Tonight's RAW Supershow emanates from Philadelphia, PA as we come off the heels of an explosive TLC PPV. Jim Ross is joined on commentary by Jerry Lawler and welcomes us to the show as we go to the ring. Vince McMahon is on hand with GM Theodore Long, WWE COO Triple H, the new RAW GM Shawn Michaels and the entire McMahon family; yes, Shane has come back for one night only to help celebrate this momentous occasion. Vince gets on the mic and demands some answers for what transpired between JBL, Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman among others during TLC last night.
Bischoff enters alongside Heyman and JBL and explains his actions during the Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match last night by saying that he is sick to death tired of the direction WWE has taken since signing its soul away for Corporate Sponsorship from Mattel and to pander to the 10 and under audience. Bischoff says that the PG you see in the corner of the television screen every week eat at him and his confidants. Bischoff claims he's here to eradicate the crap and initiate an "Attitude Revolution" that included bringing in more competition and not being afraid to spill a little blood on the canvas. Which brings him to his next point.
Bischoff says that HE is the one responsible for letting the Nexus infiltrate The Impact Zone for the last month and a half and take the promotion hostage. Bischoff says he led the Nexus to the back door of the arena and mapped out on several occasions alternate entrances for when security was ramped up. Bischoff said the plan was to invite the Nexus in to make a statement on select superstars and get all of the authority figures out of the way. Once Bischoff was the last authority figure left standing, he said that he waited for Nexus to act on Dixie Carter and immediately reported to Jerry Jarrett, the co-founder of TNA. Bischoff says Jerry agreed that TNA was no longer a safe working environment and conceded to sell his shares in TNA to Bischoff, which gave Bischoff majority control of the company.
Bischoff says he is here tonight to sell Vince his shares of TNA, effectively turning over control of TNA to WWE. The last major competitor eliminated, WWE has finally cornered the market on Sports Entertainment. Vince signs off on all outstanding assets of TNA (including superstar contracts). Bischoff says that any major TNA superstars looking to still have a job now have six months to either sign with WWE or jump on the unemployment line. Vince thanks Bischoff for his contribution, but has a revelation for Bischoff himself. Vince says that while Bischoff may have invited Nexus into the building, that Vince was the one who dropped them on TNA's doorstep in the first place. The Chairman tells Bischoff that since he has now caused the downfall of two major promotions, he’ll be damned if he lets Bischoff hang around to do the same to WWE. Cena and the Nexus enter and surround the ring as all WWE personnel exit unharmed. The Nexus climbs into the ring and encircles a disheartened Bischoff. The beatdown ensues and concludes with Wasteland, a 450 Splash and an STFU to leave Bischoff lying, but Cena isn’t done. As EMT’s load Bischoff onto a stretcher and into an ambulance to drive out of the arena, the Nexus pounding the vehicle with assorted weapons while in motion.
Backstage, Cena and the Nexus have cornered the ambulance, parking one of WWE’s Production trucks in its path. The Nexus chase the EMTs from the vehicle, leaving Bischoff by himself. Cena gets behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler and levels the ambulance turning it on its side. As Nexus walk away from the carnage, a minor explosion triggers in the ambulance, setting the wagon ablaze as we go to commercial.
As we return from break, Cena enters Triple H’s office and tells him “The Greater Cause has been realized.” Cena also tells the Game that the Nexus’ loss last night is explained by an inner weakness and proposes a series of matches to root out the cause. With Hunter’s help, Cena sets up five triple threat matches tonight. Should the loser of any of these given matches be a Nexus Member, they will be ousted.
Stacy Keibler def. Michelle McCool to remain WWE Women’s Champion
Finish came when Stacy countered a Faith Breaker into a Rolling Prawn Hold for the pin.
Cena is backstage with McGillicutty and Otunga, better explaining tonight’s stipulation. If one Nexus member takes the fall against another Nexus member, they will be ousted. If a Nexus member wins by pinning the non-Nexus member of the match, the Nexus member not involved in the fall will be ousted also. If NEITHER Nexus member emerges victorious, both will be dumped.
