It’s the final RAW before the Elimination Chamber. It is also the last match in Randy Orton’s gauntlet before the Chamber as he takes on Sheamus. Will the Champ lose clean again? Follow along to find out.
You Just Knew This Segment Was Coming!
John Cena came out to start the show. Cena talked about the Elimination Chamber and said whatever superstar survives the Chamber has earned it and deserves the WrestleMania 30 title shot. Cena said it’s all about momentum, and that thumb-sucking baby Randy Orton currently has none. Cena said Orton has lost to Daniel Bryan and himself. Cesaro and Zeb Colter came out. Cesaro said that he has also beat Randy Orton and he will become the new face of the WWE and America. Cena told Cesaro that if he had something to say to his face he better come in the ring. Cena said Cesaro has never been in an Elimination Chamber match and he shouldn’t be writing checks that has mouth can’t cash.
Sheamus came out and said that he was going to kick their heads off at the Chamber and Orton’s tonight. Christian said maybe Sheamus should have used his Brogue Kick on Dean Ambrose at Smackdown, and he will hit a Killswitch on Sheamus Sunday and knock his snaggle tooth out. Next out was Randy Orton, who thanked the Authority for giving him the chance to beat every one of them this Sunday. Finally Daniel Bryan came out. He said the crowd was doing his talking for him. He said this Sunday, there will be an entire arena chanting one word and the crowd broke out in a YES chant.
Kane came out and said The Authority has left him in charge tonight. Kane said since Orton is facing Sheamus, everyone else in the Chamber match should be fighting. He made Cesaro vs Cena, and Christian vs Daniel Bryan which is next.
Kane went to possibly attack Bryan, but Christian attacked him from behind. He threw Bryan into the barricade then into the steps.
Heel Christian? Sure Why Not
The match officially started back from break. Christian landed a couple kicks to Bryan’s arm but Bryan recovered with a running knee to the gut. Bryan hit a couple uppercuts sending Christian to the outside. Bryan went for a dive but Christian caught him with a punch to the face. Christian went to an armbar back in the ring. Christian dropped Bryan’s arm on the ropes then did a mock Yes chant. Bryan escaped another armbar but Christian caught him with an elbow. Christian went to the second rope and hit a DDT like move on Christian’s arm. Christian hit a couple headbutts to the arm of Bryan. Christian mocked the crowd a bit, so when he charged at Bryan he went over the top. Bryan then hit his dive to the outside into commercial.
Bryan escaped an armbar back from break and hit a clothesline. Bryan landed his chest kicks followed by the kick to the head for two. Bryan went to the top but Christian got his knees up and Bryan’s bad shoulder went right into his knees. Bryan moved out of the way of Christian in the corner and Bryan hit one dropkick, but Christian got his leg up before the second one. Christian hit an elbow off the second rope. He went for the Killswitch but Bryan countered into the Yes Lock which Christian escaped. Christian threw Bryan into the corner shoulder first and went for the Killswitch again, but Bryan countered into a roll-up for the win.
WINNER: Daniel Bryan
Can The Whole First Hour Be Daniel Bryan Wrestling?
After the match, Kane said that Bryan had one more match tonight against him. Bryan tried attacking Kane before he got fully into the ring but Kane landed some shots to the shoulder and sent Bryan to the outside. Back from break Kane was working over the bad shoulder of Bryan. Bryan rolled to the apron but Kane suplexed him back in. Kane threw Bryan shoulder first into the ringpost. Kane landed a couple of boots in the corner but Bryan dropped Kane’s neck on the ropes then hit a missile dropkick off the top. Bryan landed some chest kicks but Kane stopped Bryan and tossed him over the top. Kane threw Bryan into the barricade then put Kane in an armbar using the ringpost. Kane didn’t break before five and the ref DQ’d him. Kane then slammed Bryan’s injured shoulder into the steps.
WINNER: Daniel Bryan Via DQ
Renee Young interviewed The Shield. They once again teased dissension, with Ambrose saying he softened up Mark Henry for him. Reigns said that they fear no one and aren’t afraid of The Wyatt Family this Sunday.
