2/25/13 Monday Night Raw Coverage
Raw opens up with a video package of the recent events between Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon, including Brock Lesnar giving McMahon an F5 and McMahon saying he and Heyman are going to have a fight. The video package transitions into the announcement that CM Punk and John Cena will go one-on-one tonight, with the winner going on to WrestleMania 29 to face The Rock for the WWE Championship.
We go live into the arena in Dallas, Texas, and Vince McMahon’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. He says he likes to do things in a big way. He says we need something big each and every Monday night. He calls out Paul Heyman. Heyman makes his way to the ring. He says tonight, we will see a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest. Heyman says he has waited his entire life for this fight. Heyman says he is all man. Heyman says Vince has as much of a chance against him as Tony Romo does in leading the Cowboys to the Super Bowl. Heyman says he has seen Vince run every promoter into the ground and take on the United States government, but he is coming for everything Vince has tonight. Heyman takes Vince down on his bad hip and then hits him with a crutch. Heyman goes to swing it again, but Vince blocks it and beats Heyman with the crutch. Brock Lesnar’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. Triple H’s music hits as Lesnar goes after Vince. Triple H comes to the ring and Lesnar meets him on the floor. They brawl on the floor and Triple H tosses Lesnar into the steel post. Triple H does it again and Lesnar is busted open. Triple H clotheslines Lesnar over the barricade and into the timekeeper’s area. Triple H grabs a crutch, but Lesnar comes back and beats Triple H down. Lesnar tosses Triple H onto the announce table. Lesnar grabs a steel chair and goes after Triple H, but H hits him with a spine-buster and then drops Lesnar with a chair shot. Lesnar backs up and ramp as he and Triple H glare at each other.
We are reminded that John Cena and CM Punk will go one-on-one later tonight, and the winner will challenge The Rock for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 29. We also see that MizTv will return, and the guests will be Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, and Zeb Colter. We see Ryback walking backstage, and he will take on Dolph Ziggler after the commercial break.
Match #1: Dolph Ziggler (w/AJ Lee and Big E Langston) vs. Ryback
Ryback slams Ziggler to the mat with a belly-to-back slam. Ryback takes Ziggler down a couple more times, but Ziggler comes right back and connects with a dropkick. Ziggler goes for a cover, but Ryback powers out. Ziggler applies a front-face lock, but Ryback powers out and takes Ziggler down with a shoulder block. Ziggler attempts a cross body, but Ryback catches him and slams him to the mat. Ryback takes Ziggler to the corner and chops him an then clubs him on the back. Ziggler comes back and attempts another cross body, but Ryback catches him and drives him into the turnbuckles. Ziggler tolls to the outside as we go to a commercial.
We’re back and Ryback has Ziggler elevated. Ryback finally slams Ziggler to the mat. Ryback gets sent to the outside and Ziggler goes for a baseball slide, but Ryback stops him. The referee pulls Ziggler away from the ropes, and Langston clotheslines Ryback. Ziggler gets Ryabck back into the ring and delivers a dropkick and goes for the cover, but Ryback kicks out at one. Ziggler gets Ryback in a headlock, but Ryback shoves him off. Ryback charges Ziggler, but he moves and Ryback goes shoulder first into the ring post. Ziggler hits the DDT and goes for a cover, but RYback kicks out at two. Ziggler locks in the Sleeper Hold, but Ryback drops down to break the hold. Ziggler charges Ryback, but Ryback knocks him down to the apron and then power bombs him. AJ gets on the apron and Langston goes after Ryback, but Ryback knocks him down and slams Ziggler again. Ryback delivers Shell Shocked for the pin fall.
Winner: Ryback.
We take a look at WWE Film’ newest movie “The Call” which will be in theaters in two weeks.
CM Punk’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring as we go to commercial.
We’re back and Punk says tonight is when history will be made. He says tonight we will witness the end, as well as the beginning. Punk says tonight is not about a match and is not about John Cena or The Rock. Punk says tonight is not about the people or the WWE Championship. He says tonight is about the future, tonight is about him. Punk says he has defeated Cena more times than he cares to remember and says he has pinned The Rock twice in four weeks. He says he is the best in the world and is an icon amongst Superstars. He says he is immortal and the greatest of all time. Punk says he is God, and drops the mic.
We see the newest inductee into the celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame, Donald Trump.
