WWE's 2011 TLC pay-per-view opens with a video package focusing on the four corner posts that hold up the show as main event matches tonight including the rampant use of a steel chair by Mark Henry and various opponents that led to tonight's World Heavyweight Championship Match, The ladder of success that could carry either Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, R-Truth or CM Punk to the WWE Championship, and the fact that the fate of both Monday Night RAW and perhaps even WWE hangs in the balance as JBL and Shawn Michaels compete for total control of RAW and the militant actions of the Nexus that have the entire company hinging hope for the future on Triple H and his nine counterinsurgents.
We're live from the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore as the pyro goes off and Jim Ross welcomes us to WWE: Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view. J.R. is joined on commentary by Matt Striker and Jerry Lawler.
Tables Match: Randy Orton versus Dolph Ziggler
We go to the ring for the opening contest and Orton enters first to a respectable pop. Out next is Dolph Ziggler who is flying solo since Orton's actions against Vickie Guerrero at Survivor Series.
Orton refuses to wait for the bell, pouncing on Ziggler with a Lou Thesz Press and wailing on him with lefts and rights from the minute he enters the ring. The Viper proceeds to stomp on every available limb, but as Orton tries to cap with a Leaping Knee Drop, Ziggler dodges, making Orton connect with the canvas. Upon landing, it becomes apparent that Orton has tweaked something in his knee giving the Show Off an early advantage.
Ziggler jumps on the knee, hitting a Snapmare on Orton's leg in an attempt to hyperextend the knee. Dolph hits a series of elbow drops before landing a leaping elbow drop and rounding out with a neck snap before grandstanding. Ziggler goes under the ring and sets a table up in the corner. Ziggler helps Orton to his feet and tosses Orton to the table with an exploder suplex, but the table doesn't give.
Dolph whips Orton to the corner, attempting to put Randy through the table with a Stinger Splash, but Orton moves out of the way sending Ziggler into the table with a faceplant. Orton regains his composure and counters with a Full Nelson Slam. Fighting through the knee pain, the Viper applies a wrenching chinlock and compounds the hold with a bodyscissors in an effort to choke out Ziggler.
Orton retreats to the outside to grab another table and sets it up in the ring. As he helps Ziggler back to his feet, Orton is nearly decapitated by a flawless dropkick. Dolph capitalizes again, this time dropping Orton squarely on his knee with an Inverted Body Slam. Ziggler forces Orton’s head into the mat with a facecrusher and grinds his face into the canvas after impact. Dolph hits a scoop powerslam and heads to the top rope. Orton meets him at the top and takes Ziggler down with his father’s patented superplex, just barely missing the table.
Orton gets back to his feet and connects with a European Uppercut and an inverted headlock backbreaker before moving fluidly into a Viper DDT. Orton sets up to punt Ziggler in the skull, but the knee buckles sending Orton to the mat. With another opening, Ziggler connects with a Leg Drop Bulldog and goes on a table searching frenzy, pulling out four more tables and sliding all of them into the ring. Dolph sets all six up end to end and three deep going into the corner. After setting up the final table, Ziggler gets clobbered with a falling clothesline and a Gutwrench Elevated Neckbreaker. Orton now primes himself for the RKO, but Ziggler counters the attempt and shoves Randy directly into the ref, knocking him out. Orton staggers back from the counter and into a Superkick.
Ziggler helps Orton to the corner to attempt a ZigZag from the top rope. Orton throws elbows to counter and plants Dolph with a top-rope RKO instead, shattering all six tables. But with no referee, the win can’t be registered. As both men come to, Jack Swagger makes his way down the entrance ramp and props another table in the corner. Ziggler rebounds in time to drive a limping Orton through another table with a ZigZag, but there’s still no referee. Swagger attempts to help Ziggler to his feet and position Orton among the shambles, but Orton drops Swagger with a desperation RKO. But as the Viper turns his attention back to his opponent, Dolph throws a chop block to the injured knee, leaving Orton face down in the pile of broken tables. Ziggler uses the ropes to force himself back to his feet as the ref regains consciousness and notices Orton lying in the wreckage. Completely unaware that Orton put Ziggler through the table first, the referee calls for the bell and awards the match to Ziggler.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler
After the match, Ziggler gets on the mic and wishes the winner of tonight’s WWE Championship Match luck, because they’re looking at the new #1 contender. Orton struggles back to his feet, sneaks up on Dolph during his promo and drops him with another RKO. Then, running on pure adrenaline, Orton musters the strength to deliver a punt before falling to the canvas again. Orton rolls out of the ring and crawls up the entrance ramp, fighting off officials trying to help the whole way.
Jack Swagger backstage to help escort JBL from his stretch limo. Riding in the back with Bradshaw are Paul Heyman and Christian. This mysterious plot that’s been evolving over the last couple of weeks apparently involves all four men plus one other unidentified figure, as JBL asks if “he’s in position for the match later tonight.” Swagger gives the nod and JBL has the look of a man with a convoluted and devious plot.
United States Championship: Alex Riley versus Drew McIntyre
We go back to the ring and the United States Championship belt is sitting on a pedestal at ringside waiting for the winner of the following contest to fill the vacancy left by the Chase elimination of Zack Ryder two weeks ago. Drew McIntyre enters first, walking methodically around the ring until he reaches the pedestal. The Chosen One appears all at once hypnotized by and fixated on the title. Alex Riley is out next. Being from Washington, D.C., Riley gets a HUGE pop from the Baltimore crowd.
Riley charges into the ring and walks into a brutal big boot from McIntyre, who goes for the cover and gets two. Drew backs Riley into the corner with a European Uppercut and pulls him violently from the corner with a Snap Suplex for another two count. The former Intercontinental Champion hits Jumping Arm Breaker and follows up with a Tilt-A-Whirl Backbreaker and gets to 2 1/2 before Riley kicks out again. Clearly, McIntyre is trying to finish the contest as quickly as he possibly can.
On a wheelbarrow facebuster attempt, McIntyre falls victim to a victory roll, but Riley also can only collect a two count. Riley tries to capitalize with a Lifting DDT, but McIntyre throws elbows to counter into Future Shock. Riley counters back and plants Drew with a Spinebuster, but can only collect another near fall. McIntyre reverses momentum again and drills Riley with a Scot Drop, but somehow Alex kicks out. McIntyre regroups and connects thoroughly with Future Shock and gets the three count. McIntyre celebrates the apparent title win, but another ref explains to the official in the ring that Riley had his foot on the bottom rope and orders the match to continue. Determined to finish the match, McIntyre sets up for a Hangman’s Neckbreaker, but Riley fights out and delivers The A-Bomb to pick up the surprise three count.