Michael McGillicutty def. Evan Bourne and David Otunga
Finish came when Bourne landed Air Bourne on Otunga and subsequently fell to a McGillicutter for the win. McGillicutty solidifies his position in Nexus while Cena enters and demands Otunga hand over his Nexus armband and promptly suffer an F-U.
Cena gets on the mic and invites the next two Nexus members--Husky Harris and Skip Sheffield.
Husky Harris def. Kofi Kingston and Skip Sheffield
Harris takes advantage of Kofi hitting Trouble in Paradise on Sheffield before planting Kingston with a Swinging Reverse STO and a Running Senton Splash on Sheffield for the duke. Cena enters with a crowbar in tow, and clubs Sheffield in the back of the head with it before ripping the armband off of Sheffield.
The Miz is backstage with Jeremy Borash ranting and raving about how he was within inches of reclaiming the WWE Championship last night, but R-Truth kept him from capitalizing. Miz says it’s irrelevant because he is going directly to Mr. McMahon’s office to demand that he be the #1 contender for Punk’s title at the Royal Rumble. Alex Riley walks up as the new United States Championship and asks Miz where HIS title is before walking away laughing.
Batista is seen walking to the ring as the next Nexus qualifying match is next and we go to commercial.
Mason Ryan def. Batista and Ezekiel Jackson
Finish came after Batista connected with a Batista Bomb on Jackson and turns around into a massive Big Boot from Ryan. Mason Ryan runs to the quick cover of Ezekiel Jackson and picks up the win. Batista rages and destroys both Ryan and Jackson. Cena casually walks down, rips the band off of Jackson’s arm and helps Ryan back to his feet before heading to the back.
Del Rio and The Miz meet each other at Vince McMahon’s office door and begin arguing over who is going to be Punk’s next number one contender. Vince exits his office amidst the debate and tells both of them that the decision of who will be the next challenger has already been made and he’s going to let CM Punk tell them who it’s going to be next.
Punk is seen heading to the ring down another corridor for a major announcement or two next as we go to commercial.
Back from commercial and CM Punk addresses a few orders of business, starting with a major announcement regarding the night before Wrestlemania. Punk is here to announce the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012. Punk says it’s an honor and a privilege to introduce a man that he has respected since before his wrestling days and tries his best to pay homage to each and every week--Thus begins the tribute package for-- “MACHO MAN” RANDY SAVAGE. A huge pop and respectable chants of “RANDY SAVAGE” and “THANK YOU RANDY” erupt from the crowd. Punk changes the subject to that of his opponent tonight. Punk says he has been informed that in light of saving WWE from The Nexus last night, ZACK RYDER will be given a WWE Championship match tonight. The crowd explodes into applause. Punk says as far as the Royal Rumble goes...and is interrupted by Del Rio and The Miz, who tell him to get on with it. Punk grins and tells them that they can both wait to qualify for the Rumble Match because it’s neither one of them. Punk says he is very pleased with the format that is being set up for the Royal Rumble PPV this year. The WWE Champion says he was getting sick of superstars simply “declaring” eligibility for the Rumble match, make them earn it and this year, that’s just what they’ll have to do. In the weeks to come, Punk announces, all participants in the Rumble will have to win qualifying matches to get in. As for the title match, Punk says he’s also pleased with the decision to let the champion decide for himself who is worthy of challenging for the title.
The WWE Champion says that in the days since Survivor Series, a set of mysterious promos has succeeded in capturing his attention. Punk says that anyone willing to make that big of a deal as to interrupt the show with promos heralding his return and/or debut has the same disruptive, stir-the-pot qualities that he values himself. As Punk continues, his mic time is interrupted by another one of the very promos he’s referring to:
“A sentinel shall rise on the second day of January to protect the institution from horrible, unspeakable atrocities; SHARE HIM, REJOICE--022110.”
As such, Punk says he will wait until January 2, and show up as the clock ticks down to find out who the lucky challenger is and wish him the best of luck at the Rumble.
World Champion Bryan Danielson is backstage celebrating his decisive victory over Mark Henry last night but is interrupted by Dolph Ziggler who informs The American Dragon that WWE brass is so impressed with his victory over Randy Orton last night that they’ve named him #1 contender to Danielson’s World Title at the Royal Rumble. Orton comes up from behind and tells Ziggler to hold that thought. The Viper tells Ziggler that they’ve both been named #1 contender in a Triple Threat match. Orton winks at Danielson and tells him best of luck.
