4/11/11 WWE Raw Recap (Edge retires)
Live from Bridgeport, CT
by Hans Keller
“Yes, sir. We promise you a great main event today…”
Michael Cole is introduced by Justin Roberts as an Award Winning Journalist and only undefeated superstar in the WWE. Michael Cole taunts King when John Cena comes out to the ring. Cena hypes up the WWE Universe and talks about next year’s Wrestlemania XXVIII Main Event: John Cena vs. The Rock. He hypes it as the biggest spectacle of all of sports entertainment. Said its more than two people fighting for bragging rights. He boldly stated that it will be for the WWE Championship, which he segways into him wanting to capture the WWE Championship. He issues a challenge to The Miz but gets Randy Orton.
Orton says that, with all due respect, his business at Wrestlemania is over. He can do what he wants, even blame The Rock, but he lost. Orton says someone else should get the shot. Someone who won at Wrestlemania. Cena starts to talk but is cut off by John Morrison. John Morrison thinks that HE should be involved in the title discussion. “EXCUSE ME!” Here comes Vickie Guerrero and her business partner Dolph Ziggler. Vickie brings up the fact that she pinned Morrison two weeks ago and says SHE should get the next title shot, but then quickly takes it back and says Dolph should get it. He hypes himself as the most talented star in the ring right now. He also says he never faced Miz so the line starts with him. He continues to talk until he is cut off by R-Truth.
R-Truth asks Bridgeport, CT “WHAT’S UP?!” He then says he NEVER got a one-on-one WWE title shot on any show, and thats the Truth and that’s WHAT’S UP! Incoming email from the Anonymous RAW GM. God PLEASE kill this angle… The GM says all make compelling arguments. So, they are arranging a 5 man gauntlet match, 2 men start. The next faces another random star. It culminates after the last fall, where the winner faces The Miz at Extreme Rules.
Later Tonight: King vs. Swagger; if Swagger wins, Cole never faces him again. Also, tonight, Edge has a blockbuster announcement. Could his career be over? Stay tuned and see!
A weird promo is shown with a shadow figure flicking the head off a doll.
We come back to The Bella Twins in the ring. Brie Bella is ready to fight Eve Torres for the WWE Diva’s Championship NEXT!
WWE Diva’s Championship
Eve Torres (ch) vs. Brie Bella w/ Nikki Bella
Eve brings out a marker and tells Referee John Cone to mark one of the Bellas. One can only guess this is so twin magic can’t happen. The bell rings and Brie gets an early opening, putting Eve in the corner. Brie smacks Eve’s head to the mat and hooks a reverse chin lock, which is countered into a bulldog and a dropkick. Eve does a standing moonsault for a near fall. Eve puts Brie in the Tree of Woe and dropkicks her, followed up by kicks. Twin magic happens but Eve spots Twin magic, though Brie nails a facebuster and scores the win!
Winner and NEW WWE Divas Champion: Brie Bella
Michael Cole talks up the Bella Twins, while Josh Mathews plugs the #1 Contenders gauntlet match later tonight. Sin Cara is shown, he is in action, NEXT!
Eve is shown in the Locker room and Gail Kim expresses her sympathy. But Eve says all the divas are the same.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is time for Sin Cara’s long awaited debut on WWE Television!
Sin Cara vs. Primo Colon
Tie up, Primo starts with the advantage which Sin Cara quickly counters with a headlock takeover. Primo shoves, Sin Cara kicks, but Primo is back on the offensive. Sin Cara shows amazing athleticism as he lands on his feet, gives a drop kick and vaults over the ropes into a hurricanrana. Primo enters the ring and gets back on the offensive again. Quick cover only for one. Reverse chin lock by Primo, the crowd is completely over with Sin Cara, who is thrown down and shoved into the corner with an over head chop, Irish whip, counters a splash, and Sin Cara gives Primo Ric Flair chops and hurricanranas. Primo goes low and sets up for a powerbomb but is countered into a masterful yet effortless sunset flip for a near fall. Primo to the top rope, Enziguiri from the top by Sin Cara twice! C4 from the top rope seals the win! (We shall see what he calls it later)
Winner: Sin Cara
All three commentators put over Sin Cara’s amazing athletic ability. Still to come; Lawler vs. Swagger. The Edge promo is hyped again.