Winner and NEW United States Champion: Alex Riley
After the match, Riley gets caught up in the emotion of his first major title win, but the celebration doesn’t last, as Jack Swagger returns to the ring to drop the new champion with a Gutwrench Powerbomb before slapping on an Ankle Lock. Swagger leaves Riley lying, muttering “It should have been mine” to himself as he walks back up the entrance ramp.
We go backstage with Triple H. Christian walks in accompanied by Heyman, Swagger and JBL and tells the COO that he is officially backing out of tonight's main event against the Nexus. Christian smirks and wishes The Game the best of luck in finding a tenth partner before the match tonight.
We see Shawn Michaels taping his wrists in preparation for the Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match with JBL later on tonight with full control of RAW on the line. CM Punk walks by with the WWE Championship and tells HBK that he doesn't trust Michaels as far as he could throw him because of his affiliation with "The Kliq", but says that anything is better than having JBL calling all of the shots. Punk tells Shawn that he has faith that one of the most controversial figures in WWE history will at least make things exciting on Monday night and gives Michaels his vote of confidence before walking away.
25-Tag Team Battle Royal for the WWE Tag Team Championships
We return to the ring and at this point, twenty of the tag teams are already in the ring, including the Tag Team Champions and arguably their biggest threat, The Dudleyz. Beer Money is on their way to the ring, followed by MCMG. The final three entrants are all stunning debuts and returns as ROB VAN DAM & SABU, THE AMERICAN WOLVES and THE NEW AGE OUTLAWS round out the entrants.
The bell rings and chaos ensues as all teams begin brawling amongst each other. Still fuming from Friday Night, Claudio goes on a rampage, immediately dumping out all four members of the Spirit Squad, capping off by tossing Kenny into the third row. The roll continues as Castagnoli and Hero quickly make room by dumping out Rene' Dupree and Andy Douglas, eliminating their corresponding tag teams. Santino tries to beg off Claudio, but he's not having any of it. Claudio flapjacks Santino and clocks him with a Swiss Uppercut before dumping a limp Santino over the top rope.
On the other side of the ring, Beer Money is contributing to the carnage, tossing Kid Kash, Epico, Curt Hawkins and Caylen Croft from the ring to narrow the field to seventeen remaining teams. D'Von and Bubba Ray flatten Nunzio with a 3D before clotheslining Tony Mamaluke over the top rope. Jinder Mahal tries to attack from behind, but it has no effect on Bubba and Mahal finds himself getting rocketed over the top rope and into the barricade. Muhammad Hassan, who agreed to team with Mahal for the evening, begins shoving and berating Mahal for costing them the titles before storming up the entrance ramp.
The ECW Originals are brawling with each other, before Dreamer charges and Van Dam low bridges the Innovator of Violence to send him over the top. After several minutes of trading strikes, Jimmy Uso and Tyson Kidd eliminate each other as Uso throws a Cactus Clothesline to take both men to the floor. The Road Dogg gives Deuce fits with Shake, Rattle and Roll before Billy Gunn drops him with a Fame Asser. Domino sneaks up from behind and dumps the Road Dogg to the floor and the Outlaws are eliminated.
Charlie Haas hits an Exploder Suplex to send Domino to the floor, and Shelton Benjamin backs up to the other side of the ring before launching himself at Domino with a Suicide Plancha and both teams are done. Shelley and Sabin turn their attention to LAX, before MCMG sets up a beautiful double Shiranui and drags Hernandez over the top rope and to the floor and we’re down to eight.
As Sabu goes back and forth with Eddie Edwards, Rob Van Dam battles with Davey Richards and tries to connect with a rebound thrust kick, unaware that Edwards has tossed Sabu to the apron. Richards ducks and Van Dam collides with Sabu instead, sending the Extremist to the floor. Still going to work, The Kings hoist JTG over their heads in an attempt for another elimination. Looking to make the save, Shad throws a double chop block, but the momentum sends JTG crashing to the floor anyway.
London and Kendrick go for a double hurricanrana to Beer Money, but Storm and Roode flip them back to their feet onto the ring apron. Two nasty lariats later, both London and Kendrick crash to the arena floor. Storm’s lariat flips Kendrick with such force that he lands on his face on the ring apron before falling to the floor. The Dudleyz attempt a 3D on Shelley, but as Bubba moves backward, Sabin low bridges the top rope, sending the Dudley brother over the top and to the floor and we’re down to the final four: The Kings, The Wolves, Beer Money and MCMG.
Shelley and Sabin throw an ASCS Rush to Eddie Edwards that sends him reeling to the floor. A double team Irish Whip sends Claudio to the corner and the Guns land a variation on Welcome to Detroit that pulls Claudio to the floor. We’re going to have new tag team champions. Hero destroys Shelley with a Cyclone Kill before exiting the ring. Unconscious, Shelley is helped back to his feet and sent to the floor by a Last Call Superkick by Storm.
Winners and NEW Tag Team Champions: Beer Money, Inc.
After the match, Storm and Roode celebrate their first WWE title win, but the party is short-lived as “Wildcat” Chris Harris shows up out of nowhere and stands on the entrance ramp, locking eyes with James Storm before looking down and walking off. Storm appears troubled by Harris’ presence, but tries to refocus on his title win with Roode.
We go backstage with Jeremy Borash and Mark Henry. Borash asks if Henry has any concerns entering his last chance at Bryan Danielson’s World Title. Henry quickly responds with a no. Henry compares Danielson to the Cincinnati Bengals, young and exciting with a great aerial attack, but can’t get the job done against teams physically superior to him. Henry explains that his game plan is more like the Ravens. The high-flying comes at a premium, but he gets the job done in the trenches with a devastating ground game. Henry says the World Champion is moments away from a beating of mammoth proportions.
Matt Striker hypes tonight’s World Heavyweight Championship Match. Officials have surrounded the ring on all sides with unfolded steel chairs. We go back to the ring and Justin Roberts for the ring intros.
World Heavyweight Title Match: Mark Henry versus Bryan Danielson
Mark Henry is out first followed by the World Heavyweight Champion Bryan Danielson. We get formal ring introductions before they lock up. Henry tosses Danielson to the opposite corner, but Danielson gets back to his feet and rushes back in, only to get tossed again. Danielson makes a third rush but gets taken down with a nasty clothesline. Henry helps the champion back to his feet and drops him with a Military Press and hits a jumping elbow drop. Henry continues the onslaught with a Scoop Slam and multiple headbutts, working Danielson to the mat. The World’s Strongest Man hits a Fallaway Slam and lounges in the corner, waiting for the champion to get back to his feet in the opposite corner. Henry charges with an Avalanche and is in firm control of the contest.
