worked within the story. You knew Barrett wasn’t winning anyway. I enjoyed the whole thing. It was made so much better by making the winner be the guy that gets out of the cage either through the door or over the top. That’s how all cage matches should be. I complained about that for years. I’m glad they came to their senses!
Three Stars of the Show
1. The Miz – Maybe the best match of his career.
2. John Morrison – Really put on a show. Deserves a PPV WWE title match.
3. Alberto Del Rio – Can he be on Raw every week? He’s fantastic.
9 out of 10
Last week: 7
YES! I LOVED THIS SHOW! Two weeks ago I gave Raw an 8. Last week a 7. This week it gets a 9 due to some fantastic wrestling matches from top to bottom. The slow parts of the show were kept short as ways to further midcard angles. The big stars got time to tell their story. And I didn’t miss Cena. Did you? I did miss Daniel Bryan, though. That’s for sure.
That Miz-Morrison match was great. Not just good, but great. And I give both guys a lot of credit for pulling out all the stops. The booking was such that it made each guy look awesome and it also makes me want to see a rematch very soon too.
The triple threat was really good too. They worked hard, it was a well booked match and the interference by Punk made storyline sense.
Last thing, Mark Henry wasn’t on this show. However, this image should remind you of something. Never forget.
(The preceding message has been paid for by the “Mark Henry: THREAT TO WIN” committee. They will be here every week on the road to the Royal Rumble. They love you because you love Mark.)
Congrats WWE. Three straight great Raw’s in a row. Keep it going, please.
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