We open up with a recap of Triple H challenging the Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak. Cut to the arena and “Ain’t No Grave” is playing Undertaker to the ring. He talks openly about the Streak, and reminds Triple H that he defeated Shawn Michaels in the last two WrestleManias. He announces that the match with Triple H in Atlanta will be No Holds Barred.
Elsewhere backstage, Mason Ryan and David Otunga are assaulting Randy Orton. CM Punk joins them and lays Orton out with the Go 2 Sleep. He tells the heavies to bring Orton to the ring. Cole says that Orton is “literally” being dragged to the ring, which is a rare instance of someone in wrestling using that term correctly.
Back from the break and Orton is being decimated in the ring by Punk, Ryan, and Otunga. Orton still wants to fight though, so the originally scheduled match is on.
MATCH #1: Randy Orton vs. David Otunga
Otunga dominates the beaten-down Orton and hits the big spinebuster but can’t put him away. Then out of nowhere Orton hits the RKO to get the pin.
WINNER – Randy Orton, 1/4*
Mason Ryan comes back out and delivers a big boot. He slowly picks Orton up and then also gets hit with an RKO. Punk runs out and stares at Orton but won’t get in the ring, so Otunga takes a boot to the skull.
Cole announces that the WWE Champion The Miz will not be here tonight out of protest for being treated like an afterthought.
MATCH #2: Christian vs. Brodus Clay
Yes! I was hoping Clay would start accompanying Del Rio as a bodyguard type. Del Rio says Christian will have to beat Clay to get to him. Clay overpowers Christian all around in the early going here. He goes for a splash but misses and Christian hits a dropkick off the second rope, and then goes up top for another one to take Clay off his feet. It only gets a one-count. Clay comes back and tries a running powerslam but Christian slips out and hits a tornado DDT to get the win.
WINNER – Christian, *1/2
Del Rio comes in to attack Christian. He locks in the Cross Armbreaker.
Coming up later, John Cena responds to the Rock, and Stone Cold Steve Austin returns!
Sin Cara is coming soon!
Joining Shawn Michaels, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Bullet Bob Armstrong in the 2011 Hall of Fame Class is none other than Sunny!
MATCH #3: Divas Championship Match – Eve vs. Nikki Bella
I think this is the first time a Bella has challenged for the title. They go back and forth, and then for some reason Cole gets up on the announce table and talks about his announcement of the special referee for WrestleMania over the house mic. The girls gamely fight on, and the referee actually catches them trying to execute Twin Magic. Eve then hits a DDT (I think) to get the win.
WINNER – Eve (retains), DUD
Cole is in the ring now to announce his special referee. He teases that it’s going to be Stone Cold Steve Austin, but it’s a SWERVE and it’s JBL instead! After the typically good promo from JBL, the glass breaks and Stone Cold Steve Austin is here! Stone Cold hits JBL with the Stunner. Then Austin signs the contract to make himself the referee for the Cole versus Lawler match at WrestleMania! That was awesome. JBL gets another Stunner for his troubles.
Backstage Cole complains to Swagger abotu what Austin just did to him, and Swagger assuages him.
Jerry “The King” Lawler comes out to take Cole’s place on commentary.
MATCH #4: Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus
Bryan’s U.S. Title is not on the line here. Sheamus takes the early advantage with his power. Bryan comes back and knocks Sheamus to the floor, and it looks like Sheamus may have injured his ankle. In fact he’s hurt so bad that he can’t even get back in the ring and gets counted out.
WINNER – Daniel Bryan via countout, 1/2*
Sheamus challenges Bryan to put the title on the line against him next week, and if he loses he will quit! Bryan accepts the challenge.
MATCH #5: R-Truth vs. CM Punk
They do a little back and forth and Punk goes for an early Go 2 Sleep. Truth slips out and hits a leg lariat for two. Punk comes back by going after the shoulder, and then he reintroduces the Anaconda Vise, and Truth taps out.
WINNER – CM Punk, *
Now we hear more from Shawn Michaels regarding the Undertaker vs. Triple H match coming up at WrestleMania. I miss Shawn Michaels.
Now Vickie Guerrero is out and we head to commercial. Back from the break she announces that Dolph Ziggler is the newest member of the Raw roster.
MATCH #6: Dolph Ziggler vs. John Morrison
These two had a fun series on Smackdown in 2009, and we take another commercial break. After some back and forth action Ziggler hits the Zig Zag for the win. Man what happened to Morrison’s push?
WINNER – Dolph Ziggler, *3/4
Lawler reads a note from the General Manager. The GM says that he hired Ziggler, but not Vickie. He then offers Vickie a chance to win a job, if she can defeat Trish Stratus next week! Security then comes out to take her away.
John Cena is out for the main event promo. He raps again and seems to be crossing Rock off his list. Then from out of nowhere the WWE Champion The Miz comes from behind and cracks Cena in the face with the belt! He then cuts a good promo on the Rock, and hits Cena with the Skull Crushing Finale and the People’s Elbow.
Show Over.