Danielson crawls to the middle rope and Henry lands a leapfrog guillotine, landing on the outside. Henry grabs three chairs, tossing them over the top rope into the ring one by one. Henry locks in a bearhug, but Danielson counters with a Guillotine Choke. Henry tosses Danielson off and charges, but the champion snares Henry with a Drop Toe Hold and slaps on an ankle lock. Danielson moves smoothly to a Triangle Choke while throwing a flurry of elbows to Henry’s head. The champion stacks Henry into the corner and throws a chair-aided dropkick for a two count. The World Champion throws a European Uppercut and a flying forearm smash, staggering but not dropping the challenger. Danielson finally takes Henry down with a leg lariat and scales to the top rope for a Diving Headbutt and another two count.
Danielson locks in a Surfboard Dragon Sleeper, but Henry muscles out of the hold and crushes the champion with a Running Splash for a 2 1/2 count. Danielson trips the ankle again and locks in a heel hook. Henry writhes in agony, but won’t tap out. Danielson transitions to a Indian Deathlock, which pushes Henry to reach for the bottom rope to break the hold. Danielson has Henry down to his knees now and attempts to throw a roundhouse kick, but Henry catches the champion’s leg and thrusts him to the side. Henry flapjacks Danielson into the ropes and decides that he’s had enough. Henry grabs FIVE more chairs and lines them up facing each other in four back-to-back rows. Henry takes the World Champion to the top rope and slams him through all eight chairs with a World’s Strongest Slam. The “Holy S#*t” chants start up and Henry goes for the cover. Incredibly, Danielson still kicks out.
Perplexed and increasingly frustrated, Henry argues his case with the referee as Danielson regains his bearings. Grabbing one of the chairs, Danielson strikes Henry in the gut, then over the back before clubbing the number one contender over the face to bring him back to his knees. Danielson throws a sequence of roundhouse kicks to Henry’s chest and shoulders before taking him broadside of the temple to knock him out. Instead of going for the cover however, Danielson reaches under the ring to grab a utility wrench. Danielson goes to the corner and loosens the bolts on the turnbuckle post before picking up the chair again.
Danielson takes a swing for Henry’s back again and it has no effect. Henry slaps the chair out of the champion’s hands and drops him with The World’s Strongest Slam again. Henry has finally had enough and sandwiches Danielson’s ankle in the chair. Deciding that won’t be punishment enough, Henry slides the chair over his knee instead. Henry mounts the ropes for his corner splash, but the loosened bolts give way and send Henry crashing to the mat. Taking advantage, Danielson slips the chair over Henry’s arm instead and stomps the chair. As Henry rolls in pain, the World Champion applies a Crossface with the chair still over the arm, but Henry still won’t quit. Determined to retain, Danielson sandwiches Henry’s neck into the fold of the chair and slams it legs first into the canvas.
Now bleeding from the mouth, Henry struggles to get back to his feet. The World Champion lifts him by the dreadlocks on the back of his head to a face down position on an unfolded chair. Danielson then takes another chair and in essence curb-stomps Henry with a Con-Chair-To. Henry is now bleeding profusely as Danielson primes for the kill. A sinister look flashes across the champion’s face as the wheels start turning for an ugly finish. Bryan sandwiches a prone Mark Henry’s arms into the fold of the steel chair, then bridges over Henry, holding the legs of the chair for leverage for an aided Cattle Mutilation lock. Henry is practically unresponsive and the official is forced to stop the match.
Winner and STILL World Heavyweight Champion: Bryan Danielson
After the match, Danielson stands victorious with the title as EMT’s come screaming down the ramp with flatboards, straps and neck stabilizers. Henry is rolled out of the ring under the bottom rope and onto a stretcher before being wheeled back up the entrance ramp and to the staff physician’s area. The American Dragon has silenced ALL critics tonight.
We go backstage with Scott Stanford talking to the new United States Champion Alex Riley about the huge title win and what it means for the future of his career. Cena and Barrett interrupt, chasing Stanford off and telling Riley to move on, “the big boys are talking now.” Cena tells Triple H that he’s sorry to hear about Christian bailing on the team tonight, but that The Nexus will take a win any way they can get it. Barrett tells The Game that what the TNA authority got was only chapter one of “The Greater Cause” and that what The Nexus has planned for Hunter tonight is far worse than anything already witnessed. The partners in leadership walk off, leaving Stanford to pick up the mic.
Triple H is in his office conferring with what’s left of his team and explaining what has happened with Christian. John Morrison asks Hunter personally what he has planned to fill the empty spot. The Game gets a glint in his eye and tells everyone on his team to relax and that he needs to step out into the hall to make a phone call. He says he knows a guy that just might be in the neighborhood...
IC Championship Match: Cody Rhodes versus Booker T versus Ted DiBiase
We go to the ring and out comes Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes who cuts a promo on his opponents en route to the ring. Cody says that Booker T has taken the route that so many other superstars of yesteryear have taken, sitting behind the broadcast table and letting the wrestling skills rot away. Cody uses Tazz as an example, calling him “once one of the most feared men in wrestling, now barely capable of forming a coherent sentence, much less competing.” Rhodes turns his attention on DiBiase saying that he will prove once and for all tonight that DiBiase was the Jannetty of the Legacy in every sense of the word. Cody offers one last parting piece of advice to Booker T before the match gets underway: stay in the back.
The crowd at this point is hot for Booker T, even starting up a “Booker T” chant. DiBiase enters next and waits on the ramp while Booker T finally makes his entrance to easily the biggest pop of the night thus far. Booker T and DiBiase hold a conference on the entrance ramp and decide to attack Cody simultaneously as the match gets underway. DiBiase drops Cody with a spinebuster and begins throwing punches furiously. Booker T throws Ted off and begins dishing punches of his own. DiBiase lifts Booker off Cody and the two engage in a staredown. The two exchange blows with Booker ultimately getting the upper hand with a series of backhand chops and knees to the head. Booker whips Ted to the ropes and plants him with a huge spinebuster. Booker gets a two count before being interrupted by Rhodes.
The Intercontinental champion takes Booker off the cover and throws him with a Wheelbarrow suplex. Cody approaches for the cover, but DiBiase traps him with a Small Package and gets two. DiBiase whips Rhodes to the ropes and attempts a back body drop, but Rhodes scouts it with a Goldust Throat Thrust. Rhodes throws a knee drop and sets up for Cross Rhodes. Booker tries to cut in, but Cody improvises, lifting Ted into an Inverted Vertical Suplex instead, using DiBiase’s legs to keep Booker T at bay.
With Booker T draped over the top rope, Cody kicks him in the midsection and follows up with a Beautiful Disaster for a two count. Cody attempts a top rope moonsault, but fails to see Ted sneak up from behind and deliver an electric chair drop. Ted regains momentum with a Million $ Fist Drop on Cody before drilling Booker with an inverted Atomic Drop and a running high knee for 2 1/2. As Ted argues with the referee, Cody regains his feet and drives Ted into the mat with an Alabama Slam, but can’t capitalize as Booker T drops him with a superkick and a running knee drop for another two count.
