It’s the RAW after Hell In A Cell. Why did Bray Wyatt attack Dean Ambrose? When will John Cena get his Title shot? What does Hulk Hogan have to say? Also announced is John Cena vs Seth Rollins. So after a month of Cena trying to get his hands on Rollins and the Authority stopping him, then losing a match to get the right to face Rollins, Cena is then just awarded a match with him on RAW. WWE Logic at its finest folks.
No Pants Orton Means Business
RAW started with The Authority in the ring talking about Hell In A Cell, and they then introduced Seth Rollins. Rollins said that the lunatic fringe Dean Ambrose is finally out of his hair once and for all. He said last night he proved that intellect conquers over mayhem every single time. He said now that he is done with Ambrose, he sees John Cena on the horizon. He said tonight he will leave Cena just like he left Ambrose last night, in a puddle of his own failure.
Randy Orton came to the ring. Orton went on a tirade about losing last night and said that it was because of Rollins Curb Stomp last week. He went off about Rollins saying he was the future of the WWE and then went after Rollins. He was eventually pulled off and HHH told him that they were not doing this tonight. HHH told him to take the night off and this will be dealt with at the appropriate time. Orton then pushed HHH away and hit the RKO on Rollins.
The Heel Turn The Entire World Saw Coming
Tag Title Match: The Dust Brothers vs Big Show and Mark Henry (aka Team Failed America). Goldust and Henry started. Henry tossed Goldust around for a bit then tagged in Stardust. Henry tossed Stardust into the corner and landed some blows before tagging in Big Show. Show hit a couple of chest slaps then tagged Henry back in. Henry tossed Stardust hard into the corner then grabbed him by the ankle and held him by one hand to stop it. Show tagged himself in and that upset Henry. Henry then pushed and argued with Big Show about it into commercial.
Back from break Big Show escaped a chin lock and tagged in Mark Henry. Stardust caught Henry with a chop block to the knee. This allowed the heels to take turns working over Henry. Stardust hit a springboard dropkick knocking Henry into the corner. Show tagged himself in and he ended up hitting the KO Punch on Stardust. He then tossed Goldust over the top rope. Henry came in and started arguing with Show again, and he eventually hit the World’s Strongest Slam on Big Show. Henry put Stardust on Show and they got the pinfall win to retain the Titles.
WINNERS: Goldust and Stardust
After the match, Henry hit two World’s Strongest Slams and a splash on the Big Show.
Mark Henry said he did what he did to Big Show before Big Show could do it to him and that Show has always been jealous of him.
Roman Reigns was interviewed. He said when he is medically cleared, he is going to make Seth Rollins the past.
AJ Lee vs Alicia Fox. Fox started the match by drop kicking AJ out of the ring. Fox had control early and hit a northern lights suplex followed. Fox locked in a headlock. Fox went for a bodyslam but AJ countered nicely with a DDT. Fox came back with a backbreaker. Paige left the commentary booth and started yelling at Alicia. The distraction allowed AJ to roll up Alicia and pick up the win.
WINNER: AJ
Paige tried apologizing to Alicia Fox after but Paige caught her with a kick, then launched her into the barricade on the outside and also slammed Alicia’s head into the barricade.
The Every Few Months “Someone Tries To Get John Cena To Turn Heel” Promo
John Cena came out. He said last night two men went through hell for the opportunity to challenge the Beast. He said he earned that right, and while Brock Lesnar sits at home pretending to be a Champion, he fights every night proving that he is a Champion. He said when he gets into the ring again with Brock Lesnar he will not lose. Cena said that everything he does from here on out will be a statement to Brock Lesnar. Cena said tonight he goes through the future in Seth Rollins.
Steph came out and said that she does look forward to tonight and that she also looks forward to Survivor Series where there will be a traditional Survivor Series match. Steph said she also has a business proposition for him. Steph said that he panders to the fans too much. Steph asked Cena to join The Authority where he could be loved and respected. That’s something the fans don’t do. She said The Authority could offer some assurance in a match against Brock Lesnar. Steph said he deserves so much better. Cena said all he deserves is the opportunity to come down the ramp and do what he does every single night. Cena said that his answer to Steph was hell no.
