Tonight RAW takes place from England. Who will join Team Cena? Who will join Team Authority? Announced for tonight is John Cena vs Ryback. Remember, every time you read the spoilers the WWE will come up with a new, stupid guest host for each show.
Everyone Wants To Feed Ryback More
After a recap of last week’s events John Cena came out. Cena talked about the importance of Survivor Series in two weeks and how The Authority is making it impossible for him to field a team. He talked about the injuries to Zack Ryder and Randy Orton. He said that he has been able to put together a team of two former World Heavyweight Champions: Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler. Cena talked about Ziggler being held down by the Authority and if it were up to him he would have Ziggler on the show all the time. Cena then talked about Ryback and invited him to the ring to talk about joining Team Cena.
Ryback came out and said the Big Guy is back. The Authority immediately interrupted. They brought Mark Henry out with them. Steph said these people are used to being ruled by monarchs. HHH talked about everything being on the line at Survivor Series, and he damn well is making sure people are scared to join his team at Survivor Series. HHH said that since the stakes have been raised then the game has been changed. HHH said it would be career suicide to join Team Cena. And at the end of the day, the Authority always wins. HHH talked about Cena’s team and chuckled at the mention of Jack Swagger and called Dolph Ziggler a tiny little guy who won’t make it to Survivor Series. Cena said HHH said the same thing about Daniel Bryan and he beat HHH’s ass at Wrestlemania. Steph said everything Cena is saying is propaganda. She said if Ryback joined Team Authority he could have so many more main event opportunities. She said they are putting together the biggest, baddest Survivor Series team ever. HHH talked about giving Ryback MORE. Cena said it doesn’t matter if he has a full team at Survivor Series because at least he won’t go down as a sellout. Cena told Ryback to look at the Authority’s track record and if he screws up just once with them he is done. Ryback said he isn’t afraid of The Authority, but he also doesn’t see John Cena’s name at the bottom of his paycheck. Ryback then hit a spinebuster on Cena.
Seriously, Swagger??
Jack Swagger vs Seth Rollins. Swagger gained early control with a headlock. The hold was broke but Rollins landed a cheap shot and went on offense with some kicks. Swagger started a comeback with some shoulder tackles then Rollins bailed to the outside. Back in the ring Rollins gained the upper hand. He went for a suplex but Swagger blocked it and hit one of his own. Swagger hit a leg drop then went to an armbar. Rollins escaped and cameback with a dropkick. Swagger recovered and slammed Rollins into the turnbuckle a few times. Swagger went for the Swagger Bomb but Rollins bailed to the outside into commercial.
Rollins had control back from break and landed some kicks on Swagger. Rollins threw Swagger into the ropes but Swagger stopped himself then tossed Rollins over the top. Swagger started a comeback and hit a Swagger Bomb for two. Rollins went for a roll up but Swagger countered into the Patriot Lock but Rollins got to the rope. Rollins sent Swagger to the outside and went for a running knee but Swagger moved and applied the Patriot Lock. Mercury and Noble distracted Swagger, allowing Rollins to shove Swagger into the post. Back in the ring Rollins hit the Curb Stomp for the win.
WINNER: Seth Rollins
After the match Rollins hit another Curb Stomp on Swagger.
Dean Ambrose talked about how he has a rap sheet a mile long from being in this business. He said he doesn’t hide from any of it. He said Bray Wyatt will not put him out of his misery. Ambrose said that if he is going down, Bray Wyatt is going down with him. Ambrose vs Wyatt was then announced for Survivor Series.
Kane told Ryback that he would be at ringside for his match against John Cena. Ryback said that he’s got this. Kane said Ryback has to show some humility and take his lead. Ryback said that when he wants his advice he will ask, and to stay out of his way.
Paige defeated Alicia Fox with the RamPaige.
Steph asked Lana and Rusev again about joining Team Authority. Lana said they couldn’t discuss it for political reasons. Steph said there are no politics in the WWE (haha). Lana said they would consider it. Steph said listen you stuck of Russian, I scratch your back, you scratch ours.
A Russian vs An Irishman For The United States Championship In The UK
Lana and Rusev were in the ring. She said that Rusev holding the US Title shows Russia’s power over the United States. Lana said if it wasn’t for Russia’s military everyone in the UK would be speaking German. A random Russian government representative talked about President Putin being so proud and read a “declaration” from Putin congratulating Rusev. As the Russian National Anthem played Sheamus came out and cleared the ring.
The match started back from break. Rusev gained control early on with some kicks to the back and gut. Sheamus came back with a knee to the head. Sheamus got a few punches in and then knocked Rusev off the apron. Rusev caught Sheamus on the outside and rammed him into the apron then hit a fallaway slam onto the announce table. Rusev continued to dominate inside the ring. Rusev went to a headlock. After what seemed like forever, Sheamus escaped but went right into a spinning heel kick.
The two exchanged blows back from break before Sheamu started a comeback, but ran right into a Rusev dropkick. Mercury and Noble were now at ringside. Sheamus caught a charging Rusev with a powerslam. Sheamus hit his punches then a shoulder tackle. He then went for the Cloverleaf but couldn’t lock it in. Sheamus then connected with White Noise for two. Sheamus went for the Brogue Kick but Rusev bailed to the outside. Sheamus hit a shoulder tackle off the apron. Sheamus tossed Rusev into the barricade a few times. The ref got to nine and Sheamus rolled Rusev back into the ring. The ref checked on Rusev, Noble and Mercury distracted Sheamus, then the ref turned around and finished the ten count.
WINNER via Countout: Rusev
Lana told Steph backstage that Rusev would join Team Authority.
Backstage, Seth Rollins told Ryback he didn’t have to take orders from Kane. He could take them from him instead.