Booker T drops Cody with a sidewalk slam and a Russian Leg Sweep, but both only produce a near fall. DiBiase recovers and tosses Booker to the corner. As Ted charges, Booker counters with a sunset flip and picks up another two count. As both men get back to their feet, Booker hits a Book End and climbs to the top rope, landing a Ghetto Blaster. Cody runs in and lays out Booker T with a DDT, but only gets two as Booker locks his foot on the bottom rope. Cody scales to the middle rope and hits a bulldog on DiBiase for another near fall.
Frustrated, Cody gets in the ref’s face and falls victim to the Million $ Dream. Cody leans over trying to escape, but DiBiase leans in to increase the leverage. Booker T connects with a Double Scissors Kick to drop both. Booker executes a Spin-A-Roonie and the crowd goes nuts. Booker covers DiBiase, but Ted somehow gets the shoulder up. In disbelief, Booker begins to question the ref now. DiBiase gets back to his feet and locks in The Dream Crusher and still only gets two.
Now it’s DiBiase’s turn to get incensed by the inefficiency of the ref’s calls. Cody takes advantage now, setting up for Cross Rhodes. DiBiase counters however and drops Rhodes with Dream Street and ALMOST picks up the three count. The crowd is rolling at this point. A pendulum chant of “DiBiase/Booker T” has started. DiBiase clotheslines Booker T to the floor and walks into the Beautiful Disaster. Rhodes hits Cross Rhodes and goes for the cover. At the same time, Booker T is climbing the turnbuckle and connects with a Houston Hangover to Cody as the ref counts two. Booker makes the desperation cover on Rhodes and gets the three count to win the match and the Intercontinental title.
Winner and NEW Intercontinental Champion: Booker T
After the match, Booker T celebrates his first title win in five years as Cody Rhodes starts bullying the referee. Cody starts berating Booker T for costing him the championship, while Booker stands idly by, leaning on the ropes as DiBiase gets back to his feet and puts Rhodes to sleep with the Million $ Dream. After a tense staredown, DiBiase finally offers to shake the new champion’s hand before leaving the ring.
Backstage with Triple H who is on the phone, presumably talking to the man he’s hoping to add as the tenth man to his team tonight. Hunter thanks him for joining up and says he’ll see him during the main event.
JBL takes to the ring with Paul Heyman and tells the Baltimore crowd that he and Heyman have grown weary of the PG-era and the way it’s dragging WWE into the toilet. Heyman says that the closest WWE ever came to being ECW was The Attitude Era and says its time to bring the attitude back. Heyman says that there’s already a few names that are sick of being ignored and have agreed to defect to ECW and to expect more names to come in the following weeks. Heyman says they will no longer be ignored and the Attitude Revolution has fired the first salvo.
A promo runs for tonight’s Fatal Four Way WWE Championship Ladder Match.
Women’s Championship Match: Beth Phoenix versus Stacy Keibler
We go to the ring and out comes WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix who grabs the mic and says that four months ago, she began a revolution to eradicate the Barbie-doll types from WWE and says for the most part she has succeeded. However, with the influx of returning divas, some were bound to slip through the cracks, like her opponent tonight. Phoenix concedes, however, that Stacy Keibler is STILL more talented than the nine divas that she dumped out on their heads earlier this month; but that in the end, it’s irrelevant because the Women’s Championship isn’t going anywhere.
Stacy Keibler is out next, complete in Ravens’ gear to a HUGE pop from the hometown crowd. Waiting on the ramp, Stacy signals to the back and out comes RAY LEWIS. The Baltimore crowd comes UNGLUED. Evidently, Ray will be Stacy’s corner man for this contest.
Stacy strikes the first shot, but Beth grabs her for a scoop slam. Beth helps Stacy back to her feet and attempts a Polish Hammer, but Stacy dodges with a cartwheel and comes back with a hair pull snapmare. Gripping firmly by the roots, Stacy lifts Beth off the ground and tosses her across the ring. Enraged, Beth tackles Stacy and begins pounding her face furiously. Risking disqualification, Beth whips Stacy to the corner and goes for a clothesline, only to walk into a big boot. Keibler rolls Beth up in the corner for a two count. Stacy throws Phoenix to the corner and chokes her out with an extended leg.
Natalya has entered the arena now, walking down the entrance ramp to take in the action. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Beth gouges Stacy’s eyes out of desperation and puts the finishing touch on the match with a Glam Slam, but incredibly only gets a two count. A “Let’s Go Stacy” chant has started in favor of the hometown girl. Beth locks in a sharpshooter and attempts to grab the middle rope for leverage, but Natalya pulls it back to prevent cheating. Confused by Natalya’s actions, Beth breaks the hold and confronts her on the apron. Natalya blows her the kiss of death, and Phoenix turns around into a Spinning Wheel Kick. Stacy makes the cover and becomes the improbable Women’s Champion.
Winner and NEW Women’s Champion: Stacy Keibler
After the match, Stacy retreats into the friendly confines of the hometown crowd with her newly won title as Natalya hovers over the former champion before locking in the Sharpshooter and bridging for more torque. Beth screams in pain as Natalya severs ties with her Sister of Destruction. It appears that costing Natalya the title shot has cost Beth their friendship.
An extended version of the mysterious promo that’s been running for the last several weeks is aired. This one says: “The most trusted entity of the most valued institution is in serious jeopardy of being compromised. One man will be our savior. And only one can Save Us...Second2012: SHARE HIM, REJOICE--090708.”
We go back to the ring with the briefcase containing the contracts for both EVP of Talent Relations and RAW GM inside hanging ominously overhead.
Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match for Complete Control of Monday Night RAW:
General Manager John "Bradshaw" Layfield vs. EVP of TR Shawn Michaels
JBL rolls out first in his Longhorn Limo, with the ECW Shield on the doors in place of his usual monogram, and is followed out of the passenger door by Paul Heyman and Jack Swagger. Upon arriving in the ring, Charles Robinson signals to Lilian Garcia and she makes the announcement that Heyman and Swagger are banned from ringside for this contest. JBL is visibly enraged by this, and begins yelling at the ref. As Swagger and Heyman storm to the back, Shawn Michaels enters to an enormous pop and more elaborate pyro than usual.
JBL and Michaels meet in the center of the ring for a staredown and Bradshaw begins jawing at Michaels that RAW belongs to him. Michaels looks skyward to the suspended briefcase and JBL sneaks in a thumb to the eye and the bell rings to get the match underway. JBL hits a swinging neckbreaker and quickly runs to the outside to grab a ladder. He sets it up and begins scaling, but Michaels chases him up the other side and begins exchanging strikes at the top of the ladder. Michaels begins throwing knife-edge chops and gives fans a throwback by dropping JBL from the ladder with a Saito Suplex that takes them both to the mat.