It’s The New Dolph Ziggler vs Kofi Kingston
But it’s Fandango vs Santino. Fandango landed a couple quick knees and then a clothesline, but he missed a new off the top. Santino started his comeback with the hip toss and headbutt. He went for the Cobra but Summer Rae distracted him. Emma pulled her off the apron and did the airplane with Summer on her shoulders. Emma sold dizziness and Santino checked on her. They flirted a bit and went to kiss but Fandango hit a dropkick through the ropes. Fandango then hit a sit down bodyslam for the win.
WINNER: Fandango
Mark Henry was interviewed and he said he should have won the United States Title last week. And this week he’s inducting someone into the hall of pain.
It’s Mark Henry vs Roman Reigns. Reigns started with a couple headbutts. He went to toss Henry but Henry threw Reigns into the ropes then caught him with a boot. Henry then hit a splash in the corner. Reigns recovered with some punches then went to a headlock. Henry escaped but Reigns hit a Samoan Drop for two. Henry recovered with a headbutt of his own followed by another splash. Reigns caught Henry with a boot to the face. He followed it with a Superman Punch and Spear for the win.
WINNER: Roman Reigns
After the match Dean Ambrose attacked Henry as Rollins and Reigns just looked on. The Wyatts appeared on the screen. Bray said he can’t wait for their battle and asked The Shield if it will all be worth it in the end. Harper asked if they are willing to die for this. Bray said it wouldn’t be worth it if they aren’t. Reigns took a mic and told them to bring that noise out to the ring. Bray said they were thinking the same thing. The Wyatts came to the ring and The Shield stared them down. All six men ended up in the ring, but The Wyatts once again backed off and left.
Backstage Cody Rhodes and Goldust were playing with the new Stackdown Lego set. Bad News Barrett came in and destroyed it.
Does Kofi Even Get Storylines Anymore
Jack Swagger vs Kofi Kingston. Swagger started aggressively with some kicks in the corner. He hit a reverse backsplash. Swagger hit the Swagger Bomb followed by a kick to the back. Swagger tossed Kofi into the corner but Kofi was able to hit a missile dropkick. Kofi caught Swagger with his kick to the face followed by an axe handle off the top. Swagger tossed Kofi into the ropes but Kofi stopped himself. Kofi hit the SOS but Swagger got his foot on the rope to break the count. Kofi hit the crossbody off the top for two but Swagger countered into the Patriot Lock, forcing Kofi to tap out.
WINNER: Jack Swagger
Can We Get Running Commentary from Zeb For All Matches?
Now its Big E vs Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre. Mahal and McIntyre took it to Big E as Zeb Colter did commentary with a mic. He said Swagger was going to beat him like the Seahawks did the Broncos. McIntyre caught Big E with a dropkick to the face followed by a double suplex. Jinder caught Big E with a knee to the face for two. Zeb complimented them for their work. Big E fought back. He tossed Drew to the outside. He took out Jinder with a clothesline then hit a double splash on Jinder and Drew. Zeb said he couldn’t do that to Jack Swagger. Big E then hit the Big Ending on Drew and Jinder to pick up the win.
WINNER: Big E
Big E told Zeb that they hope they make diapers his size, because after this Sunday, his mouth won’t be the only thing full of crap.
Another Alexander Rusev promo aired.
A Ron Simmons vignette aired followed by the usual Elimination Chamber hype video. John Cena was interviewed and again said that there is so much promising young talent in the WWE, but they have to go through him to get to the top.
This Would Be A Good PPV Match Down The Line
It’s John Cena vs Antonio Cesaro. Both men exchanged early headlocks, with Cena getting the upper hand with a shoulder tackle and hip toss. Cesaro regrouped on the outside and went to a headlock takedown in the ring. Cena went to leapfrog Cesaro but Cesaro caught him mid-air and hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for two. Cesaro went to an armbar but Cena powered out. Cena charged at Cesaro but Cesaro ducked and pulled the rope down, sending Cena to the outside. Cesaro tossed Cena into the barricade.