Beer Money def. Kings of Wrestling to retain the Tag Team Titles
Finish comes after Claudio attempts an Alphamare Waterslide on Roode and Storm throws a chop block, leaving him easy prey for DWI. Storm connects with a Last Call to Hero to prevent an attempt to disrupt the pinfall. After the match, Chris Harris comes to the ring and gets directly in Storm’s face. Harris tells him that he has forgotten where he came from. Harris tells Storm to come to his senses and realize that he belongs as one of America’s Most Wanted before it’s too late and Robert Roode sells him out. This creates even more dissention between the tag team champions.
Booker T is backstage with Scott Stanford reveling in his newly won IC Championship when Cody Rhodes comes up and tells Booker T that he’s invoking his rematch clause on Friday night. As for the Rumble, he tells Booker T to get a good look at the man who’s going to main event Wrestlemania...“Can You Dig That, Sucka?!” Cody gloats and walks off.
Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel are seen on a split-screen walking toward the ring as we go to a commercial.
Jeff Hardy def. Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel
A solid match that ends with Gabriel connecting with a 450 Splash, followed shortly after by Hardy landing a Swanton Bomb on Gabriel as he attempted the cover. Hardy covers Slater for the pin. After the match, remaining members of Nexus pummel both Slater AND Gabriel as Cena gives them the boot, removing the armbands.
John Morrison enters as we are now down to our final Nexus qualifying match of the evening and we go to another commercial.
John Cena def. John Morrison and Wade Barrett
Finish comes as Cena knocks Morrison from the ring and down to the arena floor on his face. At this time, the three members of Nexus still remaining surround the ring and climb in, encircling Barrett. Ryan nails a Big Boot, McGillicutty hits the McGillicutter, and Harris plants Barrett with a Running Senton Splash leading to an STFU for the win. After the match, the four remaining members of the streamlined Nexus stand in solidarity, seemingly stronger than before.
Shawn Michaels is backstage in Triple H’s office and JBL walks in with Paul Heyman telling Michaels that in order to prove that they’re not the only one’s fatigued of the PG rating, they plan to conduct a vote of confidence of both WWE and of GM Michaels. Those who vote no confidence will defect with them to the newly reformed ECW.
Punk and Ryder walking backstage toward the ring as the main event is next as we go to our final commercial.
CM Punk def. Zack Ryder to remain WWE Champion
Another solid match as Ryder connects with the Broski Boot and lines up for the Rough Ryder. Punk counters, sending Ryder over his head. Ryder lands on his feet, but walks into a GTS for the three count. Punk congratulates Ryder after the match for a great effort, but the celebration is cut short by an intruding Nexus. Punk connects with a GTS to Mason Ryan, Ryder hits the Rough Ryder on Husky Harris and DDP hits a Diamond Cutter on McGillicutty. The trio stands in the ring, taunting Cena, who stands on the stage, disappointed in his recruits. JBL and Heyman enter the ring and the ringside area fills up with all superstars on the roster as the duo makes their pitch for defection.
Heyman addresses the downtrodden superstars among them, the ones who are disgusted with the softening of the brand in light of the PG-era. The ones who look back on the Attitude Era with a wistful nostalgia, wishing it could be how it used to be. If you’re sick of the same old main event every month, the Cenas and the Ortons ruling the roster with everyone else having to scrap and fight for a sniff; If you want to leave attitude in the ring and blood on the mat; If you’re ready for a changing of the guard--join ECW COO Paul Heyman and new ECW GM John Bradshaw Layfield in walking out of the WWE and into the newly resurrected ECW.
Heyman invites all past ECW “Lifers” plus any and all former ECW Champions to join him and leaves the ring, followed immediately by JBL. Christian leads the charge out, followed by Jack Swagger and practically all ECW “Originals”. By the end of the walkout, about 1/3 of the existing roster has left the building. Michaels and Teddy Long emerge, perplexed and frustrated about what has just transpired. WWE has fallen into chaos, approximately 33% lighter than it was just moments ago as RAW goes off the air.
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