Michaels kips up, and climbs to the top rope for a Diving Cross Body, but JBL catches him mid-leap and looks to set up for the Last Call, but punishes Shawn with a Backbreaker Rack instead. Michaels fights out and executes a Swinging Neckbreaker of his own. Michaels gives the fans another flashback by hitting a Rocker-style top rope fist drop. Michaels locks in a Key Lock, but JBL powers out and whips the Showstopper off the ropes, connecting with a vile Big Boot before downing Shawn with a flurry of elbow drops. JBL helps HBK back to his feet and locks in an Abdominal Stretch, but Michaels counters with a hip toss, JBL rebounds and Michaels telegraphs his attack with a scoop powerslam. Michaels applies an Ab Stretch of his own, but JBL counters out and attempts to toss Shawn to the floor. HBK skins the cat, dropping JBL to the floor and rolling back into the ring before connecting with a Suicide Plancha from the top rope to the floor.
Michaels returns to his feet and whips JBL into the barricade. As Shawn charges however, JBL lands a Back Body Drop sending Michaels crashing into a pile of steel chairs that were never cleared from the earlier contest. JBL goes under the ring and grabs a couple more tables, setting them up on either side of the ladder, which still stands in the center of the ring. JBL drags Michaels back to the ring and whips him to the post, but Michaels counters with a Springboard Back Elbow. Michaels drops JBL with a Back Suplex before locking in a figure four. JBL taps feverishly, but the ref can’t rule it as a fall, since this is a ladder match. Michaels finally releases the hold and scales the ladder. JBL eventually meets him at the top and tosses HBK from the ladder with an incredible Fallaway slam through one of the waiting tables.
JBL helps Michaels back to his feet, but is met with a dropkick and a step-up enziguri. Michaels climbs the ladder, but quickly realizes the ladder isn’t quite large enough and hits a diving splash from the top rung instead. JBL rolls in pain to the arena floor and a sick smile spreads across Shawn’s face. Repositioning the ladder, Michaels climbs to the top rung and attempts a moonsault from the ladder to the floor, but JBL dodges and HBK goes through the announce table instead. More “Holy S#!t” chants start to brew. JBL grabs a chair and blasts Michaels in the face, opening up a gash on Michaels face. Bradshaw snatches some microphone cables, wraps them around Michaels’ throat and border tosses HBK back into the ring. JBL stands over the fallen EVP and watches him crawl back to his knees. JBL begins smacking him about the head until Shawn retaliates with a low blow.
Michaels gets back to his feet and follows up with an inverted atomic drop and a scoop slam before setting up the ladder again. Shawn gets to the top rung and makes a reach for it, but the cable holding the briefcase inexplicably raises to the ceiling, out of Michaels’ reach. HBK maintains momentum by hitting a Diving Elbow Drop from the top rung and goes back to the outside. Reaching under the ring, he finds a much larger ladder, roughly 25 feet and awkwardly slides it into the ring before setting it up. Suddenly, Christian rushes down to the ring to attempt to make the save for JBL. Christian swings wildly with a steel chair, but Michaels ducks and connects PERFECTLY with Sweet Chin Music. With Captain Charisma unconscious, a bloody HBK once again turns his attention back to JBL, but walks directly into a Clothesline from Wall Street.
Bradshaw knocks the oversized ladder from the ring and straddles it between the ring apron and the barricade. Helping Shawn back to his feet, JBL plants Michaels with a Powerbomb through the oversized ladder, rendering it useless. JBL seems destined for victory, even having Christian hold the wobbly, smaller ladder as he climbs toward the briefcase. Just before JBL can reach up and snag the prize however, Sean Waltman rushes down the ramp to tackle Christian into the ladder, knocking JBL to the mat. Christian and Waltman brawl into the crowd, but JBL for the most part is still fully conscious in the ring. JBL begins to climb again when MARTY JANNETTY jumps the barricade in streets and begins exchanging blows with the Wall Street maven. Jannetty throws a huge crescent kick that takes JBL off his feet, Marty rushes to ringside to help Shawn to his feet. Michaels grabs a chair and swings for the fences, clobbering JBL with a RESOUNDING chair shot to the head that busts him open.
As JBL lays on the mat, bleeding like a stuck pig, Michaels ascends the ladder once again, and much like last time, the cable rises for no good reason as HBK goes to reach for the briefcase. Perplexed but undeterred, HBK sets a wounded JBL up on another table and delivers another top rung Diving Elbow Drop, kips up and pleads to the crowd to point out who or what is causing the glitch with the briefcase. The fans in attendance unanimously point to the catwalks, and Michaels follows suit, walking up the entrance ramp to climb the support beams of the arena to the rafters.
After an extended period of climbing, Michaels reaches the catwalks and finds that the mystery man operating the suspension reel is none other than ERIC BISCHOFF. Cornered, Bischoff has nowhere to go but down and thus is a sitting duck for some Sweet Chin Music. Down below at ringside, Jannetty finds a second 25-foot ladder and sets it up in the center of the ring. Michaels takes the helm at the suspension reel and begins winding the briefcase upward to the rafters until such time that he can put his hands on the fastener and unhook the briefcase.
Winner and Undisputed Leader of Monday Night RAW: Shawn Michaels
After the contest, Michaels celebrates on the ceiling and then proceeds to CAREFULLY climb down onto the suspension wire, which swings ominously while he’s aboard until Michaels can find a foothold on the ridiculously tall ladder and gradually scale down to the mat. Michaels tears open the briefcase and signs off on both contracts before throwing the clipboard down at a prone JBL’s face. HBK graciously shakes Jannetty’s hand, thanks him and limps back to the dressing room. Officials stand about debating how to best recover an unconscious Bischoff from the rafters.
Backstage with Miz and Del Rio. Naturally, both are of the assumption that they’re walking out with the WWE Championship tonight. After several moments of heated words, Miz delivers a peace offering, telling Del Rio that the common ground is that they both agree CM Punk will not be walking out as WWE Champion. R-Truth walks up to a respectable babyface pop and tells them they’re both right. Punk will not leave as champion, but says that they won’t either. Truth tells them that the WWE Championship is gonna get got tonight and walks away.
No DQ Match: MVP versus Brodus Clay
Brodus Clay enters first and MVP is out next. MVP has even brought back the inflatable tunnel to herald his return to the WWE ring. Match starts with a collar and elbow tie up, before Brodus throws MVP to the corner. MVP hauls off with a Player’s Boot that staggers Brodus to one knee and follows up with a Drive-By Kick for a two count. MVP rebounds and nails a Oyasumi into a Key Lock, but Brodus powers out and goes to ringside and grabs a chain from under the ring.