HHH came out and made fun of Cena being the big old hero. He told Cena it gets harder every year and that he is hanging on by a thread every single year. He told Cena he can’t fight the future and it doesn’t have to be as hard as it is going to get. HHH said that he guesses he will just have to show to Cena that the future is against him. He told Cena to find someone willing to stand up to the Authority and fight his team at Survivor Series. HHH said the future will run through Cena and that he better smarten up to the fact that The Authority always wins.
Faces Using Heel Tactics
The Usos vs Miz and Damien Mizdow. Miz started with a shoulder tackle but the Uso in the ring came back and hit a clothesline but he then ate a running knee. Miz landed a boot in the corner and was then clotheslined over the top, so Mizdow came of the apron and joined him. The Usos then hit dueling dives to the outside into commercial. Miz had control back from break. He hit a DDT for two. Mizdow came in and hit a suplex then went to a headlock. Mizdow also hit a DDT then tagged in Miz. Miz and Mizdow worked over Uso for a bit. Mizdow went for the Miz’s corner clothesline but Jey blocked it and hit a dropkick and tagged in Jimmy. Jimmy hit a Samoan Drop followed by a crossbody off the top. Jimmy went for a roll up but Mizdow broke it up. Jey then replaced Jimmy when the ref wasn’t looking. Jey rolled up Miz to pick up the win.
WINNERS: The Usos
Backstage John Cena was seen talking to Dolph Ziggler. They shook hands. Back from break, Kane confronted Ziggler about talking to Cena and said he would meet him in the ring.
Hulk Hogan once again talked about breast cancer and welcomed the survivors in the crowd to pose in the ring.
Bo Dallas issued an open challenge that was answered by Ryback. Ryback hit a spinebuster and followed it up with the Meathook clothesline and Shell Shocked for the win.
Ummmm, I’d Rather Have The Cesaro/Ambrose Match
Before Dean Ambrose vs Cesaro, Ambrose took the mic. He said when he got to hell, he found Bray Wyatt. He said you don’t mess with an animal who has sharper claws then you and you don’t screw with Dean Ambrose. Ambrose then ran into the ring and jumped Cesaro with the mic. They went outside and Ambrose still beat down Cesaro with the mic. Cesaro went to the back. Ambrose demanded Bray come out so he could kick his ass. Bray appeared on the screen. He said that when he sees Ambrose it is almost like seeing his own reflection. He said they both like torture and they both enjoy inflicting pain. But Bray said he is not Ambrose, and told Dean to run.
Nikki Bella beat Namoi. Brie grabbed Naomi’s leg causing a distraction even though Brie didn’t want too.
Cena With The Save?
Dolph Ziggler vs Kane. Ziggler landed some early punches before Kane caught him with an uppercut. Kane then dropped Ziggler on the ropes and caught him with a boot to the face. Ziggler fought out of a headlock but ate a knee to the gut. Dolph fought out of another headlock with a jawbreaker then ducked a charging Kane and then connected on a dropkick sending Kane off the apron. Back from break Dolph hit a facebuster but then ran right into a right hand by Kane. Kane continued to work over Ziggler until he caught Kane with an uppercut and started a comeback. Dolph connected on a Fameasser for two. Kane attempted a chokeslam but Dolph escaped and rolled up Kane to pick up the win.
WINNER: Dolph Ziggler
After the match Seth Rollins jumped Ziggler from behind. Rollins and Kane started to lay the boots to Ziggler before Cena came out. Cena clotheslined Kane over the top as Rollins ran off.
I Hope You Weren’t Expecting A Clean Finish
Main Event time. Cena started with an early takedown sending Rollins to the outside. Rollins came back in the ring but ate a hip toss from Cena so he bailed again. Rollins ate a punch and bailed again so this time Cena chased him to the outside and smashed his head on the announce table. Mercury and Noble stood in the way of Cena, but Rollins busted through them and hit a clothesline on the outside. Rollins had the upper hand back in the ring landing multiple blows. Mercury caught Cena with a punch with the refs back turned. Noble then landed some blows on the outside and Rollins hit a suplex on the floor. Rollins continued to dominate. He stopped a Cena comeback with an elbow then a neckbreaker for two.