We see The Great Khali and Mark Henry walking backstage, and they will go one-on-one after the commercial break.
Match #2: Mark Henry vs. The Great Khali
Henry shoves Khali into the corner and charges, but Khali gets a boot up to stop him. Khali shoves Henry into the corner and delivers a few chops. Khali delivers the Khali Chop to Henry’s head, and Henry rolls to the outside. Khali goes out after him, but Henry cuts him off and tosses him back into the ring. Henry splashes Khali in the corner and delivers the World’s Strongest Slam for the pin fall.
Winner: Mark Henry.
We take a look at some clips from The Miz’s movie “Marine 3: Homefront.” The Miz’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. MizTv takes place after the commercial break.
We see a Fandango video, and it reveals that he will debut this Friday on Smackdown.
We go to the ring, where MizTV kicks off with Alberto Del Rio, Ricardo Rodriguez, Jack Swagger, and Zeb Colter. Miz tells Zeb and Jack that we have all seen their YouTube videos, and they now have the opportunity to speak directly for Del Rio. Colter says he was looking forward to speaking to Glenn Beck, but since he chickened out, he welcomes the opportunity to speak to Del Rio. Colter begins talking about all of the people who are “illegals” as he states. The Miz cuts him off and gives Del Rio the chance to talk, but Del Rio says Zeb can continue to talk. Zeb says it takes ten years to become a citizen in Mexico and asks Del Rio what he is scared of and what is wrong with “his people.” Del Rio tells him to not talk about his people. Colter says nothing is personal, it is what Del Rio represents. Colter says Del Rio represents success and the American dream. Colter says he gives people hope. Colter says anyone who stays in America illegally are criminals. Del Rio says it’s time for him to shut up. Del Rio says America belongs to everyone. Del Rio says they are here for the same thing: to provide a better life for their families. Del Rio says he is the living proof of that. Del Rio says he has heard about people like Zeb, and had never met one until he met him. Del Rio challenges Zeb and Swagger to make he and Ricardo leave right now. Swagger says they will see them at WrestleMania and ends with “We the People.”
We are reminded again that John Cena and CM Punk will go one-on-one later tonight, and we see Randy Orton walking backstage as he will go one-on-one with Antonio Cesaro next.
There is an advertisement that WWE will go “Old School” next week on Raw.
Match #3: Antonio Cesaro vs. Randy Orton
They tie up and Orton sends Cesaro off the ropes, but Cesaro comes back with a shoulder block that sends Orton to the mat. Cesaro runs the ropes, but Orton takes him down with a back elbow. Cesaro comes right back and slams Orton down to the mat. Cesaro drives his knee into Orton’s back and then knees him in the head. Cesaro locks in a sleeper hold, but Orton fights out briefly. Cesaro connects with the uppercut and sends Orton into the corner, but Orton comes back and takes Cesaro down with a couple of clotheslines and a power slam. Orton grabs Cesaro, but Cesaro counters the middle-rope DDT. Orton delivers a back-breaker, but Cesaro delivers a big knee. Cesaro comes off the middle rope, but Orton catches him with an RKO out of nowhere for the pin fall.
Winner: Randy Orton.
We go backstage and see Team Hell No. Bryan says Orton is impressive and says that he and Kane need to work together. Kane says they have The Prime Time Players tonight. Bryan says Kane needs to stay in the corner and let him do all of the work, but then Kane says the same thing to Bryan. Bryan says he can beat them with one arm tied behind his back and blindfolded, and Kane says he can too. They begin to argue when Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox walk up. They inform Kane that he will have one arm tied behind his back and inform Bryan that he will be blindfolded.
We take a look at WWE’s parody of “A Few Good Men” from 2005, staring John Cena and JBL.
Sheamus presents his “Oscar Snubs” after the commercial break.
We see that The Miz and Jack Swagger will go one-on-one later tonight.