Brodus wraps the chain around MVP’s neck and begins choking him out. Determined not to go out so quickly, MVP hits a desperation stunner and a facebreaker knee smash to take Clay down again. Feeling the momentum, MVP hits the Ballin’ Elbow and picks up another two count. MVP lands Play of the Day, but Brodus still won’t stay down. Brodus tries for the Fall of Humanity cross body, but MVP trips him up with a Drop Toe Hold and locks in a Crossface, all the while striking Clay in the back of the head and neck with repeated headbutts. Brodus desperately crawls to the bottom rope and breaks the hold.
MVP attempts a Playmaker, but Brodus counters out and hits a G-Grip Chokeslam for two as Clay lifts his head off of the mat, as he helps MVP to his feet, however, Porter hits a low blow and delivers the Playmaker. But MVP isn’t done yet. Seeing the chain that Brodus left on the canvas, MVP picks it up and furiously beats Clay about the head and neck with it, then locks in a Crucifix Neck Crank. Brodus struggles briefly while MVP places as much torque on the hold as possible. Eventually, Clay feebly taps out to end the bout.
Winner: MVP
After the match, MVP drags out another table, props it up on its side in the corner and drills Clay through it with The Player’s Boot before leaving the ring victorious.
Triple H emerges from his office to a crew of partners anxiously awaiting word on their team’s status for the main event. Zack Ryder asks him about a potential replacement for their tenth man. Hunter gently slaps Ryder on the face and tells him “All taken care of...”
Another promo runs for the WWE Championship Ladder Match runs and we go to the video package promoting the first of two main events.
Fatal-Fourway Ladder Match for the WWE Championship: CM Punk versus Alberto Del Rio versus The Miz versus R-Truth
We see the WWE Championship belt hanging high above the ring. WWE Arena crew is now scanning the rafters and catwalks to ensure that no more “funny business” takes place tonight as Ricardo Rodriguez takes the mic to introduce Alberto Del Rio first. Del Rio enters the arena in a 2012 Lamborghini Aventador. R-Truth enters next to the old “What’s Up” theme, with perhaps more fan support than anyone in the match other than perhaps the champion himself. Miz enters third to healthy levels of heat followed by WWE Champion CM Punk, who is now clearly the fan favorite of the evening. We get no formal ring introductions as we go to the bell.
Miz goes after Truth at the beginning of the match, brawling to the outside as Del Rio and Punk fight it out inside the ring. Del Rio throws a few kicks to Punk’s leg and Punk retaliates with a Roundhouse Kick to the temple. Truth hits Lil’ Jimmy on the arena floor, taking both he and the Miz out of the equation. Punk rolls to the floor to grab a ladder. Punk brings the ladder into the ring and sets it up underneath the title and rushes to the top rung to make the reach, but Del Rio climbs up behind him. Punk tries to throw elbows to knock Del Rio off of the ladder, but Del Rio won’t relent, eventually connecting with a Backstabber from the second rung.
Truth gets back to his feet and sets up a second ladder under the belt, but Del Rio props the first ladder up in the corner and hits a Springboard Enziguri to knock Truth off of the ladder as well. Del Rio tries to slap on the Cross Armbreaker, but Truth rolls through and plows Del Rio into the bottom rung of the ladder with a Front Russian Leg Sweep. Miz gets back into the match and retaliates with a Skull Crushing Finale. Punk hits a Double Underhook Backbreaker on the Miz, but Miz quickly recovers and starts “whirly-birding” the ladder, smashing Punk, Del Rio and Truth in the face with it. As Del Rio and Truth roll to the arena floor, Miz tosses the ladder from the ring, catching both men in the face. Del Rio catches the worst of it, as the ladder opens a gash over his right eye.
Punk heads to the outside to grab a couple of tables and sets one up before hitting Miz with a baseball slide, who was attempting to add another ladder to the mix. Punk grabs a chair and takes a swing, but Miz ducks and comes back with a back and neckbreaker combination before dropping Del Rio with a Snapmare Driver and drilling Truth with his seated DDT on the arena floor. Miz tosses Punk over the barricade and begins again for the top of the ladder. Miz reaches the top rung, only to realize that Truth has met him at the top to begin trading blows. Truth gets the best of Miz at the top and sets up for a superplex, but Miz is hanging on to the rung for dear life. Del Rio climbs three-quarters of the way up the ladder and positions himself for an Electric Chair Drop on Truth, but now Truth is holding the ladder for leverage. Finally, CM Punk positions himself to Powerbomb Del Rio. The height of the fall sends Del Rio crashing to the mat, Truth to the arena floor and Miz goes soaring over the barricade on the other side of the ring. The crowd starts up a third “Holy S#!t” chant as all four men are laid out in varying degrees of pain.
Punk sets Del Rio up for GTS, but before Punk can deliver the knee, Truth takes the falling Del Rio and drives him to the mat with Lil’ Jimmy. Truth and Punk set up a second and third table in addition to the two ladders still standing in the ring. Truth rolls Del Rio onto one of the three tables, while Punk scales the ladder to the very top rung. Punk signals for the Randy Savage Elbow and nails it, from the top of the ladder through Del Rio’s table. Truth uses the opportunity to scale the ladder and taste WWE gold for the first time, but Miz has crawled over the barricade and makes the last second save, whipping Truth to the corner. Miz hits his signature Corner Clothesline and heads to the outside. Ricardo Rodriguez is attempting to revive Del Rio and hand him a chair, but Miz snatches it away and slides back into the ring to take out Truth. Truth evades the chair shot and comes back with a Lie Detector to the chair to take out the Miz. Truth sets up for a Scissors Kick, but Miz dodges and Truth steps directly into a Springboard Clothesline by Punk. Del Rio returns to the ring and gets whipped to the corner and struck with a beautiful shining wizard. Punk drops Del Rio with a GTS and begins to ascend the ladder again, but Miz is there to knock him to the floor. Truth and Del Rio and Truth come back to double team Miz and send him over the top with a double clothesline, but Miz drags Truth out by his ankle and whips him head first into the barricade with a Giant Swing. Del Rio springboards over the top, but Miz catches him half way, using Del Rio’s momentum to plant him into the wall with a scoop powerslam.
Miz grabs a chair and goes postal, swinging it in every direction that he detects movement and eventually taking out all three opponents. Punk finally slows Miz’ momentum on the entrance ramp with a Bulldog onto the steel grate. Truth climbs the set and throws himself at Punk with a 450 Splash. Truth bolts back to the ring to climb the ladder, but Del Rio meets him at the atrium with a jumping armbreaker. Del Rio rolls Truth back into the ring and Punk follows shortly thereafter. Truth surprises Del Rio with Lil’ Jimmy and attempts another Lil’ Jimmy on Punk, but Punk grabs the ropes for leverage, sending Truth crashing head first to the mat.
