Tonight's RAW Supershow comes to us live from the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA as Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler welcome us to the show. King hypes the remaining Royal Rumble Qualifying Matches and teases the HUGE ten-man tag team match for later on tonight.
WWE Champion CM Punk enters and addresses the issues that have been floating since Chris Jericho's return two weeks ago. Punk tells the fans to make no mistake, he is still a Paul Heyman guy, but he does not now nor anywhere in the foreseeable future have an intention of jumping ship to ECW or stabbing WWE in the back by leaving with the title again. Punk says his "hijacking" of the title at Money In The Bank was for his own benefit and not derived of any ill will toward the company.
The WWE Champion tells the Universe that his focus is on defending the title for sixty minutes at the Royal Rumble and proving that he is the true owner of the title "Best In The World". Punk tells Jericho that he may be the "Best In The World At What You Do", but that he's not entirely sure what he "does" anymore. Punk says there are times when he sees the Chris Jericho the world knows, the six-time World Champion, the nine-time Intercontinental Champion, the FIRST EVER UNDISPUTED CHAMPION as he so often boasts about. Punk says he loves that guy.
Punk says but then there's this other guy, this "Mongoose McQueen" guy who hobnobs with Eddie Trunk and tries to hack it with this rock band named after a Muppet. Punk says he doesn't know who Jericho is anymore. Punk asks Jericho where his OWN loyalties lie. Punk asks what Jericho can we expect going forward. The Chris Jericho whose life revolved around WWE, who made it his passion to be "THE BEST IN THE WORLD AT WHAT HE DOES" or will we get the Half-Hearted Jericho who comes in, sleepwalks through his matches for a year or two, walks away for three years to see if his band can sell 1,000 albums then comes back again in an exponentially more disappointing fashion. Punk says until such time that we get a legitimate answer from the man himself that you may call him CM PUNK: Best In The World.
Jericho interrupts and tells Punk that his only concern should be, not where Jericho's loyalties lie, but where the WWE Championship falls on January 29. Jericho says he fully intends to live up to his moniker when he takes the WWE Championship from Punk and goes on to defend it in a Streak versus Title match with The Undertaker at Wrestlemania. Punk tells Jericho that he's getting ahead of himself in more ways than one. Punk says first of all, Jericho will NOT be leaving the Royal Rumble on his own two feet, let alone with the WWE Championship. Punk says secondly, The Undertaker is clearly playing mind games with the both of them. Punk says its clear that Taker wants one of them for Mania, but the Deadman has no intention of revealing which one unless it's on his own terms. Punk says the only difference is that if Taker ends up choosing him, the streak won't remain intact.
Jericho reminds Punk that he is still the only man who can lay claim to defeating Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock in the same evening. Y2J rationalizes that the next logical step from that feat is to dethrone the Phenom on his "Super Bowl Sunday". Jericho advises Undertaker that if he was in fact pursuing him to adjust his focus and go after Punk, otherwise, the Streak will undoubtedly fall. Punk segues on the subject of "Super Bowl Sunday". The WWE Champion tells Jericho that one week before the big game, which will undoubtedly will feature two teams that have been to the top of the mountain before, two men who have been there before will go at it for 60 minutes. Punk says that if there's one thing he's learned from watching the Super Bowl, it's that the establishment franchise, the odds-on-favorite doesn't always come away with the brass ring. Often times, it's the exciting, upstart team that's been around for a little while but that no one really expected to be there. Punk vows at the Royal Rumble that the WWE Universe will witness the official changing of the guard and that he will cement his legacy as the..."UNDISPUTED Best In The World..." Punk and Jericho lock eyes and Punk raises the title in defiance as we go to commercial.
Back from break and Jerry Lawler breaks the news that in light of what occurred at the top of tonight's show, a final face-off between Punk and Jericho has been ordered for next week--On THE CUTTING EDGE.
Kofi Kingston def. Bobby Roode to qualify for the Royal Rumble
Decent match with a surprise finish. Finish came when Roode set up for the Roode Awakening, but in an incredible show of acrobatics, Kofi backflips over Roode’s shoulder onto his feet and rebounded with S.O.S. to pick up the victory.
Morrison is backstage in conference with Hardy and Ryder, discussing how they can keep their team together when Punk and Jericho ultimately can't and won't put their differences aside. Ryder reminds Morrison that Miz and Del Rio are on the other team and aren't exactly cozy after SNME. Ryder assures his partners that these two may have a hard time keeping it together as well.