Wrestlemania Rewind: The Corre unsuccessfully ambushing The Rock and John Cena.
The Corre is in the ring. Wade Barrett says last week Cena and Rock made history with their match announcement. They decided to attack, to no avail. He says it isn’t his fault. Barrett says that he used to see everyone as equals but he is questioning that. Justin Gabriel says he has taken out more guys. He and Heath are tag team champions and Ezekiel gets in his face about being a dominating man. Out comes Santino Marella, Mark Henry, Evan Bourne and Daniel Bryan, introduced by Santino as “The Apple”. Allied People Powered Loathing Everything. The Apple, in the name of Kozlov, challenge the Corre to a fight. This match is gonna be NEXT!
The Corre (Wade Barrett, Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater & Ezekiel Jackson) vs. The Apple (Santino Marella, Mark Henry, Evan Bourne and Daniel Bryan)
We come back in the middle of this 8-man tag team match. The Corre is on top with Zeke dominating Daniel Bryan. Wade Barrett in, who keeps Daniel Bryan in the corner. The Corre utilizes hot tags while Gabriel gets a nearfall. Cole makes a bad joke about the match being the pits, which King points out is a trait of cherries. Daniel Bryan turns the tables as he knocks Slater down. Both are down, Slater grabs Bryan’s leg, but he gets Santino! Inverted atomic drop and a headbutt for two. The house is cleaned out as Santino was about to get the Cobra until Justin Gabriel kicks him from behind allowing Slater to hit a reverse DDT for the win.
Winners: The Corre
Next, Lawler vs. Swagger. The announcers discuss the ramifications as JR comes out to the ring. Cole mocks JR who literally rocks the Cole Mine! Swagger tries a cheap shot but King catches him! The two fight it out as they get separated by referees. Lawler vs. Swagger is NEXT!
Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Jack Swagger
If King wins, he not only gets a rematch, but he chooses the stipulation. If Swagger wins, Cole retires undefeated.
The bell rings and the match is underway. J.R. is in King’s corner while Cole is in Swagger’s corner. Cole trashes J.R. as Swagger gives King a back body drop. A punch by king, who steals Swagger’s run around taunt. Cole keeps talking and I seriously want to punch my TV as Swagger kicks Lawler in the corner. Side headlock applied. King is back to his feet as he executes a back suplex. Ankle Lock applied but King reaches the ropes. Swagger works on the injured ankle of Jack Swagger. Cover for a nearfall. Armbar submission. King gets into a corner, but Swagger doesn’t break clean. King no sells a turnbuckle smash, pulls a strap and unloads right hands on Swagger! Toe kick by swagger, puts King on his shoulders, but King counters and drop kicks Swagger into the turnbuckle. King distracted by Cole allows Swagger to punch him in the back. J.R. attacks Cole, Swagger attacks J.R., King rolls up Swagger for the win! And Cole is speechless! JUST THE WAY I LIKE HIM!
Winner: Jerry Lawler
With this win, Jerry Lawler not only faces Michael Cole, but he faces Michael Cole in the match of his choosing. Cole is in complete disbelief as he blames Swagger for his loss. He pokes Swagger in the chest and calls him an idiot, then slaps him. Swagger snaps as King brings up their match at Extreme Rules. First, the match. The match will be a tag team match. King and J.R. vs Cole and his former friend Jack Swagger. What a slobberknocker of an announcement!
Josh Mathews brings up Triple H vs. The Undertaker and rolls video footage of the match along with the opinions of WWE superstars.
Edge is shown with John Cena. The announcement is coming NEXT!