Sheamus’ music hits and he makes his way to the ring to present his “Oscar Snubs.” He said he is an avid movie lover. He said he didn’t like what he saw at the Oscars last night. He says he has a problem with the Academy for overlooking one of the greatest actors of the 21st century, Wade Barrett. He says Barrett seriously is good, and we take a look at Barrett’s movie “Dead Man Down.” We watch another trailer that focuses more on Barrett. Sheamus mocks Barrett for not being a lead guy and doing “nothing” throughout the movie. Barrett’s music hits and he makes his way to the ring. Barrett says nothing but envy is coming out of Sheamus’ pores. Barrett says Sheamus can make his jokes, but he can’t hind the fact that he is jealous of Barrett. Barrett says he is about to star in a major Hollywood blockbuster while Sheamus returns his rented tuxedo and drowns his sorrows in an Irish pub. Sheamus says Barrett will indeed be walking down the red carpet, so he needs to make sure the paparazzi gets his good side. Sheamus says he doesn’t think Barrett has a good side. Sheamus almost connects with the Brogue Kick, but Barrett escapes and they have a stare down to end the segment.
We are reminded once more that John Cena and CM Punk will go one-on-one later tonight. We also see that The Shield will be on Raw tonight and will deliver a message.
Damien Sandow has joined Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler on commentary for the next match.
Match #4: Cody Rhodes vs. R-Truth
Truth takes Rhodes down with a shoulder block. Truth connects with a right hand and backs Rhodes into the corner. Truth charges, but Rhodes connects with a back elbow. Rhodes goes for the Disaster Kick, but Truth ducks. Rhodes sets Truth up in the corner and kicks him in the knee. Rhodes beats down Truth and then slams him down on the mat. Rhodes delivers a few more right hands and then puts his boot to Truth’s face. Truth fights back and connects with a right hand. Rhodes kicks Truth, but Truth reverses with the corkscrew elbow for the pin fall.
Winner: R-Truth.
After the match, Sandow tries to attack Truth, but Truth gets the better of him and sends him out to the floor.
We take a look at one of Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger’s YouTube videos. We are then reminded that The Miz and Jack Swagger will go one-on-one later tonight.
Match #5: Team Hell No vs. The Prime Time Players (Daniel Bryan will be blindfolded and Kane will have one arm tied behind his back)
Bryan starts the match by grabbing the referee, but the referee stops him. O’Neil blows his whistle at Bryan, and Young does the same on the floor. O’Neil takes Bryan down from behind and tags in Young. Young takes Bryan down with a suplex and goes for a cover, but Bryan kicks out at two. Young goes and tags in O’Neil, who slams Bryan to the mat. O’Neil goes an elbow drop, but Bryan rolls to the floor. Kane goes to help Bryan up, but Bryan elbows him and gets back into the ring. Young is the legal man and then Kane tags himself in. Kane goes after Young and clotheslines him in the corner and few times and takes Young down to the mat. Kane goes for a chokeslam on Young, but O’Neil provides a distraction. Kane delivers a big boot to O’Neil and then eventually chokeslams Young for the pin fall.
Winners: Team Hell No.
We see that The Shield will deliver their ‘ominous’ message after the commercial break.
The Shield makes their way to the ring. Ambrose says it has to get worse before it gets better, and things are about to get a lot worse for the WWE. He says they are the future and that makes everyone a little bit uncomfortable. He says no one will be able to stop them from doing the job they came to do. Reigns says they are going to win every single time, and that if you don’t believe in The Shield, Justice is going to hunt you down and your bones will be ground to dust. Rollins gets the mic and says they defeated Team Hell No and Ryback in one of the most brutal matches in the company’s history, and they solved the John Cena Problem when they defeated Cena, Sheamus, and Ryback at No Way Out. He says they continued when they added Chris Jericho to their list of victims thus far. Rollins asks if there’s anyone else who wants to step up, and Sheamus’ music hits. He tells them to come up to the stage and fight him. Reigns and Ambrose exit the ring, and Orton slides into the ring and RKO’s Rollins. Orton leaves through the crowd as Ambrose and Reigns check on Rollins.
We are reminded again that John Cena and CM Punk will go one-on-one later tonight, and that The Miz vs. Jack Swagger is next as we go to a commercial.
Match #6: Jack Swagger (w/Zeb Colter) vs. The Miz
Miz delivers a few right hands and a kick before sending Swagger over the top rope. The Miz comes off the apron, but Swagger catches him and belly-to-belly slams him on the floor. Swagger tosses Miz back into the ring and then clubs him on the back a couple of times. Miz comes back and backs Swagger into the corner, but Swagger reverses and knees Miz in the midsection in the corner. Swagger splashes Miz in the corner and sends him to the mat. Swagger applies a submission on the mat, and then kicks him in the head. Swagger keeps control of the match and pushes his knee into Miz’s head. Miz fights out and takes Swagger down. Miz charges, but Swagger catches him and slams him down to the mat for a two count. The Miz clubs Swagger from the top rope and goes for the cover, but Swagger kicks out at two. The Miz rolls up Swagger and gets a two count. The Miz gets ties up in the ropes and Swagger kicks his ankle a couple of times. Swagger takes out Miz’s leg and applies the Patriot Lock, and The Miz taps out.