Cena dropped Cesaro’s neck on the ropes back in the ring, but Cesaro regrouped and caught him with a dropkick. Cena recovered and went for the AA but Cesaro escaped and dropped Cena on the ropes this time. Cena escaped another headlock and hit a neckbreaker after tossing Cesaro in the air. Cesaro recovered and countered Cena, hitting one dropkick then another on the mat, sending him to the outside.
Back from break Cesaro hit a poweslam for two. Cena tried fighting back but Cesaro went to a sleeperhold. Cena backed Cesaro into the corner to break it, but Cesaro bounced right back with a clothesline. Cesaro went to another sleeper but Cena broke it again. Cena hit a couple shoulder tackles. Cesaro caught Cena with a kick and went for the Swing, but Cena went for the STF. Cesaro escaped and hit a reverse gut wrench slam. Cesaro landed a couple upper cuts. Cena moved out of the way of a splash and hit a backdrop. Cena hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cesaro escaped the AA and tossed Cena in the air and hit the uppercut for two. Cesaro went for the Swing again, but Cena countered to a DDT. Cena went to the top, but Cesaro caught him with an upper cut sending him to the floor.
Cena got to the apron. Cesaro went to the second rope and hit a suplex bringing Cena back into the ring but only got a two count. Cesaro sold frustration, letting Cena go for the STF. Cesaro escaped and applied the Swing, going about 15 times. Cesaro went for the Neutralizer but Cena countered and went for the AA. Cesaro escaped and hit a boot to the face. Cesaro went off the ropes but Cena hit a hard looking clotheslines. Cena then did a rolling dead lift of Cesaro and hit the AA for the win.
WINNER: John Cena
Backstage, Orton thanked HHH for everything that he has done and will do for him down the line. Orton said that he looks forward to being the face of the WWE. Batista came in and said Orton was the ass of the WWE. Alberto del Rio came in sporting a neckbrace and said he hopes Batista doesn’t plan on using his arms at WrestleMania because he will break them this Sunday. Batista shoved Del Rio into a cart.
Titus O’Neil was interviewed. He said you spell Champion T-I-T-U-S and this Sunday he will take out Darren Young.
It’s A Sheep vs A Bull
The Wyatts vs Los Matadores and Sin Cara. Rowan took out one of Los Matadores with a clothesline. Harper came in and hit some short clotheslines followed by a handful of elbowed for two. Bray came in and hit some shots to the back of the head. Bray tossed him into his corner. Rowan came in and hit a bodyslam followed by a head squeeze. Harper came in and did the Gator roll into a headlock. The Matador reversed a backdrop and hit a kick to the head and tagged in Sin Cara. Sin Cara hit a springboard splash and shoved Bray off the apron. Sin Cara then hit an elbow. El Torrito went for a splash on Rowan but he caught him and tossed him on the apron. Both Los Matadores hit a dive through the ropes on Rowan. Sin Cara hit a hurricarrana, but Harper moved out of the way of a Swanton and Harper hit his clothesline. Bray tagged in and hit the Sister Abigail on Sin Cara to pick up the win.
WINNERS: The Wyatt Family
If The Outlaws Can Wrestle With T-Shirts On, Why Couldn’t Sting?
It’s Jey Uso vs Billy Gunn. Billy caught Jey with a kick to the gut then slammed his head into the turnbuckle. Jey moved out of the way of a charge then hit a hip toss and tossed Billy to the outside. Billy regrouped. Jey missed a dive off the top and Billy caught him with a clothesline. Billy worked over Jey in the corner with some punches. Billy went for the Fameasser but Jey moved and scored a school boy rollup for the win.
After the match Jimmy hit a dive over the ropes onto both Outlaws.
WINNER: Jey Uso
Sheamus was interviewed and said he has an antidote for the Viper tonight, and it’s a good ole fashion ass kicking.
Can The Crowd Repeat What Happened The Last Time These Two Met?