Los Matadores vs Miz and Damien Mizdow. Miz landed some kicks then teased a tag in to Mizdow but went back to work. Miz hit his corner clothesline then an axe handle off the top. Miz teased a tag again then finally tagged in Mizdow. Mizdow hit one move then Miz tagged himself back in. Mizdow broke up a pin but ate a dropkick for it. Mini-Mizswoggle was on the apron but El Torrito knocked him down. Miz went to the apron and landed on a Matador. Mizdow held down Miz’s foot and they picked up the win.
Dolph Ziggler vs Mark Henry. During Dolph’s entrance the Luke Harper “eyes” vignette appeared. Ziggler hit a quick dropkick but Henry came right back with a clothesline. Ziggler moved out of the way of a splash in the corner. Ziggler charged at Henry but Henry caught him. On the outside Henry tossed Ziggler into the barricade. Henry charged at Ziggler but Ziggler moved out of the way. Henry then grabbed a chair and tossed it at Ziggler, causing a DQ.
WINNER via DQ: Dolph Ziggler
Henry went to slam Ziggler on the steps in the ring but Big Show came out. He blocked a shot with the steps then tossed them at a bailing Henry going up the ramp. Show said that he joined Team Cena and would see Henry at Survivor Series.
A Kofi Kingston promo, similar to the Xaiver Woods one from earlier with the Gospel singing, aired.
Sheamus said that he was joining Team Cena.
AJ defeated Brie Bella with the Black Widow. After the match, Nikki hit the Rack Attack on AJ.
Tyson Kidd defeated Adam Rose with the Sharpshooter. During the match, Erik Rowan came out and said “She’s not here.” He was probably referencing Natalya. Adam Rose attacked the bunny after the match because the bunny was on the top rope and distracted Rose, causing him to lose.
Bray Wyatt promo. He once again talked about Dean Ambrose’s dad being a sinner. He said there is no going back for Dean, and he has not seen real evil. Bray said he could walk with him or Ambrose could walk away and burn for it.
Clearly, The Authority Doesn’t Know How To B A Star
John Cena vs Ryback. Ryback shoved Cena down to start, then hit a shoulder tackle. Cena went for a quick AA but Ryback escaped. Cena went for a running bulldog but Ryback hit a powerslam. Cena tried fighting back again but Ryback tossed him to the outside in front of Team Authority. He then hit a kick to the face of Cena. Kane gave marching orders to Ryback. The distraction allowed Cena to knock Ryback off the apron and into Kane.
Back from break Ryback caught Cena off the top and hit a side slam. Ryback hit a backdrop. Ryback continued to dominate. He went for Shell Shocked but Cena escaped. He hit one shoulder tackle but Ryback jumped back up and hit a clothesline. Ryback hit a pressslam/powerslam combo for two. Cena tried coming back again but Ryback caught him with a powerbomb. Ryback went for a Razor’s Edge but Cena escaped and countered into the STF, but Ryback reached the ropes. Ryback hit a crossbody but Cena again came back with the STF. Ryback lifted Cena up and went for Shell Shocked, but Cena countered with a slam. Cena knocked Kane off the apron but Ryback hit Cena with a spinebuster. Kane’s frustrations got the best of him and he attacked Cena, causing a DQ.
WINNER via DQ: John Cena
Ryback and Kane argued. Seth Rollins tried to calm things down but Ryback decked him. Kane came back and took out Ryback and Team Authority started going after Cena. Sheamus came out but Team Authority got the better of him. The same happened to Big Show. Ryback came back in and clotheslined every member of Team Authority and hit Shell Shocked on Kane. Ryback left up the ramp.
Backstage, Triple H and Steph looked on angrily. Suddenly, Dolph Ziggler was thrown in front of them unconscious. Luke Harper then appeared and told them that he was a team player as the show ended.
WHAT I LIKED
Ryback: I’ve liked Ryback’s return so far. If they let Ryback be himself, I think the crowd will get behind him. It seems like the crowd is leaning that way so far. I would like to see a Ryback/Rusev feud after Survivor Series. Let Ryback be the guy that beats him instead of Cena.
Seth Rollins vs Jack Swagger: Acceptable TV match that had some good action. Surprised that Swagger was as over as he was. I don’t like how Swagger was on the team and is now off it. I hope they at least keep Swagger off TV until after Survivor Series to sell the injuries. Knowing this company, they might just throw him on Smackdown.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
End of Sheamus/Rusev: This just may be minor nit-picking from me. But Rusev got back in the ring at 9, the ref stopped and checked on him for about 10 seconds, Noble and Mercury distracted Sheamus, then the ref counted to 10 causing a countout. It was just really stupid and looked bad as well.
Bray Wyatt/Dean Ambrose Build: The second biggest match at Survivor Series gets two recap packages and two backstage promos. Everything is being focused on Team Cena vs Team Authority, and this seems to be getting pushed to the backburner. These two could have had a good program but it seems like very little, if any, real effort is being put into it by those in charge.
Erik Rowan: We knew that Rowan was going to get the short end of the stick when it came to the Wyatt break-up, but this is just stupid. So Rowan is a female stalker now? This has the potential to end bad.
As much as I would prefer to see the WWE Champ around, at least this Survivor Series match is giving some guys a chance to shine that wouldn’t normally get the TV time. Dolph Ziggler is getting a prominent role, Ryback is getting a new push, Rusev is getting some more time, and now it looks like Luke Harper will get a push as well. That’s the positive. The show is still too long and definitely dragged at times. The wrestling was okay at best. The show gets a 4 from me.
Until Next Time,
Justin C
Follow Me On Twitter @JCWonka