Punk begins climbing the ladder again, but Del Rio begins scaling the other side. Truth starts climbing the second ladder next to the other two. Miz finds his way back to the ring and begins climbing the second ladder. All four men are now brawling atop two ladders when suddenly Truth and Punk trade positions onto opposite ladders. Miz sneaks in a cheap shot on Punk while Truth gets the best of Del Rio. What follows is a simultaneous Lil’ Jimmy and Skull Crushing Finale from both ladders through two separate tables. With all four men down, Ricardo Rodriguez tries climbing the ladder, but Miz is quickly back to his feet, pulls Rodriguez off the ladder by his coattails, and drills him with the Skull Crushing Finale. The Miz gets a courtesy pop from a grateful Baltimore crowd. Truth returns to his feet, knocks down both ladders and plants Miz face first into one of the ladders with Lil’ Jimmy. Truth then uses the hinges on the ladder to sandwich Miz three or four times.
Truth begins climbing the ladder again and this time gets his hands on the harness, but Del Rio races up the ladder and pulls Truth down with a single arm DDT, easily transitioning into a Cross Armbreaker. Del Rio breaks the hold and begins the long climb to the top.
Del Rio gets his fingers on the belt, but Truth is able to shoulder tackle the ladder, tipping it over and sending a bloody Del Rio crashing through another five tables. Truth rights the ladder and gets to the top again, but Miz is able to grab his ankle. Miz scales the ladder behind Truth and attempts another Skull Crushing finale, but the ladder breaks underneath them, sending both to the canvas.
Punk gets back to his feet and sets up two more ladders next to the first ladder, which is still intact. Punk uses two tables as a platform to bridge the three ladders and gets up to the platform to put his hands on the title when he’s met by the Miz. As the two men fight precariously above the ring, Miz goes for Skull Crushing Finale, but Punk counters, sending Miz rolling onto the second table, Miz charges and walks directly into the GTS. Out cold, Miz falls from the platform to the canvas below as Punk reaches up and grabs the WWE Title from the harness to win the match.
Winner and STILL WWE Champion: CM Punk
After the match, Punk celebrates with the title atop the platform, sitting in his signature “Indian-Style” position with the belt draped over his shoulder. Punk descends the ladder, with belt in hand and walks to the broadcast area. Punk signals to a group of guys who are holding up an economy-sized banner and asks them to hand him the banner. Punk walks over to the ring apron again and drapes the banner which reads: “WHERE’S OUR ICE CREAM BARS?!!!” over the ropes before going back to stand on the broadcast table and hold the WWE Championship high for the Baltimore faithful.
A promo runs for the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble.
A limo rolls up in the parking lot, (presumably Triple H’s tenth man) and a figure steps out of the car, but we can only see his feet. The mystery individual is clearly walking toward the dressing rooms, so we can safely presume he’s Triple H’s guy...
We go back to ringside and the surrounding area is a mangled mess of table splinters, shattered ladders and dented chairs. J.R., King and Striker are all abuzz wondering who Triple H's tenth man is.
10-on-10 Elimination Tag Team Match: The Nexus versus Team Triple H
We go to the ring and out comes the new Cena-led Nexus-Wade Barrett, David Otunga, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater, Skip Sheffield, Michael McGillicutty, Husky Harris, Mason Ryan and Ezekiel Jackson in tow. They stop on the stage before taking to the ring as a unit.
Out next comes Triple H and his cavalry for the counter-revolution. John Morrison is out next and he stands beside Triple H in front of the ring. Air Boom enter as a pair and join Triple H in the center of the ramp. Zack Ryder comes out next holding his webcam to a huge pop. Out next comes Sheamus to a nice reaction. Big Show is the next man out followed by Kane and finally The Deadman makes his entrance to the front of the ring. Without saying a word, Triple H and company part the ramp to opposite sides leaving an open path for the tenth man. Several moments of wild anticipation before the music finally hits. It's Brand New Sin's "My World" and the mystery superstar behind the song is none other than BATISTA! The Baltimore crowd ERUPTS into cheers as the Animal makes his way down the ramp to join the rest of Hunter's crew. A brief staredown ensues as all ten men charge the ring at once and a 20-man brawl breaks out in the ring.
The match hasn't even started and has already fallen into absolute bedlam. The referee struggles to restore order but it's no use, they're too far gone. Brawling spills to the outside, where Ezekiel Jackson and Mason Ryan split from the group long enough to slam Zack Ryder through the ringside barricade, shattering the wall.
We finally get the match underway and Batista has elected to start against Ezekiel Jackson. Jackson charges and the Animal comes back with a Spear. Batista fires up, shaking the ropes and stomping it out. Huge Batista chants. Batista drops Jackson with a Batista Bomb for the three count and signals that he wants Cena.
Ezekiel Jackson is eliminated.
Justin Gabriel charges, but drills him with a spinebuster and tags to Triple H. The Game hits a running facebuster and tags to Kofi Kingston. Kofi throws a flurry of knife-edge chops and right hands. Kofi nails a Pele' Kick and drops Gabriel with an S.O.S. that garners a two count.
Gabriel struggles to the ropes and tags in Husky Harris who works over Kofi with lefts and rights of his own. The ref has to separate the two and when Husky attempts a Senton Splash, Kofi rolls out of the way at the last minute, rolls onto his head and kips up to tag to Morrison. Morrison springboards into the ring and connects with The Flying Chuck and follows up with a nasty knee to the temple. Morrison connects with Starship Pain and Harris takes a three count.
Husky Harris has been eliminated.
At a quick disadvantage, Skip Sheffield hits the ring to try to even the odds. Morrison tags to Evan Bourne, who locks up with Sheffield and gets tossed away. Evan rushes back in and gets thrown across the ring again. Bourne throws a flurry of kicks to Sheffield's legs and follows up with a high knee to the face, but Sheffield responds with a Running Powerslam. Sheffield breaks down Bourne with a series of Rib Breakers before whipping him to the post. Sheffield is relentless, clubbing Bourne across the back of the neck before launching him into the corner again.
Sheffield hits a suplex, then another and a third, which draws a nearfall on Bourne. Sheffield goes to finish off Bourne, but Bourne fights him off. Gabriel connects with a crescent kick to the back of the head from the ring apron and Sheffield follows up with a huge clothesline for the pin.
Evan Bourne is eliminated.
Kofi Kingston tries a sneak attack with a Diving Cross Body, but Sheffield captures him in mid-air and drives him to the mat with a Backpack Stunner. Another three count, Another Elimination.
Kofi Kingston is eliminated.
Sheamus enters and locks into a staredown with Sheffield. Sheamus hits an Irish Curse Backbreaker for two. Sheffield tags out to Barrett and he begins exchanging blows with The Celtic Warrior before tagging in Otunga. Otunga throws a few cheap punches before dropping Sheamus with a falling neckbreaker before tagging Barrett back in. Barrett stomps Sheamus and locks in an armbar.