Back from break Rollins tossed Cena into the steps. Cena tried a comeback but Rollins ducked a shoulder tackle and Cena went to the outside. Rollins hit a dive and knocked Cena down but Rollins also hit his taped and injured back on the announce table. Rollins went for a superplex but Cena knocked him off the ropes and hit a crossbody. Cena went for the AA but Rollins countered with a DDT for two. They went back to the outside where Rollins tossed Cena into the barricade. Back in the ring Cena escaped a headlock but Rollins came right back with a dropkick. Cena beat the ten count to get back in the ring but Rollins went back to laying the boots to Cena. Cena recovered and went into CENA MODE. Cena tossed Rollins over the top and right onto Mercury and Noble. Rollins caught Cena with an enziguri back in the ring for two. Cena then caught a charging Rollins with a boot to the ribs then a tornado DDT for two. Cena went for the AA but Rollins landed on his feet. Rollins missed a kick and Cena went for the STF but Rollins got to the ropes. Rollins then hit a kick to the gut and a reverse DDT. Both men went to the top where Rollins gained the upper hand and it the turnbuckle bomb for two. Rollins went for the Curb Stomp but Cena moved and locked in the STF. Kane then came in to break up the move causing the DQ.
WINNER via DQ: John Cena
Dolph Ziggler continued to make the save until Noble and Mercury came in. The entire locker room then came out and a huge brawl started. The ring cleared out as Cena hit the AA on Heath Slater and Bo Dallas to end the show.
WHAT I LIKED
John Cena vs Seth Rollins: The match itself was rather good. You pretty much knew going in that you weren’t getting a clean finish. I may not have liked the fact that the match was booked in the first place, but both men did a good job in the ring before the schmozz finish.
Ryback Return: First off I’m surprised the crowd was that into him. But I’m glad. Ryback is a guy that could get over if he just let his real personality get through. If you haven’t seen his video from before his hernia surgery go look for it. He’s hilarious. This could be the start of a possible new push for Ryback that gives him a second chance here.
Randy Orton Face Turn?: Similar to Ryback, Randy Orton could get over as a face if he just plays his natural self. Orton is in need of new life because he is stale as all hell right now. A face turn might be a good start. I really wanted to see an Orton/Lesnar match just because it is different. I’m interested to see where they go with Orton from here.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
John Cena/HHH/Stephanie McMahon Promo: Really? We have to go this route again? How many times over the years have various people tried to get John Cena to turn heel? And how many times has it worked? It’s just such a waste of time because we know it isn’t going to happen. This apparently is the storyline being used to cover up the fact that Brock Lesnar isn’t coming back soon.
Bray Wyatt Promo: As I said on Twitter last night, I would like to see a Dean Ambrose/Bray Wyatt feud. But it is off to a terrible start. First last night’s horrible ending to the Ambrose/Rollins match. Now we get a Bray Wyatt promo that doesn’t make too much sense. I had hopes for Bray Wyatt, but his character is really on thin ice with me. I’m hoping things pick up in the coming weeks.
Mark Henry Heel Turn: Maybe it’s because Henry’s last turn on Cena was so well done, but I just can’t get into another heel Henry run. Him and Big Show turn heel so much that I lost count. Plus, we’re getting a series of Mark Henry/Big Show matches. Those matches aren’t going to be entertaining.
There were some things to like from this RAW but it wasn’t enough to make it a good show. Everything outside of John Cena’s match tonight made no sense for him. He’s given a free match with Rollins after not getting one for a month and losing a match to get said match. Then we got the typical try to get Cena to turn heel promo we get every other month. There’s some potential out there but the WWE is just in a giant dry spell right now and haven’t been able to strike gold with anything recently. I’m giving the show a 3.
I’ll be at RAW next week so I won’t be doing a live results write up. Maybe someone can step in during my one week absence.
Until Next Time,
Justin C
Follow Me On Twitter @JCWonka