Winner: Jack Swagger.
We are reminded again that John Cena and CM Punk will be in the main event tonight.
We see footage from the brawl between Brock Lesnar and Triple H earlier tonight and see some Tout videos from fans.
We go backstage and John Cena says he will prove CM Punk wrong tonight and will keep his number one contendership when he beats CM Punk. He says he has won the big one ten times and asked for the match tonight to prove that John Cena is back.
Match #7: CM Punk vs. John Cena – Winner challenges The Rock for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 29
They tie up and Punk takes Cena down. Punk has a headlock locked in, but Cena fights out and takes Punk down and applies a headlock of his own. They tie up again and Cena takes Punk down a few times, but Punk reverses into a headlock of his own. Cena sends Punk off the ropes and takes him down with a hip toss and Punk goes out to the floor as we head to a commercial break.
We’re back and Cena suplexes Punk down to the mat. Cena charges, but Punk moves and Cena crashes into the corner. Punk goes for a cover, but Cena kicks out at two. Punk applies a submission and keeps Cena on the mat for a while, but Cena powers out and slams Punk down on the mat. Cena connects with a running bulldog and goes for the cover, but Punk kicks out at two. Cena applies a front face lock and takes him down and applies a headlock. Punk fights out and delivers a heel kick to Cena for a two count. Punk gets Cena in a headlock, but Cena fights out. Cena hits the flying shoulder tackle, but then Punk sends Cena out to the floor. Punk dives through the ropes onto Cena, and both men are down on the floor as we go to a commercial.
We’re back and Punk is still in control of the match. Cena begins the comeback and begins the Five Moves of Doom, but Punk counters and applies the Anaconda Vice. Cena rolls him up, and Punk has to break the hold. Punk signals that it’s time to Go To Sleep, but Cena goes for the STF. Punk gets to the ropes, and dive off the top and connects with a clothesline for a two count. Cena catches Punk in the STF, but Punk breaks free and applies the Anaconda Vice. Cena counters right back into the STF, but Punk gets a cover on Cena for a two count. They exchange right hands and Cena takes advantage before Punk kicks him in the knee. Cena comes right back and drops Cena with a side slam. Punk lifts Cena up for the GTS, but Cena counters and drops Punk for a two count. Punk delivers the high knee to Cena in the corner and goes for the running bulldog, but Cena counters and drops Punk. Cena hits the Five-Knuckle Shuffle and goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but Punk gets free. Punk goes for the GTS, but Cena counters and hits a big power bomb for a two count. Cena goes up top, but Punk cuts him off and delivers an elbow to the temple. Punk goes for a suplex, but Cena counters and headbutts Punk down to the mat. Cena connects with the leg drop from the top rope and goes for the cover, but Punk kicks out at two. Punk kicks Cena in the back of the head and hits the high knee and goes for he bulldog again, but Cena counters with the AA and goes for the cover, but Punk kicks out at two again. They go to the outside, and Punk sends Cena into the ring post. Cena jumps back into the ring at the count of nine to break the referee’s count. Punk lifts Cena up and delivers the GTS and goes for the cover, but Cena kicks out at two. Punk goes a second GTS, but Cena catches his leg and locks in the STF. Punk makes it to the ropes to break the hold. Punk delivers a piledriver to Cena and goes for the cover, but Cena kicks out at two again. Punk goes for cover after cover, and Cena kicks out at two each time. Punk goes up top and goes for the elbow drop, but Cena moves and takes down Punk with an hurricanrana. Cena hits the AA for the pin fall.
Winner: John Cena.
Quick Results:
1. Ryback def. Dolph Ziggler
2. Mark Henry def. The Great Khali
3. Randy Orton def. Antonio Cesaro
4. R-Truth def. Cody Rhodes
5. Team Hell No def. The Prime Time Players
6. Jack Swagger def. The Miz
7. John Cena def. CM Punk