Sheamus fights out and sets Barrett up for repeated Irish Hammer Blows before rolling to the corner and tagging in The Undertaker. Barrett tags out to Michael McGillicutty, who wants nothing to do with this match-up, but it’s too late. The Deadman sets McGillicutty up and plasters him with a Tombstone Piledriver to make the elimination.
Michael McGillicutty has been eliminated.
Heath Slater enters and is met instantly with a Chokeslam. Undertaker helps Slater back to his feet and begins pummeling him in the corner with his trademark “Soup Bones”. With one final uppercut to the jaw, Slater collapses to the mat. Taker sets up for Old School, but Slater yanks him off the ropes the hard way. Taker hits Snake Eyes and locks in Hell’s Gate, but Sheffield makes a blind tag. Cena rushes to ringside and throws a chair into the ring, Sheffield picks it up to attempt a swing, but Taker beats him to it and imprints Sheffield’s skull into the chair, resulting in a DQ.
The Undertaker has been eliminated.
Triple H enters and flattens Sheffield with a Pedigree then tags to Morrison who hits Starship Pain for the three count and it’s 7-on-6.
Skip Sheffield is eliminated.
Barrett is back in and catches a Flying Chuck from Morrison. Morrison whips Barrett to the corner and follows in with a Running Knee Smash and a Bulldog for a two count. Barrett connects with a Back Kick and tags to Slater, who comes in and stomps a mud hole into Morrison.
Slater tosses Morrison to the outside, and drags him back in in time to tag to Cena. Cena clubs Morrison with a series of Shoulder Tackles before dropping him with a Protobomb. Cena follows up with a Five-Knuckle Shuffle and locks in the STFU, but Morrison struggles to the bottom rope to break the hold.
Morrison tries for Starship Pain, but Cena gets the knees up and goes to the top rope for a Diving Leg Drop Bulldog. Otunga tags in and tries for a spinebuster, but gets a Pele’ Kick to the temple instead. Edge leaps to the corner and tags in Triple H, who storms the ring, knocking all Nexus members off the apron before drilling Otunga with a Double A Spinebuster . The Game Pedigrees Otunga and it’s down to 7-on-5.
David Otunga is eliminated.
Batista steps in and Mason Ryan follows as they lock into a staredown. The crowd starts a “TWO BATISTAS” chant as the two beasts lock horns. Batista eventually gets the best of his doppelganger with a top rope shoulder block and locking in the Batista Bite submission. Mason Ryan taps out and Batista says Next....
Mason Ryan is eliminated.
Heath Slater enters and races directly into the path of another Batista Spear.
Heath Slater is eliminated.
Cena enters and takes charge, Batista tags to the Big Show. Cena ducks a WMD and throws a Chop Block to the back of Show’s knee. Cena cinches in an Indian Deathlock and The Big Show taps out.
Big Show is eliminated.
Kane enters and Cena tags to Barrett. Barrett walks into position for a chokeslam, but Barrett throws a thumb to the eye and drops Kane with Wasteland before tagging to Gabriel who connects with a 450 Splash for the pin.
Kane has been eliminated.
Sheamus runs in and lays a Brogue Kick to Gabriel’s head. Cena and Barrett both enter the ring wielding chairs. Sheamus grabs both and clobbers Cena and Barrett both, resulting in a DQ.
Sheamus is eliminated.
Now in a 3-on-3 scenario, Triple H tries to rally his team together to refocus. Batista begins brawling with Justin Gabriel on the outside, Batista slams Gabriel’s head into the barricade and rolls him back into the ring. Batista attempts a spear, but Gabriel moves and Batista hits Triple H instead. The distraction results in a step up enziguri and a 450 Splash and a pin.
Batista is eliminated.
An enraged Batista attacks Cena from the outside and clotheslines him into next week. The Animal sets up two chairs and a ladder before dropping Cena through the ladder with a Batista Bomb before security escorts him away to a flood of cheers. Triple H and Morrison try to enter the ring at the same time, and the confusion results in a roll-up on Morrison for a three count.
John Morrison is eliminated.
Triple H tries to play mediator to the miscommunication as Batista and Morrison are both raging about the circumstances of their eliminations. The Game now realizes that he has to go it alone against three bloodthirsty Nexus members.
Gabriel throws another enziguri and goes up for another 450, but Triple H moves, sending Gabriel crashing knees first into the canvas. The Game takes advantage, locking in an Indian Deathlock and forcing Gabriel to tap out.
Justin Gabriel is eliminated.
Hunter’s still not out of the woods yet. Wade Barrett sets up for Wasteland, but Hunter counters into an Implant DDT, hits a Harley Race high knee and a Double A Spinebuster. Triple H locks in a double underhook and glares at Cena as he plants Barrett with a Pedigree and a three count.
Wade Barrett is eliminated.
We’re down to Triple H and Cena. Cena attempts an F-U, but Triple H fights out and shoves Cena into the referee. Hunter rolls under the bottom rope and pulls the sledgehammer out from under the ring. As the Game gets back into the ring and Cena drives a steel chair into Triple H’s ribs. Hunter plants Cena with a Double A Spinebuster and tosses him from the ring. Hunter climbs the announce table and drives Cena through with a Pedigree. The ref has recovered and reached the count of six as The King of Kings rolls John back into the ring. As Triple H goes to enter the ring however, someone grabs his ankles from under the ring and holds on for dear life. The Game struggles to climb back in, but to no avail as the referee reaches the ten count.
Sole Survivor: John Cena, Winner: The Nexus
After the match, Triple H drags the foolhardy soul that cost him the match out from under the ring, and it’s PAUL HEYMAN. Hunter rockets Heyman into the ring and drills him with another Pedigree. Cena rushes to pick up the sledgehammer, but Triple H hits him with a low blow, having already lost. Hunter picks up the dropped sledgehammer and drives it squarely into Cena’s face. John’s forehead is pouring blood like a faucet as Triple H storms off.
It’s about this time that the new General Manager of RAW, Shawn Michaels races down to ringside and yells at Mike Chioda to wave off the final bell, as the match isn’t over. Michaels brings Chioda to the attention of a stirring ZACK RYDER crawling from the wreckage of the broken barricade. The ref waves off the bell and tells Lilian that the match is not over yet. Ryder drags himself into the ring, unaware of how many participants are left in the match and makes the cover of a motionless Cena. Incredibly, the ref logs the three count and Long Island Iced Z has thwarted the Nexus!!!
Sole Survivor: Zack Ryder, Winner: Team Triple H
After the match, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Batista and John Morrison return to the ring to help Ryder back to his feet and congratulate him. Cena has to be carried out by EMT’s. Stunned that he was the savior of Team WWE, Ryder immediately takes to the turnbuckles and fist-pumps the sky on each corner. The crowd has come unhinged and the rafters are ringing with chants of “Thank You Ryder” and “Woo Woo Woo”. Pyro goes off to celebrate Team WWE’s victory to end the show.
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