Josh Mathews plugs the Wrestlemania exclusives on WWE.com
Justin Roberts welcomes to the ring, Edge. The fans cheer for him as Edge asks them to bear with him. He says people don’t think the WWE hurts. He wishes that were true, but it isn’t, and anyone that competes can tell. 8 years ago, Edge broke his neck. He knew he was on borrowed time. He admits that lately he has been in pain. He got tests, and an MRI has shown Edge that he has to retire. Its not his choice, and he is thankful about not having to be in a wheelchair. The fans start cheering for him as he talks about his feelings and discussing things with Christians. Christian reminded him, he said, that he has always competed on his terms. Edge says he is STILL a fan of WWE. He brought back memories of Maple Leaf Gardens and Wrestlemania VI. He says he can’t think of a better way of going out as World Heavyweight Championship. He says he became a man in front of the WWE. He went through all his gimmicks. he recalls being thrown in the Long Island sound. He recalls his scene with Lita and was thankful it wasn’t with Vickie. He hopes that he earned everyone’s respect. He says he will miss everything. He said if he would do all of this again, all the traveling, the injuries, everything, he’d do it in a heartbeat. He thanks everyone, as the crowd in Bridgeport gives Edge a standing ovation, which he truly deserves. The words I typed here don’t do his promo justice, I encourage you to watch any video of this that surfaces.
The Gauntlet match is plugged by J.R. who has joined Josh and King on commentary. Edge was given an ovation by all the guys in the back.
The Miz’s music plays as he walks down to the ring, apparently to join commentary for the Gauntlet match.
5-man Gauntlet Match
#1 Contendership to the WWE Championship
John Cena, Randy Orton, John Morrison, Dolph Ziggler, R-Truth
Randy Orton and Dolph Ziggler (w/ Vickie Guerrero) start the match first as Mike Chioda calls for the bell. Randy Orton gets the upper hand and a quick near fall. However, Dolph kicks his knee and gives Orton a Fame Asser. Cover, only good for 2. Reverse Chin Lock by Dolph. Randy Orton reverses the chin lock and gives Dolph a powerslam and his signature middle-rope DDT. Orton starts hearing voices as Nexus interferes allowing Dolph to roll up for the first fall. The Nexus takes Orton out systematically. This match will continue.
R-Truth is revealed as entrant #3 as the match continues. Dolph goes to work immediately as Referee Mike Chioda forces the break. Hard irish whip by Dolph only gets two. Another near fall after a jumping elbow drop followed by a chin lock/arm bar combination followed by a reverse chin lock. R-Truth tries to get momentum and is denied. Irish whip, dodges a body splash. R-Truth with a forward falling suplex good for only two. R-Truth eats turnbuckle as Dolph does a Rick Rude-type neck-breaker for two. R-Truth hits a jumping complete shot for three. Next out…JOHN MORRISON!
R-Truth wastes no time in getting an opening on John Morrison as both men exchange a ton of near falls. Flapjack on R-Truth, Morrison with a leg drop for two. Reverse chin lock on R-Truth. R-Truth tries to get out but Morrison answers with a side Russian Leg Sweep. Morrison clotheslines R-Truth over the top and both knock each other out outside of the ring. Chioda gets to 9 and both get back into the ring. Morrison with clotheslines and a spin kick for two. R-Truth with a weird maneuver that I don’t know what to call for only two. Irish whip to Morrison who grabs the ropes. Enziguiri followed by a Starship pain that missed and ANOTHER jumping complete shot for three. And now….enter John Cena to his usual mixed cheer and boo reaction.
Promo for Smackdown this Friday where Edge will relinquish his title.
Cena with an arm wringer and a gutwrench suplex for 2. Dropkick by Cena. Cena gives R-Truth distance then a Fisherman’s Suplex for two. Back suplex for two. Cena with an interesting power move for two. R-Truth shows determination as Cena is amazed. Another Suplex by Cena which again yields a nearfall. To the high rent district with Cena who hits a Guillotine Leg Drop still for 2! Cena is amazed and wondering just what he has to do to put R-Truth out. R-Truth with a punch and both guys are down. Both up and R-Truth with clotheslines and a hip toss. Lie Detector by R-Truth for two. Cena starts his build up, two shoulder tackles and his signature powerbomb. He does “You can’t see me” to Miz and hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Miz and Alex Riley attack both competitors as Mike Chioda rules a Double Disqualification. Incoming message from the GM. King reads it and it says the following: The GM says Miz is right, there is no #1 contender for the WWE championship. But, that’s because there is TWO #1 contenders. The GM says the WWE championship will be defended in a Triple threat match featuring Miz, R-Truth and John Cena. The latter who of which clear house. R-Truth kicks out A Ry while Cena gives Miz an Attitude Adjustment. The #1 Contenders stare each other down, then shake hands and smack each others backs and shove by Cena. R-Truth heads out. Good night all!