Raven is seen backstage meditating in the darkest corners of the arena prepping for an opportunity to earn a qualifying match at the Royal Rumble. Heyman and JBL disrupt the session and Raven exhaustedly acknowledges their company. Heyman admits that he always felt that Raven was a hidden prospect, a secret weapon as it were, of ECW and tells Raven that he has his full endorsement and support in his match tonight. Raven glares at both and tells Heyman that he needs approval from no one, least of all him. The loner wanders out of the shadows as we go to commercial.
Rob Van Dam def. Raven in an Extreme Rules Match to earn a qualifying match at the Royal Rumble
ECW fans were out in full throat for this match and both were WAY OVER with the Anaheim crowd. Among the chants of "E-C-Dub", there was actually a pendulum chant of "Let's Go Raven/R-V-D" throughout the contest. All signature spots connected, with Raven and RVD kicking out of Rolling Thunder and Even Flow respectively. Finish came when Van Dam evaded Raven's signature Drop Toe Hold, rolled back and tossed the chair into Raven's face before connecting with the Van Daminator. RVD landed a flawless Five-Star Frog Splash and picked up the victory to earn his match at the Rumble. Edge emerges and informs Van Dam that by virtue of his victory tonight, his win-and-in match at the Rumble will be against Paul London. Van Dam and Raven do the sportsmanship bit and leave the ring.
Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler recap the Hall of Fame Class of 2012 thus far, including Randy Savage, Owen Hart, Edge and The Rock and reveal the next inductee through the tribute video package and it’s JAKE “THE SNAKE” ROBERTS.
Jake Roberts enters to a HUGE pop and graciously thanks the WWE Universe for their incredible support and for cheering him on for twenty-five years. Santino Marella emerges and congratulates Roberts on the honor and invites him to join in a celebratory “Cobra”. Roberts obliges and then offers a handshake and advice to Santino; Never give up the dream, Never listen when someone says you can’t do it and most importantly...NEVER TRUST A SNAKE!-Jake promptly moves the handshake into position, plants Santino with a DDT and the crowd LOVES it. An evil grin spreads across Jake’s face as he points to the bag lying in the corner. The crowd erupts as Roberts produces a HUMONGOUS python and wraps it around a prone Santino. The Milan Miracle bolts from the ring, screaming like a frightened school girl and Jake plays to the crowd with what by now has to be “Damien V” as we go to commercial.
Back from break and J.R. and King run down the updated Rumble Card, which now includes a Battle Royal for the Women’s Championship, and four qualifying matches: Christian versus Chris Masters, Rhyno versus Shelton Benjamin, Jack Swagger versus Ultimo Dragon and Rob Van Dam versus Paul London. The final qualifying match will be set up this Friday Night on Smackdown. The official anthem for Royal Rumble is “A Warrior’s Call” by Volbeat.
Back to ringside and...Oh, brother; EUGENE is back. Eric Bischoff’s nephew is greeted by a mixed reaction of half-hearted cheers and merciless booing as he staggers down to ringside, playing to the crowd. Eugene tells the crowd how excited he is to be back and presents an overenthusiastic forecast about how he will win the Royal Rumble and main event Wrestlemania. Thankfully, the segment is interrupted by R-Truth, who brings his own brand of crazy to the table. What follows is an awkward, yet humorous segment that features Eugene trying to make friends with “Lil’ Jimmy” despite the fact that there is clearly no one in the ring. Truth tells Eugene that Lil’ Jimmy gets what he wants and right now, Lil’ Jimmy wants to see the Truth qualify for the Rumble by “Putting the ol’ Spit kickers to Arnie Grape”.
R-Truth def. Eugene to qualify for the Royal Rumble
Eugene tries to beg off, but R-Truth (and Little Jimmy) aren’t having it. Truth connects with a Jumping STO and picks up the win.
John Cena is backstage with Mason Ryan telling him that he is SUPREMELY disappointed in the Nexus efforts as of late. Cena hauls off and smacks Ryan across the face as hard as possible. Ryan glares at Cena, LIVID but Cena is quick to respond, grabbing Ryan by the collar of his Nexus shirt and pulling him in nose-to-nose: “Don’t Disappoint Me Tonight.”