Orton bailed to the outside. Early. Sheamus went to a headlock then hit a shoulder tackle as Orton bailed to the outside. Orton landed some punches in the ring but Sheamus regrouped with some uppercuts of his own. Sheamus hit a suplex as Orton bailed to the outside again. Sheamus chased Orton down but Orton caught him with a kick and then threw him into the ringpost. Sheamus then caught Orton with a kick of his own then slammed Orton’s head off the announce table. Back in the ring Orton ducked a Brogue Kick and Sheamus landed on the ropes. Orton threw Sheamus shoulder first into the ringpost into a commercial.
Orton had a headlock applied back from break. Sheamus escaped with some elbows followed by a backdrop. Sheamus clotheslined Orton over the top. Sheamus threw Orton into the barricade twice, but Orton reversed Sheamus the third time and threw Sheamus into the steps. Back in the ring Orton kneed Sheamus a couple times in the face. Orton went for a superplex off the top but Sheamus tossed him off and hit a battering ram off the top. Both men again went to the outside as Orton backdropped Sheamus though the announce table. Sheamus made it back into the ring at nine. Orton did the Garvin Stomp but missed a knee drop.
Sheamus started his comeback and slammed Orton into the corner, but Orton caught Sheamus with a powerslam for two. Orton went for his middle rope DDT but Sheamus countered with his rope punches. Sheamus went for a backdrop but Orton countered with a backbreaker. Orton was able to connect with the middle rope DDT this time. Orton went for the RKO but Sheamus countered and hit three Irish Curse backbreakers. Sheamus readied for the Brogue Kick but The Shield came out and attacked Sheamus.
All of the other Elimination Chamber participants came out. The Wyatt Family came out and stared down The Shield and they started brawling as did everyone else to close the show.
WINNER: Sheamus Via DQ
WHAT I LIKED
John Cena vs Antonio Cesaro: And we have the front runner for Match of the Year. Just an awesome match. Anyone who ever questions Cena’s work rate after this one must just be blind. Cena brought his A game tonight. He made Cesaro look great. Some may not like Cesaro losing, but I think beating Cena clean needs to be saved for a PPV down the line, or when Cesaro is a little bit bigger star than he is right now. Cesaro is going to get over because of his offense. It just looks devastating when he delivers it.
Daniel Bryan vs Christian: This was a good way to start the show and get the crowd into it. I don’t know if Christian is all of the sudden a heel, but he did a great job of playing up the crowd during the match. And of course they two are veterans in the ring so they knew exactly what they were doing out there.
Roman Reigns vs Mark Henry: This wasn’t any technical masterpiece by any means, but it did a great job of making Roman Reigns look great again. He has mega star written all over him. And this time next year we are talking about him main eventing WrestleMania. It is simple stuff like this that can be effective.
PPV Hype: The WWE did a good job of hyping up the Elimination Chamber tonight. Outside of one match that I will talk about later, the main matches were built up strong. The Shield and Wyatts were great again. The Chamber Match was built strong. The Intercontinental Title match was given time as well. Good job by the WWE tonight.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Kane vs Daniel Bryan: There was almost no point to it. Bryan came out at the end like nothing happened. And there really wasn’t any follow up after it happened. It just seemed like an unnecessary add.
Batista/Alberto del Rio: You might have forgot these two were fighting Sunday if it wasn’t for that brief backstage segment. If you can’t put Batista in front of a live crowd, how do you expect to do a match Sunday? And a one sided one at that since Alberto del Rio has looked terrible this whole feud.
Overall, this might have been the best RAW of the year. Unlike the shows where there was just wrestling and no storyline, this show had a little bit of both involved. They did a good job of selling the Elimination Chamber PPV this Sunday. And the main event matches feel like a big deal. And the undercard matches should be solid as well. I’m giving it an 8.
Don’t forget to listen to the HTCPulsecast preview the Elimination Chamber this Thursday at 8 on BlogTalkRadio.
Until Next Time,
Justin C
Follow Me On Twitter @JCWonka