Bobby Roode confronts James Storm backstage asking him why he didn’t have his back during the qualifying match with Kingston tonight. Roode indignantly asks where Storm was a few weeks back at Tribute to the Troops when Chris Harris left him lying. Storm tells Roode that he’s met with Edge and set up a match next week. It will be Robert Roode one-on-one with Chris Harris with Roode’s Tag Team Title Belt on the line. Storm tells Roode that he wanted him to make a decision, so now he’s making one. Storm says he has the choice over who he remains Tag Team Champions with, because he will be serving as the referee in that contest. Roode looks dumbfounded.
Trish Stratus, Sara Del Ray, Mickie James and Natalya def. Beth Phoenix, Maryse, Michelle McCool and Melina
Finish comes when Del Ray locks in the LaBell Lock on Beth Phoenix and forces a submission. Sara gets a hero’s congratulations, complete with Trish, Mickie and Natalya hoisting her up on their shoulders. The Women’s Championship appears to be in jeopardy when 20 divas battle over the belt at the Royal Rumble.
A brawl breaks out backstage as officials try to separate Morrison and Hardy from McIntyre and Ziggler.
Batista is walking backstage as the next Royal Rumble Qualifying Match is on the other side of the break.
“The Animal” is primed and ready for his qualifying match and the much to his surprise and sick pleasure--his opponent is “HACKSAW” JIM DUGGAN.
Batista def. “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan to qualify for the Royal Rumble
Duggan gets into Three-Point Stance and charges directly into a Batista Spinebuster. The Animal then proceeds to drop Hacksaw with a Batista Bomb and locks in the Batista Bite. Duggan taps, but Batista won’t release the hold. Officials have to try and pry Batista off, but Duggan passes out before they can break the grip. Batista is escorted to the back as we go to commercial.
The Royal Rumble Recall features the 2002 Royal Rumble from Phillips Arena--Triple H dumps Kurt Angle over the top to move on to Wrestlemania X-8 and become the 2nd Undisputed Champion at the expense of Chris Jericho.
Triple H def. James Storm to qualify for the Royal Rumble
Hunter ducks Last Call and drills Storm with a Double-A Spinebuster before dropping the Cowboy with a Pedigree for the duke. One spot remains on the RAW Roster for the Royal Rumble Match.
Edge is backstage with Shawn Michaels regaling him with stories from his days tagging with Christian and Michaels is exchanging some good Jannetty stories. Edge says the WWE Universe won’t want to miss the announcement for the WWE Hall of Fame next week, because, as Edge understands it, they are the cream of the crop in the annals of Tag Team Wrestling History.
John Cena is seen backstage coaching Mason Ryan all the way to the gorilla position. Cena’s last chance for backup in the Royal Rumble Match comes NEXT!
Mason Ryan anxiously awaits his proving ground and discovers he must qualify for the Rumble by defeating--MVP.
MVP def. Mason Ryan to earn the final Royal Rumble spot for RAW
Ryan had this match wrapped up nicely, but as he set up for the House of Pain, MVP countered out with a series of back elbows to the head and responded with the Play of the Day for the three count and the final spot. Realizing he’s now out of options, Cena walks down to the ring, grabs a mic, and tells Mason he’s not kicking him out of Nexus, but still wants to give his subordinate the Royal Rumble experience. Cena helps Mason Ryan to his feet and tosses him from the ring to the arena floor. Cena preps for the main event as we go to our final break.
CM Punk, Chris Jericho, John Morrison, Jeff Hardy and Zack Ryder def. John Cena, The Miz, Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre
This match never had a chance. McIntyre and Hardy brawled into the crowd and Ziggler and Morrison fought up the entrance ramp while Punk and Jericho exchanged blows at ringside and The Miz and Del Rio traded strikes after Miz mistakenly collided with Del Rio on a failed Corner Clothesline attempt. The match ultimately boiled down to Cena and Ryder and ended as Ryder surprised Cena with an inside cradle for the three count. Infuriated, Cena batters Ryder and drags the steel steps into the ring, driving Ryder back first into the stairs with an F-U.
Without warning, a gong sounds and the lights go down. The lights come back up and The Undertaker is tearing a seam in the canvas, coming up from under the ring. Taker grabs Cena by the throat and chokeslams Cena onto the steel steps. Now things are getting very confusing as neither Jericho or Punk have the slightest clue what The Phenom’s true motives are heading into the Rumble. The lights go down and Taker vanishes. Jericho and Punk re-enter the ring and examine the hole in the canvas. Punk and Jericho lock into another staredown as RAW goes off the air.
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